Best Purdue College of Science Podcasts (2025)

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What is Far-UVC technology, and How it Can Be Used to Make our Indoor Environments Healthier? 37:21

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1+ y ago37:21

37:21

Today we chatted with John Rajchert about the application of using far UVC technology to make indoor environments healthier. Rajchert is a native of Sydney Australia with an impressive background in electrical engineering. He has worked for years making buildings safe and efficient. Today he is a Co-founder and CEO of Lit Thinking and discusses wha…

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Understanding Quantum Physics 33:18

1+ y ago33:18

33:18

We wanted to know a few things about Quantum materials. Who better to ask than Erica W. Carlson, Ph.D., a Professor of Physics at Purdue University. Prof. Carlson holds a BS in Physics from the California Institute of Technology (1994), as well as a Ph.D. in Physics from UCLA (2000). A theoretical physicist at the Purdue Quantum Science and Enginee…

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What is the Mars Perseverance Rover Doing Now? 23:52

1+ y ago23:52

23:52

Briony Horgan, Associate Professor of Planetary Sciences at Purdue University, is working to determine whether we are alone in the Universe, or if life once existed on other planets such as Mars. She explains what the Perseverance Rover is doing on Mars, (like looking for ancient microbial life!), and talks about the samples and data that Persevera…

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AI Bias and Ethical Concerns 35:18

1+ y ago35:18

35:18

Dr. Lindsay Weinberg is a clinical assistant professor in the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University, and the Director of the Tech Justice Lab. Her research and teaching are at the intersection of science and technology studies, media studies, and feminist studies, with an emphasis on the social and ethical impacts of digital technology…

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How Machine Learning and A.I. Models Work 30:42

1+ y ago30:42

30:42

From "writing code" without knowing code to training models, Professor Tianyi Zhang discusses how Machine Learning and A.I. models work and what they are. He is an Assistant Professor at Purdue University researching Human and Computer Interaction.By Purdue University

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Who should study Cybersecurity? 33:50

1+ y ago33:50

33:50

In an era of increasing cyber threats, Eugene H. Spafford forges our future in the area of cybersecurity. Dr. Spafford is a Professor of Computer Science in Purdue University's College of Science. He explains ethical hacking, social engineering, and the role of cybersecurity professionals in our lives.…

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Understanding nuclear power. 31:34

1+ y ago31:34

31:34

From how nuclear power works to safety in the industry, Dr. Hitesh Bindra explains nuclear energy. Hitesh is an Associate Professor at Purdue University's School of Nuclear Engineering.By Purdue University

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Understanding AI and Computer Vision with Raymond Yeh 32:10

2y ago32:10

32:10

Raymond Yeh is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at Purdue University. His research is at the intersection of machine learning and computer vision. Specifically, his research focuses on developing algorithms to learn effective and explainable models ranging across several domains including audio, vision, language, and mu…

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Being Curious Leads a Computer Scientist to Automated Algorithm Analysis 37:08

2y ago37:08

37:08

Andres Bejarano began his career wanting to make video games. Today Andres is a computer scientist who is an Assistant Professor of Practice. He researches making natural looking A.I. images and teaches classes at Purdue University. Automated Algorithm Analysis serves as a powerful tool that enhances the efficiency of computer programs, benefiting …

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Fostering Collaborations: Institutes Driving Interdisciplinary Solutions for a Sustainable Future 42:22

2y ago42:22

42:22

We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Matt Huber, the Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Future. Join us as we delve into the inner workings of this influential institute, exploring its crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. As we navigate the landscape of academia, our conversation takes an intriguing turn toward understand…

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Harnessing the Power of Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Stormwater Management 43:33

2y ago43:33

43:33

Nicole Chavas (President + Chief Operating Officer) and Lucy Kopchak (Associate Engineer) join us to discuss green infrastructure and sustainable engineering. Due to climate change, cities are seeing an increase in stronger storms with heavier rainfalls. Traditional infrastructure (gray infrastructure) is not equipped to handle significant increase…

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How do architects design science laboratories? 24:31

2y ago24:31

24:31

Specializing in designing science laboratories, Marilee is a registered architect and Senior Laboratory Planner at HED, one of the oldest and largest architecture and engineering firms in the country.By Purdue University

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What is Data Science and How is it Used? 25:34

2y ago25:34

25:34

Ever wonder where some A.I. programs their data? Farhan Shaikh (VP of Data and Digital Solutions at Jacobs) discusses Data Science. Jacobs is an international company working to make the world smarter, more connected, and more sustainable. Farhan explains what kind of data Jacobs and others collect and how that data is used. We discuss types of dat…

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The Dark Side of the Moon: and other misconceptions... 36:27

2y ago36:27

36:27

By Purdue University

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Conservation of Valuable Land Through a Land Trust 22:30

2y ago22:30

22:30

Ben Taylor is a Project Manager at ACRES Land Trust in Northern Indiana. He joins us today to discuss the details of what a Land Trust is and his role in conservation and saving valuable lands for the future.By Purdue University

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The Quest to Discover Dark Matter 23:55

2y ago23:55

23:55

Dr. Rafael Lang from Purdue University Physics and Astronomy is an eternal optimist. As iny scienteest has to be. He is on a quest to discover Dark Matter. Dark matter is a mysterious and invisible substance that makes up a significant portion of the total matter in the universe. Unlike ordinary matter, which includes everything we can see and dete…

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Exploring Ancient Volcanoes: Unveiling Insights from the Past 23:03

2y ago23:03

23:03

Disha Okhai researches ancient volcanoes to learn about the patterns and processes that provide valuable information about how magma accumulates, moves, and triggers volcanic eruptions. This historical perspective allows for the identification of key indicators and precursors that signify an impending volcanic eruption. Armed with this knowledge, m…

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Demystifying Severe Storms and Tornadoes: Separating Fact from Fiction 28:44

2y ago28:44

28:44

This exciting crash course on tornado formation is led by Professor Dan Dawson, aka "Tornado Dan," renowned research scientist from Purdue University Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and master of all things tornado-related. In this insightful episode, Dr. Dawson unravels misconceptions surrounding these natural wonders and p…

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Frozen Quest: A Geochemist's Antarctic Expedition Searching for Knowledge 22:28

2+ y ago22:28

22:28

Geochemist Marissa Tremblay recently returned from a field research excursion in Antarctica. She describes the extreme cold environment as well as the science that is looking to reveal the secrets of the rocks there. Specifically, what was the temperature like 3 million years ago in Antarctica? Listen to Marissa's first recording with Superheroes o…

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Understanding Drug Discovery: Finding the Cure for the Flu 20:11

2+ y ago20:11

20:11

Drug Discovery is a very interdisciplinary field of research. Imrul Shahriar, Ph.D. Candidate with the Low Research Laboratory at Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, walks us through the process of drug discovery: from the many fields of science involved to the proteins used to deliver the medicine to the correct cells. Imrul is actively researchi…

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Moons of the Milky Way: The Ingredients for Life 20:14

2+ y ago20:14

20:14

Dr. Michael Sori (Purdue University Planetary Geophysics & Surface Processes) discusses bodies in our solar system that have ice, underground oceans, tides, and space exploration. We converse about various moons that have some of the basic ingredients for life.By Purdue University

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Using Weather Balloons for Scientific Research and Education 22:26

2+ y ago22:26

22:26

In this informative episode, Brandon Pearson, the Director of NearSpace Education, explains the myriad uses of weather balloons and how they contribute to our understanding of the world around us. Join us on a journey of scientific exploration as we uncover the invaluable data these balloons provide. Once airborne, weather balloons become invaluabl…

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What to Expect and do During a Total Solar Eclipsed 21:14

2+ y ago21:14

21:14

Dr. Rafael Lang from Purdue University Physics and Astronomy explains to us that " a particle solar eclipse is something you see, a total solar eclipse is something that you experience". Through a discussion, we learn what to expect before, during, and after a total solar eclipse. Professor Lang explains why we have solar eclipses and the importanc…

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Learning from Seismic White Noise 25:10

2+ y ago25:10

25:10

What was once considered background seismic white noise or ambient waves is now a valuable learning tool about the environment. Elita Li is investigating everything from traffic patterns to falling windmills by looking into these waves. Dr. Yunyue Elita Li is the Mary J. Elmore New Frontiers Associate Professor in Data Science in EAPS and (by court…

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CubeSats: The Future of Space Exploration 20:44

2+ y ago20:44

20:44

In the past, only large, well-funded organizations could afford to build and launch satellites. But CubeSats are making it possible for anyone with a good idea and some basic engineering skills to put a satellite in space. Brandon Pearson is the Director of NearSpace Education sits with us to explain further CubeSats. CubeSats are small, cube-shape…

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Agrivoltaics: Pairing Agriculture with Solar Farms for a Cleaner Environment 26:03

2+ y ago26:03

26:03

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director for Clean Wisconsin, joined us to discuss some current initiatives related to solar energy and address several misconceptions about this alternative energy source. We also learned about agrivoltaics, where several crops can be farmed together while utilizing land space for solar farms.…

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Explore Titan: A World Like No Other 19:57

2+ y ago19:57

19:57

Discover the wonders of Titan, the second-largest moon in our Solar System! Start your outer space journey and explore an alien world like no other. Titan is unique – its atmosphere, clouds, and vast oceans are made of methane instead of water.By Purdue University

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Biomedical Engineering: Designing the least invasive medical procedures 29:28

3y ago29:28

29:28

Minimally invasive surgeries are ideal for reducing recovery time for patients. Biomedical engineers play an important role in figuring out the design requirements needed for developing useful devices for both physicians and other end users. Creasy Clauser, Research Manager for Cook Medical, describes the role of a Biomedical Engineer from identify…

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Shooting Stars: Could They be From Other Planets? 18:14

3y ago18:14

18:14

From space weathering to lunar soils, Dr. Michelle Thompson, Purdue University EAPS, is actively furthering our knowledge about the universe. She not only knows about meteors and meteorites, she teaches professionals how to handle and research these interstellar objects. We caught up with her to learn about what these "Shooting Stars" are and where…

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Can you x-ray a goldfish? A discussion with a veterinary radiologist. 42:19

3y ago42:19

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Before x-rays were used for medical purposes, they were used for entertainment. X-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are utilized in a variety of radiography procedures that are currently taught to aspiring veterinary students. Liane Shaw, Diagnostic Imaging Senior Instructional Veterinary Nurse at the Purdue University College of Ve…

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Where are the ingredients in your medicine coming from? 44:13

3y ago44:13

44:13

We all take medicine at some time or another, but what do we know about how these medicines are made? We asked Joe Topczewski, a chemist who has been part of both academia and industry, about pharmaceuticals: how they are made, how they become available, and how they are regulated. We learned that there is a lot of freely available information on f…

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Getting the Green Light: How a research program is chosen for NASA funding 18:38

3y ago18:38

18:38

How is a research program chosen for funding by NASA? As various scientific field campaigns are implemented, some of the campaigns reach the scientific research community and program scientists like Ken Jucks, Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Programs selected through peer-review for funding by NASA focus on answering scie…

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Heliophysics and Solar Eclipses with NASA HEAT 42:51

3y ago42:51

42:51

The Sun is both a natural laboratory for plasma physics and the focus of the field of study known as Heliophysics. Heliophysics involves the physics of how the Sun actually works. Dr. Michael Kirk, P.I. of the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team, defines the state of matter known as plasma, and explains how studying the Sun helps us better …

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World Water and Wetlands: Looking at the Present and Considering the Future 35:24

3y ago35:24

35:24

There are many variables that play a role in understanding the impacts of water as it relates to the development of different environments. Kayla Cotterman is an Environmental Scientist with the Lochmueller Group who studies the impact to wetlands for groups wanting to develop. Cotterman discusses variables such as water usage, storm water, runoff,…

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What a Chemist has to do with an OLED TV 35:34

3y ago35:34

35:34

When you look at a leaf, what color do you see? While a leaf may appear green, it is not necessarily producing green light. The leaf absorbs wavelengths of red light, and reflects the green light that we see. Professor Alexander Wei's research group synthesizes molecules and nanomaterials, and studies how these materials interact with light. Wei di…

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Chaos of the Weather: An Interview with a Meteorologist 52:11

3+ y ago52:11

52:11

Mike Hoffman is the former 16 First Alert Chief Meteorologist of 27 years. Recently retired, he had enough time to sit down with us and discuss chaos as it relates to the weather. Hoffman recalls his years at Purdue, learning about the delay between performing calculations for upcoming weather with a computer model and using the results of those ca…

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They found water on Mars! Will they find life? 30:50

3+ y ago30:50

30:50

Brad Garczynski, PhD Candidate in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University, researches Martian rocks with the Perseverance Rover. Brad and others are using the natural environment we have access to on Earth to make connections and gain a better understanding of observations being made at Jezero Crater on Mar…

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Exploring new energy needs: Environmentally responsible energy products 50:56

3+ y ago50:56

50:56

Dr. Doug Schmitt is the Professor and Stephen and Karen Brand Endowed Chair of Unconventional Energy at Purdue University. Dr. Schmitt provides insight on growing energy consumption, the increased demand for products made with fewer (or no) greenhouse gas emissions, and challenges associated with the realities surrounding unconventional energy prod…

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Sequencing genes to understand the instructions for life: All about the -omics 55:53

3+ y ago55:53

55:53

Dr. Tommy Sors, Assistant Director of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), explains the role that STEM professionals in all fields play in sequencing genes to understand the instructions for life found in every cell. This field of study is known as genomics, but within this field, there are many other "-om…

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Going green from the roof down: Green Roof install 14:22

3+ y ago14:22

14:22

Green roofs are utilized to create habitat, promote health and well-being, reduce stormwater runoff, protect buildings, and conserve energy! John Aleck from LiveRoof joins us to discuss the installation process for green roofs and explain how green roofs are evolving to become more sustainable.By Purdue University

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Designing the Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure of the Future 35:35

3+ y ago35:35

35:35

Wastewater has become a commodity and it's being used in many different ways around the globe! Most wastewater infrastructure throughout the United States is nearing the end of its life and communities are looking at rebuilding systems that have been in place for decades. Leisha Pica is with Jacobs Engineering where she serves as both a Global Tech…

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YOU are Wired to Learn Through Stories 47:10

3+ y ago47:10

47:10

Studies have shown that when students are connected with their peers, the process of learning new things becomes easier. Collaborative opportunities within a classroom tend to help students learn better than when the classroom emphasis is based on a competition model. Curtis Kelly, Professor at Kansai University in Japan, is passionate about using …

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Ancient Pollen, Dinosaur Tracks, Volcanic Ash Beds: Clues to the Past for Geophysicists 22:02

3+ y ago22:02

22:02

Ken Ridgway tells us that in order to understand how the world works, we have to be able to study sedimentary rocks, and looking at an active area now helps us see what might have happened in the past. He sets up camp in active earthquake areas of Alaska and intensively researches the sedimentary rocks to discover clues to the past and make connect…

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Understanding and Preventing Invasive Species 43:39

3+ y ago43:39

43:39

Do your favorite pastimes involve water? Boaters, anglers, water gardeners, even classroom aquariums carry the potential to spread invasive species. Greg Hitzroth is an Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Specialist with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Illinois Natural History Survey. Greg helps us to better understand the meaning behind invasive …

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Respectfully Blending Indigenous Knowledge with Western Science 29:08

3+ y ago29:08

29:08

How do we blend Indigenous knowledge with Western science in a respectful way, and ensure that members of Indigenous communities are included in the decision making, classroom teaching, and current policies at the University level? Traditionally, many underrepresented groups have been left out of the US educational system. Purdue University has bee…

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What's up with microplastics, pharmaceuticals in the water, and where are they coming from? 41:57

4y ago41:57

41:57

Microplastics are small plastics that end up in our environment. But how do they get there and what kind of issues do they create? Sarah Zack is a Pollution Prevention Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois and with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant program. Sarah joins up to discuss and explain what science currently understands about mic…

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What is the Richter Scale and how a logarithmic scale works 44:45

4y ago44:45

44:45

Dr. Nowack returns to help us understand just how a logarithmic scale works. In today's episode, we discussed the Richter Scale, Powers of Ten, and How Babies Count. Dr. Robert Nowack is a Professor of Geophysics in the Dept. of Earth Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University.By Purdue University

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Avoiding Injury: Is it just soreness or something more serious? 39:21

4y ago39:21

39:21

The start of a new year can be an exciting time for setting goals related to personal health and fitness. These goals may include starting, or possibly continuing, an exercise or fitness routine. Scott Lawrance, Clinical Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology and Director of Athletic Training Education at Purdue University, cautions …

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Top Tips from Purdue Registered Dietitian for Positive Nutrition Changes 42:36

4y ago42:36

42:36

Looking to make a change in your health? We found an expert and discussed nutrition, goals, diets, and advice for safely making changes to your daily routine that can lead to long-term positive habits. Adam Huffield is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength, and Conditioning Specialist, and a Senior Lecturer in the D…

Purdue College Of Science Podcasts