Dr. Melanie Peffer is the author of “Biology Everywhere: How the Science of Life Matters to Everyday Life”, a book that reveals how biological concepts taught in the classroom are connected to the world around us. In this episode, we discuss key concepts from the book including changes to the way science is taught, how creative processes are used in scientific work, and understanding how scientific knowledge is acquired. We also talk about engaging with non-scientific audiences even when they adopt anti-scientific points of view, and how COVID-19 has revealed the way that scientific work and knowledge evolves to the public. Learn more about her book, educational engagement, and research at: https://www.biologyeverywhere.com.

STPF Fellows are great at adapting their careers to suit their personal interests and whatever life has in store, such as a global pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Vince Tedjasaputra talks about how his involvement in track and field led to his earning a PhD in Physical Education and Recreation (an official “Doctor of Gym”), and how working with patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) led to his becoming a AAAS STPF Fellow. As a self-proclaimed extrovert, Dr. Tedjasaputra talks about his external-facing communications work in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation, as well as how he has adapted since working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Julie Palakovich Carr is a scientist who now serves as a state legislator in the Maryland House of Delegates. We spoke to her this past June, and she discussed her transition from academic research to policymaking, her work related to COVID-19, and how the global pandemic changed her work. She also provided some advice for any scientist considering running for office or looking for other ways of getting involved in policy and government.

PARTICIPANTS

Host: Brynn Hollingsworth, PhD, 2019-2020 Executive Branch STPF Fellow, National Institutes of Health (Instagram: @flyingsciencefish)

Guest:  Julie Palakovich Carr (Twitter: @palakovichcarr)

PRODUCERS

Producer: Brynn Hollingsworth, PhD

Executive Producer: Phil Ko, PhD, 2019-2020 Executive Branch STPF Fellow, National Science Foundation

Image: Maryland State Flag, Michael Wheeler / Public domain

The Science & Technology Policy Fellowships at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provide broad opportunities for scientists to engage in government policy, but COVID-19 has changed the way fellows work. The article “Serving as an STPF Fellow in the Era of COVID-19”, co-authored by several current fellows, examines some of the ways that fellows have adapted – such as leveraging technology to create and strengthen relationships. It also suggests positive ways that communication, informational meetings, and professional development can change with teleworking. In part two of this two-episode podcast, we speak with one of the authors of the article, STPF fellow Dr. Michael Nestor, who expands on some of the issues raised in the article.

The Science & Technology Policy Fellowships at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provide broad opportunities for scientists to engage in government policy, but COVID-19 has changed the way fellows work. The article “Serving as an STPF Fellow in the Era of COVID-19”, co-authored by several current fellows, examines some of the ways that fellows have adapted – such as leveraging technology to create and strengthen relationships. It also suggests positive ways that communication, informational meetings, and professional development can change with teleworking. In this two-episode podcast, we speak with one of the authors of the article, STPF fellow Dr. Michael Nestor, who expands on some of the issues raised in the article.

Understanding the science of viral transmission and pandemics is now critical, especially for younger generations. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Thomson discusses how the One Health framework provides a holistic understanding of the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 and its related disease COVID-19. She also discusses how One Health informed her work as a veterinarian and how she now uses it to teach students around the world about COVID-19. You can find more information about Dr. Thomson’s educational efforts at www.onehealthlessons.com. 

Hundreds of thousands of people across the world have developed coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, a respiratory syndrome caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. In this episode, STPF fellow Dr. Vince Tedjasaputra provides some important facts about the virus and the disease. Much of the information comes from a document called “How to fight the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19” by Dr. Michael Z. Lin, a biochemist at Stanford School of Medicine’s Department of Neurobiology. Dr. Lin’s document lists basic facts about the coronavirus, its rate of infection, who is most at risk, and what we can do now to slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Tedjasaputra also provides personal tips on how to manage stress during this time.

This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In this episode of the Sci on the Fly podcast, Terrence Mosley, an engineer and AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Department of Energy, speaks to Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect within the Building Technologies Office at DOE. Mr. Rashkin has been a long-time advocate for energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience within the housing industry. He created the Zero Energy Ready Home program, received the prestigious Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership, and is the author of “Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry: How It Got Here, Why It’s Broken, and How to Fix It.” In this interview, Mr. Rashkin discusses the DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes program, his strategies for transforming the new homebuyer consumer experience, and the need for ultimately disrupting the housing industry.

This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.