Sit'n Listen!

Episode 28: We’re back with a new episode of Sit’N Listen, this time with guests Dr. Carl Bergstrom and Dr. Jevin West to discuss their book "Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World." Introduction (00:00) About the authors (00:50) What is bullshit? (09:01) Goodhard’s Law (13:39) Graph reading pitfalls (20:46) Correlation and causation (24:39) Assessing scientific claims (34:23) Combating public misinformation (39:50) Conclusion (46:25) For More Information: Book: https://www.callingbullshit.org/ Carl Bergstrom: http://ctbergstrom.com/ Jevin West: https://jevinwest.org/ Tyler Vigen’s website on unrelated correlated variables: https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations. Article in The Atlantic about the marshmallow test and confounding variables: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/06/marshmallow-test/561779/ This episode was written and produced by Edward Chen, Sanjana Kulkarni, Shantam Ravan, and Samantha Tracy. Special thanks to Justin Skycak for help with Zoom au

Episode 27: We’re back with a new episode of Sit’N Listen, this time with the second part of our two part series on Earth & Space. This episode was written by: Samantha Tracy, Priya Veeraraghavan, and Edward Chen A special thanks to the Sit’N Listen production team: Delphine Tripp, Chad Stein, Daniel Richard, Samantha Tracy, Priya Veeraraghavan, and Edward Chen Feel free to send us any comments, questions, or topic suggestions at sitnpodcast@gmail.com.

In the first episode on our Earth and Space Series, we heard a little bit about how research on Earth’s oceans has had major implications for the search for life in the cosmos. Here, we’ve published an extended interview with a pioneer in this area of exploration: Dr. Christopher German. Dr. German is a Senior Scientist who focuses on geochemistry at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In this extended interview, you can hear more about Ocean Worlds, the search for life in our solar system, the technology that makes this possible, and how Dr. German was able to bring together the fields of oceanography and astrobiology. You can learn more about Dr. German and his work at https://www.whoi.edu/profile/cgerman/ and NASA’s Ocean Worlds project at https://oceanworlds.whoi.edu/ This interview was recorded on April 14, 2021. This episode was produced by Chad Stein.

Episode 26: We’re back with a new episode of Sit’N Listen, this time with the first part of our two part series on Earth & Space. In this episode we will discuss: How learning about our own oceans can teach us about life in space The benefits of space-age technology, a little closer to home. Space as a final frontier or future landfill This episode was written by: Daniel Richard, Chad Stein, Delphine Tripp A special thanks to the Sit’N Listen production team: Delphine Tripp, Chad Stein, Daniel Richard, Samantha Tracy, Priya Veeraraghavan, and Edward Chen Feel free to send us any comments, questions, or topic suggestions at sitnpodcast@gmail.com. Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D1gBfXkg7hZ7vPxkDWLw9PD1RZ1TKb-wRODJSh9jmJ4/edit?usp=sharing

Pint-Sized Science, Season 2 Episode 5 Title: How Our Bodies Respond to Viruses and What Sets SARS-CoV-2 Apart Interviewee: Dr. Sara Cherry, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Interviewer: Hope Merens, PhD Student in Molecular Biology, Harvard University Over the past year, COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our society. The cause of the pandemic, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is one of many existing RNA viruses. But not every virus causes a pandemic. What makes SARS-CoV-2 so infectious? How does our body react to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and how does this compare to other infections? And finally, what novel antiviral therapies are scientists working on to protect us from SARS-CoV-2 and future viruses? Join us this week on the Pint-Sized Science podcast as we discuss these questions with Dr. Sara Cherry, a leading professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pint-Sized Science: Season 2, Episode 4 A Gynecologist and a Clinical Psychologist Walk Into an Interview: A Conversation about Painful Sex, Vulvodynia, and Inclusive Sexual Health Interviewees: Dr. Caroline Pukall, Professor of Psychology at Queen's University at Kingston, and Dr. Andrew Goldstein, Director of the Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders Interviewer: Theodora Mautz, AB '19, Clinical Research Coordinator at the Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders **This episode features mature content and viewer discretion is advised.** Why does sex hurt? In this episode, we interview two experts on chronic vulvar pain and explore the "biopsychosocial" aspects of conditions that fall under the umbrella category of vulvodynia (pain in the vulva). Join us as we talk about pain in the vulva, how these experts make research on sexual health inclusive both in terms of identity and preference, and in terms of global reach. Note: occasionally, she/her pronouns and "woman/women" are used in this episode to describe peo

Pint-Sized Science: Season 2, Episode 3. When it comes to the neutrino, scientists must go big or go home. Interviewee: Lindley Winslow, Associate Professor of Physics, MIT. Interviewer: Melis Tekant, PhD student in Physics, MIT. To uncover the nature of the elusive building blocks of the universe, scientists must observe some of the rarest events. How does one accomplish this? With an international team of researchers, in a years long project, using a giant, underground, super-cooled crystal. Professor Lindley Winslow explains the science, the considerations that go into planning and carrying out such large scientific projects, and how she got interested in the field. She also talks about how she got the opportunity to act as a science advisor for the newest Ghostbusters movie! For more information on Prof. Winslow's lab, please visit http://winslow.mit.edu/

Episode 25. This week, we talk with Suuba Demby, a junior at Harvard University majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a secondary in energy and environment. She joined Professor Doug Kwon's lab during the Fall 2020 semester. In this interview, Suuba discusses her experiences as an undergraduate student starting research during the pandemic. She also shares her thoughts on what has gone well, what hasn't, and what has had to change. (Recorded on November 20, 2020) Produced by: Edward Chen Featuring: Edward Chen, Suuba Demby

Episode 24: This week, we hear from Benjamin Martin, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School working to understand how and why genes turn on and off. He shares how, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped to build an online scientific community that now has members all around the globe. He also discusses the process of converting a one-bedroom apartment into a virtual studio for his partner’s pilates business and teaching their dog to play hockey. You can find Ben on Twitter @bmart87 and the Fragile Nucleosome community here: https://generegulation.org/fragile-nucleosome/

Episode 23: In this episode of Scientists at Home, we speak with Chelsea Powell, a post-doctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School. She discusses her experience of transitioning into a new job right before the shutdown, and shares important tips for incoming graduate students. Recording date: 5 November 2020 Featuring: Wei Li, Chelsea Powell Produced by: Wei Li, Chelsea Powell, A. Delphine Tripp

Episode 22. Aaron Abai is a junior at Harvard University majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in African American Studies. He performs research in Professor Doug Kwon's lab. In this interview, Aaron discusses his life as an undergraduate student living on a college campus during the pandemic. He shares his thoughts on the transition to online classes and what that means in terms of developing a sense of community. Featuring: Edward Chen, Aaron Abai Produced by: Edward Chen

Episode 21. This week we speak with Dr. Nicola Molinari, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). We discuss the transition to a work from home lifestyle and how the pandemic has altered the experience of postdoctoral research. Dr. Molinari is a research associate in the Harvard SEAS Materials Intelligence Research Lab under Dr. Boris Kozinsky. His research focuses on the interface between computation condensed matter physics and material science. Dr. Molinari earned his BS and MS in physics from the University of Padova and went on to Imperial College London to earn his MSc and PhD in Physics. He has spent the pandemic perfecting his Italian cooking skills and developing a newfound love for good coffee, while continuing to pursue with research interests. More information on the Material Intelligence Research Lab and Dr. Molianri’s work can be found here: https://bkoz.seas.harvard.edu More information on Dr. Molianri can be found here: https://www

Pint-Sized Science S2 E2 Interviewee: Iain Cheeseman, Professor of Biology at the Whitehead Institute and MIT. Interviewer: Melis Tekant, PhD student in Physics, MIT. During cell division, a cell creates an identical copy of itself, but how does this process happen? Specifically, how does a cell distribute its genetic material among the two daughter cells? Join us as Professor Iain Cheeseman of MIT and the Whitehead Institute explains how he and his team uncover the molecular basis of the protein complex called the kinetochore, the cellular machinery which is at the heart of this process. For more information on Prof. Cheeseman's lab and how starfish egg cells divide: https://medium.com/@WhiteheadInstitute/unusual-labmates-biology-all-stars-1937249398ab

Episode 20. Anushka Khasnobish is a doctoral researcher at Okayama University where she studies the oral microbiome. In this interview, Anushka discusses her life as an international student living and working in Japan. She shares her positive attitude towards dealing with shutdowns and uncertainties in light of the pandemic. Follow her on twitter @AnushkaMicrobi or check out her blog: https://synchronisinglife.wordpress.com Featured: A. Delphine Tripp, Anushka Khasnobish Produced by: A. Delphine Tripp, Wei Li Recording Date: November 17, 2020

Episode 19. In this episode of our Scientists at Home series, Christian Struck (Graduate Student in German Literature, with a Secondary in Critical Media Practice at Harvard University) discusses the impact of COVID-19 on international students in the US, such as the travel bans and the visa regulations. Read more about Christian's work here: https://german.fas.harvard.edu/people/christian-struck? Recording date: November 11, 2020 Featuring: Wei Li, Christian Struck Produced by: Wei Li, A. Delphine Tripp, Chad Stein

Episode 18. Emily Egan is a Research Associate in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School. Her research in Dr. Steve Blacklow’s lab focuses on the Notch signaling pathway, which is involved in many biological processes from development to cancer. In addition to her research, Dr. Egan helps to make sure the Blacklow lab operations run smoothly. In this interview, Emily describes her work, how COVID forced her to shut it down, how she and her family coped, and what helping to manage a lab was like during this difficult time. http://linkedin.com/in/emilyeganphd Featured: Chad Stein, Dr. Emily Egan Produced by: Chad Stein, Melis Tekant, A. Delphine Tripp Recording date: November 13, 2020

Episode 16. The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 has changed the world and altered all of our lives. In this series of episodes titled “Scientists at Home” we present narratives of life and research during the pandemic from scientists and academics across a broad range of disciplines and stages of their careers. We hope in hearing these narratives you’ll feel a sense of camaraderie with the scientific community as we acclimate during these difficult times. Featured: Wei Li, A. Delphine Tripp, Edward Chen, Melis Tekant, Chad Stein Produced by: A. Delphine Tripp, Melis Tekant, Chad Stein, Wei Li, Edward Chen, Samantha Tracy Recording date: January 15, 2021

Episode 17. In this episode of our Scientists at Home series, Professor Iain Cheeseman (Professor of Biology, MIT and Whitehead Institute) talks about how he adapted to the new normal and juggled his various responsibilities — his family, research group, and undergraduate class. He explains the importance of creating a sense of community while being physically distanced, and some positive changes that the pandemic brought about. You can learn more about Iain and his research group here: https://cheesemanlab.wi.mit.edu/. Featured: Melis Tekant, Dr. Iain Cheeseman Produced by: Melis Tekant, Delphine Tripp Recording date: December 2nd, 2020

Pint-Sized Science S2 E1 Professor Venki Murthy (Raymond Leo Erikson Life Sciences Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University) talks to Ana-Andreea Stoica (Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Columbia University) and Anastasia Repouliou (Ph.D. student in Molecular Biology at Harvard University) about our sense of smell. What really is it? Why is it important but difficult to study? What happens when we lose it, for example after a bout of COVID-19? Join us for a fascinating discussion hosted by the Pint-Sized Science podcast!

Here we discuss the science behind the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, their development, and mechanisms of action. Featuring: Melis Tekant, Chad Stein, and Samantha Tracy Produced by: Melis Tekant, Chad Stein, Edward Chen, Samantha Tracy and A. Delphine Tripp Citations: CDC. “COVID-19 and Your Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Feb. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html. Mandavilli, Apoorva. “The Coronavirus Is Mutating. What Does That Mean for Us?” The New York Times, 20 Dec. 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/20/health/coronavirus-britain-variant.html. Laing, Aislinn. “Inside J&J’s Latam COVID Vaccine Trial, a Rush to Recruit Is Followed by Disappointment.” Reuters, 21 Dec. 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-latinamer-idUSKBN28V1DE Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers | FDA. https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/. Pinkbook | Home | Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Disea