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RadioBio

RadioBio is a podcast where UC Merced biology graduate students talk with scientists about biological systems, from molecules to ecosystems.

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Dr. Iswar Hariharan: Fruit Flies, Regeneration, and the Future of Medicine

Today we talk to Dr. Iswar Hariharan about his research studying the genetic regulation of growth and regeneration using fruit flies. Learn about how the same genes that control organ size during development are often the ones mutated in human cancers, and what this means for the future of regenerative medicine. This podcast was recorded in Spring 2023.

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Dr. Jeffrey Fredberg: Cell Jamming and the Mechanics of Disease

Today we talk to Dr. Jeffrey Fredberg about his research studying the physical mechanics of how cells move together in the lungs. Learn about how the surprising physics of jamming, the same phenomenon behind traffic jams, helps explain diseases like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. This podcast was recorded in Fall 2021.

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Dr. Zackary Graham: Crayfish, Crawfish & Crawdads

Listen in as we talk to Dr. Zackary Graham about his upcoming book, Crayfish, Crawfish & Crawdads: The Biology and Conservation of North America’s Favorite Crustaceans, out January 6th. We dive into how this diverse group of arthropods makes a living and learn about some interesting life history traits such as burrowing and communication.

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Dr. Anya Brown: Coral, Seaweed, and Bacteria, Oh My!

Today we talk to Dr. Anya Brown about her research studying the impacts of microbial communities on seaweeds and corals. Learn about how rich diverse ecosystems can survive and thrive in nutrient poor waters. This podcast was recorded in Spring 2024.

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Dr. Jonelle Basso: Rooting for Microbiomes

For this episode, we sat down with Dr. Jonelle Basso, a research scientist at the Joint Genome Institute. She discussed how bacteria and viruses team up with their hosts to provide mutual benefits, and how her team uses genomic approaches to decode these underground partnerships. From computational analysis to experimental work, discover how scientists are unraveling the complex relationships…

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Dr. Emma Wilson: Brain Parasites, Cats, and Their Relationships With Humans

Today on RadioBio, we talk with Dr. Emma Wilson about Toxoplasma, a microscopic parasite that makes mice love the smell of cat pee, can live in your brain forever, and might just make you more likely to take risks. This podcast was recorded in Fall 2022.

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Dr. Spencer Nyholm: Squids that Light Up the Night and How They Protect Their Eggs

We chat with Dr. Spencer Nyholm about the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid and the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri (now called Aliivibrio fischeri), and how they use bacteria to protect their eggs. If you liked our interview with Dr. Nishiguchi, you'll also love this episode! This episode was recorded in Fall 2022.

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Dr. Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler: Leaves Like Islands

We interviewed Dr. Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler, a professor of microbial ecology at Cal Poly Humboldt about her work on microbial community ecology on pitcher plants

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Dr. Shannon Bennett: From the Field to the Museum

The California academy of sciences is one of California’s oldest operating museums and research institutions. It is an invaluable repository of knowledge about the natural sciences, is home to 47 million specimens, and has hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. This week, on Radiobio, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Shannon Bennett, the chief and dean of sciences at the Academy. She…

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Dr. Folashade Agusto: The Math Behind Outbreaks

We’ve all heard of COVID-19, saw its impact on society, and probably even faced the respiratory illness itself. But is there… math behind this disease? And if so, can we use math to help fight COVID and other infectious diseases? It turns out that our collective behavior during outbreaks can mathematically fuel models of public health. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of mathematical…

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