Gradcast

England - late Victorian era (1870-1910): The industrial revolution is booming (and a little dystopian). Many writers are focused on prescribing moral guidance and christian ideals, but some authors lash back against this, inspired by nature, paganism and art for the sake of art! It is a wild time in the world of literature. In this episode Hosts Nick and Connor interview English lit PhD candidate Jeff Swim, discussing writers like Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel Butler, Richard Jefferies, and Kenneth Grahame. Together, they delve into some of the literary ideas that defined the time and how those still stay relevant today. Produced by Laura Muñoz

Mohammad Chamma is a PhD candidate at Western’s Physics and Astronomy Department. He was interviewed by cohosts Yousuf Hasan and Gavin Tolometti about his research on early star formation. Mohammed explains how studying these early processes help us gain insight about how the stars will develop. His research can also help us know more about the galaxies that are constituted by certain types of stars. And finally, Mohammed tells us what he thinks about Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar movie and how accurate it is. To find out more about Mohammed, follow him on Twitter @hmsmohammed Produced by Ariel Frame

Danica Facca always thought that she would go to law school after finishing her undergraduate and master's degrees in English, so how did she end up doing her PhD studies in Health and Information Sciences? It just goes to show that you never know where grad school will take you! Your hosts Yimin Chen and Ariel Frame get a lesson in digital literacy and learn about how kids and preteens are searching for and interacting with health information online.   For more information about Danica's work, go to: https://www.fims.uwo.ca/people/profiles/danica_facca.html To participate in the iParenting study, go to: https://www.facebook.com/IParentingStudy Produced by Connor Chato

In this episode, Monica, Viki, and Gavin digitally discuss what it’s like being a grad student during the COVID19 pandemic. They discuss how their research has been affected, how they’re feeling personally, and how other graduate students are feeling during this time. Remember, if you have a conference or other presentation cancelled because of COVID19, write it on your CV. And PLEASE, stay home (if you can) and wash your hands! To learn how to cite a cancelled conference on your CV, click here Fully YouTube video available here Produced by Gregory Robinson

Christopher Boucher, who is doing an MSc. in Geophysics at Western, elaborated on his research on building maps meant to help reduce damages from earthquakes. He was co-interviewed by Nicholas Hadfield-Jones and Yousuf Hasan. Chris is especially focusing on mapping specific areas of Vancouver that are need of geological clarity in terms of us understanding what areas are more hazardous in case of an earthquake. His focus uses non-invasive tools to study and model these grounds. His research has other broader benefits as well.  Produced by Gavin Tolometti

Tyler Journeaux, an MA candidate at Western's Philosophy Department, shares his journey for truth and how his search for God led him to pursue research in the philosophy of time, science, and mathematics. Cohosts Connor Chato and Yousuf Hasan asked him questions about philosophy and theology. Tyler expressed his preferred argument for theism: an argument from contingency especially as discussed by Copleston and Bertrand Russell in their BBC Broadcast in 1948. He also explained why he was interested in the philosophy of time in particular. And finally, Tyler provided a response to a challenging problem for theism: the problem of evil, according to which the presence of apparently gratuitous evil makes the existence of an all-good,all-knowing, and all-powerful God unlikely. For more on what Tyler thinks on topics of philosophy and theology, please visit his blog: https://tylerjourneauxgraham.wordpress.com (Correction by Tyler on a comment he made in the podcast: the definition of omniscience should have been: “

In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Gregory Robinson interview MSc student, Trent Gordon, in biomedical engineer about his research using slow dissolving polymer gels to treat osteoarthritis in the knee. Tune in to hear from Mr. Walter White himself. To learn more about Trent Gordon check out his Twitter @Flash_Gordon96 his Linkedin or the Gillies Research Group Produced by Greg Robinson, Edited by Ariel Frame

Navid Afrasibian, an MSc. candidate at the Department of Applied Mathematics, shares his research on the motion of long-chained molecules with hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yousuf Hasan. Navid compares the movement of the long-chained molecules that need to go through super-tiny pores called nanopores with a spaghetti-noodle on plate that needs to somehow move through a small hole at the center of the pate. In his studies and mathematical exploration, he has made observations that would benefit DNA sequencing scientists as well. Hosts: Yousuf Hasan, Nicholas Handfield-Jones Producer: Connor Chato

This special episode covers 4 researchers picked fresh from the Neuroscience research day here at Western University. Join hosts Ariel Frame and Greg Robinson as they dive into the topics of what makes humans humans so good at using their hands? How does music trigger moments of lucidity in alzheimers patients? How do we fight brain cancer? and what are some of the rot causes which lead to Autism spectrum disorders? If you're interested in brains and all the wonderful things they do - tune in. Sarah Klapman   Rajkamal Mann   Spencer Aarbuckle   Andy Olin Produced by Connor Chato

Titan is not only the largest of Saturn's moons, but conditions on its surface are also remarkably similar to those on early Earth. Unfortunately, Titan is covered in thick clouds, which limits our ability to observe this peculiar satellite. So what's an astronomer to do? Jahnavi Shah, a master's student in geophysics and planetary science, is taking advantage of the similarities between our planet and Saturn's moon by using radar data from impact caters on Earth as an analogue for those on Titan. This week, hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yimin Chen probe some of the mysteries of Titan and learn that you should never ask a space scientist about astrology.   Produced by: Laura Muñoz-Baena

Alex Leonard has worked in the music industry in Montreal, flown drones around London, and followed elephants through Sri Lanka. What's next for someone who's done almost everything? Why, a Masters in Environment and Sustainability, of course! Today, hosts Connor Chato and Yimin Chen learn how to keep pesky elephants out of your crops and about the push for corporations to be more environmentally friendly. You can contact Alex through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexleonardmedia/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexleonardmedia/   WAGS Conference: https://anthropology.uwo.ca/graduate/WAGS/events_and_conferences.html Alex's RadioWestern Broadcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/alexander-leonard/     Produced by: Laura Muñoz-Baena  

When we hear the word "map" or "mapping", we instantly think of a map of the surface. However, not all maps in geography and geology mean looking for surface features or geologic formations on the surface. Sometimes they map features or formations underground. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame talk with Earth Science MSc student Rhys Paterson about her work on using boreholes to locate a type of rock formation (known as the Clinton-Medina Group). Rhys explains how she uses borehole computer analysis and core logging to study the past environment of the rock formation, and how she came to this field of study.  If you want to learn more about Rhys's work and her borehole computer analysis you can find the OGSR data library on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter at @ogsrlibrary. More information on the 3D Paleozoic Model of Ontario:  A 3-D Tour of the Paleozoic Bedrock Geology of Southern Ontario - Terry R. Carter A First Look at Ontario's Geology in VR (short) 3D 360   Produced by Ariel

So you're about to graduate with a Master's or a Ph.D. - but what happens after? Some might continue on their journey in academia, while others consider industry or private sector jobs. Regardless, many may feel lost or unprepared when navigating the next chapter of their lives. In this episode, hosts Monica and Viki welcome back Monica Munaretto, the manager of Graduate Student Life, along with Jennifer Baytor, career counsellor and psychotherapist with Careers & Experience, to discuss the challenges and misconceptions associated with job-hunting after graduate school. Highlights include how to market your graduate experience for the job market, and why you need to get started on your LinkedIn profile NOW!   To look more into the content of this episode, click on the following links: http://hirephd.uwo.ca/   https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/about/10000-phds-project-overview/   https://www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture/   https://www.linkedin.com/home   http://career.uwo.ca/prepare/linkedin_profile.html   https://ww

We are bringing you another GradCast Undergrad to Grad Transition episode! In this episode, host Gavin Tolometti talks with masters student Meredith Fyfe and fifth year undergraduate student Hanna Rzyszczak about life for an earth science student after graduation. Meredith brings Hanna into the world of a graduate student, and discusses the thoughts and preparations you need to consider before you apply to grad school.  Produced by Connor Wilson

You may have heard that eating too much fish may put you at risk of mercury poisoning, but how does mercury get into fish in the first place? Hosts Gregory Robinson and Yimin Chen speak with biologist Jennifer Blythe about the ecology of organic mercury - from the peat-loving, Sulphate-reducing bacteria that produce it, down to the trout on your dinner table. Along the way, we'll also hear about bog bodies, black flies, and other exciting stories of field work in the marshlands of Ontario. Produced by Laura Munoz

Today's episode listens in on a conversation between 2nd year Undergrad student Alexandra Posnov and Daryl Peiber about the transition from an undergrad to a graduate in the field of Information and Media studies. Join Hosts Nikol Posnov and Greg Robinson as we talk about things we wished we could tell our undergraduate selves. To all you undergrads out there, this episode contains a well of wisdom. Produced by Greg Robinson Edited by Connor Chato

Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame hear from a burgeoning chemical engineer, Connor Wilson, about his experience during his undergraduate degree at Western. Furthermore, Connor enlightens us on the differences between internship, grad school and undergrad experiences. To find out more from Connor, you can contact him through his chemical engineering club or brew crew club (https://www.facebook.com/westernchemengclub/). Produced by Ariel Frame

We’ve touched upon individual topics like imposter syndrome and finances, but how is #GradLife incorporated within the broader university community? To delve into this, we brought in an expert. Monica Munaretto, the new Manager of Graduate Student Life in Student Experience, is focused on the goal of creating a thriving graduate student experience across Western. If you’d like to learn more about Student Experience at Western, visit studentexperience.uwo.ca.   Produced by Nikol Posnov and Gregory Robinson

In this episode, hosts Greg and Viki interview Matt Novello, a Master’s student in Physiology and Pharmacology. Matt is a molecular biologist that studies how protein structure can effect function. More specifically, he studies stromal interaction molecule 2 (STIM2), a protein important in calcium regulation in the heart. Tune in to find out more. If you want to get in contact with Matt Novello and learn more about his research and lab group, follow him using the Twitter handle and sites below: @mattnovello Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=RybzX6MAAAAJ&hl=en Dr Feng lab website: http://www.qingpingfeng.org/  Dr Stathopulos lab website: http://publish.uwo.ca/~pstatho/StathopulosLab/content/en-ca/index.html Produced by Gavin Tolometti  

You may know them from Westerns, spy flicks, or film noir. But did you know that there is a rich history of telegraphs? Ever wonder about telegraphy, the art of using telegraph? And what about the people who used it? This week, hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Roger Hudson interview Michael Feagan, who tells us about telegraph culture in Canada during the 1800s. He tells us about the unique characteristics of Canadian telegraphy and about the difficulties faced by telegraphers at the time. Plus, don’t miss a live demonstration of morse code! --. .-. .- -.. -.-. .- … - ! Hosts: Roger Hudson & Nick Handfield-Jones  Produced by Gregory Robinson