Gradcast

The humble spider-mite is a cousin of the spider with an incredibly diverse diet, letting them live and feast on plants all over the world. In their talk with master's student David Letwin - hosts Connor Chato and Nikol Posnov get down to the genetic code that makes these tiny critters and what it's like to share a lab with thousands of them. We learn about the evolutionary factors that allow animals to eat what they eat and how certain expansions in the genome may make Spider Mites frustratingly good at eating all the veggies we try and grow. To find out more about David's work you can email him at dletwin3@uwo.ca Hosts: Connor Chato & Nikol Posnov Produced by Ariel Frame

The Society for Neuroscience annual conference remains the largest international conference for neuroscience research, hosting upwards of 25,000 neuroscientists each year. GradCast had the opportunity to interview two conference attendees about their cutting-edge research for Neuroscience 2018. In part 2 of this 2-part series, hosts Viki Tellios and Joyla Furlano discuss effective MRI image analysis from work done by Guy Hwang in the Medical Physics department from the University of Wisconsin. As well, Roger Hudson along with Viki Tellios interview Michelle Stone from California State University of San Bernardino about her research associated with the neural sensitization response of cannabinoids.  To learn more about Guy Hwang's research: https://neurofmri.bme.wisc.edu/ To learn more about work from Michelle Stone's lab: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sanders_Mcdougall Hosts: Joyla Furlano, Roger Hudson, & Viki Tellios Produced by Roger Hudson & Chantal Lemire

In this entertaining episode, GradCast hosts Chantal and Nikol talk with masters student in biology Zoran Culo and his partner-in-crime, Peanut, about the spider-mite research labs at western. Zoran explains why the tiny spider-mite is a big pest for plant lovers, and what western researchers are doing to develop alternative pest control strategies for sustainable agriculture.   http://www.spidermite.org   Hosts: Nikol Posnov & Chantal Lemire Produced by Gregory Robinson

The Society for Neuroscience annual conference remains the largest international conference for neuroscience research, hosting upwards of 25,000 neuroscientists each year. GradCast had the opportunity to interview two conference attendees about their cutting-edge research for Neuroscience 2018. In part 1 of this 2-part series, hosts Roger Hudson and Viki Tellios learn about novel methods associated with the classical fear conditioning paradigm, from work done by Peter Zambetti from the University of Washington. As well, Roger Hudson along with Joyla Furlano interview Jamal Williams from Princeton University about his research testing the interaction between classical and jazz music on event segmentation within the brain.  To learn more about Peter Zambetti's work: http://faculty.washington.edu/jeansokk/index.html Contact info for Jamal Williams: jamalw@princeton.edu Hosts: Joyla Furlano, Roger Hudson, & Viki Tellios  Produced by Roger Hudson and Chantal Lemire

Did you know there are an estimated 1 million species of mites? They are found on every continent. They can live on both plants and animals, and you have microscopic mites living on your face right now (that are harmless, hopefully!) And yet, mites are often overlooked and poorly studied. To date, only 50,000 species of mites have been described. Luckily, you can learn more about the mighty mite with mite maven Matt Meehan as he joins GradCast hosts, Gregory Robinson and Nikol Posnov, to talk about his research on the interactions of mite colonies.  Hosts: Nikol Posnov & Gregory Robinson Produced by Gregory Robinson and Roger Hudson.  

How do different regions of the brain work together to recognize and make sense of the sounds that you hear? Our guest today is Sonia Varma, who is completing her Master's in neuroscience investigating auditory processing. Hosts Monica Molinaro and Yimin Chen get a crash course in how hearing works, plus some surprising insights into the film preferences of hearing research participants. You can contact Sonia to hear more about her research through email at svarma6@uwo.ca.    Hosts: Yimin Chen & Monica Molinaro     Produced by Connor Chato

This week we’re bringing you our very first #Gradlife episode! Based on popular demand, our first episode is on Impostor Syndrome! Impostor Syndrome, or feeling like you are a fraud, affects many graduate students, regardless of their success or accomplishments. In this episode, hosts Viki Telios, Monica Molinaro, and Gavin Tolometti discuss their experiences of feeling like frauds in their time in graduate school, and talk about what helps them when they experience peaks of impostor syndrome. They also discuss triggers and tricks for impostor syndrome submitted by other graduate students. Youtube video coming soon.   SOGs resources page: http://sogs.ca/resources/ Mental Health Resource Guide: http://studentexperience.uwo.ca/student_experience/wellness_initiatives/mental_health_resource_guide.html Western's Mental Wellbeing Resource: https://www.uwo.ca/health/mental_wellbeing/resources.html CMHA Middlesex: https://cmhamiddlesex.ca/   Produced by Gregory Robinson

Ever heard of the kudzu? Depending on where you're from, you might have a different idea of this dubious plant. Introduced as a way to nourish Southern US soil, it quickly spread throughout much of the eastern coast. Now, it is everywhere from Georgia to New York State. On today's episode, hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Roger Hudson interview Master's student Kenny Reilly about the kudzu vine. He tells them about how views toward immigrants and how old Civil War tensions has bred fierce controversy over how the kudzu is viewed in modern times.  Get in contact with Kenny: Twitter: @KReilly16 email: kreill@uwo.ca Hosts: Roger Hudson & Nick Handfield-Jones Produced by Greg Robinson

You may have heard the work of Academy Award nominated composer Phillip Glass referred to as "Minimalism," but what does that mean? Martin Ross, PhD candidate in music theory, joins GradCast hosts Joyla and Yimin to discuss what might be the most influential musical movement of the 20th century. On this episode, we learn what blinking turn signals, mathematics, and four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence have to do with music. Hosts: Yimin Chen & Joyla Furlano Produced by Chantal Lemire

In order for microbial life to develop and grow it needs an environment and world that can habit them. Presence of an energy source, liquid water or another solvent, appropriate temperature conditions, and protection from outside harm. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Connor Chato talk with Earth Science PhD student Josh Hedgepeth about Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and the mystery and complicated thoughts on astrobiology. Hosts: Connor Chato & Gavin Tolometti Produced by Roger Hudson

Today’s unique episode features science graduate student John Palmer, who provides undergraduate student Aida Noorbakhsh with advice on transitioning to grad school. For those of you interested in learning more about what first year of grad school is all about, including helpful graduate resources available on campus, this episode is for you! Hosts: Connor Chato & Joyla Furlano    Producer: Gavin Tolometti

We’re welcoming our newest host and GradCast Committee member, Monica Molinaro! Monica is a PhD Candidate in the Health Promotion stream of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences graduate program, and a qualitative health researcher. In this episode, hosts Roger Hudson and Gavin Tolometti talk with Monica about the use of narrative methodology to understand the experiences of health care providers caring for children with cancer. Monica discusses how storying experience often highlights more than just the story itself, how long it takes to transcribe an interview, and her experiences throughout her time in graduate school! If you'd like to contact Monica, email her mmolina3@uwo, or find her on twitter @monicalmolinaro. Hosts: Roger Hudson & Gavin Tolometti  Produced by Nick Handfield-Jones

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

In this episode, hosts Monica Molinaro and Gavin Tolometti talk with Earth and Planetary Science PhD student Nicolas Garroni about meteorite impacts and their effect on carbonate rocks, and what it’s like to work out in the field. Hosts: Monica Molinaro & Gavin Tolometti Produced by Gregory Robinson

Hosts Gavin Tolometti and Joyla Furlano talk with Earth Science MSc student Nikol Posnov about the search for extinct microbial life on Mars. Nikol studies the minerals in bioalterated volcanic rocks in Brazilian impact structures, and the Martian environment to infer where in craters on Mars microbial life may have sparked and thrived. Hosts: Gavin Tolometti & Joyla Furlano Produced by Gregory Robinson

On this special episode of gradcast, listen as our host Chantal Lemire sits down to chat with Taniya Nagpal and Susan Anthony about pregnancy. As a phd student studying exercise during pregnancy, Taniya comes equipped with knowledge about how to lead a healthy lifestyle when expecting. Complimenting this, Susan brings her own personal experience as a pregnant student.  It makes for cool opportunity to hear the research and the people who use it come together! You can read more about Taniya's work at: https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/EPL/ Host: Chantal Lemire   Produced by Connor Chato and Greg Robinson

Hosts Roger Hudson and Gregory Robinson talk to Drew Bowman, masters student in Health Geography, about what high school students eat and how the advertisements that surround them can influence their decision making when it comes to food. A researcher in the Human Environment Analysis Laboratory at Western University, Drew discusses some of the unique insights she gains from conducting her research with teens rather than on teens, and shares about her lab's innovative SmartAppetite project that helps teens make informed and healthy food choices.  Hosts: Roger Hudson & Gregory Robinson Produced by Chantal Lemire

How do arachnids handle freezing temperatures? Susan Anthony, a PhD candidate in the biology department and past chair of GradCast, tells Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame the answer to this elusive question. Susan discusses the difficulty researchers have studying in the field during winter and about some of her favourite animals, including red velvet spider mites, pseudoscorpions, tarantulas and sharks. If you'd like to read more about Susan and her research you can contact her on twitter @suzanthony, by email at santho2@uwo.ca.   Hosts: Ariel Frame &  Gavin Tolometti  Produced by Ariel Frame & Chantal Lemire

This week, GradCast continues its interview with students studying eusocial insects, this time exploring the incredible social structures of honeybees. Hosts Roger Hudson and Nick Handfield-Jones interview Anthony Gallo, from the Department of Biology, about his research into honeybee genetics. Specifically, he wonders how genes make certain types of bees have ovaries, and some not. Don't miss this episode: you won't Bee-lieve what you hear! To know more about Anthony's research, you can follow him on Instagram @anthonygallo1424 or email him at agallo9@uwo.ca Hosts: Nick Handfield-Jones & Roger Hudson Produced by Gavin Tolometti

Eusociality is the highest level of social organization found in nature and is one of the reasons behind the evolutionary success of insects like bees and ants, but also termites. This week, biology master's student Anna Chernyshova takes us through the intricacies of termite society and the novel evolutionary adaptations that have allowed these normally-tropical critters to successful invade Canadian cities like Toronto. Join hosts Yimin and Ariel as we wonder: can eusociality work for us too? Shoutout from Anna: "Much of my knowledge and fascination with eusociality stems from many insightful discussions with my labmates and supervisor Dr. Graham Thompson, who is an expert in the field of sociobiology with global reputation. I am grateful for his mentorship and emphasis on the big ideas with outside-the-box thinking." You can dig into more research by Anna at..... https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna_Chernyshova3 https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&user=c_UBRYgAAAAJ Hosts: Yimin Chen &am