
PNAS Science Sessions
Welcome to Science Sessions, the PNAS podcast program. Listen to brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in PNAS, plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.
Latest episodes

Jun 7, 2019 • 6min
Social computing, mobile phones, and the developing world
Wendy Kellogg discusses her research into social computing and her boots-on-the-ground observations of how mobile phones can impact the developing world.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
Applications of rapid genome sequencing
Stephen Quake discusses rapid DNA sequencing and treating medical patients based on their genomes.

Jun 7, 2019 • 6min
Imaging, information technology, and autism spectrum disorder
Gregory Abowd discusses the clinical applications of capturing and recording the every day experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
Paper devices for medical diagnoses
George Whitesides discusses an inexpensive and easy-to-use medical diagnostic device that can be used in the developing world.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
Social networking and predicting personality
Jennifer Golbeck discusses the intersection of computer science, sociology, and social networking.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
The science of chocolate
Physicist David Weitz discusses the material properties that make chocolate to-die-for.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
Ubiquitous computing and smart environments
Bo Begole discusses ubiquitous computing, behavioral modeling, and smart environments that can anticipate people's information needs.

Jun 7, 2019 • 6min
Changing public perception of the Smithsonian
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Wayne Clough discusses his goal to educate the public about the Smithsonian's groundbreaking scientific research projects.

Jun 7, 2019 • 6min
Genetically modified crops and agricultural productivity
Roger Beachy discusses the role of genetically modified crops in feeding the world's growing population.

Jun 7, 2019 • 5min
Interview with Cozzarelli Prize Winner Zvonimir Dogic
Zvonimir Dogic discusses how viruses can be coaxed into forming self-assembling, polymer membranes.