Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Dr. Stacey Finley, Head of the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory at USC, discusses the intersection of math and biology in cancer research, promoting computational thinking, big data in predictive models, embracing differences, and translating complex models to clinical settings.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Randi Hutter Epstein, author of “Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything.” They talk about her work as a science and medicine writer, and her winding journey from M.D. to M.P.H. and everything in between. Then they focus on the topic of her new book, the fascinating history and current impact of human hormones.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Mr. Fascinate himself, Justin Shaifer. They talk about the work he’s doing to bring culturally responsive STEM curriculum to students and educators nationwide, as well as his animated series, ‘Hood Science.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by producer, writer, and designer Rose Eveleth. They discuss the futuristic scenarios explored on Rose’s popular podcast, Flash Forward. They also spend an inordinate amount of time talking about archival footage and the importance of learning history, because, well, you know…

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Stacey Espinosa, Global Product Development Senior Manager for Mints and New Benefits at Mars Wrigley Confectionery. They talk about her dream job as a chemical engineer developing new candy flavors, as well as ways we can all help inspire young women to pursue STEM careers.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in-studio by Dr. Burcin Becerik-Gerber, founding director of the Innovation in Integrated Informatics Lab and the Center for Intelligent Environments, Technology, and Society at the University of Southern California. They talk about her work developing adaptive built environments using machine learning and systems thinking. They also discuss an incredible course she teaches called “Innovation in Engineering Design for Global Challenges,” in which USC students travel to refugee camps around the world to work with their inhabitants to design sustainable, feasible solutions to critical problems.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kristina (Kris) Ropella, Dean of the College of Engineering and professor of biomedical engineering at Marquette University. They talk about her research in biosignal processing and medical imaging for diagnostic biomedical devices. They also discuss her role as Dean of Engineering, a position that is still incredibly rare to be held by a woman.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan, founder of the Center for Regional Food Studies at the University of Arizona. They talk about sustainability, conservation, indigenous agriculture, and his newest of several books, “Mesquite: An Arboreal Love Affair.”

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Livia Eberlin, an analytical chemist at the University of Texas. They talk about her recognition as a 2018 Sloan Research Fellow, Moore Inventor Fellow, and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient. They also discuss her incredible work at the intersection of chemistry and medicine, including the invention of the MasSpec Pen, a handheld device allowing for rapid, nondestructive analysis of cancerous tissue during surgery.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Ross MacPhee, Curator of the Department of Mammalogy in the Division of Vertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. They talk about his newest book, “End of the Megafauna: The Fate of the World’s Hugest, Fiercest, and Strangest, Animals.” In it, Ross discusses new and exciting theories underlying the multiple extinction events of Earth’s largest prehistoric mammals.