x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Ask A Biologist Podcast

Charles Kazilek (a.k.a. Dr. Biology) - School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University

You have been reading about the biologists behind the Ask A Biologist website. Now you can listen to them on our popular biology podcast show. Dr. Biology has been speaking with many biologists who are discovering new worlds and exploring new frontiers in biology. There are over 100 episodes and we continue to add more interviews. Each show includes a full written transcript and content log. But wait, there"s more. Many episodes also have companion content including stories, games, and activities

science life sciences

All Episodes

34:31

Fast Insects, Smart Science: Tiger Beetles Rule

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2025/11/02

Tune in and get turned on to the world of tiger beetles! Dr. Biology chats with biologist David Pearson about these colorful sprinters that are not only fun to watch but also important “bioindicators” that help scientists understand the health of habitats. You’ll discover how tiger beetles inspire new designs through biomimicry, and why these tiny speedsters now have their very own celebration—World Tiger Beetle Day, November 11. If you have not already, please subscribe to the podcast so you can be

en

36:18

Sneezes, Swelling, and Smart Defenses: The Science of...

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2025/10/24

Why do peanuts, pollen, or pet dander make some of us sneeze or swell up—but not others? In this episode, Dr. Biology talks with immunologist Esther Burgess Florsheim from Arizona State University to explore how allergies start, why they’re becoming more common, and what’s really going on when your immune system sounds the alarm.From sniffles to “no peanuts, please,” get ready to learn how your body protects you—and sometimes overreacts—in surprising ways!Read more: Toxic Response Immune system

en

36:51

Coral Reef Checkup

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Coral reefs may look like colorful rocks, but they’re actually animals living in partnership with tiny plant cells. This remarkable symbiosis powers entire ocean ecosystems. In this episode, Dr. Biology chats with Professor Liza Roger, whose Arizona State University lab is home to corals, sea anemones, and even upside-down jellyfish. Together, they uncover the secrets of coral “superpowers,” the causes of bleaching, and how nanoscale medicines might help reefs fight stress. From the desert to the

en

30:57

Biology, Books, and Movie Magic

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/12/09

On this podcast, we like to explore how science meets the public. In this episode, we examine the art of communication, with biologist, author, and filmmaker Randy Olson. Dr. Biology learns how Olson uses humor and creativity as powerful tools. Inspired by platforms like The Daily Show, Randy's film "Sizzle" tackles global warming with a comedic flair. Listen as he shares invaluable advice for aspiring biologists and filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of passion and motivation

en

34:25

Next Gen Scientists

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/09/27

Can storytelling transform biology research? Join us for an engaging conversation with Kayla Burgher and Risa Schnebly, two visionary PhD students at Arizona State University. Kayla shares her research in the fishing community to protect endangered marine megafauna like sea turtles and sharks. Meanwhile, Risa delves into the emotional side of conservation and the impact of extinction. Through an interdisciplinary approach, she combines history, personal narratives, and interviews to shed ligh...

en

39:34

Bringing Biodiversity to the City

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/08/28

Can a transformed 4-acre former citrus orchard become a vibrant urban wildlife sanctuary? Dr. Biology is out of the studio to explore Julie Stromberg's remarkable riparian garden. Julie, a plant ecologist and emeritus professor at Arizona State University, shares her motivations and the vital ecological benefits of creating such green spaces in urban areas. Hear the story behind her efforts in sustainable agriculture that are preserving biodiversity right in the heart of the city.Read more:

en

30:51

Charting the Mysteries of the Mind - Unraveling...

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/05/13

What happens when our brain fails us? As Dr. Biology, my work has never been involved with diseases that affect the mind, but I do have a personal experience with the shadowy realm of Alzheimer's and other dementias. My mother battled against this relentless adversary and I am not alone. Many people are dealing with loved ones facing one of these diseases. For this episode, I've invited bioinformatics scientist, Kimberly Olney from the Mayo Clinic, to peek into the complexities of the

en

34:13

From Cicadas to Centrifuges - The Frugal Science...

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/04/13

en

30:05

In the Swarm's Shadow - Locust Science

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/03/25

en

37:04

Capturing Curious Minds: communicating complex science

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/03/07

Have you ever wondered how complex science jargon is translated into a story that captivates and educates? We've got you covered! Dr. Biology chats with James Gorman, a veteran science reporter from the New York Times, we peel back the layers of science communication, revealing how to distill complex concepts into engaging narratives. Get ready to discover the tightrope walk between simplification and scientific accuracy—a balance crucial for sparking curiosity without sacrificing the

en

37:46

Monkey Tales - Learning About Stress

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2024/02/16

en

30:35

Guardian of the Wild: A Veterinarian's Story

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/12/31

In a world where animals, humans, and the environment are forever linked, the health of wildlife is a cornerstone for the well-being of all. In this episode, we embark on an extraordinary journey with Sara Wyckoff, a wildlife veterinarian from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a proud ASU alumna. Listen in and learn about her story and evolution from a hopeful wildlife biologist to a passionate wildlife veterinarian, underscoring the perseverance and dedication required to merge a love for

en

35:42

Secrets of the Honeybee

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/12/11

Robert Page's journey is as captivating as the creatures he studies. From his early fascination with entomology to his experiences while in the military and his parallel passion for photography, his journey is a rich tapestry of experiences. We chat about the contributions he has made to our understanding of honeybees and his books including his newest book The Art of The Bee. Tune in and join us in celebrating the incredible role these insects play in our ecosystem and the biologist who has

en

37:11

The Big Leap: cellular evolution

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/11/21

Have you ever wondered how evolution operates at a cellular level? Dr. Biology has a conversation with evolutionary biologist William Ratcliff in an episode that investigates the process of how single-cell mutations can make the leap to coordinated groups of cells and ultimately to complex multicellular organisms. And we are learning all of this from a simple selection experiment involving yeast. Listen in and learn more about this long-running experiment that is giving us an idea of how single

en

33:28

Zoo Animal Fun, Games, and Wellbeing

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/09/06

Imagine a world where animals have the capacity to show their natural behaviors and even engineer their own environments. For this episode, we're thrilled to have Danielle Wong, the Behavioral Enrichment and Animal Welfare Coordinator at the Phoenix Zoo, who enlightens us about the importance of animal enrichment. From Chutti, the playful one-horn rhino, to Cape porcupines and birds, we're taking a deep look into how play promotes skill development, physical fitness, and stress relief

en

35:58

Adventures of a Zoo Veterinarian

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/08/16

en

33:49

Chronicles of a Zookeeper

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/08/02

In this episode, we begin to explore the wild and fascinating world of zoos. Our guest is none other than Bert Castro, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation. Bert's storied career, beginning as a volunteer zookeeper at the Tulsa Zoo in 1985 to CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, has given him a wealth of knowledge and experiences which he shares with Dr. Biology. We explore the importance of zoos, and the vital role they play in research and conservation,

en

29:01

An A.I. Conversation

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/07/11

Two AI bots meet in a coffee shop. This might sound like the start of a joke, but is it a joke? Today artificial intelligence (A.I.) is a popular topic. With new tools popping up daily it appears we are at the beginning of a brave new world. Some say the world will be amazing and others have dark predictions of human doom. Dr. Biology sits down with cognitive scientist Mina Johnson-Glenberg to talk about A.I. and if we can really call it intelligent. But first, we need to listen in on that coffee

en

37:47

Breathtaking Biology – a metabolome adventure

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/05/13

Take a breath and breathe out. What you just exhaled is the subject of this podcast. It is a story of over 140 thousand molecules and what we are learning about them and what a single breath might tell us about our health. Dr. Biology catches up with bioanalytical chemist Heather Bean. The two explore the world of metabolomes and metabolites, what they are, how we use them today and the future for these molecules when it comes to diagnosing and treating diseases.Learn more: Human Breath AtlasVisit:

en

32:54

Making Life Happen

Ask A Biologist Podcast ·

2023/03/29

We hear a lot about DNA, but not as much about RNA. It is true that DNA is the encyclopedia of life or the ultimate instruction manual for living things. But what good is a book if it is not read or an instruction manual that is not used? This is where RNA comes into the story of life. It is the unsung hero, or maybe the superhero of cells. Dr. Biology has the opportunity to sit down and talk to a big fan of RNA. Computational biologist, Brandon Ogbunu talks about his early work, which he titled The

en

40 results

Similar Podcasts

Classic Radio Science Fiction

solgoodmedia.com

Mission to Mars

Inception Point Ai

The 365 Days of Astronomy

365DaysOfAstronomy.org

Creek Devil

william Jevning

UFO Chronicles Podcast

Nik Hunter