Shows
Life-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastCuriosity, Teamwork, and Synthetic Biology: Building Solutions for Real-World ProblemsIn this inspiring episode of the BioBuilder Podcast, Dev and Joshua, co-founders of the startup AIVON, take listeners through their personal journeys of curiosity, innovation, and social impact. The conversation weaves through their formative experiences with science and technology, their time in the BioBuilderClub, and their ambitious venture into the world of AI-powered healthcare. Origins of Scientific CuriosityDev recounts how growing up in a science-loving household, with parents and an aunt deeply engaged in the subject, laid the groundwork for his fascination. From tinkering with technology alongside his dad to wondering about d...2025-06-3030 minLife-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastNicole Mumbi: scientific curiosity meets life-changing opportunityWhat happens when scientific curiosity meets life-changing opportunity? Nicole Mumbi shares her remarkable journey and provides a powerful answer to this question.Moving from Nairobi, Kenya to Boston in 2019, Nicole faced the challenge of cultural transition while nurturing her budding interest in science. Though initially experiencing culture shock and language barriers, her determination never wavered. A simple middle school experiment on atmospheric pressure had already planted the seed of scientific fascination that would shape her future path.When Nicole's high school guidance counselor suggested applying to the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Program, she seized the opportunity despite...2025-04-2727 minLife-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastCultivating Curiosity: Greg Wu's Journey in Synthetic Biology Greg Wu shares his transformative journey from high school in China to becoming an aspiring pioneer in synthetic biology. His story highlights critical educational opportunities at BioBuilder that shaped his passion for science and his future ambitions.• Greg's initial interest in natural sciences during high school • Discovering BioBuilder and its influence on his academic career • Experience in synthetic biology and engineering bacteria for unique projects • Transitioning to higher education in the US at Emory University • The value of interdisciplinary studies and collaborations with Georgia Tech • Future plans for a PhD in biomedical engineering and c...2025-02-2617 minLife-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastTransforming High School Science Education: an interview with Daniel KempDaniel Kemp shares his transformative journey in integrating synthetic biology into high school education. Listeners will gain insights into practical applications in the classroom, the establishment of the BioBuilderClub, and the significance of bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world skills.• Introduction to Daniel Kemp and his experience with synthetic biology• Overview of the BioBuilder Professional Development Workshop and its relevance to teaching• Importance of hands-on learning experiences in biology education• Insight into launching the BioBuilderClub at Hampden Hall• Current projects and the evolving role of students in science• The necessity of updating curricula to reflect m...2024-12-2619 minLife-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastFinding Synthetic Biology: Nicolas Rojas Taborda Transformative JourneyIn this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nicolas Rojas Taborda, a senior at Revere High School. Nico's interests shifted dramatically thanks to his involvement in the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Challenge. Nico describes his discovery of synthetic biology and his team's project idea, the K Detective, an innovative at-home kit for cavity detection. This project not only sharpened his technical prowess with tools like PCR and gel electrophoresis but also positioned him to succeed in his Boston University STEM pathway internship building logic gates for CAR-T cells, and as a leader of his high school's iGEM team. 2024-10-2621 min
Matters MicrobialAn accidental microbiologistToday, the award winning and affable Dr. David Westenberg of the Missouri University of Science and Technology joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss his efforts at microbial outreach from K-12 (and beyond), his fascinating research program, and his experiences teaching microbiology to engineers. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: David Westenberg Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A TEDX talk by Dr. Westenberg. An overview of the BioBuilder program. An overview of the iGEM program. Dr. Westenberg’s page on the Howard Hughes Medical In...2024-09-051h 03
Talking TechniquesSkills-based teaching and microcredentialing in STEMThis episode of Talking Technique deviates slightly from specific lab technologies to instead discuss techniques and methods we use for teaching and testing life sciences.To do this, I’m speaking to two pioneers of unconventional teaching and testing approaches to STEM education. Angela Consani is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (KS, USA). This skills-first microcredential program provides certification for lab skills in techniques, safety and quality control, using performance-based practical testing. Natalie Kuldell is the Founder and Executive Director of Biobuilder (MA, USA), a nonprofit organization, set up to increase in...2024-08-2054 minLife-Changing Science: The BioBuilder PodcastUnlocking Nathan Kirokwa's Path to BioengineeringIn this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nathan Kirokwa, a rising senior at Pioneer Charter School of Science, who guides us through his journey from a curious child captivated by the human body's healing magic to a dedicated bioengineer. Nathan recounts how his mother's insights and his own early experiments fueled his passion for science. He also shares how his interests evolved from a broad fascination with medicine to a focused pursuit of bioengineering through problem-solving, eventually leading him to the BioBuilder Summer Research Program and a transformative internship at a biotech startup, Conduit....2024-08-1828 min