Shows
GradCast322 | Simulating HIV's Latent ReservoirIn this episode hosts Rose and Laura talk to Emmanuel Wong about his research on HIV's latent reservoir. They discussed the role of bioinformatics in a world that is generating astronomical amounts of biological information and how simulation programs could potentially help us to gain insights about how the latent reservoir originates, evolves and persists within an individual.
Recorded on April 13, 2021
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-04-2127 minGradCast321 | Looking for LactateIn this episode, Sandra Grahovac-Nemeth talks with hosts Ariel and Francesco about her novel research in Alzheimer's to isolate the metabolite, lactate, to fight against this complex condition. Sandra is an experienced second year Master of Science in Biology student who has returned to school after several years working in the Pharma industry. During our discussion, Sandra touches on a number of topics including her research, the state of Alzheimer's in Canada and her life outside academics.
Recorded on Apr 6, 2021
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Pr...
2021-04-1429 minGradCast319 | A Recipe For Plant-Based Chicken (vaccine)In this episode, Carly Charron talks with hosts Elizabeth and Rose (with some quick peeps from Rhys) about her research on a plant-based vaccine to prevent Salmonella infection in poultry which she is doing for her Masters in Biology at Agriculture Canada. Starting from a talk in her 3rd year course to undergrad thesis in the same discipline, Carly covers the what’s, who’s, and why’s of the vaccine, and its importance on future farming practices and overall health of chickens.
To learn more about Carly’s research, you can email her at ccharro5@uwo.ca or find...
2021-04-0722 minGradCast320 | From the Past to the Present: Lessons from HistoryAre those who fail to study history doomed to repeat it? Public History Masters student Kestra Greer has some strong opinions on the matter. How do we make the lessons of history relevant for the wider public? How should we navigate the debate over what and how we commemorate historical figures? What can knowledge of how people handled past pandemics teach us about how to deal with COVID? Join hosts Yimin Chen and Elizabeth Mohler as we learn about the poopy origins of modern epidemiology and more!
To get in touch with Kestra, you can find her...
2021-04-0628 minGradCast#Gradlife XII: Finding and Preparing for Careers in a Pandemic WorldSearching for jobs and networking with potential employers has always been a scary and intimidating process, and the COVID-19 pandemic has not made it any easier. As graduate students mark down the days towards the end of their degree, they begin to ask themselves, "How do I know I can stand-out in an interview over Zoom?", "How can I network with people if I cannot attend conferences in person?", and "Are their services on campus that can help me improve my résumé and CV?". These are questions that #GradLife what answered as well, and host Gavin Tolometti has re...
2021-03-2929 minGradCast#GlobalGrads Episode V: Earth-Shattering Revelations from ChileCindy Mora-Stock has had quite the life journey. Departing her native Chile to embark on a seismology PhD in Germany, she now finds herself in Canada at UWO completing her second postdoctorate. As hosts Liam Clifford and Rhys Paterson learn, travelling the world and exposing oneself to new experiences has a brilliant way of enriching one's understanding and making the international student experience truly special. You can follow Cindy on Twitter and Instagram.
Recorded on March 25, 2021
Produced by Liam Clifford
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-03-2829 minGradCastSpecial Episode: SOGS Commissioners Part 1In Part 1 of the SOGS Commissioners Episode, our guests are Denise Kamyuka (Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner) and Francesca Alexander (Gender Concerns Commissioners). They chat about their roles as our community advocates at Western with our hosts Yousuf Hasan and Francesco Colosimo. They share with us what kinds of events they create to strengthen our community.
Full Video on YouTube
Recorded on March 6, 2021
Produced by Yousuf Hasan
Intro theme song produced by Mathew Becker
Outro theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-03-2531 minGradCastSpecial Episode: SOGS Commissioners Part 2In Part 2 of our Community Advocates Episode, our guests are Elizabeth Mohler (Accessibility Commissioner), Geneveave Barbo (Indigenous Commissioner), and Shannon-Thomas Carnahan. They discuss about what they do as our community advocates at Western with our hosts Yousuf Hasan and Rhys Paterson. They also chat about what difficulties they face in improving the student experience.
Full Video on YouTube
Recorded on March 6, 2021
Produced by Yousuf Hasan
Intro theme song produced by Mathew Becker
Outro theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-03-2530 minGradCast318 | Engineering for SpaceThere are plenty of options for a burgeoning MESc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering like Hira Nadeem to apply her skills towards space technology. Hira tells Ariel Frame and Yimin Chen about her recent internship at Planet, the Brooke Owens Fellowship she was recently awarded and how these have led up to her studies at Western and aspirations to work on aerospace engineering. Hira also gave an overview of the mentorship program she co-founded, Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation.
To find out more from Hira, follow her on Twitter @HiraInSpace
Recorded on Mar 16, 2021
2021-03-2333 minGradCast317 | How Flies SocializeAbbie Bechard tells Ariel Frame and Laura Munoz Baena about her MSc in biology research that she is working on. Abbie explains how she tests social spacing in flies and how this can be used to test models with autism related genes, such as Neuroligin.
To get in touch with Abbie, find her on Facebook.
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on March 9, 2021
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-03-2128 minGradCast316 | Not So Independent After AllAfter First World War new methods for the administration of colonial territories were required. In this episode, Benjamin Gladstone chats with hosts Elizabeth Moller and Laura Muñoz-Baena about the Americanization of the global colonial and economic systems and its impact on the growth of the United States as a world power and its continues involvement in several economies around the globe.
Recorded on March 2nd, 2021
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
“Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot”
2021-03-1829 minGradCast#GlobalGrads Episode IV: Going, Going, GhanaIn this #GlobalGrads episode, co-hosts Liam Clifford, Rhys Paterson, and Laura Baena are joined by Political Science PhD student Maxwell Bogpene. Max now finds himself at UWO to further his studies after originally leaving his native Ghana to pursue a degree at Ohio State University. But this was not without the hassle of being an international student during a global pandemic. As the conversation continues, it becomes clear that jollof rice and good banter are the keys to fostering community amongst grad students.
If you would like to connect with Max, you can find him on Twitter a...
2021-03-0826 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Chairs ChatOn this episode the past chairs of GradCast gather together to discuss their history on the podcast, their experiences and where they are now. This light hearted conversation with Alexander Moszczynski, Tristan Johnson, Susan Anthony and Ariel Frame is facilitated by longstanding committee member, Yimin Chen. Listen in to find out how it all started, how we've grown and what makes this production a special experience for Western University graduate students.
Full Video on YouTube
Recorded on Feb 5, 2021
Produced by Ariel Frame
Intro theme song produced by Mathew Becker...
2021-03-041h 27GradCast315 | Opportunities Unlimited at the Western Counties LodgeIn this episode, Rosemary Giles gives us an overview of all she knows about Western Counties Veterans Lodge, a rehab facility in London, ON that used to house soldiers recovering from World War 2. As an MA in History student, Rosemary enthusiastically explains to hosts Francesco Colosimo and Ariel Frame about the past functions and environment at this facility which she has determined to date and hopes to uncover in the future.
To find out more from Rosemary, follow her on Instagram @rosemary_giles
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on Feb 23, 2021
2021-03-0229 minGradCast314 | A Stressful Bird LifeContaminants in food sources can cause serious problems for wildlife physiology, especially for birds who feed of marine life and aquatic insects that are exposed to high levels of methylmercury (MeHg). On top of contaminants, birds experience food stress from many environmental factors such as predators, food shortage, unpredictable weather, and interaction with humans. Now, what happens when birds consume MeHg contaminants while experiencing food stress? Does this contaminant worsen the physiology of birds when under food stress or does it somehow counteract the effect? Biology PhD student Claire Bottini talks about her research on this topic with hosts...
2021-02-2331 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Discussing Marsha P. Johnson to Commemorate Black History MonthFor Black History Month, on our show we had Western University's Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Racial and Inclusivity Commissioner (Denise Kamyuka) and the Pride Commissioner (Shannon Carnahan) to chat about an important documentary recently screened at a SOGS Advocacy event: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Denise and Shannon discussed the remarkable life of Marsha as the leading gay rights advocate especially in the Stonewall uprising in 1969. Hosts Elizabeth Mohler and Yousuf Hasan asked questions about Marsha's impact, mysterious death, and why Johnson chose "Marsha P. Johnson" as her drag queen name.
Hear more a...
2021-02-2130 minGradCast313 | Jumping from Mars to Icy MoonsSample return on Mars, an ancient lake, oceans beneath the surface of icy moons. These are among the topics talked about in this episode!
In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Rhy Paterson talk with PhD student Leah Sacks in the Department of Earth Sciences and the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. Leah recently defended her M.Sc where she studied how material ejected from impact events on Mars are deposited on the surface. Now, she starts her PhD research studying the icy moons in our outer solar system! As a bonus! We talk about the...
2021-02-1928 minGradCast312 | Awareness of Storing Nuclear WasteWith the growth and increased use of nuclear energy in Canada, more research is being conducted to understand how nuclear waste should be stored safely and in permanent storage facilities. Hosts Elizabeth Mohler and Gavin Tolometti learn about nuclear waste storage from the Department of Chemistry PhD student Lindsay Grandy. Lindsay's research looks at the underlying processes of copper corrosion when it's exposed to ionizing radiation to be sure we understand how the copper layer will behave in this environment.
If you would like to learn more about Canada's permanent plan to store nuclear waste and Lindsay's...
2021-02-1728 minGradCast311 | Talking Dirt-y About Antibiotic ResistanceLiam Brown, Masters student in Biology, gives us a tour through the history of antibiotic resistance. Liam tells Elizabeth Mohler and Ariel Frame about his research conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facility in London studying this topic and how the make up of fertilizer can impact antibiotic resistance in agricultural soil. For more about Liam's research, check Liam's ResearchGate or email him at lbrow55@uwo.ca
Recorded on Feb 2, 2021
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-02-0931 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Indigenous Awareness Week 2021For Western's 7th Annual Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW), GradCast hosted two Indigenous Graduate Students to chat about their research. IAW celebrates Indigenous presence and builds community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. GradCast's IAW Special Episode has two parts:
Part 1: Reconciliation – in progress?
Riley Corbin (MA French Candidate) discusses how he wants to use the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s, TRC, 94 calls to action to explore whether or not these calls had any effect on Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Part 2: The Role of Housing in Enhancing Access to Post Secondary Education for Indige...
2021-02-0353 minGradCast310 | Brain Electrical Changes in an Autism ModelRaj Mann is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Program. She has worked diligently for years to perfect a difficult method of measuring the electrophysiology of individual neurons from the brains of rats. Raj tells Elizabeth Mohler and Ariel Frame how she has applied this method to a model of Autism and discovered how their neurons differ.
To find out about Raj's work, check out her supervisor's lab website theschmidlab.com
Recorded on Jan 26, 2021
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot
2021-02-0329 minGradCast309 | Another Look at Alzheimer's diseaseAsad Lone has nearly completed his PhD in biology. He tells Ariel Frame and Laura Munoz about the cell biology research he has done on the impact of p66Shc on cell metabolism and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease brain pathology. Asad also discusses his interest in the ketogenic diet and post-PhD plans.
To read about Asad's work, you can find him on ResearchGate
Recorded January 19, 2020
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
2021-01-3130 minGradCastSpecial Episode: #GlobalGrads Episode III: Endearing IndiaIn the series' third episode, hosts Liam Clifford and Rhys Paterson speak to Earth Sciences Master's student Richa Agarwal about her time as a Western student. Originally from Pune, India, Richa endears her home by comparing its sights and sounds to those she has experienced in Canada. From Nova Scotia to Niagara Falls, her journey touches upon the highlights of her experiences and how nicely it complements the Western student body.
If you would like to learn more about Richa's experience in Canada and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @doctorvworp19
...
2021-01-2728 minGradCast#Gradlife XI: How To Own Your Future#GradLife is back with our first episode of 2021! Starting off the year strong, we bring an episode covering a topic that a lot of graduate students ask ourselves and each other probably every other day, "what job can I get with my degree?". We are all taught to focus on specific projects and problems and we never stop to think, "Can I apply my skills in other fields? or Will my specific skill set be a hinderance when applying for jobs?". I am pleased to tell you that no matter how specified your degree is, you have a stronger...
2021-01-1431 minGradCast307 | Why Do We Make The Choices We Do?On this episode, hosts Yousuf and Francesco discuss cognitive dissonance with Master’s of Psychology candidate, Mikayla Colthirst-Reid. With a background and industry experience in marketing, social media and communications, Mikayla is attempting to explore how our own self-perceptions affect our decision-making processes and behaviours. She discusses how this phenomenon could make our choices predictable to a certain extent and therefore exploitable by marketing campaigns. Mikayla is returning to school after 7 years of industry experience in both corporate and not-for-profit roles. She also continues to do freelance work as a social media strategist and consultant and hosts a podcast ded...
2021-01-1327 minGradCast308 | Exploring Our Red PlanetDid you know Mars has seasons too? Different from ours, but they are there. In this episode, Ariel Frame and Elizabeth Mohler sat down with Vidhya Ganesh Rangarajan who shared his research which focuses on studying active surface processes on Mars. These include phenomena that may be driven by wind, water, frost, dust and/or seasonal atmospheric changes seen on Mars.
To find out more from Vidhya, follow him on Twitter @vidhyaganeshr93
Full video on YouTube
Recorded on Jan 12, 2021
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme song provided by h...
2021-01-1330 minGradCastREBROADCAST 93 | Taking the Blue Pill with Dan PerdicThis week we speak with Dan Perdic, a media studies scholar looking at the misogynist Red Pill online community.
Hosts: Yimin Chen & Tristan Johnson
Recorded on Nov 29, 2016
Produced by Susan Anthony
2021-01-0726 minGradCastREBROADCAST 231 | Unlock the Secrets to Becoming a Poker ProOn this episode, hosts Gavin and Greg discuss game theory with a PhD Candidate in Economics, Adam Rooney. From childhood, Adam has been an avid poker fanatic often hosting poker tournaments with his friends. When he came to university, he started with $50 in his bank account, which he used as a buy in for online poker tournaments. After winning many tournaments, he cashed out with an undergraduate degree education. Now he is in his PhD studying what he loves most, poker. And most importantly, he has many poker tips and tricks. Tune in to unlock the secrets of how...
2021-01-0528 minGradCastREBROADCAST 122 | A Constellation of VoicesAndrew Hanna and Yimin Chen speak with Mary Blake Bonn about the role of voices in musical understanding, as well as her work as the president of SOGS.
Recorded on June 20, 2017
Produced by Susan Anthony
2020-12-3127 minGradCastREBROADCAST 247 | Rock Hard for Hard RocksRussell Ashton has been a working man since he was 10; first running his own very successful neighborhood lawn services business, and now working as a Mechanical Engineer at a Junior Mineral Exploration Company. So why is Russel even in school doing his Masters? Tune in and listen to hosts Greg and Nik pick his brain about how to get your job to pay for your education.
Recorded Dec 3, 2019
Produced by Gregory Robinson
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
2020-12-2929 minGradCast306 | A Hearty Dose of CannabisGregory Robinson enlightens hosts Ariel Frame and Nikol Posnov about his research on the impact of cannabis during development. As a soon to be MSc graduate from the physiology and pharmacology department's collaborative specialization program in developmental biology, Greg has discovered some novel effects that cannabinoids, THC and CBD, have on the developing fetal heart when ingested by the mother. They are not good for the baby's heart and Greg explains why.
To hear more about Greg and his research follow him on Twitter @GregIanRobinson or check out his supervisor's Twitter @QFeng3
Recorded December 15, 2020
Produced by Laura Munoz Ba...
2020-12-2230 minGradCast305 | Scandalous American PresidenciesWith lame duck Trump and president elect Biden incoming, the world is sharply tuned in to American political scandals involving their presidency. Danielle McLennan is an MA student in history investigating various American political scandals including the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, whistleblowers and American news media in general. Ariel Frame and Yousuf listen closely as Danielle describes scandals of the past and explains how similar issues are tackled in this day and age.
Danielle can be found on Twitter @mynameisjonp1 and recommends you also follow Daniel Ellsberg on Twitter @DanielEllsberg
Recorded December 12, 2020
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Them...
2020-12-2228 minGradCast#GradLifeX Holiday Special: Winter Facts and Food Wars#GradLife is back with another winter holiday special episode! Graduate students get to use the holidays as a chance to put aside work and spend time with friends and family, eating mountains of homecooked food and catching up with stories. This year we face new challenges with COVID-19 restricting travel and making it harder to see extended family over the holidays. However, it is not all doom and gloom. Hosts Gavin Tolometti, Rhys Paterson and Nikol Posnov break open the winter holiday spirit with stories about holidays traditions, epic food wars, random and fun winter holiday facts, and learning...
2020-12-211h 07GradCast304 | Post FascismThe Trump presidency was infamous for a myriad of reasons, one of them being his perpetuation of a post-fascist rationale that sought to deeply divide people. How does an ideology, sharing a namesake with the likes of Hitler and Mussolini, reincarnate into this modern form? Hosts Liam Clifford and Yousuf Hasan speak with Political Science Master's student Hunter Blue on how the forty-fifth US President adapted a twentieth-century dogma to the present day and manipulated it to suit his own nefarious ends. The discussion that follows makes harrowing connections to the atrocities of the past and raises the existential...
2020-12-1630 minGradCastSpecial Episode: #GlobalGrads Episode II: Missing MexicoIn the second episode of GradCast's international student segment, hosts Liam Clifford, Nikol Posnov, and Rhys Paterson speak to Earth Sciences Master's student Karina Martinez about her experiences at UWO. Hailing from Mexico, Karina speaks to how Canada has both benefited her growth as an academic and increased her yearning for home. A subsequent discussion on food, social outings, and tequila seeks to broaden our horizons and educate us on how the Western community is enriched by the international student community.
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on Dec 6, 2020
Produced by...
2020-12-0930 minGradCast303 | Nikky Stardust and the Microbes From MarsLast year, Nikol Posnov told us about all the things that she was planning to study as an Earth Science MSc student. This time, she's returned to tell us about what she actually ended up researching. What can rocks taken from Brazilian impact craters tell us about where we might find evidence of life on Mars? How likely is it that future missions will find anything living on the Red Planet? On this episode, hosts Yimin and Yousuf ask these hard-hitting questions and more: like, "what's your favourite movie alien"? The answer may surprise you!
To find...
2020-12-0830 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Power & Global Heath Day 2020 Part 2 - Dr. Samuel WongIn this special episode, Dr. Samuel Wong joins hosts Liam Clifford and Francesco Colosimo to discuss his research in how COVID-19 is affecting mental health globally. As the keynote speaker at Power & Global Health Day 2020, he tells us about certain mental illnesses that the pandemic is exacerbating, particularly in populations whose mental health are being disproportionally affected by the pandemic, as well as potential interventions and strategies to improve mental health. Dr. Wong is a clinician with training in both Family Medicine and Public Health and has published over 160 original papers in international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he serves...
2020-12-0329 minGradCast302 | Domestic Abuse Against Men, an Unknown IssueXavier Borsato joins hosts Liam Clifford and Francesco Colosimo to chat about his research in domestic violence against males. He attempts to shine a light on how men can also be victims of abuse but often face several stigmas that act as barriers for seeking and attaining help. Xavier hopes that, through his research, he can help fill a gap in the literature regarding this topic.
Recorded November 24, 2020
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
2020-12-0129 minGradCast301 | The Golden InterviewJason Wozniak (MSc. Geology) joins hosts Yousuf Hasan and Elizabeth Mohler to chat about economic geology and gold mineralization. Jason's research helps companies know where exactly to look for gold. In particular, he studies old rocks to learn more about gold-movements. We also chat about COVID-19 and how it has deeply impacted Jason's research.
To find out more from Jason, check out his personal Instagram @j_woz or the the Society of Economic Geologists London Student Chapter Instagram @seg.lsc
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on Nov 19, 2020
Produced by...
2020-11-2628 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Power & Global Health Day 2020 Part 1 - Julia AlbertIn this special episode, Julia Albert sits down with Elizabeth Mohler and Ariel Frame to tell us about the capsules she produced as a part of Power & Global Health Day 2020. These capsules focus on the work faculty are doing around how inequity has been amplified for marginalized community’s during COVID-19. Julia is an undergraduate student in the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities doing the module in scholars electives with research on how COVID-19 has affected young people.
To hear more from Julia, check out the ICONOCLAST podcast she hosts. http://iconoclastuwo.com/pod...
2020-11-2630 minGradCastSpecial Episode: #GlobalGrads The Inaugural EpisodeBeing an international grad student is an incredibly rewarding adventure but one consisting of a unique set of challenges. In a brand-new series debuting on GradCast during UWO International Week, hosts Liam Clifford, Nikol Posnov, and Rhys Paterson speak with Brazilian Political Science MA Ricardo Moll about the international student experience and what we can all learn from it. As the subsequent conversation highlights the obstacles surrounding travel in a global pandemic, the sights and sound of Canada, and subpar Tim Hortons coffee, Ricardo provides insightful context on how international students provide Western's community and the country with greater vib...
2020-11-1630 minGradCast300 | Health Information Exchange among CaregiversKendra Cotton (MSc. Nursing) joins hosts Yousuf Hasan and Elizabeth Mohler to chat about her research on technology and information flow among health care professions. Kendra tells us why health information exchange among professionals is important for effective patient care. She also chats about how social media is a great tool for caregivers to facilitate communication especially amid the pandemic..To learn more about Kendra and her clinical work as a registered nurse, visit here.
Recorded on November 10th, 2020
Produced by Laura Munoz Baena
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
2020-11-1527 minGradCast299 | Best Friend ElementsDo you want to know what it takes to work in the field of gold exploration in the Canadian Yukon Territory? An Arts degree, a failed calculus course, four exploration field seasons and a Masters in Geology. JUST KIDDING! It takes believing in yourself and a properly guided passion. Tune in to this week's GradCast episode with James Alexander to learn more about "best-friend" elements and minerals, instrumentation used to define gold mineralization, and if that's not for you, skip to the second half of the episode for reasons to visit the Yukon and some cheesy inspirational advice. The...
2020-11-1030 minGradCast298 | Talking the Talk about Walking the WalkAs humans, we often underestimate how important bipedal movement is to our lives. And according to recent Pedorthics program graduate and Kinesiology alumnus Ashley Njeru, there is much we can do to prioritize its wellbeing. And as hosts Liam Clifford and Viki Tellios learn more about lower limb health, orthotics, and orthopaedics, it becomes clear that this is something we should be taking more seriously. The conversation that follows is one that emphasizes the challenges of treating patients in a pandemic, how a graduate degree prepares one for the workforce, and why it is important to move forward figuratively...
2020-11-0429 minGradCastSpecial Episode: How COVID-19 Has Impacted Western Research Part 3Hanna Grover and Amara Miles are both MA candidates in Occupational Therapy. They chat with hosts Yousuf Hasan, Elizabeth Mohler, and Gavin Tolometti about how COVID-19 has impacted their fieldwork over the summer. They also share with us how they have coped with these unprecedented times and found new ways to connect with people using online platforms. We talk about friendships, family, research, health activities, and much more.
If you would like to learn more about Hanna and Amara's research and the Occupational Therapy program at Western, follow @western_ot and @grassro_ots on Instagram.
2020-11-0429 minGradCastSpecial Episode: How COVID-19 Has Impacted Western Research Part 2Anna Sui (PhD Candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences) chats with us about a research project that has led to the increase of smartphone use during the pandemic. She joined hosts Elizabeth Mohler and Gavin Tolometti to discuss smartphone addiction and nomophobia (fear of not having your smartphone or not being able to use it). Yoah Sui (PhD graduate in Kinesiology, soon to be a post-doctorate fellow in Behavioural Medicine Lab at the University of Victoria) also joins the hosts to talk about his post-grad journey after the pandemic. He chats about how COVID-19 impacted his post-doc scholarship and...
2020-11-0428 minGradCastSpecial Episode: How COVID-19 Has Impacted Western Research Part 1In this episode of GradCast, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Francesco Colosimo chat with Kristin Prentice (a PhD Candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researching leisure activity in older adults) and Adam Debosscher (a PhD Candidate in English Literature studying popular fantasy literature), about the various struggles they have faced as students in the COVID-19 era. Together, they enlighten us about how the pandemic has affected their research, measures they undertaken to keep their projects moving forward and personal strategies they have to stay productive.
If you want to learn more about Kristin Prentice's work you can email...
2020-11-0432 minGradCast297 | How to Teach a Digital Brain to Pay AttentionWhen we listen to the world around us, we can tune the brain to focus on sounds or voices. Do you remember when you were last on the train or bus and there was a certain sound that stood out to you? You could figure out what that sound was right? That is you perceiving the surrounding environment. For the human brain, this is a complex yet routine ability and is something we do not think about on how it works. Now try teaching a machine the same ability. Sounds hard right? Well, in this episode, hosts Liam Clifford...
2020-10-2827 minGradCast296 | Untying the Myths Surrounding Tubal LigationIn this episode of GradCast, hosts (Elizabeth Mohler and Nikol Posnov) talk with Anna Sui (PhD Candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences) about her research which looks at how women story their experiences of requesting and receiving tubal ligation (getting their tubes tied). Specifically, her research explores how various intersecting social identities (race, disability, gender, etc.) shape these experiences. We learn from Anna that this process is more difficult and complicated by myriad barriers than one might believe, especially in how medical professionals regard female patients.
To learn more about Anna's research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile...
2020-10-2029 minGradCast295 | A Philosopher Walks into a Science LabErlantz Etxeberria (PhD Candidate in Philosophy) chats about his research on scientific method and explanations in science with hosts (Yousuf Hasan and Liam Clifford). What is the scientific method? Should we trust science? Can philosophy inform science? Is there a clash between scientific evidence and politics? We talk about these issues with Erlantz. He also shares with us what he thinks about Richard Feynman’s quote on philosophy of science: “[it is] as useful to scientists as ornithology [the study of birds] is to birds.”
To learn more about Erlantz' research, visit his Rotman profile at Western.
2020-10-1330 minGradCast294 | Managing Misinformation on COVID-19In this episode Elizabeth Mohler and Ariel Frame become informed by Francesco Colosimo on his research investigating the health information being distributed to the public on COVID-19. In his Masters of Health Information Science, Farncesco seeks to assess which information is trusted, which is correct and which channels are disseminating correct information opposed to misinformation. During a global pandemic, this information is important to get right and Francesco's research seeks to find the best way of getting there.
To hear more from Francesco, find him on Instagram @francesco.colosimo or Facebook
Recorded on September 29n...
2020-10-0528 minGradCast293 | Human Rights Tribunal Ontario (Special Episode)Jaclyn Siegel (PhD Candidate in Social Psychology) joins us (Yousuf Hasan and Yimin Chen) to discuss three fascinating HRTO cases involving Western University. Jaclyn has lately been fascinated by how HRTO handles applications and appeals of harassment and discrimination. As a feminist, Jaclyn provides valuable insights on related issues as well. She also discusses some of the more pernicious forms of harassment, for instance, harassment by vexatious litigation.
Disclaimer: No one in this video is a lawyer and nothing described is a legal advice; the three HRTO cases narrated are from the publicly available documents below:
2020-10-0156 minGradCast292 | Destructive or Life Harbouring? Hydrothermal Systems in Impact CratersThe aftermath of a meteorite striking the surface of a planetary body leaves behind a circular depression in the ground and plumes of dust and rock. The energy left over in the crater can heat up the water that passes through the rocks, creating an environment that could have been responsible for the emergence of microbial life on Earth over 3 billion years ago. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Rhys Paterson talk with Earth and Planetary Science M.Sc student Tabetha Shepphard about how she studies the composition of fluids trapped within minerals from the West Clearwater impact structure...
2020-09-2829 minGradCast#GradLife IX: Rejection DiariesAs a graduate student, we face academic rejection in various forms. From a journal declining your manuscript, being told you were not good enough to join a research lab or postgraduate institution, to rejection from peers because of your choices in course work. In this #GradLife episode, hosts Viki Tellios, Gavin Tolometti, and Monica Molinaro open the floor to GradCast committee members Ariel Frame, Rhys Patterson, Laura Beana, Elizabeth Mohler, Danica Martina, and Liam Clifford to share their academic rejection experiences and how graduate students can learn from them and cope with rejection in their lives.
To...
2020-09-251h 12GradCast291 | Planting the Seed to SuccessFor university students, the question “what are you going to do after you graduate?” often proves to be the bane of their existence. This stems from not only its repetitiveness from friends and family members alike, but more so from the existential dread that it causes. They may have an idea of what they want to do, but nobody truly knows for certain what will transpire, especially in the era of COVID-19. However, fear not as PhD student Shannon McKechnie from the Faculty of Education reassures hosts Yousuf Hasan and Liam Clifford that there is in fact hope. Her focu...
2020-09-2330 minGradCast290 | Use It or Lose It: Exercise for Osteoarthritis ReliefThe amazing varsity cross-country runner, Jenna Schulz, discusses medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the effect of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) surgical intervention on changes in loading and inflammation. "Exercise is medicine" is a common phrase used by our guest which quickly became a hot topic discussed between Jenna and hosts Viki and Nikol. This episode is packed with lots of tips and tricks that Jenna encountered during graduate school, in particular related to the MPT/PhD program, time management and how to protect your knees, all of which have overall made her experience as rewarding as possible.
To...
2020-09-1129 minGradCast289 | Facing FascismWhen Italian leader Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler became cozier and more acquainted with one another, Europe found itself embroiled in a new wave of fascism that would spark a second World War. But in order to understand how a country revered for its art, culture, and gastronomy would be attracted to such a reprehensible ideology, the focus needs to shift to Italy’s position vis-à-vis the British Empire within the imperial system and interwar global order. As hosts Yousuf Hasan and Liam Clifford learn from recent History MA graduate Jessi Gilchrist, Anglo-Italian relations in the 1920s and 1930s m...
2020-09-0927 minGradCast288 | Fighting the Monsters Inside Us: The Search for New AntibioticsDenny Chin (PhD Student in Microbiology and Immunology) joins us (Elizabeth Mohler and Yousuf Hasan) to chat about his research on combating bacterial infections. Denny is especially interested in a particular kind of pathogen known as Staphlococcus aureus (S. aureus) since it can cause many well-known infections including skin infections, pneumonia, and sepsis. Some strains of S. aureus have become resistant to the available antibiotics. For his research, Denny is finding ways to come up with new antibiotics that can fight against the more resilient strains of the bacteria.
Full video on YouTube
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2020-09-0927 minGradCast287 | Being a Qualitative Researcher: A NarrativeHosts Elizabeth Mohler and Viki Tellios welcome back fellow Gradcast host Monica Molinaro, PhD candidate in the Health Promotion stream of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program. Monica brings us up to date on the progress of her research regarding the caregiving stories of nurses in pediatric oncology, as well as her motivations in studying this field and how this passion developed. Also, Monica describes the importance of using narrative methodologies, and how narratives and storytelling unite all of us.
If you would like to learn more about Monica's research, you can visit her website https://m...
2020-09-0129 minGradCast286 | Chemotherapy and Anticipatory NauseaIndra Bishnoi (PhD Student in Neuroscience) chats about her research on Anticipatory Nausea in the context of chemotherapy. Despite chemotherapy saving millions of lives every year, Indra explains to hosts Yousuf Hasan and Liam Clifford why people sometimes discontinue the treatment and stay away from hospitals. This has to do with the nausea that is induced by chemotherapy. Patients sometimes avoid treatments since they are conditioned to feel nauseous by hospital environment due to their co-pairing of hospitals and side-effects of chemotherapy. Besides her research, Indra also talks about her role as the SOGS Sustainability Chair and what she...
2020-08-2528 minGradCast285 | Heads, Shoulders, Knees and…Actually, Just ShouldersAfter having shoulder surgery, is seeing your surgeon an absolute necessity? And if it is, how can we make this process easier? Hosts Monica Molinaro and Ariel Frame are joined by Rochelle Furtado, an MPT/PhD student seeking to develop an app that makes the shoulder surgery process so much easier. Rochelle tells us what inspired the app, how the app can reduce travelling, waiting times and access to your surgeon, and how in a post-COVID world, an app like this will still be needed. Rochelle also explains how her previous expertise informed her decision to do a combined...
2020-08-2229 minGradCast284 | Light Bright MiceIn this episode Tyler Dexter, PhD student in Neuroscience, speaks with Ariel Frame and Laura Baena about his research on goal directed cognition in mice. Tyler discusses how he uses touch screens and optogenetics to investigate the role of particular neurons in the brain.
To find out more from Tyler follow him on Twitter @TylerDexter13 or learn about rodent touch screens at touchscreencognition.org
Full Video Available on YouTube
Recorded on Aug 11, 2020
Produced by Laura Baena and edited by Gavin Tolometti
Theme song provided by https://freebeats...
2020-08-1932 minGradCast283 | Lava-ing What I DoBesides its obvious destructive properties, lava can tell us a lot about Earth and other planetary bodies in our solar system. Changing our relationship with molten rock could have implications far beyond the confines of our solitary planet. As hosts Yousuf Hassan and Liam Clifford learn from Earth Sciences PhD Gavin Tolometti, analyzing volcanic and impact melt flows increases our understanding of surface processes on the Moon and Mars by studying lava flows in Idaho and Iceland. In addition, as Gavin concludes his PhD, he speaks to his future aspirations and why this research is important for the wider...
2020-08-1129 minGradCast282 | The Rwandan GenocideIn April 1994, the small Central African country of Rwanda would begin to spiral uncontrollably into the darkest period of its short history. What ensued over the course of the next three months was a genocide supported by the incumbent regime that slaughtered an estimated 500,000-1,000,000 people. With so many murdered, how could this have happened? In a fascinating conversation with PhD candidate John Trafford from UWO’s Political Science department, it is revealed how artificial constructions of identity left to ferment can have dire consequences. Hosts Ariel Frame and Liam Clifford engage with John's discussion of the historical differences bet...
2020-08-0530 minGradCast281 | Automation and CapitalismDr. James Steinhoff is a recent graduate from the Media Studies PhD program in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University, currently a Post-Doctoral researcher at University of Washington. James enlightens Yimin Chen and Ariel Frame about his work investigating how artificial intelligence, or simply automation in general, impacts work and workers. For a deeper dive into James' insights check out his co-authored book published last year, Inhuman Power, his Academia.edu page and his recent DigiLabour talk about his upcoming book Automation and Autonomy
Recorded on July 23, 2020
Produced by...
2020-07-3030 minGradCast280 | Caring With a Little Help From Our FriendsIn tough times, we all need a little help from our friends. Sometimes, those tough times are when we are caring for someone with dementia, or had a stroke. Jovana Sibalija joins hosts Monica Molinaro and Sarah Klapman to discuss the necessity of social networks (not the Facebook kind) for caregiver wellness. They discuss who may be in a social network, what social support may look like, and why caregivers may not necessarily want social support. They also discuss why caregivers are an integral backbone to the health care system in Canada, and how caregivers can be better supported...
2020-07-2828 minGradCast279 | Eating, Exercising and Extending Brain PlasticityOlivia Ghosh-Swaby is a PhD student in the neuroscience program conducting research with mice elucidating how poor diet reduces and exercising benefits the brain. Olivia excitedly informs hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Ariel Frame about her growing expertise in the field of brain plasticity and her newest research findings including treatment of mice with the drug metformin.
To find out more from Olivia, follow her on Twitter @ogoshhsw
Full video on YouTube
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, July 14th and was edited by Laura Muñoz Baena
2020-07-2028 minGradCast277 | Seeing Green: Economics and the EnvironmentHow do you turn capitalism into a force for environmental protection? Join hosts Yousuf Hasan and Sarah Klapman as they talk to Economics Ph.D. candidate Emmanuel Murray Leclair about economics, international relations, pollution havens, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and everything in between.
If you would like to contact Emmanuel and learn more about his research you can find him on Facebook and Twitter @EmmanuelMurrayL
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on July 7th, 2020.
This episode was produced by Gavin Tolometti
2020-07-1529 minGradCast278 | Problems After Knee Surgery? There's an App for ThatHosts Monica and Greg interview P.T./Ph.D. student Morgan Jennings about her work on virtual visits for individuals post-knee surgery. Started before the COVID-19 pandemic (and before virtual visits became more popular), Morgan’s research has been focused on developing an app to identify knee wounds post-surgery and identify if someone would need to visit a physician for a follow-up appointment in order to reduce unnecessary appointments for patients. Morgan also talks about her work at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, how that work inspired her Master’s and current Ph.D. research, and what she hope...
2020-07-0628 minGradCastSpecial | Racial Equity and Inclusivity at WesternMohammad Sharifi (SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner) spoke about issues concerning marginalized graduate students at Western with hosts Sarah Klapman and Yousuf Hasan. Mo explained his involvement in Western’s Anti-racism Working Group. The main purpose was to gather feedback regarding racism and to develop an action plan for a more equitable environment for our community. Mo also chatted with us about the experiences that led him to become SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner and why it was especially important to fight for racialized students.
For more information, check out SOGS on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Disc...
2020-07-0629 minGradCast276 | Disability Advocacy amid Covid-19Elizabeth Mohler is an incoming PhD student in Occupational Science and a disability advocate. She is joined by co-hosts Rhys Paterson and Yousuf Hasan. Elizabeth chatted about the unique difficulties that people with disabilities have been experiencing amid the pandemic. As someone who has vision loss, she shared with us how challenging it can be to follow basic safety protocols. We also chatted about her co-authored book on Creating a Culture of Accessibility in the Sciences (2016) and her research on making STEM more accessible. To find out more from Elizabeth check out her Twitter @mohlerc
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2020-07-0230 minGradCast275 | Microaggressions, Slurs, and Hate SpeechHeather Stewart is currently doing her PhD in Philosophy. She chats about her research on harmful speech phenomena with cohosts Yousuf Hasan and Gregory Robinson. Heather argues that the more microaggressions are inhibited and discouraged, the more equitable and free our speech becomes.
To find out more about Heather, visit her website.
Full video on YouTube.
Produced by Yousuf Hasan. Recorded on June 23, 2020.
2020-06-3031 minGradCastSpecial | Western Research Forum 2020 part 2In this episode Rhys Paterson and Ariel Frame interview four students who had been selected to present at the Society of Graduate Students annual Western Research Forum for 2020 had it not been cancelled due to COVID-19:
Brendon Samuels, a PhD student in biology, discusses his research and advocacy for methods of preventing birds being killed by glass buildings. For more info about saving birds check out https://birdsafe.ca/ or follow Brendon on Twitter @eyeonthefly
Abby Al-Takriti, a Masters student in professional education and continuous improvement coordinator with Western Engineering, speaks about her plans to co...
2020-06-251h 01GradCastSpecial | Western Research Forum 2020 part 3In this episode Sarah Klapman and Gregory Robinson interview four students who had been selected to present at the Society of Graduate Students annual Western Research Forum for 2020 had it not been cancelled due to COVID-19:
Dwaipayan "DP" Sarkar (PhD Mechanical and Materials Engineering) explains the intricacies and utility of heat pipes. They're not just a metal pipe. Connect with DP on LinkedIn to learn more. Alternatively, connect with DP's research group on LinkedIn as well.
John Palmer (MSc Pathology) shares with us how HIV is extremely effective in evading the human immune system by co...
2020-06-2558 minGradCastSpecial | Western Research Forum 2020 part 1In this episode Yimin Chen and Yousuf Hasan interview four students who had been selected to present at the Society of Graduate Students annual Western Research Forum for 2020 had it not been cancelled due to COVID-19:
Navjot Gill (MSc Physical Therapy) tells us about her investigation into how wellness of older-adults relates with health-seeking behaviours. Her findings may help better guide them to age-in-place. To find out more about Navjot find her on LinkedIn
Jaclyn Siegel (PhD Social Psychology) explains the detrimental effects of body shaming and the need for having a reliable self-report instrument...
2020-06-251h 02GradCast274 | Environmental Conservation, Kant, and Legal PhilosophyAttila Ataner, who is doing his PhD in Philosophy, chats about his research on the philosophical movement known as German Idealism. He discusses his ideas with hosts Ariel Frame and Yousuf Hasan and explains in what ways the 18th and 19thcentury philosophical works are relevant and helpful in legal matters today. Attila suggests that Kant’s works on duties, for example, can help provide a basis for having legally enforceable protectionist duties when it comes to the environment. It is fascinating to see how he extrapolates environmental conservation from German Idealism.
More information about Attila's work can be...
2020-06-2234 minGradCast273 | Birdie and the BrainIn this episode, hosts Monica and Nikol talk with PhD/PT candidate Nicole Guitar about her experience in a combined program. They discuss the reason Nicole pursued PT based on her research, how her work can inform her practice, and what a future as a PhD/PT can look like. We also discuss her previous work with Chickadees, how exercise affects executive function, and how we should all be parking at the end of the parking lot to get groceries.
What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's
Let's make our day harder YouTube video
2020-06-1827 minGradCast272 | Simulating Moon MaterialXiaochen Zhang is a Masters student in geology and planetary science. Xiaochen tells Nick Handfield-Jones and Ariel Frame about her research on artificial lunar regolith and why it is important to ensure it is as similar to true material from the Moon if we want to conduct experiments on Earth, which will facilitate humans inhabiting the Moon in the future. For more about Xiaochen, check out her personal YouTube channel Xiaochen to the Moon or follow her on Twitter @xchanggg and Instagram @xiaochentothemoon.
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on June 9, 2020.
This ep...
2020-06-1728 minGradCast271 | Do rovers make good Geologists?What's new in space this month?
What's the deal with SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft I've been hearing so much about?
Is there a way for rover spacecraft on Mars to detect rocks of interest without the help of a human?
Should I be worried about artificial intelligence taking over the Earth?
If any of these questions have crossed your mind lately (or not), join hosts Gavin Tolometti and Nikol Posnov as they interview Alexis Pascual about his novel Space-Engineering PhD research and his opinions on popular space news.
If you want to learn more about Alexis's research and the pr...
2020-06-1028 minGradCast270 | The Electrical TreesJoin hosts Nikol & Laura to hear about a topic which has rarely been explored in the context of urban environmental history, something which has gone unremarked and is often invisible in our everyday lives: telephone poles and wires. The interviewee, Michael Feagan, explains the use and status of telephone poles within cities, and how they reflected social, economic, and political value of technology in the late nineteenth-century. Michael also highlights the importance of how the poles and wires were physically constructed, and how they interacted with natural elements such as plants and the weather. Give this a listen and...
2020-06-0230 minGradCastSpecial Episode: First-Person Science with Roger HudsonIn this episode, Roger Hudson chats about his ‘First-Person Science Communication’ project with hosts Yousuf Hasan and Nick Handfield-Jones. FPS Communications is a fast-growing podcast and YouTube channel whose aim is to improve science communication in a publicly accessible way. FPS does so by encouraging collaboration and conversations between scientists and the public. Authors of recently-published manuscripts join in and discuss their research. What makes FPS Communication effective in its outreach goal is the entertaining and detailed format: visual aids, animations, selected texts are shown in-sync with the discussion. This makes FPS helpful for communicating to the public complex idea...
2020-06-0200 minGradCast269 | Mars Exploration, with Ice!Colonizing Mars has been a dream for planetary scientists for decades, expanding the presence of human kind in our solar system. However, for us to colonize Mars, we need to use resources available on the red planet. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Yousuf Hasan chat with PhD candidate Shannon Hibbard from the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration about how we can search for buried ice on Mars and use it for drinking water, breathable air, and rocket fuel!
To learn more about Shannon and her research, check out her website https://www.shannonmars.com/ or...
2020-05-2828 minGradCast268 | Internal colonialism: The world turned outside-inHave you ever wondered what it takes to destabilize a culture from the inside? Liam Clifford, current M.A. student in History, discusses his research on cultural genocide and internal colonialism with co-hosts Sarah Klapman and Yousuf Hasan, including the importance of language, the role of the institution, and why Russia and Ireland have a lot in common. Liam shares his knowledge of geopolitics, and draws fascinating connections between cultural marginalization and the destructive colonial structures whose echoes reverberate in the present.
To find out more about Liam, follow him on Twitter @LNJClifford
F...
2020-05-1928 minGradCast267 | What can't we map?Maps have helped us find our way home and discover new places around the world. When we think of maps, we picture large sheets of paper with an image of all of the continents. Nowadays, with technology advancing and the digital era approaching, maps and mapping have started to become available online, without the need for large tables to set your maps on. Ask yourself, is there a way for you to access maps digitally? Well this is the episode for you! In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Sarah Klapman talk with part-time MSc student Liz Sutherland, who w...
2020-05-1227 minGradCast#GradLife VIII: I've Got Another Meeting To Go ToAfter another month in isolation, Monica, Viki, and Gavin are back with Co-Hosts Greg and Nikol to talk about their experiences with COVID-19. The hosts discuss their new habits and routines (there's a lot of running involved), their feelings on Instagram challenges, and how their grad studies (and graduations) have been affected by COVID-19 isolation measures. Plus, we discuss "Zoom Gloom", how we feel about being constantly connected, and whether Dalgona coffee is worth the hype.
Watch the episode on YouTube by clicking here
Produced by Gregory Robinson
2020-05-071h 04GradCast266 | Under Pressure: Sneaking a Peak Inside RocksThe quest for understanding the Earth’s geologic past has puzzled scientists for decades, slowly advancing based on the shreds of evidence left behind. There are clues everywhere – from fossils and remnant minerals to pollen spores of extinct plants, our planet's history can be preserved the most unlikely of places. In this episode hosts Rhys Paterson and Yousuf Hasan talk to Stephen Pilar, a grad student in the Earth Science department discussing a fairly new area of research. By studying microscopic bubbles within rocks and minerals using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), he is working on developing new ways to uncov...
2020-05-0528 minGradCast265 | 50 Shades of TourismHistorical sites such as Chernobyl and Auschwitz hold a dark past, and require respect and remembrance from visiting tourists. In this decade, social media has brought upon a new type of tourism known as dark tourism, where reeducation is needed to explain to tourists why these sites must be respected and not used as social media photo spots. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Rhys Paterson talk with MA Public History student Kaitlyn MacDonald about how she is working with the public to provide education about dark tourism in Canada and around the world.
To find out more from K...
2020-04-2828 minGradCast264 | Industry, Morals, and PaganismEngland - late Victorian era (1870-1910): The industrial revolution is booming (and a little dystopian). Many writers are focused on prescribing moral guidance and christian ideals, but some authors lash back against this, inspired by nature, paganism and art for the sake of art! It is a wild time in the world of literature. In this episode Hosts Nick and Connor interview English lit PhD candidate Jeff Swim, discussing writers like Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel Butler, Richard Jefferies, and Kenneth Grahame. Together, they delve into some of the literary ideas that defined the time and how those still stay relevant t...
2020-04-2229 minGradCast263 | A Journey Through Spacetime: Interstellar and Star FormationMohammad Chamma is a PhD candidate at Western’s Physics and Astronomy Department. He was interviewed by cohosts Yousuf Hasan and Gavin Tolometti about his research on early star formation. Mohammed explains how studying these early processes help us gain insight about how the stars will develop. His research can also help us know more about the galaxies that are constituted by certain types of stars. And finally, Mohammed tells us what he thinks about Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar movie and how accurate it is. To find out more about Mohammed, follow him on Twitter @hmsmohammed
Pr...
2020-04-1326 minGradCast262 | Web 2.0 for Tykes: Health Apps for Digital YouthDanica Facca always thought that she would go to law school after finishing her undergraduate and master's degrees in English, so how did she end up doing her PhD studies in Health and Information Sciences? It just goes to show that you never know where grad school will take you! Your hosts Yimin Chen and Ariel Frame get a lesson in digital literacy and learn about how kids and preteens are searching for and interacting with health information online.
For more information about Danica's work, go to: https://www.fims.uwo.ca/people/profiles/danica_facca.html
To participate in the...
2020-04-0928 minGradCast#GradLife at Home VII: Social Distancing and Productivity During COVID-19In this episode, Monica, Viki, and Gavin digitally discuss what it’s like being a grad student during the COVID19 pandemic. They discuss how their research has been affected, how they’re feeling personally, and how other graduate students are feeling during this time. Remember, if you have a conference or other presentation cancelled because of COVID19, write it on your CV. And PLEASE, stay home (if you can) and wash your hands!
To learn how to cite a cancelled conference on your CV, click here
Fully YouTube video available here
Prod...
2020-04-0954 minGradCast261 | Creating Geo-Maps: Reducing Damages from EarthquakesChristopher Boucher, who is doing an MSc. in Geophysics at Western, elaborated on his research on building maps meant to help reduce damages from earthquakes. He was co-interviewed by Nicholas Hadfield-Jones and Yousuf Hasan. Chris is especially focusing on mapping specific areas of Vancouver that are need of geological clarity in terms of us understanding what areas are more hazardous in case of an earthquake. His focus uses non-invasive tools to study and model these grounds. His research has other broader benefits as well.
Produced by Gavin Tolometti
2020-03-3028 minGradCast260 | Quest for Truth: God, Time, and the Problem of EvilTyler Journeaux, an MA candidate at Western's Philosophy Department, shares his journey for truth and how his search for God led him to pursue research in the philosophy of time, science, and mathematics. Cohosts Connor Chato and Yousuf Hasan asked him questions about philosophy and theology. Tyler expressed his preferred argument for theism: an argument from contingency especially as discussed by Copleston and Bertrand Russell in their BBC Broadcast in 1948. He also explained why he was interested in the philosophy of time in particular. And finally, Tyler provided a response to a challenging problem for theism: the problem of...
2020-03-2432 minGradCast259 | Yeah Mr. White! Yeah Science!In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Gregory Robinson interview MSc student, Trent Gordon, in biomedical engineer about his research using slow dissolving polymer gels to treat osteoarthritis in the knee. Tune in to hear from Mr. Walter White himself. To learn more about Trent Gordon check out his Twitter @Flash_Gordon96 his Linkedin or the Gillies Research Group
Produced by Greg Robinson, Edited by Ariel Frame
2020-03-1829 minGradCast258 | Spaghetti-Noodles and Nanopores: Motion of Long-Chained MoleculesNavid Afrasibian, an MSc. candidate at the Department of Applied Mathematics, shares his research on the motion of long-chained molecules with hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yousuf Hasan. Navid compares the movement of the long-chained molecules that need to go through super-tiny pores called nanopores with a spaghetti-noodle on plate that needs to somehow move through a small hole at the center of the pate. In his studies and mathematical exploration, he has made observations that would benefit DNA sequencing scientists as well.
Hosts: Yousuf Hasan, Nicholas Handfield-Jones
Producer: Connor Chato
2020-03-1028 minGradCastSpecial Episode: Neuroscience Research Day 2020This special episode covers 4 researchers picked fresh from the Neuroscience research day here at Western University. Join hosts Ariel Frame and Greg Robinson as they dive into the topics of what makes humans humans so good at using their hands? How does music trigger moments of lucidity in alzheimers patients? How do we fight brain cancer? and what are some of the rot causes which lead to Autism spectrum disorders? If you're interested in brains and all the wonderful things they do - tune in.
Sarah Klapman
Rajkamal Mann
Sp...
2020-03-0855 minGradCast257 | Peering Through the Clouds of TitanTitan is not only the largest of Saturn's moons, but conditions on its surface are also remarkably similar to those on early Earth. Unfortunately, Titan is covered in thick clouds, which limits our ability to observe this peculiar satellite. So what's an astronomer to do? Jahnavi Shah, a master's student in geophysics and planetary science, is taking advantage of the similarities between our planet and Saturn's moon by using radar data from impact caters on Earth as an analogue for those on Titan. This week, hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yimin Chen probe some of the mysteries of Titan and learn...
2020-03-0328 minGradCast256 | Environmental sustainability: The Elephant in the RoomAlex Leonard has worked in the music industry in Montreal, flown drones around London, and followed elephants through Sri Lanka. What's next for someone who's done almost everything? Why, a Masters in Environment and Sustainability, of course! Today, hosts Connor Chato and Yimin Chen learn how to keep pesky elephants out of your crops and about the push for corporations to be more environmentally friendly.
You can contact Alex through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexleonardmedia/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexleonardmedia/
WAGS Conference: https://anthropology.uwo.ca/graduate/WAGS/events_and_conferences.html
Alex's RadioWestern Broad...
2020-02-2528 minGradCast255 | Mapping Rocks Underground, But Not MagmaWhen we hear the word "map" or "mapping", we instantly think of a map of the surface. However, not all maps in geography and geology mean looking for surface features or geologic formations on the surface. Sometimes they map features or formations underground. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame talk with Earth Science MSc student Rhys Paterson about her work on using boreholes to locate a type of rock formation (known as the Clinton-Medina Group). Rhys explains how she uses borehole computer analysis and core logging to study the past environment of the rock formation, and...
2020-02-1730 minGradCast239 | Its a Bird, it's a Plane, No it's Flying Microbe Particles!This episode, hosts Nikol Posnov and Gregory Robinson interview guests Matthew Svensson and Mohammed Chamma who are part of the High Altitude Balloon initiative from the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at Western University. Matt and Mo and the rest of the team built an apparatus to collect and study microbe particles found in the stratosphere well above the tallest buildings but within our atmosphere. Tune in to hear more about these high flying microbes.
If you want to get in contact with Matt, Mo and the team to learn more about the High Altitude Balloon...
2019-10-2528 min