Shows
Meet the MicrobiologistHow FMTs, Coprophagia and the Milk Microbiome Inform Wildlife Conservation With Sally BornbuschSally Bornbusch, Ph.D., is an NSF postdoctoral fellow in biology conducting microbial ecology research in animal care and conservation at the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. She discusses how FMTs are being used to mitigate health concerns in wild animals in captivity, shares key findings about the milk microbiome from the Smithsonian milk repository, the largest collection of exotic animal milks in the world, and explains the science behind eating poo (Coprophagia). Links for This Episode Why Do Animals Eat Poop? (And Why It Might Be a Good Thing). Faeces as food: a framework f...2025-07-1648 min
AnthroBiology PodcastDr. Christine Drea – Mechanisms of female dominance (hyenas, lemurs, meerkats) Dr. Christine Drea of Duke University joined the show to talk about mechanisms of female dominance, which is when females of a species are more dominant in groups than males. Dr. Drea looks at how genetics, hormones, and social dynamics interact with each other to result in female dominance in hyenas, meerkats, and lemurs. Content warning: We talk about animal genitalia and hyenas' traumatic birthing process. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Dr. Drea’s faculty page at Duke University Dr...2024-12-0454 min
Aye-aye PodS2E2 – Poop ScienceIn this episode, Matt and Megan chat with professional researcher, and long-time friend and collaborator of the DLC, Sally Bornbusch, Ph.D. Sally takes us into the fascinating world of microbiomes, and how studying the microorganisms living inside of our beloved ring-tailed lemurs can help us better care for and protect endangered species like them.
Links to learn more about topics from this episode:
Sally’s current work and recent research
“Microbes Matter” article by Sally
“Gut Bugs and Poop Soup” – virtual presentation by Sally
“Poop Soup” – article on fecal transplant treatment at the DLC
The post S2E2 – Po...2023-03-0128 minAye-aye PodS2E2 – Poop ScienceIn this episode, Matt and Megan chat with professional researcher, and long-time friend and collaborator of the DLC, Sally Bornbusch, Ph.D. Sally takes us into the fascinating world of microbiomes, and how studying the microorganisms living inside of our beloved ring-tailed lemurs can help us better care for and protect endangered species like them.
Links to learn more about topics from this episode:
Sally’s current work and recent research
“Microbes Matter” article by Sally
“Gut Bugs and Poop Soup” – virtual presentation by Sally
“Poop Soup” – article on fecal transplant treatment at the DLC
The post S2E2 – Po...2023-03-0128 min