by Elio
Figure 1. Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus). ©2015 christoph weigel
Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in a program called "People Behind the Science." This is a series of interviews conducted by Marie McNeely, a neuroscientist who hosts this remarkable endeavor. The program aims to provide a candid look at the lives of scientists across a variety of fields and to showcase the human side of science. Marie asks a bunch of probing questions that reveal more than "the person in the white lab coat." I can attest to this because I was asked about my hobbies (hunting wild mushrooms), a book I recently read (Allen's The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl), revealing a quote I treasure (Salvador Luria’s "If something is not worth doing, it’s not worth doing well"), and the person who most influenced me in science (my Copenhagen mentor Ole Maaløe). We didn't stop there but had a delightful chat about other aspects of my favorite subject (moi!). Truly, the experience was utter fun.
It turns out that the list of over 300 interviews includes a number of microbiologists, many familiar to readers of this blog. Listening to each of them is a lesson in the human aspects of doing science. I bet that you will find it rewarding.
To access the interview, click on the name.
Episode number
303: Stanley Maloy: Expressing His Passion for Science and Bacterial Genetics
301: Hélène Morlon: Conducting Diverse Research in Macroevolution, Macroecology, and Microbial Biogeography
300: Moselio Schaechter: A Microbiologist Celebrating the Little Things in Life and Science
294: Jan Westpheling: Fueling Up on Inspiration Investigating How Bacteria Can Facilitate Biofuel Production
277: Vic Arcus: Excellent Research Examining Enzymes and Protein Engineering
257: Amy Vollmer: Science on Stress in Single-Celled Organisms
256: Louis Schipper: Advancing Microbial Applications in Agricultural Management
251: Holly Bik: Sequencing Species in Deep-Sea Sediments
245: Noah Fierer: Mysterious Microbes in Our Guts, the Ground, the Air, and Everywhere!
241: Rob Dunn: From Microbes to Man – Exploring Evolution, Ecology, and the Exciting Unknowns in Science
235: Seth Bordenstein: Seeing Science and Symbiosis Through the Lens of an Evolutionary Microbiologist
227: Charles Cockell: Exploring Extreme Environments and the Emergence of Life
186: Tara Smith: Resistance on the Rise: Researching the Arms Race of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Potential Transfers from Livestock to Humans
170: Vincent Racaniello: Practicing Communicable Science Studying Viruses and Sharing Research with the World
164: Irene Newton: Reveling in Relationships between Bacteria and Their Insect Hosts
158: Mark Martin: Master of Matters Microbial Including Predatory Microbes and Bacterial Symbiosis
156: David Baltrus: Germinating Exciting Experiments on Plant Pathogens and Microbial Interactions
134: Doug Weibel: Infectious Curiosity for How Bacteria Grow, Divide, and Function
117: Jennifer Biddle: Getting Sentimental About Microbes in Marine Sediments
091: Cameron Thrash: Zooming in on Marine Microbes and Their Critical Role in the State of our Seas
087: Jen White: Investigation of Beneficial Infestations of Symbiotic Bacteria in Insects
072: Gautam Dantas: It’s All About Communities When Studying Microbial Genomics and Exchange of Antibiotic Resistance
068: Cliff Beall: Exploring the Creatures that Reside Within by Studying the Human Oral Microbiome
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