Inspiration Dissemination

West Coast pink shrimp are a staple in classic dishes such as shrimp scampi and shrimp fried rice. Roughly 56.8 million pounds (or 7,322,122,984 individuals) of West Coast pink shrimp were caught by fishing vessels off the coasts of California and Oregon last year. While this is a largely impressive number, harvest sizes can vary from year to year typically coinciding with fluctuations in global weather patterns. However, despite the large size of this industry and repeatable patterns, relatively little is known about West Coast pink shrimp populations and why they can change so drastically from year to year.

As many of us learned in high school biology, there are uni-cellular organisms, like bacteria, and multi-cellular organisms, like us! Our guest this week is Brysyn Goodson, a Ph.D. student at Oregon State University, who is trying to understand how multicellularity evolved on Earth. Brysyn and his colleagues use yeast - one of the most well-studied systems in science, to try and wrestle these types of big questions. 

Various species of kelp inhabit Oregon’s subtidal waters, providing food, nutrients, and shelter for an array of marine organisms. One such species, bull kelp, can be seen by divers towering over 50 feet above the seafloor as it grows rapidly, reaching for sunlight. Those not willing to brave the cold Oregon waters may stumble upon one during a beach walk — its leathery, green body resembling an oversized, thick whip after being torn from its holdfast by a recent storm.
Our guest this week is Anna Dworetzky, a new PhD student whose research focuses on bull kelp. Anna is part...

In this episode of Inspiration Dissemination, we speak with Bonnie Kraxberger, a graduate student in the College of Education at Oregon State University, about her innovative use of virtual reality to make music education more engaging and accessible for adult learners. Drawing on her experience as both a music teacher and education program developer, Bonnie shares how she designed an immersive learning environment that teaches music literacy through creative, game-like experiences, as well as the challenges of integrating sound into virtual learning platforms. She also reflects on the future of educational technology, the importance of personalized learning, and her...

Your gastrointestinal tract is home to hundreds of bacterial species that play essential roles in digestion and metabolism. As this field of research expands it is becoming increasingly clear that these microbes influence systems beyond the gut: they can even impact brain functioning. These effects were once thought to occur indirectly over the span of minutes to hours through complex chemical signaling pathways. Over the past 15 years, however, scientists have discovered that gut bacteria can communicate directly with the brain via the nervous system, transmitting signals in a matter of seconds and reshaping how we understand the gut–brain ax...

Our guest this week is Mark Kerstens, a PhD student at OSU, who studies black-backed woodpeckers with the hope of improving forest management before and after wildfires. Black-backed woodpeckers are ecosystem engineers, creating habitat for many other forest-dwelling species, and Mark's work is helping to inform natural resource managers about what these charasmatic birds may be doing.

Millions of people visit U.S. National Parks each year. The amazing flora, fauna, and natural ecosystems of these parks draw visitors from all over the world to the United States. Wes Binder, an OSU Ph.D. Student, works exclusively in one of the most famous U.S. National Parks, Yellowstone. His work focuses on understanding dynamics between two of the top predators - wolves and cougars. In this episode, we talk to Wes about not only his doctoral research, but the decade he has spent tracking, trapping, and studying these animals.

Molecular biology is often introduced through the central dogma: DNA makes RNA, and RNA makes protein. But biology is rarely that simple. In this episode, Sanjay discusses how discoveries such as non-coding RNAs have expanded our understanding of how genetic information works, and how he uses computational approaches to investigate the functions and structures of these mysterious molecules. Tune in to hear about the frontier of RNA biology, the shift from PhD to postdoc, and Sanjay’s unique journey from the social sciences into biophysics. Hosted by Matthew Vaughan and Hannah Stuwe.

Many wildlife populations experience change over time. For some, this can be defined as “boom” and “bust” periods – cycles of change where population numbers rise and fall. Understanding these can be a major challenge for scientists and wildlife managers, particularly for species who have not historically been monitored. One such species, the gray-tailed vole, is being studied by PhD student Austin Nash and his collaborators here at Oregon State University. This episode reviews some of the ecology of this super cool endemic (only found in the Willamette Valley) vole, and Austin's journey to grad school.

Imagine you are in the produce section of the grocery store picking out your fruit for the week, and you remember the apple marketing slogan “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Once you make your way over to the apples, you are almost guaranteed to find a variety that fits your preference for taste and texture. These varieties are only made possible because of grafting techniques, a method for combining and reproducing desirable traits in fruit trees. Pear cultivation uses similar techniques, but producing desirable traits such as dwarfing, that apples so readily display remains a challenge in p...

Satellite imagery has transformed how scientists study the ocean, particularly true today with the recent launch of a new NASA satellite. However, understanding more of the oceans through satellite imagery requires data validation obtained at sea. In this episode of Inspiration Dissemination, Alexander Bailess shares how he combines remote sensing with field-based oceanography to ground-truth satellite data and better understand marine ecosystems across multiple spatiotemporal scales. Alexander sails aboard research vessels to collect ocean data while satellites pass overhead, while also tracking the harmful phytoplankton Pseudo-nitzschia, some species of which produce the neurotoxin domoic acid responsible for amnesic shellfish...

Alaskan wolf populations can have varied diets, likely shaped by the landscape and prey availability. But how can we study these mobile, remote animals and what is the extent of knowledge gained? In this episode of Inspiration Dissemination, Zach Muniz explains how wolf scat can reveal not only what wolves are eating, but also the parasites they may be exposed to. Using materials from the Levi Lab, collaborators, and public databases, Zach is developing methods to study helminth parasites in the digestive tracts of Alaskan wolves. Listen to hear more about Zach’s research, the value of noninvasive wildlife sc...

As the occurrence and intensity of wildfires in Oregon annually increase, there is an urgent need to understand how these events impact community ecology in affected areas. This episode of Inspiration Dissemination, we talk to Noelle Foster, an M.Sc. Student in the department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences about her work studying bird communities in the Oregon Cascades using remote listening devices.

Everyone living on the U.S. west coast has likely heard of "The Big One". This earthquake is commonly said to be "due any day now" and will likely have devastating consequences for coastal communities. Thankfully, researchers like this week's guest, Amina Meselhe, focus on understanding the potential extent of consequences from extreme events like The Big One and explore potential strategies for improving safety or community resilience. 

A farewell interview for one of the hosts here at I.D. Esteban Hernandez. Esteban will be finishing up his degree soon and off to New Mexico to start his post-doc. Listen to his final thoughts and some more advice for one last time. Good luck E!

Climate change driven by global warming is a highly debated topic in today’s world. However, what we can be sure of is that certain gases cause changes to our environment and are often referred to as “greenhouse gases”. A large scientific effort has been made to capture these gases and turn it into things with less environment impact. One particular way is by creating molecules that mimic our bodies natural mechanisms. This is called biomimetic science and is the topic of our guest’s research, Bella Mc Coll Bella is a third-year PhD student researching under Dr. Addison Desnoyer...

Kelp are an important foundation species in Oregon, however are experiencing multiple stressors that may directly influence their biomass, including rising ocean termperatures and being preyed upon by sea urchins. Furthermore, Oregon is in talks of reintroducing sea otters back into the environment - what does this mean for kelp? In this episode, Andrés explains how he is assessing the interplay between kelp and sea urchins through simulation modeling with the goal of better informing agencies. Hailing all the way from Ecuador, listen in to hear the inspirational journey that led him to grad school in Oregon. Hosted b...

How do you identify “an expert”? The answer to this question is more complex than you might think. Most of us might think of people with multiple degrees or extensive experience in a specific field as experts. However, as our guest this week is discovering, experts can be people with passion, people with connections or people with specific job titles. Recognizing the enacted and relationally valued characteristics of an expert is essential to creating systems where experts that reflect a community’s ideas and values are the ones making the decisions. One example is the community of people around and co...

Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)  are the largest animals that have ever existed on Earth. Despite this, they feed exclusively on krill (Nyctiphanes australis) which are typically no larger than 2 cm. Thus, they must consume massive amounts of these tiny organisms to support the large energy requirements of their life history processes. Researchers are interested in understanding how predator-prey dynamics between blue whales and krill may shift with changing ocean conditions. Nicole Principe is a 2nd year PhD student in the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab at the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, led by Dr. Leigh T...

Join us for a chat with Jazlee Crowley, a 4th year PhD student in Integrative Biology who takes us on a deep dive into the complex interactions of the bodhi tree. Jazlee's research takes us to Hawaii, but as we soon learn, relationships with the bodhi tree are prominent in many countries and cultures. As Jazlee investigates the role of the bodhi tree in Hawaii as an "invasive", it becomes apparent that her research sits at an intersection of science, philosophy, spirituality and culture. Hosted by Matthew Vaughan and Emilee Lance.

Oregon’s many winding rivers meet the Pacific Ocean in gorgeous estuaries scattered along the coastline. These estuaries are critical habitat for salmon, water birds, Dungeness crab, and oysters, and are deeply connected to the local economies of coastal communities. These estuaries are also the primary habitat of eelgrass — a fully aquatic flowering plant. We may overlook eelgrass as the creepy thing under the waves that brushes against your foot while wading through the water, but it is actually incredibly important to coastal ecosystems. It protects against erosion, absorbs pollutants, provides breeding grounds for many fish and invertebrate species, and...

What happens when the rich agricultural landscape meets the rugged and wild natural ecosystems of eastern Oregon? Join us as we sit down with Lara Mengak, a 4th year PhD student who is exploring this question. Her dissertation work is trying to understand what social and ecological threats impact ranchers in Oregon. What kinds of conflicts exist between natural predators, such as wolves, and livestock? What are the best ways to mitigate these conflicts? How do we manage landscapes to support wildlife conservation and agriculture? How do these things vary as a function of climate change or drought? Listen...

Sea urchins may have a spiny reputation, but they are vital members influencing kelp ecosystems. Join us as Delaney Chabot, a third-year Master Student in Integrative Biology, discusses their importance and also how they act as a connecting link between subtidal and intertidal zones. Delaney is a passionate educator and the visionary behind the 'kelp horn' - listen in to hear more! Hosted by Matt Vaughan and Taylor Azizeh.

Join us as we zoom into the "nano world" with Kelso Arthur, a third-year PhD student in Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at Oregon State University. In this episode we discuss nano and microplastic use in agricultural pesticides, what impacts they could have on environmental health, and how indicator species can help us assess their effects. Kelso shares their journey on how their roots in Kentucky helped pave their pathway into graduate school. Hosted by Matthew Vaughan and Esteban 'E' Hernandez. 

Mammals encompass some of the most interesting animals on the planet. We can see how bats have mastered the sky with wings like birds or how dolphins have adapted streamlined bodies for life in the ocean just like fish. The ability to evolve similar characteristics to overcome common problems found in the environment is called convergent evolution and opens our eyes to the fundamentals of how life has changed to face the challenges of our planet. One such trait that is the product of convergent evolution is echolocation, which is the subject of research for our guest on the...

If you walk into any grocery store today and find yourself in the beverage aisle, you’ll be able to find all sorts of “prebiotic” sodas touting ingredients like inulin that claim to improve gut health. Many of us are familiar with probiotics and the gut benefits of fermented or cultured foods that contain beneficial bacteria, but prebiotics are a little different. Prebiotics are typically nondigestible fiber compounds that pass undigested through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and function as a food source for your gut’s microorganisms.

However, it is unclear what the effects of prebi...

Sometimes the smallest things in the universe can answer some of the largest questions. That seems to be the case with neutrinos. But what exactly are these fundamental particles, that also happen to be the most abundant in the universe, and why are they of importance? Listen in to hear Noah shed light on all things neutrinos, including undereground research facilities! Hosted by Matthew Vaughan and Taylor Azizeh.

Join us as we dive into the world of apex predators with shark researcher Jessica Schulte, a PhD candidate studying the foraging behavior and movement of broadnose sevengill sharks in the Pacific Northwest. This episode is packed with mystery, fun shark facts, unexpected diet discoveries, crazy field stories, and inspiring ventures that lead to a career working with sharks! Hosted by Matthew Vaughan and Taylor Azizeh.

For most of the time that biochemists have been studying proteins they have preached the widely adopted dogma that structure equals function. Proteins are macromolecules made of chains of amino acids, and as they are produced they fold into intricate and specific shapes. These shapes or ‘structures’ are critical to the tasks that they perform, like producing energy for the cell, carrying molecular cargo from one end of the cell to the other, or letting ions across the cell membrane. However, over 30% of the protein humans produce has no specific structure. These are called intrinsically disordered proteins, and only in t...

Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals that are known for their ability to contaminate our environment and be resistant to breaking down. However, there’s still a lot to learn about their potential for toxicity. One way scientists can better understand PFAS toxicity is by using the embryonic zebrafish models. These tiny fish have a genome that is around 70% similar to humans. This makes the zebrafish a powerful tool in understanding how some chemicals may express toxicity in humans. Eli Cowan is a second-year PhD student in the lab of Robyn Tanguay, which is a pa...

If someone asked you to describe a shark, I imagine most folks would report a ten-foot long body, rows and rows of razor sharp teeth, and the ruthless nature of a (literal) cold-blooded killer. If you asked Master’s student Reilly Boyt to describe a shark, she would likely describe a salmon shark. Reilly is our guest on the show this week and she studies the diet and habitat use of salmon sharks using multi-chemical tracers (e.g. eDNA metabarcoding and fatty acid analysis) across size classes and sex. Reilly is also the founder and CEO of Disabilities Within Oc...

As global temperatures rise, ocean levels and extreme weather occurrences rise with it. One of the leading causes of global warming are greenhouse gases like CO2. Emily Hiatt's research is tryign to develop a cheap, robust way to capture CO2. This topic is hot; even hotter than the rising global temps.

What's cooler than land robots? Underwater robots (ice cold!), which Akshaya Agrawal's PhD research in the Robotics Department focuses on. Her research is indeed cool; developing and testing motion-planning algorithms designed to help teams of robots coordinate movement and perform tasks underwater. But have you ever wondered what's involved in getting robots to operate underwater? And how exactly does one get to work with underwater robots? Listen in to  find the answers to those budding questions, as well as Akshaya's journey from India to the U.S, ...or just to hear cool stuff about cool robots! 

If you’re not a fan of ‘The Office’ then that title probably made no sense to you. But, if you are, then you’ll know that Michael Scott famously said that mercury poisoning is one of the five Goliaths that America faces (though we never actually find out what the fifth one is…). Regardless, on this week's episode you’ll be able to learn all about this Goliath as our guest, the newly minted Dr. Cailin Sinclair, discusses his doctorate and post-doc work investigating mercury cycling in freshwater systems. Hosted by Lisa Hildebrand.

Emily Dziedzic, a PhD student in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Sciences, is a molecular ecologist who focuses on bioinformatics, which means that she uses computer-based methods to analyze genetic data. Her work spans a wide variety of taxa, from freshwater fish to scarlet macaws, from bats to Humboldt marten, and has implications for improving ecological monitoring for management as well as assisting in the fight against wildlife disease. Hosted by Lisa Hildebrand and Mireia Roig-Paul.