The Pathogems Podcast
Pathogems is an infectious disease podcast created by Aryn Wright, Caroline Clark, and Avery Kaye, first-year PhD students at Virginia Tech.We invite professors, graduate students, and others here at VT to chat about their research experiences, while also trying to make science more fun. Our goal is to make scientific communication more approachable and to build community within CeZAP and beyond!
Microbial Inception: Microbes within Microbes + Dr. Morgan Carter
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, the Pathogems sat down with Dr. Morgan Carter from UNC Charlotte while she was visiting VT on 9/22/26 to participate in CeZAP's SPARK Seminar Series! Dr. Carter researches the largely unexplored endofungal (bacteria living inside fungi) bacteria system and its host interactions. Tune in to hear more about her work and incredible mentorship philosophy!
Confessions of a Pathogen Hunter with Dr. Laura Strawn
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Strawn, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech! 🦠🍎 Dr. Strawn shares her journey into the field of food safety and discusses her work in microbial food safety, fresh produce, and extension. We also talk about how research can be translated into real-world food safety practices, and her experiences throughout her career!
The Interview Weekend Rundown with Sarah Gouger
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
The girls gab about all things interview weekend.
Making Blacksburg Feel Like Home
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
What is it really like moving across the world for graduate school? In this episode, Aryn and Caroline sit down with international students at Virginia Tech to share their experiences adjusting to life in Blacksburg, finding community, overcoming challenges, and creating a home away from home in the beautiful city of Blacksburg, Virginia!
Planning our Next Cruise with Dr. Luis Escobar
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode of Pathogems, we sit down with Dr. Luis Escobar to discuss hantavirus, including what it is, how it spreads, and some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the virus. We also talk about recent hantavirus-related news, disease ecology, and the importance of public health communication when discussing emerging zoonotic diseases.
Aryn and Caroline Chirp with Dr. Dana Hawley
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode of Pathogems, we sit down with Dr. Dana Hawley, Professor of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, to talk about her path into science and the research questions that have shaped her career. We discuss how diseases spread among wild bird populations, what influences transmission in nature, and some of the surprising things scientists have learned by studying birds.
Dr. Amy Hagen on Tap
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, the Pathogems sit down with Amy Hagen, a longtime organizer of Virginia Tech’s Science on Tap and lead author of a recent paper examining the program. We talk about the story behind Science on Tap, the wide variety of speakers and topics featured over the years, how the team helps scientists turn their research into engaging conversations, and what they’ve learned about connecting science with the community!
Science on Tap Email: scienceontapnrv@gmail.com
Science on Tap...
An Ode to Salmonella I4,[5],12,i:- with Dr. Rachel Cheng
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Happy National Food Safety Education Month!!!!!!!
In this week's episode, the Pathogems talk with Dr. Rachel Cheng about her research in food microbiology and Salmonella. We discuss how she got into the field, what makes different Salmonella serovars unique, why some strains can cause more severe illness, and how research on Salmonella can help inform food safety and public health. We also talk about practical ways to reduce the risk of Salmonella infection and what it’s like to work in fo...
Meet Your Potential New PI (Interviewing Accepting CEZAP-Affiliated Faculty at VT)
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
This episode the girls sit down with CEZAP-affiliated faculty at Virginia Tech that are accepting rotation students. If are interested in reaching out to any of the faculty featured in this video their emails are linked below in the order in which they appeared in the video:
Dr. Ira Blader: iblader@vt.edu
Dr. José Vargas-Muñiz: jvm15@vt.edu
Dr. Hanh Lam: hanhlam@vt.edu
Dr. Kirsten Nielsen: kirstennielsen@vt.edu
Dr. James Weger-Lucarrelli: we...
What Color is Science? w/ Dr. James Weger-Lucarelli
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, the girls sit down with Dr. James Weger-Lucarelli to discuss what motivates professors, how to form a committee, and, of course, the color of science.
