GradCast

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The official podcast of the Society of Graduate Students at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. We aim to showcase the innovative research that graduate students are conducting at Western University and appeal to various audiences including those within and beyond the academic community.

GradCast is the official radio show and podcast of the Society of Graduate Students at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2012, the mandate of the GradCast Editorial Board is to highlight graduate students at the University of Western Ontario in a media context. We aim to showcase the innovative research that graduate students are conducting at Western University and appeal to various audiences including those within and beyond the academic community.

The GradCast radio show airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am on Radio Western 94.9 FM, and episodes are uploaded to our website weekly. From History to Histology, we show you the cutting edge research of one of Canada's top research universities.

We are always looking to have more Western University graduate students on the show. If you are a Western University graduate student, email us at gradcast@sogs.ca

GradCast Editorial Board

Chair & Managing Editor:
Mark Ambrogio

Social Media Manager:

Meghan Voll

Maria Khan

Recording Secretary:

Recruiters:

Meghan Voll

Show Hosts:

Maris Schneider

Producers:

Scott Walters

Maria Khan

Anthony Cruz

Liam Clifford

Anthony Cruz

Anthony is the current Managing Editor of GradCast. He is a third-year PhD Candidate in Western's Department of Psychology. Anthony studies categorization, the cognitive process of segmenting things into groups. How do we learn what constitutes a dog vs. a wolf? How does a doctor in training learn the difference between a melanoma and a benign skin lesion? Anthony tackles questions of this nature using ecologically valid research design and computational analytic methods. The ultimate goal of Anthony's research is to figure out easy, effective ways to make learning easier for students of all levels. Anthony joined GradCast in 2023. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys playing video games and attending local comedy nights.

Episode 444: Cruz and Classify: A Study of Cognitive Categories

Meghan Voll

Meghan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) at Western. Originally from Waterloo, Ontario, her research looks at mobile dating apps and industry, and how design options and values about intimacy they promote often emphasize app’s commercial goals. Meghan joined the GradCast committee in November 2022. In her free time, Meghan enjoys bullet journaling, listening to podcasts, metal music, running on her treadmill, and bothering her two cats, Pancake and Waffles.

Twitter: @meghan_voll9

Episode 395-Behind the Scenes of Swiping Right

Mark Ambrogio

A graduate of Western, Laurier, and York universities, Mark is a PhD candidate in Library and Information Science (LIS), here at Western. His primary research interest is in exploring the topic of genre delineation (how genres are understood in popular fiction reading), looking at science fiction, specifically. Mark is also interested in the relationship that local archives have with other so-called "GLAM" institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums), in preserving and promoting Ontario history.

Mark enjoys reading, hiking, movies (especially at the movie theatre), and having tea (or a pint) with friends. He enjoys being an active member of the local community.

FIMS Bio

Episode 415: Next Stop: Station Science Fiction

Ryan Baxter

Ryan Baxter (he/him) is a student in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, studying solo piano performance with Professor Stéphan Sylvestre. Beyond academic life, Ryan is Organist and Music Director at Rowntree Memorial United Church in London. He has worked as a marker/grader, choral and instrumental accompanist, in-classroom tutor for mathematics and English, MOOC (massive open online course) facilitator, private piano and theory instructor, and in various other education-related positions. When Ryan is not practicing, writing, working, or GradCasting, he can be found wandering outside, gaming on his PC, cooking, baking, and applying to more programs.

DWFOM Profiles - Ryan Baxter

Episode 445: Pianos and Pedagogy, A Journey into the Doctor of Musical Arts Program

Maria Khan

Maria is completing her Master of Clinical Science in Audiology, working towards professional designation as a CASLPO registered audiologist. She is involved in different areas of research, working as a Graduate Student Assistant at the Pediatric Audiology Strategies and Systems Lab and working with the Re:Searching LGBTQ+ Health Team at the University of Toronto. Maria joined GradCast in 2023 as a producer. When she is not looking into ears, Maria is producing for another podcast, Hear Here Podcast, based out of the Archie’s Cochlear Implant Lab at the Hospital for Sick Children. In her free time, she's listening to more podcasts, sketching, baking, writing and running a TikTok showcasing life as a graduate student.

451 | Hear ye, hear ye!

TikTok: @maari_bar

Garth Casbourn

Garth Casbourn is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biology, embroiled in the arduous task of producing his thesis. He’s a songbird biologist whose research looks at the physiological underpinnings of large-scale movement behaviours in the song sparrow. More specifically, he studied the role that testosterone plays in shaping the behaviour of birds travelling large
geographical distances, such as during their annual migrations. Garth joined the GradCast committee as a host in 2023, encouraged to do so on account of his “radio voice.” He dabbles in literature, cinema, and classical music and enjoys the outdoors.

Episode 376 | T-test: Sex Hormones and Sparrow Migration

Liam Clifford

Liam is a third-year PhD student with Western’s Department of History. His research focuses on
the Orange Order, an institution founded exclusively for Irish Protestants in 1795, and their
connection to facilitating settler colonialism in Canada and Ireland. He hopes that this will raise
greater awareness to the importance of accosting colonial narratives that persist into the modern
day. Having previously served as a host, producer, and segment founder on GradCast from 2020-
2021, they just couldn’t keep him away! Liam also serves as the Chair for the History Graduate
Student Association. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games and watching football (or
soccer, depending on your persuasion). Sláinte!

Episode 268: Internal Colonialism: The World Turned Outside-In

Maris Schneider

Maris is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at Western. Her research examines archaeological remains to understand how bone quality is affected during growth and development when children are malnourished. Maris joined the GradCast committee in 2024 and looks forward to making new connections and learning about all the amazing research happening at Western. In her free time, Maris enjoys playing volleyball, golfing, and petting every cat she sees around her neighbourhood.

Twitter: @minischneidz3

Episode: 435 | Who’s That Mummy? Examining Animal Mummification in Ancient Egypt

Riya Sidhu

Riya is currently a PhD candidate in psychology at Western. She studies how we move and synchronize to a wide range of contexts, and looks at the individual differences that affect synchronization. Riya joined the GradCast editorial board in Spring 2024 and loves learning about the wide range of research at Western. She enjoys reading and a wide range of craft hobbies in her free time.

Episode: 453 | Synchronize and Groove: a Three Part Story

kirstyn seanor

kirstyn (any pronouns) is completing a PhD in Library and Information Science (LIS) within the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS). Their research is focused on the organization of online pornography, specifically how sexual vocabulary, folksonomies, and website design influence people's experience of searching for sexual content online. kirstyn joined GradCast in 2024 but has previous experience as a guest, primarily speaking about SOGS ❤️ kirstyn procrastinates on their dissertation work by watching long video essays about heavy topics, making crass friendship bracelets, and trying new recipes.

Bruno Mesquita

Bruno (he/him) holds a bachelor's and teaching degrees in Biology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2021, he moved to Canada, where he's pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. His research delves into how our experiences shape the way we perceive the world—like how we are better at attending to and understanding the voices of friends and family over strangers.Outside the lab, Bruno is a self-proclaimed science nerd with a passion for science communication, and was excited to join the GradCast team in 2024. He also loves diving into board, card, and video games whenever he gets the chance.

Jessica Eblie

Jessica Eblie is a graduate student studying in the Master of Media in Journalism and Communications. She hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and is a prairie girl at heart. Her favourite activities include, figure skating, singing and listening to classic rock.

Mohammad Zeraati

Mohammad is a PhD candidate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Western University. His research focuses on instability analysis of granular soil and tailings materials. As an active member of the Academic Committee, Mohammad also joined the GradCast Committee in October 2024. He has a strong interest in podcast production and currently serves as a producer on the GradCast Editorial Board, contributing to the creation of engaging and insightful content for the graduate community. In his free time, Mohammad enjoys hiking, exploring nature, and going to the gym.