GradCast

258 | Spaghetti-Noodles and Nanopores: Motion of Long-Chained Molecules

Navid Afrasibian, an MSc. candidate at the Department of Applied Mathematics, shares his research on the motion of long-chained molecules with hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yousuf Hasan. Navid compares the movement of the long-chained molecules that need to go through super-tiny pores called nanopores with a spaghetti-noodle on plate that needs to somehow move through a small hole at the center of the pate. In his studies and mathematical exploration, he has made observations that would benefit DNA sequencing scientists as well.

Hosts: Yousuf Hasan, Nicholas Handfield-Jones

Producer: Connor Chato

Special Episode: Neuroscience Research Day 2020

This special episode covers 4 researchers picked fresh from the Neuroscience research day here at Western University. Join hosts Ariel Frame and Greg Robinson as they dive into the topics of what makes humans humans so good at using their hands? How does music trigger moments of lucidity in alzheimers patients? How do we fight brain cancer? and what are some of the rot causes which lead to Autism spectrum disorders? If you're interested in brains and all the wonderful things they do - tune in.

Sarah Klapman

 

Rajkamal Mann

 

Spencer Aarbuckle

 

Andy Olin

Produced by Connor Chato

257 | Peering Through the Clouds of Titan

Titan is not only the largest of Saturn's moons, but conditions on its surface are also remarkably similar to those on early Earth. Unfortunately, Titan is covered in thick clouds, which limits our ability to observe this peculiar satellite. So what's an astronomer to do? Jahnavi Shah, a master's student in geophysics and planetary science, is taking advantage of the similarities between our planet and Saturn's moon by using radar data from impact caters on Earth as an analogue for those on Titan. This week, hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Yimin Chen probe some of the mysteries of Titan and learn that you should never ask a space scientist about astrology.

 

Produced by: Laura Muñoz-Baena

256 | Environmental sustainability: The Elephant in the Room

Alex Leonard has worked in the music industry in Montreal, flown drones around London, and followed elephants through Sri Lanka. What's next for someone who's done almost everything? Why, a Masters in Environment and Sustainability, of course! Today, hosts Connor Chato and Yimin Chen learn how to keep pesky elephants out of your crops and about the push for corporations to be more environmentally friendly.

You can contact Alex through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexleonardmedia/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexleonardmedia/

 

WAGS Conference: https://anthropology.uwo.ca/graduate/WAGS/events_and_conferences.html

Alex's RadioWestern Broadcast: https://www.mixcloud.com/alexander-leonard/  

 

Produced by: Laura Muñoz-Baena

 

255 | Mapping Rocks Underground, But Not Magma

When we hear the word "map" or "mapping", we instantly think of a map of the surface. However, not all maps in geography and geology mean looking for surface features or geologic formations on the surface. Sometimes they map features or formations underground. In this episode, hosts Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame talk with Earth Science MSc student Rhys Paterson about her work on using boreholes to locate a type of rock formation (known as the Clinton-Medina Group). Rhys explains how she uses borehole computer analysis and core logging to study the past environment of the rock formation, and how she came to this field of study. 

If you want to learn more about Rhys's work and her borehole computer analysis you can find the OGSR data library on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter at @ogsrlibrary.

More information on the 3D Paleozoic Model of Ontario: 

A 3-D Tour of the Paleozoic Bedrock Geology of Southern Ontario - Terry R. Carter

A First Look at Ontario's Geology in VR (short) 3D 360

 

Produced by Ariel Frame

#GradLife VI: Finding a Job After Grad School

So you're about to graduate with a Master's or a Ph.D. - but what happens after? Some might continue on their journey in academia, while others consider industry or private sector jobs. Regardless, many may feel lost or unprepared when navigating the next chapter of their lives. In this episode, hosts Monica and Viki welcome back Monica Munaretto, the manager of Graduate Student Life, along with Jennifer Baytor, career counsellor and psychotherapist with Careers & Experience, to discuss the challenges and misconceptions associated with job-hunting after graduate school. Highlights include how to market your graduate experience for the job market, and why you need to get started on your LinkedIn profile NOW!

 

To look more into the content of this episode, click on the following links:

http://hirephd.uwo.ca/

 

https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/about/10000-phds-project-overview/

 

https://www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture/

 

https://www.linkedin.com/home

 

http://career.uwo.ca/prepare/linkedin_profile.html

 

https://www.linkedin.com/school/westernuniversity/people/

Produced by Gavin Tolometti

254 | Transition from Undergrad to Grad Student, Earth Science Edition

We are bringing you another GradCast Undergrad to Grad Transition episode! In this episode, host Gavin Tolometti talks with masters student Meredith Fyfe and fifth year undergraduate student Hanna Rzyszczak about life for an earth science student after graduation. Meredith brings Hanna into the world of a graduate student, and discusses the thoughts and preparations you need to consider before you apply to grad school. 

Produced by Connor Wilson

253 | Fishie Mercury and a Crazy Little Thing Called Peat

You may have heard that eating too much fish may put you at risk of mercury poisoning, but how does mercury get into fish in the first place? Hosts Gregory Robinson and Yimin Chen speak with biologist Jennifer Blythe about the ecology of organic mercury - from the peat-loving, Sulphate-reducing bacteria that produce it, down to the trout on your dinner table. Along the way, we'll also hear about bog bodies, black flies, and other exciting stories of field work in the marshlands of Ontario.

Produced by Laura Munoz

252 | Transition from Undergrad to an Arts and Humanities Masters

Today's episode listens in on a conversation between 2nd year Undergrad student Alexandra Posnov and Daryl Peiber about the transition from an undergrad to a graduate in the field of Information and Media studies. Join Hosts Nikol Posnov and Greg Robinson as we talk about things we wished we could tell our undergraduate selves. To all you undergrads out there, this episode contains a well of wisdom.

Produced by Greg Robinson

Edited by Connor Chato

251 | Chemical Engineering Grad to Be

Gavin Tolometti and Ariel Frame hear from a burgeoning chemical engineer, Connor Wilson, about his experience during his undergraduate degree at Western. Furthermore, Connor enlightens us on the differences between internship, grad school and undergrad experiences. To find out more from Connor, you can contact him through his chemical engineering club or brew crew club (https://www.facebook.com/westernchemengclub/).

Produced by Ariel Frame