Sciographies Podcast

In this episode of Sciographies, we talk to Karen Hudson (MES'02), an educator and principal of Auburn Drive High School and founder of the Africentric Math Cohort in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.   A Dalhousie alum and nationally recognized educator, Hudson has redefined education by integrating Afrocentric perspectives into the curriculum to inspire students of African ancestry to excel in advanced math and beyond.   In this episode, Hudson shares her journey, insights on breaking down educational barriers, and her commitment to creating a more inclusive learning environment.   --   Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science in partnership with campus community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode of Sciographies, we talk to Dr. Shannon Johnson and Dr. Alissa Pencer, psychologists and co-directors of the Dalhousie Centre for Psychological Health, a community-based clinic delivering vital psychological services to low-income Nova Scotians.   With a shared commitment to making mental health care more accessible, Drs. Johnson and Pencer discuss their unique journeys in psychology—from Dr. Johnson’s pivot from engineering to the study of the brain, to Dr. Pencer’s early inspiration from her father’s psychology career in small-town Nova Scotia. Learn more about the collaborative efforts and dedication driving the Centre’s work, as well as Johnson and Pencer’s own research interests and future goals.   Learn more about the Centre:https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/09/12/celebrating-one-year-dalhousie-centre-psychological-health   --   Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science in partnership with campus community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode of Sciographies, we talk to Dr. Alex Veinot—chemist, Vanier Scholar, and assistant professor at Dalhousie University. Growing up in Middleton, Nova Scotia, Dr. Veinot developed a love for hands-on learning, exploring how things worked in his dad’s workshop. An eye-opening conversation with his uncle about law enforcement vests sparked his passion for chemistry, setting him on a path toward an inspiring academic career. As a member of the Glooscap First Nation, Dr. Veinot shares his commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in the sciences and creating a future where diverse perspectives fuel innovation and discovery. Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science in partnership with campus community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode of Sciographies, we talk to Dr. Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, a biogeochemist and assistant professor at Dalhousie University. She reflects on how her early experiences growing up in a science-focused family in Waterloo, Ontario, shaped her passion for ecology and environmental science.    Dr. Kou-Giesbrecht discusses her research on nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and its impact on Earth System Models, as well as her lifelong commitment to addressing climate change. She also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in science, calling for more inclusive spaces to support underrepresented voices in the field.   Visit Dr. Sian Kou-Giesbrecht lab: https://siankou-giesbrecht.weebly.com/   --   Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science in partnership with campus community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode of Sciographies, we talk to Dr. Michael Metzger and Dr. Chongyin Yang, two physicists at Dalhousie University leading advancements in battery research.   Dr. Metzger details his journey from studying physics in Germany to becoming a trailblazer in lithium-ion battery technology, while Dr. Yang shares his academic path from China to his current role as Tesla's Research Chair at Dalhousie.   Together, they delve into their pioneering work aimed at improving battery longevity and safety, addressing the challenges and innovations shaping the future of electric vehicles.    Visit Dr. Metzger’s research lab: https://www.metzger-group.com Visit Dr. Yang’s research lab: https://www.yang-dal.com/   --   Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science in partnership with campus community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Saurabh Chitnis, a synthetic chemist at Dalhousie University. Dr. Chitnis reflects on his upbringing in Libya, India, and Canada, offering insights into his early fascination with the creative nature of chemistry. We delve into how fundamental principles, such as relativity, influence the color of metals like gold and contribute to molecular stability. We also explore his passion for cooking and his global journey in search of Indian cuisine.   Visit Dr. Chitnis' research lab: https://www.chitnislab.ca/   -- Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is presented by Dalhousie's Faculty of Science in partnership with campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Aaron MacNeil, a biologist and professor at Dalhousie University. Dr. MacNeil reflects on his formative experiences growing up in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where summers spent at Rissers Beach ignited his early fascination with biology. He also shares how the mentorship of an influential high school biology teacher shaped his academic path, leading him to become a researcher in fisheries ecology.

Sciographies is back for season 6! This season, listeners can expect even more compelling conversations, with two double-feature episodes diving into subjects like electric vehicles, solutions to climate change, shark conservation, access to mental health and learning about innovative programs like the Africentric Math Cohort, which is paving the way for African Nova Scotians in STEM fields. Tune in now!

In this episode we talk to Will Burt, a chemical oceanographer and Dalhousie alum (PhD’15). Dr. Burt is the Chief Ocean Scientist at Planetary Technologies, a carbon dioxide removal company headquartered in Nova Scotia. The company partners with Dal researchers to study the efficacy and safety of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), a mitigation approach that harnesses the ocean’s natural ability to capture and store CO2 from the atmosphere. This special alumni episode, done in partnership with Dal’s Open Dialogue Live series, is the final episode of Sciographies’ fifth season. Host David Barclay interviews Dr. Burt about discovering a passion for oceanography, leaving a tenure-track position in academia to work in industry, and what it’s like to be on the frontlines fighting climate change. -- Visit the Planetary Technologies website: www.planetarytech.com Learn more about Open Dialogue Live: www.alumni.dal.ca/open-dialogue -- Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Meet Dr. Will Burt, the Chief Ocean Scientist at Planetary Technologies and a Dalhousie alum (PhD'15, Oceanography). Full episode drops Thursday, November 2, 2023.

In this episode, we talk to Kevin Hewitt, a physicist. Dr. Hewitt is a professor and the Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion in Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science. His research involves designing optical diagnostic tools for disease detection. Outside of his scientific endeavours, he’s passionate about increasing the representation of Black professionals in STEM fields. He was a graduate student when his commitment to this work began with the earliest vision of Imhotep’s Legacy Academy, which is now a province-wide community partnership that helps to improve student success for youth of African heritage in Nova Scotia. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has also named him an inaugural Atlantic-region co-chair for Inclusion in Science & Engineering. Dr. Hewitt talks to us about immigrating to Canada, his mother’s influence on his success, and pursuing research related to health outcomes for African Canadians. -- Learn about Imhotep’s Legacy Academy: www.imhotep.ca -- Sciographies is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia. www.dal.ca/sciographies

Meet Dr. Kevin Hewitt, a physicist at Dalhousie University. Full episode drops Thursday, October 26, 2023.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Michael Freund, a materials scientist. Dr. Freund is a professor and the Harry Shirreff Chair of Chemical Research at Dalhousie University. He uses his training in analytical chemistry to do research that informs the design of sensors, electrical devices, and energy storage technologies. He’s also the Director of Dalhousie’s Clean Technologies Research Institute, where he facilitates the resources and funding needed to conduct studies that can help build a more sustainable future. Dr. Freund talks to us about designing sensor arrays that work with machine learning to mimic the brain’s olfactory system, the collaboration between fields to develop new materials, and more. -- Learn about the Clean Technologies Research Institute: dal.ca/ctri Visit the Freund Group’s website: www.solar.chem.dal.ca -- Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Meet Dr. Michael Freund, a materials scientist at Dalhousie University. Full episode drops Thursday, October 19, 2023.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Erin Bertrand, a marine biogeochemist. Dr. Bertrand is an associate professor at Dalhousie University and her research examines the relationship between marine microbes and ocean metabolism. To do this, she travels to challenging environments like the Antarctic to collect samples of ocean water. She’s also a Canadian ambassador for the BioGeoSCAPES project, an international scientific effort to map marine microbes all over the world. If successful, this tool will plot microbial activity into ecosystem modelling technologies for the first time, leading to a more dynamic understanding of the ocean’s role in global climate patterns and marine-based food supply. Dr. Bertrand talks to us about pivoting from liberal arts to natural sciences, the challenging fieldwork she conducts in Antarctica, and her commitment to creating an inclusive lab environment for her students. -- Learn more about Dr. Bertrand's research: https://erinbertrand.wixsite.com/bertrandlab Learn more about BiogeoSCAPES: https://biogeoscapes.org -- Sciographies (dal.ca/sciographies) is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Meet Erin Bertrand, a marine biogeochemist at Dalhousie University. Full episode drops Thursday, October 12.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Aaron Newman, a cognitive neuroscientist. Dr. Newman developed an early curiosity for computers in the ’80s. While at university, he found a way to combine his interest in technology with his studies in psychology and carved a path for himself in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Today Dr. Newman is a professor and department chair at Dalhousie University. He uses technologies like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in his research to understand how different language experiences shape the brain. He’s also the director of Nova Scotia’s SURGE Innovation Sandbox, a place for STEM students to explore technology, design thinking, collaboration, problem-solving and more. Dr. Newman talks to us about how he got started, his experience studying how the brain processes sign language, how he emphasizes innovative thinking when he’s training students, and more. -- Visit Dr. Newman's laboratory website: https://www.ncilab.ca/ Learn more about the SURGE Innovation Sandbox: https://www.surgeinnovation.ca/ -- Sciographies is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia. dal.ca/sciographies

Meet Dr. Aaron Newman, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dalhousie University. Full episode drops Thursday, October 5, 2023.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Melanie Zurba, a social scientist and associate professor at Dalhousie University. Her research in environmental governance explores how to design resource management studies that best support a community partner’s aspirations. Dr. Zurba also taps into her creative side to use art as an engagement tool. Her work bridges the gaps between natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, and equity-deserving knowledge systems. Dr. Zurba talks to us about doing “research about research,” leveraging the power of art, and what collaboration between researchers and Indigenous partners can look like. -- Sciographies is brought to you by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science and campus-community radio station CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Meet Dr. Melanie Zurba, a social scientist at Dalhousie University. Full episode drops Thursday, September 28, 2023.