charles river

Dr. Amy Mueller and her team are measuring the vital signs of cities, gathering data that will inform future additions and improvements to our urban areas. How do we build cities in a sensible, sustainable way? Key to this work is getting communities involved and arming them with the information they need to make strategic decisions about the future.  Dr Mueller is an associate professor of marine and environmental science and civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University in Boston.  She spoke at a "Town Talk" sponsored by Telluride Science and the session was moderated by veteran broadcast journalists Judy Muller and George Lewis.

Students in MIT’s course 5.310 Laboratory Chemistry have a state-of-the art lab to work in, with energy-saving hibernating fume hoods and a new spectrometer that achieves mind-blowingly precise measurements—not parts per million or parts per billion, but parts per trillion! And the students do spend much of their time in that new lab. But Dr. John Dolhun, director of the Undergraduate Chemistry Teaching Labs at MIT, who taught 5.310 for many years, and Dr. Sarah Hewett, who currently teaches it, make sure that the course doesn’t take place entirely behind closed doors. One of the lab activities involves collecting water samples from the Charles River and analyzing them for dissolved oxygen and contaminants such as phosphates. This activity, named the “Ellen Swallow Richards Lab” after an environmental chemist who was also the first female student at MIT, ensures that the coursework is grounded in real-world concerns. In this episode, Dr. Dolhun and Dr. Hewett discuss that lab and other topics, such as how to teach perseverance, why their course emphasizes ways of communicating science to an audience of nonscientists, and the importance of sharing educational resources.

Relevant Resources

MIT OpenCourseWare

The OCW Educator Portal

Share your teaching ideas and insights with John Dolhun and Sarah Hewett

Dr. Dolhun and Dr. Hewett’s course on OCW

ChemLab Boot Camp video series on OCW

Ellen Swallow Richards biography at Wikipedia

MIT Spectrum article on the new undergraduate chemistry labs

MIT News article on energy-saving measures in the undergraduate chemistry labs

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions

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Credits

Sarah Hansen, host and producer 

Brett Paci, producer  

Dave Lishansky, producer 

Script writing assistance by Aubrey Calaway

Show notes by Peter Chipman

I talk to brewmaster Tyler Fitzpatrick about brewing in one of the smartest communities in the world.
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https://lamplighterbrewing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lamplighterbrew/
https://www.instagram.com/pepitacoffeeco/
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https://www.instagram.com/beertruth.podcast/
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Music credit:
“Zigzag” by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5020-zigzag
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 20: Visiting big cities to "feel the concrete beneath your feet" definitely has its ups and downs. We look back at some great places we've visited, like New York City, Boston, and Hoboken. In this podcast series, Tom Nielson tells stories, shares memories, and concocts whimsical, humorous tales inspired by his travels and life adventures, modeled on the monologues of Jean Shepherd. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, you're invited to hear more of our episodes at "A Look Behind in Rewind." And feel free to share our link with friends, family, and others, as well as following us on Buzzsprout.com, Apple, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.

EXCLUSIVE! Get notified immediately, whenever a new episode goes online — sign up to be one of our loyal supporters. It’s easy — just click on the convenient “Support The Show” link above to subscribe. Your contribution helps us to continue cranking out these whimsical nostalgia stories, allowing fans like you to reminisce about old times, putting a smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye. PLUS - when you subscribe, we’ll mention you by name in an upcoming podcast. Thanks for your support!

What if it was possible to speed up drug development without having to reinvent the wheel? By repurposing existing drugs, drug hunters are taking a giant step forward towards changing the future of drug discovery. Join our panel of drug hunters to hear how they reinvent previously approved drugs to get a head start towards treating patients.

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia

Narrated by: Gina Mullane and Chris Garcia

Special thanks to:  

Ian Waddell
Vad Lazari
Barbara Killian

What if the cure for your untreatable disease was just waiting on the shelf at your neighborhood pharmacy? Join physician, patient, and researcher Dr. David Fajgenbaum as he shares how his unexpected battle with Castleman disease set him on a journey to find his cure and develop new ways of using existing drugs. 

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia

Narrated by: Gina Mullane

Special thanks to:  

Dr. David Fajgenbaum
Barbara Killian

The discovery of limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) in the blood of horseshoe crabs has forever changed bacterial endotoxin testing. Today, researchers continue to look for any way they can protect these seafaring creatures while refining testing methods to decrease the need for animals. Join our panel for an in-depth look at how they’re working with legislators to preserve the horseshoe crab population and how LAL testing is the safest in vitro method to detect harmful bacteria.   

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Gina Mullane

Narrated by: Chris Garcia

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Norman Wainwright
Nicola Reid

Three-dimensional cell models are primed to play a vital role in the future of drug development. By recreating tissue that mimics human systems, scientists can monitor disease progression and evaluate the effects of drug candidates. Join Drs. Elizabeth Anderson and Ian Waddell as they explain the evolution of biologic modeling and how 3D cell models are being used to develop effective therapeutics to patients. 

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Gina Mullane

Narrated by: Chris Garcia

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Elizabeth Anderson
Dr. Ian Waddel

Within the past decade, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of mammalian cells has become common practice, but does it hold the key to unlocking future of therapeutic development? Join Dr. David Fischer and our panel for a detailed look at the advantages and applications of this Nobel Prize-winning technology.   

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Gina Mullane

Narrated by: Chris Garcia

Special thanks to:  

Dr. David Fischer

Get your four-part dose of vaccine…information, that is. In this brief recap, Vital Science hosts Gina Mullane and Chris Garcia chat about the content of our first several Season 2 episodes – a miniseries covering infectious disease and immunity, origins of vaccination, therapeutic development and regulation, and the scientific community’s recent accomplishments in the fight against COVID. 

Download individual episodes:  

See what you might have missed in the vaccine series or download and save individual episodes on our Season 2 tab.  

Beyond the podcast:  

Season 1 of Vital Science™ shared numerous compelling stories, like that of the Hermstad twins and their battle with ALS (Episode 7, An Uncommon Bond). Sadly, Jaci passed away shortly after her podcast aired, but the fight continues as clinicians, advocates, and drug developers continue to work in her honor. As Chris mentions in the recap, if you’re interested in the next chapter of her story, you won’t want to miss a free virtual event with our special guests Ben Stiller and Project ALS:  

The Hermstad Legacy: Advances in Treatment for ALS 

A Rare Disease Trailblazer Event 

Thursday, February 4 | 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

Register 

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Gina Mullane and Chris Garcia

Recent developments in the race to develop a COVID vaccine show promise, but the question remains – when will it become available to the general public? Dr. Sarah Gould returns for the fourth and final installment of our vaccine miniseries to examine where we stand with the development of COVID-19 vaccines and some lingering challenges that may hamper their final approval.     

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia 

Narrated by: Gina Mullane

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Sarah Gould

“Accelerating” a vaccine for COVID-19 has piqued the interest of many, but is it really possible to develop one quickly and safely? Join distinguished scientist Dr. Lauren Black as she dives into the typical mechanisms behind a vaccine and why it takes several years to deliver one safely to the general public. 

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia 

Narrated by: Gina Mullane

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Lauren Black

When the immune system is compromised, people rely on vaccines to eliminate and inactivate the threat. However, the process with which this happens is anything but simple. Dr. Christina Satterwhite joins us to explain how the immune system works and how vaccines target harmful pathogens in the second installment of our series on vaccines.

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia 

Narrated by: Gina Mullane

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Christina Satterwhite

Since 1796, vaccines have helped humans combat smallpox, the flu, and other infectious diseases. The process of vaccine development has changed drastically since then, and is now front and center in the wake of COVID-19. In the first episode of our series on vaccines, join us as we talk with Dr. Sarah Gould about the history of vaccines and infectious disease.   

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia 

Narrated by: Gina Mullane

Special thanks to:  

Dr. Sarah Gould

Cate and Laura Cheevers are sisters who were both born with cystic fibrosis. Together, they’ve been through multiple clinical trials for genotype-specific treatments and continue to defy the odds. Hear their unique tales of growing up with this rare genetic disorder and how it’s shaped their lives today. 

Learn more about how the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals are working on treatments to aid those living with CF, and support Great Strides on their quest to find a cure for CF. 

Acknowledgements: 

Hosted by: Chris Garcia 

Produced and Edited by: Meaghan Root and Ryan Stevenson 

Sound and Music by: Ryan Stevenson 

Special thanks to:  

Kim, Cate, and Laura Cheevers 

Dr. Guy Leclerc plays the role of both a researcher and a clinician, changing lives with his work on medical devices. Learn how his work directly improved the quality of life for a very special patient.

Learn more about Isabelle’s story, and support what drives Dr. Leclerc by donating to the CHUM foundation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hosted by: Gina Mullane
Produced and Edited by: Meaghan Root and Ryan Stevenson
Sound and Music by: David Coscia and Ryan Stevenson
Special thanks to: Dr. Guy Leclerc, Isabelle

Twins share many unique bonds, and for Jaci and Alex, fighting the same rare disease is one of them. Hear this emotional tale through the perspective of their mom, Lori, and their uncle, Mike, about how they have battled their illness, knowing the risks, and helped to develop a new treatment for this rare form of ALS.

To learn more about Jaci’s story, please visit Cowgirl Up for Jaci: Roping in a CURE for ALS. For more information about ALS, please visit Project ALS.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Hosted by: Chris Garcia
Produced by: Meaghan Root, Ryan Stevenson, and Laura Robinson
Sound and Music by: Ryan Stevenson

Special thanks to: Lori Hermstad, and Mike Hadden
In memoriam: Jaci Hermstad and Alex Hermstad

What we experience can leave a lasting impact on our lives. In Carina’s case, her father’s diagnosis changed her career forever. Hear the emotional story of her ongoing fight to honor his memory and help others battling this rare neurodegenerative disease.

Learn more about the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition

Genome mapping has made personalized medicine achievable, but how can the FDA balance safety requirements with the speed that is necessary for desperate patients?