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  • When we started Nerdin’ About in March 2020 it was a way to stay engaged with the science communication community and start a podcast which was something Kaylee and Michael have always wanted to do. Now we’re completed three seasons, and it all feels so surreal.

    For this final episode of the season, we’ve pulled together some extra bits from our conversations this year with ant researcher Aaron Fairweather, conservation scientist Lauren Eckert, wetland ecologist Dr. Alex Moore, registered dietician Desiree Nielsen, and Farah Qaiser Director of Research and Policy for Evidence for Democracy.

    We don’t have plans for another season, but there could be special episodes that make their way into your feed. Make sure to follow Kaylee and Michael with their other podcasts Nice Genes!, and Let’s Innovate!, and follow us on social media @NerdNiteYVR for future plans for a Nerd Nite in-person return!

    A transcript of this episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/263rdar9

    Thanks as always for your support!

    Nice Genes: A New Podcast from Genome BC - "Nice Genes!" - Delivers a Fun-Sized Dose of Science and Stories

    Let’s Innovate!: ​​https://www.sciencefairs.ca/get-inspired/let-s-innovate!-podcast/

  • How is everyone doing with their existential crises these days? If you’ve listened to past episodes you know we’ve got climate change on our collective minds, and in this episode of Nerdin’ About we talk to someone who is tackling this wicked problem with tangible solutions in economics and politics!

    Dr. Devyani Singh (she/her) is a Post-Doctoral Economist Fellow working on Energy and Climate policy at the Environmental Defence Fund. Devyani nerds out with us on how she’s integrated economics into climate change solutions and advocacy. We also explore how Devyani is closing the gap between science and policy as she pursues a position in politics. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3xpYJck

    Follow Devyani on Twitter and Instagram @Kumari_Devyani and follow her pup Zephyrus @WestCoastPandaBoi

    Kaylee’s new podcast Nice Genes! with Genome British Columbia can be found here: https://link.chtbl.com/C5ept7S7

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  • From healthcare and biotechnology to forests and fisheries, the evolving study of genomics is leading to some of the most exciting and world-changing discoveries in science and medicine. But while the study of genomics holds great promise for the health of people, animals, and the environment, it also confronts us with big questions. Join Dr. Kaylee Byers – a self-described “rat detective” and science communicator as she guides you through fascinating conversations about the what, the why, and the how of genomics.

    To follow the show, visit: https://link.chtbl.com/C5ept7S7

    Follow Genome British Columbia @GenomeBC on Twitter and Instagram

  • This week we're sharing a bonus episode in your feed from Let's Innovate, another podcast hosted by your favourite space nerd Michael Unger. In this episode, Michael speaks with Rebecca Baron, a student at the University of British Columbia and co-host of the Women's Health Interrupted podcast.

    Rebecca shares her Science Fair Foundation experience, her TEDx talk in 2016 and how learning about the health benefits from plants ultimately led her to a gold medal and platinum award! A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3EQmjBk

    Check out the Women's Health Interrupted podcast here: https://bit.ly/3LiAEsP
  • Grab your hip waders and waterproof phone case, because this week we’re getting ‘bog’ged down in wetland ecology! Dr. Alex Moore (they/them), who is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Princeton University High Meadows Environmental Institute, takes us on a journey to coastlines and salt marshes to explore what wetlands are and how species shape these spaces. We also meander to mangroves to marvel at the benefits they provide for people and animals, as well as the threats they face in a warming world. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3KAFZv5

    You can follow Dr. Moore on Twitter @Dr_AlexM and on their websites: www.inclusiveconservationlab.com

    https://amoorephd.weebly.com/

    You can check out the bat mortality study mentioned in this episode here: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/cjz-2021-0230

    And the study mentioned about cats depredating on rats and other wildlife here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320722000568

  • The ants go marching one by one… but how and also why? In this episode we’re joined by Aaron Fairweather (they/them) a PhD student at the University of Guelph who has been an entomologist for as long as they could hold a crayon. Join us as we learn about how ants are more than just picnic disruptors – they’re farmers, architects, pollinators and so much more! Don’t let their size fool you – they leave a very large footprint on our ecosystems (6 footprints to be exact). A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3LpAqQ6

    Follow Aaron @InsectAaron, and their “fursona” Nasidoe on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube @Entobird

    Also check out Phlya and Fandom, a nerdy podcast merging the worlds of science and furry! https://entobird.carrd.co/

    Interested in learning more about ant sounds? The sound clips in this episode were shared by Dr. Ronara de Souza Ferreira-Châline whose exciting research on this topic can be found here https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0015363

  • Our communities are wild spaces. Even in cities, humans are navigating relationships with wildlife - relationships that are critical to supporting conservation efforts. This week we’re joined by Lauren Eckert (she/her), a PhD candidate at the University of Victoria who studies the intersection between social and ecological systems. From bears to orcas, we explore how conflicts shape our interactions with wildlife and each other. And, we gather some helpful tips to reduce conflict with our fellow curious and adventuring bears.

    Lauren is also involved with Hidden Compass, which is seeking to tell science stories in new ways, as well as the magical human behind The Witch Podcast, which looks at the legacies and power of women and femmes throughout history and today. So much to cover in such little time, thanks for listening, and bearing with us! A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3w6nHxb

    www.LaurenEckertConservation.com

    Twitter-Instagram: @LaurenEEckert

    Hidden Compass: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNa_vexdNjpWFJ-WMtM1pDA

    The Witch Podcast: https://www.thewitchpodcast.com/

    And the paper about bear genetics and Indigenous languages mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://bigthink.com/life/grizzlies-dna-language/

  • From rushing rivers to vast oceans, the planet is covered in dancing droplets of water. But even in places where water is abundant, access to clean drinking water isn’t a guarantee, and many of our water-based challenges are likely to increase with climate change. In this episode, water and sustainability consultant Alan Shapiro joins us to talk about what makes water so special, how we manage water in Canada, and why we all need to talk more about water. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3MaTKC1

    Follow Alan Shapiro @watercomm on Twitter!

  • To get you through some long nights ahead, here’s a bonus episode of nerd outs with special guest drag performer Shanda Leer! We all nerd out along with some of your nerd outs you wrote in with. Shanda nerds out on, The Beatles “Get Back” documentary, our audio engineer Elise Lane on her new single Antoneon, and Michael and Kaylee have podcast recommendations for your holidays in The Longtime Academy, and Stuff the British Stole. Find a transcript of the episode here: https://bit.ly/3yRBp6A

    Follow Shanda Leer on Twitter and Instagram

    and their podcast Where the Big Boys Game

    New episodes out early 2022!

  • When was the last time you swore? Maybe you were sitting in traffic, or you stubbed your toe on a stray shoe stranded in the hallway of your home (was that too specific?). While you may be well versed in the classic four-letter words that make up the English swearing vocabulary, in this episode Dr. Anne-Michelle Tessier (she/her) takes us on a phonologic foray of swear words, from sh*t-whistles to a**-badgers. We explore what makes some cursing compounds more compelling and how we’re constantly doing linguistic math, even without thinking about it. A transcript of this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3I8uhH9

    You can read Dr. Tessier’s scientific paper on this topic here

    Visit Dr. Tessier’s personal and phonology lab websites

  • Have you ever wondered how politicians make decisions using science? Or about how politics shape what’s dissected under the microscope? This is why we need people like Farah Qaiser (she/her) to better understand the role of policy for science, and science for policy! Farah is the new Director of Research and Policy at Evidence for Democracy, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization aimed at promoting the use of evidence in Canada’s decision-making. We explore the changing landscape of science policy and how investing in Canada’s scientists impacts our national capacity to ask and answer innovative and creative science questions. We’ll also explore Farah’s dedication to advocating for under-represented scientists in her role as a member of 500 Women Scientists' leadership team. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3Dsk2KY.

    Learn more about Farah Qaiser on her website, and follow her on social media @this_is_farah

    Also mentioned in this episode: Science Diction podcast

  • Open any social media app, and you’re bound to be bombarded with ads and images of “wellness”. But can our health be hyped by adding or removing a single food? What's the science behind gluten and could a sprinkle of something special support your thyroid? Desiree Nielsen (she/her), Registered Dietician, is here to debunk some diet myths and explore how taking a more holistic approach rather than subscribing to the latest fad will be more beneficial to our health. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bAQLBz

    Find Desiree on her website or on Instagram @desireenielsenrd

    Check out Desiree’s podcast The Allsorts Podcast, which covers nutrition science with a roster of very cool guests.

    Or try some recipes from Desiree’s cookbook “Eat More Plants” for nutrition-packed plant goodness.

    Also mentioned in this episode: Ask an Astronomer with Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn and the Maintenance Phase podcast.

  • Respected and reviled, raccoons are renowned for their ability to thrive in cities. They have played an important role in economies, and the symbolism around raccoons continues to evolve as societies observe and often misunderstand these masked mammals. Dr. Daniel Heath Justice (Cherokee Nation) is the author of “Raccoon”, and he shares with us the ecological and social significance of raccoons, and how this book intersects with his work as a professor of Critical Indigenous Studies and English at the University of British Columbia. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3G1SHAZ

    Raccoon is available through Reaktion Books or if you’re in the Vancouver area through Massy Books.

    Daniel is also the author of Badger and Why Indigenous Literatures Matter

    Also recommended in this episode is the book The Barren Grounds by David Robertson

  • We’re back! Season 3 kicks off with bat ecologist, data scientist, and children’s book author Dr. Cylita Guy (she/her). In this episode, we explore what it means to be an urban ecologist, we learn about how scientists study bats, and we debunk some common bat myths and misconceptions. We also get the inside scoop on Cylita’s soon-to-be released children’s book – Chasing Bats & Tracking Rats: Urban Ecology, Community Science, and How We Share Our Cities – which takes readers on a journey into our city streets to understand the wild animals that live among us and the people who study them. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3Dt5jiP

    Published by Annick Press, Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats is now available for pre-order. Click on the link below, or go to your local independent bookstore, and ask them to bring it in!

    https://www.annickpress.com/Books/C/Chasing-Bats-and-Tracking-Rats

    Follow Dr. Cylita Guy on Twitter: @CylitaGuy

    And on her website cylitaguy.com

  • In May, 2021 we hosted a live event with three guests from Season 1. Dr. Samantha Yammine aka Science Sam from our very first episode on communicating about COVID-19, Pramodh Senarath Yapa from episode 8 on superfluids and helium, and Kim Senklip Harvey from episode 9, an Indigenous storyteller on decolonizing theatre. In this live episode, we hear updates about their work and what they’ve been nerding about lately. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3kWdzjk

    Music for this episode was created by Pramodh Senarath Yapa.

    And because we know you’ll want to keep up with this week’s guests on social media, you can follow:

    Dr. Samantha Yammine (Twitter: @heysciencesam; Instagram: @science.sam; https://www.samanthayammine.com/)

    Pramodh Senarath Yapa (Twitter: @PramodhYapa; Instagram: @pramodh.yapa)

    Kim Senklip Harvey (Twitter: @KimSenklip; Instagram: @kimsenklipharvey; https://www.kimsenklipharvey.com/)

    You can also purchase Kim’s Governor General Award Winning piece “Kamloopa” at Talon Books: https://talonbooks.com/books/kamloopa

    In lieu of tickets, we asked that anyone wishing to support the show donate to the BC Cancer Foundation or their local Cancer Foundation in honour and memory of our friend and colleague Dr. Greg Bole. Donations to the BC Cancer Foundation can be made here: https://bccancerfoundation.com/ways-donate

  • In S2E7 we spoke with Dr. Greg Bole about evolution and how we often misunderstand what it is. In that episode, Greg also shared his recent diagnosis with a terminal form of cancer. In this episode, we talk with Greg about that diagnosis and what it has meant for him and his family. And true to Greg’s passion for science and science communication, we explore the science of cancer and how we treat it. Greg continues to be an important member of our Nerd Herd family and we hope you’ll join us for another episode where we learn from Greg, not only about what cancer is but also his experience dealing with this diagnosis. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3xiY4Hu

  • Marco Pasqua (he/him) is Creatively Using his Best Energy (CUBE) to advocate for accessibility in workplaces and community spaces. In this episode Marco shares how living with a disability has shaped his career as an entrepreneur, accessibility and inclusion consultant, and inspirational speaker. We discuss how Marco works with companies, clients, and communities to use principles of universal design to meet the needs of everyone, and how you can advocate for more accessible spaces in your community. And in this last episode of Season 2, we nerd out about a show worth watching, how a hobby led to new pen pals, and what Season 3 has in store. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Ubv5GP

    To learn more about Marco and his work, visit https://www.marcopasqua.com/

    Follow Marco @Marco_Pasqua

  • This week we've got a Bonus Episode in your feed! You may have heard on a previous episode that Nerdin' About co-host Michael Unger hosts another podcast called "Let's Innovate". This week we're sharing the very first episode. In it you will meet Braxton Chan. Braxton developed an innovative treatment for osteochondral defects using fibrocartilage transplantation and the 16-year-old from Cranbrook, BC was a finalist in the 2020 Youth Innovation Showcase. We learn how he came up with his idea and what he's been up to since the competition. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3w7W6ZW

    To listen to other episodes of Let's Innovate, visit https://www.sciencefairs.ca/let-s-innovate!-podcast/

  • If you’ve ever had Sri Lankan cuisine, on the surface it may seem similar to Indian cooking, but author Ruwanmali Samarakoon-Amunugama (she/her) is here to tell you otherwise! In her new book “Milk, Spice and Curry Leaves: Hill Country Recipes from the Heart of Sri Lanka” Ruwanmali takes us on a journey into the hills and lays out the foundation of Sri Lankan food, something that is still underrepresented on cookbook shelves in North America. What is Sri Lankan food? What is curry really? How does food intersect with identity? Kaylee and Michael explore these questions with Ruwanmali and we have our first call-in nerd out! A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ugGe5u

    Learn more about “Milk, Spice and Curry Leaves” and try Ruwanmali’s small-batch Sri Lankan spice blend at https://www.savouringserendipity.com/

    Check out the Fraser Valley BatPack program: https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/batpacks.php

    Nerd Herd call-in jingle by Pramodh Senarath Yapa

    Audio editing by Elise Hall-Meyer

  • At Nerdin' About, we're bee-witched by pollinators, but the fate of our fluffy, flying friends is threatened by climate change. Peter Soroye (he/him), a conservation biologist and PhD student at the University of Ottawa, shares why bees are all the buzz and how climate change and land use change are placing pollinator populations in peril. Using this information, Peter points to some ways for us to protect our local pollinators and enjoy our backyard biodiversity. A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bCI3n1

    Follow Peter @PeterSoroye on Twitter and @puffypete on Instagram

    Learn more about pollinator gardens at: https://www.pollinator.org/guides and https://beecitycanada.org/pollinator-resources/

    And you can get involved with backyard bio here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/backyardbioTo read Kaylee's article "Location, Location, Location: Rats, Real Estate and Public Health" visit the BioOne website here: http://www.bioonepublishing.org/BioOneAmbassadorAward/2021/Kaylee-Byers.html