Nerdin’ About Nerd Nite YVR

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

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