Science Behind the Glass: illuminating the human side

Science behind the Glass

Who really makes science happen? First bilingual podcast (Spanish & English)! We pull back the curtain on the hidden figures behind the scenes: scientists, engineers, field workers, data analysts, social leaders, and more, who rarely make the headlines but whose work shapes our world. Through powerful storytelling and personal interviews from across continents, we explore the passions, challenges, and human experiences that drive science forward. Two hosts. Two languages. One mission: to humanise science, one voice at a time.

  1. Chemistry for a Sustainable World with professor Adam Lee

    hace 3 días

    Chemistry for a Sustainable World with professor Adam Lee

    We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing. Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations. 🎯 In this episode, you will learn: • Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations. • How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies. • What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond. • How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue. • Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education. Timestamps: 03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do 06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities 09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel 14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP 20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything 20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need 27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach 46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist 51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat References → Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2 → Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc → Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3

    1 h 1 min
  2. The Invisible Price of Nature with Dr Cesar Ruiz

    28 may

    The Invisible Price of Nature with Dr Cesar Ruiz

    What is a forest worth? A river? The air you breathe? In a world where economic development often overshadows environmental sustainability, understanding the intricate relationship between biology and economics is crucial. In this enlightening episode of Science and the Glass, Cesar Augusto Ruiz Agudelo shares his journey from biology to economics, emphasising the importance of valuing nature beyond mere numbers. What you will learn in this podcast: • The valuation of ecosystems cannot be reduced to a monetary price; there are values ​​and relationships that no monetary metric fully captures. • The predominance of GDP growth distorts the perception of progress. GDP masks social and ecological losses, reducing development to a material metric. • Economic incentives can be powerful, but dangerously reductive. • Socio-ecological resilience offers a comprehensive view of vulnerability. • Effective communication and social networks are key to generating change. Timestamps: 01:06 César’s Journey: From Biology to Ecosystem Economics 08:15 Types of Value: Relational, Intrinsic, and Instrumental 24:48 Environmental Economics in Practice: Policy, Incentives, and Context 36:18 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Its Global Impact 45:00 Socio-Ecological Resilience: Systems, Tipping Points, and Identity 55:00 Colombia Case Study: Mangroves, Violence, and Real-World Valuation 1:03:27 Science, Advocacy, and How to Speak Truth to Power Follow us: Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 References IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones) https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274 IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF) https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia) https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/ “The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways

    53 min
  3. El precio invisible de la naturaleza con el Dr Cesar Ruiz

    14 may

    El precio invisible de la naturaleza con el Dr Cesar Ruiz

    ¿Cuánto vale un bosque? ¿Y un río? ¿Y el aire que respiras? Para el PIB, la respuesta es simple: nada. Solo cuentan cuando se explotan. El Dr. Cesar Ruiz es experto en capital natural y servicios ecosistémicos. En este episodio nos explica por qué la economía global está construida sobre una base que no mide, por qué Colombia es un caso de estudio único en el mundo, y qué herramientas existen para cambiar la forma en que valoramos la naturaleza. Que aprenderá en este podcast: · La valoración de los ecosistemas no puede reducirse a un precio monetario; existen valores y relaciones que ninguna métrica monetaria capta por completo. · El predominio del crecimiento del PIB distorsiona la percepción de progreso. El PIB oculta pérdidas sociales y ecológicas, reduciendo el desarrollo a una métrica material. · Incentivos económicos pueden ser poderosos, pero peligrosamente reductores · La resiliencia socioecológica ofrece una visión integral de la vulnerabilidad · La comunicación efectiva y las redes sociales son clave para generar cambio Lista de Capitulos: 00:00 La Conexión entre Naturaleza y Economía 03:00 Valoración de la Naturaleza y Servicios Ecosistémicos 08:58 Retos de la Valoración Económica 12:03 Impacto del PIB en la Naturaleza 14:50 Instrumentos Económicos para la Conservación 22:18 Instrumentos Económicos y su Efectividad 24:48 Incentivos y Comportamiento Económico 30:24 El Valor del Capital Natural 36:18 Resiliencia Socioecológica y su Aplicación Encuentranos en: www.sciencebehindheglass.com Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 Referencias IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones) https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274 IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF) https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia) https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/ “The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways

    1 h 8 min
  4. Cuando la ley falla al planeta: Irán, guerra y ecocidio

    30 abr ·  Contenido extra

    Cuando la ley falla al planeta: Irán, guerra y ecocidio

    Mientras el mundo mira, miles de personas están muriendo, 700.000 fueron desplazadas en Líbano, una escuela de niñas fue bombardeada y nadie responde ante la justicia internacional. ¿Por qué? Porque el sistema está roto, y el país más poderoso del mundo es quien lo está quebrando. El Profesor Gary Meyers, experto en derecho internacional, vuelve por tercera vez para explicarnos, sin filtros y sin tecnicismos innecesarios, lo que está pasando en Irán, por qué la Corte Penal Internacional tiene las manos atadas y cómo esta guerra ya está golpeando tu bolsillo, aunque vivas a miles de kilómetros de distancia. Lista de Capitulos: 00:06 – El contexto que nadie te explica: Irán 1953, Mosadegh y el golpe que lo cambió todo 02:21 – Derecho internacional: ¿puede la CPI actuar cuando ningún país la reconoce? 07:11 – Crisis humanitaria: 700.000 desplazados en Líbano y el bombardeo de una escuela 12:10 – Trump fue a la guerra sin permiso del Congreso. ¿Eso es legal? 15:45 – Defensa preventiva vs. defensa anticipatoria: el argumento legal de EE.UU. 18:00 – La amenaza nuclear: lo que realmente dijo el OIEA y por qué importa 27:02 – Ecocidio, petróleo y cómo esta guerra ya está subiendo los precios donde tú vives Encuentranos en: www.sciencebehindheglass.com Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 Referencias 1. Análisis jurídico más completo disponible en español 🔗 Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (Argentina) "La legalidad internacional de la intervención de EE.UU. e Israel en Irán: un análisis a la luz de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas" → www.iri.edu.ar 2. Análisis académico sobre la CPI e Israel 🔗 Dialnet / Revista Peace & Security "La Corte Penal Internacional y los crímenes internacionales cometidos por Israel en Territorios Palestinos Ocupados" → dialnet.unirioja.es 3. Noticias ONU en español — Internacionalización del conflicto 🔗 news.un.org/es "Israel-Irán: La internacionalización del conflicto tendría consecuencias enormes" 4. El más completo sobre impacto ambiental — en español 🔗 Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela "Guerra y devastación ecológica en el Medio Oriente" → ecopoliticavenezuela.org 5.La factura ambiental en cifras concretas 🔗 Ambientum (España) "La guerra en Irán deja una factura ambiental y sanitaria que durará décadas" → ambientum.com

    26 min
  5. When Law Fails the Planet: The Iran War, Nuclear Fears, and the Ecocide

    17 abr ·  Contenido extra

    When Law Fails the Planet: The Iran War, Nuclear Fears, and the Ecocide

    The world has rules. Powerful nations just don't follow them. Professor Gary Meyers returns to Science Behind The Glass to break down the legal vacuum behind today's most dangerous conflict, and what it means for all of us. Main topics: ICC & jurisdiction — why the US, Israel, and Iran are untouchableUS strikes Iran — no Congress, no mandate, no consequencesNuclear enrichment — Iran at 60%, far beyond civilian useHumanitarian collapse — 700K displaced, a girls' school bombed, Gaza ongoingRules-based order — is international law already dead? Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events02:10 Legal Complexities in International Relations04:26 Humanitarian and Environmental Catastrophes06:54 Military Actions and International Law08:46 The Role of the International Criminal Court08:57 US Military Strategy and War Powers11:14 Preventive Self-Defense and International Law16:50 Preventive and Anticipatory Self-Defense18:26 Nuclear Threats and International Oversight21:39 Western Perspectives on Iran's Threat23:15 European Union's Role and Responses25:36 Economic Implications of the Conflict27:47 The Cost of War and Public Sentiment28:58 Hate Speech Legislation and Political Discourse31:09 Environmental Impact of WarfareFollow us: nstagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 References https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/3/iaea-confirms-some-damage-to-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility https://ceobs.org/iran-war-environmental-risk-overview-as-of-27th-march/ https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/9/israeli-attacks-on-iran-fuel-sites-aim-to-break-resilience-of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) - Official updates on Iran’s nuclear programme and safety assessments: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/topics/iran https://apnews.com/hub/iran

    36 min
  6. Frogs, Myths, Science & Coffee with Carlos Guarnizo

    9 abr

    Frogs, Myths, Science & Coffee with Carlos Guarnizo

    What if science felt as natural as having a drink with friends? 🍺🔬 Meet Carlos Guarnizo, a Colombian scientist who turned science communication into a movement. He created Ciencia Café Pa Sumerce , and what he's built is unlike anything in the science world. Here's what makes him someone every science communicator needs to hear: 🇨🇴 From Bogotá to the world: Carlos proves that groundbreaking ideas in science outreach come from unexpected places, not just Silicon Valley or MIT 🎭 Science meets art: He brings researchers into bars, artistic stages, and music venues so anyone can walk in, grab a drink, and walk out knowing something new 🎶 Unlikely collabs: Ciencia Café has partnered with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, blending classical music and science to reach audiences that traditional lectures never could 🧠 The real barrier isn't knowledge: It's how we communicate it. Carlos breaks down exactly why scientists struggle — and the surprisingly simple fix Timestamps 00:00 Scientific Communication and Its Importance 02:50 Carlos Guarnizo's Journey in Communication 06:02 The Creation of Ciencia Café Para Sumergirse (Science Café to Dive Into) 08:49 The Intersection Between Science and Communication 12:07 The Importance of Telling Our Own Stories 15:05 Challenges in Scientific Communication 18:07 Collaboration and Empathy in Science 21:02 The Impact of Science on Society 23:53 The Power of Art in Scientific Communication 26:59 Family Influence on Scientific Communication Referencias Carlos Guarnizo en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosguarnizo/ Biocore Universidad de los Andes - https://biocore.uniandes.edu.co/ https://youtu.be/y0jmHOx_7P8?si=ZMWTGWgCSKFXGFeR https://cienciacafesumerce.wordpress.com/ https://es.mongabay.com/2022/08/proyecto-de-divulgacion-cientifica-en-colombia-carlos-guarnizo-entrevista/

    30 min
  7. Ranas, mitos, ciencia y café con Carlos Guarnizo

    26 mar

    Ranas, mitos, ciencia y café con Carlos Guarnizo

    En esta entrevista, Carlos Guarnizo comparte su trayectoria en divulgación científica, cómo empezó, sus desafíos y estrategias para comunicar la ciencia con empatía y efectividad. Descubre cómo la ciencia puede ser accesible, cercana y poderosa a través del arte, la familia y la participación comunitaria, como lo ha hecho Ciencia Café Pa' Sumercé, que ha transformado espacios de la ciudad en centros de entretenimiento que vinculan a la comunidad de todas las edades. Lista de capitulos 00:00 Introducción a la Ciencia Humana 07:00 El Viaje de la Divulgación Científica 13:49 Conexiones entre Investigación y Divulgación 20:48 La Importancia de Contar Nuestras Propias Historias 26:05 Desafíos en la Comunicación Científica 27:39 La Importancia de la Comunicación Científica 36:10 Estrategias para Comunicar Ciencia con Empatía 39:32 Transformando Congresos Científicos en Eventos Inclusivos 44:01 El Poder del Arte en la Divulgación Científica 46:08 Involucrando a la Familia en la Ciencia Encuentranos en: www.sciencebehindheglass.com Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 Referencias Carlos Guarnizo en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosguarnizo/ Biocore Universidad de los Andes - https://biocore.uniandes.edu.co/ https://youtu.be/y0jmHOx_7P8?si=ZMWTGWgCSKFXGFeR https://cienciacafesumerce.wordpress.com/ https://es.mongabay.com/2022/08/proyecto-de-divulgacion-cientifica-en-colombia-carlos-guarnizo-entrevista/

    55 min
  8. Bugs that save harvests: the invisible allies of crops with Dr. Karen Muñoz

    12 mar

    Bugs that save harvests: the invisible allies of crops with Dr. Karen Muñoz

    In the world of agriculture, the spotlight usually falls on the harvest, but what happens beneath the surface and within the plants is vital. In this episode of Science Behind the Glass, Dr. Karen Muñoz Cárdenas, a leading researcher in crop biodiversity, we discover how tiny organisms — mites, nematodes, bacteria, and more — not only sustain our crops, but also forge a crucial alliance with farmers. Karen shares her passion for these mites and how her life, shaped by Colombian landscapes, led her to uncover the tiny world of animals that protect our crops. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Tiny Allies in Agriculture 02:58 Karen's Journey and Inspiration for Biodiversity 08:45 The Role of Farmers in Biodiversity 11:55 Understanding Biological Controllers 16:01 Experiences with Mites and Their Impact 18:48 The Fascination with Balloustium Mites 22:05 The Life Cycle of Mites and Soil Importance 25:47 Research and Discoveries in Biological Control 29:19 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship in Biological Solutions 37:25 Sustainable Agriculture: Moving Beyond Monocultures 48:08 Empowering Scientists and Communities for Change Follow us: nstagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 References https://vandersteensolutions.com/home/ https://www.xerces.org/blog/planting-for-helpful-predators-how-natural-enemies-can-control-garden-pests-for-you

    53 min
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Who really makes science happen? First bilingual podcast (Spanish & English)! We pull back the curtain on the hidden figures behind the scenes: scientists, engineers, field workers, data analysts, social leaders, and more, who rarely make the headlines but whose work shapes our world. Through powerful storytelling and personal interviews from across continents, we explore the passions, challenges, and human experiences that drive science forward. Two hosts. Two languages. One mission: to humanise science, one voice at a time.

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