61 episodes
Instead Utah State University Office of Research
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- Science
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5.0 • 15 Ratings
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Presented by USU’s Office of Research, Instead is a digital bridge to span social-distance, allowing you to listen in on conversations with USU researchers and learn how Utah’s researchers move our state forward as new challenges circle the world.
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61– Problem solving without borders. Ron Sims scales up science to turn waste into a resource, rehabilitate soil, and build a workforce of biological engineers
Toxic compounds made land near Libby, Montana uninhabitable. A first-generation college student restored the land with the help of some microscopic organisms. Now Ron is leveraging algae, to protect the environment. Algae growing in wastewater convert pollutants into a resource, that can sustain industries. Listen to this episode to hear how this work is done, and how Ron Sims uses these projects to educate future biological engineers.
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60– Seize the carp! How zooplankton can reduce algal blooms in Utah lake, with undergraduate researcher Cristina Chirvasa
This episode is about Utah lake. A body of water that some people find a bit gross. Learn how Utah Lake earned its reputation. What's being done to help the lake's ecological processes recover. And how an undergraduate research project is supporting those efforts.
https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4344748&itype=CMSID
https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/u/UTAH_LAKE.shtml
https://www.ksl.com/article/5841542/utah-lakes-excess-carp-become-mink-food-compost -
59– Students and teachers. Tyler Renshaw helps schools direct mental-wellness resources
Dr. Tyler Renshaw is an assistant professor in the School Psychology Program at Utah State University. His team screens students to help schools understand how to direct resources. In this episode, Renshaw describes the process of working with teachers to find and respond to the specific needs of their classroom. Renshaw also talks about skills and resources he provides different students to help them better cope with their struggles.
https://usu.smhlab.org -
58– Where researchers come from: How 6 people turned an interest into a profession
In this podcast, six different researchers share what motivated them to pursue their studies. The beginning of each of these journeys look different — a gentle push from a friend, a role model to aspire after, or even a crush that happened to be working in the lab. The common thread, though, is a flame that was carried on by a long-lasting curiosity. Learn about these unique research topics and the first step that started the journey for each of the researchers in today’s episode.
Episode clips from
Episode 23
Witches, ghosts, and pesky high schoolers; polishing-up your legend detector, with Dr. Jeannie Thomas
Episode 17
Don't touch my hive! Honey bees and killer hornets with Dr. Joe Wilson
Episode 5
Earthquakes on the wasatch, with Dr. Alexis Ault
Episode 53
Spiders and silkworms and hagfish, oh my! Justin Jones on spider silk research at USU
Episode 35
Horses & Veterans; judgement free help in the therapy arena with, Judy Smith
Episode 57
Dust. Janice Brahney explains how synthetic materials are driven into a natural phenomenon -
57– Dust. Janice Brahney explains how synthetic materials are driven into a natural phenomenon
Email requests flooded Janice Brahney's inbox after publishing a paper in the June 2020 edition of Science. She had discovered microplastic in atmospheric dust. In this episode, she talks about how she handled her flooded inbox. You'll hear how she made this discovery. Listen to this episode to understand how phosphorus-laden dust affects watersheds across western states and how microplastic-laden dust changed Janice Brahney's life.
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56– It doesn't build character. Diana Meter explains how defenders create belonging
Research shows that strong peer relationships in adolescence lead to stronger relationships in adulthood. In this episode of Instead, Diana Meter explains why people become aggressors and how bullies identify people to target. Defenders witness a person being victimized and do something. Diana's Research show's that even though a defender's actions seem small, they make people feel seen. So demystify your adolescence and listen to this episode of Instead.
Customer Reviews
Dear Lord We Need this Podcast
In a world that constantly seems to get dumber and denser, Wyatt comes along with Instead and provides smart, insightful conversations with great guests. The episodes flow with a casual feel but remains focused at the same time. Great for the morning commute, great to listen to while folding laundry, great anytime. I’m a big fan of Instead.
Entertaining and informative
This podcast has such a broad variety of topics. Several episodes discuss topics I didn’t even know were “a thing,” let alone researched. I have learned from each episode. Each type of research is discussed in such a fun relatable way. I see ordinary day to day things differently after listening to Wyatt’s conversations with these researchers.