the ViVa

Sam Agyapong
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Education
  • Weekly

The ViVa is a podcast where researchers explain complex ideas in simple, engaging, and accessible conversations. Hosted by Sam Agyapong, each episode explores the people, stories, and ideas behind research, with one challenge: can it be explained to a 10-year-old?

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Turning Plastic Waste into Clean Hydrogen Using Sunlight and Battery Acid | Kay Kwarteng

    Can sunlight and old car battery acid turn plastic wasteinto clean fuel? Cambridge chemist Kay Kwarteng explains how his team breaksdown plastic bottles, foams and nylon using recovered battery acid, then uses sunlight to turn them into hydrogen. He talks about why we live in the Plastic Age, how Ghana’s sunshine and plastic problem inspired his work, his pitch to a Minister of Environment, and the 18 months of lab work that never made histhesis. “There is no waste, only wasted resources.” Chapters 00:00 Highlights 01:16 Introduction 02:06 Explain it like I’m 10: the Plastic Age 04:56 Why plastic is so hard to break down 06:39 Microplastics: why breaking down isn’t enough 07:32 Depolymerising, not degrading 08:22 Upcycling vs downcycling 10:02 How plastic becomes hydrogen, step by step 15:44 Acid from old car batteries 18:52 Why hydrogen? 21:38 The motivation: Ghana’s sunshine and plastic waste 24:53 Pitch to the Minister of Environment 26:57 What would it cost? 28:09 The hardest part of the PhD 30:45 The breakthrough: just ask the question 32:40 Advice for anyone in sustainability 33:49 What happens to the acid afterwards? 35:01 Fun Bowl: the biggest lab fail 37:40 Photoreforming vs water splitting 39:24 Three memorable moments at Cambridge 41:31 A personal thank-you Guest: Kay Kwarteng -https://www.linkedin.com/in/papa-kwarteng/ Read the research (Joule):https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(26)00031-0 The ViVa: research, explained like you’re 10. Hosted bySamuel Agyapong. Follow @thevivapodcast on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

  2. Nov 1

    Palm Oil, Nature and the Road to Cambridge, with Godspower Major

    Palm oil is in your food, your soap and your cosmetics. But can we grow it without destroying nature? Godspower Major, a Gates Cambridge Scholar and PhD researcher in Zoology at the University of Cambridge, explains how plantations can support insects, soil life and wildlife while protecting farmers’ income. From barn owls and cover crops to cattle grazing between palm trees, this is farming with nature. In the second half, Godspower shares his journey from the University of Benin to Cambridge: the rejections, the mentors, and his practical tips for winning scholarships and writing to potential supervisors. Chapters 0:00 Preview 1:34 Welcome to The ViVa 2:33 Explain it like I’m 12 6:44 Why plantations push out wildlife 8:06 When does an animal become a “pest”? 10:44 Barn owls: natural pest control 15:33 The core problem: restoration ecology 18:46 Can farmers protect nature and still make money? 24:58 “My grandfather did it this way”: convincing farmers 26:28 Green manure, compost and cheaper fertiliser 30:31 Cows in a palm plantation? 31:27 How he measures biodiversity, ecosystem services and yield 42:10 Why Malaysia, and why not Africa? 43:25 Palm oil was born in West Africa 46:31 Bringing the knowledge home 49:04 Fieldwork in Malaysia 50:56 Research ethics: butterflies, permits and samples 56:56 What motivated him 59:33 Part 2: From Benin to Cambridge 1:03:03 “Where are the failures?” 1:05:44 Mentors and support 1:06:57 Tips for winning a master’s scholarship 1:10:08 From master’s to PhD 1:16:04 How he got multiple scholarship offers 1:18:52 Life in Cambridge: weather, food and highlights 1:21:18 “Cambridge doesn’t spoon-feed you” 1:23:22 Advice for African students 1:26:11 The Question Bowl 1:28:35 “Are you a major in the military?” Want to share your research on The ViVa? Email [the.viva.podcast@gmail.com]. The catch: can you explain it to a 10-year-old? Watch the full video on YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheVivaPodcast/videos]

  3. Oct 26

    What Happens to a Tablet After You Swallow It? | Dr Jongmin Lee

    What happens to a tablet after youswallow it? Dr Jongmin Lee (PhD, ChemicalEngineering & Biotechnology, University of Cambridge) uses terahertz lightto see how water moves inside medicines. He explains why tablets are harder tomodel than rocks or soil, what his surprising finding means for drugdevelopment, and how a predictive model could save years and money in gettingnew medicines to patients. Plus: a GSK-funded PhD, thebreakthrough moment, and practical advice for preparing for your viva. Chapters 00:00 Highlights [00:00] A paracetamol tablet:introduction [00:00] What is disintegration? [00:00] What happens when you swallowa tablet [00:00] Predicting how tablets breakapart [00:00] Pores, water and why tabletsare tricky [00:00] Seeing inside a tablet withterahertz light [00:00] The surprise: water moves ata steady speed [00:00] The new paper: trackingerosion in the standard USP test [00:00] How this could speed up drugdevelopment [00:00] PhD journey and working withGSK [00:00] The breakthrough: a newexperimental setup [00:00] How industry shaped hisresearch [00:00] The viva: how to prepare andhow to say “I don’t know” [00:00] Balancing lab work and coding [00:00] What he wishes he knew beforehis PhD [00:00] Quick-fire: lab work orcoding? [00:00] Closing Guest: Dr Jongmin Lee — [GoogleScholar] Read the paper: [link] Thanks to Emmanuel Adansi (producer)and West Hub for the studio. The ViVa: research, explained likeyou’re 10. Hosted by Samuel Agyapong. Follow @thevivapodcast on Instagram,TikTok and LinkedIn.

  4. Sep 3

    Are We Thinking About Women's Health Too Late? | Pregnancy & Heart Health

    Are We Thinking About Women's Health Too Late? | Pregnancy & Heart Health We talk a lot about pregnancy and thehealth of the baby. But what about the mother's health? In this episode of The ViVa, I sit down with Jasmine Kiley, a PhD researcher in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cambridge, to explore women's health through the lens of pregnancy and cardiovascular health. We discuss why heart health matters during pregnancy, why the period after birth can be particularly important for women with heart conditions, and why women's health needs to be considered beyond pregnancy itself. Jasmine also explains her research on postnatal care and preconception health, including what researchers are learning about how to better support women before, during and after pregnancy. We also explore the wider questions around women's health, healthcare and research and what Jasmine's work could mean for the way women are supported throughout their health journey. As always, The ViVa aims to make research simple, engaging and accessible, so that complex ideas can be understood by everyone. If you enjoyed the episode: 👍 Like | 💬 Leave a comment | 📤 Share  | 🔔 Subscribe to The ViVa Follow The ViVa on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for short clips and behind-the-scenes content. #TheViVaPodcast #WomensHealth #Pregnancy #HeartHealth #MaternalHealth #PregnancyResearch #HealthResearch

  5. Aug 3

    How I Won a Fully Funded PhD Scholarship at Oxford University | Dr. Adewunmi Akingbola

    Winning a fully funded PhD scholarship can feel like an impossible goal, but where do you even begin? In this episode of The ViVa, Dr. Adewunmi Akingbola shares the story behind receiving the prestigious MRC iCASE Enterprise Scholarship to pursue a DPhil in Primary healthcare at the University of Oxford. We discuss finding the right programme, preparing a competitive application, handling interviews, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the lessons he learned throughout the process. If you're considering postgraduate study or applying for scholarships, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration. Can he explain the journey in a way anyone can understand? Subscribe to this channel for similar content.

  6. Jul 22

    What Is It Really Like to Study at Cambridge? | International Student Stories

    What Is It Really Like to Study at Cambridge? Everyone sees the beautiful colleges, historic buildings, and graduation photos. But what is it really like to move across the world and study at the University of Cambridge? In this special episode of The ViVa, I sit down with Elishammah, Tasha, and Adeline for an honest conversation about their experiences as international students at Cambridge. We talk about: What surprised them most after arriving at CambridgeThe highs and lows of studying abroadFinding community and belongingAcademic life and personal growthChallenges, and lessons learnedAdvice for students hoping to study overseas Whether you're thinking about studying at Cambridge, preparing to study abroad, or you're simply curious about what life is really like behind the scenes, this episode offers an honest and relatable perspective. As always on The ViVa, we keep conversations simple, engaging, and accessible. Can you explain your experience in a way that anyone can understand? If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 📤 Share 🔔 Subscribe For more conversations that make research and academic life easy to understand. 🎙️ Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📱 Follow The ViVa on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for short clips and behind-the-scenes content. Links in bio! #TheViVaPodcast #UniversityOfCambridge #InternationalStudents

  7. Jul 15

    How Do Researchers Handle Missing Data?

    Can Missing Data Change Healthcare Decisions? Every day, governments, hospitals, and researchers rely on data to make life-saving public health decisions. But what happens when that data is incomplete? In this episode of The ViVa, I sit down with Dr. Akingbola, medical doctor, public health practitioner, King's College scholar, Cambridge MPhil graduate, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, and winner of the Cambridge Public Health Early Career Researcher Award. Together, we explore how missing data can distort our understanding of diseases such as Hepatitis C and why improving the quality of health data leads to better research, better policies, and ultimately better health outcomes. As always on The ViVa, there's one challenge: Can you explain your research in a way that a 10-year-old can understand? If you enjoy conversations that make research simple, engaging, and accessible, don't forget to subscribe and share this episode.

  8. Jul 8

    How Nematodes Shape Our Food

    In this episode of The ViVa Podcast, I sit down with Junior KikaLusu, a PhD student at the Crop Science Centre, to uncover the fascinating world of root-knot nematodes, tiny but powerful threats that impact crops, farmers, and global food security. We explore why these hidden agricultural challenges matter, how research is helping us better understand and manage them, and what inspired Kika’s journey into this field. Kika also shares his path to University of Cambridge, his experiences as a researcher, and how he balances the demands of a PhD with his leadership role as President of the African Society at the University of Cambridge. This is a conversation about science, curiosity, leadership, andusing research to make a difference. We tried to talk about science in a way that a 10-year-old can understand.

  9. Jun 17

    Challenges of Delivering Healthcare in Armed Conflict | Dr Saleyha Ahsan

    What happens to healthcare when conflict destroys hospitals, disrupts supply chains, and puts healthcare workers at risk?In Episode 1 of The ViVa, Dr Saleyha Ahsan joins us to explore the often-overlooked health consequences of armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies.We discuss how modern conflicts increasingly target civilian infrastructure, the impact this has on healthcare delivery during times of crisis.This episode offers a reminder that the effects of war extend far beyond the battlefield.The ViVa is a podcast where research is made simple enough for a 10-year-old to understand.Hosted by Samuel Agyapong.

  10. Jun 15

    Welcome to the ViVa Podcast

    Welcome to The ViVa, the podcast where research is made simple enough for a 10-year-old to understand. Hosted by Samuel Agyapong, The ViVa brings researchers, PhD students, and innovators into relaxed conversations about their work, their discoveries, and the stories behind the science. Whether it's cancer research, climate change, artificial intelligence, education, or engineering, we break down complex ideas into conversations everyone can follow. New episodes coming soon.

  • 10 Episodes

About

The ViVa is a podcast where researchers explain complex ideas in simple, engaging, and accessible conversations. Hosted by Sam Agyapong, each episode explores the people, stories, and ideas behind research, with one challenge: can it be explained to a 10-year-old?

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Agyapong
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sam Agyapong
  • Show Website
    the ViVa