The BME Grad Podcast

Joint Biomedical Engineering at UNC and NC State

Hosted by the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC and NC State, this podcast provides Biomedical Engineering students and recent graduates early-career advice. Listen to guests discuss job roles, professional advice, and the value of a biomedical engineering education.

  1. 2 HR AGO

    S5E9 - Interview with an Aquanaut: 2051 Sea Odyssey

    What does it take to live, work, and do science on the ocean floor?  In this episode of the BME Grad Podcast, host Devin Hubbard is joined by Dr. Dawn Kernagis (Scientific Director at Deep) and Dr. Virginia Papadopoulou (UNC Radiology & Biomedical Engineering) to explore the cutting edge of undersea research, human physiology, and biomedical innovation.  From NASA-style underwater missions and saturation diving to ultrasound research on decompression and microbubbles, this conversation dives deep into how extreme environments are shaping the future of both human health and engineering design.  The episode also highlights the 2051 Sea Odyssey initiative—a multidisciplinary effort combining research, storytelling, and a national student design competition aimed at solving real-world challenges in underwater environments.  Learn about:  Nonlinear career paths from physics, diving, and biomedical research into frontier science  How extreme environments reveal new insights about human physiology  The growing role of biomedical engineers in space-analog and ocean exploration  Why communication, curiosity, and cross-disciplinary thinking are critical skills  Opportunities for students to get involved in cutting-edge underwater innovation  Whether you’re interested in academia, industry, or exploration, this episode shows how BME skills can take you far beyond the lab—all the way to the ocean floor.

    47 min

About

Hosted by the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC and NC State, this podcast provides Biomedical Engineering students and recent graduates early-career advice. Listen to guests discuss job roles, professional advice, and the value of a biomedical engineering education.