Ask a Scientist

Jai Subramanian
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CHEMISTRY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In this podcast, we interview Scientists to understand their research methods, explain the materials they use, and the processes they choose to gain a deeper understanding of the web of science. jdsubra.substack.com

  1. Insects Might Be The Gateway Into Sci-Fi | Dr. Brent Sinclair

    17H AGO

    Insects Might Be The Gateway Into Sci-Fi | Dr. Brent Sinclair

    Hey guys, sorry it’s been a while. In this episode, I met with Dr. Sinclair, who is a Professor of Entomology at Cornell. We discussed insects and their interesting methods of fighting through the cold, by controlling the freeze through their bodies. If we can understand how they utilize this mechanism, there might be a way for us to harness it. I had a lot of fun talking to Dr. Sinclair. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    40 min
  2. Polymers might solve everything | Dr. Austin Evans

    12/17/2025

    Polymers might solve everything | Dr. Austin Evans

    Hello again! Today I’m joined by Professor Austin Evans, a synthetic inorganic researcher at UF studying polymers and how they apply to pretty much everything. He enlightened us on how polymers, usually insulating materials, can become thermally conductive. Additionally we discussed polymeric roles in harnessing light energy and filtering molecules. Polymers are the future and Dr. Evans is here to tell us about it. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    24 min
  3. Soon, ammonia fertilizer might be as easy as ever produce | Dr. Leslie Murray

    12/11/2025

    Soon, ammonia fertilizer might be as easy as ever produce | Dr. Leslie Murray

    Hello again, this is the second video I’ve posted today, but its only because I have a backlog of videos to edit. Today, we meet Dr. Murray, a professor in the Chemistry Department at UF, but also the director of graduate research here. We discuss his research on cooperative catalysts and how they make pathways have a much higher reactivity. These cooperative catalysts have applications in almost every field, specifically in dinitrogen to ammonia, which could greatly increase crop yields in more rural areas. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    23 min
  4. How parasites could actually save us | Dr. Rebecca Butcher

    12/11/2025

    How parasites could actually save us | Dr. Rebecca Butcher

    Hi everyone! In this episode Dr. Butcher, a professor at UF in the Chemistry Department, discusses her research on nematodes, a type of round worm parasite. She teaches us about how she stumbled upon this haven of interesting production of natural products after her PhD. We also learn about the many pathways in nematodes, some of which might have applications in anti-cancer drugs. I hope you enjoy the episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    22 min
  5. The Answer to the Insect Crisis is a Tough One | Dr. Melissa Guzman

    11/26/2025

    The Answer to the Insect Crisis is a Tough One | Dr. Melissa Guzman

    On the very first virtual episode, we meet Dr. Guzman, a professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell. In this episode, we discuss the reason for the striking decline in insect populations across the globe. She also explains her community centric methods of collecting data to get the full picture of insect populations, specifically pollinators. I’ve been looking forward to filming this episode, so I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    30 min
  6. Habitat Fragmentation is a Bigger Problem than you Think | Dr. Emilio Bruna

    11/15/2025

    Habitat Fragmentation is a Bigger Problem than you Think | Dr. Emilio Bruna

    Today I was joined by Dr. Emilio Bruna, a professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Unfortunately, the recording malfunctioned so I lost the last 10 minutes of the recording. We discussed Dr. Bruna’s research about the interactions between different habitat fragments. Despite the technical difficulties, I had a great time recording this episode. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    19 min
  7. How we can implement Biologics as the newest drug | Dr. Matthew Eddy

    10/21/2025

    How we can implement Biologics as the newest drug | Dr. Matthew Eddy

    In this episode we meet Dr. Eddy, a professor in the Chemistry Department at UF. He researches how the cell environment can affect drugs that bond to receptor proteins that sit on the outside of the cell. Additionally, we discusses how biologics, a new protein based drug, could be used despite its trouble existing in the human body. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    39 min
  8. The Best Way to Harvest Light! | Dr. Valeria Kleiman

    10/16/2025

    The Best Way to Harvest Light! | Dr. Valeria Kleiman

    In this episode we meet Dr. Kleiman, a professor in the Chemistry Department. She researches how effective different transition metal complexes are at transferring light from one molecule to another; the goal is to implement these in photovoltaic solar panels. We also discussed the use of Ultrafast Spectroscopy, which allows her to effectively measure the distance the light travels. I had a lot of fun in this episode, so I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

    25 min
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About

In this podcast, we interview Scientists to understand their research methods, explain the materials they use, and the processes they choose to gain a deeper understanding of the web of science. jdsubra.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jai Subramanian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jai Subramanian
  • Show Website
    Ask a Scientist