Penn Talks Science
Our mission is to educate the Penn community on the relationship between science and society. We explore the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues that arise from scientific and technical progress and we advocate for science-informed policymaking, communication of science to the public, and the continued support of research.
Ghost Particles in the Flux: The Dance of Neutrinos
Oct 26th, 2023
What are neutrinos? How do we detect them? These questions and more will be answered in this episode of PennTalksScience featuring an interview with Professor Josh Klein from the University of Pennsylvania. Follow our social media @PennTalkScience on Instagram and X ( Twitter). Thank you to the T2K collaboration for their cover art.
Intro to Psychedelics: therapeutic applications, biochemistry and influences from indigenous cultures
June 20th, 2023
The Penn Talks Science team is back with a new episode covering psychedelics, hallucinogenic substances that have recently re-gained popularity due to promising therapeutic potential for treating mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. We also interview members of the Penn Society for Psychedelic Science, Victor Pablo Acero and Emily Cribas, who share their insights and opinions regarding these substances. Give it a listen and leave a review! For more resources check out our Twitter!
Dangerous Chemical Spills: The Norfolk Ohio Train Derailment & Other Environmentally Toxic Spills
April 25th, 2023
The Penn Talks Science team is back with a new episode covering the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the consequences of the following toxic chemical spill. Such is one of many incidents, so we wanted to understand the implications of improper transport of toxic chemicals. We reached out to the Penn community and invited Dr. Trevor Penning from the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology to speak about the spill. Give it a listen and leave a review! For more resources check out our Twitter!
Penn Scientist Spotlight: Cornelius Taabazuing
March 14th, 2023
We're here with a new mini-series highlighting some of the fantastic scientists here at Penn! In this first episode, we interviewed Dr. Cornelius Taabazuing who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics studying mechanisms of cell death. We delve into his journey into science and the insights he has gained. If you are interested in learning more about his lab, visit his lab website: https://www.taabazuinglab.com or follow him on Twitter @taabaman.
Science of Love: A psychological and biological perspective on this warm emotion
February 28th, 2023
Since love is still technically in the air (last day of February) and spring is almost here (maybe), we're here with an episode diving into some of the scientific theories behind love and what some scientists from our Penn community have to say about this complex emotion. We will explore some of the mainstream psychological and biological principles of love. Give it a listen and leave a review! For more resources check out our Twitter!
Exploring the Depths of Space: Will the James Webb Telescope Reveal the Secrets of the Universe?
February 7th, 2023
We’re back with a new episode for our fellow space and astronomy lovers. Tune in to hear about exciting new findings from the James Webb Telescope and what they could mean for the future of space exploration. Stick around until the end for a surprise!
The Future or a Threat to Artists Everywhere: Artificial Intelligence Art
December 2022
Tune in this month for a quick primer on AI art, how it works, and what implications it has for creative fields and the future of art.
Model Organism Tier
NOVEMBER 2022
Penn Talks Science is back with fresh new content! Do you have a favorite model organism? Find out how your favorite stacks up with the rest of the Penn community!
The Ethics of Climate Change and Environmental Injustice: A Conversation with Andrea Andress
January 11th, 2022
Climate change has brought about serious consequences for the environment but many people may experience more severe hazards due to factors like socioeconomic status. In this episode of Penn Talks Science, PhD student Zarin Tabassum talks with fellow PhD student Andrea Andress about the disproportionate effects of climate change on local and global scales.
The Psychology of Climate Change: Decision Making and Cooperation with Dr. Joseph Kable
November 14th, 2021
We are starting to see the effects of climate change, but why is it so hard to wrap our heads around it? Why haven't we done much to combat climate change, though we've been hearing about it for decades? Listen in as Rebecca Somach, a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Group at Penn chats with Dr. Joseph Kable, the Baird Term Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania about why climate change is a difficult problem for people to relate to and what we can do about that.
Media and the Climate Crisis: A Conversation with Dr. Hanna Morris
September 30th, 2021
Welcome to the fifth episode of Penn Talks Science for our new theme “Climate Change”. Dr. Hanna Morris joins us to talk about media, culture, and the climate crisis. Our interview with Dr. Morris was recorded in September 2021. This episode was created in cooperation with the Science Diplomacy Branch of PSPDG.
Vaccines and Social Networks: A Conversation with Dr. Damon Centola
July 26th, 2021
Welcome to the fourth episode of Penn Talks Science for our theme “Vaccines”. Dr. Damon Centola joins us to discuss vaccines in the context of social networks and behavior change. Our interview with Dr. Centola was recorded in April 2021. This episode was created in cooperation with the Science Diplomacy Branch of PSPDG.
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: A Conversation with Chioma Woko
June 2nd, 2021
Welcome to the third episode of Penn Talks Science for our theme “Vaccines”. Chioma Woko joins us to discuss COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the United States. Our interview with Chioma was recorded in March 2021. This episode was created in cooperation with the Science Diplomacy Branch of PSPDG.
Vaccine Nationalism: A look at past examples.
April 13TH, 2021
Welcome to the second episode of Penn Talks Science for our theme “Vaccines”. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available and being distributed, we are taking a look at vaccine nationalism. Currently, the countries with the highest vaccinations administered are high or upper-middle-income countries i.e., countries that were able to pay for doses. In this episode, we hear about past examples of vaccine nationalism and how they were overcome. This episode was created in cooperation with the Science Diplomacy Branch of PSPDG.
Vaccines: An Introduction
MARCH 8TH, 2021
Welcome to the first episode of Penn Talks Science! This is the first episode of our first theme: The Theme of Vaccines. Before jumping into more in-depth topics, we wanted to make sure that everyone had an idea of what vaccines are. This episode just scratches the surface on the science of vaccines, but there is a lot more to learn.
Penn Science Policy & Diplomacy Podcast
Interview with Bioethicist Dr. Johnathan D. Moreno on Neuroethics
January 22nd, 2019
In this episode, we interview Dr. Johnathan D. Moreno, a bioethicist and professor at University of Pennsylvania. As the U.S. member of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee, he has served as an adviser to many governmental and non-governmental organizations, including three presidential commissions, the Department of Defense, The Department of Homeland Security and many more. We talk with him about ethics in neuroscience, the role of the army in developing new “brain technologies,” and the role of neuroscience in the practice of law.
Dr. Etienne Benson Interview, Historian of Science
December 22nd, 2018
Welcome to the second interview on the PSPDG podcast! In this episode, we talk to Dr. Etienne Benson, historian of science at University of Pennsylvania. We discuss the history of thought in the practice of science, and the special case of new technologies in the study of animal behavior. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
Sebastien Tremblay Interview, Neuroscience and Society
December 4th, 2018
Welcome to the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Podcast. Here, we endeavour to explore the work and lives of scientists, the history of knowledge, what is left to discover, and why it all matters. Today, our guest is Dr. Sébastien Tremblay, Neuroscientist at University of Pennsylvania.