In this week's episode, Sienna and Amr get into the nitty gritty details of publishing in today's modern peer review system. We discuss many of the problems that come with this traditional system, the exciting new solutions researchers' have come up with, and our own thoughts and solutions too! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Amr Questions o…

In Alastair’s final episode of this season, he describes what the heck he actually DID for his PhD; including soil contamination, bioaccessibility, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.comBy notyetadr

Looking to the future of therapeutics, the PhD 3 take a deep dive into gene replace therapy. Amr walks us through how scientists have developed novel means for the delivery of new functional genes into patients with rare diseases caused by mutations in in their DNA. As an recent example, we also explore the recently FDA approved gene therapy for a …

In today's episode, a couple of fun guys talk about fungi! Learn all about how fungi play Catan, trade on the carbon marketplace, infect ants, and alter brain connectivity as Sienna leads us through the weird and wonderful world of these creatures. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Amr Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

In a future where blood is currency and humans are born only if their DNA makes them genetically superior. Our inferior protagonist attempts to make his way to space, fighting the last -ism left... Genoism. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

What makes foods spicy, and what's the science behind the small organic molecule responsible? More importunely, How can we beat the heat!? This week Alastair shares the chemistry, research, and even a fun science experiment using capsaicin! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Amr Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

Guy Fieri isn't the only one going to flavour town! In this episode, Sienna teaches us about how taste is made up and how our tongues (and brains) discern sweet from sour. By the end, you're going to be hankering for some mock apple pie! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Amr Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

What the heck even IS blue raspberry? Is it even a berry? Are they that electric shade of blue? This week, Alastair shares with Sienna and Amr the chemistry and history of this unique flavour and colour combination. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

A remarkable study published this past week about using microelectrode arrays to allow a patient with locked-in syndrome to communicate. Learn with us about how scientists used neurofeedback training to optimize a software with the patient to let them select letters and spell out words, and what they ended up using it to say! This is some really ex…

This week, our new host Amr is rethinking his choices and considering wiping the slate clean. Amr teaches us about the epigenome and how it guys our cell's trajectories and fates. He also tells about how aging effects our epigenome and describes a recently published work on how we can wipe out these age-related changes and give our cells a new chan…

This week Alastair shares an interesting (albeit slightly bleak) paper recently published concerning childhood lead (Pb) exposure. The authors found that HALF of the current US population were exposed to toxic levels of Pb as children, and this has had serious implications for current generations and for generations to come. https://linktr.ee/notye…

This week, the Tyrannosaurus Rex is making a comeback. The T-Rex has been newly classified as really being 3 different species, T. Imperator, Rex, and Regina! We discuss a new publication from Nature Evolutionary Biology, where authors Gregory S. Paul and colleagues detail their evidence to support this speciation and stir up drama in the palaeonto…

This week, Alastair had his "ion" some interesting research that is changing the way we describe chemical bonding. From the difference between covalent and hydrogen bonds, as well as the role of electronegativity, this research is a major shift in how we think about (and teach!) bonding. (Don't worry, there is only minimal discussion of quantum mec…

Something big this way comes... and it is a new species of bacteria! Thiomargarita magnifica is recently identified bacteria that lives in mangrove swamps. It's remarkable for many reasons, but perhaps most notably the fact that specimens up to 2 cm long have been found, large enough to be visible to the naked eye! We hope you enjoy learning about …

Curiosity is an itch that has to be scratched, and in this episode, Sienna was itching to talk about how mosquitos decide who's going to be their victim when presented with different delicious options! Listen to the episode, and let us know if you think you're a super mosquito attractor in the comments. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alasta…

We have descended into the realm of organic chemistry where electron orbitals wander. This week Amr walks us through a newly published article in Nature describing a new way to automate making small molecule therapeutics! In an effort to make organic synthesis of molecules more accessible and automated, scientists have developed a directed 'lego' b…

Happy Valentine's Day! Kicking off Season 3, Alastair dives into the delicious and delectable science of chocolate including its snappy texture and glossy sheen. Plus, some interesting research that's making low-fat chocolate, and easily tempered chocolate. Sweet! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at…

Back again with another commentary on science news, but this one is a doozy! Science Magazine published an article investigating what looks like at best poor data management, and at worst....well we'll let you decide! Let's just say, the field of DNA barcoding and determination of plants in nutrient supplements is going under the microscope. Tune i…

We're back briefly in between seasons with a new segment, This Week in Science! And this week, Sienna tells Amr and Alastair about a super exciting new paper that has made a huge impact in the field of multiple sclerosis. Listen in to find out why we now think Epstein-Barr virus may be the underlying cause of the disease! https://linktr.ee/notyetad…

Enjoy another BONUS episode where Beth, Alastair, and Sienna look back on their favourite highlights from Season 2 and answer some more quizzical listener queries. What was your favourite episode from Season 2? Listen now to see if we thought so too! Season 3 will return soon, so stay tuned to our social media for more info! https://linktr.ee/notye…

We're back! Well...almost. In this BONUS episode Beth, Alastair, and Sienna look back on their favourite highlights from Season 1 and answer some burning listener questions. Is your favourite episode featured? Listen now to find out! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

In the final episode of this series, Beth describes the long-awaited concept of dark matter (not to be confused with antimatter, nor dark chemistry!) with some significant (σ ≥ 5) and recent (ca. 2021) discoveries that are exciting physicists the world 'round! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32…

Turning back time, Sienna takes us to the cretaceous period to stop and smell the flowers! With Dr. Brian Atkinson from the University of Kansas as our guide, we explore the rockin' field of paleobotany, and discover some pretty "cool" facts about Antartica too! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at p…

In this episode Alastair leads us into the deepest, darkest, regions of our universe where not even the matter can escape chemistry's reactive influence! Fortunately we have Dr. Sergio Ioppolo, Lecturer and Royal Society University Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London to show us the way, and describe some pretty ~cool~ compounds he's …

This week, Beth interviews her uni friend Alice who graduated with a physics degree, but now works on the European Commission's contribution to the ITER (pronounced EEE-tah) project; an experimental fusion reactor exploring the future of power generation! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@g…

At what point do we start to age? Does drinking green tea make you live to 100? This week, Sienna gathers these age-old answers in her interview with Amr Omer, an aging researcher at McGill (and friend of the podcast!) Together they tackle the most important questions on cellular senescence, telomeres, and aging. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited …

Are you just LOAFing around looking for something to listen to? Well get BREAD-y because in this episode Alastair explains the chemistry of making bread, and some unique research that's sure to make a lot of DOUGH! This is an episode you'll KNEAD to hear. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gma…

If gravity can come in waves, does this mean we can go surfing on them? This week Beth shares the FUN-damental challenges in gravity wave detection in her interview with Dr. Pia Astone from INFN Roma. Is this episode Interferometry Part 2? Listen in to find out! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd…

What colour is a banana? Is your red the same as mine? How would you describe the colour of the sky at twilight? In this episode, Sienna answers all these questions and more with the help of Dr. Bevil Conway, Shridhar, and Isabelle from the National Eye Institute at the National Institute of Health. Find out why seeing really is un-believing! https…

What's all the buzz about? This week Alastair interviewed Dr. Dominique Weis and Kate Smith from the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research about their work on lead isotope ratios. What has this got to do with the bees? Listen now to find out! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@g…

What's the matter with antimatter? Does it really matter? In this episode, Beth highlights the important milestones that brought about the current understanding of antimatter, and some cutting edge science that may just turn you upside-down¡¡¡ https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

How do biologists search for life on other planets? It turns out they don't even have to leave our ocean floor! This week Sienna interviewed Dr. Nagissa Mahmoudi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at McGill to find out more about the microbes living in our oceans, and the fascinating field of astrobiology. https://…

The PhD3(to be!) are BACK and Alastair is kicking off the second season with a deep dive into his favourite chemical: oxidane! Corrosive, toxic, and hazardous to human health, this polar solvent has many industrial uses....but why does Alastair fancy it so much? Listen on to find out more! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or …

Alastair, Sienna, and Beth return with a special BONUS episode of Not Yet a Dr! Come and test your knowledge of chemistry, biology, and physics with quirky questions that may just bamboozle your brain! Make sure you don't get gotcha'ed, or the nefarious klaxon awaits... Not Yet a Dr will return with Season 2 in January 2021! In the meantime, why no…

This week Beth has a special Halloween-themed episode on "The Ghost in the Machine" ooOOOOoooOOoOOooOOOOoOooooOOoOOoOO! So brush off your ghostbusting gear and get ready to 'thunk' critically as we dive into the spooky world of paranormal physics and infrasound... https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at p…

How do you know where you are? How does your BRAIN know where you are? In this episode Sienna dives into the research on place cells, and how they help us navigate the wild, wonderful, world one cell at a time! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr For more great information on place cells, check out Dr. Nancy Kanwisher from MIT who has a series of neuroscie…

Macaroni, Macarena, and Magnets. What do all these things have in common? Find out in this episode as Alastair explains the science behind Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Just try not to get dizzy as we spin 'round and 'round! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at …

Sound waves have air, water waves have...well...water, but what about light waves? In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Beth explains the concept behind interferometry, and how we discovered what light does (or doesn't) travel through! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

Today's podcast is all about the world of lichens...what they are, where they live, and what they're used for! Listen to Sienna mispronounce the word morel as she talks about fungi and algae and their unique and fascinating relationship that brings about the lichens that you see everyday. After this episode you'll be looking around every time you g…

From billiard balls to lemon poppyseed muffins, our ideas about the structure of the atom have come a long way through space and time (all the way from Ancient Greece, to be exact!) Join Alastair, Beth, and Sienna as they journey through the different models of the atom, and stop off for sultana scones along the way! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edi…

Did you know there are three types of North pole? And, more interestingly, one of them is on the move?! Hang out with Beth, Sienna, and Alastair as we learn about the magnetic North pole's travel from nearer Canada toward Siberia and what this means for finding the ice cream shop nearest to you. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questio…

What are the four characteristics that make up a stem cell, and how does this relate to Pokemon? Today's episode explores the discovery of stem cells and its future applications in Alastair's love life! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

In this episode we reveal the fourth state of matter you were never told about at school: Plasmas! From their electrifying history to the edges of the universe, learn what a plasma is and where you can find them. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

What’s your favorite flavour of sub-atomic particle? Mine is muon. In this episode, Beth dives into the physics behind neutrinos and the path to their discovery. From experiments buried deep underground to the cosmos far beyond our galaxy, neutrinos are everywhere...and we’re still learning more everyday. https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sien…

What’s that smell? More importantly, how do we smell? Sienna breaks down the biology behind our nose and the science from odourant to brain processing. Don’t turn your nose up at this one, it’s some potent stuff! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Alastair Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

Non-Newtonian fluids are all around us (even inside of us) and they’re often delicious! Alastair explains the chemistry behind non-Newtonian fluids, and even gives examples of some you may have lying around the house. Ooey, gooey, and fun! https://linktr.ee/notyetadr Edited by: Sienna Questions or Suggestions? Email us at phd32b@gmail.com…

The podcast where a biologist, physicist, and a chemist walk into a bar… Not yet a dr. is a dive into biology, physics, or chemistry. Join Sienna (neuroscience PhD student at McGill University), Beth (particle physics PhD student at Sapienza University), and Alastair (analytical chemistry PhD student at Queen’s University) as they teach each other …