Science Fare

In this mini episode, Dr. Jonathan Bogan explains how insulin triggers the TUG protein to help move GLUT 4 transporter proteins from inside the cell to the cell membrane. There, they transport glucose from the bloodstream into the cell using facilitated diffusion. Tune in next week for the full-length interview.

Dr. Dina Simkin is an Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine whose research mainly focuses on how on how mutations in ion channel proteins contribute to pediatric epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Simkin earned her BS in Biochemistry, and then proceeded to earn PhDs in Neuroscience, Biophysics, and in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology. She additionally completed post-graduate training in both the neurophysiology of aging and stem cell-derived neuronal models of epileptic channelopathy. In this episode, Dr. Simkin tells us about her early interest in science, how she came to focus on ion channel gene mutations linked to epilepsy and neurodevelopment disorders, what ion channels are and why they are so important, and how she and her lab team study them. She also shares advice for high school students.Related resources:Untangling Cellular Changes in Pediatric EpilepsyPaper on unexpected results involving M current and homeostasisBiorxiv paper on functional phenotypes in epilepsy

In this mini episode, Dr. Dina Simkin tells us how she uses CRISPR to do more elegant experiments for her work on ion channels. Tune in next week for the full-length interview.

Lydia Pecker, M.D., is a pediatric hematologist and director of research and advocacy at the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at Johns Hopkins University. She previously served as the founding director of the Center's Young Adult Clinic, which was built to support young people transitioning from pediatric to adult care systems. She received her undergraduate degree in Africana studies from Brown University, earned her M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and received a Master's degree in Health Sciences from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. In this episode, Lydia talks about her path to becoming a physician working with sickle cell patients, tells us what sickle cell disease is and what it's like for patients, and talks about the treatment landscape, including a need for more sickle cell healthcare providers and more blood donation to support transfusions, a key part of sickle cell treatment. Resources mentioned in the episode:National Geographic article on sickle cell gene therapy (PDF from author Linda Marsa's webpage)National Alliance of Sickle Cell CentersAmerican Red Cross Blood Services

In this mini episode, Dr. Lydia Pecker explains the complexity in real-life sickle cell inheritance patterns. Tune in next week for the full-length interview.

Dr. Shauna Henley is a Family and Consumer Sciences Educator with the University of Maryland Extension working in Northern Maryland. She delivers programs that center on nutrition, food safety, and physical activity. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology with a concentration in Human Nutrition from Drexel University, a M.S. in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont, and a B.S. in Biology from Muhlenberg College.In this episode, Shauna talks about her path into food science and safety, common misconceptions about food safety, the Don't Wash Your Chicken campaign, canning, and the important legislation in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). She also gives advice to students interested in food science and safety. Resources mentioned in the episode:Don't Wash Your Chicken Germ Vision 14-Second Animation Buzzfeed Home Economics Trivia Quiz Produce Trainer Food Safety ToolkitNational Center for Home Food Preservation

In this mini episode, Dr. Shauna Henley tells us about the importance of pH in canning food. Tune in next week for the full-length interview.

Welcome to the Science Fare podcast! On the Science Fare podcast, I bring you conversations with scientists doing fascinating, cutting-edge work on all kinds of interesting phenomena, ranging from physics to chemistry to biology and even the nature of science itself. In the conversation, I help draw connections between the scientist's research and part of the high school science curriculum. In Season 5, new episodes come out every Wednesday, featuring a mini episode that focuses on the high school science connection and then the following week, the full-length interview. Please subscribe and leave a review -- it helps others find the podcast!