Forget everything you think you know about viruses. In the ocean, there are viral giants so large they were mistaken for bacteria for decades – and they're rewriting the rules of marine ecology. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of giant viruses with Benjamin Minch, a PhD student at the University of Miami who has discovered over 230 previously unknown viral genomes using a revolutionary computational tool called BEREN. These microscopic monsters can hijack photosynthesis, manipulate their hosts like puppet masters, and dramatically reshape ocean food webs. Giant viruses are up to 100 times larger than common viruses, with genomes rivaling those of bacteria. Some enhance their hosts' superpowers – boosting photosynthesis and metabolism – before turning infected cells into viral factories. Others cause victims to clump together and sink as marine snow, playing crucial roles in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. From the Baltic Sea's viral treasure trove to practical applications like predicting harmful algal blooms, this episode explores how invisible giants influence everything from ocean food webs to global nutrient cycles. Discover why the ocean's biggest players might also be its smallest. Links: BEREN tool: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.09.617401v1 Ben's research publications: https://idsc.miami.edu/pegasus-powered-giant-virus-study-yields-publicly-shared-bioinformatics-tool/

Andrew Kornblatt sits down with deep-sea ecologist and science communicator Andrew Thaler and dedicated ocean advocate and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Angelo Villagomez for a panel discussion on the recent actions of the Trump Administration around NOAA, Ocean Monuments, and Conservation. Come for the Ocean Politics, stay for the Pauly Shore references.

Join us as we explore the cutting-edge world of underwater technology with Liz Taylor, President of DOER Marine Operations. Discover how this innovative company has been transforming ocean exploration since 1992, from developing human-occupied submersibles to creating mobile science labs from shipping containers. In this fascinating conversation, Liz shares the story behind the Honu project - a groundbreaking initiative creating dual-purpose submersibles for scientific research and tourism in Mission Blue Hope Spots. Learn how DOER is tackling "parachute science" by building local capacity and creating sustainable ocean exploration models. As the daughter of legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Liz brings a unique perspective on ocean conservation and the importance of direct human observation in understanding marine ecosystems. She challenges us to take "the hundred-year view" on ocean stewardship while sharing exciting developments in underwater technology. Whether you're interested in marine technology, sustainable tourism, or ocean conservation, this episode offers an inspiring look at innovative approaches to exploring and protecting our blue planet.

It is February, so it is time for another OCEAN-LOVING episode. In this episode, we will discuss some of the coolest and weirdest reproduction strategies in the Ocean. In this episode, we cover the mysterious gentle giants, the WHALE SHARK, and a recent accidental behavior observation in the wild with PhD candidate with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, Christine Barry. As always, Ocean Lovin covers adult topics and should be listened too in its entirety before shared with young people.

In this episode, we are highlighting the work of one marine biologist in particular whose research gives us a better understanding of how fish evolved through their bone structure. Specifically Dr. Kory Evans of Rice University, a Doctor who has spent a LOT of time looking at fish bones and went viral a few years ago after sharing a scan of a surprising interaction between two species.

For the last episode of 2024, we at Ocean Science Radio wanted to end things on a high note, something that could act as an inspiration for the going into the next year and beyond. Today's episode is on the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first-ever Indigenous-nominated and Indigenous-co-managed marine sanctuary in the United States. Join us as we speak with Violet Sage Walker, the chairwoman for the Northern Chumash Tribal Council - the nominators for the now-designated National Marine Sanctuary Chumash Heritage Site.

The team sits down with Brian Connon, VP of Ocean Mapping for the ocean science technology firm Saildrone to talk about what the company does, why their tech is so interesting and versatile, and some of the cool projects the company has worked on.

Project 2025, otherwise known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. The Project aims to promote conservative and right-wing policies to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power, under the premise that Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. If you haven’t read it, we don’t blame you, it is literally 900 pages written in the most mind-numbing legalease and political speak that you can possibly imagine, but the contents have HUGE ramifications if they were enacted. Our guest, and long-time friend of the show, Dr. Andrew Thaler actually took the time to examine Project 2025 and look for what impacts the policy proposals would have on the ocean. Check out https://www.vote.org/ for all the information you need to get your vote out.

The Ocean Science Radio team chats with "Deep Sea" Dawn Wright, a geographer and oceanographer and Chief Scientist at ESRI (The Environmental Systems Research Institute) - one of the world's leading suppliers of GIS software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications. We cover why mapping the bottom of the ocean is important, some cool ocean mapping history, and her recently released book "Mapping the Deep: Innovation, Exploration & the Dive of a Lifetime" about her 2022 dive to the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep.

Complex compositions made up of groans, moans, sighs, roars, and high-pitched squeals that can last for hours - The songs of whales are both beautiful and haunting. Humans have had a particular fascination with the sounds of cetaceans and the possible meanings behind it since Roger Payne, a marine biologist, first noticed the complex sonic arrangement of humpback whale sounds during a research expedition to Bermuda in 1967 But what if we could translate what they were saying? Really understand what the different clicks and codas actually mean? On this episode we're going to chat with the Cetacean Translation Initiative, also known as CETI, who is revolutionizing the latest advancements in cetacean research and discuss the potential implications of breaking the language barrier between humans and whales. Guests: - Giovanni Petri - Professor of network science at the Network Science Institute of Northeastern University and principal of research at project CETI - Shane Gero - A scientist in residence at Ottawa's Carlton University and the biology lead for project CETI

A new paper just dropped on incorporating environmental factors when determining conservation baselines for sharks on coral reefs by our very own Frances! (That's right, it is a META episode!)

In honor of the untimely passing of Ocean advocate, Turtle biologist, and author of the book "Blue Mind," Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, we are re-releasing our episode with him featuring the topic of "Blue Mind" and the benefits of being close to the ocean and other bodies of water.

Today on the show we're diving into a story that might surprise you. It doesn't involve dazzling coral reefs or majestic whales, but something a little closer to home... canned salmon! In this episode, we’ll be discussing how Dr. Natalie Mastick - a postdoctoral associate at the Yale Peabody Museum and a marine ecologist - used this unusual technique of examining super super old canned fish to track changes in a salmon and their parasites.

In this episode, we talk about ocean superstructures - a new scientific phrase that our guests hope start up some important conversations about how the bottom of the ocean was formed. Guests: Dr. Kevin Konrad -Assistant Professor of Geoscience and Director of the Nevada Isotope Geochronology Laboratory (NIGL) University of Nevada, Las Vegas Dr Val Finlayson - Postdoctoral Associate Department of Geology University of Maryland Dr. Andrea Balbas - Assistant professor at California State University Long Beach

It is February and we once again have our seasonal episode of Ocean Lovin - covering cool and strange ways ocean creatures make little ocean creatures. We speak with Dr. Christine Dudgeon, a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast about sharks and a peculiar story of immaculate shark-ception. As with every year, we want to remind our listeners that Ocean Lovin episodes cover adult themes not meant for children without supervision, please listen to the episode before sharing it with youngsters. Also, I have to mention that this episode in particular covers a topic that is close to my heart. Guest co-host: Dr Skylar Bayer, a marine ecologist with expertise in shellfish population dynamics, invertebrate life history, fertilization ecology, and science communication.

The ocean is a vast and powerful carbon sink, absorbing about a quarter of the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere. That carbon is pulled into the water column and is also buried under the layers of dirt and soil on the ocean floor. But this vital role could be jeopardized by a common fishing practice: bottom trawling. Today we will be talking to Dr. Tricia Atwood, an associate professor of watershed sciences at Utah State University who is also a researcher with the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas Program, whose team published a paper in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science looking at the CO2 impacts from bottom-trawling. Join us now as we take a deep dive into this silt-shifting practice on a brand new episode of Ocean Science Radio.

People with disabilities are often marginalized, face isolation, lack representation and even ablism, no matter the industry or space. We speak to an old friend of the show about how this shows up in STEM and academia, and a project to collect stories from those impacted by this phenomenon in the form of a book of essays. So come join us where we talk about the book Uncharted, and learn about scientists navigating their health journey. Guests include: - Dr. Skylar Bayer from the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Regional Office - Dr. Gabi Serrato Marks - a co-founder at Stelli Communications, a PR firm and an MIT-trained scientist with a passion for expanding access to science - Katie Harrison, an information specialist with USTA and a paleo-oceanographer - Maureen Hayden, a PhD candidate studying ecotoxicology - Dr. Stephanie Schroeder, the education and Engagement Director at the Center for Learning Health System Sciences at the University of Minnesota and a former marine biology behavior ecologist.

With the passing of Ocean Explorer and all around nice guy Don Walsh, we wanted to revisit our episode where we interviewed him about the anniversary of the Triseste dive.

Dr. Farabaugh is out sick so this episode is solo Andrew. We speak with Mattie Rodrique - the Science program Director for OceanX- about their work in ocean exploration, discovery, and storytelling while ALSO training the next generation of ocean explorers.

Have you ever wanted to explore the bottom of the ocean? Discover new crazy and beautiful species? Have you ever wanted to explore the remains of a sunken ship, lost to time? Well good news! Today, we're going to be talking with members of the Ocean Exploration Trust a group of explorers and expedition leaders about the work they do, their discoveries and the technology they use. We speak with ROV Operations Manager Josh Chernov, Director of Education and Outreach Megan Cook, and Renato Kane a navigator and mapper for OET.