Welcome, science adventurers!
In episode 1 of this mini-series, we begin a playthrough of PSPDG’s SciComm Dungeons & Dragons adventure about neurodegenerative disease, “A Misfolding Misfortune”, written by Dimitris Boufidis, Freddy S. Purnell, Tammy Ray, David Sidibe, and Amanda N. Weiss.
The module is available for free here: https://www.pspdg.com/ttrpgs/2025/1/7/a-misfolding-misfortune-dampd-5e-adventure-about-neurodegenerative-disease.
In this actual play, Amanda N. Weiss runs the adventure for players Diego Mendez, Gabriel Vega-Bellido, Miles Arnett, and Joseph McGaunn.
Music Credits:
Danse Morialta Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Heart of Nowhere Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Credits for Promotional and Social Media Art ~ "©Real Estate Flyer via Canva.com"
Join us for an interview with Dr. Claire Wardle, Cornell University associate professor and misinformation expert, where we explore the complex world of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. From communication missteps during COVID-19 to the explosive spread of AI-generated falsehoods, Dr. Wardle breaks down why public trust in experts and institutions is eroding and what we can do about it! Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on how scientists, governments, and platforms can work together to fight misinformation and protect our society.
“The Misinformation Toolkit”
Learn how to separate fact from fiction in today’s info-overloaded world.
From vaccines to AI deepfakes, misinformation is shaping our health, our politics, and our future. In this episode, we dive into how false narratives spread, why our brains are wired to believe them, and the tools you can use to fight back. 🧠🔍
Let us know what you think!
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Pankhuri Singhal, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Singhal works in the lab of Dr. Anurag Verma, where she develops AI driven algorithms to help diagnose people at risk for complex diseases, such as hereditary cardiac conditions, using electronic health records from hospital systems.
We explore her unique path transitioning from a wet lab background to computational research during graduate school, her practical advice for students making a similar switch, and her approach to mentorship. Dr. Singhal also shares her experience balancing major life changes during her postdoc and offers insights for early career scientists.
Join the Penn Talks Science podcast team as they discuss how scientists search beyond our solar system for exoplanets, from early detection methods to powerful new telescopes finding planets where life might exist.
This episode features exclusive interviews with Penn Professor, Dr. Cullen Blake, an expert in exoplanets, and Penn Alumni Dr. Sam Halverson, who is an astronomer and optical engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Follow us on our other social media platforms for the latest updates on our podcast team:
BlueSky: penntalksscience.bsky.social
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LinkedIn: @PennTalksScience
In this new episode of scientist spotlight we interviewed Dr. Robert “Bob” Cail who is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Physiology department in the Michael Ostap and Yale Goldman labs studying mechano-proteins called myosins.
We delve further into his research, diverse academic background, and views on diversity in science at the trainee level. If you are interested in learning more about his work, visit his labs website: https://www.med.upenn.edu/ostaplab/ or follow is research on pubmed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cail+RC&cauthor_id=35532382
Explore the science behind IVF, the hurdles in its development, and how Penn researchers are advancing our understanding of the earliest stages of development.
We interview Dr. Nicolas Plachta, a principal investigator at UPenn's Cell and Developmental Biology Department. Nicolas' lab performs live imaging of the earliest stages of development of both mouse and human embryos.
Additionally, we interview Sena Sarikaya, a Ph.D. candidate in the Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology program working in the Mir lab. Sena shares insights into her personal connection with IVF, as the child of an IVF nurse.
We hope you all learn something from and enjoy this episode! Please provide any feedback by contacting us through our social media platforms. IG and Linkedin: @penntalkscience
In this new episode of scientist spotlight we interviewed Dr. Juan Alvarez who is an assistant professor in the cell and developmental biology department studying cell maturation and the circadian rhythm. We delve further into his research, background, and philosophy of science. If you are interested in learning more about his lab, visit his lab website: https://j-radlab.com/ or follow him on twitter @JuanAlvarezDom.
Join us on an expedition through the trials and tribulations on the road to the Nobel Prize. In this episode, Ryann and Emma discuss quotes and advice from Nobel Laureates. Featuring an interview with Avia and Dr. Allyson Mackey from the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Unveil the captivating origins of the Nobel Prize in the first episode of our thrilling three-part series on PennTalksScience. Dive deep into the legacy of Alfred Nobel, the mastermind behind this prestigious accolade, and discover the intriguing history that shaped it. From vintage examples of early Nobel laureates to fascinating tidbits you've never heard before, this episode is designed for curious minds. Plus, don't miss out on the diverse perspectives and insightful opinions from members of the Penn community. Tune in to this week's episode of PennTalksScience for a journey through time and brilliance – a story of human achievement that continues to inspire the world.
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.
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@PennTalkScience on Instagram and X (Twitter)
Thank you to the T2K collaboration for their cover art.
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!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
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!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
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.
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience.
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!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
We're back with a new episode for our fellow space and astronomy lovers! We wanted to highlight the exciting findings of the James Webb Telescope and what they could mean for the future of space exploration. Stick around until the end for a surprise! For more resources check out our Twitter!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
Penn Talks Science is back with hot content! AI art is rapidly gaining popularity so we wanted to see how it all works. For more resources check out our Twitter!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
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!
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, reach out to us on Twitter @PennTalkScience and Instagram @penntalkscience!
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.
Andrea can be contacted at:
aandress@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
for further questions.
The field notes from Georgia Ray’s research can found at the following link: https://ppeh.sas.upenn.edu/field-notes/understanding-environmental-injustice-through-philadelphia-tribune-archive
More information on the U.S. recycling crisis and the relationship with China can be found at this link:
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/03/13/fix-recycling-america/
Recording and editing were done by Zarin Tabassum.