Superheroes of Science

Briony Horgan, Associate Professor of Planetary Sciences at Purdue University, is working to determine whether we are alone in the Universe, or if life once existed on other planets such as Mars. She explains what the Perseverance Rover is doing on Mars, (like looking for ancient microbial life!), and talks about the samples and data that Perseverance is collecting. Briony also discusses a future NASA mission that will focus on returning samples to Earth (Mars Sample Return).

Dr. Lindsay Weinberg is a clinical assistant professor in the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University, and the Director of the Tech Justice Lab. Her research and teaching are at the intersection of science and technology studies, media studies, and feminist studies, with an emphasis on the social and ethical impacts of digital technology.

From “writing code” without knowing code to training models, Professor Tianyi Zhang discusses how Machine Learning and A.I. models work and what they are. He is an Assistant Professor at Purdue University researching Human and Computer Interaction.

In an era of increasing cyber threats, Eugene H. Spafford forges our future in the area of cybersecurity. Dr. Spafford is a Professor of Computer Science in Purdue University’s College of Science. He explains ethical hacking, social engineering, and the role of cybersecurity professionals in our lives.

From how nuclear power works to safety in the industry, Dr. Hitesh Bindra explains nuclear energy. Hitesh is an Associate Professor at Purdue University’s School of Nuclear Engineering.

Raymond Yeh is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at Purdue University. His research is at the intersection of machine learning and computer vision. Specifically, his research focuses on developing algorithms to learn effective and explainable models ranging across several domains including audio, vision, language, and multi-agent systems.

Andres Bejarano began his career wanting to make video games. Today Andres is a computer scientist who is an Assistant Professor of Practice. He researches making natural looking A.I. images and teaches classes at Purdue University. Automated Algorithm Analysis serves as a powerful tool that enhances the efficiency of computer programs, benefiting humanity in multifaceted ways. At its core, it acts as a digital detective, scrutinizing the inner workings of software to determine how quickly tasks can be accomplished. This vital capability ensures that programs run swiftly and effectively, saving time and resources. The significance of Automated Algorithm Analysis is felt across numerous domains, from healthcare, where it accelerates diagnostic processes, to finance, where it streamlines complex transactions. It aids developers in crafting more efficient software and empowers educators to instill critical problem-solving skills in future computer scientists. Ultimately, this technology plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, making the digital world more responsive, intelligent, and beneficial for all.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Matt Huber, the Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Future. Join us as we delve into the inner workings of this influential institute, exploring its crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. As we navigate the landscape of academia, our conversation takes an intriguing turn toward understanding the tenure process for professors. Dr. Huber sheds light on the intricate journey of how a professor attains tenure, unraveling the criteria, challenges, and significance of this milestone in an academic career.

Nicole Chavas (President + Chief Operating Officer) and Lucy Kopchak (Associate Engineer) join us to discuss green infrastructure and sustainable engineering. Due to climate change, cities are seeing an increase in stronger storms with heavier rainfalls. Traditional infrastructure (gray infrastructure) is not equipped to handle significant increases in stormwater, and new, innovative ways to manage stormwater are needed. Greenprint Partners https://www.greenprintpartners.com/

Specializing in designing science laboratories, Marilee is a registered architect and Senior Laboratory Planner at HED, one of the oldest and largest architecture and engineering firms in the country.

Ever wonder where some A.I. programs their data? Farhan Shaikh (VP of Data and Digital Solutions at Jacobs) discusses Data Science. Jacobs is an international company working to make the world smarter, more connected, and more sustainable. Farhan explains what kind of data Jacobs and others collect and how that data is used. We discuss types of data being collected, why data is being collected, what a person would need to know if they go into data science.

Ben Taylor is a Project Manager at ACRES Land Trust in Northern Indiana. He joins us today to discuss the details of what a Land Trust is and his role in conservation and saving valuable lands for the future.

Dr. Rafael Lang from Purdue University Physics and Astronomy is an eternal optimist. As iny scienteest has to be. He is on a quest to discover Dark Matter. Dark matter is a mysterious and invisible substance that makes up a significant portion of the total matter in the universe. Unlike ordinary matter, which includes everything we can see and detect with telescopes and other instruments, dark matter does not emit, absorb, or reflect light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Disha Okhai researches ancient volcanoes to learn about the patterns and processes that provide valuable information about how magma accumulates, moves, and triggers volcanic eruptions. This historical perspective allows for the identification of key indicators and precursors that signify an impending volcanic eruption. Armed with this knowledge, modern monitoring techniques can be fine-tuned to detect early warning signs of impending eruptions more effectively, leading to more accurate forecasts and enabling communities living in volcanic-prone areas to be better prepared and respond swiftly to potential threats.

This exciting crash course on tornado formation is led by Professor Dan Dawson, aka “Tornado Dan,” renowned research scientist from Purdue University Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and master of all things tornado-related. In this insightful episode, Dr. Dawson unravels misconceptions surrounding these natural wonders and provides a clear and concise look at the science that underpins them.

Geochemist Marissa Tremblay recently returned from a field research excursion in Antarctica. She describes the extreme cold environment as well as the science that is looking to reveal the secrets of the rocks there. Specifically, what was the temperature like 3 million years ago in Antarctica? Listen to Marissa's first recording with Superheroes of Science describing the work of a noble gas geochemist: https://purdue.libsyn.com/episode-10-marissa-tremblay

Drug Discovery is a very interdisciplinary field of research. Imrul Shahriar, Ph.D. Candidate with the Low Research Laboratory at Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, walks us through the process of drug discovery: from the many fields of science involved to the proteins used to deliver the medicine to the correct cells. Imrul is actively researching ways to stop the influenza virus.

Dr. Michael Sori (Purdue University Planetary Geophysics & Surface Processes) discusses bodies in our solar system that have ice, underground oceans, tides, and space exploration. We converse about various moons that have some of the basic ingredients for life.

In this informative episode, Brandon Pearson, the Director of NearSpace Education, explains the myriad uses of weather balloons and how they contribute to our understanding of the world around us. Join us on a journey of scientific exploration as we uncover the invaluable data these balloons provide. Once airborne, weather balloons become invaluable tools for gathering crucial data. They carry a variety of instruments and sensors that measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind speed at different altitudes. These measurements help us study atmospheric patterns, climate changes, and weather forecasting with greater accuracy.