Let's Talk Chemistry- a science podcast by ChemTalk

Organic chemistry has a reputation for being one of the most challenging college courses—but what if it could also be interactive, accessible, and even fun? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Jasmine Winter, hosts Jasmine Winter and Elizabeth Li share the story of Dr. Neil Garg, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Garg discusses his journey from discovering his passion for organic chemistry as an undergraduate to earning his PhD at Caltech and building a career that bridges both research and education. Dr. Garg’s career is built on challenging the status quo, from breaking a 100 year-old rule in chemistry known as Bredt’s rule, to developing innovative tools to help students better visualize and understand molecular structures. Dr. Garg emphasizes teamwork, intellectual curiosity, and making science approachable for learners of all ages. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Frank Leibfarth is the 2025 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists Laureate in Chemical Sciences, recognized for his work in upcycling plastics and removing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) from water. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Presley Vu, hosts Nina Deng and Diya Garrepally dive into our interview with Dr. Frank Leibfarth, the Royce Murray Distinguished Term Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Leibfarth discusses how his research tackles the challenges of plastic recycling and PFAS contamination, and he shares all about his incredible journey to get here—from being a kicker on the University of South Dakota’s football team to testing PFAS-absorbing materials in municipal water treatment plants, hard hat and all! He also offers thoughtful advice and encouragement for other aspiring young scientists seeking to make an impact in their own paths. We hope you enjoy!

On the surface, food science may sound simple. But once you dive deeper, you’ll discover a world of innovation, challenges, and incredible scientists behind the food you find on grocery store shelves. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Elizabeth Li and Poorvi Iyer discuss our interview with Dr. David Julian McClements, Distinguished Professor at the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts and most cited author in food science. Dr. McClements talks about how next generation plant based foods are being developed to be more sustainable and healthy, while being able to successfully replicate meat products using reverse engineering. He then goes on to discuss his thoughts on highly processed foods, how to eat mindfully, as well as a few books of his that are all about the fascinating science behind food we eat everyday. We hope you enjoy!

How did life start on Earth and could life exist elsewhere? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Elizabeth Li, and Aanya Santosh discuss our interview with Dr. Aaron Burton, a Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Burton tackles these two questions head-on in his studies of meteorites and other astromaterial samples. By analyzing the organic molecules in these extraterrestrial samples, Dr. Burton is able to piece together what the origins of life on Earth could have looked like. In addition, Dr. Burton shares the special techniques used by astrobiologists to handle and examine extraterrestrial samples, as well as his thoughts on popular sci-fi films! We hope you enjoy!

Often in crime shows and movies, we usually skip to the result of forensic testing. But have you ever wondered how investigators get those results? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Mehreen discuss our interview with Dr. Bruce McCord, Analytical and Forensic Chemistry Professor at Florida International University and deputy editor for the journal ELECTROPHORESIS. Dr. McCord talks all about his work on drug analysis, explosive detection, and DNA analysis, including a new way of identifying forensic DNA by capillary electrophoresis and detecting dangerous substances like fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. We hope you enjoy!

The term “glycobiology” may be unfamiliar to many students, as it is an undertaught but extremely important field that is linked to nearly every facet of cellular biology. Glycobiology is the study of carbohydrates, also known as glycans. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Jasmine Winter, and Diya Garrepally dive into our interview with Dr. Lance Wells. Dr. Wells shares his research on XLID, an intellectual disability syndrome linked to mutations in OGT, an enzyme that adds a type of glycan, called O-GlcNAc, onto proteins. He also shares how glycans can be used to modify drugs through a process called glycosylation to make them more effective. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Jonathan Sessler, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin, is no stranger to taking an active role in directing his own path. Being a three-time Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor, Dr. Sessler’s battle with cancer inspired him to research porphyrins, a class of pigments which are essential for biological processes like oxygen transport. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Jasmine Winter, hosts Neel Youts and Jason Lu discuss our interview with Dr. Jonathan Sessler, from unique upbringing growing up in a family of scientists to his pioneering work on creating expanded porphyrins called texaphyrins and co-founding Pharmacyclics, a successful biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of cancer therapies. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Paul Chirik, the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University, researches something he calls “modern alchemy.” As many of the world's most effective chemical catalysts are made from rare and precious metals, Dr. Chirik pioneers methods to create high-performing catalysts from common, earth-abundant metals—esseintially transforming common materials into “gold.” On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Mehreen and Elizabeth Li dive deeper into this concept and its exciting applications in our interview with Dr. Chirik. Dr. Chirik goes on to explain how his group has used their research in collaborations with companies such as Merck and Exxon Mobile, and shares fascinating insights into the dynamics between academia and industry. We hope you enjoy!

Nobel laureate Dr. Benjamin List is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research and professor of organic chemistry at the University of Cologne. On top of that, he is known for pioneering a brand new field of chemistry, organocatalysis, which is now used in nearly all pharmaceutical industries. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Jasmine Winter and Elizabeth Li dive into our interview with Dr. List as he shares his journey to earning the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, his recent investigations into a unique way of splitting CO2, and more. We hope you enjoy!

Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy. This allows environmental engineers to produce sustainable energy while treating wastewater! In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about our interview with Dr. Bruce Logan, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Institute of Energy and Environment at Penn State. From microbial fuel cells to marine snow, Dr. Bruce Logan shares his discoveries and insights on renewable energy and discusses the future of environmental engineering. We hope you enjoy!

What are the advantages and limitations of organic materials, inorganic materials, or hybrid materials that combine both? How do the properties of these different materials influence their applications in academia and industry? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Aanya Santosh, and Elizabeth Li delve deeper into these questions and more with Dr. Seth Marder, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Marder shares his work on characterizing the optical and electrical properties of chiral materials, as well as some valuable insights on collaboration and creativity. We hope you enjoy!

Phil Cook, also known as @ChemTeacherPhil, has captivated millions with his engaging and explosive science experiments on TikTok. As a seasoned chemistry teacher at Culver Academies, Phil makes complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for a global audience. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Neel Youts delve into Phil’s journey from a traditional educator to a social media influencer. They discuss his innovative approach to science communication, the challenges of content creation, and the impact of digital platforms on education. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, an educator, or simply curious about the fusion of education and social media, this episode offers insightful perspectives on the evolving landscape of learning. We hope you enjoy!

Nobel laureate Dr. Morten Meldal, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, revolutionized the field of chemistry with his pioneering work on click chemistry—earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts dive into our interview with Dr. Meldal, exploring his journey from molecular modeling to groundbreaking discoveries in peptide synthesis and bioorthogonal chemistry. Dr. Meldal shares insights into the applications of click chemistry in drug development, material science, and even green chemistry solutions. From his experiences at the Carlsberg Laboratory to the moment he received the Nobel Prize, Dr. Meldal reflects on his career, collaborations, and the future of chemistry. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Gaurav “Gino” Giri, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia, is pioneering research in crystallization and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). On this exciting episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Erin and Aanya discuss their interview with Dr. Giri about his groundbreaking work in MOF-based air filtration masks, drug delivery systems, and carbon capture technology. From his innovative startup tackling air pollution to his insights on balancing academic research with entrepreneurship, Dr. Giri shares his journey and vision for using chemistry to solve global challenges. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Tashica Amirgholizadeh is a patent litigator at Gilead Sciences who combines her passion for chemistry with the law. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and her JD at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She shares her unique career journey and her responsibilities at Gilead. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Benjamin Hsiao, Professor of Chemistry at Stony Brook University, is a renowned scientist in the fields of polymer science, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Benjamin Hsiao. He shares his career journey, passion for global energy solutions, and more. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Adina Paytan, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, is an ocean chemist who works on various topics—including earth materials and biogeochemical processes. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts John Strojny and Jasmine Winter discuss our interview with Dr. Adina Paytan. She shares her career journey and passion for climate science. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Mark Tuckerman, Professor of Chemistry and Mathematics at New York University, is a theoretical chemist who works on various topics—including nuclear quantum effects, fuel cells, and crystal structure prediction. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Mark Tuckerman. He shares his current research interests, machine learning in chemistry, and more. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Tuckerman, you can reach him by email at mark.tuckerman@nyu.edu.

Dr. Christopher Hendon, Professor of Computational Materials Chemistry at the University of Oregon, is an expert in both computational chemistry and the science of coffee. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts discuss our interview with Dr. Christopher Hendon. He shares his tips on merging his diverse interests, in the art of espresso, and the electrical properties of coffee extracts. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Decker, you can reach him by email at chendon@uoregon.edu.

Have you thought about the chemistry that goes into the food you eat? What are the scientific processes that govern our ingredients and delectable meals? Dr. Eric Decker, Professor of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is an expert in lipid oxidation and food chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Yeongseo Son and Erin Suh talk about our interview with Dr. Eric Decker. He shares his tips on food preservation, the science behind lipid oxidations, and his exciting work with the FDA. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Decker, you can reach him by email at edecker@foodsci.umass.edu.