Sciographies Podcast and Radio Show

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Shannon Johnson and Dr. Alissa Pencer, psychologists and co-directors of the Dalhousie Centre for Psychological Health, a community-based clinic delivering vital psychological services to low-income Nova Scotians. With a shared commitment to making mental health care more accessible, Johnson and Pencer discuss their unique journeys in psychology. Learn more about the collaborative efforts and dedication driving the Centre’s work, as well as their research interests and future goals.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Alex Veinot, a chemist at Dalhousie University. Growing up in Middleton, Nova Scotia, Dr. Veinot developed a love for hands-on learning, exploring how things worked in his dad’s workshop. An eye-opening conversation with his uncle about the materials used in law enforcement vests sparked his passion for chemistry, setting him on a path toward an inspiring academic career. As a member of the Glooscap First Nation, Dr. Veinot shares his commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in chemisty.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, a biogeochemist at Dalhousie University. She reflects on how her early experiences growing up in a science-focused family in Waterloo, Ontario, shaped her passion for ecology and environmental science. She also discusses her research on nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and its impact on Earth System Models, as well as her lifelong commitment to addressing climate change. She also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in science.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Michael Metzger and Dr. Chongyin Yang, two physicists at Dalhousie leading advancements in battery research. Dr. Metzger details his journey from studying physics in Germany to becoming a trailblazer in lithium-ion battery technology, while Dr. Yang shares his academic path from China to his current role as Tesla's Research Chair. Together, they delve into their pioneering work aimed at improving battery longevity and safety, addressing the challenges and innovations shaping the future of electric vehicles.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Saurabh Chitnis, a synthetic chemist at Dalhousie University. Dr. Chitnis reflects on his upbringing in Libya, India, and Canada, offering insights into his early fascination with the creative nature of chemistry. We delve into how fundamental principles, such as relativity, influence the color of metals like gold and contribute to molecular stability. We also explore Dr. Chitnis’ passion for cooking and his global journey in search of Indian cuisine. 

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Aaron MacNeil (BSc'01), a marine biologist and professor at Dalhousie University.  Dr. MacNeil reflects on his formative experiences growing up in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where summers spent at Rissers Beach ignited his early fascination with biology. He also shares how the mentorship of an influential high school biology teacher shaped his academic path, leading him to become a researcher in fisheries ecology.

In this episode we talk to Will Burt, a chemical oceanographer and Dalhousie alum (PhD’15). Dr. Burt is the Chief Ocean Scientist at Planetary Technologies, a carbon dioxide removal company headquartered in Nova Scotia. The company partners with Dal researchers to study the efficacy and safety of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), a mitigation approach that harnesses the ocean’s natural ability to capture and store CO2 from the atmosphere.This special alumni episode, done in partnership with Dal’s Open Dialogue Live series, is the final episode of Sciographies’ fifth season. Host David Barclay interviews Dr. Burt about discovering a passion for oceanography, leaving a tenure-track position in academia to work in industry, and what it’s like to be on the frontlines fighting climate change.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Kevin Hewitt, a professor and the Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science. His research involves designing optical diagnostic tools for disease detection. Outside of his scientific endeavours, he’s passionate about increasing the representation of Black professionals in STEM fields. He was a graduate student when his commitment to this work began with the earliest vision of Imhotep’s Legacy Academy, which is now a province-wide community partnership that helps to improve student success for youth of African heritage in Nova Scotia. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has also named him an inaugural Atlantic-region co-chair for Inclusion in Science & Engineering. Dr. Hewitt talks to us about immigrating to Canada, his mother’s influence on his success, and pursuing research related to health outcomes for African Canadians.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Michael Freund, a materials scientist, professor and the Harry Shirreff Chair of Chemical Research at Dalhousie University. He uses his training in analytical chemistry to do research that informs the design of sensors, electrical devices, and energy storage technologies. He’s also the Director of Dalhousie’s Clean Technologies Research Institute, where he facilitates the resources and funding needed to conduct studies that can help build a more sustainable future. Dr. Freund talks to us about designing sensor arrays that work with machine learning to mimic the brain’s olfactory system, the collaboration between fields to develop new materials, and more.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Erin Bertrand,  a marine biogeochemist and associate professor with the Department of Biology. Dr. Bertrand’s research examines the relationship between marine microbes and ocean metabolism. To do this, she travels to challenging environments like the Antarctic to collect samples of ocean water. She’s also a Canadian ambassador for the BioGeoSCAPES project. In this episode, she talks to us about pivoting from liberal arts to natural sciences, the challenging fieldwork she conducts in Antarctica, and her commitment to creating an inclusive lab environment for her students.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Aaron Newman, a cognitive neuroscientist. Dr. Newman developed an early curiosity for computers in the ’80s. While at university, he found a way to combine his interest in technology with his studies in psychology and carved a path for himself in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Today Dr. Newman is a professor and department chair at Dalhousie University. He uses technologies like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in his research to understand how different language experiences shape the brain. He’s also the director of Nova Scotia’s SURGE Innovation Sandbox, a place for STEM students to explore technology, design thinking, collaboration, problem-solving and more.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Melanie Zurba, a social scientist and associate professor at Dalhousie University. Her research in environmental governance explores how to design resource management studies that best support a community partner’s aspirations. Dr. Zurba also taps into her creative side to use art as an engagement tool. Her work bridges the gaps between natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, and equity-deserving knowledge systems. Dr. Zurba talks to us about doing “research about research,” leveraging the power of art, and what collaboration between researchers and Indigenous partners can look like.


 

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Shannon Sterling, an environmental scientist and associate professor at Dalhousie University. When she’s not teaching her students about the science behind climate change, she’s leading the charge as Chief Scientific Officer at CarbonRun, the carbon-dioxide removal startup she founded in 2022. By increasing the alkalinity of rivers, CarbonRun technology captures carbon from the atmosphere while restoring acidified river habitats at the same time. Dr. Sterling talks to us about growing up in North Vancouver, her research career, grappling with the idea of geoengineering as a necessity in the fight against climate change, and founding her company.  

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Chuck Macdonald, an inorganic chemist. Dr. Macdonald attended Dalhousie University for both his undergraduate degree and his PhD studies. Years later, he returned to his alma mater to take position as the Dean of Science. As Dean, Dr. Macdonald is leading the charge to enhance science programming and facilities — all while working to improve equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the Dal Science community. Dr. Macdonald talks to us about growing up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, his experience specializing in inorganic chemistry, and the big-picture projects he tackles as a university administrator.