Professor Dave Debates

26 Episodes

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The Future of Car Batteries (Featuring Jill Pestana)

2020-03-2846:16

Electric cars are the future, this much is clear. All manufacturers are switching focus and discontinuing production on many gas-run models. This bodes well for a future completely independent of gasoline and other fossil fuels. So how does a car battery work? What innovations can we expect from this technology in the future? Let's talk to Jill Pestana, a materials physicist that develops lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles!Guest: Jill Pestana (IG & TW: @jillpestana)All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.comCheck out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

A Chemist's Retrospective (Featuring Vittorio Farina)

2020-02-1401:18:23

This episode features none other than my father, Vittorio Farina! He is an accomplished chemist that has been a global leader in the field of process development. Essentially, he really knows how to make drugs. In this episode we dive into his history as an Italian immigrant, his education, early employment, accomplishments and goals, and thoughts on the current status of the pharmaceutical industry. Whether you are interested in hearing about what chemists do, or just getting a little perspective on my family history, you'll want to listen to this one! Guest: Vittorio Farina (Farinachem Consulting) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Human Nature vs. Society (Featuring Arash Kolahi)

2020-01-1101:12:47

Human nature hasn't changed much in thousands of years, but society has changed dramatically, especially over the past few centuries. Has society advanced in such a way that it enhances our happiness, or does it detract? Does it bring us together, or does it isolate us? Does it enable us to actualize our potential or does it hinder and stifle our personal and spiritual growth? Of course the answer is somewhere in between, layered with nuance, but let's dive into the philosophy of it all. Here to help us out is Arash Kolahi, who is an economist and social theorist. His research focuses on economic theory, behavioral economics, human nature, psychology, and sociology, so he has a unique perspective from which to assess this very question. This one gets pretty heady, so strap in! Guest: Arash Kolahi (@ArashKolahi) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

How Do We Make Drugs? (Featuring Carolina Amador)

2019-10-1956:33

In the past 100 years, our understanding of the molecular world has grown immeasurably. So much so that we can synthesize essentially any compound we desire. We take advantage of this fact to synthesize drugs for the treatment of various diseases. How does this work? How do we know what molecule to make? What do these do in the body? How exactly do we make them, especially on an industrial scale? Let's chat with chemist turned businesswoman Carolina Amador about this whole show! Guest: Carolina Amador (@ca_amador) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Do I Have an Eating Disorder? (Featuring Kati Morton)

2019-09-1401:06:49

Eating is a major focal point of human existence. We all do it every day, and most of our social interactions are based around it. But many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food, which can sometimes qualify as an eating disorder. What are the different types of eating disorders? How does someone know if they have one, and what should be done about it? How do we treat eating disorders? Helping us with this is licensed therapist Kati Morton, who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, so let's get to the bottom of this! Guest: Kati Morton (Kati Morton on YouTube, @KatiMorton on Twitter, @KatiMorton1 on Instagram) www.katimorton.com All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

What is Autism? (Featuring Erin Nosco)

2019-08-1057:44

In the vaccines episode we touched on the alleged link between vaccines and autism, so now let's look at it from the other perspective. What is autism? What is its cause? What does diagnosis and treatment look like? To help us understand this is Erin Nosco, a research coordinator at UCLA that is involved with autism research. After we get through the basics, we will revisit the alleged link with vaccines and examine a different angle. Have a listen! Guest: Erin Nosco (@erineuron on twitter, @erinnosco.jpg on instagram) Learn more about autism research at UCLA: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/autism All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

What's on Europa? (Featuring Kevin DeBruin)

2019-06-1501:10:281

Of all the places that are candidates for extraterrestrial life that we are aware of, Europa is the best. This moon of Jupiter harbors a subsurface ocean that is likely full of minerals, and thus may contain life, perhaps even complex multicellular life! Plans are under way to send probes Europa Clipper and Europa Lander to go gather data and get a closer look, so we may have more information very soon! On the show to tell us all about these missions and what we might hope to learn from them is Kevin DeBruin, a former NASA rocket scientist who worked as systems engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and that personally worked on these missions. What will we find on Europa? Let's talk about it! Guest: Kevin DeBruin (www.kevinjdebruin.com, @kevinjdebruin) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

What is Consciousness? (Featuring Joel Frohlich)

2019-05-1101:05:47

There are a lot of things in this universe that we understand very well. But the thing that is understood the least might be human consciousness. Despite our intimate knowledge of brain structure and function, we still don't quite understand how the brain produces the subjective reality that we label consciousness. Well neuroscientist Joel Frohlich specifically studies consciousness, and he is here to tell us all about exactly what we know, how we know it, and what we have left to learn! Also check out the website Knowing Neurons for lots more information on the brain. Guest: Joel Frohlich (@joel_frohlich, www.joelfrohlich.com, www.knowingneurons.com) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

What's the Deal With Vaccines? (Featuring Kimberly Harrison)

2019-04-1355:04

Anti-science mentality rears its head in many sectors of daily life, but none more so than in medicine. One ramification of this is the anti-vaccine movement. Thousands of people insist that vaccines are harmful, that they are linked to autism, and are clearly to be avoided. Is there any validity to this? Where did this sentiment originate? To help us talk through this is Kimberly Harrison. With multiple degrees in biology and research experience in the field, she can definitely help clear up this mess. She also operates the YouTube channel "Socratica" which is filled with a variety of educational tutorials, so if you're a fan of mine, check that one out too! Guest: Kimberly Harrison (@khhsocratica, @socratica) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Does Science Belong in Music? (Featuring Ray Hedgpeth)

2019-03-0901:15:14

A lot of educators and YouTubers try to make science-themed music. Whether for entertainment or educational purposes, is this effective? Is it good practice in some other context? Ray Hedgpeth of the nerd-rock band The Amoeba People is an expert in this subject, and I'm no slouch either, being a lifelong musician. Fair warning, there is a lot of nerdy music talk in this one, but also a lot about our personal musical histories and so forth. It's a fun one! Guest: Ray Hedgpeth of The Amoeba People (@theamoebapeople) Website: www.theamoebapeople.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

GMO: Friend or Foe? (Featuring Ian Street)

2019-02-0955:48

There has been a pretty huge public backlash against genetic modification. Not just of crops, but of anything. But what is genetic modification? Is it dangerous? Is it important? What organisms have been modified so far? Let's get into this with Ian Street, a PhD biologist with a background in plant development. He knows his stuff, and after this episode you will too! Guest: Ian Street (@IHStreet) Ian's Blog: https://thequietbranches.com/ All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Does Alien Life Exist? (Featuring Xinnan Du)

2019-01-1201:07:22

Are there any life forms out there, in our galaxy, or beyond? If so, are any of them intelligent and capable of communicating with us? If so, what are they like? And why haven't we heard from them? All of this is encapsulated by the field of astrobiology, and to help us navigate this speculative terrain is postdoctoral researcher and NASA program manager in the department of physics and astronomy at UC Riverside. We will talk about the requirements for abiogenesis, for subsequent evolution, the Drake equation, the Fermi paradox, you name it! This is my absolute favorite thing to talk about, so I hope you'll have as much fun as I did. Guest: Xinnan Du (@xinnandu) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Can Fusion Solve the Energy Crisis? (Featuring Peter Heuer)

2018-12-1551:35

We've gotta find some new energy sources. Fossil fuels are in short supply, and they are causing devastating climate change. Renewables like wind and solar are on the rise, but what about nuclear fusion? I dunno, isn't that dangerous? What about all the disasters in the past? Well those were fission plants. What's the difference? What is fusion? How does it work? Are we close to mastering it? All these questions will be answered and more in today's episode! To help us with this is Peter Heuer, a PhD student in the UCLA High Energy Density Plasma group. Let's hear what he has to say! Guest: Peter Heuer All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Einstein vs. Bohr: Quantum Quarrels (Featuring Adam Becker)

2018-11-1745:28

The history of quantum physics is absolutely fascinating. In the early 20th century, brilliant minds did incredible work to bring about the greatest paradigm shift in the history of science, but they didn't always see eye to eye. Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr were colossal figures in this movement, and they had a number of amicable disagreements about quantum mechanics and what it said about reality. What were these debates all about and who was right? Our guest, Dr. Adam Becker, just published a book about precisely this subject, so let's hear what he has to say. And pick up a copy of "What is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics" wherever books are sold! Guest: Adam Becker (IG & TW: @freelanceastro, www.freelanceastro.com) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Can Art Help Teach Science? (Featuring Rachel Ignotofsky)

2018-10-2047:17

There are a lot of ways to teach science, but where does art fit into the mix? Can art be effective in not just inspiring people to learn science, but also in conveying scientific information? The short answer is yes, it definitely can, because that's precisely what Rachel Ignotofsky has done. Rachel is a New York Times best selling author and illustrator, and her books "Women in Science" and "The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth" show precisely how effective art can be in organizing and displaying scientific information in a palatable yet efficient way. Rachel stopped by for a chat regarding her process, as well as the challenges we face as science communicators. Take a listen! Guest: Rachel Ignotofsky (TW: @ignotofsky, IG: @rachelignotofsky) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Is Hunting Ethical? (Featuring Jason Goldman)

2018-09-2201:01:38

There are various schools of thought when it comes to the treatment of animals. Some believe we shouldn't eat or kill them under any circumstance. Some believe we can eat animals, but should not mistreat them or hunt for sport. Some say screw it all, let's do what we want. How do ethics come into play? Is there any moral high ground when it comes to hunting? Let's hear what wildlife reporter and hunter Jason Goldman has to say about it! Guest: Jason Goldman (@jgold85) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

American Politics: Getting Better or Worse? (Featuring Jack Michelle and Brandon Burkhart)

2018-08-1801:23:10

These are tumultuous times! The country is divided, and no one has any idea what's going to happen next. It's not just about the presidency, there's too much money in politics, and a new crisis every week, it seems. In this episode we will ask one simple question: are things getting better, or are they getting worse? Listen in on my discussion with Jack Michelle and Brandon Burkhart so we can get to the bottom of this! Guest: Jack Michelle Moderator: Brandon Burkhart (@burkhartbrandon) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

How Should We Communicate Science? (Featuring Sarah Mojarad)

2018-07-1601:02:44

Humans know way too much science! At least in the sense that the public has great difficulty keeping up, and no one in the world can ever hope to know it all. But it's important to have a populace with modest science literacy, so how can we get them this information? What should scientists be doing to communicate their science, so that it's not all left to the Professor Daves of the world? Find out here, with our expert guest, Sarah Mojarad, who works at USC teaching graduate students how to communicate their science! Guest: Sarah Mojarad (@Sarah_Mojarad) All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Should We Start Fires? (Featuring Chris Giesige and Alan Peterson)

2018-06-1501:08:16

Whether you live in Southern California like me, or somewhere else, you may be aware of all the fires we keep getting down here. What's the deal with those, and what can we do to prevent them? Are prescribed burns a good idea? In other words, should we deliberately start fires? Let's talk about this with wildfire expert Chris Giesige! There's a lot to learn regarding the history of wildfires, and steps we need to take in the present to work and live with fire. Moderator Alan Peterson joins us, and there is much fun to be had. Guest: Chris Giesige Moderator: Alan Peterson All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

Are We All Mentally Ill? (Featuring Cara Santa Maria and Jon Gabrus)

2018-05-1601:36:57

Much misunderstanding surrounds mental illness in our society! What does it mean to be mentally ill? Are we all on some kind of spectrum? How do we diagnose and treat mental illness? There is so much to talk about, and talk we shall. Cara Santa Maria is a tremendously experienced science communicator, but she also has a masters degree in neuroscience, and is working on a PhD in psychology, so she has a lot to say on this subject, both from an academic and personal perspective. Moderator Jon Gabrus has some opinions as well, and there are a lot of fun tangents in this episode. But we do manage to make some very important conclusions regarding mental illness that everyone should be aware of! Guest: Cara Santa Maria Moderator: Jon Gabrus All music created by Simulated Sun: www.simulatedsun.com Check out educational tutorials by Professor Dave: www.professordaveexplains.com

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