Y Life Science

Amanda Rees, director of the BYU Sensory Lab and two of her assistant student managers, Mattie Prince and Lauren Cromarty, join Austen in this episode. They talk about the BYU Sensory lab and how students can participate in helping gather data for the food industry and for research in the food science and nutrition department. You can also follow the Sensory Lab on Instagram @byusensorylab.This episode was recorded on November 17, 2023.

Dr. Brad Geary and two of his students, Jacob Henrie and Melissa Burrell, discuss their research projects and how they are finding new ways to solve problems related to plant growth.

Historically women have been excluded from exercise science research. Since Title IX, more studies have been done as there have been more female athletes. This episode of the Y Life Science Podcast explores the research conducted by Jessica Linde and Jayson Gifford. Jessica asked the question about exercise tolerance during different phases of the female menstrual cycle. Read more about this study here.This episode was recorded on October 19, 2023.

Dr. Earlene Durrant (Dr. D) talks with Austen and Katy about her career in physical education and athletic training. She was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2000. You can read her bio here. Dr. D was selected as the honored alumnus for fall of 2023 for the College of Life Sciences. She was highlighted here in the college magazine (Impact) and this is a link to her seminar given on October 19, 2023 and a summary published on December 14, 2023.This episode was recorded on October 12, 2023.

Dr. Rikelle Richards (rickelle_richards@byu.edu) and undergraduate student, Kyle Lyman, talk about their research study with nutrition and their work with the Provo Food and Care Coalition. Dr. Richards was recent awarded the 2023 General Education (GE) Professorship. Read more about Dr. Richards and this award here.If you are a BYU student experiencing food or house insecurity, visit foodandhousinginsecurity.byu.edu. If you are interested in work with Dr. Richards and her research, you can email her directly.This episode was recorded on September 27, 2023.

Dr. Timothy Jenkins and undergraduate student, Kelaney Stalker join Austen and Katy to discuss epigenetics. Kelany describes a project she worked on to be able to differentiate between menstrual blood and peripheral blood using epigenetics. This work has implications in forensic science that could potentially help in domestic violence and sexual assault cases.This episode was recorded on September 27, 2023.

This episode introduces another research podcast called,  "Winging It! From Curiosity to Scientific Fact" produced by Dr. Steven Peck and his student research assistants. In this episode Courtney Roos and Sara Evans join Dr. Peck as they describe the scientific process and how they record and share their findings. They are specifically looking to answer questions about  birds and their songs.This episode was recorded on September 18, 2023.

Dr. April Hulet and Curtis Drake explain how they are researching ways to restore native plants and grasses by managing cattle grazing. This episode was recorded on June 6, 2023

Dr. Mark Belk and undergraduate student, Noah Larsen discuss some of their research projects, specifically their paper about native Utah fishes. They also discuss the importance of understanding these species and their ecological role so that we can effectively preserve biodiversity. Dr. Belk mentions Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20 (see below).18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.This episode was recored on May 25, 2023

Dr. Julianne Grose is joined by graduate student, Kenneth Ewool and undergraduate student, Ciara Green as they discuss how microbiology can solve problems. Specifically, they discuss phages (virus that infects bacteria) and metabolism. This episode was recorded on April 11, 2023

Dean Laura Bridgewater and undergraduate student, Emma Clawson, join Austen and Katy for this discussion about faith and science. Dean Bridgewater tells us about the learning objectives for a unique class taught in the College of Life Sciences which shares the title of this podcast episode, "Life Sciences and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ." She also shares her goals for students who graduate from BYU in the College of Life Sciences. President Russell M. Nelson's April 2023 general conference talk, "Peacemakers Needed" is referenced in this episode.This episode was recorded on April 10, 2023.

Dr. Liz Bailey and graduate student, Sierra Nichols talk about their biological science education research. The studies below look at various gender gaps observed in both remote and in-person science classrooms.This episode was recorded on March 16, 2023.Female In-Class Participation and Performance Increase with More Female Peers and/or a Female Instructor in Life Sciences CoursesParticipation and Performance by Gender in Synchronous Online Lectures: Three Unique Case Studies during Emergency Remote Teaching

Dr. Rachel Buck and undergraduate student Sara Frutos discuss their wetlands research around Utah Lake. They talk about the problem with the invasive species, Phragmites, as well as their research methods, and field work. If you are interested in working with Dr. Buck, you can reach out to her at rachelbuck@byu.edu.This episode was recorded on February 23, 2023.

Dr. Rick Jellen and student researcher, Ryan Brady, talk about their genetic research with oats and quinoa. Dr. Jellen's research was recently featured on the cover of "Nature" and is linked below. They also discuss Bishop Gérald Caussé's talk in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints October 2022 general conference about Earth's stewardship.The mosaic oat genome gives insights into a uniquely healthy cereal crop (Nature)Major breakthrough by BYU ‘orphaned crops lab’ published in ‘Nature’ (Deseret News)BYU researchers breed hybrid quinoa to combat global food insecurity (Deseret News)Our Earthly StewardshipThis episode was recording on October 4, 2022. 

Austin and Katy talk with Bill Rudy and Patrick Smith-LaBombard about the BYU recycling program. Learn what product BYU accepts for recycling and where it goes after you put it in the bin. If you are interested working with Bill as part of the BYU recycling team, email byurecycling@gmail.com.This episode was recorded on September 30, 2022.

Dr. Tom Smith from the Plant and Wildlife Sciences department at BYU talks about his research with bears. He also gives advice about how to avoid bear interactions and what to do if you are ever faced with a bear in the wild. This episode was recorded on September 22, 2022.

BYU students, Olivia Burns, Chad Hyer, and Elias Johnson talk with host, Austen Lambert about the new Y talk initiative and how anyone and everyone can participate. To learn more go to sustainability.byu.edu or visit this link to track and submit your conversations. This episode was recorded on November 2, 2022

Dr. Steven Peck and Dr. Michael Whiting talk about the history of teaching evolution at Brigham Young University.This episode was recorded on October 12, 2022.

Dr. Matt Arrington (matt_arrington@byu.edu) and undergraduate student, Nathan Grooms, talk to us about urban agriculture and the benefits of using a hydroponic system.You can read more about their research here:https://lifesciences.byu.edu/moving-agriculture-upward-for-urban-residentshttps://lifesciences.byu.edu/magazine/propagating-innovation-and-inspired-researchThis episode was recorded on September 22, 2022.

After their amazing experience during spring term of 2022, Dr. Seth Bybee and four students, Eva Jasinski, Rachel Sutherland, Lily Gregson, and Cordon Wade discuss their study abroad in Vietnam. Students worked with either Dr. Bybee on team Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) or Dr. Gareth Powell on team beetle (Coleoptera). This episode was recorded on July 17, 2022.