BioHackers Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2 of the BioHackers Podcast!  In this episode, David and Alex welcome education innovator and AI evangelist Julie Johnston to the show. Together, they share their perspectives on Gen-AI and the fast-approaching future of education, including challenges for faculty, the speed of change, new assessment models, AI mentoring, and how educators are building policies around the use of Generative AI in the classroom. Disclaimer: Praxis AI is a human-first organization.😊  Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yQhaaxzpHNM  Listen to the audio version wherever you get your Podcasts: https://www.biohackerspod.com  Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 (00:00)Thoughts on Generative AI? (02:09)Speed of Change – 16 Lobes in Her Brain (04:17)Welcome Julie to the Show (06:49)Why Is Julie in Higher Ed? Cool Stuff at IU? (07:40)Challenges in Generative AI? (10:10)Generative AI’s Insane Adoption Curve (12:28)Professor vs AI Balance (16:59)Assessment of Embedding Pria into Alex’s Work (21:34)Future of Learning After Generative AI (30:09)Alex’s Take on the Future of Learning (31:07)The Impact of An AI Infused Workplace on Education (36:50)How Are Educators Creating AI Policies? (45:45)Closing Thoughts (55:34) Enjoy the Show! Thanks for your support: https://www.patreon.com/praxisai 

Welcome to Season 2 of the BioHackers Podcast! This is Episode 1 – HI to AI. In this episode, David and Alex look back at the inspiring guests and fun-filled episodes of Season 1. Then, they look ahead to Season 2 and explore the topic on everyone’s minds … artificial intelligence and its role in education. David shares a recent conversation with the digital mentor Pria while Alex discusses his recent experiences using AI in school and research. They end the podcast with a heartfelt plea for assistance scaling the Praxis AI mission. Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DZjo6SLNcec Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Season 2 (00:00)Thank You to Season 1 Participants (01:14)Looking Forward to Season 2 (12:55)Recent Conversation with Pria (18:57)AI in Education – Observations from Spring ‘23 (24:25)AI in Research – Sharing Experiences (28:35)Scaling the Praxis AI Mission (39:37)Enjoy the Show!Thanks for your support: https://www.patreon.com/praxisai

Welcome to Episode 12 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome world-renown insectologist Markandeya Gorantla from India. Together, they explore insect pheromones as a solution for crop-destroying pests, the power of interdisciplinary research, GMOs, insect attraction, and how computational biology can help anyone solve humanity’s largest problems as well as landing you a sweet bug posse! Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qYAI3hHQcvU  Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 12 (00:00)Bugs and Crop Production (1:15)Alex, Markandeya, and DNA Microarrays (3:06)Welcome Markandeya to the Show (4:29)Markandeya’s Story: Early Genetics with Rice Crops (6:29)The Development of a Pheromone to Control Bug Populations (9:30)Locust Epidemics and Agriculture (12:11)The Diversity of Insect Pheromones (14:30)Why Bugs Follow Markandeya Everywhere (22:07)The Concept of Clean Food (26:55)  The Magic of Markandeya’s Pheromones (28:26)  Endless Possibilities of Computational Biology Skills (33:23)  The Interdisciplinary Nature of Markandeya’s Work (35:39)  Benefits of Integrating Computational Biology into Research (38:18)  What is a BioHacker to You? (41:33)  Closing Thoughts (42:42)   Enjoy the Show!

Welcome to Episode 11 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome famed plant geneticist Alex Harkess from HudsonAlpha Biotechnology Institute. Together, they discuss genomic time traveling, cloning trees, the bridge from education to research, biohacking, and the power of telling stories for organisms that can’t speak for themselves.  Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KqFdb4pbVlIHere is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 11 (00:00)Ethnobotany and Childhood Trees (01:07)Welcome Alex to the Show (06:56)Alex’s Story and Love of Trees (07:28)The Magic of Diversity (13:24)How Did the World Work Together with Hudson Alpha? (16:04)Genome Sequencing is Time Traveling (20:26)How Do Trees Capture Your Imagination? (26:32)Expanding the Harkess Lab Digitally (28:23)Overcoming the Inequity of the Field of Science (30:53)Cloning the Iconic Auburn Oaks (39:15)Unleashing Creativity with Online Learning (44:15)Democratizing Course Creation (47:52)Sharing and Caring in Genomics Academics (51:45)What is the Difference Between Research and Education? (56:00)What is a BioHacker to You? (59:40)Closing Thoughts (01:01:15)Enjoy the Show!

Welcome to Episode 10 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome Ayurveda experts Dr. Shivani Gupta and Reed Bender. Together, they explore the confluence of ancient Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric as a healing agent, and modern biochemistry. The result is a wonderful 5,000-year journey into a hopeful, healthier future.   Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DWb190Ov774 Sign up for the “BioHacking Turmeric” BioHackathon (Free): https://forms.gle/3RCzBd421RUnHopFA Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 10 (00:00)Ayurveda – Polygenic Effects (01:54)Biochemistry Machines (03:45)Welcome Shivani and Reed to the Show (07:09)What is Ayurvedic Medicine? (09:19)Reed’s Journey – Mind-Body Biology (11:12)Shivani’s Journey – The Naïve Optimist (12:44)Biochemistry of Sticky Curcumin Molecule (17:20)Role of Black Pepper in the Formula (20:58)Entourage Effect – Holistic Approach to Curcumin (24:57)Nobel Prize, Praxis Mission, and Turmeric BioHackathon (32:48)Technology Allows Us to See the Complexity (40:24)Role of Doshas in Health (43:00)What are Doshas? (46:59)Personalized Genetic Medicine (50:05)Can Quantum Mechanics / AI Help? (54:54)Don’t Put the Frog in a Blender (58:50)Inflection Point | Closing Thoughts (1:01:30)   Enjoy the Show!

Welcome to Episode 9 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome the inspirational Reno Charette (Sees a Circled Rainbow) from American Indian Higher Education Consortium. Together, they discuss Reno’s fascinating journey from Miss Indian Montana to indigenous healthcare research, the power of community, STEM education, and all the amazing things native and western people can teach each other. Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TFb7vOoZXmAHere is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 9 (00:00)Empowering Access with Indigenous Context (01:25)Value of Perspective in Learning (03:39)Welcome Reno to the Show (07:00)Reno’s Amazing Story – Running (07:54)Reno Gets Serious in College (12:42)Bull Riding Native Math to Success (16:34)Reno’s Transition Into Native-centric Projects (24:44)Native + Western Have a lot to Teach Each Other (30:57)Eldest Daughter of an Eldest Daughter … (37:29)Aseto’ne Virtual Institute (41:15)Great Native BioHackathon Ideas (45:57)Restoring Native Research – First Baby Steps (54:11)Global Virtual Tribal University (59:10)Closing Thoughts (1:06:48)Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to Episode 8 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome inspirational bioinformatics professor Tyesha Farmer from Alabama A&M University. Together, they discuss the importance of academic mentorship, the global impact of agriscience, and the power of enabling everyone with the opportunities of a science-based education.  Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bPrLkt07cPo Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 8 (00:00)The Open-Source Movement (1:28)Connecting Marginalized Students to the Right Tools (4:31)Welcome Tyesha to the Show (7:33)How Dr. Farmer Expanded Research Opportunities (9:45)The Story of Dr. Farmer’s Journey to a Science Career (10:57)Dr. Farmer Finding Her Identity in STEM (22:27)Providing Access to STEM Opportunities Through Virtual Research (29:51)Scaling Mentorship Opportunities (31:27)Building an International Community of Researchers (34:40)Digital Credentials (37:40)Educating after a PhD (44:00)  The Importance of Agriscience Education (46:00)How Alex Started His Science Career in Agriscience (51:24)  What is a BioHacker to You? (58:40)  Closing Thoughts (59:59) Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to Episode 7 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome space biologist Josh Vandenbrink to the show. Together, they discuss the James Webb Space Telescope, heliotropism, overcoming the challenges of space science, NASA GeneLab, Arabidopsis, the Praxis Pyramid, and feeding colonists on Mars.  Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mK3uMV0_PAY  Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 7 (00:00)James Webb Space Telescope (01:37)Perspective = Outer Space + Inner Space (06:30)Welcome Josh to the Show (09:48)Josh’s Story in Biosciences (14:23)Josh’s Clemson Adventure (18:48)Space and Plant Heliotropism (21:01)Feeding Colonists on Mars (25:00)NASA GenLab: Mice & Rice (28:00)When Are You Visiting the Space Station? (35:23)Golden Age of Space Science (43:02)Josh is a Space V.I.P. (49:20)Major in What You Love … and Learn Python (56:23)Interdisciplinary Nature of Bioinformatics (01:05:25)What is a BioHacker to You? (01:08:55)  Enjoy the Show!

Welcome to Episode 6 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome Courtney Shearer from Harvard Medical School. Together, they discuss Courtney’s journey from Clemson to Crispr to Harvard, the power of biohacking, the joy of interdisciplinary collaboration, the Zen of running, virtual research in biotechnology, and the best way to learn new skills. Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bpHI-ODEI8AHere is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 6 (00:00)Alex’s Experience with Hackathons (03:39)Upcoming BioHackers BioHackathons (05:09)Welcome Courtney to the Show (06:10)Courtney’s Time at Clemson (07:17)Courtney’s Time in Industry (10:45)Courtney’s Lab (13:14)What Are BioHackathons? (17:08)Collaboration as an Educational Goal (22:35)Navigating a Spectrum of Skills to Solve Problems (27:30)Is the Hackathon the Ideal Model for New Skill Acquisition? (31:14)Virtual Hackathons (35:12)Courtney’s Favorite Hackathon Experience (38:24)Alex’s Favorite Hackathon Experience (40:05)What is Courtney’s Plan After Her PhD? (45:45)What is a BioHacker to You? (47:57)  Closing Thoughts (50:03)Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to Episode 5 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome famous inventor and systems theorist Ken Matusow to the show. Together, they discuss the emergence of quantum mechanics as a tool for curing cancer, the power of imaginary numbers, the New Renaissance, quantum weirdness, and valuable life lessons learned from Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy. Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/isBLpZwArgc Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 5 (00:00)Complexity: The New Renaissance (01:32)How Can Quantum Mechanics Explain Biology? (06:21)Welcome Ken to the Show (09:50)Ken’s Story: Serendipity and Silicon Valley (11:50)The New Renaissance and Deeper Truth (18:05)Quantum Mechanics as a Tool for Curing Cancer (25:14)Tricorder: 4-Dimensional Tools to Understand Complexity (35:10)Foundation 2022: Paper 1 – Uncertainty (39:25)Quantum Weirdness: Nature Isn’t Weird (44:29)The New Renaissance: Education Transformation (47:26)Foundation 2022: Paper 2 – Nentropy (54:47)How To Roll 20,000 Dice (01:00:47)Foundation 2022: Paper 3 – Predicate (01:07:01)Psychohistory: Ability to Understand our New Reality (01:12:45)Supercomputer-powered Systems Biology (01:14:40)What is a BioHacker to You? (01:19:20)  Closing Thoughts (01:24:00)Enjoy the Show! Link to Alex’s Paper on Quantum Mechanics in Cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29802335/ 

Welcome to Episode 4 of the BioHackers Podcast! In this episode, David and Alex welcome Marc Birtwistle to the show. Together, they discuss mathematical modeling as a time machine for the cell, the lab of the future, great advice for careers in science, kinesthetic learning, and Marc’s cool new company, Blotting Innovations.   Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/ATWPnCblx0M  Here is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 4 (00:00)In Silico Science (01:01)Modeling Weather of the Cell (03:26)Welcome Marc to the Show (06:42)Don’t Panic – Marc’s Story I (08:54)Pivot into Biosciences (13:49)Lab of the Future (18:58)When You Stop Moving … You’re Dead (24:54)Modeling is a Time Machine (27:01)Causality: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (30:26)Modeling is an Aha Moment for Cell Biology (33:15)Models as Kinesthetic Learning Tools (40:45) Blotting Innovations – Marc’s Story II (43:20)What is a BioHacker to You? (50:08)   Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to Episode 3 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome Ben Sherman to the show. Together, they discuss the role of AI in finding patterns in data, the magic of workflows, image analytics, the top 3 skills of a computational scientist, and how to become a Groovy coder.  Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q5kSRbg2w1MHere is a list of topics:  Welcome to Episode 3 (00:00)AI Eyes Find Patterns in Data (02:45)Feltus + GTA + AI = Tumor Genomics (06:00)Welcome Ben to the Show (07:30)How Did You Get into AI and Bioscience? (11:32)Magic of Workflows | Ben’s Dream Job (15:30)Workflow Managers = Next Generation of Code (18:28)How Hard is it to Use Workflow Managers? (21:14)“Groovy” Nextflow Programming Language (25:49)Nextflow Tower is an Onramp to the Cloud (29:38)BioScience Research is Troubleshooting (31:50)AI Applications for BioSciences (36:04)Image Analytics is Common Denominator for AI Applications (46:04)Top 3 Skills to become a Computational Scientist (48:09)What is a BioHacker to You? (54:30)  Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to Episode 2 of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex welcome Reed Bender to the show. Together, they discuss creative ways for science to help find order in life’s randomness, including chaos theory, yoga’s role in biosciences, single cell RNA sequencing, democratized compute, sonic brain interactions, and holistic approaches to cancer research. It is a lot of FUN! Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k6g3l8ZI-VMHere is a list of topics: Welcome to Episode 2 (00:00)What is Chaos Theory? (00:44)The Order of Life’s Randomness (02:30)Welcome Guest: Reed Bender (05:39)Integrating Yoga and BioSciences (09:26)BioHackathon (13:40)Chaos Theory in BioSciences (14:45)Can BioHackers Disintermediate Science and Medicine? (18:21)What is Single Cell RNA Sequencing? (24:41)How to Achieve Democratized Compute (31:52)Is Compute a Fundamental Service? (35:08)Is Discord a Good Model for Democratized Compute? (38:24)Currency Mining and the Development of Compute-based Biology Research (43:43)Holistic Perspective Toward Cancer Research (48:00)Universe as a Cloud (50:10)Sound and the Brain (52:57)What is a Biohacker to You? (1:01:05)Closing Comments (1:04:45)Enjoy the Show! 

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the BioHackers Podcast!In this episode, David and Alex discuss the formation and growth of the BioHacker movement, including the first BioHackathon (for Bill Paseman), the next iteration of the Vulcan Academy, Chaos Theory, the Praxis AI mission, Climate Change, and details on how you too can become a BioHacker (for free)! Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/41VnqSEHLk4Here is a list of topics: • Welcome to Episode 1 (00:00)• What are you vibing right now? (02:02)• What is a BioHacker? (04:31)• BioHackathon collaboration in Discord (09:48)• Education to employment with digital credentials (13:34)• Expanding the Feltus lab (17:32)• What excites you in science today? (21:14)• BioHacking climate change (25:07)• Praxis AI mission (27:56)• Wrangle BioHackathon for lung cancer (28:24)• How do I become a BioHacker? (29:22)• Join the BioHacker journey (32:37)• Do gigaflops empower systems biology? (35:38)Enjoy the Show!