Biosphere 2 Podcast
Each episode we feature in depth interviews with scientists, authors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and policy makers exploring the threads between Earth, its living systems, and our place in the Universe.
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#024: The Surfing Scientist - Dr. Ty Roach
10/28/2023
#024: The Surfing Scientist - Dr. Ty Roach
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ty Roach. Ty is a molecular biologist, freelance scientist, and a decorated competitive surfer and wrestler. Ty is a former Postdoctoral Researcher at Biosphere 2, where he split time between the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and living on site at Biosphere 2. He has done extensive research in the Biosphere 2 Ocean system, logging over 100 hours underwater. Today, Ty is making his way through academia as a freelance scientist with research focused on microbial and viral ecology, coral reef science, and theoretical biophysics. He is currently an Adjunct Research Professor at the Viral Information Institute at San Diego State University. Additionally, he is co-authoring a book with Drs Forest Rohwer and Breeann Kirby on the positive roles of viruses and bacteria in human and ecological health that will be coming out next year. As a competitive surfer, Ty has won two National championships and four consecutive East Coast Longboard championships, along with numerous professional level surfing titles. As a Division 1 wrestler, Ty was named a two-time Academic All-Conference athlete, an Academic All-American, and was presented the North Carolina State Top Scholar Athlete Award four times. In this episode, Ty shares his experience at Biosphere 2 and reflects upon his journey as a molecular biologist exploring the frontiers of viruses and bacteriophages in coral reef environments all over the world. We cover many topics, including: the Biosphere 2 Ocean, coral reef resilience, viruses, Ty’s unconventional career path, professional surfing, designing surfboards, biophysics, phage therapy, and coral reef restoration, among other topics. Without further ado, here is Dr. Ty Roach. Thank you for listening to the Biosphere 2 Podcast. I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Ty Roach. You can follow his surfing and science on social media @smokinroachjr This episode was co-produced by Keelin Joy Connely. As always thank you for listening to the Biosphere 2 podcast.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/28449116
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#023: The Biosphere 2 Lung - Bill Dempster
09/18/2023
#023: The Biosphere 2 Lung - Bill Dempster
Today we are joined by Bill Dempster. From 1985 to 1994, Bill Dempster served as the Director of Systems Engineering and chief engineer for Space Biospheres Ventures, the company responsible for designing and building Biosphere 2. As Systems Engineer, Bill was responsible for managing the integrity of Biosphere 2’s atmospheric seal. This role included leading the design and development of the Biosphere 2 Lung and leading a crucial leak testing campaign required for sealing the structure. After his time at Biosphere 2, Bill went on to serve as the President of the Institute of Ecotechnics, a London-based international ecological development institute where he’s continued to engage in systems engineering projects around the world. In our conversation, Bill reminisces on the construction and design phase of Biosphere 2, shedding light on his team's engineering triumphs and challenges in constructing the world’s largest closed system experiment. Without further ado, here is Bill Dempster.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/28062690
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#022: Space Analog for the Moon and Mars - Kai Staats
08/15/2023
#022: Space Analog for the Moon and Mars - Kai Staats
In this episode we are joined by Kai Staats. Kai is a veteran developer, designer, filmmaker, and scientist. Kai is the Director of SAM, , here at Biosphere 2. SAM is a hi-fidelity, hermetically sealed Mars habitat analog with greenhouse, living quarters, airlock, pressure suits, and a half acre Mars yard. Since 2021 Kai and his team have been constructing SAM, and just last month, SAM hosted it’s first two sealed missions, Inclusion 1 and Inclusion 2. Prior to SAM, Kai was co-founder and CEO of the world-renowned Yellow Dog Linux operating system for ten years. The YDL platform was used extensively in Department of Energy, NASA, and University research across a full spectrum of sciences. Kai also designed and developed iConji, an icon-based language for international communication. Further, he wrote the machine learning algorithm Karoo GP which has been used at LIGO for classification of glitches and supernovae. Kai was principal designer of the Mt. Meru Astronomical Observatory in Tanzania, the first of its kind in East Africa. At Arizona State University Kai led the development of SIMOC, a research-grade computer simulation and educational interface hosted by National Geographic that enables citizen scientists to explore the complexity of a human habitat on Mars. In this podcast, Kai takes us on his journey to build SAM. Breaking down the inspiration for SAM’s creation, and the research goals for SAM’s future.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/27761229
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#021: Microbial Ecology - Dr. Steve Allison
10/21/2021
#021: Microbial Ecology - Dr. Steve Allison
In this episode we are joined by microbial ecologist and climate scientist, Dr. Steve Allison. Dr. Allison is a Professor of Ecology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of California Irvine. His research addresses the resilience of microbial communities to drought and climate change in southern California ecosystems.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/20892566
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#020: Clamsplaining: Giant Clams - Dr. Dan Killam
07/27/2021
#020: Clamsplaining: Giant Clams - Dr. Dan Killam
In this episode, Dan takes us deep into world of Giant Clam research-- revealing a wide array of fascinating facts about these overshadowed bivalves found within Coral Reefs. Further, Dan tells us why the Biosphere 2 Ocean is a great place to study clams, he explains his past research studying Clams in the Red Sea, and he guides us through the life history and symbiosis of Giant Clams.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/19947749
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#019: Coral Reefs Through Time - Dr. Stuart Sandin
05/19/2021
#019: Coral Reefs Through Time - Dr. Stuart Sandin
In this episode, Stuart and I discuss what Caribbean reefs used to look like and why they've changed. Further, we explore how Stuarts Lab is using structure from motion technology to map out reefs systems over time. We broach the topics of self organization, resilience, evolutionary succession, and technology driven ecological research.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/19161218
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#018: Searching for Asteroid Threats and Space Junk - Dr. Vishnu Reddy
04/07/2021
#018: Searching for Asteroid Threats and Space Junk - Dr. Vishnu Reddy
In this episode, Dr. Reddy shares his amazing and unorthodox journey of becoming a planetary scientist. We discuss in-depth the threats that near earth objects like asteroids and comets pose to our society, and revisit catastrophic and regional impact events from the past. Dr. Reddy discusses his current research and the changes in congressional support for asteroid research in more recent years. Vishnu's passion for planetary science and teaching is palpable, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/18632063
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#017: Chasing Ice, Coral, and the Social Dilemma - Director Jeff Orlowski
03/18/2021
#017: Chasing Ice, Coral, and the Social Dilemma - Director Jeff Orlowski
Jeff Orlowski is the director, producer, and cinematographer of the award-winning films Chasing Coral and Chasing Ice.Jeff founded Exposure Labs, a production company dedicated to impact through film. His latest film, The Social Dilemma, had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. In this episode, Jeff takes us through his rich journey as a filmmaker, negotiator, and a change-maker.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/18374459
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#016: The Aquarium of the World: Sea of Cortez - Rick Brusca
03/01/2021
#016: The Aquarium of the World: Sea of Cortez - Rick Brusca
In this episode we are joined by marine biologist and invertebrate zoologist Rick Brusca. Starting with the famed travels of Ed Ricketts and John Steinbeck on the Western Flyer, our conversation ranges from the the Gulf of California's geologic formation and biodiversity, to its conservation challenges and weirdest creatures. Additionally Rick gazes inwardly as an author and invertebrate zoologist and describes highlights from his own career and how the field is changing.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/18148601
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#015: OSIRIS REx Mission - Heather Enos
02/18/2021
#015: OSIRIS REx Mission - Heather Enos
In this discussion Heather speaks to some of the OSIRIS REx missions greatest challenges and how her team adapted and responded on the fly. Heather talks about why her science team is interested in Bennu and we get first hand insight into what it takes to lead large interdisciplinary teams on NASA Missions.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/17994260
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#014: Icon of Possibilities - Executive Director Dr. Joaquin Ruiz
01/21/2021
#014: Icon of Possibilities - Executive Director Dr. Joaquin Ruiz
We are joined by the Executive Director of Biosphere 2, Dr. Joaquin Ruiz. Joaquin is the Vice President of Global Environmental Futures at the University of Arizona where he was previously the Dean of the College of Science for nearly 20 years. In this episode, we discuss Joaquin's origins as a scientist, his career in geochemistry, and the legacy and impact of Biosphere 2 as in icon of possibilities in Global Climate Change Solutions.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/17637311
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#013: Interrogating Our "Better" Futures - Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg
12/31/2020
#013: Interrogating Our "Better" Futures - Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. Daisy is an artist examining our fraught relationships with nature and technology. Through artworks, writing, and curatorial projects, Daisy’s work explores subjects as diverse as artificial intelligence, exobiology, synthetic biology, conservation, biodiversity, and evolution, as she investigates the human impulse to “better” the world.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/17380886
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#012: Planting the Biosphere - Linda Leigh
12/24/2020
#012: Planting the Biosphere - Linda Leigh
In this episode we are joined by systems ecologist and original Biospherian Dr. Linda Leigh. Linda was one of the eight crew members living inside the closed system here at Biosphere 2 during the first mission. Before her time inside Biosphere 2, Linda worked as the Biome Design Coordinator during the building phase, where she assisted in collecting plant species from around the world that would be added to the Biosphere 2 biomes like the Tropical Rain forest, Fog Desert, and Savannah.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/17320889
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#011: Jaguars in Arizona - Dr. Melanie Culver & Susan Malusa
11/19/2020
#011: Jaguars in Arizona - Dr. Melanie Culver & Susan Malusa
From 2011 to 2015, Melanie and Sue led an extensive Jaguar and Ocelot field monitoring campaign in the borderlands of Arizona. Since then, the monitoring project has transitioned into a citizen science Monitoring Program, which continues to actively collect field data across southern Arizona, recording not only Jaguar and Ocelot data, but other rare species seldom seen across the southwest.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/16876628
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#010: Agave Spirits: Mezcal Cultivation & Conservation - Doug Smith
10/28/2020
#010: Agave Spirits: Mezcal Cultivation & Conservation - Doug Smith
In this episode we are joined by Anthropologist turned Coffee & Mezcal Entrepreneur Doug Smith. Doug is the co-owner of the Exo Roast Company and the El Crisol Mezcal Bar in Tucson, AZ. Doug earned a Ph.D. in Cultural and Social Anthropology from Stanford University, conducting major investigations into agricultural history in several states in Mexico.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/16578335
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#009: Thank an Oceanographer - Dr. Joellen Russell
10/04/2020
#009: Thank an Oceanographer - Dr. Joellen Russell
In this episode we are joined by Oceanographer and Geoscientist, Dr. Joellen Russell. Joellen is Professor and the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Integrative Science at the University of Arizona Department of Geosciences. Joellen is the lead for the modeling team of the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling project (SOCCOM).
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/16268036
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#008: Synthetic World - Dr. Christina Agapakis
09/22/2020
#008: Synthetic World - Dr. Christina Agapakis
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Christina Agapakis. Christina is a synthetic biologist, artist, and writer. She is the Creative Director of Gingko Bioworks, a boston based biotech company, and the Executive Editor of Grow Magazine, a magazine focused on the current endeavors, neglected histories, and collective futures in synthetic biology.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/16105241
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#007: Lord of the Tree Rings - Dr. Bryan Black
09/11/2020
#007: Lord of the Tree Rings - Dr. Bryan Black
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Bryan Black. Bryan is an associate professor at the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research at the University of Arizona. In his research, he applies techniques used in dendrochronology, the science of tree rings, to study the hard parts of marine and freshwater species like fish, clams, and corals.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15977699
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#006: Ocean in a Bottle - Katie Morgan & Dr. Diane Thompson
08/28/2020
#006: Ocean in a Bottle - Katie Morgan & Dr. Diane Thompson
In this episode we are joined by Katie Morgan and Dr. Diane Thompson. We dive deep into the Biosphere 2 Ocean project, exploring stories and lessons from the early missions, takeaways from past research campaigns, insights into coral reef biology, and updates on the current campaign of the Biosphere 2 Coral Reef Lab.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15793481
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#005: Our Inner Universe - Drew Berry
08/15/2020
#005: Our Inner Universe - Drew Berry
Biomedical Animator Drew Berry creates beautiful, accurate visualizations of the dramatic cellular and molecular action that is going on inside our bodies. Since 1995 he has been a biomedical animator at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15620072
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#004: Biospherians - Jane Poynter & Taber MacCallum
08/07/2020
#004: Biospherians - Jane Poynter & Taber MacCallum
In this episode we are joined by former Biospherians turned Space Industry Entrepreneurs Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum. Jane and Taber are the Founders and co-CEO's of Space Perspective, a company developing balloon powered human-spaceflight to the Earths stratosphere. Jane & Taber were both members of the Biosphere 2 design team and members of the original Biosphere 2 crew who lived for two years inside the sealed, self-sustaining habitat.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15526337
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#003: Hidden Water - Ben Johnson & Dr. Ben Wilder
07/21/2020
#003: Hidden Water - Ben Johnson & Dr. Ben Wilder
Ben Johnson and Dr. Ben Wilder have spent the last several years traveling to Sonora, Mexico to study and catalogue one of the Sonoran Desert's most intriguing phenomenon, the Pozos of the Grand Desierto.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15293192
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#002: Disease, Climate, & Covid-19 - Dr. Kacey Ernst
07/06/2020
#002: Disease, Climate, & Covid-19 - Dr. Kacey Ernst
We are joined by infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Kacey Ernst. In this episode we cover the spread, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases like COVID 19. Dr. Ernst is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona. Her primary projects examine how ecological and social changes impact the transmission of infectious diseases like dengue, malaria, and now COVID-19. Local AZ Covid-19 Response App designed by Kacey & team: azcovidtxt.org/
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15107801
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#001: Legacy of Biosphere 2 - Deputy Director John Adams
07/06/2020
#001: Legacy of Biosphere 2 - Deputy Director John Adams
Each episode we feature in depth interviews with scientists, authors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and policy makers exploring the threads between Earth, its living systems, and our place in the Universe.
/episode/index/show/biosphere2podcast/id/15106070