On the surface, food science may sound simple. But once you dive deeper, you’ll discover a world of innovation, challenges, and incredible scientists behind the food you find on grocery store shelves. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Elizabeth Li and Poorvi Iyer discuss our interview with Dr. David Julian McClements, Distinguished Professor at the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts and most cited author in food science. Dr. ...
Dec 17, 2025•20 min
How did life start on Earth and could life exist elsewhere? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Elizabeth Li, and Aanya Santosh discuss our interview with Dr. Aaron Burton, a Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Burton tackles these two questions head-on in his studies of meteorites and other astromaterial samples. By analyzing the organic molecules in these extraterrestrial samples, Dr. Burton is able t...
Nov 11, 2025•25 min
Often in crime shows and movies, we usually skip to the result of forensic testing. But have you ever wondered how investigators get those results? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Mehreen discuss our interview with Dr. Bruce McCord, Analytical and Forensic Chemistry Professor at Florida International University and deputy editor for the journal ELECTROPHORESIS. Dr. McCord talks all about his work on drug analysis, explosive detection,...
Oct 26, 2025•26 min
The term “glycobiology” may be unfamiliar to many students, as it is an undertaught but extremely important field that is linked to nearly every facet of cellular biology. Glycobiology is the study of carbohydrates, also known as glycans. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Jasmine Winter, and Diya Garrepally dive into our interview with Dr. Lance Wells. Dr. Wells shares his research on XLID, an intellectual disability syndrome linked to mutati...
Oct 06, 2025•24 min
Dr. Jonathan Sessler, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin, is no stranger to taking an active role in directing his own path. Being a three-time Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor, Dr. Sessler’s battle with cancer inspired him to research porphyrins, a class of pigments which are essential for biological processes like oxygen transport. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Jasmine Winter, hosts Neel Youts and Jason Lu discuss our interview with Dr. J...
Sep 22, 2025•29 min
Dr. Paul Chirik, the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University, researches something he calls “modern alchemy.” As many of the world's most effective chemical catalysts are made from rare and precious metals, Dr. Chirik pioneers methods to create high-performing catalysts from common, earth-abundant metals—esseintially transforming common materials into “gold.” On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley ...
Sep 05, 2025•18 min
Nobel laureate Dr. Benjamin List is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research and professor of organic chemistry at the University of Cologne. On top of that, he is known for pioneering a brand new field of chemistry, organocatalysis, which is now used in nearly all pharmaceutical industries. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Jasmine Winter and Elizabeth Li dive into our interview with Dr. List as he shares his journey to earni...
Aug 22, 2025•25 min
Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy. This allows environmental engineers to produce sustainable energy while treating wastewater! In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry , edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about our interview with Dr. Bruce Logan, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Institute of Energy and Environment at Penn State. From microbial fuel cells to marine ...
Jul 25, 2025•27 min
What are the advantages and limitations of organic materials, inorganic materials, or hybrid materials that combine both? How do the properties of these different materials influence their applications in academia and industry? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Aanya Santosh, and Elizabeth Li delve deeper into these questions and more with Dr. Seth Marder, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Director of the Renewable and Sust...
May 30, 2025•32 min
Phil Cook, also known as @ChemTeacherPhil, has captivated millions with his engaging and explosive science experiments on TikTok. As a seasoned chemistry teacher at Culver Academies, Phil makes complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for a global audience. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry , edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Neel Youts delve into Phil’s journey from a traditional educator to a social media influencer. They discuss his innovative approach to scien...
May 23, 2025•22 min
Nobel laureate Dr. Morten Meldal, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, revolutionized the field of chemistry with his pioneering work on click chemistry—earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts dive into our interview with Dr. Meldal, exploring his journey from molecular modeling to groundbreaking discoveries in peptide synthesis and bioorthogonal chemistry. Dr. Meldal sh...
Mar 03, 2025•36 min
Dr. Gaurav “Gino” Giri, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia, is pioneering research in crystallization and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). On this exciting episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Erin and Aanya discuss their interview with Dr. Giri about his groundbreaking work in MOF-based air filtration masks, drug delivery systems, and carbon capture technology. From his innovative startup tackling air pollution to his insights on balancing academic research with e...
Dec 13, 2024•21 min
Dr. Tashica Amirgholizadeh is a patent litigator at Gilead Sciences who combines her passion for chemistry with the law. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and her JD at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She shares her unique career journey and her responsibilities at Gilead. We hope you enjoy!
Oct 06, 2024•25 min
Dr. Benjamin Hsiao, Professor of Chemistry at Stony Brook University, is a renowned scientist in the fields of polymer science, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Benjamin Hsiao. He shares his career journey, passion for global energy solutions, and more. We hope you enjoy!
Aug 10, 2024•19 min
Dr. Adina Paytan, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, is an ocean chemist who works on various topics—including earth materials and biogeochemical processes. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts John Strojny and Jasmine Winter discuss our interview with Dr. Adina Paytan. She shares her career journey and passion for climate science. We hope you enjoy!
Jul 21, 2024•32 min
Dr. Mark Tuckerman, Professor of Chemistry and Mathematics at New York University, is a theoretical chemist who works on various topics—including nuclear quantum effects, fuel cells, and crystal structure prediction. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Mark Tuckerman. He shares his current research interests, machine learning in chemistry, and more. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Tuckerma...
Jun 09, 2024•24 min
Dr. Christopher Hendon, Professor of Computational Materials Chemistry at the University of Oregon, is an expert in both computational chemistry and the science of coffee. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts discuss our interview with Dr. Christopher Hendon. He shares his tips on merging his diverse interests, in the art of espresso, and the electrical properties of coffee extracts. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hendon,...
May 18, 2024•30 min
Have you thought about the chemistry that goes into the food you eat? What are the scientific processes that govern our ingredients and delectable meals? Dr. Eric Decker, Professor of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is an expert in lipid oxidation and food chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Yeongseo Son and Erin Suh talk about our interview with Dr. Eric Decker. He shares his tips on food preservation, the science be...
Apr 19, 2024•19 min
What are heavy elements? What is a neutron flux? Dr. Thomas Albrecht-Shoenzart, Professor of Chemistry at the Colorado School of Mines, is an expert in radiochemistry and transuranium elements. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts talk about our interview with Dr. Thomas Albrecht-Shoenzart. He tells us about the Valley of Death, applications of radiochemistry, and advice to future chemists. If you would like to learn more about Dr. ...
Mar 26, 2024•37 min
Science should be an unbiased agent of good. It is rigorous, methodical, and systematic. Yet, it still brings controversy and mystery; Misinformation can spread like wildfire; Scientists can be ignored. Dr. Joe Schwarcz, the Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, is an expert in separating sense from nonsense. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about our interview with Dr. Schwarcz. He touch...
Mar 01, 2024•40 min
With great powers comes great responsibility. Gene editing is a powerful tool in the realm of biomedical advances. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Bomyi Lim, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Her lab studies the regulation of chemical kinetics in biological systems. We hope you enjoy! If you would like to know more about Dr. Bomyi Lim, yo...
Feb 11, 2024•20 min
Imagine being a detective in the world of molecules, uncovering secrets that could save lives. That’s what medicinal chemistry does—it helps us design drugs that target diseases like puzzle pieces fitting together. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Jason Lu talk about their interview with Dr. Donna Huryn, Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Huryn is also a co-founder of Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry, and...
Dec 28, 2023•26 min
What does it mean to digitize chemistry? How can we create artificial life forms? What are the origins of life? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Grace Go and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Lee Cronin, the Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Dr. Cronin is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in creating artificial life, exploring chemical evolution, and pushing the boundaries of digital chemistry. We hope you e...
Dec 17, 2023•23 min
What makes a good scientist? What makes a good student? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about their interview with Dr. Steven Clarke, UCLA’s Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. We hope you enjoy! If you would like to know more about Dr. Steven Clarke, you can check out his research here or reach him by email at clarke@mbi.ucla.edu...
Nov 29, 2023•29 min
What if we could make bags out of the food we eat? On this electrifying episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Karen Wooley, a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. She shares her work with sustainability, sugars, and industry. We hope you enjoy! If you would like to know more about Dr. Karen Wooley, you can check out her research here or reach her by email at wooley@chem.tamu.edu...
Nov 08, 2023•21 min
The most humble creatures on earth sometimes reveal incredible solutions and secrets. GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), naturally found in jellyfish, is a marker used in almost all biological laboratories. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and John Strojny talk about their interview with Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Martin Chalfie, a University Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University. He was the first to succeed...
Oct 27, 2023•50 min
Organic chemistry is art. Each chemical structure comes with a certain number of lines, a certain shape, a certain essence to it. How can we manipulate a chemical reaction to produce a useful product? How can we defy what chemistry claims to be incredibly hard and accomplish unique mechanisms? On this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by KG Gude, hosts Olivia Lambertson and Jasmine Winter talk about their interview with Dr. Robert Bergman, the Gerald E. K. Branch Distinguished Professor of ...
Oct 11, 2023•27 min
With curiosity and creativity, there are no limits. We can be scientists. We can be doctors. We can be authors. Our renowned guest today has done all three. On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Grace Go talk about their interview with Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Robert Lefkowitz, a James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Duke University. He elaborates on his Nobel Prize winning work on G-protein coup...
Sep 27, 2023•26 min
A tool to help us study the structures of atoms and molecules, spectroscopy is used everywhere to solve big problems. From astronomers who are determining the distance of a distant star to chemists who are solving biochemical problems, spectroscopy has a unified purpose: to see better. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry (edited by Presley Vu), hosts Jasmine Winter and Nina Deng talk about their interview with Dr. Sarah King, a Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the...
Sep 19, 2023•35 min
Superheroes don’t just exist in our comic books. We find them, here, in the real world. They protect the innocent. They fight injustice. They use their powers and skills for good. And we have interviewed one such superhero—working as both a global research scientist and serving as an elected government official. On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry (edited by Presley Vu), hosts Yeongseo Son and Nina Deng talk about their interview with Dr. Najat Saliba, a Professor of Analytical Chem...
Sep 09, 2023•36 min
