You can receive answers to your science questions directly from a scientist! Let us connect you to Skype a Scientist Live for their monthly online live presentations where you can learn about each scientist’s research and ask them questions. The sessions start at noon CST, so they are great for classrooms or homeschool groups! Each session has a separate registration.
October 1 Geology with Zakiya "The Dancing Geologist" Shivji REGISTER HERE
Zakiya Shivji received her B.S. in Geology from California State University Long Beach and her M.S in Geology from New Mexico Highlands University. After graduation, Zakiya has been working for about 4 years as a Geologist for the Prescott National Forest (PNF). Her love of volcanoes since elementary school is what guided her to become a geologist. With the PNF, she works in administering mining operations and geologic resources. She works with rock quarries, abandoned mines, caves, and more. She is also a dancer who loves to rock to a beat, the Dancing Geologist.
October 7 Microbiology with Justin Stewart REGISTER HERE
Justin is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist researching microbiomes, plants, and geography. Currently, he researches the symbiosis between bacteria, fungi, and plants with an emphasis on root architecture, domestication, and urban environments. The microbes living in and on plant roots are the backbone of global agriculture as well as all the aboveground biodiversity we see in the world. During the domestication of plants, we lost a great deal of plant genetic diversity. What microbes have we lost and how does this vary across evolutionary history? How can we enhance microbial symbiosis for plants in agricultural and urban ecosystems?
October 11 Women in Biotech REGISTER HERE
Erika Weisdorfer is a Software Test Engineer, Elizabeth Bottenberg is a quality control analyst, Shastina Gandarilla programs robots, samples new automation like robotic arms, and integrated liquid handlers, and Sireesha Lujan is a Global Training & Development Scientist
October 20 Healing Jellyfish with Elizabeth Lee REGISTER HERE
Elizabeth Lee majored in Biological Chemistry, Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience. She studied mechanisms of voltage sensing in voltage-sensitive proteins for her doctoral work. She wanted to understand how "electrical switches" in cells open and close gates in these cells. However, as a postdoc, her interests have shifted. She now studies how jellyfish heal wounds. The jellyfish system, Clytia hemisphaerica, is excellent for studying wound healing because they heal quickly enough that you can watch it happen in real-time.
November 1 Vertebrate Paleontology with Kiersten Formoso REGISTER HERE
Kiersten Formoso is a PhD Candidate studying paleontology at the University of Southern California and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. She studies how land animals evolved to become swimming animals, including animals like mosasaurs which lived alongside the dinosaurs, and animals which are still around today like whales.
November 16 Clean Energy and Batteries with Jon, Miguel, and Alex REGISTER HERE
Jon is a fifth-year graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. His work involves modeling Hydrogen fuel cells for use in automobiles. He is the president of the Electrochemical Society chapter at Georgia Tech.
Miguel is a fourth-year graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. His work involves different electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. He is the Treasurer of the Electrochemical Society chapter at Georgia Tech.
Alex is a fifth-year graduate student in Biology at Georgia Tech. His work involves working with electrochemistry in biology and how electrical signals in the various bacteria interact. He is the Secretary in the Electrochemical Society at Georgia Tech.
December 1 Geology with Schmitty Thompson REGISTER HERE
Schmitty Thompson is currently a PhD student in geology at Oregon State University studying how the growth and decay of glaciers during ice ages affect global sea level. I also love sharing my passion for rocks, ice, and oceans with folks from all backgrounds.
