Advertise on podcast: Tracking Traits

Penn State undergrad Thomas Sontag interviews associate professor Asher Rosinger about his research, which explores how people in different parts of the world meet their water needs. Thomas Sontag Undergraduate student at Penn State double majoring in Microbiology and German Asher Rosinger Associate Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State

Penn State undergrad Emma Sieminski interviews professor Jennifer Wagner about her research at the interface of emerging science and law. Emma Sieminski Undergraduate Forensic Science  student at Penn State Jennifer Wagner Assistant Professor of Law, Policy and Engineering at Penn State

Penn State undergraduate Tom Sontag interviews professor Seth Bordenstein  about his pioneering research in the burgeoning field of microbiomes Thomas Sontag Undergraduate student at Penn State double majoring in Microbiology and German Seth Bordenstein Professor of Biology and Entomology, Huck Chair in Microbiome Sciences, and director of the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State

Penn State undergraduate Kassi Bradburn interviews professor David Almeida about his novel, decades-long research into the role daily stressors play in the lives of people across the lifespan.  Kassi Bradburn Undergraduate student at Penn State, double majoring in Forensic Science and Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Chemistry David Almeida Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State

Penn State undergraduate Hannah Marchok interviews professor Pete Hatemi about his pioneering, interdisciplinary  research investigations into the role narcissism plays in contemporary American politics.  Hannah Marchok Undergraduate Biobehavioral Health student at Penn State with a minor in Global Health. Pete Hatemi Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Microbiology and Biochemistry at Penn  State. 

Penn State undergraduate Alexis Capel interviews professor Jenae Neiderhiser about her long-term, interdisciplinary  research investigations into the interplay between genetic and environmental factors that shape the personalities of children as they grow into adolescence. By focusing on the development of adopted children and twins raised in different situations, Dr. Neiderhiser (an adopted person herself) is able to observe how these different factors play out.  Alexis Capel Undergraduate Biological Anthropology student at Penn State.  Jenae Neiderhiser Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State. 

Penn State undergraduate Kassi  Bradburn  interviews assistant professor of biology  Emily Davenport about her unique approach to researching the complex relationship that human beings have with our microbiomes. Her lab uses high-throughput sequencing technologies and novel computational and statistical techniques to approach this material from a genomic perspective.  HOST: Kassie Bradburn, Penn State undergraduate  student double majoring in Forensic Science – Biology Option and Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Chemistry. GUEST: Emily Davenport, Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State working to understand the complex relationship humans have with our microbiomes. Her lab uses 

Penn State undergraduate Hannah Marchok  interviews postdoctoral researcher Dr. Tina Lasisi about her her efforts to fill in gaps in our understanding of human hair morphology, as well as possible explanations for the evolution of different hair types, and the importance of approaching biological anthropology from a more inclusive standpoint.  HOST: Hannah Marchock, Penn State undergraduate  student majoring in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Global Health GUEST: Dr. Tina Lasisi, postdoctoral researcher, University of Southern California

Penn State undergraduate Alexis Capel interviews Dr. David Plutzer, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, about his continuing research on the teaching of evolution and climate change in public schools across the United States. HOST: Alexis Capel , Penn State Undergraduate Student, Biological Anthropology GUEST: Dr. David Plutzer, Penn State Professor of Political Science and Sociology

Get ready, listeners! Our research conversations about human evolution and diversity continue, with a new slate of guests covering a wide range of fascinating topics. From the challenges of teaching science in US public schools to the effects of stress on our health as we age to the links between genetics and personality, we'll present conversations that are sure to tickle your curiosity bone.  If you haven't already subscribed, you'll want to do it now so you won't miss a single episode!

Penn State undergraduate Amy Mook interviews Dr. David Puts, Associate Professor of Anthropology about his research. Puts’ Behavioral Endocrinology and Evolution Lab focuses on the evolutionary and neuroendocrine bases of human sexuality and sex differences. HOST: Samantha Muller, Penn State Undergraduate Student, Forensic Science, minor in Anthropology GUEST: Dr. David Puts, Associate Professor of Anthropology

Recent Penn State graduate Amy Mook interviews Dr. Marta Tomaszkiewicz, Assistant Research Professor of Biology about her innovative research on male infertility.  Marta is particularly interested in understanding the potential of using RNA information and RNA-based technologies to answer important biological questions. She is currently testing the hypothesis that variation in ampliconic gene expression can explain differences in semen characteristics between fertile and infertile men. Her work can be followed at: https://twitter.com/amplicomics HOST: Amy Mook, Penn State Alum, Genetics and Developmental Biology GUEST: Dr. Marta Tomaszkiewicz, Assistant Research Professor of Biology