OIST Podcast

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Connectomics: An introduction

The Connectomics podcast, a spinoff from the OIST podcast, explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technology and design. In this intro episode, host, Mark James, research fellow in OIST's Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, asks the question 'Where is my mind?' and introduces some ideas that will provide some surprising answers.

18 October 2021

When robots become researchers with Prof. Hiroaki Kitano

Will robots become researchers? On this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Kitano talks about his vision for utilizing AI to move beyond human limitations in the lab and to revolutionize scientific discovery.

Evolution and Pokémon GO with Dr. Dan Warren

In this episode of the OIST podcast, Dr. Dan Warren talks about his many research projects, or ‘hobbies’, that use quantitative methods to answer questions about the natural world.

Podcast host, Lucy Dickie, speaks to four female researchers about the challenges that come with being a woman working in STEM, their own personal experiences, and what they would like to see change.

Symbiosis and evolution with Prof. Filip Husnik

In this episode, Prof. Filip Husnik, who leads the Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit, talks about his research on symbiosis. Tune in to hear about coral reefs, insects, the deep sea, and Okinawa’s star sand.

Cephalopods and neuroethology with Prof. Sam Reiter

This episode, Lucy Dickie speaks to Prof. Sam Reiter about cephalopods, the emerging field of neuroethology, and how we can learn more about the brain and intelligence.

Scientific outreach and the OIST Science Festival

This episode is all about scientific outreach. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to a community relations staff member and two scientists about outreach and what it was like running the annual OIST science festival during the time of COVID-19.

24 February 2021

Climate change in the Pacific with Professor Tim Ravasi

It’s part two of our clownfish podcast! Professor Tim Ravasi uses clownfish to determine how a warmer, more acidic ocean might impact fish communities. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie caught up with him to find out more.

24 December 2020

Clownfish and the evolution of development with Professor Vincent Laudet

This episode is all about clownfish! Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to Professor Vincent Laudet who leads OIST’s Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit and uses the well-known orange-and-white fish as his model species.

09 December 2020

Plankton research and marine conservation with Margaret Mars Brisbin

Margaret Mars Brisbin is a recent OIST graduate whose PhD focused on Acantharians – tiny, marine organisms. Science communication fellow, Lucy Dickie, spoke to Maggi about this research, marine conservation more broadly, and why it’s important for marine scientists to inspire others to care about the ocean. For more information, read her recently published paper or the accompanying blog post.

09 September 2020

OIST’s response to COVID-19 with Professor Mary Collins

In this episode, Lucy Dickie speaks to OIST Provost Professor Mary Collins about COVID-19. They talk about the virus but also OIST’s response to the outbreak in Okinawa, and the many projects that have been started here to help contain the spread within the community.

The Physics of Behavior with Greg Stephens

This episode Lucy Dickie speaks to OIST adjunct researcher Professor Greg Stephens about quantifying behavior. Greg looks at systems across the biological world, from tiny wiggling worms and rowdy zebrafish to crowds of people.

About the OIST Podcast

Welcome to the OIST Podcast, bringing you the latest in science and tech from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

Each episode dives into the work of a different academic, bringing them out of the lab to talk about how their research is changing the world.

Guests include distinguished scientists from top institutions across the globe, as well as researchers making cutting-edge discoveries here in Okinawa.

Interviews are intended to provide short, accessible introductions to contemporary scientific topics, and how different research spaces are impacting society.

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