People Behind the Science Podcast Stories from Scientists about Science, Life, Research, and Science Careers
Are you searching for great stories to ignite your curiosity, teach you to perform better in life and career, inspire your mind, and make you laugh along the way? In this science podcast, Dr. Marie McNeely introduces you to the brilliant researchers behind the latest scientific discoveries. Join us as they share their greatest failures, most staggering successes, candid career advice, and what drives them forward in life and science.
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Greetings science fans!
We’re elated to welcome you to People Behind the Science where we explore the lives and experiences of the people behind the research and scientific discoveries of today.
People Behind the Science’s mission is to inspire current and future scientists, share the different paths to a successful career in science, educate the general population on what scientists do, and show the human side of science.
In each episode, a different scientist will guide us through their journey by sharing their successes, failures, and passions. We are excited to introduce you to these inspiring academic and industry experts from all fields of science to give you a variety of perspectives on the life and path of a scientist.
Our esteemed guests will tell you:
what motivates them and how they balance their competing responsibilities
how they worked through some of the most challenging times in their careers
advice to help you through your own journey through life and science
Our Podcast
People Behind the Science is a podcast focused on the people doing fascinating research through interviews with top scientists. We are proud to have interviewed so many inspiring scientists, including U.S. National Academy scientists like Josh Sanes, Nick Spitzer, Lou Muglia, Jacob Israelachvili, Gene Robinson, Larry Squire, John Dowling, James Berger, and David Spergel, as well as popular scientists in the media like Donna Nelson (science advisor for the TV show Breaking Bad) and Jack Horner (science advisor for the Jurassic park movies). We are honored to have shared their amazing stories with people in all 50 states in the USA and in over 120 countries across the world.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 42 minutes
- Episodes
- 829
- Years Active
- 2014 - 2025
509: Studying Social Behavior, Reproduction, and Health in Female-Dominant Species - Dr. Christine Drea
Dr. Christine Drea is the Earl D. McLean Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, as well as Professor in the Department of Biology, the University Program in Ecology, and the Duke Institute for Brain…
508: Investigating Genetic Profiles and Phenotypes of People with Parkinson's Disease - Dr. Paul Cannon
Dr. Paul Cannon is the Parkinson’s Disease Program Manager at 23andMe. Paul and the team at 23andMe are working with patients, genetic data, and other self-report data to understand genetic mutations…
507: Investigating How Frogs are Impacted by Climate Change, Fungal Disease, and Selection Pressures - Dr. Cori Richards-Zawacki
Dr. Cori Richards-Zawacki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Director of the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology at the University of Pittsburgh. Cori studies topics in ecol…
506: Sage Scientist Developing New Drugs for Depression and Other Neurological Diseases - Dr. Jim Doherty
Dr. Jim Doherty is Chief Research Officer at Sage Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel medicines to treat life-altering central n…
505: Developing Drugs to Treat Lupus Nephritis and Other Rare Diseases - Dr. Neil Solomons
Dr. Neil Solomons is Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies in disease areas o…
504: Researching Age-Related Retinal Degeneration Diagnostics and Therapeutics - Dr. Anne Fung
Dr. Anne Fung is the Global Development Lead for the Port Delivery System with Ranibizumab and Lucentis at Genentech. She is also a practicing retina specialist and researcher at Pacific Eye Associat…
503: Identifying Genetic Variants and Phenotypic Traits Associated with Parkinson's Disease - Dr. Karl Heilbron
Dr. Karl Heilbron is a Scientist I in Statistical Genetics at 23andMe. He focuses on identifying genetic variants that are associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Once variants are iden…
502: Investigating the Impacts of the Gut Microbiome on Immunotherapy Cancer Treatments - Dr. Jennifer Wargo
Dr. Jennifer Wargo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and a Stand Up To Cancer researcher. Jennifer is a physician s…
501: Modeling Social Systems to Inform Interventions and Impact Policies - Dr. Brian Goode
Dr. Brian Goode is a Research Scientist at the Fralin Life Science Institute at Virginia Tech, formerly the Biocomplexity Institute. Brian’s background is in engineering, and his current research aim…
500: Deep Sea Explorer Seeking Solutions to Stop Marine Pollution - Dr. Edith Widder
Dr. Edith Widder is Co-Founder, CEO, and Senior Scientist at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a scientific based conservation nonprofit. ORCA aims to find upstream solutions to t…
499: Developing New Vaccines to Prevent Infectious Diseases from Bacteria - Dr. Annaliesa Anderson
Dr. Annaliesa Anderson is Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Bacterial Vaccines within Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer Inc. In the lab, Liesa is working to develop new vaccines…
498: Researching Novel Methods to Regenerate Functionally-Polarized Tissues - Dr. Denver Lough
Dr. Denver Lough is President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of PolarityTE, a biotech company developing methods for patients’ own cells to regenerate functionally-polarized tissues. Denver a…
497: Protecting the World's Most Peaceful Primates - Dr. Karen Strier
Dr. Karen Strier is the Vilas Research Professor and Irven Devore Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Karen is a Primate behavioral ecologist. She is working to understa…
496: Engineering Novel Solutions for Data Storage and Energy Management in Electronics - Dr. Eric Pop
Dr. Eric Pop is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering as well as Materials Science & Engineering at Stanford University. Research in Eric’s laboratory spans electronics, electrical enginee…
495: Advancing Adhesive Technology and Advocating for Science - Dr. Jayshree Seth
Dr. Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. Jayshree is developing and studying adhesives and tapes for use in industrial environments. Her goal is to create stronger…
494: Advancing the Fight Against Breast Cancer With Novel Non-Chemotherapy Treatments - Dr. Kimberly Blackwell
Dr. Kimberly Blackwell is Vice President of Early Phase Development and Immuno-oncology at Lilly Oncology. In addition, Kim is Co-Founder of Cereius, a company that aims to improve the lives and surv…
493: Developing Devices to Treat Chronic Pain and Parkinson's Disease - Dr. Rafael Carbunaru
Dr. Rafael Carbunaru is Vice President of Research and Development of the Neuromodulation Division of Boston Scientific Corporation. Rafael is dedicated to creating innovative medical solutions to tr…
492: Investigating Novel Therapeutics to Improve Immune Function and Treat Age-Related Diseases - Dr. Joan Mannick
Dr. Joan Mannick is Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of resTORbio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops novel therapeutics to treat aging-related diseases. Joan and her collea…
491: Using Data to Inform Policy and Improve Quality of Life in Communities - Dr. Stephanie Shipp
Dr. Stephanie Shipp is Deputy Director and Research Professor in the Social and Decision Analytics Division of the Biocomplexity Institute and Initiative at the University of Virginia. Stephanie work…
490: Examining the Intersection of Immunology and Emotion - Dr. Fulvio D'Acquisto
Dr. Fulvio D'Acquisto is Professor of Immunology and Director of the Health Science Research Centre at the University of Roehampton in London. Through his research, Fulvio seeks to understand how emo…