STEMcast Episode 41 | "From Controller to Contributor": How gaming is contributing to cutting-edge research with Profs. Jerome Waldispuhl and Attila Szantner

STEMcast Episode 41 | "From Controller to Contributor": How gaming is contributing to cutting-edge research with Profs. Jerome Waldispuhl and Attila Szantner

What if playing a video game could help advance scientific discovery? Welcome back to STEMcast: Beyond the Lab! Today we invited Professors Attila Szantner (Department of Computer Science at McGill and CEO and co-founder of Massively Multiplayer Online Science) and Jerome Waldispuhl (Department of Computer Science at McGill University and Canada Research Chair (CIHR Tier 1) in Biomedical Citizen Science [https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/profile-eng.aspx?profileId=6204]) to explore how video games are being used to advance scientific research. From improving microbial phylogenies through Borderlands Science to uncovering the unique problem-solving strategies of expert players, we discuss the growing role of citizen science, the strengths of humans and computers in tackling complex challenges, and how millions of gamers are contributing to discoveries in biology and beyond. Join us as we examine the future of research powered by play!

STEMcast Episode 40 | “We are all made of stardust”: Learning about Early Planetary Formation with Prof. Paola Pinilla

In today’s show, we welcome Prof. Paola Pinilla, Associate Professor in exoplanets at University College London. Together, we peer into her journey from a kid in Bogotá (Columbia) dreaming about the stars to her role as a Principal Investigator studying early planetary formation in London. Her research on protoplanetary discs, formed from dust and gas around young stars, helps us understand how the planetary systems and organic molecules behind life first emerged, earning her the prestigious 2026 Blavatnik Award. From the complexity of protoplanetary discs to the importance of following your curiosity, this conversation is filled with nuggets of wisdom for scientists in every field. In this episode, we cover: (01:25) Questions that drive her research: How did the Earth form? How did our solar system form? (3:00) Prof. Pinilla’s past scientific breakthroughs: pressure bumps and planet embryos (6:55) Non-scientific stepping stones towards those scientific achievements (13:51) Fitting in a scientific community (19:19) What pushes Prof. Pinilla to dream bigger and bigger? (21:40) Diving into Prof. Pinilla’s research: What are protoplanetary discs? (25:59) How the diversity of protoplanetary discs leads to the diversity of exoplanets (28:22) What methodologies does Prof. Pinilla’s group use? (33:32) New research directions: Recreating the physical conditions of early planetary formation (36:12) Creation and delivery of organic compounds to the inner disc (40:30) We are made of the same stuff: stardust. Further reading * Read more about Prof. Paola Pinilla [https://paola-pinilla.com/] and her 2026 Blavatnik Award [https://blavatnikawards.org/honorees/profile/paola-pinilla/] * Read the paper we discussed in Nature Astronomy [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02334-4] (way to form organic matter in protoplanetary) * Her initiative on Mothers in Astromnomy [https://paola-pinilla.com/mothers.html] Episode host and producer: Sabrina Du [sabrina.du@mail.mcgill.ca] and Kenza Rtel Bennani Contact: igem@mcgill.ca [igem@mcgill.ca]

STEMcast Episode 39 | “Curiosity is Edgework”: Channeling our Curiosity in Research with Profs. Dani Basset and Perry Zurn

Welcome back to STEMCast: Beyond the Lab! In our most interdisciplinary episode to date, we invited Professors Perry Zurn (Department of Philosophy at the American University) and Dani Basset (Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania) to discuss their individual research careers and their most prominent topic of collaboration: curiosity. Join us as we learn everything from mathematical models of curiosity to social dilemmas that could benefit from them! In this episode, we cover: (01:38) Dani’s scientific curiosities (4:15) Perry’s scientific curiosities (7:24) How did you both start working together? (9:31) Defining curiosity: a type of edge work? (16:19) How does living in an information-dense age affect how we channel our curiosity? (18:49) Differences in collective curiosity and inequity in scientific research (24:00) Curiosity archetypes that will help us tackle ethical dilemmas (29:37) Mathematics of network modeling and its pitfalls (32:19) Fuzzy nodes and marbles (not) in the brain! (42:21) Questions that you guys are looking forward to working on in the future Further reading * Read more about Prof. Dani Bassett [https://live-sas-physics.pantheon.sas.upenn.edu/people/standing-faculty/danielle-bassett] * Read more about Prof. Perry Zurn [https://www.perryzurn.com/] * Book: Curious Minds: The Power of Connection [https://direct.mit.edu/books/book/5376/Curious-MindsThe-Power-of-Connection] Episode host and producer: Sabrina Du [sabrina.du@mail.mcgill.ca] and Isabelle Guo [isabelle.guo@mail.mcgill.ca] Contact:igem@mcgill.ca [igem@mcgill.ca]

Episode 38 | Education, Math and Drag! Exploring How Queer Identity and STEM Intersect with Kyne Santos

This week on STEMcast, we interview Kyne Santos, renowned math communicator and drag queen, known familiarly on TikTok and Instagram as OnlineKyne. With short content math videos, Kyne explores the mathematical world at all educational levels, all while dressed fabulously in drag! In this episode, we learn more about Kyne, his introduction to both the math and drag worlds, and how he uses his platform to expand access to education. We discuss the importance of scientific communication, the overlaps of art and science, and how queerness and gender interact with the STEM world. To top it off, we throw in our own experiences with synthetic biology, education in iGEM and our own experiences navigating STEM spaces as queer individuals. Tune in for personal stories, humour and new insights into how queer identity and STEM can intersect!

STEMcast Episode 37 | Empowering Diverse Voices in STEM - a STEMcast Special

This week on STEMcast, we interview three professionals doing impressive technical and advocacy work across academia and industry, and ask them about their experiences with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in a panel-style format. You'll hear from Aflah Hanafiah, a graduate student researching epigenetics and a prominent advocate working to uplift LGBTQIA+ voices in academia; Mel Rees, an oil and gas systems operator with expertise in the energy sector, who also shares a passion for advocacy and promoting inclusivity in STEM; and Anmol Nagpal, the CEO and co-founder of a start-up specializing in therapeutics for genetic neurological disorders, and a passionate advisor in the biotech start-up sphere.Tune in for inspiring stories, insights on current DEI challenges, and discussions on how we—as students and professionals—can help shape a future where all voices are empowered in STEM spaces.