Podcast
Y Life Science
Hosted by Bean Life Science Museum · EN
This podcast highlights research and science projects happening in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University. We will also cover life science and conservation efforts happening in the community.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Boreal Owls and Citizen Science
Apr 2300:40:30Tap to summarizeExpert local birder and eBird reviewer Jeff Cooper joins Y Life Science to explore the power of citizen science. He shares insights from his research on Boreal Owls in Utah’s Uinta Forest—and how his observations helped reshape the species’ range maps. Learn more through Jeff’s blog, NeoVista Birds and Wildlife, and explore tools like eBird and Merlin.This episode was recorded on December 2, 2025.
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The Provo River Delta and the June Sucker
Mar 2500:27:29Tap to summarizeLeah and Samantha visit with Paula Trater, a biological technician for the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation, and Conservation Commission. They discuss various aspects of the Provo River and focus on the new Provo River Delta project. Leah and Samantha were camp counselors in the summer of 2025 and spent a lot of time on the delta, teaching kids about the June sucker and how the delta is key to helping recover this species.This episode was recorded on December 2, 2025
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Green-blooded Skinks of Papua New Guinea
Feb 2600:36:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Y Life Science podcast, graduate student Taylor Probst and Dr. Alison Whiting, curator of herpetology, discuss the genus Prasinohaema. Their research on this group of skinks is particularly compelling, as these animals possess green blood. Tune in to learn more about their work and the efforts underway to better understand this unique phenomenon.This episode was recorded on November 25, 2025.
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Discovering Cryptic Plant Species in our own Backyard
Jan 2800:35:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Y Life Science, we talk with Dr. Leigh Johnson, curator of the Bean Life Science Museum herbarium, about how plant species are named and classified. Using the genus Navarretia as a case study, Dr. Johnson explains how herbaria support research on plant diversity, species boundaries, and evolution.This episode was recorded on November 14, 2025
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Forest Fires and Desert Fires
Dec 1500:35:39Tap to summarizeDr. Sam St. Clair and graduate student, Ryan Pienaar discuss their ecological research, specifically looking at fires in both desert and forest ecosystems. They talk about how their studies have identified factors in both systems.This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025
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Earth as a Space Lab: Sand Dunes in Alaska
Nov 1700:36:03Tap to summarizeSylvia and Leah team up with Dr. Jani Radebaugh and Emma Gosselin to uncover how Earth’s sand dunes—specifically those in Alaska—help scientists decode landscapes on other planets. A quick dive into the surprising ways our world mirrors worlds far beyond.This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025
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The Ecology of Winterfat
Sep 1800:27:26Tap to summarizeDr. Matthew Madsen and Janetta Teichert talk with Sylvia and Leah about range management and their research with the native shrub, Winterfat.This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025
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The Energetics of Coastal Crabs
Jul 800:27:06Tap to summarizeBean Museum student hosts, Sylvia and Leah sit down with Dr. Blaine Griffen and students, Bailey Marlow (grad student) and David Neu (undergrad) to discuss their research with native and invasive crab species. They also discuss the human impact we have on our oceans and our stewardship responsibilities.This episode was recorded on April 9, 2025.
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DNA Sequencing and Ground Beetles
May 27, 202500:34:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Sylvia and Katy visit with Dr. John Sproul and student researcher, Rachel Christensen. John and Rachel share their research with ground beetles and how they find them and sequence their genomes. Discussion topics range from Darwin jokes to museum collections and fly fishing. Mentioned in this episode is a book called, "The Feathered Thief" by Kirk Wallace Johnson.This episode was recorded on November 25, 2024.
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Environmental Humanities
Apr 14, 202500:40:04Tap to summarizeDr. George Handley (george_handley@byu.edu), professor of comparative literature is joined by students, Becca Black and Julia Morgan as they visit with host, Sylvia Duke about the environmental humanities. This episode explores various connections with science and the humanities, spiritual connections with nature, and how we can make a difference in not just loving our earth but taking care of it. Instagram: byu.gesStewardship Lab: 139 SCOB (700 N 500 E, Provo)This episode was recorded on November 13, 2024.
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