If you're interested in sustainable agriculture, land management, or the intersection of farming and ecology, this episode of Trying 2 Learn is for you. I sit down with Dr. Lisa Norton, a landscape ecologist and agroecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology . Dr. Norton has spent over two decades studying the intricate relationships between agriculture, ecology, and land management. Her work focuses on sustainable land use practices that support biodiversity and ecosystem services.

We delve into the differences between organic and conventional farming systems, discussing how organic practices can enhance biodiversity and landscape complexity . Dr. Norton shares insights from her research on the ecological impacts of farming practices and the importance of integrating ecological principles into agricultural policy and practice.

What if the key to treating disease wasn’t to overpower the body—but to work with its existing systems?

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Borriello, founder of Alloplex Biotherapeutics, to explore a new approach to therapy—one that uses natural immune regulation instead of chemical force. We talk through the science behind Alloplex’s platform, how it’s aiming to activate—not suppress—the body’s own healing potential, and why that shift in mindset could change everything from how we treat cancer to how we think about drug development.

Frank’s not just a scientist or a strategist—he’s someone with a lived stake in the problem. His personal experience with loss gives him a proximity-driven insight that makes this work feel urgent, not theoretical.

If you're interested in biotech, systems thinking, or just want to hear from someone who’s building differently—this one’s worth your time.

Deirdre McCarthy is a distinguished researcher with a passion for understanding the complex interplay between environmental exposures and genetic inheritance. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work on substance exposure in mice and how it can impact not only the exposed individuals but also their subsequent generations.

Join us as we unravel the fascinating discoveries made by Deirdre McCarthy and her team, delving into the mechanisms of epigenetics and how they can transmit the effects of substance exposure across generations in mice.

Elle Murata has dedicated her career to studying how female hormone cycles influence neural activity, cognition, and behavior. In this episode, she shares her profound insights into the connections between the brain and the fluctuations in hormones experienced by women throughout their menstrual cycles.

Join us as we delve into the latest scientific
findings, uncovering how hormones like estrogen and progesterone impact
neurotransmitter levels, neural plasticity, and even emotional processing. Elle
demystifies common misconceptions and sheds light on the true extent of the
influence that hormone fluctuations can have on the female brain.

**note in this episode it is stated that the NIH mandated sex as a biological variable in 2014 but it was actually in 2016**

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You can find more about Elle’s work, https://jacobs.psych.ucsb.edu/

For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com

In this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we are joined by Dr. Ryan Jackson for a discussion on CRISPR gene editing systems. Dr. Jackson not only does a phenomenal job of guiding us through the history, potential, and limitations of CRISPR but also discusses his recent discovery of the novel CRISPR-Cas12 system.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast with a full knowledge of the CRISPR scify-like potential or you have never heard the term before you will be entertained by Dr. Jackson's depth of knowledge and communication skills within this field. Please join me for this great episode and as always don’t forget to subscribe to be notified of future episodes.

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You can find more about Dr. Jackson’s work here, Dr. Jackson's lab

For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com

Dr. Michael Skinner has devoted his career to unraveling the mechanisms behind epigenetic inheritance and its role in health and disease. In this episode, he shares his cutting-edge research on how environmental exposures and lifestyle choices can leave a lasting imprint on our genes, influencing the health of future generations.

Join us as we explore
the fascinating world of epigenetics, understanding how chemical modifications
to our DNA can influence gene expression and impact susceptibility to various
diseases. Dr. Skinner sheds light on the role of epigenetic changes in
conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders, presenting a
paradigm shift in our understanding of disease inheritance.

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You can find more about Dr. Skinner’s work here, https://skinner.wsu.edu/

For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com

In this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we are joined by Dr. Rebecca Spencer a cognitive neuroscientist from the University of Massachusetts. We discuss the Universal and often elusive topic of sleep and its impact on our brains. Sleep is a fundamental aspect of our existence and Dr. Spencer’s research sheds light on how sleep affects our cognitive function, especially the memory system in developing brains. We also touch on movement development and its connection to brain function. There is a lot of fascinating brain discussion that anyone could associate with.

This episode is perfect for anyone with a brain, but it is especially relevant to parents with toddlers who are interested in development processes and the importance of sleep in this stage of life. I am excited for you to join me for this really fun and educational episode, also don’t forget to subscribe to be notified of future episodes.

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You can find more about Dr. Spencer's work here, https://www.somneurolab.com/

For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com

Welcome to the Why Science initiative where we explore the reasons why life science researchers and industry professionals are driven to do the work they do and why the general public should understand and care about their discoveries and breakthroughs. I’m your host Kyle Valgardson and in every episode, we will strive to unravel the motivations behind science and try to inspire you as the listener to better understand the world we live in.

Before we get into the good stuff, I wanted to introduce you to the mission of our podcast. The why science initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public by highlighting individuals and findings that really demonstrate the impact of good science on our lives.

In each episode, we will speak with a researcher or industry professional to explore their backgrounds and allow them to explain what they are doing to help our communities. We believe that everyone should have access to scientific knowledge which historically has been shared through complicated terminology making it hard to understand the impacts that scientific breakthroughs have in our lives. We will strive to ask the right questions so you will understand the work no matter what background you have. Our guests come from diverse backgrounds which make for some fun and fast discussions around a breadth of topics.

This podcast series is sponsored by my employer Quansys Biosciences where we strive to develop and provide multiplex ELISA tools to help further therapeutic discovery and development. So if you need some help with your multiplexed ELISAs don’t be shy and feel free to reach out through our website or podcast email.

Stay tuned as we explore the scientific research world searching for the importance and impacts of science in our daily lives. And don’t forget to subscribe so you can be notified of future episodes, also leave a review so others can find our show and join us on this journey.

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For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com