Hello Soft Matter People! Welcome to The Soft Matter Show. Our today's guest is Dr. LaShanda Korley (https://sites.udel.edu/korleygroup/). LaShanda is a distinguished professor of Material Science and Engineering (https://mseg.udel.edu/) and Chemical and Biological Engineering (https://cbe.udel.edu/) at the University of Delaware. In this episode, LaShanda talked about many important topics. For example, LaShanda explained how she developed an interest in teaching and research, the importance of research at the undergraduate level, the power of mentorship, and the latest innovations in sustainable material research.

On another note, improving and welcoming diversity in scientific research is the responsibility of researchers. In this episode, LaShanda introduced me to a simple practice that the Korley group follows for finding the similarities in her diverse group. I endorse this practice strongly to get to know your fellow researchers, and I hope many of us also adapt this diversity slide method. With that, let's hear from Prof. LaShanda Korley!!

Read more:
Dr. LaShanda Korley
https://sites.udel.edu/korleygroup/
E-mail: lkorley@udel.edu

Amal Narayanan
https://www.thesoftmattershow.com
E-mail: amalnarayanan@thesoftmattershow.com

Ep #12 - Dr. Bibiana Campos Seijo on Science Journalism, C&EN, and Being a Powerlifter

Hello Soft Matter People! Welcome to another episode of The Soft Matter Show. Our today's guest is Dr. Bibiana Campos Seijo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibianacamposseijo/). Bibi is the current editor-in-chief of Chemical and Engineering News. In this episode, Bibi shared her thoughts on the world of science journalism and science communication. Bibi talked about her journey across the world to pursue science journalism. On a side note, Bibi is a strong person, Well... Bibi is a very strong person, in 2016, Bibi broke the world record in powerlifting for her weight and age class by lifting a massive 320 lb. Please check the show notes to see the video: https://twitter.com/BibianaCampos/status/734382177459314688?s=20

Announcement on Virtual Polymer Physics Symposium

Before we start this episode, I have a small announcement. Karthika Suresh, Jelena Dinic, and I are organizing a Virtual Polymer Physics Symposium for graduate students and postdocs. This virtual symposium has research talks from students and postdocs, perspectives from academic and industry panelists, and discussions on diversity. In the panel, we have Dr. Irada Isayeva from the U.S. FDA, Dr. Kurt Koppi from Dow Chemical Company, Dr. LaShanda Korley from the University of Delaware, Dr. Amanda Marciel from the Rice University, and Dr. Vivek Prabhu from the U.S. NIST. Please check out: lu.ma/vpps21 for more details.

The abstract submission is open until July 23rd! Please register as a speaker or attendee at lu.ma/vpps21

Thank you, Now let's hear from Dr. Bibiana Campos Seijo

Read more:

Dr. Bibiana Campos Seijo

https://cen.acs.org/static/about/staff_landing/biobcs.html

E-mail: b_campos-seijo@acs.org

Amal Narayanan

https://www.thesoftmattershow.com

E-mail: amalnarayanan@thesoftmattershow.com

Ep #11 - Dr. Saad Bhamla on Slingshot Spiders, Worm Blobs, and Frugal Science

Hello Soft Matter People! Welcome to another episode of The Soft Matter Show. Our today's guest is Dr. Saad Bhamla (https://www.bhamla.com). Saad is a Professor at The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this episode, Saad talked about some of the organisms that possess unique biophysical mechanisms for sustaining their life. These organisms include Slingshot spiders, Californian worms, and much more. You may even find parts of this conversation about "How insects pee". Yes! you are hearing me right!

Saad also took time to chat about how one can contribute to improve lives in countries with minimal resources using Frugal Science.

You can read more about’s Saad’s endeavors in the show note at thesoftmattershow.com

Read more:

Dr. Saad Bhamla

https://www.bhamla.com

Science comics: https://www.bhamla.gatech.edu/comic

E-mail: saadb@gatech.edu

Amal Narayanan

https://www.thesoftmattershow.com

E-mail: amalnarayanan@thesoftmattershow.com