Episodes

  • Green-blooded Skinks of Papua New Guinea
    Feb 24 2026

    In this episode of the Y Life Science podcast, graduate student, Taylor Probst and Dr. Alison Whiting, curator of herpetology, talk about the genus Prasinohaema in this episode. Their research with this group of skinks is fascinating because these animals have green blood! Listen to find out more about what they are doing to understand this unique phenomenon.

    This episode was recorded on November 25, 2025.

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    36 mins
  • Discovering Cryptic Plant Species in our own Backyard
    Jan 28 2026

    In 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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    36 mins
  • Forest Fires and Desert Fires
    Dec 15 2025

    Dr. 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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    36 mins
  • Earth as a Space Lab: Sand Dunes in Alaska
    Nov 17 2025

    Sylvia 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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    36 mins
  • The Ecology of Winterfat
    Sep 18 2025

    Dr. 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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    Not Yet Known
  • The Energetics of Coastal Crabs
    Jul 8 2025

    Bean 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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    27 mins
  • DNA Sequencing and Ground Beetles
    May 27 2025

    In 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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    34 mins
  • Environmental Humanities
    Apr 14 2025

    Dr. 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.ges

    Stewardship Lab: 139 SCOB (700 N 500 E, Provo)

    This episode was recorded on November 13, 2024.

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    40 mins