Rust Belt Science

by Dr. Maggie Fink and Dr. Shahir Rizk

Rust Belt Science: down-to-earth conversations about cutting-edge research, Maggie Fink and Shahir Rizk sit down with passionate scientists to dive into their work, making complex ideas easy to grasp for everyone—no lab coat required! But it’s more than just science talk. We pull back the curtain to show that researchers are everyday people, living and working in our communities. Our conversations dive into  ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • The Moon Landing, Elvis Presley, and Flat Earthers: The Science of Why we Believe in Conspiracy Theories Part 1

    The Moon Landing, Elvis Presley, and Flat Earthers: The Science of Why we Believe in Conspiracy Theories Part 1

    S01 E11
    Apr 3, 2025
    57:11

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  • Purple Aliens, Astrobiology, and Imagination with Dr. Ligia Coehlo

    Purple Aliens, Astrobiology, and Imagination with Dr. Ligia Coehlo

    S01 E10
    Mar 27, 2025
    01:00:49

    .In this episode of Rust Belt Science, we sit down with Dr. Ligia Coelho, an esteemed astrobiologist from Cornell University, to explore the search for life beyond our planet. Dr. Coelho shares her expertise on the extreme environments of Earth that serve as models for extraterrestrial habitability, the latest findings from Mars and icy moons like Europa, and the technologies helping us detect biosignatures in deep space. We also discuss how research in astrobiology ties back to our own planet’s past, present, and future

  • Art, Poetry, Chemistry and the Holistic Scientist with Dr. Bahram Moasser

    Art, Poetry, Chemistry and the Holistic Scientist with Dr. Bahram Moasser

    S01 E09
    Mar 20, 2025
    01:17:07

    Poetry • Symmetry • Chance and entropy • The art of the unseen world of chemistry • Why scientists need art

  • Entropy, Telescopes, and Aliens with Dr. Michelle Thaller

    Entropy, Telescopes, and Aliens with Dr. Michelle Thaller

    S01 E08
    Mar 13, 2025
    52:52

    We talk to Dr. Michelle Thaller, former Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to discuss the life cycle of stars, the miracle of being human, and the need for better science communication.

  • 2024 Chemistry Nobel Prize Part 2: The Not-So-Good Stuff

    2024 Chemistry Nobel Prize Part 2: The Not-So-Good Stuff

    S01 E07
    Mar 7, 2025
    01:04:50

    False data • Retractions • A fall from grace • The pressure to do bad science