Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Alex Dornburg, Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Genomics, as he shares his journey from childhood passion for wildlife photography to groundbreaking research in evolutionary informatics. We explore the fascinating world of Antarctic fishes, the cutting-edge applications of generative AI in education, and the critical role of team science in solving complex problems. Whether you're curious about marine biology, AI, or the intersection of diverse scientific disciplines, this episode offers a unique perspective on discovery, resilience, and innovation.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Passion Leads to Discovery: Alex Dornburg's love for photographing animals as a child sparked his lifelong interest in science, eventually leading to a career in evolutionary informatics.

• Evolutionary Informatics: Alex's work focuses on using bioinformatics and evolutionary biology to address contemporary problems, such as forecasting biodiversity changes and understanding emergent diseases.

• Antarctic Fish Research: Alex studies unique Antarctic fish that lack hemoglobin and have adapted to extreme environments, using genetic traits that, in humans, would cause severe conditions like brittle bone disease.

• Adapting During the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic shifted Alex’s focus from fieldwork to computational research, highlighting the flexibility needed in science to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

• AI in Education: Alex uses generative AI in his teaching to help students explore bioinformatics tasks, making science education more engaging, individualized, and relevant to their interests.

• Team Science: Alex emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating diverse perspectives and expertise to tackle complex problems in biology and beyond.

• Revolutionizing Public Health: By applying evolutionary biology, Alex's team modeled antibody waning and reinfection risks for COVID-19, providing actionable insights during the pandemic and shaping future responses.

• Environmental DNA (eDNA): His lab uses eDNA technology to map biodiversity in marine environments, offering a non-invasive way to track species presence and ecological changes.

• Science Is a Journey of Learning: Alex believes science is a continuous conversation that demands curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to embrace failure as part of the process.

• Personal and Professional Legacy: Alex aspires to mentor successful, fulfilled students, contribute meaningfully to science, and maintain a lifelong love for learning and exploration, including his personal goal of becoming a polyglot.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

In the final episode of Season 1, we dive into the fascinating world of ticks, pathogens, and global health with Dr. Rafael Vieira, a self-proclaimed "pathogen hunter" from UNC Charlotte. From the depths of the Amazon to the labs of North Carolina, Dr. Vieira takes us on a thrilling journey through his groundbreaking research on vector-borne diseases. Discover why your next eco-tourism adventure might be riskier than you think, and how climate change is reshaping the landscape of infectious diseases. Dr. Vieira shares hair-raising tales of tick collection, the excitement of discovering new bacteria, and his mission to bridge health gaps in sub-Saharan Africa. This episode is a gripping exploration of the intricate dance between humans, animals, and our environment – and why understanding this connection might just save us from the next pandemic.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• There's more to tick-borne illnesses than just Lyme disease. Dr. Vieira's research has uncovered several new bacteria and pathogens, highlighting the need for broader awareness and research.
• Activities like eco-tourism, illegal animal trafficking, and deforestation can have far-reaching consequences on the spread of vector-borne diseases across continents.
• Climate change is altering the distribution patterns of ticks and other disease vectors, potentially exposing new populations to these threats.
• Dr. Vieira's work in sub-Saharan Africa underscores the value of international partnerships in addressing global health issues and nurturing the next generation of scientists in developing countries.
• By studying emerging pathogens and disease patterns, Dr. Vieira and his colleagues are working to stay ahead of potential outbreaks, potentially preventing future epidemics or pandemics.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Richard Allen White III, a pioneering computational and molecular virologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Inspired by a 90's movie and captivated by the world of viruses, Dr. White takes us on a journey through his unique career path, from the first class that hooked him to his current groundbreaking research.

In this episode, Dr. White discusses the fascinating realm of virology, shedding light on the unseen universe of viruses that inhabit our world. We delve into the critical role viruses play in our ecosystems, their impact on human health, and the cutting-edge field of phage therapy—a potential game-changer in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply curious about the microscopic entities that shape our lives, this episode promises to be an engaging and informative listen. Don't miss out on Dr. White's expert insights and captivating stories from the front lines of virology.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Viruses are abundant and play a crucial role in ecosystems, impacting human health and the environment.
• Phage therapy, the use of viruses to treat bacterial infections, shows promise in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Computational biology, including AI, is revolutionizing the study of viruses and their interactions.
• Studying microbial mats, such as those found in the NASA CSA project Mars Life, provides insights into the evolution of ecosystems and the potential for bioconcrete production. Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.
• Mentorship and teaching entrepreneurial skills are important for students' success and future career paths.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast