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

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Shi Chen's interest in science began with his fascination with animals and bugs as a child.
• He later focused on infectious disease modeling and research in big data analytics, health informatics, and mathematical modeling.
• Infoveillance is a surveillance method that monitors public opinions and sentiments on the internet to detect potential outbreaks and misinformation.
• Effective health communication is crucial in addressing public health concerns, and the impact of misinformation on vaccination rates for diseases like COVID-19 and MMR is a lasting concern. The scenario modeling hub is a collaborative effort to standardize data and assumptions for modeling the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Artificial intelligence has automated data collection and analysis in epidemiology and allows for the integration of high-dimensional datasets.
• Dealing with social and political aspects of disease outbreaks, such as misinformation and discrimination, is a challenge.
• Epidemiologists use data mapping to understand spatial and temporal heterogeneities and inform public health decisions.

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

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Metagenomics is a powerful tool for studying microbial communities in the ocean.
• Research vessels play a crucial role in collecting samples for microbial oceanography.
• Collaboration and team science are essential in advancing scientific knowledge.
• Understanding the role of microbes in the ocean has implications for climate regulation and the search for extraterrestrial life.

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