STEM Fields — Podcast

Revisiting the Future of Energy with Lauren Azar

In Season One of 12 Geniuses, energy expert Lauren Azar joined the show to discuss trends in energy consumption. Those subjects included the viability of coal, where we can find long-term sources of energy and the impact of emerging technologies. Since that conversation in October 2018, there have been incredible advancements in energy production and storage. This week, Lauren and Don meet again to discuss those advancements, recent catastrophic events such as the 2021 Texas power crisis and what the current presidential administration has in store for the future of energy in the United States and abroad.

Revisiting Cybersecurity Trends with Max Heinemeyer

It’s been two years since cybersecurity expert Max Heinemeyer first joined the show to discuss trends in cybersecurity. In this update, Don and Max discuss the people and organizations behind the hacks that have recently devastated companies, our infrastructure and governments. They also discuss current cyberthreats and vulnerabilities, and how joint efforts between government and the private sector can help protect citizens all over the world against cybercrime.

The Future of Women at Work with Minda Harts

In this episode, Don MacPherson is joined by workplace expert, author, podcaster and speaker Minda Harts. Together they discuss how women — especially women of color — have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and what organizations can do to bring back women who have left the workforce. They also discuss paid maternity leave, the wage gap and what is needed to create an equitable work environment.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence with Michael Kanaan

In this episode, host Don MacPherson is joined by AI expert, Michael Kanaan. Together, they explore the future of artificial intelligence including how it will be used both at home and work, its impact on the workforce, and the potential for AI to both help and harm us. They also discuss the ways in which AI surveillance is being used to target certain groups around the globe and the ethical questions that arise from creating AI algorithms.

The Future of Healthcare with Dr. Bertalan Meskó

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Dr. Bertalan Meskó. Dr. Meskó is The Medical Futurist and the Director of the Medical Futurist Institute. Don and Dr. Meskó discuss recent developments in the field of medical technology including AI, wearables, telemedicine, risks to privacy, and addiction. They also talk about four different national healthcare models as well as the futures of mental health and the addiction treatment field.

The Future of War with MGySgt Scott H. Stalker

In this episode, Don MacPherson is joined by MGySgt Scott H. Stalker, the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Space Command. They discuss the future of war, including new technology, how we fight, and the importance of protecting equal access to space. They also discuss new and developing threats against American democracy, the dangers of misinformation and manipulation, and the ways in which the United States military is preparing to protect its citizens from new technologies.

MGySgt Scott H. Stalker is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the United States Space Command. MGySgt Stalker has dedicated his career to serving in the United States military. Prior to accepting his current position, MGySgt Stalker served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and United States Cyber Command.

The Future of Privacy with Dr. Carissa Véliz

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Dr. Carissa Véliz, an expert in digital ethics with an emphasis on privacy and AI ethics. They discuss the state of privacy today, the countless ways in which organizations track, store, and analyze our data, and the importance of maintaining our privacy both online and in the real world. Carissa offers advice on how to protect yourself online, and insights on how you can stand up and demand better data protection from organizations and the government.

Dr. Carissa Véliz, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, is an expert in digital ethics. Dr. Véliz specializes in privacy and AI ethics along with political philosophy and public policy. Dr. Véliz is the author of Privacy is Power and the editor of the Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics.

The Future of Psychedelics with Dr. Matthew Johnson

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Dr. Matthew Johnson, an expert in psychoactive drug effects, addiction, and risk behavior. They discuss clinical research on psychedelics including psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, MDMA, LSD, and more. They also dive into the potential therapeutic applications for psychedelics including treating depression, PTSD, and addiction, and improving individual happiness, creativity, and selflessness.

Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor at Johns Hopkins, is an expert in psychoactive drug effects, addiction, and risk behavior. He has worked with psychedelics since 2004. He developed and published the first psychedelic treatment of tobacco addiction in 2014. With colleagues, he conducted and published the largest study of psilocybin in cancer distress in 2016. He is Principal Investigator on upcoming psilocybin studies treating opioid addiction and PTSD, and LSD research treating chronic pain.

The Future of Reproduction with Hank Greely

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Hank Greely, a specialist in the ethical, legal, and social implications of new biomedical technologies. They discuss the roles CRISPR, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and in vitro fertilization will have on the future of reproduction. They also discuss the ethical questions that will accompany selecting specific characteristics for implanted embryos and the possibility of creating babies with superhuman capabilities.

Hank Greely specializes in the ethical, legal, and social implications of new biomedical technologies, particularly those related to neuroscience, genetics, or stem cell research. Hank is a genetics professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, the Director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences, and the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Center for Biomedical Ethics.

The Futuredon macphersonAugust 11, 2020LGBTQ+, Reproduction, Parenting, STEM Fields, Family, Ethics, Medical

The Future of Transportation (and Space Travel) with Dr. Anita Sengupta

Transportation is about to get a whole lot faster. In this episode of 12 Geniuses, Don MacPherson speaks with aerospace engineer, rocket scientist, professor, and pilot, Dr. Anita Sengupta. Together they explore the futuristic forms of transportation that are currently being developed. From Hyperloop technology to interplanetary exploration, Dr. Sengupta explains how travel and transportation will be disrupted in the coming years. Don and Dr. Sengupta also discuss her work at NASA, and her current project at Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) where they are designing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as a commuter transport option in urban environments.

Dr. Anita Sengupta is an aerospace engineer, rocket scientist, and pilot who for 20 years has developed technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, asteroids, and deep space. She is a Research Professor of Astronautics at the University of Southern California where she is conducting research on transportation technologies including electric propulsion for aviation, Hyperloop technology, and in-space propulsion systems.

The Future of Aging with Dr. Steven Austad

In this interview, biologist and aging expert Dr. Steven Austad joins host Don MacPherson to discuss how and why we age, various ways to extend human life, and ethical questions that accompany a 100-year life expectancy. They also dive into medical treatments that show signs of slowing the aging process, the impossibility of immortality, and the societal changes that will occur if we all live longer.

Dr. Austad has dedicated his career to understanding the science of how and why we age. He is a distinguished professor and Chair of the Biology Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has also authored numerous books, academic papers, and articles on aging.

Nurturing the Crazy Ideas That Change the World - an Interview with Safi Bahcall

A lifelong innovator and expert on innovative practices, Safi Bahcall shares his process for nurturing “Loonshots” - the crazy ideas that disrupt industries, cure diseases, and change the world.

In this interview, Safi dives into how good ideas are often killed by great teams and how we can develop the skills to nurture and encourage “Loonshots.” Safi also discusses company culture and organizational structure, why companies need to separate their innovators from executors, the importance of getting incentives right, and why “failing fast” is not the best path toward innovation.

Safi worked for three years as a consultant for McKinsey before co-founding a biotechnology company that developed new drugs for treating cancer. Safi regularly speaks with senior executives about how to implement the ideas in his bestselling book “Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries.”

A Concrete Innovation for Addressing Climate Change - An Interview with Mehrdad Mahoutian

An innovator in the field of carbon dioxide capture and building materials, Mehrdad Mahoutian discusses his journey to discovering a new process for creating concrete and his quest to use waste materials to create high-value products. More than 5% of global CO2 emissions comes from the production of concrete. The impact of this is so high that for every ton of concrete made, a ton of carbon is released into our air. Mehrdad’s innovative concrete-making process solves this problem and more, while making a stronger, cheaper, and carbon-negative construction material. As we tackle climate change, we will need thousands of innovations like Carbicrete to stop global warming.

In this interview, Mehrdad describes the problem cement and the resulting CO2 creates for our environment and shares how he came up with a carbon-negative process to create cement-free concrete. He also shares the failure along his innovative journey and how he came to see his new process as a viable product for mass production. Mehrdad also discusses the barriers to industry-wide adoption of the new process and how governments are responding to Carbicrete. Finally, Mehrdad explains the potential for the emerging market of CO2 based products and the integral role consumers and organizations will play in reducing our carbon emissions.

Mehrdad Mahoutian is CTO and Co-Founder of Carbicrete, a company that has developed a concrete-making process that is cement-free and carbon-negative.

MIT, Artificial Intelligence & the Power of People Analytics - An Interview with Ben Waber

An innovative leader in the field of people analytics, Ben Waber discusses the creative ways companies can unleash the full potential of their employees. Through data, companies can devise new management techniques, adjust the physical environment, and even re-design the employee experience to improve performance at all levels. Companies already have mountains of data available to them through ID badge scans, emails, meeting assignments and much more. Driven by a passion to help companies interpret this data, Ben Waber has created a company that uses AI to simplify the numbers and help leaders make better decisions.

In this interview, Ben talks about the creative environment at MIT. He explains how analytics can be used to inform company-wide decisions, understand how teams are working together, and improve individual career development. Ben also describes how the data can help us better understand bias and influence decision making. Finally, Ben talks about the future implementation of the technology and the ethical questions it may raise about employee and user privacy.

Ben Waber is President and Co-Founder of Humanyze, a behavior analytics company. For over 15 years, Ben has studied, researched, and implemented new technology to better understand human behavior.

Solving Sexual Harassment and Bullying with Virtual Reality - An Interview with Morgan Mercer

A breakthrough tech entrepreneur, Morgan Mercer discusses the power of Virtual Reality in building empathy and creating a safer work environment. Of the women that report sexual harassment in their workplace, 80% leave within two years. This has significant ripple effects from a career change, loss of economic opportunity, and even tarnished company profiles. As we look to the next decade, we have many social issues to resolve and one of the best ways to do that will be through empathy.

In this interview, Morgan Mercer explains why we need better training for a safer workplace, the impact of #MeToo on training standards, and how to build empathy through immersive experiences. She also discusses her experience as a woman of color in the tech industry, her drive to empower others through VR, and her take on the future of VR.

Morgan Mercer is the CEO and Founder of Vantage Point which serves clients around the world from their headquarters in Los Angeles.

Innovations in Cybersecurity with Threat Hunter Max Heinemeyer

An expert in cybersecurity, Max Heinemeyer explains how we can prevent attacks from malicious hackers both in our personal and professional lives. Vulnerability on the Internet has increased exponentially as new “smart” devices and appliances are tied into our networks every day. In a world where we have learned to protect ourselves from physical threats, we must learn how to protect ourselves and our companies from cyber threats as well.

In this interview, Max defines the threats we face each day on the Internet, how malicious hackers have evolved, and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity. Max also provides tips and solutions for safeguarding your personal and business information.

Max is Director of Threat Hunting for Darktrace and works in their Cambridge, United Kingdom office. He works with companies to help them investigate and respond to threats, while additionally overseeing the 30+ member cybersecurity analyst team. Max also has extensive experience as a white hat hacker.

Cashing in on Climate Change - An Interview with Andrew Winston

Andrew Winston has worked in the clean business industry for over a decade. Globally recognized as an expert on how companies can navigate climate change for profit, Andrew has thoroughly researched the importance of adaptability for companies in this time of change. In this interview, Andrew discusses the implications of changing climate from what our new world will look like to how we can all participate in saving the environment. Andrew also provides insight on how businesses can harness the environmental movement for better employee engagement, increased profits, and company longevity. In this interview, Andrew discusses:

Part One: The current state of the climate, creating value through sustainability, the pace of warming, defining global warming and climate change, the 1.5 Degree Report, changes to Earth’s geography, The Paris Agreement, We’re Still In movement in the United States, how countries are working to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, how to slow down climate change.

Part Two: The Big Pivot, consumer access to sustainability information, how large sized companies are making environmentally conscious changes, attracting employees with an eco-friendly company culture, the clean economy, how to make your company eco-friendly, investment opportunities in the clean economy, innovations to help save our planet.

Andrew’s publications are available on amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-S.-Winston/e/B001H6O3R2/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

More information about Andrew is available at www.andrewwinston.com.

Changing Cultures and a Quest to Cure Cancer - Genentech’s Sara Kenkare-Mitra

A generation ago, a cancer diagnosis meant the patient had a 50% chance of living beyond five years. Today, cancer is still an awful disease, but thanks to incredible medical advances, survival is far more likely than ever before. That’s not the only good news. In fact, there is hope that as soon as a decade from now, cancer could possibly be a managed disease instead of a killer.

In this episode, pharmaceutical expert and cancer researcher, Sara Kenkare-Mitra, shares her how she got into the pharmaceutical field, the long road to creating an effective drug, and the importance of celebrating failure.

Sara discusses:

Part One: The Road to Making a Drug

Growing up in India, moving from India to the United States, culture shock, building resilience, joining Genentech, becoming a leader, how her leadership skills as a manager needed to evolve to lead a team of 550 people, the importance of technical competence in a large organization, the drug development process.

Part Two: Curing Cancer

Why it’s good to celebrate failure, how pharmaceutical companies are curing cancer, advice for young women entering STEM fields, encouraging your teams to learn from failures, meditation and leadership, overcoming the minority effect, advocating for yourself, how being a mother made her a more effective leader, the future of cancer, the role of empathy in leadership and drug development.

Organizations, People, Resources, Places Mentioned.

Mumbai, India, Genentech, Austin, Texas, University of Texas - Austin, UCSF (University of California, San Francisco), San Francisco, Kadcyla (Her2+ Breast cancer drug), the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

To learn more about Sara and Genentech, please visit www.Gene.com.

The Future of Energy in America - An Interview with Energy Expert Lauren Azar

Imagine life in the year 1900. Imagine how people heated their homes. Think about how people got from place to place. Yes, there was the steam engine, but personal travel was walking or with a horse and buggy. The world is better than ever and one of the foundational reasons for this is because of access to energy. On a daily basis, the average person is estimated to use about 41 pounds of coal in energy per day…that’s 15,000 pounds a year. But that is changing quickly. In this interview, energy expert Lauren Azar talks about her 25 year career in the energy field and what the future of energy in America will look like. Lauren discusses:

Part I: Working in the Field of Energy

Mentorship, young people entering the energy field, energy industry law, working in the Department of Energy, working for the federal government, working for Secretary Chu, navigating hard power and soft power in decision making, working in a male dominated industry

Part II: Planning for Changes in Energy Sources and Overall Consumption.

Energy policy planning, security vulnerabilities in the electrical grid system, the future of coal in America, the future of renewable energy, energy storage methods (battery, compressed air, etc), solar panels, internet of things and AI’s impact on energy, solar roads

Organizations, People, and Resources Mentioned: Former Secretary of the Department of Energy Steven Chu, Xcel Energy

“Once energy storage becomes cost effective, we no longer need to have just-in-time infrastructure. That is going to fundamentally change this industry. It’s going to fundamentally change this nation.”

Lauren Azar on the impact energy storage capabilities will have on our future energy supply.

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