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Conservation isn’t just about protecting land—it’s about understanding it. And in this episode, Heidi Peterson from the Sand County Foundation helps us explore how healthy land management starts with local knowledge, long-term thinking, and partnerships that actually work.

We talk about:

• The real-world tension between productivity and sustainability
• Why the best conservation efforts are co-created, not handed down
• What being a steward of soil health looks like in the industry and as a consumer.

If you care about food, farming, or the future of the land we live on, this episode offers a practical, hopeful look at conservation that’s not just ecological—it’s personal.

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From contaminated farm runoff to pulling moisture straight from sea air, hydrologist Dr. Praveen Kumar explores the future of water—how we’re wasting it, how we can reclaim it, and why smarter infrastructure might just change everything.

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We rely on insects more than we realize—until they become a problem. In this episode, entomologist Dr. Christelle Guédot helps us untangle the delicate balance between pests we fight and pollinators we depend on.

From fruit crops to backyard gardens, Dr. Guédot breaks down how insect behavior shapes our food system, what happens when we tip that balance, and how farmers and researchers are working with—not just against—nature.

We explore:

• Why pollinator health is declining (and why it matters)
• How we monitor and manage agricultural pests
• The future of farming in a world of changing ecosystems

Whether you grow food or just eat it, this episode will change how you think about the smallest creatures doing the biggest work.

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In a world flooded with headlines, hashtags, and health advice, how do you actually reach people—and help them change?

Dr. Sarah Bass has spent her career studying that question. As a professor of public health communication, she works at the intersection of science, trust, and human behavior—helping health campaigns move from ignored to impactful.

In this episode of Trying 2 Learn, we dig into what separates effective messaging from noise, how culture and context shape communication, and why effective public health is about both sharing accurate information and helping people feel empowered to act.

Whether you’re a health pro, a policymaker, or a normal human confused about our current health communication, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on how we talk about public health.

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If you're interested in sustainable agriculture, land management, or the intersection of farming and ecology, this episode of Trying 2 Learn is for you. I sit down with Dr. Lisa Norton, a landscape ecologist and agroecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology . Dr. Norton has spent over two decades studying the intricate relationships between agriculture, ecology, and land management. Her work focuses on sustainable land use practices that support biodiversity and ecosystem services.

We delve into the differences between organic and conventional farming systems, discussing how organic practices can enhance biodiversity and landscape complexity . Dr. Norton shares insights from her research on the ecological impacts of farming practices and the importance of integrating ecological principles into agricultural policy and practice.

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What if the key to treating disease wasn’t to overpower the body—but to work with its existing systems?

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Borriello, founder of Alloplex Biotherapeutics, to explore a new approach to therapy—one that uses natural immune regulation instead of chemical force. We talk through the science behind Alloplex’s platform, how it’s aiming to activate—not suppress—the body’s own healing potential, and why that shift in mindset could change everything from how we treat cancer to how we think about drug development.

Frank’s not just a scientist or a strategist—he’s someone with a lived stake in the problem. His personal experience with loss gives him a proximity-driven insight that makes this work feel urgent, not theoretical.

If you're interested in biotech, systems thinking, or just want to hear from someone who’s building differently—this one’s worth your time.

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Deirdre McCarthy is a distinguished researcher with a passion for understanding the complex interplay between environmental exposures and genetic inheritance. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work on substance exposure in mice and how it can impact not only the exposed individuals but also their subsequent generations.

Join us as we unravel the fascinating discoveries made by Deirdre McCarthy and her team, delving into the mechanisms of epigenetics and how they can transmit the effects of substance exposure across generations in mice.

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Elle Murata has dedicated her career to studying how female hormone cycles influence neural activity, cognition, and behavior. In this episode, she shares her profound insights into the connections between the brain and the fluctuations in hormones experienced by women throughout their menstrual cycles.

Join us as we delve into the latest scientific
findings, uncovering how hormones like estrogen and progesterone impact
neurotransmitter levels, neural plasticity, and even emotional processing. Elle
demystifies common misconceptions and sheds light on the true extent of the
influence that hormone fluctuations can have on the female brain.

**note in this episode it is stated that the NIH mandated sex as a biological variable in 2014 but it was actually in 2016**

--Links--

You can find more about Elle’s work, https://jacobs.psych.ucsb.edu/

For more information on Quansys Biosciences visit our website https://www.quansysbio.com/

Please direct any questions or inquiries for The Why Science initiative to podcast@quansysbio.com