Today we connect with Todd Riley Callaway to discuss microbiome and dairy science-related issues. Todd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia, where he unravels “the microbial ecology of the gut in food animals, and how this can affect foodborne pathogenic bacterial populations as well as antimicrobial resistance transfer.”

Todd grew up on a small horse, dairy, and beef farm, and pursued a career path as a ruminant microbiologist as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia. Since receiving his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal and Dairy Science in 1993 and 1996, Todd has gone on to research topics related to the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract of animals – seeking to improve animal health, animal welfare, and food safety.

Click play to hear Todd discuss:

• How microbes across various ecosystems interact with each other.
• Why it is difficult to understand what good and bad microbiome really is.
• How microbial populations affect meat quality.

Want to find out more about Todd and his work with animal and dairy science? Click here now!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

John Sheppard joins this episode to discuss the biological processes attached to beer fermentation. As a Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State, John teaches in the Bioprocessing Science major with particular interests in upstream processes and validation.

Click play and you will discover:

• The difference between major beer production and craft beer production.
• How John’s brewing research influenced his career path.
• The physical and chemical factors that determine beer quality.
• How breweries make low and non-alcoholic beer.

Wondering how scientists contribute to the innovation behind beer fermentation? If so, this episode is sure to pique your interest!

Click here to learn more about John and his work!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Joining the podcast today is Katie J. Field, Professor of Plant-Soil Processes at The University of Sheffield. With a deep fascination for plant and fungal interactions, Katie spends her time exploring the huge impact this relationship has on the world we live in today.

Presently, Katie’s research focuses on plant-fungal symbioses and their applications in sustainable agriculture, and the evolution, diversity, and ecology of plant-fungal symbioses. These investigations have led her to an array of interesting discoveries – all having to do with the innate complexities within our planet’s ecosystem…

Tune in now to discover:

• Typical plant-fungi associations, and how they arise.
• What plant-fungal symbioses is, and how it occurs in nature.
• How fungal roots can protect plants against disease.
• The complexity of soil, and how it influences plant-fungal interactions.

So much of the plant life that we are familiar with has connections with fungal partners. Wondering how this plays into the overall functionality of our planet’s ecosystem as we know it? Jump into the conversation now to find out!

You can learn more about Katie and her research by clicking here!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q