Microbes and Us

With International Microorganism Day (17 September) just around the corner, hosts Eleni Koursari and Joseph Shuttleworth, bring in IMD volunteers, Filipa and Helene, as guests to talk about some of the great initiatives that are planned for this year, including events, blog, illustration galleries and more…

FEMS2023 Plenary Speaker, Rita Colwell, joins us to discuss her research interests on waterborne diseases, with a focus on cholera and satellite-based data collection. This podcast also covers her experience in science education for young age groups.

Microbiologists are the key to addressing waterborne disease. With a Portable Microbiology Laboratory (PML), anyone can be a water microbiologist. Podcast host Joseph Shuttleworth is joined by the creator of the PML, Bob Metcalf, Professor Emeritus at California State University (Sacramento), and Dinah Chienjo, Director of the community project Fiends of The Old (FOTO), who leads the training and use of the PML in villages in Kenya. In this episode we discuss the history and development of the PML, and its impact on locally organized and community focused drinking water testing. 

Join our host Joseph Shuttleworth as we talk to the team that designed BacteriaGame. Created by our Member Society, the French Society of Microbiology, BacteriaGame is a card game developed to help university students learn about antibiotics and bacteria. We discuss the development process, the reaction and outcomes from students, and how you can get your hands on a copy of the game! 

In this episode, hosts Joseph Shuttleworth and Corrado Nai, welcome Gavin Douglas the winner of the #FEMSmicroBlog Writing Competition. They chat about the challenges and opportunities for writers to incorporate science in fictional stories. The winning short story “Mutiny” by Gavin Douglas, a tale about radical climate action from dedicated scientists, is narrated at the end of the episode.

Looking forward to International Microorganism Day, episode hosts Eleni Koursari and Joseph Shuttleworth chat about six recent microbe-themed developments perhaps unknown to you. From the largest bacterium ever found, fungi and viruses that cure diseases, to shoe-making bacteria and bacteria that can power electronics, there is something in this episode for everyone!

Bringing you the story of a woman that revolutionized microbiology, but is ever hardly recognized. In this episode, hosts Eleni Koursari and Corrado Nai welcome Vanesa Ayala-Nuñez and chat about the discovery of culturing microorganisms using agar made by Angelina Fanny Hesse. We also discuss women in microbiology and what changed from the 19th century until today.

Dr Jennifer Gardy and our podcast host Eleni Koursari talk about the World Microbe Forum (20-24 June 2021)! With less than a month to go until the event we share with you details on sessions and how to make the most out of this online microbial meeting. 

Episode host Joseph Shuttleworth and Prof Linda J Kenney, FEMS Ambassador for the USA discuss research, career progression, networking and public perception of science. 

Sneak peak into our new podcast - Microbes and Us - brought to you by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS).

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