Skip to main content
Science in a Cup

Science in a Cup

By Stressed Fruit Fly lab

Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use everyday but scientists may have a different meaning to it.

The podcast was delivered in series of ten episodes each. The first season started in August 2016 and the second one in December 2016.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Science in a Cup: Communication

Science in a CupSep 26, 2016

00:00
07:52
Science in a Cup: Forest Health

Science in a Cup: Forest Health

What is forest health? How do we protect them from invasive species (and what are they?). Dr David Coyle (http://davidcoyle.uga.edu) from the University of Georgia explains!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Jul 03, 201726:48
Science in a Cup: Conservation Genomics

Science in a Cup: Conservation Genomics

Who is the new ally for a threatened species, extinct in its southern range? Dr Kerensa McElroy is explaining to us the value of new DNA technologies for species conservation. In a new crowdfunded collaboration with the Hawkesbury Institute, Kerensa is using genomics to understand how to protect the black-throated finch and resurrect its population in New South Wales, Australia.


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

May 22, 201708:11
Science in a Cup: Ecosystem

Science in a Cup: Ecosystem

How do trees and microbes integrate to maximise productivity? Dr Francis Martin from France's INRA (Europe's top agricultural research institute) explains "ecosystem" and how his research institute uses this concept in their business model with the industry and society to maximise their productivity!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Jan 23, 201726:11
Science in a Cup: Bushfires

Science in a Cup: Bushfires

Bushfires, or wildfires, are something that citizens of dry places such as Australia and California have to live with every summer. Dr Hamish Clarke explains.


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Jan 09, 201710:31
Science in a Cup: Drought stress

Science in a Cup: Drought stress

Dr Markus Nolf explains how trees deal with the stress of drought and avoid embolisms (I had no idea trees had them, but they do!).


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Dec 19, 201609:23
Science in a Cup: Science

Science in a Cup: Science

Welcome to the second season of Science in a Cup. In this first episode, our host, Alexie, is giving us his take on the word 'science'!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Dec 12, 201617:02
Science in a Cup: Western

Science in a Cup: Western

Dr Yalin Liao has joined us from the Australian National University with a story about one of the most basic techniques is Life Sciences, Western (blotting).


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a short interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Oct 10, 201607:24
Science in a Cup: Stress

Science in a Cup: Stress

Dr Kay Anantanawat from the Murdoch University and Western Sydney University introduces how fruit flies (such as the pest Queensland fruit fly) perceive and cope with (environmental) stress.


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Oct 03, 201609:27
Science in a Cup: Communication

Science in a Cup: Communication

Boost your science knowledge with a Science in a Cup: In just a few minutes, Johanna Wong explains how plants and microbes communicate and how she is deciphering their vocabulary!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Sep 26, 201607:52
Science in a Cup: Probiotics

Science in a Cup: Probiotics

Deane Woruba from the Western Sydney University introduces the concept of probiotics, fitness, microbiomes (see Thomas's interview) and how his PhD research is helping farmers manage a terrible insect pest (Tephritid fruit flies such as the Queensland fruit fly).


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Sep 12, 201606:03
Science in a Cup: Metagenomics

Science in a Cup: Metagenomics

Dr Thomas Jeffries from the Western Sydney University introduces the concept of metagenomics, microbiomes and how such research can help understanding human health and climate change.


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Sep 05, 201603:45
Science in a Cup: Photosynthesis

Science in a Cup: Photosynthesis

Dr Alex Watson-Lazowski, a Western Sydney University post-doctoral research fellow, talk to us about photosynthesis and carbon concentrating plants that have adapted to hot and arid climates!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Aug 29, 201604:10
Science in a Cup: Rhizosphere

Science in a Cup: Rhizosphere

Western Sydney University research lecturer Dr Yolima Carrillo talks about soil and explains what a rhizosphere is and how it affects not only our crops but also our climate!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Aug 21, 201605:10
Science in a Cup: Agriculture

Science in a Cup: Agriculture

Robert Mueller, a Western Sydney University doctoral researcher, talks about how a beetle species is an expert farmer: a fungal garden kept disease free with organic pesticides!


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Aug 15, 201604:58
Science in a Cup: Bees

Science in a Cup: Bees

Western Sydney University doctoral researcher Bronwen Roy studies the viruses found in bees. But what is a bee for an Australian scientist?


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Aug 08, 201604:44
Science in a Cup: Symbiosis

Science in a Cup: Symbiosis

Western Sydney University researcher and DECRA Fellow Dr Jonathan Plett is explaining what the word "symbiosis" means for him.


Presented by Dr Alexie Papanicolaou of the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University, Australia), Science in a Cup is a 5 minute interview-style podcast where a scientist explains one word related to science. Sometimes it is a jargon but more often this is a word we use every day but scientists may have a different meaning.

Aug 01, 201605:14