Polymer Science Podcast

Hosted by Alicia Botes and Jacob Schekman

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Latest episode

Mar 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Two scientists from opposite ends of the Earth speak with researchers around the world to break down their fascinating work in polymer science, chemistry, material science, and engineering. Join Dr. Alicia Botes and Jacob Schekman as they break down exciting discoveries on the Polymer Science Podcast! Questions or comments? Contact us at polymersciencepodcast@gmail.com

Listen to episodes

45 recent

March 31, 2026Episode 451 hr 1 min

Episode 39: Dr. Yoan Simon talks about the grad school experience, professorship, and adaptive polymer networks

Welcome back everyone! Please enjoy this jovial interview with Dr. Yoan Simon, Associate Professor of Polymer Science with the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing at Arizona State University. Do you have any questions, comments, or feedback for the show? Please reach out to us at PolymerSciencePodcast@gmail.com #Polymers #PolymerScience #Engineering #USM #ASU #Vitrimer #UpConversion #TTA #Mechanochemistry #Chemistry

October 10, 2024Episode 4439 min

Episode 38: Talking to Julia K Wright about textiles, weaving and using the loom

Today we listen to Julia Wright, who is a fascinating and unique guest to have on our show! In this episode we learn all about the Loom and what goes into the art of weaving. She is a contemporary textile artist and engineer currently based in Ithaca, NY while working in the biomedical textile engineering field. She received her Bachelors in Fine Arts for Textiles with a focus on weaving from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2016 and is currently giving artist talks, demonstrations, and doing exhibitions with her wonderful woven art. https://amadeusmag.com/blog/julia-wright-weaving-cosidered-work/ https://www.julia--wright.com/ Hope you enjoy!

June 24, 2024Episode 431 hr 4 min

Episode 37: Dr. Frank Leibfarth discusses polymer recycling and PFAS filtratrion

In this interview from November 2022, Dr. Frank Leibfarth discusses the exciting research coming from his group. Dr. Leibfarth cultivated a passion for organic synthetic polymer chemistry, and utilizes his many talents and excellent leadership to guide his group toward the production of sustainable polymer materials. Papers discussed in this interview: "Diversification of Aliphatic C-H Bonds in Small Molecules and Polyolefins through Radical Chain Transfer" For those interested in learning more, please reach out to us at PolymerSciencePodcast@gmail.com

May 4, 2024Episode 4256 min

Episode 36: Dr. Kevin Wyss discusses Flash-Joule Heating, Polymer Upcycling, and Life-Cycle Assessment

We are back! Again! Much has changed since I've last been able to post an episode, but the wonders of polymer science continue propagating! In this interview we hear from Dr. Kevin Wyss, who earned his PhD during August of 2023 from Rice University. Dr. Wyss has since taken his incredible talents with him to Schlumberger, advancing the frontier of sustainable materials. Tune in to the show to learn more about polymer upcycling, graphene generation through flash-joule heating, and the significance of life-cycle assessment when generating novel materials. Do you have any questions, comments, or feedback for the show? Please reach out to us at PolymerSciencePodcast@gmail.com

March 16, 2024Episode 4129 min

Episode 35: Talking to Joe Mwakiremba about upcycling flip-flops from beaches in Kenya

In this episode, we listen to Joe Mwakiremba, a hardworking and passionate sales representative for Ocean Sole in Kenya, talk about how they are upcycling trashed flip-flop while simultaneously cleaning up the environment and creating stable jobs for many people. Check out these links to YouTube and watch these flip-flops being turned into amazing sculptures! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK-BHZs7GxE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZV9J62Z2Vk If you want to support this project for your business or simply have a uniquely stunning art piece in your home, check out this link to their website: https://oceansole.com/pages/our-impact You can find Joe via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemama/ Hope you enjoy the episode!

December 11, 2023Episode 4034 min

Episode 34: Dr Mapula Razwinani talks about plant-based bandages with medicinal features

Today I spoke to Dr Mapula about patents, polymers in wound healing treatment, medicinal plants and empowering women in science particularly in Africa. She is a warm, kind and self driven biomedical researcher and entrepreneur with comprehensive accomplishment in clinical research and tissue engineering. Please check her page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mapula-razwinani-17ba6655/ And see her award as L’Oréal-UNESCO FWIS South Africa National Young Talent 2023: https://www.dut.ac.za/duts-dr-mapula-razwinani-recognised-as-one-of-the-phenomenal-women-scientists/ UNSECO: https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/women-science You can read more about her work here: https://www.scitcentral.com/article.php?journal=55&article=1218&article_title=The%20Effects%20of%20Pleurostylia%20capensis%20Crude%20Extracts%20on%20the%20Chondrogenic%20Differentiation%20of%20Porcine%20Adipose-Derived%20Mesenchymal%20Stem%20Cells

September 6, 2023Episode 391 hr 7 min

Episode 33: Dr. Boran ”Bo” Ma discusses computational modeling in polymers, comedy in science, and living in Hattiesburg

Dr. Boran “Bo” Ma established the Ma Research Lab in January 2023 in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to joining the SPSE, Dr. Bo was a postdoctoral associate at Duke University. She received her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University in 2019 and her BEng in Materials Science and Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2014. Now the Ma Research Lab focuses on multiscale computational modeling and simulation of polymeric material systems for energy and sustainability applications. Ma Research Lab webpage: https://www.maresearchlab.com/

July 16, 2023Episode 3827 min

Episode 32: Gregory Parisi tells us more about adaptable Fog water collection using switchable electrospun fibers

Today we are talking to Gregory Parisi about harvesting water in variable humidity conditions studying specifically the wetting properties of electrospun polymer materials. Gregory is a PhD student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and worked as a Fulbright fellow at the AGH-UST Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science in Poland with Urszula Stachewicz, a previous guest on our show. Please see the link below to the study group that he joined in Poland: http://www.tem.agh.edu.pl/main_new/index.php/en/41-pracownicy/38-dr-eng-urszula-stachewicz Hope you enjoy this episode! Alicia

June 11, 2023Episode 3730 min

Episode 31: Adam Hecht from Dive Design on 3D printing prosthesis for dogs and more

In this episode we talk to Adam Hecht, Co-Founder, Designer and Director of Additive Manufacturing at DiveDesign. He tells us more about what goes into running a 3D company and all the products that they are currently making. He also have some amazing collaborations and interesting projects, from turning trash from the ocean into furniture to helping disabled ducks, dogs and even a Elephant! Hope you enjoy the conversation! Here are the links mentioned in the show: https://www.divedesignco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hecht-b55959104/ https://www.instagram.com/divedesignco/?hl=en Let us know what you think of this episode and share if you enjoyed it!

April 5, 2023Episode 3622 min

Episode 30: Dr Aurelien Forget speaks about a wonderful new Free Radical Polymerization game that is for everyone

In this episode we listen to Dr Aurelien Forget talk about his work and research interests. He also shares details about a fun and educative card game that he developed called Macromolecular Games: A Free Radical Polymerization Card Game. This card game is made for anyone that wish to understand polymerization and can even be customized with you own logo or tag that you would like displayed on the cards (great for companies and Universities). The aim of this game is to form polymer chains with the higher molecular weight. Only terminated polymer chains are counted. The set is composed of two card decks each with 55 cards. The decks contain four monomers, four special cards: copolymer, termination, SFRP and CTA. It can be played competitively with friends, colleagues or family (with no Polymer Science Background)! Learn more by visiting this links: https://instagram.com/macromoleculargames?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://www.forgetlab.com/dr-aurelien-forget-1 You also a get a special 10% discount code for your support to this podcast: https://macromolecular-games.myshopify.com/discount/polymersciencepodcast10?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Ffree-radical-polymerization-card-game We would love to know what you think about the game, so please leave a comment if you have played it! And share this episode if you like it!