STEAM Powered
Episodes
The power of the generalist with Ee Ting Choo
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Systems thinking allows you to see both the pain points and the potential of every situation. It's a skill that you can cultivate in yourself, and tha...
The hidden STEMM powerhouse of medical imaging with Chaundria Singleton
24 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every person will have experiences with medical imaging at some point in their lives. For most, the first time will be with an ultrasound before you a...
The justice system and community health with Dr Hayley Passmore
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The justice system is part of community health with more overlap than one might expect. So just as we've done with healthcare, how can we shift our ap...
The astronomic potential of transferable skills and the place of space on earth with Asha Stabback
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a place for everyone in space. It's an extension of our planetary ecosystem and just as multidisciplinary as the world around us. The key is t...
Live virtual music experiences using emerging technologies with Sally Coleman
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world of musical and creative expression is continuously evolving, and there are more ways to create and engage with music, and audiences, than ev...
The epidemiology of space with Sabine Bellstedt
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A lot about what it is to be human is understanding who we are and where we came from, whether that's genetically, geographically, or otherwise. But w...
Plumbing the depths of continence with Sheena Lagat
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have to get past this stigma over talking about wee, poo, and other toileting activities. It's something that we have to do every day, and if you'r...
Cultures, culture, and identity with Jayashree Srinivasan
18 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cultures have an incredible impact on our society, and not just anthropologically. Cultures in a microbial context have an equally significant impact ...
Engineering, climate action, and politics with Zaneta Mascarenhas MP
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Changes in career aren't a divergence from a path. The common thread is you, your experience, and how you can apply what you know in a difference spac...
Superbugs and penpals with Dr Jennifer Payne
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having a penpal can be a life-changing experience. You can connect with someone over shared and unique experiences, and learn about a life or environm...
Clinical Trial Nursing and the STEMM of Nursing with Ellen Yeo
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nurses don't get enough credit for what they do. Despite being an essential role in healthcare, it's still an often misunderstood and underrated field...
Innovating for Social Impact with Rumee Singh
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not everyone has that pivotal moment where they realise what they want to do with their life, and that's okay. The important thing is to be open to id...
Narrative for social change and science communication, and AI in the creative process with Joanna Beveridge
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Humans are fascinating. We have this incredible capacity for creativity, resilience, and invention, and have been keen to dabble in technologies that ...
Building compassionate tech, and advocating for diverse voices with Bec Nguyen
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many of my guests, the careers and fields that we're in now didn't exist or were just newly conceived when we were at university. So those indirec...
Chasing fireballs and the evolution of our solar system with Professor Gretchen Benedix
18 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've spoken about indirect career paths, but Professor Gretchen Benedix calls hers the pinball method, starting on a course that could change directi...
Veterinary policy and mental health with Dr Lydia Pethick
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A common misconception about veterinary sciences is that it’s all about puppies and kittens, but that’s not always the case. Like other care provi...
Plant immune systems and SciArt with Eleonora Moratto
25 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A common thread between the arts and the sciences is storytelling. In both scenarios you’re building worlds, and creating an understanding of the me...
Growth and sustainability with Dr Sandy Chong
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sustainability is more than just the environment. If you look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it's also about accessibility, equity, and incl...
Creating opportunities for work-life choices with Dr Sirisha Kuchimanchi
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is your personal worth? From an internal perspective, it's about having confidence in your sense of self and your values. But let's expand on tha...
Systems thinking and the future of architecture with Evelyn Lee
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Architecture has always struck me as a multidisciplinary field. It draws knowledge from all areas of STEMM into creating the spaces in which we live a...
The interconnectedness of seemingly disparate things with Laura Langdon
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. But for today's guest, it's about both. Laura Langdon is a developer advocate who has the plea...
Bringing compassion back to technology with April Wensel
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We could all do with a little bit more compassion in our lives, and April Wensel is making sure that we can bring it to our work as well. April Wensel...
Geospatial analysis and making information beautiful with Helen McKenzie
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Geographic information systems. There, I've lost a few of you already, but you're missing out because GIS is more than about where things are, but why...
Reinvention with humility & embracing innovation with Lan Tran
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You have to pivot or reinvent yourself to stay relevant. This idea gets bandied about a lot these days but there are going to be times in your life an...
Health and medical research strategy with Professor Moira Clay
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever thought about asking a member of Parliament how to become Prime Minister? Moira Clay, a leading research strategist, asked that very question, an...
Science film-making and D&D with Shamini Bundell
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Science communication comes in all mediums, from film-making to journalism, even Dungeons and Dragons, and Shamini Bundell does it all.Shamini is an a...
Branding for Connection and FemTech with Ari Krzyzek
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever looked at a business beyond their visual branding and thought about who they are and what they stand for, and who the owners are and wha...
Segue: Women and caste in tech in India with Raksha Kumar
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bias and discrimination are everywhere. It's something we as a society are generally trying to improve. But when it comes to solutions, there is nuanc...
Biomedical to software engineering and paying our experiences forward through mentoring with Krithika Chandramouli
04 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you can't decide between two career paths, try exploring both. Krithika Chandramouli found biomedical engineering to be a sweet spot between health...
The human side of clinical development and re-inspiring curiosity in science with Leah Elson
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Compassion in healthcare is about operating with respect in more ways than one. We've spoken previously about the cultural side of medicine and the pr...
Science Entrepreneurship and Turning Waste into Resources with Dr Kandis Leslie Gilliard-AbdulAziz
04 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, R...
Tech, the Arts, and the Value of Human Interaction with Shirley Yu
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shirley Yu is the CEO and Founder of Choosii, the community app for everyone that loves to collect (including herself and her friends - crazy plant c...
DNA - The Code of Life and Diversity for Innovation with Dr Parwinder Kaur
10 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader and positive role model as a mother, and a professor in science for the next g...
Satellites, Wildfires, and Geography as Home Economics on a Global Scale with Dr Jessica McCarty
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Jessica McCarty is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Geography and Director of the Geospatial Analysis Center at Miami University in the ...
Inquiry-based learning and the impact of educators with Anna Ritzema
13 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Ritzema is a passionate STEM educator, working in rural and regional Western Australia. In 2020 she was named WA Science and Engineering Teacher...
Cultivating careers and diversity in tech with Gry Stene
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gry Stene loves to share her observations from her 30+ years as an "IT Girl" aka Woman in Tech. When it came to choosing a career, Gry only had a cou...
Journeying through academia, industry, and entertainment with Dr Erin Macdonald
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Erin Macdonald (PhD, Astrophysics) is a tattooed one-woman STEM career panel, with recognition as a researcher, speaker, engineer, and consultant bef...
Genetic Counselling & DNA with Kira Dineen
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM, has a decade of podcast experience fueled by a passion for science communication. She has hosted and produced 6 pod...
Better Patient Outcomes through Healthcare IT with Robin Wiener
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Wiener is a nationally recognised leader and change agent in healthcare IT and patient engagement. She brings more than 20 years of experience i...
She Codes and Building Community in Tech with Kate Kirwin
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Kirwin is a passionate advocate for women in STEM and the innovation ecosystem. Founder of She Codes, she has led the steep growth of the project...
Forensic Chemistry and Physical Evidence with Dr Kari Pitts
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kari Pitts is a Forensic Chemist and Mineralogist in the Physical Evidence Team of ChemCentre’s Forensic Science Laboratory. She holds a PhD and ...
Sustainable Mental Health in the Workplace & Better Work with Dr Nicole Tschierske
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nicole Tschierske is a scientist and positive psychology coach who helps experts and teams in STEM do better work. Nicole works with her clients im...
Segue: Data Visualisation and Florence Nightingale with RJ Andrews
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
RJ Andrews is author and founder of Info We Trust. He is also the editor of the Information Graphic Visionaries book series. RJ's talent is helping or...
Better Technical Interviews and the Inclusivity of Remote Work with Jocelyn James
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jocelyn James is an engineering manager whose previous careers have included teaching, refugee services, and mental health research. As a disabled wom...
Developer Education & Career Development with Rachel Lee Nabors
02 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Lee Nabors has worked in the web development industry for over a decade, working on web animations APIs and tooling with Mozilla, Firefox and t...
Episode Swap: History Detective - Janine Haines
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week STEAM Powered is doing an episode swap with History Detective by Kelly Chase. History Detective is a podcast for teachers, students and love...
Cultivating STEMM and Entrepreneurial Life Skills with Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen OAM is a futurist who believes existing structures in the technology industry must change in order to serve tomorrow's digital la...
Leadership and the Arts in Science with Dr Naomi Boxall
20 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mild-mannered scientist by day, Dr Naomi Boxall is an intellectually curious, creative, change agent: always seeking to use my talents to improve heal...
Mechanical Engineering with Gabriella Martini
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gabriella Martini is a curious, dynamic and adaptive engineering professional with a proven record of managing a portfolio of engineering projects fro...
Data in Context with Audrey Lobo-Pulo
26 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Audrey Lobo-Pulo currently works at LinkedIn and holds a PhD in Physics and a Masters in Economic Policy. She is also accredited by the Internation...
Agroecology and Climate Change with Dr Anika Molesworth
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist and storyteller. She is widely recognised for her work in agriculture and food systems and generating clima...
Cyber Security with Cairo Malet
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cairo Malet (she/her) is a cyber security professional, specialising in governance, risk and compliance. She currently works for Octopus Deploy, leadi...
Native bees and biological taxonomy with Dr Kit Prendergast
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kit Prendergast, also known as The Bee Babette, is a native bee scientist and science communicator. Her research focuses on discovering the biodive...
Digital Commons and Public Policy with Pia Andrews
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pia Andrews is an open government and data ninja [1] who has been working in making the world a better place for 20 years. She currently works within ...
Developer Advocacy and Augmented & Virtual Reality with Jesslyn Tannady
05 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jesslyn Tannady is a Developer Advocate at Facebook. She creates educational content about Facebook's technologies so that anyone outside of Facebook ...
Aerospace Engineering with Dr Marsha Tufft
22 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Marsha Tufft is an engineer, author, speaker, and problem-solver. Her passion is helping kids succeed in STEM fields – science, technology, engi...
Learning sciences and science education with Dr Stephanie Ryan (#30)
08 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Stephanie Ryan, Ph.D. is a chemist, a boy mom, and a social media influencer who enjoys using her background to create superior educational product...
Antarctic Whales and Microbial Ecology with Dr Elanor Bell
24 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Elanor Bell is a senior research scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division where her role combines a passion for conservation and the polar m...
Planetary Sciences with Dr Carly Howett
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Carly Howett is an Associate Professor at Oxford University. She is mainly interested in understanding the surface properties of icy worlds, inclu...
Indirect Paths to Tech and Entrepreneurship with Helen Huang
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Helen (tw: @heyohelen) is an earth scientist turned product manager turned startup founder. After leaving her mark at companies such as Zynga, Microso...
Nuclear Physics and Society with Dr Shelly Lesher
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Shelly Lesher is a Professor and Chair of Physics at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (UWL) and a Guest Professor at the University of Notre ...
Science Communication Research with Dr Merryn McKinnon
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Merryn McKinnon's original degree was in marine science where, after the novelty of moving intertidal snails with a paint scraper wore off, she dis...
Public Health Engineering with Dr Dani Barrington
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Dani Barrington uses interactive methods to understand people’s experiences with toilets, menstrual health and hygiene, incontinence and water, w...
Chimpanzees and Habitat Fragmentation with Natasha Coutts
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Natasha Coutts is a doctoral candidate with the School of Human Sciences at The University of Western Australia (UWA), a postgraduate fellow with UWA'...
Computational Astrophysics and Kilonovae with Dr Heloise F. Stevance
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Originally born and raised in France, Dr Heloise F. Stevance moved to the UK to study Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sheffield. After work...
Technical Program Management with Megan Knox
21 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Megan Knox is an early-in-career technical program manager at Microsoft and recent graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Computer Sci...
Data visualisation with Annette Hester
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Annette Hester heads TheHesterView Inc. and focuses on a new approach to working with data. Her projects show innovation in action. She is best known ...
Entrepreneurship and Mentoring with Emily Ross
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Ross is a business strategist, advisor, and startup mentor. She is founder of Inkvine, an international growth partner for award-winning technol...
Environmental Education & Tree Hollows for Wildlife with Abbie Mitchell
08 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As an environmental educator Abbie Mitchell has led programs for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and EcoXplore. Founding Kids Connecting Natur...
Sharks and Science Communication with Dr Blake Chapman
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Blake Chapman is a science communicator who finds inspiration in the big, broad world around her. She is a stickler for factual information, but loves...
Alzheimer’s and Science Communication with Dr Sabine Bird
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabine Bird's background has taken her from a science degree at the University of Cologne in Germany, and extensive work experience at a biotech co...
Probiotic Durian Beer and Bubble Tea with Kriza Calumba
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kriza Calumba is an assistant professor of the Department of Food Science and Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. She previously ...
Mars Rovers with Keri Bean
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Keri Bean is a systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She is the deputy lead Rover Planner (aka Mars rover dr...
The Square Kilometre Array with Rebecca Wheadon
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Wheadon is an experienced manager with a background in project management and Mario Kart. She lives for riding her bike in circles over short ...
Publishing and Science Communication with Jasmine Fellows
18 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jasmine Fellows (tw: @jasfellows) has a passion for combining science and the arts, from hands-on experiments to hula hooping. She is the Editor of Do...
Computer Science and Writing About Epidemics with Amanda Hickie
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Hickie has always been interested in ethical questions - at the age of ten annoying her scripture teacher by asking if it was immoral to lie to...
Beauty Science with Dr Michelle Wong
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Michelle Wong is a science educator and content creator at Lab Muffin Beauty Science. Drawing on her chemistry PhD and extensive experience in educ...
Spatial Point Modelling with Prof Janine Illian
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Janine Illian joined the University of Glasgow as Chair in Statistical Sciences in 2019. Prior to this, she was a senior lecturer in statist...
Surgery & Operating With Respect with Assoc Prof Rhea Liang
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor Rhea Liang (tw: @LiangRhea) is a general and breast surgeon on the Gold Coast. She is a surgical educationalist, Surgical Discipli...
Cell Membrane Biophysics & Computational Chemistry with Dr Evelyne Deplazes
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Evelyne Deplazes (tw: @DeplazesEvelyne) is a biophysical and computational chemist who is fascinated by the molecular world. Her research is driven...
Game Ethics and Accessibility in Boardgames with Pauline Belford
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pauline Belford is an experienced educator who has spent nearly two decades teaching in post-16 education at both Further Education and Higher Educati...
Geochemistry and Geochronology with Stephanie E. Suarez
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Suarez (tw: @geologiststephy) is a PhD student specialising in geochemistry and geochronology. Her research interests include chronology of ...
Water Policy and Research with Dr Kat Taylor
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kat Taylor (tw: @Katselenataylor), is a researcher at the ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy. Through her work in Perth and regional Australi...
Renewable Energy in Agriculture with Karin Stark
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Karin Stark's (tw: @karinstark79) international and professional history combines 18 years of engagement with communities around contemporary environm...
Restoration Seed Ecology with Dr Lucy Commander
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Lucy Commander (tw: @lucy_commander) is a restoration seed ecologist who has spent over a decade undertaking scientific research with the mining in...
Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies with Rebecca Lim
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Lim (tw: @BiotechBec) is a scientist working on the clinical translation of cells from the human amniotic sac. She is scientific director for ...