The OIST Podcast

Okinawa’s hidden shark hotspots have a vital role as shark sanctuaries

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Okinawa and its surrounding waters represent what marine biologists call a "shark and ray hotspot" in terms of both diversity and conservation signifi...

Meet Sputniko!, the artist changing how we experience science through art

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OIST’s first exhibition by a visiting artist transforms data on coral reef health into a thought-provoking artistic experience. Hiromi Ozaki, k...

Tech startup aims to shape the future of unmanned drone systems

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From delivering medicine to managing drone fleets, Vyorius CEO Nishant Singh Rana shares his startup journey and insights. He discusses how Vyorius ev...

OIST scientist visits Antarctica as part of a global leadership initiative

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our latest OIST podcast episode, science communicator Merle Naidoo talks to Prof. Síle Nic Chormaic, head of OIST’s Light-Matter Interactions fo...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation― Part 6

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2023, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation― Part 5

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2023, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation― Part 4

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2024, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation― Part 3

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipie...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation― Part 2: Panel Discussion

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipie...

Cutting-edge Science Toward Social Implementation ― Part 1

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipie...

A day in the life of the OIST's Visiting Program (TSVP)

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is third podcast episode where DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Visiting Program (TSVP). In this documentary, you...

How the serotonin system connects robots with mental health

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this latest episode of OIST’s podcast featuring researchers from the OIST Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation, a center dedicated to promo...

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, introduces the Thematic Program of OIST TSVP

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Visiting Program (TSVP). In this episode, he introduces the Thematic Programs that st...

Making sci-fi healthcare with microfluidic devices and anti-senescence supplements

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embark on a journey into the future of healthcare with the fifth OIST podcast episode on the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation. DJ Nick Lusco...

One World, One Health: The Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation’s quest for sustainable solutions

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of OIST’s Global Bioconvergence Center podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe speaks to the team managing the Global Bioconvergence ...

Podcast Bonus: New Ratio interviews musician Aragaki Mutsumi

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the OIST Podcast, we introduce listeners to the latest episode of New Ratio, a podcast by OIST Podcaster in Residence DJ Nick Lusc...

What listening to birds can teach us about our ecosystems

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of our Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe speaks with researchers from the OKEON Churam...

Deep dive into marine science: Dynamic duo boosts coral reef research at OIST

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode of the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe discusses coral reef research at OIST with P...

What makes a healthy mind?

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Delve into the first episode of a six-part series on the innovative research conducted at the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation. DJ Nick Lusc...

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, explores the Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program (TSVP)

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program (TSVP). In this episode, he talks to Dr. Jonas ...

Connectomics #9 - Andrea Hiott on Cognition as Navigation

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #9 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark sits down with neuroscientist and philosopher Andrea Hiott. In this episode they talk about Andrea's w...

Connectonomics #8 - Dr. Abeba Birhane on the limits and liabilities of artificial intelligence

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #8 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark sits down with cognitive scientist and ethical AI researcher, Dr. Abeba Birhane. In this episode...

Unravelling enzymes with Prof. Paola Laurino

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prof. Paola Laurino leads the Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). Fa...

Connectonomics #6 - Dr. Mog Stapleton on the enactive approach, empirical science, and the role of ritual in eduction and transformation

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #6 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with philosopher of embodied cognitive science, Dr. Mog Stapleton. Mog is presently a visitin...

Connectonomics #5 - Roope Kaaronen on embodiment, sustainability and strategic design interventions

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #5 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with sustainability researcher Roope Kaaronen. Roope is a postdoc at the University of Helsi...

Connectonomics #4 - Marek McGann

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #4 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with theoretical cognitive scientist Marek McGann. Marek is a lecturer in the psychology dep...

Connectonomics #3 - Laura Mojica

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #3 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with philosopher Laura Mojica. At the time of recording Laura was also working in the Embodie...

Connectonomics #2 - Dr. Fred Cummins on embodiment as a frame for the sciences

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #2 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with Dr. Fred Cummin, head of the Cognitive Science program at University College Dublin. ...

Connectonomics #1 - Dr. Tom Froese on embodied cognitive science and its implications

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode #1 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with Dr. Tom Froese, head of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Sc...

Connectonomics - Trailer

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Connectomics explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technology and design.

Cephalopod behavior with Dr. Teresa Iglesias

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Dr. Teresa Iglesias, team leader for cephalopod support in OIST’s Animal Resources Section, talks about her career working with ceph...

Connectomics: An Introduction

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Connectomics podcast, a spin-off from the OIST podcast, explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technol...

When robots become researchers with Prof. Hiroaki Kitano

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Will robots become researchers? On this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Kitano talks about his vision for utilizing AI to move beyond human limitations in the ...

Evolution and Pokémon GO with Dr. Dan Warren

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the OIST podcast, Dr. Dan Warren talks about his many research projects, or ‘hobbies’, that use quantitative methods to answer ...

Women in STEM

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Podcast host, Lucy Dickie, speaks to four female researchers about the challenges that come with being a woman working in STEM, their own personal exp...

Symbiosis and evolution with Prof. Filip Husnik

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Prof. Filip Husnik, who leads the Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit, talks about his research on symbiosis. Tune in to hear...

Cephalopods and neuroethology with Prof. Sam Reiter

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, Lucy Dickie speaks to Prof. Sam Reiter about cephalopods, the emerging field of neuroethology, and how we can learn more about the brai...

Scientific outreach and the OIST Science Festival

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about scientific outreach. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to a community relations staff member and two scientists about ...

Climate change in the Pacific with Professor Tim Ravasi

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s part two of our clownfish podcast! Professor Tim Ravasi uses clownfish to determine how a warmer, more acidic ocean might impact fish communiti...

Clownfish with Prof. Vincent Laudet

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about clownfish! Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to Professor Vincent Laudet who leads OIST’s Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit a...

Plankton research and marine conservation with Margaret Mars Brisbin

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Mars Brisbin is a recent OIST graduate whose PhD focused on Acantharians – tiny, marine organisms. Science communication fellow, Lucy Dicki...

OIST’s response to COVID-19 with Professor Mary Collins

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to OIST Provost Professor Mary Collins about COVID-19. We talk about the virus but also OIST’s response to the outbreak in...

The Physics of Behavior with Greg Stephens

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Lucy Dickie speaks to OIST adjunct researcher Professor Greg Stephens about quantifying behavior. Greg looks at systems across the biolog...

Marine Science at OIST

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the OIST podcast, we talk with Michael Izumiyama and Billy Moore. Both are first year marine science students and have just return...

Radical Collaboration with James Higa

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we're I’m talking with James Higa, Okinawan raised luminary of Silicon Valley. We talk Apple, philanthropy, and the future of tech in O...

Animal Behavior with Tamar Gutnick

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, we talk with OIST Researcher Dr. Tamar Gutnick about working with animals, choosy tortoises, petting stingrays and the mysterious lives ...

Particles and Positivity with GP Yeh

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're chatting with Dr GP. Yeh - veteran of FermiLab for 30 years, and now heading up the GP Yeh Foundation as well as being a member of the adv...

Cell Signalling with Thomas Kornberg

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, we talk to Dr. Thomas Kornberg, professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of C...

Mathematics, Language and Much More with Tadashi Tokeida

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tadashi Tokieda is a professor in the Department of Mathematics, Stanford University. He grew up as a painter in Japan, became a classical philologi...

Binary Neutron Stars with Samaya Nissanke

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Samaya Nissanke is an astrophysicist at the University of Amsterdam’s center of excellence for Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA). She...

Embodied cognitive science with Professor Tom Froese

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Tom Froese is the head of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)....

Quantum gravity with Professor Yasha Neiman

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Yasha Neiman is the head of the Quantum Gravity Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). He spend...

Circadian rhythms with Professor Fred Turek

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Fred Turek is the Director of the Center for Sleep & Circadian Biology and Charles & Emma Professor of Biology in the Department of Neurobio...

Leadership in science with Sir Jim Smith

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Jim Smith is Head of the Wellcome Science Review and Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute’s Developmental Biology Laboratory. He is also ...