Decoding the Pneumococcal Capsule With Moon Nahm

More from Meet the Microbiologist All episodes →

1. 

   E176 · 19 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

   Making Microbes Memorable: Dr. Warhol's Periodic Table of Microbes

   John Warhol, Ph.D., blends his Periodic Table of Microbes with rock music, movies, and state-microbe petitions to bring microbes' most unforgettable stories to light. Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZYEBfo4nHc

2. 

   E175 · 14 Aug 2026 · 58 min

   AI and the Future of Science, Discovery and Trust

   Stanley Malloy and Jack Gilbert unpack how AI tools are reshaping the microbial sciences—from genomics and microbial communities to manuscripts, peer review and publishing ethics—highlighting AI's power, potential and pitfalls for public trust in science. Episode Links: JMBE Collection: Practical and Positive Uses of AI in STEM Education MtM Survey: asm.org/mtmsurvey

3. 

   E174 · 11 May 2026 · 51 min

   The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan

   Glen McGugan, Ph.D., Director of ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit, discusses how curiosity‑driven research—from parasite virulence to CRISPR and complex microbial systems—drives tomorrow's breakthroughs. Ashley's Biggest Takeaways Mechanism discovery,encompasses all of the foundational basic research across the microbial sciences and is essential for all advances in microbial science. Many transformative technologies (e.g., CRISPR) originated from curiosity-driven, basic research rather than immediate practical goals. McGugan's experience as a Program Officer at NIH provided him with a broad…

4. 

   E173 · 17 Apr 2026 · 44 min

   Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories

   Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP) , and Rodney Rohde, Ph.D.,SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM , trace how passion‑driven, nonlinear paths in clinical microbiology led them from hospital benches and public health labs to academia and industry leadership. Their stories converge on a shared mission: to use diagnostics, outcomes research and lived experience to make microbiology relevant, contextual and approachable for patients, policymakers and the broader public. Links for This Episode: View Prinzi's ASM articles. View Rohde's ASM articles. Volunteer to write for ASM. Take the MTM listener survey!

5. 

   E171 · 13 Feb 2026 · 36 min

   From Earth to Orbit: Applied and Environmental Microbiology With Veronica Garcia

   From leading R&D at a biotech startup company to conducting environmental monitoring for NASA, Veronica Garcia, Ph.D. , Scientific Director of the ASM Applied and Environmental Microbiology unit shares how experiences throughout her career have informed her appreciation for microbes and their real-world applications. She also discusses how the ASM AEM unit will support scientists around the globe by fostering collaboration and advocating for scientific advancements in areas like climate change, water systems and food production. Ashley's Biggest Takeaways Prior to her role as Scientific…

6. 

   E170 · 24 Jan 2026 · 46 min

   Unraveling Introns and Expectations With Marlene Belfort, Ph.D.

   Marlene Belfort, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the University at Albany and author of Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors? , discusses her journey in science, balancing personal and professional life, the importance of fundamental research and the discovery of introns in bacteriophage. Links for This Episode Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors?: A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans .

7. 

   E169 · 24 Oct 2025 · 43 min

   The Gut Healing Power of Microbes and Cruciferous Vegetables

   Episode Summary Sue Ishaq, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Microbiomes at the University of Maine, discusses how gut microbes transform seemingly inert plant compounds—like glucosinolates found in broccoli—into powerful anti-inflammatory agents such as sulforaphane. Her research dives into the fascinating interplay between diet, cooking methods and the diversity of the gut microbiota, revealing how these factors influence the body's ability to produce health-promoting molecules. Links for This Episode mSystems paper: Early life exposure to broccoli sprouts confers stronger protection against…

8. 

   E168 · 25 Sep 2025 · 59 min

   Preventing Foodborne Pathogens With Plant-Derived Compounds with Karl Matthews

   Karl Matthews, Ph.D., Professor of Microbial Food Safety at Rutgers University, discusses ways to eliminate pathogens like Salmonella , E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria from fresh fruits and vegetables. He highlights the importance of preventative measures from farm to table, including the use of water antimicrobials, like chlorine, and photosensitizers, like curcumin. Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/6Wkef9RyUVE Ashley's Biggest Takeaways We consume billions of microorganisms in the food that we eat each day. Fresh fruits and vegetables that are not thermally processed are likely to carry a…

9. 

   E167 · 22 Aug 2025 · 40 min

   Early Microbial Life with Michael Lynch and Vaughn Cooper

   Michael Lynch, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Mechanisms of Evolution at Arizona State University and Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, examine the origins and trajectory of early microbial life (EML) and discuss the collaborative report between the American Academy of Microbiology and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which explores the journey of life on Earth, from non-living chemical compounds to early unicellular life, to the vast diversity of organisms we see today. This episode is brought…