Science and technology are evolving faster than ever, and it's thrilling to imagine where they might take us next. But which breakthroughs should we be paying attention to? Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our ...
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Ph D Scientist Podcasts

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Iron Nails and Citizen Scientists: How Researchers are Fighting Back Against Arsenic Contamination
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32:56An estimated 220 million people worldwide are affected by arsenic exposure. So how can communities be empowered to create and implement solutions themselves? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Jagannath Biswakarma, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, about the global threat of arsenic contaminatio…
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Balancing the Future is Taking a Summer Break!
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0:30Balancing the Future will be taking a break in August. In the meantime, you can catch up on any episodes you’ve missed in your podcast app of choice. Balancing the Future will return in September for the second half of Season 2. LINKS METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Po…
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Closing the Loop: How EV Battery Recycling Could Power a Circular Economy
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30:54What happens to electric vehicle batteries at the end of their life? The answer could help reshape not just battery recycling, but entire local economies. In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Jake Entwistle, Lead Engineer at Altilium Clean Technology, about the UK pilot plant that's pushing the boundaries of EV battery…
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Bugs As Drugs: A Journey into the Weird and Wonderful World of the Microbiome
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33:10What are “bugs as drugs?” These are live microbes used as therapies designed to help rebalance our microbiomes, offering hope against everything from antibiotic-resistant infections to chronic diseases. But working with living organisms isn’t as simple as formulating a pill. These therapies raise deep scientific, regulatory, and manufacturing chall…
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Culture Clash: How Traditional Farming and Cultivated Meat Can Work Together
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32:42Cultivated, or ‘lab-grown meat,’ offers a promising path for reducing climate impact and feeding a growing population. But what does this mean for the traditional agricultural industry? How can it embrace a technology that challenges a practice as old as civilization itself? In this episode of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah Schweizer and Chai Nu…
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All The Colors of the Rainbow: Why Hydrogen is More Complicated Than You Think
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34:04Hydrogen has long played a behind-the-scenes role in industry, but could it become a frontrunner in the race toward a cleaner energy future? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah Schweizer and Chai Nussbaumer dive into hydrogen’s evolving role in the green transition. From color-coded classifications like green, blue, and even "sad" hydrog…
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Prescription to Pop Culture: How GLP-1s Are Shaking up the Weight Loss and Health Care Industries
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33:21If you haven’t heard of GLP-1s, you’ve almost certainly come across the brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, but they’ve recently become household names thanks to their dramatic impact on weight loss. Beyond shedding pounds, early evidence also points to promising benefits for chronic …
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Understanding Through Storytelling: How Impactful Science Communication Can Make the Complex Accessible
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32:35In an age of constant scientific innovation and shifting public trust, how can science communication help bridge the gap between labs and lives? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah Schweizer and new co-host Chai Nussbaumer explore the powerful role that storytelling, emotion, and empathy play in making science more relatable and relevant…
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Season 2 of Balancing the Future Is Coming Soon!
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1:00Science and technology are evolving faster than ever, and it's exciting to imagine where they might take us next. But which breakthroughs should we be paying attention to? Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greene…
…
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How Can Evolving Battery Technology Push the EV and Energy Storage Markets?
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29:08For over 200 years, the fundamental principles of battery technology have remained largely unchanged. However, the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and the urgent need for efficient energy storage solutions for renewable sources have intensified efforts to push this technology further. In the final episode of Balancing the Future Season …
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How a Simple Blood Test Could Help Effective Breast Cancer Screening and Monitoring
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24:42Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with over 2.3 million cases diagnosed globally each year. While current detection methods like mammograms and self-exams are valuable, they’re not without limitations. But what if a simple blood test could revolutionize early detection and save countless lives? In this episode of Balancing the Fu…
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The Hidden Crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Contaminated Water
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27:25Antibiotics have saved millions of lives over the past century. However, their widespread use has led to a crisis – the evolution of antimicrobial resistance or AMR. According to a 2024 study, over a million people have been killed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria since 1990. This number is only set to rise over the coming decades. In this episode …
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Science Beyond Earth: How Do We Conduct Experiments in Space?
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31:26Experiments conducted in space challenge scientists to rethink processes in entirely new ways. But what insights can these experiments offer - not only about the unique environment of space but also about our future on Earth? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Magdalena Herová joins Dana and Micah to delve into the meticulous process of p…
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Rewind and Fast Forward – A Holiday Special
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13:47On this special holiday episode of Balancing the Future, Dana and Micah revisit some of their favorite moments that didn’t make it into earlier episodes. They also offer an exciting glimpse into what’s ahead, previewing some of the engaging conversations coming in 2025. Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METT…
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From Waste to Innovation: The Promise of Bioplastics
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29:27Bioplastic technology has been around for decades, but how can it be effectively utilized and scaled to address the growing crisis of plastic waste we face today? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Manfred Zinn joins Dana and Micah to explore the cutting-edge applications of bioplastics, the implications of enhanced biodegradability, and …
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Brewing, Sustainability, and the Future of the Industry
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30:16Brewing beer is both an art and a science, a tradition that has connected people for millennia. But what lies ahead for this age-old craft? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chris Treanor sits down with Dana and Micah to delve into the science behind brewing, the intricate dance between innovation and business, and the pivotal role beer has …
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Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Are They a Game-Changer?
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29:56Plant-based meat alternatives are having a moment, but do they represent a real shift towards a more sustainable diet? In this episode, Edwina Romanens dives into the technology that made the plant-based protein taste revolution possible, how consumer preference steers the industry, and what place plant-based meat alternatives might have in the die…
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How Are 3D Cell Cultures Revolutionizing Drug Testing?
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29:31The use of 3D cell cultures is revolutionizing the drug testing industry, improving safety, accuracy and shaking up traditional methods. Could this technology take us into a future where we are able to fully personalize medicine, and maybe, even grow replacement organs? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Jan Lichtenberg joins Dana and Mic…
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Could Cultivated Meat Revolutionize Diets of the Future?
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31:55As diets evolve and arable farmland becomes increasingly less viable, could cultivated or lab-grown meat provide a solution to the pressing challenges we face on Earth and beyond? In this episode of Balancing the Future, biotechnologist Steven Lang joins Dana and Micah to discuss the current landscape of cultivated meat. He delves into the signific…
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For hundreds of thousands of years, humans have pursued more effective, efficient ways of living and working. It’s our constant pursuit of better ways to do things. Better ways to solve problems. Better ways to communicate. Better ways to live and thrive. Throughout history, we have made countless innovations that have propelled our society toward …
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