scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts

Fungi underpin the health of our ecosystems, yet they're one of the least understood groups of organisms. In this episode of Scigest, host Dr Hilary Ireland sits down with recently retired mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan, whose remarkable 50-year career has helped transform our understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand's fungi.
 
In the first of this two-part conversation, Peter shares the experiences that shaped his career and lifelong interest in fungi. He discusses fungal diversity, the importance of taxonomy and plant pathology, and the role fungi play in crop production, disease management and post-harvest storage. Peter also reflects on how molecular biology has transformed fungal research, opening new opportunities to understand fungal relationships, identify pathogens and improve disease management.
Part 2 of this conversation will be available from 17 August.

Vegetable caterpillar fungi link: www.sciencelearn.org.nz/videos/768-vegetable-caterpillar-fungi
Peter Buchanan profile: www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1445-dr-peter-buchanan

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Red needle cast is one of the most significant diseases affecting New Zealand's radiata pine forests. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Darryl Herron sits down with forest pathologist Emily McLay to discuss why the disease is such a challenge for forest growers and how our science helps forest growers better predict, prepare for and manage it.
 Tune in to hear how cutting-edge research is helping protect the forests that support our economy, environment and communities.
Red Needle Cast Regional Risk Forecasting website: https://fgr.nz/tools/red-needle-cast-regional-risk-forecasting.
To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Data is transforming the way we do science. In this episode of scigest, host and scientist Tom Moore sits down with Principal Scientist Dr Linley Jesson to explore her fascinating career journey from ornithology and plant biology to genomics and data science. Linley shares how influential mentors helped shape her path, the curiosity that led her from studying bird behaviour to the intricacies of plant reproduction, and how her research has evolved alongside the rapid growth of genomic technologies.
 
The conversation delves into her work on plant reproductive biology, moss genomics and the increasingly vital role of data science in unlocking new scientific insights. Linley also reflects on the importance of mentoring the next generation of researchers, embracing change throughout a scientific career, and finding opportunities to innovate in an evolving research landscape.
 
Whether you're curious about the future of data-driven science or the winding career paths that lead to groundbreaking research, this episode offers insight into the people behind the data.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Wildfires can be devastating for New Zealand’s communities and landscapes and they’re becoming more frequent, with the country experiencing an average of 3400 wildfires annually over the past 31 years, burning 5700 hectares of land. Understanding how wildfires behave is key to helping people prepare for and cope with their impact.
 
 In this episode of Scigest, host and scientist Nicola Sulivan speaks to fire ecologist Shana Gross about the Bioeconomy Science Institute's role in supporting firefighters and communities, including publishing national-scale wildfire hazard potential data and developing a toolkit to enhance understanding of wildfire behaviour. Gross also discusses the impact of human activities, climate change and the importance of community preparedness when it comes to wildfires.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

What practical steps can Aotearoa New Zealand take to strengthen its energy security while creating jobs and reducing environmental impacts?
 In this episode of Scigest, host and scientist Darryl Herron talks with Paul Bennett, Integrated Bioenergy Portfolio Lead at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, about the opportunities for locally produced bioenergy and biofuels.
Drawing on New Zealand's existing woody biomass resources, the team is exploring how scalable bioenergy solutions could help reduce the country's long-term fuel insecurity, support regional economic growth, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
 Tune in to learn how science is helping unlock New Zealand's bioeconomy potential and what it could mean for our energy future.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest