Kirsten Sanford
I’ve been interested in science for as long as I can remember, but it was somewhere in the middle of graduate school that I realized I didn’t want to be a scientist for the rest of my life. Somebody could have told me that a little earlier! But, nevertheless, the journey I have been on that allowed me such a realization also helped me to recognize that I am good at teaching, and that my experience in science research enhances my capacity for helping others to understand it. I want to help inform people about science and the important place it holds in our society. So, I have decided to become a science journalist and media personality, and in doing so infiltrate print, broadcast, and internet mediums with science.
In 1999, I started a radio show called This Week in Science with a good friend. The friend has since moved on to different pastures, but I have maintained the program and brought it to more people than ever before by turning it into a podcast in 2005. I have even more plans in store for this little radio show. Can you say video-cast?
In 2006, I worked at WNBC-TV in NYC as a producer for the medical/health reporter, Dr. Max Gomez. TV is quite a different world from radio, but my whistle is whetted. I’m currently pursuing the many various science video programming employment options.
I started this blog as well, so that I could practice and sharpen my writing skills, and share my thoughts with others.
I received my PhD in Physiology with an emphasis in neurophysiology in December of 2006 from UC Davis. My area of specialization is avian leaning and memory, and my dissertation topic was on spatial memory in non-storing songbirds. Don’t tell me any jokes about bird brains, please. I have heard them all.
In my spare time, I also study tae-kwon-do, and received my black-belt in 2005. When I’m not kicking or looking at brains, I enjoy hula hooping to dance music turned up loud. Occasionally, I will even add fire to the mix with my extra-special fire hoop. I am a multi-year veteran of Burning Man, and will most likely be making the annual pilgrimage to the desert again this year.
I hope that you enjoy this blog, and if you have the time and inclination, my radio show as well. If you would like to see my science media resume, click here. If you would like to see my CV, click here.
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Hi Kirsten,
I am a big fan of TWIS and listen to you and Justin every week on my iPod. I also just found out (to my surprise) that you use twitter, have a web-blog and a video podcast which I find very informative and entertaining. How do you find the time to do all this?
I also found it very interesting when Justin started interviewing you while you where away for travel and where calling into the show. You two should really think about having a show interviewing each other and posting it to the home page so people know a little more about you.
On a personal note I am always very interested on what religious and spiritual beliefs scientists have. Now days it is pretty hard to reconcile science and beliefs without sounding like a total right wing lunatic or a hard-core skeptic. So far Buddhism seems like a good candidate for me (aside from reincarnation) so I’ve been taking a closer look. How about you, what have been your experiences? Have you asked other scientist about this or now of any surveys on the topic? Inquiring minds what to know!
Thanks for all the great stories and keep up the great work.
- Juan the Software Engineer in Marin County
Hey Kirsten,
I am a new listener to TWiS and an almost instant fan. Its rare to find someone that takes things that can be really deep to post and presents it in a refreshing way that anyone can understand and the advanced can appreciate. As I read some of the bio stuff you wrote about yourself I was completely floored to see that “The Bird Brain” isn’t just a random reference but because you actually have an interest in the study of avian animals. Interestingly enough this is something that I became interested in about a year ago. I’ve always had a love for pets (especially fish) but I began working at a pet store and fell in love with a cockatiel that I had to buy and bring home. A little more than a year later I now have a cockatiel, a sun conure, and a quaker parakeet…. and I am fascinated by the way they think and what their responses are to their surroundings. I’ve learned an awful lot about myself and the human mind in general just by watching my birds and thinking on the differences in behaviors.
Anyway, I thought I would pass along a blog entry that I made a while ago that I think you may find interesting. If you get a chance to read it and can leave a comment, that would be great. The URL is http://blog.bibleboy.org/2007/07/i-hate-my-life-i-wish-i-was-insert.html
I’m really glad that I found your podcast and I am looking forward to listening to it every week. I hope that 2008 is a great year for you!
Got a question … I’m editing a textbook and I’m trying to find out how many neurons there are in the average chimp’s brain. I am having absolutely no luck at all, and my Web research led me to your page. Could you suggest a resource where I might find this arcane bit of information?
Thanks …
Perrin Davis
Hi!
So I just watched your video podcast of Food Science and I really enjoyed it. Reminds me of Good Eats on Food Network. Anyways, I couldn’t help to notice your LOL necklace. It’s pretty much the coolest piece of jewelery I’ve seen. After about 30 minutes of looking online I gave up, and decided to contact you and ask you about it.
Pretty random I know, but I think that the necklace would make an awesome gift. So if it’s not too much trouble just let me know where I could find that. Thanks a bunch
“My area of specialization is avian leaning and memory, …”
Is most avian leaning a result of one-legged birds?
Great blog. here, here.
JS
Hiya!
It was nice meeting you at the GGG (girlsgonegeek) podcast academy last month
I recently came across this Pop! Pop tech! Podcast of Homaro Cantu (he’s a bit
err eccentric but cool) and I thought of your podcast and was a wonderful
synergy it would be…
Hope you can check it out
http://www.poptech.com/popcasts/popcasts.aspx?lang=&viewcastid=29
+
I remember reading an article about him in Fast Company Magazine in 2006
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/105/open_food-cantu.html
I just heard my first episode of your funny TWiS show! Wow, I’m a fan now. And I just told all my crackbook friends so. I’ll point some people to your foodscience show too, people who I know are into that kind of thing. If you’re ever back in Vancouver and desperately need to find house music (say), let me know! : p
What’s the word on the Video-Cast? Are you going to let me play it on BlueSciences.com in January 2010?
***Roger Rabbit***
[Pleading]
“ppppplllllllease Kiki”
It is non-profit, for the love of science only:)
Happy World Maths Day!
Keep up the good TWiSness
Hey Kirsten, just recently started watching popSiren and definitely enjoy the show. Keep up the highly entertaining work!
I just discovered you through Twitter and am intrigued by your expertise on food science. In that area, do you talk about food allergies at all? I have strong suspicions that my son has allergies to dairy products that impact him beyond simply digestive issues. I’m amazed that traditional allergists completely dismiss the notion that foods can have no other impact on the body other than digestive.
What’s your take?
Thanks!
Greetings, Young Ph.D. Welcome to the world of the terminal degree.
I discovered your website via a search after I saw a few episodes you did for MacBreak. I was intrigued by the young woman with the doctorate who is working the technical circuit.
I wish you all the best on your goal of working as a scientist in the media. We need rational heads who can convey the technical in understandable ways.
Wow.
I’m hooked.
Hi There, I heard your interview on The Skeptics Guide and Its nice to see a real life Gorgous Woman in Science,I agree the sterio-types with women are skewed in the media.Although one of my favorite movies The Saint does portray a gorgous woman of science.there…Goodluck…
Just heard you on the Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe podcast and have now subscribed to TWIS. First episode is now downloading and I’m looking forward to it.
I was particularly intrigued by your comments about “smart is sexy” girls and science. I have a 16 year old daughter, tall, California blonde, gorgeous (if I do say so myself) who also has a black belt in TKD (though she has now set that aside for basketball). Last week I had to take her to the doctor who, to make small talk, asked where she saw herself in 10 years. Her response, “In grad school, finishing my Ph.D. in astrophysics”, left the poor doc completely slack-jawed and speechless. The look on his face to me was priceless!
The public presence of women like you and Rebecca (skepchicks) Watson is a great reminder that it’s okay to be sexy AND athletic AND a rocket scientist. Maybe someday my daughter will be a guest on TWIS.
I’m catching up on my Skeptics Guide podcast and it lead me to your site.
I just wanted to let you know that 1/2 way through paragraph two of your bio it says “avian leaning and memory” which I think is supposed to be “learning”.
Keep up the interesting work!
Just listened to my first episode of TWiS (Brain-Kluge show). Very nice.
You may be interested in a couple more excellent books on brain stuff. “Brain Rules” by Dr. John Medina just came out - extremely interesting. Also working my way through “On Intelligence” by Jeff Hawkins which discusses primarily how the neocortex and the senses work. Good stuff.
What a fantastic blog from a fantastic scientist!
It is wonderful to see a young woman of your talent choose to go into teaching and media. Way to influence young girls (and boys) And me too!
Thanks Dr Kiki!
Great site and talented journalist. Keep up the great work and magnetic reporting.
I miss your show Food Science. I hope it returns in one form or another. I have an idea for a topic: Flour. Bleached, Unbleached, Bread, All Purpose, Cake, Quick Mixing (Wondra)? Only one other request. Take your time. Sometimes your presentation is a little quick-fire. Some people, like me, need a second or two for some things to sink in before you go to the next. When it’s all read like one paragraph, it sometimes loses some meaning. But I enjoy the information and the presentation. Thanks!
[…] The Science Word Dr. Kirsten Sanford, host of the This Week in Science podcast and author of the science blog The Bird’s Brain […]
Hi!
I’m a PhD student working on actin cytoskeleton in Paris, France.
I discovered you in “food science”. you’re great!
keep making great podcasts and videos.
Congratulations for your excellent work!
Thanks to you, I’m sure more people will be interested in science and maybe you’ll make some children want to do a PhD!
typo in your bio?
“My area of specialization is avian leaning and memory”
Avian leaning or avian learning?
all the best,
sf