Explore every episode of the podcast LAB LIFE

On this episode of Lab Life, we're joined by the Director of SpaceWERX Arthur Grijalva to discuss the importance of investing in low Earth orbit technologies, partnering with academia and industry and above all else, how the team is already shaping the United States Air and Space Force's future in the stars.

Dr. Richard Vaia of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Dr. Jess Tice of Northrop Grumman, and Dr. Anna Balazs of the University of Pittsburgh join the podcast with special guest co-host, Dr. Branden Brough the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, to discuss nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale (about 10, 000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair!), where unique phenomena enable novel applications. We celebrate National Nanotechnology Day on October 9th which pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10 –9 meters. The National Nanotechnology Initiative is a U.S. Government research and development initiative. Over thirty Federal departments, independent agencies, and commissions work together toward the shared vision of a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to ongoing revolutions in technology and industry that benefit society.

Dr. Dan Berrigan and Dr. Lauren Ferguson join the podcast to discuss digital transformation, AFRL's Google pilot initiative and the mantra "collaborate to innovate."

Dr. John Welter of AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate joins the podcast to discuss nondestructive evaluation of aircraft and more.

Lt Col Saleem Razvi and Capt Mitchell Cochell join the podcast to discuss Air Force Rugby and the importance of being "Fit to Live."

Dr. Tulsi Patel, a National Research Council Fellow at AFRL, joins the podcast to discuss nanoelectronics, quantum, neuromorphic computing, how art can influence science and the Air Force Women in Science and Engineering's literary group - LitWISE.

DeliaRae Jesaitis and Stephen Colenzo join the Air Force Research Laboratory's podcast to discuss hackers, the space domain and the event that brings both together...Hack-A-Sat. As our lives become increasingly dependent on technologies that lie deep in space and the commercialization of space accelerates above us…we must do what it takes to secure our universe. In its 3rd year, Hack-A-Sat is designed to inspire the world’s top cybersecurity talent to develop the skills necessary to help reduce vulnerabilities and build more secure space systems. #HackASat3

Nils Sedano, Technical Advisor for AFRL’s Liquid Engines Branch joins the podcast to discuss the influence of AFRL technologies throughout United States Air Force and Space Force history, aerospike engines and what makes Southern California testing culture so unique.

Mr. Timothy Sakulich, the Executive Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory, joins the podcast to discuss problem solving, the art of subtraction and what makes Scandinavian crime fiction so captivating.

Dr. Monica Allen, a principal research electronics engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory, enlightens listeners on the world of photonics and plasmonics.

Dr. Leonard Lightfoot joins the podcast to discuss 5G, microelectronics and the value of challenging yourself when opportunity knocks. As a program element monitor (PEM) for two multi-million-dollar portfolios, Dr. Lightfoot advocates for the relevance and necessity of Sensor technologies and capabilities research, such as for secure and trusted microelectronics systems. He received the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) in STEM for Professional Achievement

Join us as we launch into 2022 with Major General Heather Pringle, AFRL Commander. General Pringle discusses space, digital transformation, climate, China, COVID-19, human capital and more in this episode.

Dr. Andrew Gillman, an AFRL Materials Research Engineer; Mr. Nate Ames, executive director of The Ohio State University's Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence; and Dr. Michael A. Groeber, an Ohio State University professor join the podcast to discuss the power of partnerships. Their collaboration led to a robotic black blacksmithing system, which uses incremental forming, a heat-assisted metalworking process that permits users to manufacture small lots of customized manufactured parts.

Dr. Leah Rowe joins the podcast for a special double feature. Part one focuses on Dr. Rowe's work as an AFRL Research Psychologist focusing on adaptive training. Part two jumps forward one year to a second interview with Dr. Rowe as she supports the mission by working outside of AFRL through the Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program.

Dr. Emily Heckman discusses discovering galaxies, astrophysics, printed electronics and the power of theater.

AFRL's magical Elf on the Shelf R.O.S.A. (Roving Organizational Surveillance Assistant) join the podcast to discuss her work on the Hypersleigh and systems such as D.E.E.R. and G.I.F.T.. Learn more about her work by following #AFReseachLabElf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit www.afresearchlab.com/stem for STEM resources.

Dr. Alexis Lewis of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Benji Maruyama of the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Dr. Eric Stach of the University of Pennsylvania join the podcast to discuss autonomous research and how open-source software can enable scientists to expedite research.

Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX Director, joins the podcast to discuss how the AFWERX and SpaceWERX missions are crucial to forming the Air Force and Space Force of tomorrow. As an innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX transitions agile, affordable and accelerated capabilities by teaming innovative technology developers with Airmen and Guardian talent.

Ms. Corinne Sedano, an AFRL Group Lead for Chemical Propulsion - Flight Programs, joins the podcast to discuss her work at NASA, satellite propulsion and AFRL's Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT) green propellant.

Dr. Brad Barrett joins the podcast to discuss meteorology, storm chasing and his work as a program officer at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) in Santiago, Chile.

Mr. John Henry Williams joins the podcast to discuss bunker busters, discovery downtime and what it takes to become a materials detective.

Dr. Stacy Manni, an International Program Officer for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, joins the podcast from Santiago, Chile. Dr. Manni reflects on her experiences on September 11, 2001 and how it changed her career trajectory in the fields of chemistry and scientific diplomacy.

Dr. Kelly Hammett joins the podcast to discuss lightsabers, directed energy and the United States Space Force.

Dr. Alex Alaniz joins the podcast to discuss the buzz around Chat GPT, the creation of his own Albert Einstein chatbot and his thoughts on artificial intelligence and wargaming.

Dr. Joanna Hinks joins us for our first "Lab Bite" to explain how GPS works. "Lab Bites" are short bite-sized looks into topics that didn't make it into a feature length episode. Dr. Hinks also joined us on Episdoe 31: What's a Vanguard.

Dr. Michael Gregg, AFRL Aerospace Systems Director, joins the podcast to discuss hypersonics, rotating detonation engines and cars.

Dr. Robert Fugate discusses his astounding career in physics, astrophotography and how he gained the title “Father of Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics.”

Dr. Jack Drummond discusses moons orbiting asteroids, adaptive optics and why astronomy is known as the queen of the sciences.

Dr. Kamran Ghiassi, an AFRL senior research chemist and team lead, discusses satellite propulsion, STEM outreach and teamwork.

Dr. Kathleen Dipple, an AFRL alternative navigation research scientist, joins the Lab Life podcast to discuss the power of gold nanoparticles, alternative navigation techniques and how important it is to find a supportive community in the workplace.

AFRL Space Vehicles experts Christina Straight and Evelyn Kent join the podcast to discuss satellite operations, risk posturing and the Air Force Test Pilot School's inaugural Space Test Fundamentals Course.

Major Michael Nayak, now with the Air Force Test Center, returns to the podcast to discuss being a test pilot, risk posturing and how the culture around space testing is beginning to change.

Dr. Moriba Jah, a University of Texas at Austin professor, AFRL Fellow and TED Fellow joins the podcast to discuss space environmentalism, space junk, the future of space tracking and Hogwarts houses.

Dr. Shanee Pacley and Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis discuss their careers, the Air Force Women in Science and Engineering (AFWISE) resource group, and inspiring women in STEM.

We dive back to a conversation with Dr. Craig Przybyla, a recent AFRL Inspire Speaker, to discuss the Engineering Scientist Exchange Program, why ceramics are a hot topic in aerospace and his work in our AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.

Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis, a research biological scientist, gives listeners a "Brain 101" with a focus on how memory works. She also discusses her research to advance the field of neuroscience, specifically in the area of brain stimulation.

Dr. Rajesh Naik and Dr. Justin Gallivan discuss AFRL's Biotechnology Challenge, microbes and how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Dr. Naik is the Chief Scientist of the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing. Dr. Gallivan is the Senior Scientist for Systems and Synthetic Biology in the 711th Human Performance Wing.

Ms. Anissa Lumpkin discusses Hollywood takes on military technology, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, as well as a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) initiative.

Air Force Research Laboratory Commander Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle discusses the power of the scientific method, AFRL unicorns, Space Force Guardians, and more.

Leslie Flocken joins us on the podcast to discuss the fascinating wind tunnel work she does with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the UK and the research her team's done to promote safety in the workplace during COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Hayduk joins us to discuss the amazing work at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate, the city of Rome, NY, and of course, tomato pie!

Dan Andrews is the K - 12 Science, Techonology, Engineering and Mathematics, aka STEM, Team Lead for Wright Patterson Air Force Base's Education Outreach Program. He joins us to discuss what his work entails, robotics competitions and how important LEGOs are to STEM Education.

Dr. Shawn Phillips joins us to discuss just what really goes down at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Rocket Propulsion Division on Edwards Air Force Base, and he wants you to know it’s definitely not alien related. Listen in to learn about his position as the Deputy Chief of the RPD, his thoughts on the new TV show "Space Force" and his love of writing sci-fi fantasy novels!

Major Camdon Cady and Dr. David Deprospero discuss getting the right information to the right decision maker at the right time. Their team created the Advanced Battle Management System DeviceOne SecureView platform that allows users to remotely access classified networks – from wherever they need – including their homes.

Pre-pandemic we spoke to four Air Force Chief Master Sergeants - CMSgt Stanley Cadell, CMSgt Ian Eishen, CMSgt David Wade and CMSgt Paul Barbee - about staying resilient during tough times and the everyday grind.

Ms. Karen Roth joins the podcast to discuss open innovation, community partnerships and her role as Chief Engineer of the AFRL Information Directorate in Rome, New York.

We dive beyond the cool names to learn more about Golden Horde, Skyborg and Navigation Technology Satellite - 3 (NTS-3).

Gen Cook, an AFRL biostatistics expert and trained epidemiologist, reflects on watching science unfold in real time during a global pandemic.

Lindsay Bukalew, an AFRL exercise physiologist, discusses how a data-centered approach to injury prevention on the Operational Support Teams is improving Airmen Readiness.

Researchers need to know more than just the science. Maj. Gen. Timothy Kelly and Sabra Tomb, JD talk protecting inventions, licensing and data rights.