“It’s been interesting and rewarding to see science taken seriously and have some action being taken.” An interview with Steve Montzka

Steve Montzka has been at NOAA for 28 years, working on atmospheric science, atmosphere chemistry, and trace gases in the atmosphere. He started there as a post-doc, drawn by the work he saw NOAA scientists doing on the hole in...

Sonaera Zaman and Dakota Yu

[Recorded Tuesday, September 12, 2023] Sonaera (19) from Ashburn, Virginia, and Dakota (19) from Ashburn, Virginia participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. Sonaera shares her mom’s impact...

“Scientists are just humans. If you feel somebody is too famous to reach out to, don’t.” An Interview with Aaron Piña

Aaron Piña is the National Program Lead for Atmospheric Sciences and Fire Weather Research at the United States Forest Service where he runs a research program that helps transition knowledge into the hands of decision makers around the world. Initially...

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Anita Stoudmire and Kathleen Van Riesen

One Small Step partners Anita Stoudmire (55) and Kathleen Van Riesen (74) discuss the "loneliness epidemic," free speech, and their opinions about transgender youth.

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Susan Stover and C Campbell

One Small Step partners Susan Stover (67) and C Campbell (53) realize they have many parallels in their lives as they talk through their experiences losing their husbands, discuss banned books, and find common ground in their shared perspective on...

"…we're dealing with what we call climate delayism." An interview with Marshall Shepherd.

As a leading international expert in weather and climate and Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia, James Marshall Shepherd knows a lot about climate, and just as importantly, how to talk...

“Mentoring makes me happy, I never tire of it.” A conversation with Alicia Hoffman.

Alicia Hoffman is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is studying air quality and how to model the chemistry that impacts our air, using the Community Multi-scale Air Quality Model — developed by the Environmental...

"When I was a child I always loved nature — I [knew] I wanted to become a scientist." A conversation with Stephanie Marie Ortiz Rosario.

Stephanie Marie Ortiz Rosario is an undergraduate student and Physics major from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. Over the summer, Stephanie will be participating at SaSa, the Student Airborne Science Activation, summer program. SaSa is hosting 25 early-career undergraduates (first-...

“How far you go [in your science career] depends on how big your curiosity is." A conversation with David Moore.

David Moore is a first-year graduate student at UCLA. He is studying tropical cyclones, also known as typhoons or hurricanes, on Earth. In his graduate research work, David is researching how to bridge the gap between planetary atmospheres and meteorology...

"I've always had an interest and a fascination with space." A conversation with Jonathan Hale.

Jonathan Hale is one of 25 students in the new Student Airborne Science Activation (SaSa) program at the NASA Ames Research Center. Students at SaSa are undergraduates from minority-serving institutions, competitively selected across the United States. Over the course of...

"SaSa became the culmination of all of my past and present interests." A conversation with Kennedi White.

Kennedi White is one of 25 students starting in the new Student Airborne Science Activation (SaSa) program at the NASA Ames Research Center. Students at SaSa are undergraduates from minority-serving institutions, competitively selected across the United States. Over the course...

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Ciara Gazaway and [No Name Given] [No Name Given]

One Small Step conversation partners Ciara Gazaway (25) and [No Name Given] [No Name Given] (33) discuss higher education, equity, and state government influence at the University of Tennessee.

"Persistence is necessary to have a career in the sciences." An interview with Laura Iraci.

Dr. Laura Iraci is a research scientist in the Earth Sciences Division at NASA Ames, where she leads a group focusing on air and where human pollution goes. In this interview, we discuss her early interest in high school chemistry...

“If you’re not failing, you’re not researching.” An Interview with Michael Hesse

Michael Hesse is the Director of Science at NASA’s Ames Research Center, focusing on space biological science. We talked to him about being a good leader, doing science all over the world, and the joys of racing cars.

"There's something in science for everyone." An Interview with Judy Pu

Judy Pu is currently a grad student at the University of California, Santa Barbara studying Earth Science. We talked to her about moving forward from failure and criticism, the importance of education, and dealing with the loss of a mentor.

"It’s about how we translate the science and make it relevant to the people's life." An Interview with Saleh Ahmed

Saleh Ahmed is probably the only researcher who’s working in both Bangladesh and the Intermountain West. And as a professor in Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Public Policy at Boise State University, his research in climate change is particularly urgent....

“Persistence is absolutely critical for both science and NASA.” An Interview with Curt Niebur

Curt Niebur is the Lead Program Scientist for Planetary Flight Programs at NASA Headquarters, which means that he works on all the NASA robotic missions that don’t go to Mars- you know, a very small mom-and-pop operation. We talked to...

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Michael Richards and Danait T-Medhin

School superintendent Dr. Michael Richards (56) shares a conversation with former student Danait “Dani” T-Medhin (18) about the Harrisonburg school system and about Dani’s experience in classes, clubs, musicals, and other activities while there.

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George Williams and Hazel Diaz

George Williams [no age given] and his new friend Hazel Diaz (35) discuss George's father's military career and life. George remembers his father Lt. Col. George Williams, who served in the Air Force.

"I believe the future of humanity lies beyond Earth's surface and I want to help make this possible." A conversation with Diana Gentry.

Dr. Diana Gentry, a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, studies aerobiology (microbes in clouds), biodiversity, biomaterials, and biological systems. Diana describes herself as at the nexus of both science and engineering where she speaks both languages and translates...

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40:25
LaRico Treadwell and Michael Johansson

Michael Johansson (71) interviews his friend LaRico Treadwell (33) about his upbringing, his academic career, and his goals for the future.

"If you really enjoy it [science], all the work will be worth it." An interview with Matthew Johnson.

Dr. Matthew Johnson's research is in atmospheric chemistry, a branch of atmospheric science, which looks at the composition and chemistry of Earth's atmosphere, such as aerosols and trace gas emissions, and how particles may impact human health. Dr. Johnson's research...