...what it is like to study the world's cutest mammal? (with Johanna Varner)
Ever Wonder? from the California Science Center
English - June 07, 2023 15:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBScience Education science engineering museums science centers Homepage Download Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
On today’s episode we chat with Johanna Varner (@johannavarner), aka Pika Jo! An ecologist and Assistant Professor of Biology at Colorado Mesa University.
Do you ever wonder what it is like to study the world’s cutest mammal?
Johanna has spent her career studying the ecology and conservation of alpine and arctic ecosystems, with a particular interest in a small, adorable animal: the Pika. For those of you familiar with the beloved Pokémon character Pikachu, you may be surprised to learn that pikas were the inspiration behind such a cute little fella!
In this episode, Johanna shares with us her insights into the challenges that pikas face, including the impacts of climate change on their habitats, and how we can all play a role in preserving these important species.
So, whether you are a fan of Pikachu, an aspiring scientist, or just someone who loves learning about the world around us, join us in our conversation with Jo.
Have a question you've been wondering about? Send an email or voice recording to [email protected] to tell us what you'd like to hear in future episodes.
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