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Meet the Microbiologist

Ashley Hagen, M.S.
Public Health
Microbiology
Bioeconomy
Microbes
Covid-19
Genomics
Renewables
Fermentation
Microbial Ecology
Antimicrobial Resistance
Gut Microbiome
Microbial Symbiosis
Fecal Microbiota Transplants
Climate Change
Conservation Biology
Wildlife Health
Zoo Nutrition
Microbiome Research
Chemosynthesis
Prion Disease

Who is microbiology? Meet the Microbiologist (MTM) introduces you to the people who discover, innovate and advance the field of microbiology. Go behind-the-scenes of the microbial sciences with experts in virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and more! Share in their passion for microbes and hear about research successes and even a few setbacks in their field. MTM covers everything from g... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes178Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Life SciencesScienceNatural Sciences

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Meet the Microbiologist

Latest Episodes

Glen McGugan, Ph.D., Director of ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit, discusses how curiosity‑driven research—from parasite virulence to CRISPR and complex microbial systems—drives tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Ashley's Biggest Takeaways • Mechanism disco... more

Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP), and Rodney Rohde, Ph.D.,SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM, trace how passion‑driven, nonlinear paths in clinical microbiology led them from hospital benches and public health labs to academia and industry leadership. Their stories... more

Moon Nahm, M.D., professor emeritus at UAB Department of Medicine and Director of the World Health Organization's Pneumococcal Serology Reference Laboratory at UAB, discusses his career in pneumococcal immunology. From uncovering the WU2 reference st... more

From leading R&D at a biotech startup company to conducting environmental monitoring for NASA, Veronica Garcia, Ph.D., Scientific Director of the ASM Applied and Environmental Microbiology unit shares how experiences throughout her career have inform... more

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Recent Guests

Glen McGuggen
Director of ASM's Mechanism Discovery Scientific Unit
ASM
Episode: The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan
Andrea Prinzi
Director of Scientists, Global Medical Affairs at BioMiriu
BioMiriu
Episode: Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories
Rodney Rohde
Regents Professor and Chair, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Texas State University
Texas State University
Episode: Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories
Moon Nahm
Professor Emeritus at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Director of the WHO Numukakal Serology Reference Laboratory at UAB
University of Alabama at Birmingham; World Health Organization
Episode: Decoding the Pneumococcal Capsule With Moon Nahm
Veronica Garcia
Director of the American Society for Microbiology's Applied and Environmental Microbiology Scientific Unit
American Society for Microbiology
Episode: From Earth to Orbit: Applied and Environmental Microbiology With Veronica Garcia
Marlene Belfort
Distinguished professor in the Department of Biological Sciences
University at Albany
Episode: Unraveling Introns and Expectations With Marlene Belfort, Ph.D.
Dr. Sue Ishaq
Associate Professor of Microbiomes
University of Maine
Episode: The Gut Healing Power of Microbes and Cruciferous Vegetables
Karl Matthews
Professor of Microbial Food Safety
Rutgers University
Episode: Preventing Foodborne Pathogens With Plant-Derived Compounds with Karl Matthews
Michael Lynch
Director of the Center for Mechanisms of Evolution at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Episode: Early Microbial Life with Michael Lynch and Vaughn Cooper

Host

Ashley Hagen
Host and Scientific and Digital Editor at the American Society for Microbiology

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 77 ratings
  • Very nice way to refresh and expand knowledge

    1. Good interviewing technique

    2. Relevant topics and expert microbiologists

    3. Ideal for physicians to refresh and update microbiology knowledge

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    24.7ariane
    Netherlands6 years ago
  • Great questions and commentary

    First-time listener. I thought the questions asked were insightful and the commentary at the end interesting. Plus, the guests are high-profile. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Craig2372
    United States6 years ago
  • Pleasant Microbio Lite

    I enjoy this for interesting overviews of topics outside my discipline. My research is biomedical but has very little to do with microbio so this is a nice way to hear about interesting things in the field.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    NotaBearinaHumanSuit
    United States6 years ago
  • Recommended

    Interesting and informative

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Retrovertigo99
    Ireland6 years ago
  • Love the podcast

    Julie Wolf does an excellent job hosting the show. Very knowledgable.

    Mike in Oregon

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mkcheshire
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value concise, expert-led interviews with high-profile microbiologists.
The host asks insightful questions and keeps discussions accessible.
Shows are praised for depth and relevance to current microbiology advances.
Guests are described as knowledgeable and engaging, with minimal filler and a clear interview focus.
Topics span basic science to public health, with strong emphasis on accurate science communication.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan
Q: How is the Unit launching and what can listeners expect to see next?
The Unit is in foundational stages with a Scientific Advisory Council, a cross-disciplinary chair, and plans to publish initiatives, stand up working groups, and host symposia; engagement opportunities at ASM events like ASM Microbe 2026 are highlighted.
The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan
Q: What attracted you to directing the Mechanism Discovery Unit at ASM?
The opportunity to serve as a neutral hub that brings researchers together across disciplines, focusing solely on advancing fundamental curiosity-driven discovery and translating those insights into future impact, rather than pursuing predetermined agendas.
The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan
Q: Why is curiosity-driven research important for future therapies?
Because many transformative technologies and therapies originate from questions that initially seemed impractical or disconnected from immediate applications; investing in curiosity-driven discovery builds the pipeline for breakthroughs we may not yet imagine.
The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research: Mechanism Discovery With Glen McGugan
Q: What is Mechanism Discovery and what science does it encompass?
Mechanism Discovery encompasses foundational basic research across microbial sciences, aiming to understand how and why microbial life works—from cellular processes to systems-level phenomena, including physiology, genetics, biochemistry, and microbial interactions.
Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories
Q: What advice would you give to upcoming science communicators starting their journey?
Get edited often, learn from role models, seek mentors, and ensure integrity and evidence-based content; do not fear saying 'I don't know' and connect audiences with trusted sources.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Meet the Microbiologist

What is Meet the Microbiologist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A microbiology-focused interview show that introduces leading researchers, clinicians, and industry experts who study viruses, bacteria, fungi, and environmental microbiology. Episodes highlight foundational science, translational research, public health implications, and science communication, with guests spanning academic labs, public health, and industry groups. Notable throughlines include curiosity-driven research, vaccine development, diagnostic innovations, and the real-world impact of microbial science on health, policy, and education. The format often features career journeys, mentorship, and practical insights for emerging scientists, making it a strong fit for listeners who want actionable wisdom from established scientists and t... more

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How many listeners does Meet the Microbiologist get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Meet the Microbiologist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Meet the Microbiologist:

1. This Week in Microbiology
2. Immune
3. Hidden Brain
4. Life Kit
5. This Week in Virology

How many episodes of Meet the Microbiologist are there?

Meet the Microbiologist launched 18 years ago and published 178 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Meet the Microbiologist?

Recent guests on Meet the Microbiologist include:

1. Glen McGuggen
2. Andrea Prinzi
3. Rodney Rohde
4. Moon Nahm
5. Veronica Garcia
6. Marlene Belfort
7. Dr. Sue Ishaq
8. Karl Matthews

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