Let's Get Slimy #549

February 02, 2020

Algae. What springs to mind when you read that word? Maybe a seaweed forest? Maybe a pond covered in scum? Maybe a red tide? Those are all algae, and they can all change the world in different ways. This week Bethany Brookshire talks with Ruth Kassinger about the history, present and future of algae and her new book, "Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us".

This episode is hosted by Bethany Brookshire, science writer from Science News.

Guests:

  • Ruth Kassinger
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Guest Bios

Ruth Kassinger

Ruth is an award-winning author of science and history books including "Paradise Under Glass", "A Garden of Marvels", and "Slime". In addition, her science and health writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, National Geographic Explorer, and other publications. She received a B.A. degree from Yale University and a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently fascinated by developments in the science and technology of converting algae into energy.