What Nature Can Teach Us with John Dabiri

Kathy Sullivan Explores

John Dabiri is a MacArthur Fellow and Centennial Chair Professor at the California Institute of Technology. John’s research focuses on unsteady fluid mechanics and flow physics, with particular emphasis on topics relevant to biology, energy, and the environment. While serving as a Professor of Aeronautics and Bioengineering at Caltech from 2005 to 2015, John was also the Director of the Center for Bioinspired Wind Energy, Chair of the Faculty, and Dean of Students. From 2015 to 2019, he served as a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. He graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and received his Master of Science in Aeronautics from Caltech, where he also earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a minor in Aeronautics. In addition to his work at Caltech, John serves on President Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, among other advisory boards.

Today, you’ll hear John and I explore what nature can teach us about engineering systems, heart health, and optimizing wind farms. He describes his life growing up in Toledo, how a summer internship introduced him to the world of jellyfish, and how studying jellyfish quickly morphed into the focus of his life’s work. He recounts stories from his stint as a technical consultant for Nope (2022) and shares his thoughts on the sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, and its portrayal of academic life at Caltech. You’ll also gain insight into solving the diversity problem in physics and engineering and why tapping the curiosity of young minds can inspire more students to pursue STEM.

“Curiosity is a unique lens by which we can explore the world around us, and the outcomes from that would be the technologies that could revolutionize climate, space, and medicine.” - John Dabiri

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● John’s background and family history

● How John’s parents navigated their identity and race in America

● Carrying forward Nigerian traditions

● John’s high school experience and why he chose Mechanical Engineering for his college path

● How he transitioned from an undergraduate degree in Mechanical engineering to a doctoral in Bioengineering with a minor in Aerodynamics

● How John wound up studying jellyfish after pursuing an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering

● Why mentors play an important role in a PhD student’s life

● What jellyfish can teach us about submarines, heart health, and wind farms

● What it’s like to receive the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship award

● Why Dr. Jellyfish can’t swim

● The Big Bang Theory’s portrayal of academic life at Caltech

● Working with Jordan Peele for the 2022 movie, Nope

● Solving the diversity problem in physics and engineering

● How we can inspire more young people to join STEM

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “The application of tech is a nice motivation, but we can tap into the curiosity of a five-year-old to draw them into science, even if there’s no immediate application.” - John Dabiri

● “I fell in love with taking the same mindset I used in taking apart video games and cars into understanding how biological systems work—how these very simple bags of water in a jellyfish can swim through the ocean.” - John Dabiri

Connect with John Dabiri:

● Dabiri Lab

● John Dabiri on LinkedIn

● Email: [e-mail]

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

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