How Nuclear Is Stopping Bugs Before They Bite With Zach Adelman

About this episode

This episode discusses how nuclear science is used to combat mosquitoes and other harmful insects with Dr. Zach Adelman.

Mosquitoes might be small, but the science used to stop them is anything but. In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan talk with Dr. Zach Adelman, a geneticist and professor of entomology at Texas A&M, about how nuclear science is being used to fight some of the deadliest and most destructive insects on the planet. From malaria-spreading mosquitoes to flies that threaten the global food supply, Zach explains how sterile insect techniques work, why radiation is essential to the process, and how these tools have quietly protected human health and agriculture for decades. Along the way, we learn just how sophisticated insects really are, and why controlling them requires a mix of genetics and nuclear science on a serious scale.  Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary . Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener survey Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

People in this episode

Hosts: Mary, Jordan

Guest: Zach Adelman

Topics covered

• nuclear science
• mosquito control
• genetics
• entomology
• public health
• agriculture

Keywords

• nuclear science
• mosquitoes
• sterile insect techniques
• genetics
• public health
• agriculture
• entomology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Texas A&M, NEI

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