Antarcticology (ANTARCTIC RESEARCH) with Ariel Waldman

Antarcticology (ANTARCTIC RESEARCH) with Ariel Waldman

From Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

April 29, 2026 · 1h 13m · Episode 506

About this episode

Alie Ward interviews Antarcticologist Ariel Waldman about her research and experiences in Antarctica.

Mile-thick ice. Dry, rocky valleys. Tiny creatures. Red parkas. Seal mummies. We’re going to Antarctica with National Geographic Explorer, microscopic photographer, and Antarcticologist Ariel Waldman. She hosts the gorgeous PBS series “Life Unearthed” and answers a blizzard of questions about camping in the middle of an ice sheet, hauling microscopes to the ends of the Earth, what’s living in a drop of melted snow, potty protocols, microplastics, and the research that happens on a giant continent that carries many mysteries. Also: why you should cold email someone. Like, today.

People in this episode

Host: Alie Ward

Guest: Ariel Waldman

Topics covered

  • Antarctica
  • microscopic photography
  • environmental research
  • cold emailing
  • microplastics
  • ice sheets

Keywords

  • Antarctica
  • research
  • microscopy
  • environment
  • cold email
  • microplastics
  • ice sheets

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Geographic

Books & works: Life Unearthed

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