The Absolute Gene-ius podcast series is back for Season 4 with a fresh co-host, new guests, and an even broader lens on molecular biology. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s ahead, including more digital PCR, real-time PCR, and stories that blend science with humanity.
We’re back and better than ever. Season 4 of Absolute Gene-ius is officially here, and this teaser gives you a front-row seat to what’s coming. From scientific puns to sneak peeks of the upcoming guest lineup, co-hosts Jordan Ruggieri and new addition Lisa Crawford set the tone for another season of engaging, educational, and entertaining molecular biology content.
This season, the show expands its scope beyond digital PCR to include real-time PCR and other tools that are working together to move research forward in fields like oncology, agriculture, behavioral psychiatry, and more. Lisa brings a non-scientist’s view to the show along with a deep passion for translating complex science into compelling stories. Whether it’s microvesicles, stem cells, or high-containment biosafety labs, the upcoming episodes promise to be both technically informative and very human.
And in classic Absolute Gene-ius fashion, we keep it fun. From how guests got into science, to what thy love most about it, and lab fail stories, the Career Corner returns with fresh energy and laughs. Expect bad puns, big discoveries, and the beautiful chaos of real-world research.
Jordan Ruggieri00:00
I used to hate biology, but now it's in my DNA. I'm just randomly throwing puns in there. They're like little gold nuggets.
Lisa Crawford00:07
Why do biologists like to travel? It makes them more cultured.
Jordan Ruggieri00:23
You welcome back to Absolute Gene-ius. I'm your host, Jordan Ruggieri and I am thrilled to kick off season four. Today, we're taking a quick look back at where we've been, some of the amazing guests we've met, and what's ahead in the next season of the show. Our first three seasons, we talked to 29 incredible guests covering everything from Alzheimer's research to invasive species tracking. Along the way, we've explored how digital PCR is driving discoveries in biomarker detection, drug development, environmental monitoring and so much more. And the journey continues. Season four is going to bring even more fun, fascinating conversations, and a few exciting changes as well. As always, we'll keep things approachable and entertaining while still diving into the science that's pushing molecular biology forward. But this season, we're broadening our lens a little bit. In addition to digital PCR, we'll also talk about qPCR, real time PCR, and other complementary technologies, showing how they'll all work together to power real-world research. We were already doing this a bit last season, so this shift might not even be perceptible to those of you that have been with us for a while. And speaking of new things, I'm very excited to introduce my new co-host for season four, Lisa Crawford. Lisa and I have worked together on other projects, and trust me, she is fantastic and is a great addition to the show. Welcome Lisa. Why don't you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself?
Lisa Crawford01:57
Thank you, Jordan. I appreciate the enthusiasm and the faith in me. I'm definitely excited to be here. I've been a fan of Absolute Gene-ius for a while, and I love hearing all the guest stories. Some of my favorite parts are all those lab fail moments that remind us that science is as human as it is technical. If you want to know a little bit about me, I am a global market development manager here at Thermo Fisher Scientific which means my job is to develop content for academic researchers. I come from a marketing background, not a science background, which means I like to focus on turning complex science into exciting, relatable stories that everyone can understand and enjoy. I currently live in Arizona. I have two cats and a dog. And in my spare time, I love to cook, I love to travel, and I actually play classical cello, so I'm in a local community orchestra, and I love to take a break from science with a little bit of an arts background.
Jordan Ruggieri02:50
Awesome. Lisa, thanks for sharing that background. I had no idea you played the cello, so even I learned something today. Now you might remember when I gave our former co-host, Christina, a rapid-fire Q & A as her initiation. Are you ready for yours?
Lisa Crawford03:04
As ready as I will ever be.
Jordan Ruggieri03:07
All right, here we go. Quick and fun, analog or digital?
Lisa Crawford03:12
I'm a millennial. So digital.
Jordan Ruggieri03:14
Oh. Your favorite science joke or pun?
Lisa Crawford03:18
Okay, this one's going to hurt. But what did the cell exclaim when he ran into the table? “Oh, no, mitosis.”
Jordan Ruggieri03:29
Oh, you're going to fit right in. It's perfect. What is your favorite Absolute Gene-ius episode so far?
Lisa Crawford03:38
You know, I love any of the episodes that are around animals, so pigs, snakes, what have you. I am sap for anything like that.
Jordan Ruggieri03:47
Oh, that’s awesome. And what do you love most about your job?
Lisa Crawford03:52
I love hearing from very, very smart people about things that I had no idea existed. I love that there's this whole world out there that so many of us don't know about, and I love that I get to be a part of sharing that with our listeners.
Jordan Ruggieri04:05
Oh, that's awesome. And finally, one question for me.
Lisa Crawford04:10
Hmm. All right, what's the one piece of advice you give me about being a great co-host?
Jordan Ruggieri04:15
Oh, I'd say you're already there. You have fun, you stay curious, and you always listen for the story behind the science. You're a natural, and I'm so glad you're on board. So Lisa, why don't we give our listeners a little sneak peek of what's coming up in season four?
Lisa Crawford04:32
Happy to do that. So without giving too much away, we've already had some really amazing conversations. We've talked with a recent PhD grad studying plant pathology for agricultural applications, a veteran researcher with BSL-3 and BSL-4 experience who's now in the CRO/CDMO world, a guest from a medical affairs team who shared insights on oncology research, an expert in stem cell programming doing fascinating developmental work, and even an MD, PhD psychiatrist exploring the molecular basis of human behavior. He was such a fun interview. So yeah, it's shaping up to be an incredible mix of science stories and personalities.
Jordan Ruggieri05:08
I could not agree more. What I love most about the show is not just the science, it's the people behind it, hearing what inspired them, how their careers evolved, and what keeps them curious. That's what keeps me coming back every season.
Lisa Crawford05:21
Exactly. Those personal stories make the research come alive. I love hearing about the human side of science and enjoy leading the career corner portions for our conversations and connecting with our guests on that personal level. But let's be careful to not give away too much about this new season, Jordan. Which means I think it's about time we wrap this teaser up.
Jordan Ruggieri05:39
You're definitely right. So to all our listeners, thank you for sticking with us and for being part of the Absolute Gene-ius community. We cannot wait to share season four with you. New episodes are coming soon, so make sure you're subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts. Until then, stay curious.
Jordan Ruggieri05:56
And finally, one question for me.
Lisa Crawford06:00
What is it with you in the puns, Jordan?
Jordan Ruggieri06:04
You know what I asked my genes to be more expressive, and now they're transcribing drama all the time. Okay?
Lisa Crawford06:11
You are unstoppable.