People, Parasites, and Plagues

People, Parasites, and Plagues

David Peterson and Kim Klonowski

Episodes 49
Avg. Duration 32m
Activity Highly Active
Since Apr 2021
Latest Episode Feb 2026

Outreach Signals

Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
64%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

About This Podcast

People, Parasites, and Plagues is a podcast aimed at delivering information about the fascinating pathogens among us from the impressive professionals who study them. Join our hosts Dr. David Peterson and Dr. Kim Klonowski, two infectious disease researchers from the University of Georgia, as we explore the past, present, and future of science. Tune in every other week for a new and enlightening episode as we unpack the details surrounding some of Earth’s most perplexing diseases.

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Recent Episodes

When Neutralizing Isn’t Enough: The Immunology of Alphavirus Defense

Feb 20, 2026 33m

The hosts sit down with Dr. Julie Fox, Chief of the Emerging Virus Immunity Unit at NIAID, National Institutes of Health, to explore the science of alphavirus immunity and what antibodies really do…

The Hidden Empire of Parasitoid Wasps

Feb 04, 2026 40m

Parasitoid wasps are some of the most successful organisms on Earth, even if most of us never notice them.In this episode, Dr. Michael Strand from the UGA Department of Entomology takes us inside the…

From Pathogen to Prescription: Reimagining E. coli

Jan 09, 2026 34m

What if your gut bacteria could become medicine?In this episode, a UGA microbiologist, Greg Phillips, reveals how engineered probiotic E. coli can produce L-dopa, the frontline treatment for…

The Silent Architect: Chromatin’s Role in Fungal Outbreaks

Dec 05, 2025 34m

Dive into the world of chromatin and epigenetics with Dr. Zachary Lewis, an associate professor at the UGA Department of Microbiology. His research explores how chromatin structure and other…

Endocytosis: T. cruzi's Cool Parasite Trick

Nov 14, 2025 40m

This episode takes us inside the lab of Dr. Drew Etheridge, an associate professor in the UGA Department of Cellular Biology. He walks us through his scientific path and his current work on…

Parasites & Passports: Graduate Students on Science & Self-Discovery

Oct 31, 2025 33m

Two UGA graduate students take us inside their world of science! Kaelynn Parker (Cellular Biology) and Grace Woods Vick (Infectious Diseases) share what it’s really like working in the lab, traveling…

The Science of Public Policy

Oct 15, 2025 36m

This episode leans into the “people” side of People, Parasites & Plagues.Our guest is Dr. Erik C. Ness, Professor and Director of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at UGA. While his…

Lock and Key: The Devious Mechanisms of Viral Entry

Sep 26, 2025 33m

Today we’re joined by Dr. Melinda Brindley, a molecular virologist at the UGA Department of Infectious Diseases. Her research explores how enveloped viruses enter host cells and replicate.…

Observable Variations: Using Genetic Marker Systems for Infectious Diseases

Sep 13, 2025 38m

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Travis Glenn, Director of the UGA Institute of Bioinformatics, to discuss his work with genetic marker systems and how he's using these systems to group infectious…

S4E17 PPP Book Club: Infectious Reads 2

May 30, 2025 33m

We're ending this season with another Book Club! Our hosts are joined today by Production Assistant Syd Weigand to discuss the novels they've read about malaria, tuberculosis, and new guinea…

S4E16 Treating Mosquitoes: Innovative Ways To Combat Malaria

May 16, 2025 35m

This week we're joined by Dr. Douglas Paton, Assistant Professor of the UGA Department of Infectious Diseases. We've covered malaria before- but not like this! Tune in to hear about his…

S4E15 Harnessing the Hulk: Insights on T Cell Function

Apr 25, 2025 39m

Today's guest is a special one; he's travelled all the way from Australia to chat with us! Dr. Stephen Turner, Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery…

S4E14 SCWDS: Monitoring Wildlife Health for 50 Years

Apr 11, 2025 33m

Today we're talking to Dr. Mark Ruder, the Director of SCWDS and Professor of Wildlife Heath here at UGA. Tune in to hear about the origins of the Southern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and Dr.…

S4E13 Wolbachia: Unwelcome Guest or Essential Partner?

Mar 28, 2025 35m

You'll have to tune in to find out! Today we're chatting with Dr. Vincent Starai, an associate professor of the UGA Department of Microbiology about his research with the obligate intracellular…

S4E12 Hypnozoites: World's Best Nappers

Mar 14, 2025 44m

This week we're joined by Dr. Chester Joyner of the UGA Department of Infectious Diseases to discuss his research with Plasmodium vivax and the curious nature of its dormant liver stage.

S4E11 Mom For The Win: Setting Up Your Early Immunity For Success!

Feb 28, 2025 30m

We're back today with a special visitor: Dr. Stephanie Langel, Assistant Professor of the Case Western University Department of Pathology. Tune in to hear about her journey to science, her research…

S4E10 TB, Or Not TB

Feb 10, 2025 38m

This week we're talking tuberculosis with Dr. Frederick Quinn, the Department Head of Infectious Diseases here at UGA. Tune in to hear about his current research with zoonotic tuberculosis and what…

S4E9 The Ins And Outs of Biocontainment

Jan 17, 2025 38m

We've got a treat for you this week! Dr. Jeff Hogan of the UGA Department of Infectious Diseases is joining us to talk about his work in the most secure building on campus and his time spent…

S4E8 The Life & Times of the Schisto Kid

Dec 27, 2024 34m

Join us this week for a special discussion with Emeritus Professor of Microbiology Dr. Daniel Colley. We're chatting with him about his time spent with the CDC, becoming the director of the Center…

S4E7 Galen: A Guy With A Great Sense Of Humors

Dec 13, 2024 32m

We're mixing it up a little bit this week with Dr. Susan Mattern of the UGA Department of Classics! Join us on our walk through history as we talk about Galen, a prolific Roman physician whose…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does People, Parasites, and Plagues have?

People, Parasites, and Plagues has published 49 episodes since April 2021, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Life Sciences.

Is People, Parasites, and Plagues still active?

People, Parasites, and Plagues is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 32m.

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