Laurentian University graduate lands job as editor of popular Ologies podcast
CBC
A recent graduate of Laurentian University and Science North's science communication program has landed her dream job as lead editor on a popular science podcast.
Mercedes Maitland has joined the team at Ologies, which Apple Podcasts ranks as its second-highest rated science show in the U.S. and Canada.
Host Alie Ward interviews professionals who dedicate their lives to different "ologies" such as paleontology or molecular biology.
The show's motto is to "ask smart people stupid questions."
Before she even got into science communication, Maitland, who grew up in North Bay and Blind River, Ont., was a fan of the show.
"I was listening to Ologies a lot and Alie, the host, was the first guest on Bill Nye's podcast," Maitland said.
"And in that episode they talked about this thing called science communication. And I thought, 'Well, I've never heard of that before, but it sounds a lot like what I've always wanted to do.'"
Maitland enrolled at the program at Sudbury's Laurentian University, which teaches students to communicate about science to a general audience.
During the program students are expected to complete an internship.
She said she met Ward's husband, Jarrett Sleeper, through a workout group on Instagram. He was the show's lead editor at that time, and Maitland asked if they had any openings for an internship.
"I thought about it for weeks. My roommates, who were also in the program with me, heard about me think about it for weeks," Maitland said.
But the gamble paid off, and she got the internship.
And after graduating she landed the role of lead editor.
Maitland said she appreciates the show's approach to science communication and how Ward humanizes scientists through her interviews.