Greetings science fans!
We’re elated to welcome you to People Behind the Science where we explore the lives and experiences of the people who are working hard to advance our understanding of our universe, our world, and ourselves.
Our Vision: A world where every person feels connected to science because they have gotten to know the people who make science happen.
Our Mission: To humanize science by sharing the voices, stories, and journeys of researchers. We highlight the passion, curiosity, perseverance, and personal experiences surrounding exciting discoveries to inspire and educate current researchers, future scientists, and the public.
Our Purpose: We create engaging content that emphasizes the role that real people play in making scientific discoveries. We provide insights on different scientific career paths, share the stories behind new discoveries, and showcase the diverse personalities, perspectives, and experiences of successful scientists.
In each episode, a guest scientist will guide us through their journey by sharing their successes, failures, and passions. We are excited to introduce you to these inspiring experts from all fields of science to give you a variety of perspectives on the life and path of a scientist.
Our esteemed guests will tell you:
- what motivates them and how they balance their competing responsibilities
- how they worked through some of the most challenging times in their careers
- advice to help you through your own journey through life and science
Our Story
People Behind the Science began with a simple belief: that science becomes more meaningful, memorable, and inspiring when we understand the people who make it happen. Often, only the successes and big discoveries are shared, but we never have an opportunity to hear about the passion, persistence, failures, mentorship, and sparks of inspiration that fuel them.
We created this podcast to give everyone a deeper look into the scientific world and the lives of a wide range of researchers. Through warm, engaging conversations, we explore the human side of discovery, including the early experiences that shaped a scientist’s path, the unexpected setbacks, the breakthroughs that nearly didn’t happen, and the forces that drive them in their work.
Since launching in 2014, People Behind the Science has grown into a global community that celebrates the diversity of voices and experiences within research. Our featured guests have included Nobel Laureates, science advisors for Hollywood movies, award-winning educators, and early-career researchers. Today, People Behind the Science continues to celebrate curiosity, perseverance, and the deeply human spirit behind discovery. We’re here to remind the world that science is not just a collection of facts. It’s a dynamic story shaped by extraordinary individuals.
The Host: Dr. Marie McNeely
I am a scientist on a mission. I am passionate about communicating the wonders of science in a way that is accessible and meaningful to all audiences. I received my PhD in Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis studying walking and balance deficits in people with Parkinson disease, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity now to share my love of science with the world through this podcast.
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in science. As a child, I went through the usual phases of being fascinated with dinosaurs, the pyramids, and the stars. However, what really got me hooked was marine biology. I devoured books on marine mammals, fish, coral, and of course the adventures of the great Jacques Cousteau. I could only dream about what it would have been like to speak to this amazing science legend and to get a view into his brilliant mind. Though my research interests shifted over the years away from marine biology and toward the dazzling frontiers of the brain, my enthusiasm never waned. By introducing you to the People Behind the Science, I hope to connect you to real people, ignite curiosity, and encourage you to never stop learning, while making you reflect, smile, and laugh along the way.