Rasha Aridi is a producer for Science Friday. She loves stories about weird critters, science adventures, and the intersection of science and history.
While studying wildlife conservation at Virginia Tech, Rasha realized that she had way more fun talking about science than actually doing it. She then pivoted into journalism and has since written for outlets like Science, Smithsonian, and The Guardian. Before coming to SciFri, she worked for NPR’s Short Wave and Science Vs from Gimlet Media.
When Rasha isn’t nerding out about science, you can find her on an outdoorsy adventure, reading, or trying (and failing) to leash train her cat. Rasha is the inaugural Outrider/Burroughs Wellcome Fund Fellow.
17:14
How Signing Characters Help Deaf Children Learn Language
A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.
26:55
How The Moon Transformed Life On Earth, From Climate to Timekeeping
A new book explores how the moon changed us—and how we’ve changed the moon.
34:25
Orchids, Snails, And Wolves: The Ongoing Benefit Of The Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction. It’s still working 50 years later.
29:36
How ‘Panda Diplomacy’ Led To Conservation Success
For decades, panda policy has guided conservation advancements. Now, pandas in the US are being returned to China.
17:01
The Military’s Carbon Footprint Is A Hidden Cost Of Defense
A recent report estimates that climate reparations of the US and UK militaries would reach $111 billion.
7:00
These Penguins Are Masters Of Microsleeping
While they’re nesting, chinstrap penguins take thousands of seconds-long naps a day. It adds up.
7:53
The Science Behind Your Unraveling Sweaters
A textile professor and knit expert explains why many sweaters today are of poorer quality than sweaters in the past.
17:29
How AI Chatbots Can Reinforce Racial Bias In Medicine
Researchers examined four popular chatbots and found they perpetuated debunked, harmful ideas from race-based medicine.
40 Years Of Sounding The Alarm On Nuclear Winter
In October 1983, Carl Sagan introduced the world to the idea of nuclear winter caused by nuclear weapon fallout. Is it still a threat?
How Poisons Have Shaped Life On Earth
Poisons fill our pantries and gardens. The new book ‘Most Delicious Poison’ explores how common toxins have shaped life on Earth.