SR 134: A Conversation with Moiya McTier: Astrophysicist, Folklorist, & Science Communicator

Tonight I chatted with Moiya McTier, Ph.D. student from Columbia University. Moiya is the host of the podcast, Exolore, in which she "explores fictional worlds by building them with a panel of expert guests." Additionally, regular viewers of the Weekly Space Hangout will recognize Moiya as one of their regular journalists.

Moiya grew up in the middle of the woods of rural Pennsylvania without running water. From there, she went to Harvard University where she became the first person in the school's long history to study both astrophysics and folklore & mythology. Now she's pursuing her PhD in astronomy at Columbia University in New York City, studying how the Milky Way's structure influences exoplanet populations.

Outside of research, Moiya has written a science fiction novel, designed an exhibit for the New York Hall of Science, and given more than 100 talks and performances about science.

To learn more about Moiya, visit her website: https://www.moiyamctier.com/ and follow her on Twitter (@GoAstroMo) and Instagram (@GoAstroMo).

Tonight our Dom's Cheese of the Week was Taleggio: https://domscheese.com/product/taleggio/

Join the show recording every Thursday at 8pm ET by leaving a voicemail at www.SpaceRadioShow.com.

Support the show on Patreon.

Follow on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube.

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Matthew K, Chris L, Barbara K, Duncan M, Corey D, Justin Z, Neuterdude, Nate H, Andrew F, Naila, Aaron S, Scott M, Rob H, David B, Frank T, Tim R, Alex P, Tom Van S, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Richard K, Steve P, Dave L, Chuck C, Stephen M, Maureen R, Stace J, Neil P, lothian53 , COTFM, Stephen S, Ken L, Debra S, Alberto M, Matt C, Ron S, Stephen J, Joe R, Jeremy K, David P, Norm Z, Ulfert B, Robert B, Fr. Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Edward K, Callan R, Darren W, JJ_Holy, Tracy F, Tom, Sarah K, Bill H, Steven S, Jens O, Ryan L, Ella F, Richard S, Sam R, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, R Larche, Syamkumar M, John S, Fred S, Homer V, Mark D, Brianna V, Becky L, Colin B, Arthur, Bruce A, Steven M, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, Thomas W, Linda C, Joshua, David W, Aissa F, Tom G, and Marc H!!

Produced by Nancy Graziano.

Cheese for today’s tasting proudly provided by Dom’s Cheese Shop.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars.