The Lab Rats Show
🧠 Research delivered in a *bite sized* and cheesy format. 🧀
Ever wondered what research studies are happening at universities and laboratories today? Curious about what questions are being asked & what data is being found?
Join Lab Rats founder, Dr. Anousheh 'McWhiskerson,' as she chats with researchers from around the world, laughing & learning about what they're discovering and why it matters. 🔎🔬📚
Meet the Experts
EPISODES
SEASON 1
2025
Newcomer On-boarding in Hybrid Work Environments
Episode 1 | Mara Hilmy, PhD(c), University of Glasgow, Scotland
Inside The Opt-Out Movement
Episode 2 | Eric C. Mason, PhD, NovaEventus ECM, Former DOED
The Impact of Loss on Aging Dogs
Episode 3 | Courtney L. Sexton, PhD, CAAB Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Advancements in Carbon Dioxide Removal
Episode 4 | Haley McKey, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy (UPenn), Former DOE
Teaching of Evolution in Public Schools
Episode 5 | Josh Stewart, PhD, Rocky Mountain Research
The Validity of Sub-Group Findings in Research
Episode 6 | Betsy Wolf, PhD, Johns Hopkins, Former DOED
SEASON 2
2026
COMING FALL 2026
NEW CHEESE DROPPING SOON
🐀
Take a deeper dive into the data.
The Lab Rats Podcast is where you'll find extended interviews with each guest, including more in-depth conversations around research design and study findings.
EPISODE 1: Newcomer On-boarding in Hybrid Work Environments
Mara Hilmy, PhD(c), University of Glasgow, Scotland
Study: "Zooming Into Organizational Socialization: How Newcomers Develop Social Networks that Facilitate Knowledge Acquisition and Social Acceptance in the Hybrid Work Environment"
- Read Mara's Bio
- Watch Episode 1 on YouTube (5 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (14 min)
How do you onboard and integrate hybrid work employees into an organization?
Episode 1 explores PhD candidate Mara Hilmy's dissertation research on management science and how hybrid newcomers develop social networks.
EPISODE 2: Inside The Opt-Out Movement
Eric C. Mason, PhD, NovaEventus ECM, Former DOED
Study: "Find a better way: A study of parent test refusals of Colorado K12 state assessments in 2015 and 2016 using a framework based on the Kano model"
- Read Dr. Mason's Bio
- Watch Episode 2 on YouTube (Research Bites - 5 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (14 min)
What happens when parents say “no thanks” to standardized testing?
Episode 2 explores Dr. Eric C. Mason's dissertation research on K-12 State Assessments, the 2015-2016 Opt-Out Movement and implications for the future of standardized testing in major states.
EPISODE 3: The Impact of Loss on Aging Dogs
Courtney L. Sexton, PhD, CAAB, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech -
Study: "Like One of the Family: The Impact of Loss on Cognitive Health in Aging Dogs"
- Read Dr. Sexton's Bio
- Watch Episode 3 on YouTube (7 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (13 min)
How does loss of a human or animal companion in the home impact a dog's mental and physical health?
Episode 3 explores Dr. Courtney Sexton's support of The Dog Aging Project's longitudinal study on loss, grief and the impact it has on canine health.
EPISODE 4: Advancements in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Haley McKey, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy (UPenn), Former DOE
Study: "Making Carbon Dioxide Removal a Reality through State Policy and Community Engagement"
- Read Haley's Bio
- Watch Episode 4 on YouTube (9 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (20 min)
How do we manage Carbon Dioxide Removal while C02 levels are on the rise?
Episode 4 explores Haley McKey's carbon management research with the Kleinmann Center for Energy Policy, and how to mitigate the C02 implications of data centers.
EPISODE 5: Teaching of Evolution in Public Schools
Josh Stewart, PhD, Rocky Mountain Research
Study: "Teaching of Evolution in Public Schools: A Cross-Cultural Examination"
- Read Dr. Stewart's Bio
- Watch Episode 5 on YouTube (8 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (Coming Soon)
Why is teaching evolution in US public schools controversial, but not in Europe?
Episode 5 explores Dr. Stewart's dissertation research on the unique cultural challenges facing the teaching of evolution in K-12.
EPISODE 6: The Validity of Sub-Group Findings in Research
Betsy Wolf, PhD, Johns Hopkins, Former DOED
- Read Dr. Wolf's Bio
- Watch Episode 6 on YouTube (10 min)
- Listen to the Extended Interview on Spotify (Coming Soon)
When research studies indicate that a program “works differently” for different students… how sure are we that’s real?
Episode 6 explores Dr. Wolf's expertise as a What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) research scientist and her current large-scale study with John Hopkins University exploring if subgroup effects identified by researchers are really valid, and how we can determine their validity based on her review of findings.
Want to be a guest on The Lab Rats Show?
Calling All Researchers!
The Lab Rats welcomes those with a passion for research and sharing their knowledge with others to apply for our show.
Applicants must be able to discuss an area of expertise by presenting either: (1) an overview of the existing and emerging literature regarding their field; (2) findings and implications from a peer-reviewed research study they supported; or (3) dissertations so long as the study has been approved and data collection is in progress.
To apply, submit your bio & research info.
“Science is better when we talk together.”
Dr. Anousheh | Lab Rats Founder