📢Q&A: Maddie Sofia, Deep Look Guest Host!📢

Hey Deep Peeps! If you have watched Deep Look’s recent barn owls episode you might have noticed a different voice. That’s Maddie Sofia, Deep Look’s new guest host! She’ll be hosting three more episodes for us while Laura is away this summer. If her voice sounds familiar, that could be because she's the former host of the National Public Radio (NPR) science podcast Short Wave. We hope you enjoy meeting Maddie!

Why did you want to guest host for Deep Look?  What, if anything, has surprised you about hosting the series so far?

I’ve been a long-time fan of Deep Look. I love shows that dive deep into the biology of creepy-crawlies. I think the “weirdest” animals are often the most fascinating. As for making the show, the only thing that has surprised me is just how many people are a part of each episode. It truly is an awesome team effort.

What's your favorite Deep Look video?

Wow, that’s tough there are SO many. It’s no secret that I am a big fan of face mites – so I love this one.  But I have to say that these giant leaf insects stole my heart with their sneaky little walk.

What do you think makes Deep Look unique?

I think Deep Look has a really unique look and personality. From the incredible camera work, to the animations, music, and scripting. There’s just so much there for the audience! It’s a fun ride.

You have a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. What got you interested in science?

Well to be honest, I was kind of a weird little kid. I would run off to the woods and come back with my pockets full of critters (kids, don’t fill your pockets with bugs – it’s not good for anyone).  I loved learning about the animals and plants we shared the world with. Eventually I went on to study the fascinating world of hellbender salamanders and it was all over from there.

I ended up getting my Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in Microbiology and Immunology. I studied the bacteria that cause cholera. But as much as I liked doing experiments, I loved talking about science more. I decided I wanted to spend my career making science as accessible to as many people as possible.

What was your favorite thing about hosting Short Wave, NPR’s science podcast?

When we created Short Wave we set out to make a science show for everyone. That meant challenging science as much as we celebrated it. Telling the stories of those working to make science a more just and equitable pursuit. That was an incredible opportunity.

My favorite thing was getting to work with an incredibly talented group of people. My days were full of nerd-joy and collective nonsense. The Short Wave team encouraged me to be my full, weird self. I will always be grateful for that.

Is there anything else you’d like our fans to know about you?

Just that I’m so glad to be hosting some episodes! If you want to get to know me better you can find me on twitter @maddie_sofia. Please send me pictures of bugs.

Photos:

1. Maddie with a walking leaf insect for a “Maddie About Science” reporting trip.
2. Maddie Sofia
3. Maddie in a big leaf maple for a “Maddie About Science” reporting trip.
4. Maddie with a hellbender salamander on a research trip.
5. Maddie with NPR producer Becky Harlan and scientist Greg Lipps on a reporting trip for “Maddie About Science: Saving Hellbender Salamanders”