This is the first episode in our Origins of Life series where we will interview an interdisciplinary group of scientists working at the cutting edge of one of the most profound unanswered questions: How does matter become living nanotechnology and how did it happen here on earth?

Our first guest, Anna Wong, professor at UNSW Sydney, shares her insights into the properties of cell membranes and her experiences at Harvard under the mentorship of Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak. We discuss Origins of Life research broadly, as well as her work on the physics of lipid membranes.

Our podcast team is excited to bring you a wide-ranging conversation with MIT Professor Moungi Bawendi, 2023 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, who pioneered the controlled synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots (the source of the "Q' in QLED TVs). We cover the exciting story of his discovery, the scientific and historical context, alchemy, flaws in today's system of research funding, and more.

An unprecedented long-form discussion with Professor Mikhail Lukin, co-director of the Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and a leading figure in quantum optics and quantum information science. Fresh off an impressive result in the race for useful quantum computing, Misha discusses the origins of quantum computing, cold atom physics and his journey to his current role at Harvard. We also cover exciting details of the latest Lukin lab breakthrough in neutral atom computing and quantum error correction.