How an Irish Mathematician is Uncovering LIFE in the Universe at NASA w/ Dr Caoimhe Rooney
10/02/22 • 41 min
Today, we sit down with Dr. Caoimhe Rooney, a research scientist at NASA whose areas of expertise include mathematical modelling of complex engineering systems, planetary science, public communication and mission design. She has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022.
Listen in as Dr. Rooney discusses how participating in Oxford’s Industrially Focused Mathematical Modelling program paved the way for a career in applied mathematics at NASA. She speaks on the delicate balance between performing technical analysis and accepting uncertainty in the field of exoplanet characterisation.
Dr. Rooney also talks about the goals of mathematical modelling at NASA and how she typically goes about collecting and applying data in her work. She shares her uniquely challenging experience as the only mathematician on a team of physicists, alongside having to navigate a considerable time difference.
Finally, Dr. Rooney speaks on her future goals as well as her initiative to get more women into the field of mathematics via the Mathematigals platform.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
● [02:43] Why Dr. Rooney chose space
● [07:42] About Dr. Rooney’s PhD thesis
● [12:50] Applying mathematical modelling to planetary science
● [17:10] Factoring clouds into mathematical models
● [21:52] The goals of mathematical modelling at NASA
● [27:50] How Dr. Rooney collects data
● [31:11] Being the only mathematician on a team of physicists
● [34:57] About Mathematigals
● [38:46] Dr. Rooney’s goals for the future of her career
Key Quotes by Dr. Caoimhe Rooney:
● Something that you might not be able to physically touch or put your hands on will still be underpinned by some sort of mathematical equation. There is always a way that you can take something physical and put it on paper in the form of equations and physics principles.
https://www.patreon.com/LivingRoomLogicHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, we sit down with Dr. Caoimhe Rooney, a research scientist at NASA whose areas of expertise include mathematical modelling of complex engineering systems, planetary science, public communication and mission design. She has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022.
Listen in as Dr. Rooney discusses how participating in Oxford’s Industrially Focused Mathematical Modelling program paved the way for a career in applied mathematics at NASA. She speaks on the delicate balance between performing technical analysis and accepting uncertainty in the field of exoplanet characterisation.
Dr. Rooney also talks about the goals of mathematical modelling at NASA and how she typically goes about collecting and applying data in her work. She shares her uniquely challenging experience as the only mathematician on a team of physicists, alongside having to navigate a considerable time difference.
Finally, Dr. Rooney speaks on her future goals as well as her initiative to get more women into the field of mathematics via the Mathematigals platform.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
● [02:43] Why Dr. Rooney chose space
● [07:42] About Dr. Rooney’s PhD thesis
● [12:50] Applying mathematical modelling to planetary science
● [17:10] Factoring clouds into mathematical models
● [21:52] The goals of mathematical modelling at NASA
● [27:50] How Dr. Rooney collects data
● [31:11] Being the only mathematician on a team of physicists
● [34:57] About Mathematigals
● [38:46] Dr. Rooney’s goals for the future of her career
Key Quotes by Dr. Caoimhe Rooney:
● Something that you might not be able to physically touch or put your hands on will still be underpinned by some sort of mathematical equation. There is always a way that you can take something physical and put it on paper in the form of equations and physics principles.
https://www.patreon.com/LivingRoomLogicHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
How Women can OPTIMISE Training to their Bodies w/ Sports Scientist David Nolan
Does the menstrual cycle impact performance? What about the contraceptive pill? How does a history of research in men, impact how we advise women to exercise? This week Andrew speaks to David Nolan, a fantastic PhD candidate in applied sports sciences under the supervision of Dr. Brendan Egan at Dublin City University.
David is an experienced sports science practitioner and academic. Currently an assistant lecturer in physical activity and health science at the Technological University of the Shannon and Program Lead on the MSc. in Sports Performance Analysis at the Portobello Institute. Founder of Synapse Performance which aims to educate in the areas of health, nutrition, and human performance through interactive seminars/workshops and media content production, and offer corporate consulting services to enterprises in the sports science and technology sector. Host of the Synapse Performance Podcast which is a collection of interviews with leading experts and researchers in the area of strength and conditioning / human performance.
https://www.patreon.com/LivingRoomLogicHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Do men feel more pain than women? w/ Dr Siobhain O'Mahony
What is more painful, a kick in the jewels or giving birth? Who REALLY experiences more pain: men or women?
On today’s show, we sit down with Dr Siobhain O’ Mahony, a senior lecturer at University College Cork specializing in pain neuroscience, women's health, and the gut-brain axis.
Dr. Siobhain starts the conversation by defining pain syndromes, different types of pains for both genders, and sex differences in how we perceive pain. She also expounds on the relationship between pain and estrogen level fluctuations, why high estrogen levels cause pain resistance, as well as how it’s entangled with birth control methods.
Finally, we explore her research on the role of gut microbiota on anti-inflammatory & anti-pain properties, brain-gut microbiota axis, and healthy dietary changes or supplements that can target pain disorders such as probiotic intake.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
● [01:09] Defining “pain syndrome/condition”
● [02:27] Different types of pains
● [04:29] Sex differences in how we perceive pain
● [06:39] The science behind estrogen levels & pain
● [11:36] Pain interaction with contraceptives
● [13:55] Dr. Siobhain’s investigative research on gut microbiota
● [19:59] Dietary changes to target pain disorders
● [23:07] Sex difference pain in irritable bowel syndrome
Key Quotes by Professor Dr. Siobhain O’Mahony:
● It’s not the levels of estrogen that are important with regard to sexes & sex differences in pain. It’s the fluctuation levels that we have.
● Maintaining a healthy gut microorganism environment is really key to well-being.
● Women have a lower threshold & lower tolerance to pain stimulation than men.
https://www.patreon.com/LivingRoomLogicHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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