With science under attack, researcher Anthony Zador joins me to make the case for its value, especially of curiosity-driven, basic science.
Anthony Zador is the Alle Davis Harris Professor of Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York.
We explore the charms of curiosity as a research motivator, what distinguishes curiosity-driven research from all the rest, federal investments in science — recent disruptions thereto and the gutting of American research, the “curse of knowledge”, showcasing practical applications, debate in the lab, and what’s to love about Gila monster venom and Yellowstone’s thermal pools.
“The burden of proof is on us — researchers — to explain why what we do is valuable to society. ~ Anthony Zador
Episode Webpage and full shownotes: https://lynnborton.com/2025/06/12/in-praise-of-curiosity-driven-research-with-anthony-zador/