FieldSound is the official podcast of UW College of the Environment, offering immersive and narrative storytelling. Hosted by Sarah Smith, the podcast features interviews with researchers from the University of Washington who share their groundbreaking discoveries. FieldSound aims to entertain and educate, highlighting the excitement and significance of environmental research.

In the latest episode of FieldSound, our own faculty member, Ryan Kelly, was featured to discuss his interdisciplinary approach to environmental research. Trained as both an ecologist and lawyer, Ryan bridges marine science with real-world environmental law and policy. His work, which includes leading the eDNA Collaborative, focuses on environmental DNA (eDNA) — genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings. This innovative technology allows researchers to identify hundreds of thousands of species from a single sample, revolutionizing environmental monitoring and conservation efforts. He discusses applications of eDNA, such as assessing urbanization impacts in Puget Sound and monitoring salmon restoration efforts in Washington state. Additionally, Kelly highlights his recent publication, “Between the Tides,” which offers a guide to the beaches and tidepools of Washington, Oregon, and California enriching our understanding of coastal marine ecology.

You can listen to the podcast here.