Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Academy's microbiologist (and Chief of Science) Dr. Shannon Bennett weighs in about viruses and microbes of all types, how they can hurt and help us.
Interview segments
00:00 Intro
01:03 Viruses are part of our microbiome
02:04 Shannon's career origin story (aka A Comedy of Parasitic Errors)
04:40 Do all mosquitos drink blood?
04:58 Virus-shaped nuggets
05:29 Viruses as part of the food chain
06:11 What fascinates Shannon about viruses and bacteria
06:58 Viruses role in human evolution
08:08 The weirdest thing Shannon has done for her research
09:01 Vaccinate!
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🙌 Now More Than Ever, We Need Your Support
The Academy has a new mission: to regenerate the natural world through science, learning and collaboration. Please consider a donation to bit.ly/3JcOewJ — any amount helps. Thank you!
- - -
The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to regenerating the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it's the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum—plus cutting-edge research programs—all under one living roof.
Connect with us:
• Instagram: instagram.com/calacademy
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@heycalacademy
• Facebook: facebook.com/calacademy
The Academy's microbiologist (and Chief of Science) Dr. Shannon Bennett weighs in about viruses and microbes of all types, how they can hurt and help us.
Interview segments
00:00 Intro
01:03 Viruses are part of our microbiome
02:04 Shannon's career origin story (aka A Comedy of Parasitic Errors)
04:40 Do all mosquitos drink blood?
04:58 Virus-shaped nuggets
05:29 Viruses as part of the food chain
06:11 What fascinates Shannon about viruses and bacteria
06:58 Viruses role in human evolution
08:08 The weirdest thing Shannon has done for her research
09:01 Vaccinate!
- - -
🙌 Now More Than Ever, We Need Your Support
The Academy has a new mission: to regenerate the natural world through science, learning and collaboration. Please consider a donation to bit.ly/3JcOewJ — any amount helps. Thank you!
- - -
The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to regenerating the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it's the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum—plus cutting-edge research programs—all under one living roof.
Connect with us:
• Instagram: instagram.com/calacademy
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@heycalacademy
• Facebook: facebook.com/calacademy
