In this new episode of DAP, Megh and Vatsal are joined by Dr. Robin Sharma. A friend of the pod, Dr. Sharma is a creator of science-based Digital Learning Environments (DLEs). He studies the effects of such DLEs on academic achievement, attitudes, and acceptance. He has more than seven years of professional experience in Ed.Tech. at international non-profits, the video game industry, and of course, academia.

He talks to us about his academic journey that started from a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics to learning science. We also get a quick primer on learning science, DLEs, and what it takes to develop games to aid learning. Join us for an enriching conversation!

Recommendations:

• ​Megh

◦Book: Rebel with a Cause: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/rebel-with-a-clause-ellen-jovin?variant=43095339040802

◦Movie: Minsara Kanavu “spring mudi”

◦26th Jan parade

◦Boardgames - Through the Ages, John Company, T’zolkin The Mayan Calendar, Indonesia, SplendorRe-recommendation: Pluribus

• ​Vatsal

◦Movie: Bugonia

• ​Robin

◦Website: https://chaturbhuj.notion.site/Robin-Sharma-1130d1f78dfe806bb041dd8c97c84bf3

◦The Mathematical Universe - Max Tegmark

◦Explaining Life through Evolution - Prosanta Chakrabarty

◦Game: Assassin Creed* Robin's DLEs can be found here: https://chaturbhuj.notion.site/Learning-Environments-1ef0d1f78dfe80dabfd2d90ff6d822cc

We are joined once again by Ajay and Harsha, as we discuss the major tech breakthroughs of 2025 and the major theme of this progress: AI.

Recommendations and References:

• ⁠It’s surprisingly easy to stumble into a relationship with an AI chatbot

• The MIT List

• Anthropic Coverage:

• • Trump orders government to stop using Anthropic in battle over AI use

  • Trump Orders Government to Stop Using Anthropic After Pentagon Standoff

  • Anthropic boss rejects Pentagon demand to drop AI safeguards

  • Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance

• OpenAI Coverage:

• • OpenAI: "Our agreement with the Department of War"

  • OpenAI’s Sam Altman announces Pentagon deal with ‘technical safeguards’

    
    

Previous Episodes with Harsha and Ajay:

• S11E1: Pivoting from a PhD- navigating an alternative career path with Harsha
• Supplementary Materials 4: Tech Wrap 2024 with Ajay and Harsha
• S4E1- Conversation around Drug discovery Ft. Harsha

In this episode of DAP, we are joined by Dhruti, a long-time listener and a friend of the pod. She takes us through her academic journey, studying botany and zoology as part of her undergrad program in Bangalore to researching microbial populations of the soils in Australia for her PhD studies.

We talk about her love of birds and spiders and how that contributed to her scientific journey, documenting 'soppus' in local communities, her dissertation work about understanding microbial ecology of soil in Australia, and much more! Join in!!!

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Megh

• • Like: A History of the World's Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word – An Informative and Engaging Look at Language, Women, and Society, Megan C. Reynolds

  • Should Scientists and Engineers Run Society? Dr Fatima

  • Shows: Narcos, The Pitt

• Vatsal

• • Tapeworm Spreads Deadly Cancer to Human | Scientific American

  • ‘All authors agree’ to retraction of Nature article linking microbial DNA to cancer

• Dhruti

• • Merlin Sheldrake’s works (https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/)

  • Jake Robinson (https://www.jakemrobinson.com/books)

    Amitav Ghosh: Ghost Eye