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    <description>Rust Belt Science: down-to-earth conversations about cutting-edge research, Maggie Fink and Shahir Rizk sit down with passionate scientists to dive into their work, making complex ideas easy to grasp for everyone—no lab coat required! But it’s more than just science talk. We pull back the curtain to show that researchers are everyday people, living and working in our communities. Our conversations dive into how science connects to art, culture, mythology, and all other aspects of our daily lives. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about how the world works, even if you find science to be intimidating, Rust Belt Science connects you to groundbreaking ideas and the inspiring stories of the people behind them.</description>
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      <title>Why Basic Research and Bacteria Matter and: An Interview with Dr. Dan Kearns</title>
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      <title>Episode 32: Exploring Space, Storytelling and Asteroids with Dr. Amy Mainzer</title>
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        <![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Rust Belt Science, Maggie Fink and Shahir Rizk welcome Dr. Amy Mainzer, a professor at UCLA and principal investigator at NASA, to discuss her fascinating work on near-Earth objects and her unique perspectives on science and science fiction.</p>]]>
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