Episode 35: Dr. Najat Saliba on Air Pollution and How Chemistry Can Influence Politics

Superheroes don’t just exist in our comic books. We find them, here, in the real world. They protect the innocent. They fight injustice. They use their powers and skills for good. And we have interviewed one such superhero—working as both a global research scientist and serving as an elected government official. On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry (edited by Presley Vu), hosts Yeongseo Son and Nina Deng talk about their interview with Dr. Najat Saliba, a Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the American University of Beirut and a member of the Parliament of Lebanon. Elaborating on her work on smoking and air pollution, Dr. Saliba talks to us about the detrimental effects of hookas, e-cigarettes, and explosions. She weaves in her stories of cloud watching, of balancing politics and science, of enjoying the process rather than the success. We hope you enjoy! If you like to know more about Dr. Najat Saliba, you can reach her by email at ns30@aub.edu.lb.