In this episode, I speak with Dr. Marjan Eggermont, an expert in bio-inspired design. We talk about design and sustainability, new innovations in design, why companies should hire scientists, and Marjan’s own work as an artist. Intro (0:00:42) Marjan has a degree in military history (0:01:25) How Marjan also ended up with a BFA and an MFA (0:03:08) Marjan followed her curiosity and then got a PhD (0:04:25) Interdisciplinary approach to the arts (0:07:54) Why is bio-inspired design part of engineering? (0:08:37) Is biomimicry the same thing as bio-design? (0:10:22) Have plastics become more sustainable because of biodesign? (0:12:31) Studying animals in biomimicry (0:13:34) Snakes in biodesign (0:16:48) Life in urban centres (0:18:06) Teaching biodesign (0:19:13) Interest in microorganisms and Tardigrades (0:20:33) Bio-inspired design inspired by the micro-world (0:24:15) Reverse-engineering in order to create (0:27:13) Companies are hiring biologists for design (0:29:20) How can scientists get jobs in this field? (0:30:50) Have animals mimicked humans? (0:32:22) Zygote Quarterly: a biodesign journal (0:34:32) How does Zygote find people to feature in their journal? (0:36:56) Marjan’s art (0:39:05) Moving to Canada (0:40:57) Perceptions of being an artist who’s also a professor (0:42:00) Pausing as an artist (0:44:25) What inspires new work? (0:45:50) Teaching as a passion (0:46:55) Teaching online during the pandemic (0:47:18) Using art in bio-inspired design classes (0:48:39) Twenty years of teaching (0:50:06) Living in Calgary (0:50:43) Impressions of living in Canada (0:51:30) First thing Marjan will do when the pandemic is over (0:55:50) Zygote Quarterly: https://zqjournal.org/ U of Calgary bio: https://schulich.ucalgary.ca/contacts/marjan-eggermont Marjan’s artwork: https://www.herringerkissgallery.com/marjan-eggermont Little Ray’s Reptiles: https://littlerays.org/ Visit Planet B612 on the web: http://planetb612.fm/ Follow Planet B612 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetB612fm Support Planet B612 on Patreon: https://patreon.com/juliesworld