Polymath World Channel

About Polymath World Channel

Join us on our quest for the extraordinary! Sam McKee (@polymath_sam) has 9 university qualifications across 4 subjects including doctorates in history and philosophy of science and molecular biology. He researches both at two British universities and contributes to both space science and cancer research. Meet fellow polymaths and discipline leaders working on the frontiers of research from all over the world. Be inspired to pursue knowledge and drive the world forwards. Watch and share interviews with professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, scientists and astronauts, right here! We talk to the most extraordinary people working on the frontiers for humanity, driving research forwards and changing the world that we live in. We dive deep with thinkers, academics and true icons - many of whom you won't yet have heard of. Listen to us here and on podcast whilst you drive, exercise, do chores, and be inspired to pursue extraordinary in your own life. www.sam-mckee.co.uk

Publisher

Samuel McKee

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jun 2025

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

83 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Episode 71 - Genomics and Gene Sequencing - Dr Ros Jackson

   Dr Ros Jackson has worked for Illumina in Cambridge for the past two decades, during which time gene sequencing has become cheap, accurate, rapid and accessible. The data revolution from massive, parallel sequencing has brought about a huge revolution in the life sciences. Everything from cancer research, drug discovery, through to the current efforts to understand the history of life (such as the Tree of Life Project) have changed forever, and Illumina have been at the heart of these next generation sequencing efforts. Dr Ros Jackson shares her story from being a young, enthusiastic biochemist, through navigating work whilst raising a family, to returning to biology in the early 2000s as the race to the $1000 genome was underway. She shares her story as well as guidance and advice on modern genomics.

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Episode 70 - Becoming Martian - Evolution on Mars - Professor Scott Solomon

   Episode 70: Becoming Martian | How Evolution Could Change Humans on Mars with Scott Solomon What would happen to the human body and mind if we lived on Mars for generations? In Episode 70, Professor Scott Solomon explores the science of human evolution in space and how life on Mars could potentially shape our biology, behavior, and future. Dr. Scott Solomon is a biologist, professor, and science communicator at Rice University, where he teaches ecology, evolutionary biology, and scientific communication. He is also a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. His latest book, Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds, explores how life beyond Earth could transform humanity. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262051514/becoming-martian/ In this episode, discover the science behind human evolution, life on Mars, space adaptation, and the future of our species. 📙 𝐂onnect 𝐖ith Host (Sam McKee) : ▪️Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/ ▪️Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld ▪️Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ ▪️Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam ▪️YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g ▪️LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ 📙 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎𝐒: ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGOaStreSnE&t=330s ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx51z2SENrU&t=521s ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tIiAwTqu9Q&t=1905s ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyjfAGgCdcA&t=56s ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HymOh9VHhuY&t=68s 📙Keywords: PolymathWorld, SamMcKee, ScienceInterviews, SpaceScience, GeneticsTalk, EvolutionaryBiology, AstronautInterviews, PhilosophyOfScience, Becoming Martian Scott Solomon, Scott Solomon, evolution on Mars, human evolution in space, humans on Mars, life on Mars, how humans evolve in space, future humans, space adaptation, evolutionary biology 📙Hashtags: #PolymathWorld #SamMcKee #ScienceInterviews #SpaceScience #Genetics #EvolutionaryBiology #Astronauts #PhilosophyOfScience #ResearchTalks #AcademicInterviews #FutureOfScience #BecomingMartian #ScottSolomon #Evolution #Mars #HumanEvolution #SpaceExploration #Astrobiology #FutureHumans #Science #EvolutionaryBiology 📙 Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by guests are their own and for educational purposes only. 📙 COPYRIGHT NOTICE: © Polymath World. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. 👋 Thanks for visiting my Channel✨

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Episode 69: Humans to Mars, the Moon & the Future of Space Exploration | Dr. Tiffany Vora

   Episode 69: Humans to Mars, the Moon & the Future of Space Exploration | Dr. Tiffany Vora What will it take for humanity to become a multi-planetary civilization? In Episode 69 of Polymath World, Dr. Tiffany Vora explores the future of space exploration, the strategic importance of the Moon, the challenges of sending humans to Mars, and the technologies that could make life beyond Earth possible. Drawing on themes from the Humans to Mars Summit, Tiffany examines the technological, biological, economic, and social challenges involved in establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth. The conversation also explores why innovation in space doesn't only benefit astronauts. Research developed for space can create new approaches to challenges here on Earth, while collaboration between governments, private companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs may determine how quickly humanity advances. 📙 Chapters : 00:00 Introduction to the Humans to Mars Summit and space exploration 02:48 The importance of space exploration for solving Earth problems 05:52 Risks, safety, and ethical considerations for Mars missions 09:04 The role of private sector and innovation in space exploration 10:07 The importance of trust and international cooperation 11:04 Biggest challenges and unsolved problems for Mars 12:02 Technological and biological hurdles for sustainable life on Mars 13:01 The future of space industry and economic opportunities 13:59 Risks related to geopolitics and trust in space 15:11 Optimism and technological advancements in space exploration 16:03 How space innovation benefits Earth and future generations 17:01 Next steps for Humans to Mars and how to get involved 17:58 Encouragement for aspiring space innovators and entrepreneurs 19:03 The role of AI, biotech, and new technologies in space 20:10 The importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in space 21:07 The societal impact of space exploration and culture 22:04 The changing landscape of the space industry and opportunities 23:01 The significance of trust, safety, and ethical considerations 24:00 How to participate and contribute to the future of space exploration 25:00 Final thoughts and call to action for listeners

Who has been a guest on Polymath World Channel

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Howard Hall
• Michele Hall
• Dr Philip Goff
• Professor Simon Mitton
• Professor Bob White FRS

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

50,789

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

97

Social presence

91

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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