Black Nerds Matter

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter, we’re thrilled to welcome Ebony D. Taylor, also known as the “Bug Doctor Bloomed Entomologist.” Ebony is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an NSF Graduate Research Fellow whose work sits at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity, and conservation.

From investigating how environmental change affects invertebrate communities to collecting data on mating horseshoe crabs, Ebony brings both rigor and joy to her science. In this conversation, we explore her academic journey from Miami to Madison, her upcoming expansion into marine ecosystems, and the ways she uses storytelling, YouTube, and citizen science to connect people with the natural world.

We also dive into big questions—about purpose, meaning, mental health, and identity as a Black woman in STEM—and how Ebony balances lab work with philosophy debates, travel, and creative exploration.

Whether you’re into bugs, the ocean, or finding your path in science, this episode is full of inspiration, depth, and curiosity.

🎧 Tap in and explore the beauty of biodiversity, one invertebrate at a time.