INTRODUCTION
The Unbiased Science Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jessica Steier, an empathetic, passionate, and quirky public health scientist with expertise in chronic and infectious disease prevention, and Dr. Sarah Scheinman, a neurobiologist with expertise in basic science, preclinical, and translational biomedical research. The podcast is devoted to objective, critical appraisal of available evidence on science and health-related topics relevant to listeners’ daily lives.
Dr. Steier is a public health scientist with expertise in public health policy, research and evaluation design, biostatistics, and advanced analytics. She believes strongly in scientific education and health literacy, and the translation of research for the general public in a way that maximizes people’s ability to make informed and evidence-based decisions.
Dr. Scheinman is a Chicago-based neurobiologist with expertise in basic science, preclinical, and translational biomedical research. Her primary focus is on the molecular mechanisms of aging and neurodegenerative diseases, but she also has subject-matter expertise in cell biology, genetics, epigenetics, and psychology. She received her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and is currently an NIH-funded research fellow and adjunct professor. Sarah is passionate about scientific education and believes that anyone, anywhere, can understand science and think scientifically. She seeks to alleviate the fear and mistrust that prevents widespread scientific literacy and accessibility. When she is not at the lab bench, Sarah enjoys playing softball, rowing crew, kickboxing, and is an avid reader and board game enthusiast.
The goal of The Unbiased Science Podcast is to dispel misinformation and misconceptions across an array of science and public health topics (e.g., vaccines, GMOs, fad diets, supplements). With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast initially dedicated most episodes to distilling the latest research about the ongoing pandemic in real time as the evidence unfolded. But the podcast has evolved over time and now tackles a variety of issues.
Known for clear, direct, and informative content, Unbiased Science has become a trusted source of no nonsense, just science for people around the globe.
Jessica B. Steier, DrPH, PMP
Public Health Scientist
Dr. Jessica Steier is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vital Statistics Consulting. She is a public health scientist and health services researcher. Prior to joining VSC, she served as a Senior Health Policy Consultant at The Lewin Group, working primarily on large state and federal grants. Prior to that, she served as the inaugural Research Coordinator of Hofstra University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies, where she designed the Master’s degree curriculum, conducted research with clinicians and healthcare delivery organizations to inform evidence-based change and quality improvement, and performed numerous program evaluations and needs assessments for hospitals and departments of health. Dr. Steier is a noted expert in COVID-19. She has designed and led multiple COVID-19 related research projects for the largest FQHC in New York State, and has developed multiple modes of scientific communication of COVID-19 related information, including diagnostic and antibody testing, population health outcomes, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Dr. Steier received her Master of Public Health (Evaluative Sciences) at SUNY-Stony Brook University and her Doctor of Public Health degree from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York (CUNY). She holds a Certificate in Patient Safety, as well as a Certificate in COVID-19 Contact Tracing from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She also holds COVID-19 Certifications (in Psychological Health First Aid for COVID-19 and Returning to Work: Safe Work Practices) from the American Red Cross. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
“It is critical that objective, dispassionate, unbiased science be communicated in a way that is understandable and accessible to all.”
- Jessica Steier, DrPH, PMP
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Jessica currently lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two young children. She is an avid animal lover and supporter of local rescue organizations and has adopted four dogs and two cats of her own. She hopes to soon rescue a pig!
Jess draws inspiration from her father whom she lost to COPD and bladder cancer in December 2019. A “streety” guy from south Brooklyn, he had no formal education but Jess considers him the smartest guy she’s ever known (and credits him for her love of math and statistics). She keeps her dad in mind when creating all content to ensure that it is accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of whether or not they are scientifically literate.
