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Stephen Poletto is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

iPhone App developer and computer science programmer entrepreneur Stephen Poletto dropped by the “studio” to tell us about his various creations, including his newest app SquareQuote. We learned about the advantages of jumping in and creating an app/program; his extremely positive experience working for Apple and affecting millions of people the past two years; and his insomnia-tic/obsessive personality that played into his love for computer science programming. He shared his favorite quote and why he’s excited to join Dropbox’s team next year. 

Be on the look out for  SquareQuote’s  official release, but in the mean time, check out his last iPhone app Billr (“The quickest way to split a bill and calculate the tip at restauratns and bars.”). Also, if you’ll be in San Francisco next year, make sure and keep tabs on this guy while he hacks away at Dropbox (you’re lucky to have him).

That’s our man hacking away. Want some of his entrepreneurial spirit to rub off on you? Click play and catch up with the totally awesome, Stephen Poletto!

Guest: Stephen Poletto

Why he’s awesome: iPhone App Developer and Entrepreneur

Lee Saper is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

Mars expert Lee Saper joined YTA to catch us up on his latest thesis research on our neighbor planet. We learned about the role he played in helping determine where the the next Mars rover will (not) land; that while rivers and lakes are cool, the real possibility of finding remnants of life on Mars is in researching the subsurface; and how a trip to Iceland turned him into a planetary geologist. He told us about the marriage of sustainability and space, and how we as a human race are already on Mars.

That’s our boy above making contact with our extraterrestrial neighbors. Hit play and let him educate you on all things Mars. Without further ado, the totally awesome, Lee Saper!

Guest: Lee Saper

Why He’s Awesome: Mars Expert

Tara Kane Prendergast is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

Brown Refugee Youth Tutoring and Enrichment (BRYTE) volunteer and former head coordinator and Class of 2012′s commencement student orator, Tara Kane Prendergast blessed YTA’s “studio” with her loving presence. We gave a BIG thank you to the people who had a moderately important role in helping her become who she is today, Tara’s parents, and got a sneak preview of the high level topics of her commencement speech.

If you’re interested in joining or finding out more about BRYTE, head over to their website. It’s an incredible program that Tara really helped develop throughout her time at Brown. Encourage anyone interested to check it out.

That’s our girl above with her girl Alice from the BRYTE program. Hit play and hope that some of her sweet, caring nature rubs off on you. Without further ado, the totally awesome, Tara Kane Prendergast!

Guest: Tara Kane Prendergast

Why She’s Awesome: Brown Refugee Youth Tutoring and Enrichment (BRYTE) volunteer, Brown University 2012 Commencement Student Orator, and personal role model

Sophie Kainen is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

African loan shark expert Sophie Kainen stopped by the studio to talk about her freshly finished thesis and exciting research. We learned how she got interested in interviewing “informal money lenders” aka loan sharks, why she was accused of being a government spy in Africa, and about sharing seats with live chickens on her bus rides. She unveiled the tactics she used to get loan sharks to talk to her, and the pros and cons of these informal money lenders.

Watch her defend her thesis on Tuesday, May 1 at 11-11:15am in the JoukowskyForum at the Watson Institute (111 Thayer Street). You’ll learn everything you need to know about African loan sharks and get to hear about her exciting experiences.

That’s our girl hanging out in her second home. Hit play and catch up with the totally awesome Sophie Kainen!

Guest: Sophie Kainen

Why She’s Awesome: African Loan Shark Researcher

Jonathan Topaz is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

Founder of Brown’s Storytellers, Jonathan Topaz, joined YTA  to “shamelessly promote” the group’s upcoming StorySlam. We learned what exactly storytelling is (much more than telling Mom about your day), , and about his affinity for self-deprecation and death. He  

Don’t miss the upcoming StorySlam 8pm Friday (4/27) and Saturday (4/28) in Kassar Fox Auditorium (Full Disclosure: YTA’s host will be performing in the Slam. Don’t let that deter you from coming.). If you’re interested in joining the group, head over to their meetings every Tuesday at 8pm on the 3rd floor of JWW, and if you’re interested in hearing more stories, be sure to check out the Moth.

That’s our man doing some ‘xplainin at one of the past StorySlams. He’ll hit you with his witty charm and smooth delivery, so click play and catch up with the totally awesome, Jonathan Topaz!

Guest: Jonathan Topaz

Why He’s Awesome: Storyteller

Favorite Story: Pen Pal by Boris Timanovsky

Kate Doyle and Andrew Favaloro are Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

Show runners Kate Doyle and Andrew Favaloro stopped by the “studio” to talk about their new show Nothing Productive. We learned about everything that goes into putting on a TV show about dysfunctional student groups and how a physics Ph.D candidate has the time to fill a hard drive with TV shows. “Disclaimer: The antics of the characters in Nothing Productive are not based on any person or people in particular.”

Check out Nothing Productive’s pilot, which is online to view for free, and be on the lookout for episodes 2-5. 

That’s the poster for their show. They’re usually busy behind the scenes, so click play and see  them on the other side of the camera. Without further ado, the totally awesome Kate Doyle and are Andrew Favaloro!

Guest: Kate Doyle and are Andrew Favaloro 

Why He’s Awesome: TV show writer, director, executive producer, and everything else

Srihari Sritharan is Totally Awesome

Full Post at namosaur.blogspot.com

Co-captain of Brown’s South Asian fusion dance team, Brown Badmaash Dance Company, Srihari (Sri) Sritharan joined YTA to talk about their upcoming show. We learned what exactly South Asian fusion dance and music is, how a failed tryout for Brown’s baseball team serendipitously led to his Badmaash tryout, and how his love for all things South Asian also led to the birth of DJ Srimix. He explains how he hopes not to overextend himself in grad school (Ph.D in Neuroscience at  UPenn next year–nbd), and why it’ll be so tough not to.  

Don’t miss Badmaash’s upcoming show Hit the Floor this Saturday 4/28 at 7pm in Solomon 101. Tickets will be sold all week from 11-3pm in JWW or the Main Green (weather permitting) for $5. Tickets can also be bought for $7 at the door. Also, head over to his soundcloud page and check out all of his South Asian fusion mashups. 

He’ll hit you with his dance moves and sick mixes. Click play and catch up with the totally awesome, Sri Sritharan!

Guest: Srihari Sritharan
Why He’s Awesome: South Asian fusion dancer, Mash-up DJ, and Neuroscientist