Captain’s Logs and Lightsabers - Interview with Dr. Erin Macdonald

Captains' Logs and Lightsabers main show is back after a few months' hiatus with an extra-special episode.  Jonathan and Chris had an incredible opportunity to interview Dr. Erin MacDonald,  a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Glasgow in Scotland!  MacDonald, in 2019, was hired as the official science consultant for the ever-expanding Star Trek Universe and currently works on all shows in development.  Dr. Erin talks about her love of both franchises, her strong connections to Star Wars Rebels and Kathryn Janeway, how her love of Star Trek led to working on the franchise, and the science behind warp travel.  Will humanity experience First Contact Day in 2063, or is this event purely a work of science fiction?  Listen and find out the answer!   0:00 Introduction/Guest Background 2:25 First Exposures ST & SW 6:45 Influential Characters 12:00 Learning About Janeway's Return 15:15 Scientific Accuracy in Star Wars 18:05 The Mycelial Network in Discovery 21:10 First Contact Day On Time? 25:00 Turning Trek Love Into a Career 30:20 Dr. Mac Influences Trek Science 35:10 Kathryn Janeway/Kate Mulgrew 43:35 Advice for Women in the Sciences 46:20 Lasting Influence on Star Trek 49:45 Current Projects & Appearances 55:00 Contact Information/Outro     Contact Dr. Erin MacDonald   Website: http://www.erinpmacdonald.com Instagram: @drerinmac Twitter: @drerinmac   Contact the Hosts   Jonathan - justadisneygeek on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube  Chris - @chrisstough1 or @PghTrekChat on Twitter, Pittsburgh's Trek Chat on YouTube Email [email protected]     Connect with Geek News Now  Twitter - @GNN_Home  Facebook - Geek News Now  Website - www.geeknewsnow.net