This Week in Virology Podcast Marks 1000th Episode with Live Event

Hosts and listeners gathered Saturday, April 15^th to celebrate the 1000^th episode of This Week in Virology (TWiV) with a live taping at Helen Mills Theater in New York City. Bringing science and fun to a widely misunderstood topic, TWiV educates listeners on virology, the study of viruses, in compact and easy-to-digest podcast episodes.

“Hitting this milestone, one thousand episodes, it’s just fantastic,” says Vincent Racaniello, PhD, one of the Parasites Without Borders board members, founder of MicrobeTV, and host of This Week in Virology (TWiV) along with Dickson D. Despommier, PhD. “When we started the podcast, we simply wanted to share our passion, this very specialized area of medical science that drove us to spend countless hours studying and researching. It’s truly a topic about the masses and for the masses. To have this dream not only be brought to life, but to be embraced by so many, we’re truly grateful.”

Making its premiere in September 2008 with its first episode, TWiV has become the podcast for scientists and laypeople alike to learn about the newest research and discoveries in virology. The podcast has an array of dynamic and educated hosts: the founders, Drs. Racaniello and Despommier, as well as Alan Dove, PhD, Rich Condit, PhD, Kathy Spindler, PhD, Brianne Barker, PhD, Dr. Daniel Griffin, president of Parasites Without Borders, and Angela Mingarelli, DVM, were all on-hand during the live taping of the 1000^th episode of This Week in Virology (TWiV).

A RECAP FROM THE TWiV TEAM: TWiV 1000 began with the voiceover “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night TWiV.” As Vincent walked onto the stage, the crowd went wild. And as Vincent introduced each guest, the crowd went even wilder. From recounting our favorite virus stories, to audience questions, and TWiV Jeopardy, TWiV 1000 was a wonderful celebration of the hosts who have moved TWiV from its beginnings in 2008. The reception following TWiV 1000 was memorable as numerous listeners approached all eight hosts to express their appreciation for our work and to tell us how much they have learned. As Vincent voiced in his introduction, “Who knew how far viruses could take you.”