Science is self-correcting — but that process can look messy from the outside. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Rojas sits down with Dr. Marshall Brennan, Editor-in-Chief of Device (Cell Press’s flagship applied science journal) and founding editor of ChemRxiv, to explore how scientific publishing really works.

They discuss what happens after a scientist hits “submit,” the role of peer review in maintaining integrity, and how the system handles mistakes, retractions, and even the rise of AI in research. From preprint servers to data falsification scandals, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how science polices itself — and why that’s a good thing.

Topics Covered

• Why you shouldn’t blindly trust scientists
• How peer review protects the integrity of science
• The purpose (and limits) of preprint servers
• What actually happens when a paper gets retracted
• How editors decide which papers get published
• The impact of AI on research and peer review
• Why trust in science depends on communication

Dr. Marshall Brennan

Editor-in-Chief, Device (Cell Press)

Founding Editor, ChemRxiv

BlueSky: @organometallica

Hosted by Dr. Anthony Rojas, Unknown Variables explores the stories and ideas that shape science, innovation, and the people behind them.

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