The human vaginal microbiome is quite unique for its high level of acidity. This environment is maintained by a variety of bacteria, but a healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus Crispatus. Once other more harmful bacteria increase in number in the vaginal microbiome, the chances of bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) increase. In order to understand the favourable conditions for a microbiome populated mainly by Lactobacillus Crispatus, Rosanne investigates the behaviour of different vaginal bacteria in the lab. Besides, she is also one of the founders of the Crispatus foundation which uses citizen science to investigate the vaginal microbiome.

After writing columns for NRC for an extended period of time, Rosanne recently made the decision to go into politics as a candidate for the party NSC of Omtzigt. In the podcast we talk about being both a scientist and a public figure, how do they overlap and collide? And what is the meaning of scientific objectivity when combining the scientific and the political?

Tracklist:1. Gonna get along without you now - Skeeter Davis2. Disco Science - Ventolin3. Straight Outta Vagina (feat. Desi Mo & Leikeli47) - Pussy Riot, Desi Mo, Leikeli47