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This Week in Parasitism

Podcast · microbe.tv/twip · EN
Hosted by Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier

This Week in Parasitism, hosted by Columbia University professors Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier, covers eukaryotic parasites, how they cause illness and how infections can be prevented. The show has 289 episodes, released roughly every two weeks, with a median length of about 57 minutes. Estimated downloads are 2,000 to 8,000 per episode, with an estimated rate of $40 to $200 per host-read mid-roll ad.

Why brands sponsor This Week in Parasitism

Engaged science audience hearing parasitology explained by working university professors

  • Four-star-plus Apple rating of 4.9 from 460 ratings signals strong listener satisfaction.
  • Consistent 289-episode archive built since 2009 gives sponsors a long-running, stable presence.
  • Episodes run about 57 minutes, long enough for a full host-read placement with context.
Best forhealth and hygiene productsscience education and bookstravel health supplies
Watch forNon-profit funding model and a science audience may be skeptical of commercial messaging.

Brand fit report

Content

Topics, IAB taxonomy
Science70%
Health & Fitness30%
Formats
co-hosted discussion, news-driven explainer, interview
Tone
educational, conversational
Language
English
Production
Clean, edited audio
Typical length
45 to 70 minutes

Audience

Commercial intent10/100
Comments asking for links, prices or where to buy
Sentiment80/100
Estimated from titles, descriptions and engagement
Est. downloads per episode2k–8k
Estimated, confidence 60%: Apple ratings_count of 460 maps to the 2,000 to 8,000 band (shifted by the show's age and 289 episodes), supported by a Podcast Index popularity of 9 and a long-running, biweekly cadence.
Audience asks abouthow a specific parasite spreadshow to prevent or treat a parasitic infectionwhat recent outbreaks mean for travelers and households
Age
15%18-24
25%25-34
25%35-44
35%45+
Gender
45%women
55%men
Countries
🇺🇸 United States60%
LanguagesEnglish 100%

Commercial

0%of the last 20 episodes had a sponsor
None seenno sponsor mentions in the last 20 episodes
Brands seen
None yet
Categories promoted
None yet
Affiliate links
Yes

The website links to Patreon, PayPal and other donation options, and describes MicrobeTV as a 501(c)3 non-profit; no sponsor mentions appear in the recent episode titles.

Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability

Profanitylow
Adultlow
Drugslow
Violencelow
Politicslow

Family friendly
Recent titles discuss parasites, infections and outbreaks in a clinical register, such as 'TWiP 286: Pinworms keep coming back! How to stop reinfection in your home', with no flags.

We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.

Where to listen

Benchmark score: 75 / 100

Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.

Consistency Latest episode within the usual cadence50 / 50
Activity Episodes in the last 90 days, weekly is full marks16 / 30
Reach Estimated downloads per episode, 20k is full marks5 / 20

Recent episodes

Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 3 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.

TWiP is a monthly netcast about eukaryotic parasites. Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier, science Professors from Columbia University, deconstruct parasites, how they cause illness, and how you can prevent infections.
This Week in Parasitism's own show description from the podcast feed

Do you make This Week in Parasitism? Claim or remove this page.

About This Week in Parasitism

This Week in Parasitism is a science podcast from MicrobeTV, hosted by Columbia University professors Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier. The show explains eukaryotic parasites, how they cause illness and how infections can be prevented, drawing on current outbreaks and research. The website describes MicrobeTV as a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2015 and lists Patreon and PayPal donation options.

The show has published 289 episodes with a median length of about 57 minutes and a release cadence of roughly every 13 to 14 days. Apple Podcasts shows 460 ratings with an average of 4.9. Listener figures are estimates: the team estimates between 2,000 and 8,000 downloads per episode, based on the rating count and the show's long history.

The feed shows no sponsors in recent episodes. At an estimated $18 to $25 per 1,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would cost roughly $40 to $200 per episode. The show suits health, hygiene, travel medicine and science education brands.

Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. This Week in Parasitism can edit or remove this page at any time.

Questions about This Week in Parasitism

How much does This Week in Parasitism charge for a podcast sponsorship?

Based on an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at roughly $40 to $200. Final pricing depends on the show's own terms and the placement requested.

What is This Week in Parasitism about?

The show covers eukaryotic parasites, how they cause illness and how infections can be prevented. Hosts Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier discuss parasite biology and recent outbreaks as science professors.

How do I contact This Week in Parasitism about sponsoring an episode?

The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.

Similar creators

Podcast and other creators in parasitology, ranked by score.

CreatorNichesEst. downloadsMedian viewsRateScore
virologymedical science17k–$140–620100
sciencehealth and medicine15k–$90–62091
microbiologyscience education5.5k–$50–20075
Immunepodcast
immunologylife sciences15k–$90–62034
naturescience education15k–$90–620100
sciencelife sciences50k–$360–2000100