Latif Nasser

Early life and education

Latif Abdul Nasser was born on July 20, 1985, into an Indian-Tanzanian Muslim family and spent his formative years in Mississauga, Ontario. For his secondary education, he attended the international Pearson College UWC, a United World College located in British Columbia known for its diverse student body and focus on global issues. He then pursued his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where he developed a strong interest in the arts and sciences through his involvement in theatre and academic study. During his time at Dartmouth, Nasser served as President of the Displaced Theatre Company and was heavily involved in productions at the Hopkins Center for Arts, spending a significant portion of his college career there working on various performances.

His academic path was shaped by studying the history of physics under professors Richard Kremer and Marcelo Gleiser, which provided a foundation in understanding scientific discovery within its cultural context. A significant moment came during a production of Bertolt Brecht's Life of Galileo for a class, when his search for props led him to Dartmouth's scientific instrument collection. This experience of unearthing and researching historical artefacts, such as antique telescopes and measuring devices, solidified his passion for material history and narrative storytelling based on physical objects. Nasser was selected by his classmates to deliver the oration at Dartmouth's 2008 Class Day, and he also participated in a study abroad program in Fez, Morocco, which further broadened his international perspective before graduation. He later earned a PhD from Harvard University's Department of the History of Science in 2014, with a dissertation focused on the Tanganyika laughter epidemic, a case study of mass psychogenic illness that combined historical research with psychological inquiry.

Career in radio and podcasting

Following the completion of his doctorate in 2014, Nasser joined the team at WNYC Studios' renowned radio program and podcast Radiolab. He initially contributed as a researcher and reporter, bringing his academic rigour in the history of science to the show's exploratory journalism and narrative style, which examines big ideas through personal stories. His role expanded significantly over time as he became a more frequent on-air voice, and in January 2022, following the retirement of founding host Jad Abumrad, Nasser was named a co-host of Radiolab alongside producer Lulu Miller. In this capacity, he also holds the title of Director of Research, guiding the program's investigative depth and narrative approach across a wide range of scientific and philosophical topics for a weekly audience.

One of Nasser's most acclaimed independent projects is the podcast series The Other Latif, which he created and hosted as a Radiolab production. This investigative series explores the story of Abdul Latif Nasir, a detainee at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp who shares Nasser's first name, prompting a personal journey into issues of identity, justice, and government policy. The podcast represents a form of investigative journalism, blending historical inquiry with contemporary political issues and personal reflection over its six episodes, which involved interviewing legal experts, historians, and attempting to understand Nasir's life. His work on Radiolab and his independent podcasting have established him as a leading voice in narrative audio journalism, known for weaving complex research into compelling human stories that engage a wide audience with both intellect and emotion.

Television and Netflix's Connected

In 2020, Nasser expanded his reach into television as the creator and host of the Netflix documentary series Connected, which was released globally on the streaming platform. The series examines the surprising and often invisible links that connect humans to each other and to the larger universe through themes like surveillance, dust, clouds, and waste, with each episode dedicated to one concept. Each episode focuses on one such theme and follows Nasser as he travels globally to meet with scientists and experts in locations from laboratories to remote field sites, showing the practical work behind theoretical ideas. The show is characterized by Nasser's enthusiastic and relatable presentation style, which demystifies complex scientific research for a general audience by framing it within everyday observations and questions he voices on camera.

Connected stands out for its global scope and its focus on the interdisciplinary nature of modern science, showing how chemistry, biology, physics, and sociology can intersect to explain a single phenomenon. By visiting researchers in their labs and field sites around the world, Nasser highlights how disparate fields of study can converge to explain everyday phenomena, such as how particles in the air connect continents or how digital data traces physical movements. The series has been praised for making science accessible and entertaining, cementing Nasser's role as a prominent science communicator in visual media and introducing his work to millions of Netflix subscribers across different countries. His work on the show demonstrates a consistent thread in his career: a fascination with the networks and systems that link seemingly separate elements of our world, from digital data to biological traces, which he traces back to his early interest in historical scientific instruments and their stories.

Research methodology and storytelling approach

Nasser's methodology is deeply rooted in his academic training in the history of science, which emphasizes understanding the context and human stories behind discoveries rather than just the facts. He often begins an investigation with a simple, curious question, such as wondering about the origin of an object or the cause of a widespread phenomenon, which he then pursues through interviews and archival research. This approach is evident in his Radiolab episodes and in Connected, where he acts as an everyman guide, learning alongside the viewer or listener through interviews and hands-on exploration in locations like a cloud chamber or a waste processing facility. His process involves extensive background research, identifying leading experts across disciplines, and then engaging in on-site visits that form the narrative spine of his stories, allowing the audience to witness the process of discovery.

His storytelling is marked by a personal and reflective tone, frequently drawing connections between the subject matter and his own life experiences or identity, such as his multicultural background or his status as a new parent. In The Other Latif, this meant grappling with the shared name and the stark differences in life paths between himself and the detainee, examining documents and speaking with people involved in the case. In Connected, he often appears on camera expressing genuine wonder or confusion, making the scientific process feel transparent and relatable to viewers who may not have a science background. This blend of rigorous research, global travel, and personal narrative creates a distinctive style that has become his signature across both audio and visual media, effectively bridging the gap between academic expertise and public curiosity by focusing on the human element in every story.

Awards and recognition

Nasser's work has garnered significant critical acclaim and audience appreciation, evidenced by the platforms that host his projects and the reach they achieve among listeners and viewers. His podcast The Other Latif, released through Radiolab, received widespread praise for its innovative and personal approach to investigative storytelling, exploring a difficult subject with nuance and depth over its serialized episodes. The Netflix series Connected reached a global audience upon its 2020 release, introducing Nasser's unique brand of curiosity-driven exploration to viewers worldwide and sparking discussions about scientific literacy and interconnectedness in popular culture. His appointment as co-host of Radiolab, a programme with a long history of awards including Peabody Awards, places him at the forefront of a leading institution in science and ideas journalism with a dedicated following.

Latif Nasser is the Director of Research and co-host at the WNYC Studios radio show Radiolab. He became the new co-host together with producer Lulu Miller in January 2022. Nasser earned a PhD from the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University in 2014. His doctoral research focused on the Tanganyika laughter epidemic. He hosts the Netflix docuseries Connected, which explores how humans are connected to each other and the universe. In the series, he visits scientists around the world to learn about their research.

Personal life and dual citizenship

Latif Nasser is married to Carly Mensch, a television writer and fellow graduate of Dartmouth College known for her work on series like Weeds and Orange Is the New Black, and they share a professional background in narrative creation. The couple welcomed their first child in August 2020, an event that Nasser has occasionally referenced in his work when discussing themes of family, legacy, and biological connection in episodes of Connected and Radiolab. Nasser holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, reflecting his upbringing in Ontario and his professional life based in the United States since his university years at Dartmouth and Harvard. His personal background as a first-generation Canadian with a multicultural heritage often informs his perspective and the questions he pursues in his work, particularly regarding identity, connection, and belonging in a globalized world where borders are both physical and cultural.

Nasser was born to an Indian-Tanzanian Muslim family and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. He is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. He is married to fellow Dartmouth College alumna Carly Mensch. The couple had a child in August 2020. He attended Pearson College UWC and earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College. While at Dartmouth, he studied the history of physics and was involved in theatre productions.

Selected works and projects

Nasser's body of work spans radio, podcasting, and television, united by a theme of investigative curiosity and a commitment to explaining complex systems through accessible narratives. His major projects include his ongoing role as co-host and Director of Research for the radio program and podcast Radiolab, where he contributes to episodes exploring a vast range of scientific and philosophical topics released weekly to a large audience. He is the creator and host of the Netflix documentary series Connected, which launched in 2020 and explores the science of connection in a six-episode season that took him to multiple countries for filming over many months. His investigative podcast miniseries, The Other Latif, examines the story of a Guantanamo Bay detainee and represents a significant piece of long-form audio journalism that blends personal narrative with political investigation, requiring careful research into legal and historical records.

• Radiolab (Co-host and Director of Research, WNYC Studios, 2022 to present)
• Connected (Creator and Host, Netflix documentary series, 2020)
• Contributor and reporter for Radiolab (2014 to 2022)
• Class Day Orator, Dartmouth College (2008)
• Numerous guest appearances and interviews on other science and culture podcasts and programs

Nasser hosts the Netflix docuseries Connected, which explores how humans are connected to each other and the universe. In the series, he visits scientists around the world to learn about their research. He created and hosted the podcast The Other Latif, an investigative series in which he explored the story of Guantanamo Bay detention detainee Abdul Latif Nasir. His work on Radiolab and Connected involves exploring complex ideas through storytelling. He travels to meet experts and shares their discoveries with the public.

Questions about Latif Nasser

Where is Latif Nasser from?

Latif Nasser was born to an Indian-Tanzanian Muslim family and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. He attended Pearson College UWC. He earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College in the United States.

What is Latif Nasser's educational background?

Nasser earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College. He studied the history of physics at Dartmouth. He received a PhD from the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University in 2014. His dissertation was on the Tanganyika laughter epidemic.

What is the Netflix show Connected about?

Connected is a Netflix docuseries hosted by Latif Nasser. It began in 2020. The show explores how humans are connected to each other and the universe. Nasser visits scientists around the world to learn about their research.

What is Latif Nasser's role on Radiolab?

Latif Nasser is the Director of Research and a co-host at Radiolab. After earning his doctorate, he was made co-host of this WNYC Studios radio show and podcast. Following the retirement of Jad Abumrad in January 2022, Nasser became the new co-host of the program together with producer Lulu Miller. In this role, he contributes his research expertise and presents content for the show. His position involves both behind-the-scenes research and on-air presentation duties.

What is The Other Latif podcast?

The Other Latif is a podcast created and hosted by Latif Nasser. It is an investigative series produced for Radiolab where Nasser explores the story of Guantanamo Bay detention detainee Abdul Latif Nasir. The podcast represents a significant investigative project undertaken by Nasser following his work on Radiolab. In it, he looks into the narrative of an individual who shares his first name, examining the circumstances of his detention. This series shows Nasser's skills in research and investigative storytelling within the podcast format.

Is Latif Nasser married?

Yes, Latif Nasser is married to fellow Dartmouth College alumna Carly Mensch. The couple had a child in August 2020. Nasser is also a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. His personal life includes his family with Mensch and their child. This information about his marriage and family is part of his personal biography alongside his professional accomplishments.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-05.