The Academic Minute

Artificial intelligence can be a boon to conservation science. Daniel Thornton , associate professor of wildlife ecology at Washington State University , details why. Faculty Bio: Dr. Thornton studies the spatial ecology and conservation of mammals, with an emphasis on mammalian carnivores. His work spans the Americas, and integrates a variety of partners from agencies, NGOs, and communities. Dr....

What are the long-term impacts of rocket launches on nearby communities? Whitney Coyle , associate professor of physics at Rollins College , examines this. Faculty Bio: Whitney L. Coyle , PhD is an Associate Professor of Physics and Coordinator of the Pre-Engineering Program at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where she serves as Chair of the college’s Department of Physics .At Rollins, Co...

Academic freedoms may be under attack, but professors have legal protections as well. Kent Kauffman , professor of business law at Purdue University Fort Wayne , discusses this. Faculty Bio: Kent Kauffman is Professor of Business Law, and MBA Programs Faculty Liaison, in the Doermer School of Business at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He is the author of “Navigating Choppy Waters: Key Legal Issues...

What can ivermectin teach us about health misinformation? Dannell Boatman , assistant professor of cancer prevention and control at West Virginia University , takes a look. Faculty Bio: Dannell Boatman, EdD, MS, is an Assistant Professor and health communication researcher in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine. She conducts her...

Deleting cookies isn’t enough to stop online tracking. Phu Phung , associate professor of computer science at the University of Dayton , explains why. Faculty Bio: Dr. Phu Phung is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Dayton. He is the founder and director of the Intelligent Systems Security Lab , where his team developed MyWebGuard, a system for detect...

Knowing when to retire and leave the workforce can be easier said than done. Lee Ann Rawlins Williams , clinical assistant professor at the University of North Dakota , looks into why retirement is changing. Faculty Bio: Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, PhD, CRC, CFLE, HS-BCP, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Undergraduate Rehabilitation and Human Services Program in the Depa...

How can we reduce traffic jams during the morning commute? Mayank K. Vadaliya , doctoral candidate in information technology at the University of the Cumberlands , explores how prediction models could help. Faculty Bio: Mayank Vadaliya is a doctoral candidate in Information Technology at the University of the Cumberlands, where his research focuses on machine learning applied to transportation sys...

Other countries are transitioning to electric vehicles faster than the United States. Gregory Keoleian , professor of sustainable systems at the University of Michigan , details some reasons to make the switch. Faculty Bio: Dr. Greg Keoleian is the Peter M. Wege Professor of Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan and serves as co-Director of the Center for Sustainable Systems, which he...

Relationships between humans and AI chatbots are a fascinating area of study. Jaime Banks , professor at the school of information studies at Syracuse University , delves into these relationships to see what we can learn. Faculty Bio: Jaime Banks is Professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. After earning a Ph. D. in Public Communication and Technology from Colorado Sta...

Immune cells play a key role in regulating eye pressure linked to glaucoma. Katy Liu , associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine , explores this connection. Faculty Bio: Dr. Katy Liu is an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Duke University Eye Center. She is a board certified, glaucoma fellowship-trained clinician-scientist with a PhD in...

On University of Miami Week: Water insecurity is already affecting more people than previously thought. Justin Stoler , professor in the Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, explores the quiet water crisis. Faculty Bio: Dr. Justin Stoler’s research explores urban health disparities using social, environmental, and spatial epidemiological methods. He is also affiliated with the Depa...

On University of Miami Week: To maximize the impact of research on youth anxiety, asking the right questions matter. Jill Ehrenreich-May , professor of psychology and pediatrics, dives into this. Faculty Bio: Dr. Jill Ehrenreich-May is a Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami. Dr. Ehrenreich-May’s research is concerned with the...

On University of Miami Week: Can AI bridge the mental health equity gap for Hispanic youth? Willy Prado , distinguished university professor of nursing and health studies, public health sciences, and psychology, explores the possibilities. Faculty Bio: Guillermo (Willy) Prado is professor of Nursing and Health Studies, Public Health Sciences, and Psychology at the University of Miami. He is a pion...

On University of Miami Week: What is the long-term effect of AI on human behavior? Nina Huang , professor and chair of business technology, discusses how to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms. Faculty Bio: Nina Huang is the Department Chair of Business Technology and Dennis & Smith Family Endowed Chair Professor at the Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, Florida. Nina’s e...

On University of Miami Week: Let’s rethink how discovery happens. Alberto Caban-Martinez , Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship, examines how collaboration can help. Faculty Bio: Alberto J. Caban-Martinez is vice provost for research and scholarship at the University of Miami. He is also a tenured professor of public health sciences at the university’s Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. As...

Mindfulness may help to lower anxiety for some, but not all.  How do we know who is who? Resh Gupta, postdoctoral research associate at Washington University in St. Louis, looks into the research. Resh Gupta is a postdoctoral research associate with the Mindfulness Science & Practice Cluster and the Cognitive Control & Psychopathology Laboratory at […] This is a public episode. If yo...

Understanding how your body senses muscle movement is essential for balance. Katherine Wilkinson, professor of biology at San Jose State University, examines how it works. Katherine Wilkinson is a Professor of biology at San José State University in San Jose, California. Wilkinson’s specialty is studying and understanding proprioception–how our brains understand our physical presence in [&#8...

Can you trust your gut to heal your brain? Sonia Villapol , associate professor and neuroscientist at the Center for Neuroregeneration and the Department of Neurosurgery at the Houston Methodist Research Institute , delves into the microbiome. Faculty Bio: Dr. Sonia Villapol is an Associate Professor and neuroscientist at the Center for Neuroregeneration and the Department of Neurosurgery, Houston...

How do we get better outcomes at lower cost for preschool children? Angeline S. Lillard , Commonwealth professor of psychology at the University of Virginia , explores one option. Faculty Bio: Angeline S. Lillard is the Commonwealth Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia where she directs the Early Development Laboratory and the Montessori Science Program; her research focuses on ch...

Can AI make spacecraft propulsion more efficient? Marcos Fernandez-Tous , associate professor of space propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics at the University of North Dakota , discusses this topic. Faculty Bio: I currently coordinate the Space Studies Propulsion Lab within the Department of Space Sciences and offer courses on space propulsion, air-breathing engines, and hypersonic aerodynamics....

Despite efforts to avoid it, vessel collisions are still hindering conservation efforts for whales. Dana Cusano , research assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Syracuse University , explores what changes can occur. Faculty Bio: Dana Cusano is a bioacoustician and behavioral ecologist whose research focuses primarily on the acoustic behavior of marine mammals. Her interests include t...

Would secession work in America? Ryan Griffiths , professor in the Department of Political Science at Syracuse University , looks into why or why not. Faculty Bio: Ryan Griffiths focuses on the dynamics of secession and the study of sovereignty, state systems, and international order. He teaches a variety of courses in international relations. His two recent books include: (1) The Disunited States...

How space are designed can lead to longer wait times for some. Lawrence Chua , associate professor of Architectural History at Syracuse University , explores why. Faculty Bio: Lawrence Chua is a historian of the modern built environment with an emphasis on the trans-regional histories of Asian architecture and urban cultures. He is the author of Bangkok Utopia: Modern Architecture and Buddhist Fel...

Are you talking to a real person? How do you know? Jason Davis , research professor and co-director of the Newhouse Synthetic Media Lab at Syracuse University , examines these questions. Faculty Bio: Dr. Jason Davis is a research professor in the office of Research and Creative Activity at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and co-director of both the Newhouse Synthetic Media Lab an...

Taxpayers will be footing the bill for reduced SNAP benefits for older adults. Colleen Heflin , professor of public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University , explains why. Faculty Bio: Colleen Heflin is a professor of public administration and international affairs. She is also a senior research associate in the Center for Policy Research and a research affiliate in the Ler...