Abstract: The Future of Science

Our guest this week is Samuel Little, a bioengineering PhD candidate at Concordia University. His current research is focused on developing an innovative treatment known as CAR-T Therapy, in which an individual's immune system is removed from the body, genetically modified, and reinserted into the body to fight off cancer with unprecedented strength and efficiency. Sam brings the heat and turns th...

Our guest this week is Alexander Albury , PhD candidate in Psychology at Concordia University . His research is focused on uncovering the relationship between complexity, predictability and liking of music! Tune in for: Questions Answered Is music more of an art or a science? Can we tell the difference between human-made and artifical music? What makes music complex and how do you even quantify co...

Our guest this week, Stephanie Mouchbahani-Constance , is working towards her PhD in Physiology at McGill University . Her current research is focused on characterizing the sensation of pain inflicted by lionfish stings, as well as the pathways through the nervous system along which they travel. She's an endless repository of animal facts and has nearly boundless knowledge of the peripheral nervou...

Our guest this week, Audrey Kassardjian, is completing her PhD in Immunology at the University of Toronto. Join us this week for a hyper-relevant discussion surrounding vaccine design, antibodies, spike proteins, parasites and the immune system!  Questions Answered What goes into vaccine design? How do we differentially target parasites versus viruses? What's so abnormal about COVID-19?...

Our guest this week, Sam Shulman , is completing his Master's of Sustainable Engineering in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) . His research is focused on developing an advanced, multi-material connection for prefabricated mass timber buildings that allows for efficient assembly/disassembly at the building’s end-of-life.  Questions Answered: Can we construct...

Our guest this week, Andrew Saydjari , is midway through his PhD in Astrophysics at Harvard University. Andrew's research lies at the intersection of Astrophysics and Machine Learning, and he's studying the massive dust clouds in our very own galaxy. Tune in to tap into the wealth of knowledge that Andrew's bringing to Episode 31! On this week's episode we answer questions like:  Why should y...

Our guest this week is a McGill University PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry . Say hello, to James Thorpe . "Hi James!" On today's episode we answer the big questions, like: How does a farmer's definition of Organic differ from that of a chemist? How do you patent a scientific methodology? Will we ever be able to eradicate the use of toxic solvents? Can you grow DNA at the push of a button? Why is 99% o...

Rapstract is a rap album study tool, conceived, written, recording and performed by yours truly ( Jeremy Ullman AKA Pcenna ) for the McGill University undergraduate Psychology course PSYC 211: Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience. This is a compilation of some highlights from the album.  All 10 tracks are available on the Abstract podcast page. I also released an album this year called Life As We...

Our guest this week is Ilya Demchenko , a graduate from McGill University's MS Neuroscience program. With a strong background in biology, he ventured into the world of the brain sciences, gaining a keen interest in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience with a research focus on the Neurobiology of Mental Disorders . Join us for a winding discussion from interventional psychiatric programs, to soc...

Our guest this week is Andrea Sanchez, and she comes fresh with tales from the OR, and insights on the future of heart surgery! School : McGill University Program : Experimental Surgery, MSc. Concentration : Surgical Innovation Topics & Concepts Emerging Heart Pump: Disruptive, Innovative Design & Geometry Medical Devices: From Toothbrushes to Transplants Heart Pump Configurations: Centrif...

Our guest this week is M.Sc. Lauren Tracey , coming to us live from beautiful Montreal, Canada. She holds a graduate degree in Exercise Science and just started McGill Medical School! Her primary research focus was on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), taking an exercise testing perspective, looking at risk factors for, and the human experience of, the disease. I met Lauren in High Scho...

Our guest this week is Angelly Vasquez, a PhD student studying Myrmecology at McGill University! What is Myrmecology? You'll just have to listen to find out (psst the episode title might give you a hint ). Topics & Concepts Complexity in Nature Interdisciplinarity The Eco-Evo-Devo Approach Myrmecology Sociobiology Eusociality Ant Altruism vs. Human Individualism The Effect of Sociality on Brai...

Our guest this week is Concordia University Clinical Psychology PhD and now practicing Psychologist Sarah Newcomb-Anjo ! We discuss stress, mental health and life transitions, with a big emphasis on mindset. Sarah also shares with us her favorite question she likes to ask her patients, which actually stems from her graduate research.  Tune in now for a real treat of an episode! Topics & C...

Chapter 11: Emotion . is most likely the last chapter that I will be releasing as part of the PSYC 211 album. As this has been a volunteered gig, my continuation has been contingent on increasing or at least sustained listership. While things started strong, engagement has dwindled significantly since the project's inception. It's been a blast, and I hope you enjoy the 10th installation of Rapstra...

Our guest this week is University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate Pulkit Khandelwal . His primary research focus is neuroimaging and specifically shape analysis of brain structures! If you haven't checked out Episode 22 with Nadia Blostein, feel free to check it out for a bit more background in neuroimaging before tackling this more technical episode! That said, if you've got...

Chapter 10: Sex & Reproduction . This is most likely the second to last chapter that I will be releasing as part of the PSYC 211 album. As this has been a volunteered gig, my continuation has been contingent on increasing or at least sustained listership. While things started strong, engagement has dwindled significantly since the project's inception. It's been a blast, and chapter 10 is comin...

Our guest this week is Epidemiology PhD Candidate Adam Palayew, coming to us live (during recording,) from Seattle, Washington! Listen in on the magical and utterly fascinating discussion we had on the topics below. As always we'd love to get your feedback on today's (or any) episode! WHat did you like? What could we have done better? Are you a local artist looking to get your music or written wor...

Chapter 9: Sleep . Listen close and follow along with the lyrics (if you're not in PSYC 211, shoot me an email and I'll gladly send them your way). Study hard, study smart. Shoot me some feedback at abstractcast@gmail.com! If you like what you hear, shoot me an e-tran$fer at abstractcast@gmail.com or pcennamusic@gmail.com! Got a favorite lyric? Shoot me an email at abstractcast@gmail.com. Do you m...

Our guest this week is McGIll Master's of Neuroscience candidate, Nadia Blostein, in an episode dedicated to subcortical brain structures, brain imaging, physical features of the brain and its evolution up the phylogenetic tree! You don't want to this delightful interview with a fresh-faced graduate student -- this could be you one day! Bullet Point Topics: Brain Volume + Shape Hippocampus Im...

Our guest this week is Mechanical Engineering Master's candidate Austin L'Ecuyer . His current research is primarily focused on Turbulent Systems, falling under the broader category of Fluid Dynamics. On today's episode we discuss the theoretical underpinnings as well as the applications of turbulence in natural and artifical systems. It was a real treat having Austin on the show: I'm sure you'll...

Our guest this week is recent undergraduate and winner of CJAP's 2020 Podcast Guest Opportunity Award, Alex Bailey . It was an absolute treat to have Alex on the podcast this week and our conversation was truly eye-opening: ear candy for all! We answer questions like: What is functional connectivity and the network theory of the brain? What is the Default Mode Network and the nature of resting bra...

This week we're graced by the likes of Clinical Psychology PhD candidate Emily Garfinkle , hailing from beautiful sunny San Francisco, California. We cover many topics on today's episode, including but not limited to: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD); different types of stress (acute vs. chronic); mental illness and trauma; treatment programs (ex. Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged...

Don't be fooled by the short track length. Chapter 4 is JAM PACKED and FASTER than ever. Listen close and follow along with the lyrics (if you're not in PSYC 211, shoot me an email and I'll gladly send them your way). Study hard, study smart.  Got a favorite lyric? Shoot me an email at abstractcast@gmail.com. Do you make beats and want to collaborate? Send me an email at abstractcast@gmail.co...

Welcome back. Here's Chapter 3 , total runtime 6:20 with a little message at the end when you make it through! Got a favorite lyric? Shoot me an email at abstractcast@gmail.com . Do you think you would benefit from a rap song like this for all of the chapters of the course? Please send me an email at abstractcast@gmail.com. Do you make beats and want to collaborate? Send me an email at abstractcas...

Jamie Snytte is a PhD researcher in the field of Clinical Psychology, with a background in Neuroscience, and his current work is focused on memory and Alzheimer's Disease. On today's episode we discuss a range of topics, including but not limited to: the emergence of behavior from brain activity; sensation, perception and memory, and different memory systems; the famous case studies of H.M. and Lo...