The Academic Minute

On Harvey Mudd College Week: To solve big problems, we may need to look small. Albert Dato, associate professor of engineering, explains why. Albert Dato is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Harvey Mudd College (HMC). His undergraduate research program at HMC focuses on the synthesis and applications of advanced materials that can address challenges […] This is a public episode. If yo...

On Harvey Mudd College Week: Reducing the cost of capturing energy from the sun could be crucial to our future. Hal Van Ryswyk, John Stauffer professor of chemistry, looks at one way to do so. Hal Van Ryswyk is a materials chemist doing fundamental research on low-cost photovoltaics with undergraduate coworkers at Harvey Mudd College […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

On Harvey Mudd College Week: What can fish teach us when they’re out of the water? Leah Mendelson, associate professor of engineering, looks into this. Dr. Leah Mendelson holds a B.S. from Olin College (2011) and a M.S. (2013) and Ph. D. (2017) from MIT, all in mechanical engineering. At Harvey Mudd College, Dr. Mendelson teaches […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...

On Harvey Mudd College Week: Coral reefs are at risk, but other types of coral may flourish in the future. Catherine McFadden, Vivian & D. Kenneth Baker professor of life sciences, dives in to take a look. Catherine S. McFadden has been a faculty member at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California since 1991, where […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Are you honest with your romantic partner? Bonnie Le, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, explains the benefits of doing so. Bonnie Le is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester whose research focuses on how emotions and motivations shape well-being in interpersonal relationships. The goal of her research […] This is a public episode....

Underwater organisms have things to teach us about how to keep our grip in extreme conditions. Austin Garner, assistant professor of integrative animal biology at Syracuse University, explores how. Austin M. Garner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University. His research focuses on how animals interface with […] This is a public ep...

Not all common medical conditions are well studied. Sonja Molfenter, associate professor in communicate sciences and disorders at New York University, examines one that needs more attention. Dr. Sonja Molfenter is a clinically-trained Speech Language Pathologist whose research specializes in understanding the physiological features of both normal swallowing and disordered swallowing (known as dysp...

AI may help us make decisions, but are they the right decisions? Shun Ye, associate professor of information systems and operations management at George Mason University, examines the outcomes. Shun Ye is an Associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business. With a Ph. D. in Management Information […] This is a publ...

Trees don’t need to be in a forest to help combat climate change. Will Berelson, Paxson Offield professor of Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies and Spatial Sciences at the University of Southern California Dornsife, looks at reducing emissions in urban areas. Will Berelson is the Paxson Offield Professor of Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies and Spatial Sciences […] This is a public ep...

Children have imaginary friends, but what about adults? Stephanie Madsen, professor of psychology at McDaniel College, examines this with athletes in mind. Stephanie Madsen is professor of psychology at McDaniel College. She joined the college in 2001 after earning her master’s and Ph. D. in child psychology from the University of Minnesota, and graduated magna cum […] This is a public episo...

We may have found an ally in our fight against PFAS chemicals. Diana Aga, Henry M. Woodburn Chair and SUNY Distinguished Professor of chemistry and the director of the RENEW Institute at the University at Buffalo, looks into this. Diana Aga is an environmental and analytical chemist. As Henry M. Woodburn Chair and SUNY Distinguished […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

How we experience an event may change how we remember it. Christopher Baldassano, associate professor of psychology at Columbia University, looks into our past experiences for clues. Christopher Baldassano is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Columbia University. He was an undergraduate in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University, received his PhD in Computer […] T...

Why can mosquitoes harbor viruses without being affected while others cannot? Lee Haines, associate research professor in Medical Entomology at the University of Notre Dame, explores this. Lee Haines is a researcher with a PhD in Tropical Medicine and an MSc in Parasite Biochemistry and Microbiology, who specializes in diseases transmitted by arthropods. Her work […] This is a public episode...

We need new tools for wildfire prevention going forward. Elahe Soltanaghai, assistant professor of computer science and electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, aims to deliver one. Elahe Soltanaghai is an assistant professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research spans the areas of wireless networking and sensing...

On this Student Spotlight: Laws change all the time, but some have carried on for centuries.  Why is this? Yunsuh Nike Wee, Ph. D. student in the department of psychology at Oklahoma State University, discusses some. Yunsuh (Nike) Wee is a Ph. D. student in experimental psychology working with Dr. Daniel Sznycer. Her research focuses on how […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

There is still a lot to learn about the causes of depression. Karmel Choi, clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the Harvard Medical School, takes a look inside our genes for clues. Karmel Choi is a Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Precision Prevention Program in the Center for Precision Psychiatry at Massachusetts General […] This is a public episode. If you w...

How do we make STEM classes more inclusive going forward? Susanna Calkins, director of the Nexus for Faculty Success and associate professor in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Rosalind Franklin University, looks into this. Susanna Calkins is the founding director of the Nexus for Faculty Success and an associate professor in the […] This is a public episode. If you would l...

There’s plenty of water in the ocean, so how do we make it drinkable? Jovan Kamcev, assistant professor of chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, determines the best process for desalination. Jovan Kamcev develops technologies for affordable and sustainable water and energy, with a focus on membranes and sorbent materials for water treatment, energy […] This is a public episode....

Grief carries many myths. Jacob Sawyer, assistant professor of psychology at Alma College, determines what’s real and what’s not. Jacob Sawyer is a counseling psychologist interested in factors related to mental health and well-being. His background and training as a clinician strongly inform his approach to his work as a faculty member. His career at […] This is a public episode. If you wou...

Artificial intelligence is changing who can be a computer programmer. Leo Porter, professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California San Diego, explores how. Leo Porter is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at UC San Diego interested in computer science education research and computer architecture. Leo co-founded the Computing Education […] This is a p...

Guaranteed income programs can have benefits, but often should the money be deposited? Jonathan Morduch, professor of public policy and economics at New York University, looks to data for answers. Jonathan Morduch is Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. Morduch’s research focuses on […] This is a public episode...

Being an advocate is important; so, what’s the most effective process for becoming one? Patrick Barry, clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan Law School, takes a trip to find the answer. Patrick Barry is a clinical assistant professor and the director of digital academic initiatives at the University of Michigan Law School, as […] This is a public episode. If you would li...

When it comes to trust in science, it depends where you look. Niels Mede, science communication researcher at the University of Zurich, delves in. Niels G. Mede is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and fellow of the Digital Democracy Centre in Odense, Denmark. He studies science communication, focusing on digital media, […] This is a public episode. If you w...

Can you hide in plain sight? Katherine Perry, assistant professor of mathematics at Soka University of America, explores if mathematics can. Katherine Perry is a mathematician specializing in graph theory, design theory, and combinatorics. She is especially interested in breaking apart graphs into smaller subgraphs with special properties. She has a BA in mathematics from […] This is a publi...

Stress is high, so how can work lower it? Adam Jussel, Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, looks into this. Dr. Adam Jussel serves as the Dean of Students for University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where he helps assist with student advocacy and engagement, support resources, including basic needs, crisis management, and campus […] This is a public episode. If you would...