The Academic Minute

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but is it also in science? Brandon Vaidyanathan, professor of sociology at the Catholic University of America, takes a closer look. Dr. Brandon Vaidyanathan is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institutional Flourishing Lab at The Catholic University of America. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees […] This is a public episode. If you would...

What do animals eat when they live in urban spaces? Tali Caspi, urban ecologist and Ph. D. candidate at the University of California, Davis, takes off the lid. Tali’s work on urban wildlife focuses on emerging patterns and underlying mechanisms of individual variation across the urban landscape to better understand the factors that allow animals to […] This is a public episode. If you would...

There are always new wellness treatments, but should we believe the hype? Praveen Arany, associate professor of oral biology and biomedical engineering and surgery at the University at Buffalo, examines one. Dr. Arany trained as a dentist, oral pathologist, and biomedical engineer. He served as an Assistant Clinical Investigator at NIDCR/NIH, Bethesda, from 2012 to […] This is a public episo...

How long does it take for successful abstinence from substance use? Rafaela Fontes , research scientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech University , takes a look. Faculty Bio: Rafaela Fontes is a research scientist in the Addiction Recovery Research Center at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. Her work focuses on decision-making processes in individuals w...

On New York University Week:  How does a hula hoop work? Olivia Pomerenk, Ph. D candidate in mathematics, looks at the science. Olivia Pomerenk is a fifth-year graduate student at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU, working towards a Ph. D. in mathematics after receiving a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Caltech. Olivia […] This is a public episode. If you wo...

On this Student Spotlight during New York University Week:  Does the gender pay gap start in childhood? Sophie Arnold, Ph. D. candidate in psychology, examines. Sophie Arnold is PhD Candidate in Psychology at New York University. Her research investigates the early emerging beliefs and behaviors that contribute to real-world disparities like the gender wage gap. Her […] This is a public epis...

On New York University Week: The more people with access to mental health services, the better. Amanda Mauri, assistant professor and faculty fellow at the School of Global Public Health, discusses the rise in care. Amanda Mauri is an Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow at the New York University School of Global Public Health. Her interdisciplinary research […] This is a public episode. If y...

On New York University Week:  There’s more diversity in STEM than before, but there’s more work to be done. Joseph Cimpian, professor of economics and education policy, examines where help is needed. Joseph Cimpian is Professor of Economics and Education Policy at New York University’s Steinhardt and Wagner Schools. His research focuses on understanding and […] This is a public episode. If y...

On New York University Week:  Reducing the rising rate of preterm births is an important goal for the future. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski, professor of epidemiology and precision health at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, looks into the data to find solutions. Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski is a Professor of Epidemiology and Precision Health at NYU Rory […] This is a public episode. If you wou...

On University of New England College of Business Week:  Surfing has a gender gap issue. Aimee Vlachos, teaching professor and program director of Outdoor Business & Innovation, suggests a solution. While attending Western State College of Colorado for my undergraduate degree, my passion for outdoor recreation blossomed. I was fortunate that the recreation classes I […] This is a public e...

On University of New England College of Business Week: Everything is polarized these days, including social media networks. Golshan Madraki, associate professor of supply chain management in the college of business and director of the Supply Chain Management Center, looks to quantify this. Dr. Golshan Madraki is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Supply Chain […] This is a public epi...

On University of New England College of Business Week: The Name, Image, and Likeness era has brought many complexities to college athletics. Connor Blake, manager of the Center for Sport and Business Innovation, explores the challenges. Connor Blake is the Manager of the Center for Sport and Business Innovation at the University of New England, […] This is a public episode. If you would like...

On University of New England College of Business Week:  Sponsors are changing the way they use their marketing dollars. Norm O’Reilly, full professor and Dean of the College of Business, explores how. Norm O’Reilly, Dean of the College of Business at the University of New England, where he is also Executive Director of the Center […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...

On University of New England College of Business Week:  The New Deal gave us many important things we still rely on today. Oak McCoy, assistant professor of economics in the college of business, examines a couple. Dr. Oak McCoy is an Assistant Professor of Economics in the College of Business at the University of New […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

Entrepreneurial leaders lead differently, so how can they be their best? Scott N. Taylor, professor of organizational behavior and the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership at The Blank School at Babson College, suggests a strategy. Scott N. Taylor is a professor of organizational behavior and the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for […] This is a public episode. If you woul...

Plants have their own underground network with each other, but how do they use it? Thomas Scott, postdoctoral researcher in evolutionary theory at the University of Oxford, digs in to find out. Thomas Scott is a postdoctoral researcher in evolutionary theory at the University of Oxford. In his research, he uses mathematical models to tackle […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

What do lightning storms on a remote mountain plateau have to do with fungus? Daile Zhang, assistant professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of North Dakota, explores the connection. Daile Zhang is an Assistant Professor at University of North Dakota. Her research focuses on atmospheric electricity and remote sensing. Daile received her PhD degree […] This is a public episode. If...

What’s your strategy for navigating tricky circumstances? Joshua Rovner, associate professor in the School of International Service at American University, delves into the difference between strategy and grand strategy. Joshua Rovner is associate professor of international relations at American University. His most recent book is Strategy and Grand Strategy (International Institute for Strategic S...

Our understanding of alcohol addiction may need a re-write. Andrea King, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago, tells us why. Andrea King is a clinical and research psychologist with expertise in addictive disorders, including alcohol use disorder. Questioning the Dark Side of Addiction   There is a long-held belief that […] This is a public ep...

Quitting an addiction is never easy. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explores one new way to try. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce is an Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research mainly consists of applied evidence synthesis for health policy, […] This i...

Could our ideas about human memory be about to change? Richard Addante, associate professor in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts at the Florida Institute of Technology, looks into this. Dr. Richard J. Addante, associate professor of psychology at Florida Institute of Technology, is a 3-time winner of an LRP Award from the National […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

Connection with others can bring better outcomes for children afflicted with trauma. Danica Knight, Rees-Jones Director of the Karyn Purvis Institute and professor of psychology at Texas Christian University, examines how to foster this. Danica Kalling Knight, Ph. D. serves as Professor of Psychology and Rees-Jones Director of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) […] This...

Making decisions is a crucial element of teaching, but what’s the best formula to make the right choice? Cara Furman, associate professor of early childhood education at Hunter College of the City University of New York, discusses one with three elements. Cara Furman is a former New York City progressive public elementary school teacher and […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

The Enlightenment brought many good things, but there was a dark side too. Marcia Bjornerud, professor of geosciences and environmental studies at Lawrence University, describes the downsides. Marcia Bjornerud is a structural geologist whose research focuses on the physics of earthquakes and mountain building.  She is the author of several books for popular audiences:  Reading […] This is a...

What is food nostalgia and how can it help seniors? Melinda Boyd, assistant professor of nutrition and public health at Cedar Crest College, whets our appetite. Melinda Boyd is an assistant professor of nutrition and public health at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Her higher-education teaching experience includes teaching courses in clinical nutrition, public […] This is a p...