The Academic Minute

Getting a rocket into space is one thing, returning to Earth is another. Marcos Fernandez-Tous, assistant professor of rocket propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics at the University of North Dakota, examines the research that goes into doing so safely. Assistant professor of space technology, I teach courses on rocket propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics at the University […] This is a pu...

Using complex jargon can lessen the impact of a message. Gale Sinatra, distinguished professor and Stephen H. Crocker chair professor of education and psychology dean for research at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, says keep it simple. Dr. Gale Sinatra is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Education and […] This is a public episode. If you w...

Exercise equipment and technology make working out easier, but it’s hard for people with disabilities to access them. Alexandra Jamieson, research scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington, works to fix this. Jamieson received her BS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018. She has been working as a […] This is a public episode. If you would li...

Injuries in sports used to be considered strictly physical. Dae Hee Kwak, associate professor of sports management at the University of Michigan, explores how that’s changing today. Dae Hee Kwak is an Associate Professor of Sport Management in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan and the Director of the Center for Sport […] This is a public episode. If you would like to di...

Everyone enjoys beautiful things, but this can be a problem for certain species. Laura Melissa Guzman, Gabilan assistant professor of biological sciences and quantitative and computational biology at the University of Southern California Dornsife, explores why. Professor Guzman is a computational ecologist, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. She uses quantitative and computational tools to learn ab...

The music of the Southern United States is intertwined with the history of place. Michael T. Bertrand, professor of history at Tennessee State University, examines why. Michael T. Bertrand is a historian of the American South and the modern United States and teaches at Tennessee State University. He has taught at the University of Memphis, […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

We hear of people and rock bands being called sell outs. Where did this term come from? Ian Afflerbach, associate professor of American literature at the University of North Georgia, delves in to find out. Ian Afflerbach is an Associate Professor at the University of North Georgia. He teaches courses on Modern American Fiction, African […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

The Earth’s core is slowing down; but will it affect us? John Vidale, Dean’s professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California Dornsife, delves into the matter. Prof. Vidale’s research focuses on earthquakes, Earth structure, volcanoes, and the hazards of strong shaking.  His work has elements of numerical modeling, basic science, and earthquake […] This is a public episod...

Are tuition-free eligible academic programs working as intended or do they need updates? Daniel Sparks, postdoctoral fellow in economics and education at the University of Pennsylvania, leads this exploration. Daniel Sparks is a postdoctoral fellow in economics and education at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on higher education finance and policy. An Exploration […] Thi...

Adding new leadership can be challenging for organizations. Michele Williams, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa, explores one reason why this might be. Michele Williams, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, conducts interdisciplinary research on the micro-foundations of collabor...

Not all who die are gone forever. Irina Troconis, assistant professor of Latin American Studies at Cornell University, examines those who remain in one way or another. Irina R. Troconis is Assistant Professor of Latin American Studies in the Romance Studies Department at Cornell University. Her research explores the relationship between memory, politics, and cultural […] This is a public epi...

Can mindfulness be used in all areas of our lives? Simon Blanchard, provost’s distinguished associate professor and dean’s professor at the McDonagh School of Business at Georgetown University, determines one area where it can particularly useful. Simon Blanchard is a Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor and a Dean’s Professor at the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown […] This i...

On New York University Week: There’s a lifeline for those in psychological distress, but how many people know about it? Jonathan Purtle, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at the School of Global Public Health and Director of Policy Research at the Global Center for Implementation Science, examines this. Dr. Purtle’s research focuses […] This is a public episode. If y...

On New York University Week: Witches have been fodder for horror movies for decades, but what started this trend? Vito Adriaensens, assistant professor of experimental film and media at the Tisch School of the Arts, watched to find out. Vito Adriaensens is a Belgian filmmaker and scholar, and an Assistant Professor of Experimental Film and […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

On New York University Week: Does anyone like going to the dentist? Kelly Daly, assistant research scientist at the Family Translational Research Group at the College of Dentistry, delves into how to get over your fear of going to get your teeth cleaned. Kelly Daly, PhD, is an assistant research scientist at the Family Translational […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

On New York University Week:  Receiving a diagnosis can be done from behind a computer screen, but is it as reliable as an in-person visit? Daphna Harel, associate professor of applied statistics, explores this question. Daphna Harel is an Associate Professor of Applied Statistics at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at […] This is a public episode. If you wo...

On New York University Week:  Not all learning in schools comes from the curriculum. Klint Kanopka, assistant professor of applied statistics, delves into social emotion learning. Klint Kanopka is an applied statistician who uses computational models to solve problems in educational and psychological measurement. His recent work includes the development of a mixture item response […] This is...

Extreme heat stress can have many negative effects on our bodies. Saurabh Chatterjee, professor of environmental & occupational health at the at the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine, determines how to protect ourselves. Dr. Saurabh Chatterjee is a human physiologist with specialized training in immunology. He […] This is a public...

Truth and honesty in politics can seem fleeting or nonexistent. Sarah Stitzlein, professor of education and philosophy at the University of Cincinnati, gets us working to change this. Sarah M. Stitzlein is Professor of Education and Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati.  She is editor of the journal Democracy & Education, President of the Ohio Valley […] This is a public episode. I...

Data breaches are putting our data at risk, so what is being done? Brad Greenwood, professor of information systems and operations management and the Maximus Corporate Partner Professor of Business at George Mason University, explores if current laws are keeping us safe. Brad N. Greenwood is a professor of information systems and operations management and […] This is a public episode. If you...

Schools have been prioritizing students’ mental health, but it hasn’t been enough. Amie Rapaport, research scientist at the Center for Social and Economic Research at the University of Southern California, looks at what still needs to be done. Amie Rapaport has a PhD in Social Psychology and is a Research Scientist at the University of […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

Some insults end up forgotten to history, and some remain.  What makes the difference? Ian Afflerbach, associate professor of American literature at the University of North Georgia, looks into this with current events on the mind. Ian Afflerbach is an Associate Professor at the University of North Georgia. He teaches courses on Modern American Fiction, […] This is a public episode. If you wo...

On University at Albany Week: Why is legionnaire’s disease on the rise? Ursula Lauper, clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health, explores the data to provide an answer. Ursula Lauper is Chief of the Water Systems Control and Analysis section within the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Water Supply Protection. In this […] This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

On University at Albany Week:  Can artificial intelligence help us during a crisis? Abdullah Canbaz, assistant professor in the college of emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity, delves in to find out. Abdullah Canbaz is an assistant professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany. His research […] This...

On University at Albany Week: What happens when kids watch too much media at a young age? Sarah Domoff, assistant professor in the department of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, looks into this. Assistant Professor Sarah Domoff is a leading expert on problematic media use during childhood. Her research and clinical work […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discus...