The Academic Minute

On this Student Spotlight during University at Albany Week: Imagining a future together can have big benefits for a relationship. Zoe Fowler, PhD candidate in the Gaesser Lab, explains what brings about this connection. Zoë Fowler is a cognitive scientist and scholar of imagination. She is a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology at […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

On University at Albany Week: Generating safe and clean electricity can lead to a brighter future. Matthews Syzdagis, associate professor in the department of physics, determines how to do so. University at Albany Associate Professor of Physics Matthew Szydagis received his B.A., M.S., and Ph. D. from the University of Chicago in 2005, 2006, and 2011, respectively, then […] This is a public...

Not enough doctors are trained in plant-based nutrition. Matthew Landry, assistant professor of population health & disease prevention at the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine, looks at how to close the gap. Matthew Landry’s current research focuses on identifying the optimal diet (or diets) for […] This is a public episode. If yo...

Choosing where to live can be a big decision and can even impact your life expectancy. Michael Wolfson, former assistant chief statistician at Statistics Canada and current member of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics,  discusses why. Michael Wolfson is a former assistant chief statistician at Statistics Canada and current […] This is a public episode. If you...

On this Student Spotlight: Understanding language is key to being human…or a chat bot. Zaid Zada, Ph. D. candidate at Princeton University, examines language and language models. Zaid is a Ph. D. candidate at Princeton University studying how the brain processes language, how multiple brains synchronize to share information with each other, and what language models can […] This is a public e...

What do patients bring to healthcare?  More than you might think. Charlotte Blease, associate professor at Uppsala University, tells us. Dr Charlotte Blease is a health informaticist and philosopher. She works in Uppsala University, Sweden, and before this was based at Harvard Medical School for five years where she is still a research affiliate. She […] This is a public episode. If you woul...

The lives of foster children can be hard, but adults can help. Julie Cederbaum, associate professor in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, explores how to make a difference. Julie Cederbaum is an associate professor in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Her work focuses on the impact […] This is a public episode. If you would li...

On New York University Week: Does a nation stand to benefit as a whole when their national sports team succeeds on a global stage? Anasse Bari, professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, digs into the data. Prof. Anasse Bari is an award-winning professor of Computer Science at New York University’s Courant Institute of […] This is a public episode. If you would like to disc...

On New York University Week: When does consciousness start for newborns? Claudia Passos-Ferreira, assistant professor of bioethics, considers this question. Claudia Passos-Ferreira is Assistant Professor of Bioethics at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. She has a Ph. D. in Public Health from the State University of Rio de Janeiro and a second Ph. D. […] This is a public e...

On New York University Week: Dogs aren’t the only animals that help out with therapy. Katherine Compitus, clinical assistant professor at the Silver School of Social Work, examines another. Katherine Compitus is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work and the Coordinator of the School’s Westchester and Rockland County, New York […] This is a public episode. If you...

On New York University Week: What is music and what is speech? Andrew Chang, Leon Levy postdoctoral fellow, asks our brains to listen in. Andrew Chang is postdoctoral fellow at New York University, supported by National Institute of Health and Leon Levy Scholarship in Neuroscience. He studies the neural mechanisms of auditory perception, and how […] This is a public episode. If you would lik...

On New York University Week: New discoveries by archaeologists are changing our view of Neanderthals. Radu Iovita, associate professor of anthropology, glues it all together. Radu Iovita is an archaeologist researching how ancient humans used technology to disperse through diverse environments and adapt to the harsh climatic changes of the last Ice Age. He has […] This is a public episode. I...

What if businesses could make a profit while also doing good for society? Timothy Keiningham, professor of marketing at the Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, examines how to do so. Timothy Keiningham, Ph. D., is the J. Donald Kennedy Endowed Chair in E-Commerce at St. John’s University’s Tobin College of Business. He is […] This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

Depression sufferers may have a new choice for treatment. C. Michael White, distinguished professor and chair of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, explains. Michael White, Pharm. D., FCP, FCCP, FASHP has ~500 publications resulting in 18288 citations with an H-index of 70; placing him within an elite group of researchers. Dr. […] This is a public episode....

There are many nightmare stories about dealing with the healthcare system in the U.S.; so how do we change it? Charles Silver, Roy W. and Eugenia C. McDonald endowed chair in civil procedure at the University of Texas School of Law, suggests a solution. Charles Silver teaches courses on civil procedure, health law, and professional responsibility. […] This is a public episode. If you would l...

The pandemic has brought many challenges to the fore in K-12 schools. Anthony James, professor and interim chair of family science and social work at Miami University, details how to fight back against one of these. Dr. Anthony G. James Jr. is a professor in the Department of Family Science and Social Work at Miami University. He earned […] This is a public episode. If you would like to disc...

Accessible competitive gaming is a growing industry with a long history. Matt Knutson, assistant professor at the University of North Dakota, fires up the games to find out more. Matt Knutson (he/him) is an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota, where he directs the academic program in esports. His research focuses on the […] This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

What is vocal placement and why do some people use it when talking? Lydia Kruse, clinical assistant professor at Purdue University, explores this. Lydia Kruse is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. She teaches in the MS-SLP program and provides clinical practicum […] This is a public...

Would you rather finish second or third in a competition? Andrea Luangrath, associate professor of marketing in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, says the answer may be surprising for athletes. Andrea Luangrath is an Associate Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in Marketing in the Tippie College of Business […] This is a public episode. If you would like t...

How does hunting affect the population of a species? Alex Erwin, assistant professor of law at Florida International University, explores this. Professor John (Alex) Erwin is an Assistant Professor of Law at Florida International University College of Law.  Combining his legal training with his background as a wildlife biologist, his research is situated at the […] This is a public episode....

Will artificial intelligence replace content creators? Jiasun Li, associate professor of finance at the George Mason University Costello College of Business, says not quite. Jiasun Li is an associate professor of finance at the George Mason University Costello College of Business and has a Ph. D. in Finance from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). […] This is a public episode. I...

Do we need to recommit to the Rule of Law in the United States? Ray Brescia, associate dean for research and intellectual life, Hon. Harold R Tyler Chair in law and technology at Albany Law School, says yes. Professor Brescia is the author of “The Future of Change: How Technology Shapes Social Revolutions” (Cornell University […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wi...

Would you let your car drive for you? Kathryn Robinson-Tay, PhD student in science and risk communication at Washington State University, determines what you might stop you. Kathryn Robinson-Tay is a third-year PhD student studying science and risk communication in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. Her research focuses primarily on how institutional and […] This is a public epis...

Is artificial intelligence the right tool for those in higher education to be using? Helen Choi, senior lecturer in the engineering in society program at the University of Southern California, asks us to think about the question ethically. Helen Choi is a Senior Lecturer in the Engineering in Society Program at the University of Southern […] This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

Conspiracy theories are causing a lot of damage, but how did they migrate to the mainstream? Christina Cliff, associate professor of political science and security studies at Franklin Pierce University, looks into this question. Christina Cliff is an associate professor of political science and security studies at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., where she […] This is a public epi...