Sam Wang: Autism, the Cerebellum, Learning, Brain Development, Gerrymandering & Using Data Science to Repair Democracy | M&M #48

Nick Jikomes talks to Sam Wang, PhD professor of neuroscience at Princeton University. Dr. Wong’s lab investigates how brains learn from sensory experience, in adulthood and development, with relevance for autism. A lot of their work focuses on a part of the brain called the cerebellum.

They talk about the cerebellum and what we’re learning about its functions, as well as how it’s tied to autism, and what the causes and nature of autism actually are. This included both the genetic and environmental risk factors for autism, and how to think about treatment. Lastly, they talk about another side of his work, which is related to using data and science to help repair our democracy by combatting things like congressional gerrymandering.

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