Straight from a Scientist Medical Research Education and Discussion Podcast
59 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★ - 10 ratingsWe want your updates on today's scientific research directly from the source: straight from the scientist working hard to make new discoveries about our world.
We’re here to help you learn the what, the why, and the how of the research we produce every day.
Informal interviews probe deep into how science is done, and why the how matters when it's time to interpret the results. Roundtable discussions introduce you to hot new fields of study or investigate the darker sides of science.
To keep your science fresh, subscribe below or follow us on social media @straightfromascientist on instagram and twitter
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Episodes
Risk and Reward in Alzheimer's disease
December 13, 2023 12:00 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBAlzheimer's Disease Risk and Reward When they hear about my work as a neurodegeneration researcher, people always ask me about Alzheimer's disease risk factors. What really causes Alzheimer's disease? Plaque and tangle buildup The truth is there's no one secret to staving off dementia, other than living your best life. This doesn't mean following every impulse, but rather thinking clearly about your habits and consciously making those good habits easier to access. ...
Deep Brain Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease with Dr. Lea Grinberg & Research Team
May 30, 2023 12:00 - 2 hours - 125 MBDeep Brain Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease with Dr. Lea Grinberg & Research Team Losing Control from the Locus Coeruleus, starring Jonathan Chen, Felipe Pereira, and Ian Oh This episode kicks off a series all about my recent work in neurodegenerative disease, with a an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating and complex dementia and a major focus of my (Dr. Connor Wander’s) dissertation at UNC Chapel Hill. And where better to start than where the first major pathological cha...
Season 2 Episode 1: Neural Networks on Noradrenaline
January 18, 2022 15:38 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBThis episode is about neural networks on noradrenaline- the key neuromodulator known to flip almost every switch in the brain! Drs. Esteban Oryarzabal and Connor Wander break down how noradrenaline, or norepinephrine help regulate brain states useful for attention and task-switching. The studies here cover a whole new way to interpret brain imaging studies, which could have huge implications for neuroscience everywhere! Youtube link: https://youtu.be/NyMQhw5NpG4 Please note that this e...
Ep56- Unlocking Genetic Regulation
April 03, 2020 13:49 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBVIDEO WITH VISUAL AIDS ON YOUTUBE!! How did you get so put together? DNA is the blueprint, but it doesn't determine everything. DNA gets turned into RNA, and then finally into proteins that help build your body and brain. But there are SO many steps in that process that affect the final product- you. The sum of these steps is a process called genetic regulation. Genetic regulation makes sure that not all of our genes are expressed and turned into protein at the same time and sa...
Ep55- Fetal Vulnerability to Cannabis and Alcohol
March 12, 2020 15:08 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBMarijuana and other cannabis products are becoming increasingly available across the country, and while compounds like CBD have been shown to be safe and even helpful in adults, the side effects of cannabis products are relatively unknown when it comes to the developing fetus. We've known that alcohol causes birth defects for over 40 years, causing a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the greater spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). But alcohol isn't the on...
E54- Supermassive Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies
February 18, 2020 12:39 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBThis week's episode is about the big things in life- specifically, supermassive black holes in dwarf galaxies! Connor Wander sits down with Mugdha Polimera from UNC to talk about her work studying supermassive black holes and how their frequency in dwarf (smaller) galaxies can teach us about the formation of the universe. She quite literally looks back in time! Mugdha explains how she studies such huge elements so far away, what her studies could mean for our understanding of the univer...
Ep 53 - How Bacteria Survive the Immune System
January 05, 2020 14:52 - 39 minutes - 44.8 MBThis episode is all about bad bugs. Specifically, a flesh-eating bacteria strain called Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus). S. aureus is a very common bacteria that's best known for becoming resistant to antibiotics, and becoming MRSA. Bacteria and the immune system are always at war with each other. Antibiotics can give the body the edge in this battle, but common resistance is making this much harder in hospitals and homes across the world. Bacteria survive these antibiotics and the imm...
Ep 52 - Diabetes and Placental Epigenetics
December 01, 2019 15:56 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBThis weeks episode combines several topics you may have heard of, but never thought about in the same context! Diabetes and epigenetics are two well-researched topics, but not in the context of fetal development. During pregnancy, the placenta is the highway that connects a mother and fetus, so when epigenetics act on the placenta, they could have huge effects on development of the fetus and/or the mother. We break it down straight from a scientist in this episode with Laetitia Myey...
Ep. 51 – New Cancer Therapies & Targeting Cancer Biology
November 05, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBJoin Lebaron (Lee) Agostini and Connor Wander in our FIRST VIDEO episode! This episode is all about Cancer Biology. Lee studies experimental cancer therapies for pancreatic cancer. New cancer therapies called combination or synergystic cancer therapies use multiple drug types to shut down, corner, and eliminate cancer cells in the body. The full video version of this episode is available on Nov 5th at 7PM EST ! Head on over to our YouTube Channel and check it out there! Also streaming (au...
Ep.50 - Alzheimer's disease FAQ
October 02, 2019 20:14 - 1 hour - 32.9 MBWhat is Alzheimer's disease? Who can get Alzheimer's, and how does the disease progress? Maya Gostyla and Connor Wander break down the state of Alzheimer's disease treatments, risk factors, and potential breakthroughs in the field. Related Episodes If you like this episode, we have tons of podcasts on Alzheimer's disease! You can hear more about Maya and her research story in this episode. Further Reading about Alzheimer's disease Here's a great review from the experts on ...
Ep. 49 - Alzheimer's disease overview with Konner Blunt
September 08, 2019 15:17 - 1 hour - 29.3 MBThis week's episode is with the host of The Blunt Report podcast: Konner Blunt. Connor and Konner talked about ALzheimer's disease, the experience of podcasting, science communication, and Jiu Jitsu among other things. Check out The Blunt Report here: http://www.thebluntreport.com/ More about Alzheimer's disease: https://www.straightfromascientist.com/alzheimers-disease/
Ep. 48- Are Herbal Supplements Effective? Using Modern Science to Investigate Ancient Medicines with Tayler Catherine
June 15, 2019 09:56 - 51 minutes - 39.9 MBTayler is a PhD candidate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Her research focuses on the pharmacology and toxicology of supposed ‘fertility-boosting’ herbal supplements on sperm cells, using flow cytometry to elucidate their effects at a cellular level. She is also a science communicator in her spare time, and posts regular pharmacology-based series online. You can find her on Instagram at @taylercatherine Link to a good general review ...
Ep. 47- Genetic Big data for Personalized Medicine with Sean Jackewicz
June 15, 2019 09:55 - 51 minutes - 40 MBSean Jackewicz is a research student at the University of Georgia who is studying for his degree in Genetics, with the goal of being a medical doctor. Sean's research in the lab has focused on cancer development and cancer therapies, while his work outside of the lab focuses on the role of genomics in people's lives. Sean is currently leading the development of a clinical genotyping tool that he hopes will give health practitioners the ability to personalize treatment plans for patients like...
Ep. 46- Stimulate Your Brain for Better Mental Health
May 31, 2019 13:38 - 41 minutes - 21.2 MBAlzheimer's disease is a terrifying neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired memory, cognitive deficits, and neuronal loss. With few treatments and no cure after decades of research, scientists are starting to think outside the box for better ways to ward off Alzheimer's disease. In this episode, we discuss the links between mental health and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, and how common strategies for better mental health have great promise for Alzheimer's diseas...
Ep. 45: Applications and Limitations of GWAS with Dr. Liz Tunbridge
April 21, 2019 00:02 - 23 minutes - 17.6 MBGenome-wide association studies, or GWAS, are very helpful in telling researchers where to focus their attention. They point out genetic linkers that have the potential to be used as medicines or diagnostics. GWAS identify genes or clusters of genes associated with greater risk for diseases and disorders. But GWAS aren't a silver bullet... Dr. Liz Tunbridge studies genetic risk factors for various psychiatric disorders. She has noted that while GWAS are very useful, they have many limitat...
Ep. 44: Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease with Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton and Connor Wander
April 09, 2019 02:43 - 28 minutes - 20.2 MBWomen are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men. However, this is NOT because they live longer. When we look into the aging brain, males and females experience different timelines. The molecular underpinnings of these sex differences could make a huge impact on our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton is spearheading research into sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. She works to discover how to protect the aging female brain from these in...
Ep. 43: Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease with Dr. Elizabeth Head and Connor Wander
March 27, 2019 15:06 - 13 minutes - 10.4 MBThis week's episode features another throwback recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer's Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. We talked with Dr. Elizabeth Head, who studies the link between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease with the hopes of improving lives for both patient classes. Listen to hear about this super interesting and very promising work! About Dr. Elizabeth Head Dr. Elizabet...
Ep. 42: Neuronal Apoptosis- The Cautious and the Willing with Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh and Connor Wander
February 10, 2019 19:01 - 50 minutes - 25.2 MBThis episode is all about neuronal apoptosis. In Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh's eyes, some cells are willing to undergo apoptosis, while others are very cautious. Understanding these differences could be the key to understanding, treating, or curing diseases that haunt us in modern times. Research in Dr. Deshmukh’s lab at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, focuses on pathways for neuronal apoptosis and the ways that survival and death work in different cells. Apoptosis is programme...
Ep. 41: Alzheimer’s Disease Research roundtable with Drs. Cynthia Lemere, Charles Glabe, and Lea T. Grinberg
December 20, 2018 16:09 - 57 minutes - 59.2 MBThis week’s episode marks the 2nd of a series focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. All episodes were recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support ...
Ep. 40: Roundtable on the Importance of Science Communication with Dan and Gabe from TheSciCommunity
December 13, 2018 17:18 - 56 minutes - 52.3 MBTo honor our recent collaboration with TheSciCommunity, we sat down with the founders Dan and Gabe and discussed the importance of science communication. Dan and Gabe share their values and mission to spread science in a transparent and direct way. Also in this episode, we discuss our pathways into science, how to improve the dialogue between scientists and the public, and fake news. We also talk about the Skype A Scientist program that connects scientists with classrooms around the world...
Ep. 39: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Part I with Drs. Diane Bovenkamp, Frank LaFerla, and Bruce Lamb
November 27, 2018 21:32 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBThis week’s episode marks the 1st of a series focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. All episodes were recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support ...
Ep. 38: Wood Thrushes and Canadian Wildlife Ecology with Alex Israel
November 14, 2018 03:51 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MBFor Part Two in our wildlife ecology series, we talked with Alexandra Israel, a Master's student at York University. As a field biologist, Alex works long days in Canada researching species like the Wood Thrush and the worrying decline of songbird populations. So listen in to hear about her experience with field work, as well as issues such as nest predation and bird parasites that hurt songbird populations. Learn about small things people can do to help songbird populations, including ...
Ep. 37: Conservation and Rainforest Ecology with Stephanie Martin
November 06, 2018 00:16 - 37 minutes - 35.9 MBThis week we kick off part one of a two part series on conservation and ecology. We talked to Stephanie Martin, a Tropical Rainforest Ecologist. So listen in to hear about Stephanie's field research in rainforests around the world, as well as what individuals can do to aid in conservation efforts. Stephanie works to help preserve endemic species, plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. Also, we talk about the ethics of ethnobotany and a recent World Wildlife Fund stu...
Ep. 36: Behavioral Nutrition and Weight Management with Rachel Paul
October 17, 2018 17:10 - 36 minutes - 35.4 MBFor this episode, we talked to Dr. Rachel Paul, also known as The College Nutritionist, about her work in behavioral nutrition. Listen in to hear about practical strategies Rachel uses with her clients to manage weight effectively. Rachel dispels some myths and misconceptions about healthy eating and weight management. We also talk about different types of diets and whether or not current scientific research recommends them. For example, we cover ketogenic diets, fasting, and the potenti...
Ep. 35: Meta Roundtable with Learning With Lowell and Connor Wander
October 15, 2018 02:25 - 1 hour - 85.3 MBAnother special episode for the SFS podcast this week: a collaborative show between Lowell Thompson, the host of the Learning with Lowell Podcast, and Connor from Straight from a Scientist. Listen in to hear a relaxed discussion about the motivations behind and the ups and downs of podcasting. We also talk about our backgrounds, personal histories and interests, and cool things planned for both the Learning with Lowell and Straight from a Scientist Podcasts! About Lowell After be...
Ep. 34: Lab to Life 1 with Dr. Lisa Crose from Camargo Pharmaceutical Services
October 10, 2018 03:18 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBThis episode is part of a new series put on by UNC Pharmacology. Lab to Life exposes students, staff, and faculty to the journey of alumni as they navigate their career post-PhD. It’s inspirational, informative, and a great guide for anyone looking for alternate careers in science. Special thanks to Nicole Arnold at UNC Pharmacology for letting us record, and of course to Lisa for coming to talk to us! About Lisa Lisa is a Scientific and Regulatory Specialist at Camargo Pharmaceutica...
Ep. 33: Brain Imaging of Chronic Pain with Anton Rogachov and Connor Wander
September 02, 2018 15:27 - 47 minutes - 44.7 MBThis week we talked with Anton Rogachov, a 5th year PhD student in Dr. Karen Davis’s Lab at the University of Toronto. The Davis Lab focuses on using brain imaging like resting-state fMRI to understand functional abnormalities in the brains of chronic pain patients. The majority of Dr. Davis’s work looks at the functional communication between different brain regions and networks in order to understand how these communications break down in chronic pain. In comparison, Anton's research lo...
Ep. 32: Search and Destroy in HIV Therapy Part II - with Aaron Devanathan and Connor Wander
August 20, 2018 13:48 - 1 hour - 36.4 MBIn our second interview with Aaron Devanathan, a PhD student in the Kashuba Lab at UNC Pharmacy, we dive deeper into the strategies researchers use on the cutting edge of HIV research, including the technical challenges, tools, and model systems that make the science possible. We cover past, present, and future HIV therapies and also explore the innate immune system in aging and within the context of AIDS. Next, Aaron discusses his recent experience in his clinical rotation at UNC hospital...
Ep. 31: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: From eubiosis to dysbiosis and back: useful biomarkers for clinical treatment with Miguel Mateas
August 05, 2018 19:37 - 54 minutes - 54.1 MBToday, back by popular demand is Miguel Mateas, a Clinical Nutritional Neuroscientist who studies how the microbiota affects the brain. Diversity and abundance in gut microbiota leads to a healthy and balanced system, called eubiosis. But when that balance is lost, the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients suffers, which is called dysbiosis. We discuss his new review article, which covers markers of gut health which can be used to develop personalized treatment for microbiome and neurologic...
Ep. 30: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Pain and Addiction with Waylin Yu
July 19, 2018 02:10 - 55 minutes - 52.2 MBConnor Wander talked to Waylin Yu about his research in the overlap of pain, negative emotion, and addiction. Waylin studies the fundamental roles of neurons in different areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, that may be responsible for these reactions, both independently and in relation to each other. This includes chronic pain, anxiety, and alcohol and drug dependence, looking at activity in dopamine pathways, which play a role in reward-motivated behavior, and GABA, an important inh...
Ep. 29: Fasting, Keto, and Injuries with Exercise Physiologist Alyssa Olenick
July 04, 2018 21:53 - 52 minutes - 70.7 MBWe talked to Alyssa Olenick, also known as Little Lyss Fitness for her online fitness presence and training programs, about her research in metabolic flexibility and nutrition strategies. Listen in to hear about proper health, fitness, and the science behind popular diet plans such as the Ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carb diet sometimes used to treat severe epilepsy in children, and Intermittent Fasting, which uses periods of fasting and non-fasting to control caloric intake. About Aly...
Ep. 28: Cognitive Rehab using Virtual Reality with Faviola Dadis
July 03, 2018 00:57 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBWe spoke with Faviola Dadis, the CEO of NeuroReality who is using the company to fund her PhD research. NeuroReality specializes in the development of medical software using VR in order to create an immersive and fun gamified neurorehabilitation program for individuals who experience cognitive deficits following a stroke (and eventually for other clinical populations). Using virtual reality and gamification, Faviola’s main objective is to help train cognitive tasks such as memory, attentio...
Ep. 27: Free and Open Science: Reworking peer review and null results with Sander van Bree
June 18, 2018 13:24 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBScience isn't perfect and one of it's biggest problems revolves around the publishing process, by which scientists share their findings with the public after peer review. However, this sharing can be quite limited in both what is shared and who gets to see it. Open access science, shared publicly, can enhance the discovery process, but implementing open access can be difficult. We talk about new systems that could accommodate open access publishing, revamped peer review, and even the publ...
Ep. 26: Traumatic brain injury and CTE Roundtable with Connor and Julian
June 09, 2018 23:06 - 47 minutes - 33.1 MBChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). CTE is mainly seen in athletes who participate in contact sports such as football, but it also spans to military personnel. In this roundtable episode, we discuss where the latest research stands on this topic as well as explore the clinical and pathological manifestation of the disease. More Information Check out these papers to learn more about chronic...
Ep. 25: Straight from a Scientist Update Episode
June 04, 2018 15:06 - 11 minutes - 7.8 MBHey SFS listeners! Julian and Connor met up online to discuss the past, present, and future of SFS. Thanks for sticking with the podcast as we learn more about podcasting and science communication in general. We've got a lot in the works for the summer, and are excited to bring you loads of new content! We must ask a favor with this new push to polish SFS! Itunes reviews are one of the best ways to help new podcasts find new audiences. Here's a quick rundown of how to post an Itunes r...
Ep. 24: Search and Destroy in HIV Therapy with Aaron Devanathan
May 19, 2018 13:01 - 35 minutes - 34.1 MBOur final ComSciCon interview is with Aaron Devanathan. Aaron studies HIV infection and elimination in the Department of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill in the Angela Kashuba Lab. HIV, or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. While modern medicine has done wonders in treating the symptoms of an HIV infection, current drugs fail to eliminate the virus entirely. This is because HIV is dispersed widely throughout the body. Aaron s...
Ep. 23: The Role of Apoptosis with Georgia Smith
May 08, 2018 10:58 - 26 minutes - 21.9 MBWe had the chance to talk with Georgia Atkin-Smith about different types of cell death, autoimmune disorders, and the optimistic future of the field. Georgia is a final year PhD student in Biochemistry and Immunology at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, Australia. Her PhD project focuses on a type of cell death termed apoptosis and the consequence of this process in disease. Specifically, Georgia's research is aimed to understand the role of apoptotic fragments, known...
Ep. 22: Nanotechnology with Claudia Alarcón López
May 03, 2018 09:35 - 27 minutes - 22.1 MBWe had the opportunity to speak with Claudia Alarcón López, better known as @the.nanotechgirl. She is a Mexican INCQ (Ingeniero En Nanotecnología Y Ciencias Químicas) student who has the goal of spreading knowledge of science through Instagram, with a special focus on nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale which can be applied in all aspects of life and interdisciplinary sciences. About Claudia Claudia is studying engi...
Ep. 21: Smart Textiles and Flexible Electronics with Ashish Kapoor
April 28, 2018 22:00 - 28 minutes - 28.5 MBThe next installment of the ComSciCon podcast blitz stars Ashish Kapoor! We discuss flexible electronics and smart textiles. These game-changing technologies are already showing up in stores and threaten to completely overhaul how we use and think about clothing. Smart textiles can be used in the military, medical emergencies, or just everyday use. We talk about other practical applications of smart textiles and flexible electronics, and chat a bit about the barriers this technology will...
Ep. 20: Biomedical Engineering and Science Education with Stephanie Teeter
April 21, 2018 16:00 - 22 minutes - 21.4 MBOur second ComSciCon Triangle interview was with Stephanie Teeter from NC State. Stephanie is a technician for two biomedical engineering labs, and she is working towards her PhD in Science Education. We discuss practical applications of biomedical engineering, like prosthetics, and the challenges with Science Education in academia. Follow Stephanie on Twitter. Read more on the lab webpages: Orthopaedic Mechanobiology Lab Translational Orthopaedic Research Lab This ...
Ep. 19: Bluebirders vs House Sparrows with Suzanne Hartley
April 14, 2018 13:00 - 16 minutes - 16 MBWe got the chance to sit down with Suzanne Hartley, a graduate student at North Carolina State University. Suzanne researches how to help Bluebirds in their surprisingly violent turf war with House Sparrows, and how we can use this war to learn about environmental toxins like pesticides or other chemicals. Bluebirds are a beautiful, native species in North America, but they are constantly harassed by House Sparrows, an invasive species from Europe. So listen in to learn about Bluebird def...
Ep. 18: Science Policy and Activism with Dr. Frances Colón
April 01, 2018 17:00 - 55 minutes - 55.1 MBStraight from a Scientist headed south for Spring Break and got a chance to speak with Dr. Frances Colón. Dr. Colón served as science adviser to the State Department under the Obama administration. We discuss the responsibility scientists have to communicate their findings directly to the public, and how scientists can enact change by putting pressure on civic leaders. Connect with Dr. Colón on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Colón on Twitter Episode Interviewer: Connor Wander Any...
Ep. 17: Addiction and Sex differences in the Brain with Jean Rivera
March 27, 2018 04:18 - 42 minutes - 36.2 MBJean Rivera completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) majoring in Chemistry, with minors in Psychology and Biology. His undergraduate research focused primarily on explosives and forensic chemistry in the laboratories of Dr. Samuel Hernandez and Dr. Carmen Vega. He then pursued a 2-year research internship at Tufts Medical School as an NIH-PREP scholar in the Neuroscience Program. There, he studied the downstream mechanisms of BDNF on the control of appetite...
Ep. 16: Marine Biology and Climate Change with Dr. Jordan Grigor
March 12, 2018 14:05 - 57 minutes - 58.4 MBThe SSMV Aquarium is totally funded by donations, which pay for food, animals, and maintenance. If you are interested in supporting these efforts to teach Nashville high school kids marine biology, please visit the gofundme page. Last week, we got the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Jordan Grigor, a postdoc working at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV). He is both an educator and marine biology scientist. We cover the uncertain future of keystone species like plankton i...
Ep. 15: Promising New Treatments for Parkinson Disease with Irene Gonzalez
March 01, 2018 18:41 - 34 minutes - 42 MBToday we sit down and talk with Irene Gonzalez about Parkinson Disease. Irene is a Master student who is currently studying neurodegenerative diseases. In this podcast, we cover the molecular pathology of Parkinson as well as discuss some promising new treatments. Connect with Irene on Instagram Any other questions? Let us know! We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast. Many thanks to our past and present supporters! T...
Ep. 14: The Immune System and Fat Metabolism with Ricky Barrett
February 21, 2018 17:56 - 52 minutes - 28.8 MBThis week we sit down with Ricky Barrett, a PhD candidate at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Ricky researches the poorly understood role of immune cells like macrophages in fat metabolism. The immune system isn't just for protecting against infections- it is a key regulator of metabolism and is often overlooked! We discuss all of this in the context of atherosclerosis, which can cause chest pain, heart attacks or even stroke! You can find Ricky on social media @rickbarr21 on in...
Ep. 13: Amyloid Beta: Villain, or Hero in Alzheimer's Disease?
February 15, 2018 13:00 - 49 minutes - 46.4 MBAlzheimer's disease is the most predominant neurodegenerative disorder of our time, and is an imminent health crisis in countries like the United States, where 15 million people are expected to suffer from the disease by 2050. Alzheimer's disease is an age-related disorder that causes brain shrinkage, memory loss, and eventually, death. This week we discuss major paradigm shifts in Alzheimer's disease research. For decades, Alzheimer's disease researchers have argued over what causes th...
Ep. 12: The Neuroscience of Consciousness & Free Will with Daniel Toker
February 13, 2018 17:41 - 43 minutes - 45.3 MBToday we spoke with Neuroscientist Daniel Toker about theories of consciousness and how mathematical models can be used to study the brain. We get philosophical on the scientific basis of consciousness as well as cover the complex concept of free will. Daniel Toker is a neuroscience PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley who did his undergrad in philosophy and neuroscience at Princeton University. He specializes in computational and cognitive neuroscience. Daniel researches ...
Ep. 11: Alzheimers, Axons, and Fruit Flies with Maya Gosztyla
February 11, 2018 16:54 - 32 minutes - 27.5 MBThis interview podcast features Maya Gosztyla, an undergraduate researcher at THE Ohio State University. Maya researches the genetics of axon guidance, or brain wiring in fruit flies, and runs her own Alzheimer's Disease learning blog called AlzScience. We discuss her research, how she balances work with free time, and how she worked her way into her first research lab without hands-on experience. Here's a great post by Maya on AlzScience describing Alzheimer's Disease Here are her...
Ep. 10: How does food affect our brain? Nutritional Neuroscience with Miguel Mateas
February 05, 2018 19:12 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBToday we interview Miguel Mateas about the intriguing field of nutritional neuroscience: how does the food we eat affect our brain function. About Miguel Miguel Toribio-Mateas is a nutrition practitioner (BSc Hons Nutritional Medicine) and clinical neuroscientist (MSc) living in the UK and working in London. Miguel got a Santander Bank Scholarship for doctoral research in 2016 and is currently a doctoral candidate at Middlesex University investigating the impact of nutrition in b...