Month: August 2016
-
Joseph Dwyer, University of New Hampshire – Lightning
Thunderstorms are a summertime staple across the country. Joseph Dwyer, professor of physics at the University of New Hampshire, explains scientists are still studying these storms to get a handle on how they actually work. Joseph Dwyer received his PhD in physics from the University of Chicago in 1994, working on cosmic-ray astrophysics. He worked…
-
Peter Weiss, University of California Santa Cruz – Mercury in California’s Fog
Why is there mercury in California’s fog? Peter Weiss, research associate at the University of California Santa Cruz, explains why fog, and not rain, collects mercury from the atmosphere and what that could mean for coastal environments. Peter Weiss-Penzias has been a Researcher in Environmental Toxicology at University of California at Santa Cruz since 2008. …
-
Sasha Dall, University of Exeter – Genes as Cues for Development
What do your genes say about you? Sasha Dall, Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Ecology at the University of Exeter, examines how genotype and local environment work together during development. The primary aim of my research is to explore how animals cope with the unexpected opportunities and dangers they face in their day-to-day lives. To this…
-
This Week On The Academic Minute (2016.08.29)
This Week on The Academic Minute 2016.8.29 Monday, August 29th Sasha Dall of the University of Exeter examines why genes are a cue for development. Tuesday, August 30th Peter Weiss of the University of California Santa Cruz details why there is mercury in California’s fog. Wednesday, August 31st Joseph Dwyer of the University of New…
-
The Academic Minute for 2016.08.22-08.26
Academic Minute from 8.22 – 8.26 Monday, August 22nd Julia Jaekel – University of Tennessee Knoxville Refugee Mother’s Child Care Practices Dr. Julia Jaekel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She studied developmental psychology and received her PhD titled “Familial developmental factors of…
-
Martin Krieger, University of Southern California – Flows and Finances
A city’s flow is key to its vitality. Martin Krieger, professor of planning at the University of Southern California, discusses the flow-ways that go throughout cities and keep the information and people moving. Martin Krieger’s current work is on defense and military policy, and on uncertainty and ambiguity. He has done social-science informed aural and…
-
Martha McClintock featured on The Best of Our Knowledge
As always, host Bob Barrett selects an Academic Minute to air during The Best of Our Knowledge. Each week this program examines some of the issues unique to college campuses, looks at the latest research, and invites commentary from experts and administrators from all levels of education. For this week‘s edition (#1353), Bob has selected…
-
Howard Eichenbaum, Boston University – Guided Memory
Did you wash the dishes in the sink before work this morning? Howard Eichenbaum, university professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, discusses how the brain suppresses some memories to better focus on the tasks at hand. The hippocampus plays a critical role in memory formation, but our understanding of…
-
John Cummings, Siena College – Neutrinos
Our understanding of the universe is getting smaller and smaller. John Cummings, Associate Professor of Physics at Siena College, describes neutrinos and why they are so key to our understanding of the cosmos. Dr. John Cummings graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Physics before he went on to receive his M.A.…
-
Guillermo Aguilar, University of California Riverside – A Window to the Brain
Scientists are developing an actual window to the brain. Guillermo Aguilar, professor in the department of mechanical engineering at the University of California Riverside, discusses transparent skull implants and how they can give scientists a chance to deliver better treatments to their patients. Professor Guillermo Aguilar received his Bachelors degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering…