Category: Biology
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Shelby Putt, Indiana University – Functional Brain Networks and Early Stone Tools
To view history, let’s dig into our brains instead of the Earth. Shelby Putt, postdoctoral research fellow at Indiana University, discusses why learning how our ancestors used their brains can help us understand the evolutionary puzzle. Dr. Putt is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Stone Age Institute and the Center for Research into the…
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Marla Sokolowski, University of Toronto – Fruit Flies and Obesity
Newborn fruit flies might not be that different from human babies. Marla Sokolowski, professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto, looks at the genes of both species and finds a link that could help control obesity for us all. Marla B. Sokolowski, B.Sc. (1977, University of Toronto), Ph.D.…
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Oscar Vilarroya, Autonomous University of Barcelona – Pregnancy Modifies a Woman’s Brain
Pregnancy modifies a woman’s body, but how about her brain? Oscar Vilarroya, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and forensic medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, delves into whether pregnancy leads to changes in how a new mother thinks. I am currently Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB),…
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Chris Austin, Louisiana State University – DNA from Museum Specimens
Can you extract DNA from museum specimens? Christopher Austin,associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and head curator of amphibians and reptiles in Museum of Natural Science at Louisiana State University, explores a new way to gather information on the past. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of California at Davis and…
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Ameae Walker, University of California Riverside – Vaccinating Babies Against Tuberculosis
How do you better vaccinate a newborn against tuberculosis? Ameae Walker, professor of biomedical sciences at the University of California Riverside, describes a new treatment option. Research in my laboratory is concerned with the growth factor activities of the hormone prolactin. These growth factor activities occur in many tissues including the pituitary, breast, endocrine pancreas,…
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Jonathan Dinman, University of Maryland – VEEV
Is there a vaccine on the way for a weaponized virus from the Cold War? Jonathan Dinman, professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at the University of Maryland, explores a breakthrough against a dangerous pathogen. Jonathan Dinman received his A.B. in Philosophy from Oberlin College in 1980, and his Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious…
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William Rogers, Winthrop University – Dolphins
Do dolphins speak in different dialects? William Rogers, professor of biology at Winthrop University, examines river dolphins in Peru to answer this question. Dr. Rogers has taught biology at various levels since he was in high school in San Francisco, Calif. He has been at Winthrop for more than 20 years and before that taught…
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Prashanth Rangan, University at Albany – Fruit Flies Offer Fertility Clues
What can fruit flies tell us about ourselves? Prashanth Rangan, associate professor of biological sciences at the University at Albany, delves into this question. Prash got his undergraduate engeneering degree in Industrial Biotechnology in India. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he spent a summer rotation working in a virology lab which left an indelible mark.…
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Abraham Palmer, University of California San Diego – Do These Genes Make Me Lonely?
Loneliness might be passed on from one generation to another. Abraham Palmer, professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, examines if a tendency for loneliness can be found in your genes. My research examines the influence of genes on behavior and reflects my training in behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, pharmacology and quantitative…
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Ed Hirt, Indiana University – Self Sabotage
Are you a morning person or a night person? Ed Hirt, professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, discusses how self-sabotaging behavior might happen when we think we’re at our best. Ed Hirt is a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences…