In the Spotlight

The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how how healing can be controlled through electricity and her insights on how medical device regulation can keep up with the pace of new medical devices.

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Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsmart our immune system is Northwestern PhD student Alexandra Karagiaridi, from the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into her graduate school...

For our season 3 finale, we're uncovering all there is to know about green spaces and green infrastructure for cities! Many people don't realize the dozens of benefits that trees and green spaces give us, including in stormwater collection and preventing flooding. Northwestern PhD Candidate Colleen O'Brien (and member of our podcast team!) shares a bit more about the fascinating questions being asked about green spac...

Humans are messy, complicated beings. Who we are is influenced by a number of factors, ranging from our upbringing to our geography. Here to walk us through the study of transnationalism, and how it's changing, is David Duske. David is a 2nd year MA student at the University of Buffalo, in the Department of Africana and American studies. 

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We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 4th and final episode of this 4 episode series, we had the privilege to speak with th...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we chatted with one of the leaders of the new F...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Executive Director of Imp...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Director of Programs of ...

Computational modelling has revolutionised complete fields, leading to increasingly advanced theories and applications. But what does computational modelling look like in material science, a field often associated with material things? PhD candidate Sean Koyama is here to walk us through the bleeding edge research that is computational material science!

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, ...

The process of developing from a single fertilized egg cell to a mature adult requires your cells to know exactly what specialization they will have AND spatially where they need to be in the developing organism. That's a lot for us to figure out! PhD student Andrew Montequin uses frogs to study exactly how these cellular processes occur so that we can better understand everything from evolution to cancer metastasis. 

Climate change is something a lot of us hear about on a daily basis, but how much do we really know about the history of our climate. It turns out our Earth's past may hold some clues to its future.  Here to walk us through her work in Deep Time is Nilou Sarvian, a 5th year PhD candidate in the Department of Earth and Planetary sciences at Northwestern University.

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Evidence-based interventions are so critical to treating mental illness and behaviors like suicide, but the road to developing these interventions is far from easy. Psychology PhD candidate Abby Ridge-Anderson shares more about her path into adolescent suicide research, how new treatments can specifically target the drivers of suicide, and common misconceptions about suicide and mental illness.

If you want to learn more a...

While the concept of tiny houses may evoke imagery straight out of a fairy tale, these small abodes help empower women around the world. Here to walk us through this fascinating concept is Alice Wilson, a 3rd year PhD candidate in urban sociology at the University of York, in the United Kingdom. Join us as we chat about the definition, history, and significance of tiny homes.

If you want to learn more about the topics disc...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.
In the 4th and final episode of this series, we are focusing on one aspect of educatio...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.
In the 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we next dive into the research behind COV...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.
In the 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we are hearing much more on the topic of ...

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.
In the 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from Chicago Public Schools...

The world of prostheses has been advancing rapidly, but how can we make sure that the benefits are reaped by everyone that needs it? Here to talk us through prosthetic development and equity initiatives in the field is Maggie Swerdloff, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University.

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• Check out the EEG Hair Project to l...

Welcome to In the Spotlight, the science communication podcast brought to you by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce! This season, we are unveiling a new episode series alongside our normal content, called "Science Policy in the Spotlight." We want to showcase some local policy issues in the greater Chicago and Evanston communities where science is important to the discussion. Each policy seri...