In the Spotlight: Recent Episodes

Northwestern University Science Policy Outreach Taskforce

In the Spotlight is a science communication podcast where we interview graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in the sciences about their research and how it relates to the world around us. What problems are they trying to solve? What should we all understand about their work? What policies may be needed to support this research? These are the questions we will try to answer on In the Spotlight. This podcast is hosted and produced by Emily Schafer and Nicolas Scrutton Alvarado, and supported by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT).

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The microbiome has gotten a lot of attention recently, with gut health being emphasised in everything from digestion to mental health. But when is the last time you thought about the microbiome in your lungs**? Here to tell us all about the fascinating environment that is our lungs is Jack Thomas Sumner, a Northwestern University PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

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

  • This TED Talk on the human microbiome
  • If you're feeling a longer read, Ed Yong's I Contain Multitudes is a great deep dive into the topic (non-affiliate link)
  • If you're feeling extra science-y, here's a review on the lung microbiome
  • To find out more of the research at Northwestern, check out SCRIPT's homepage

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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

  • The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) at Northwestern University
  • More on the FDA's Right to Try Act
  • Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's exhibit, "You! The Experience"

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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, the significance of her work, and how she goes about solving the problem.

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

  • A nice summary by the American Society for Microbiology
  • A report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's Hospital
  • If you're feeling up for it, a scientific review on ABC transporters and how they help pathogens infect us

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**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 spaces in environmental engineering research and how green infrastructure policy can be designed with communities in mind.

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

  • "The climate crisis haunts Chicago's future. A battle between a great city and a great lake" by the New York Times
  • "Green infrastructure: how to manage water in a sustainable way" by the NRDC
  • "Chicago's Green Space: Inequitable for 100 years"
  • Adopt a tree through Openlands' Treekeepers!
  • "How one Boston neighborhood stopped gentrification in its tracks"
  • Happy City by Charles Montgomery (book)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**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.

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

  • This video by the University of Oxford on transnational migration
  • An overview on American Studies
  • A summary of transnationalism
  • This article from The Atlantic on what being "American" really means

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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 the Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Public Health Department, Matthew Richards. Together, we tackle the new Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program in Chicago, the new changes its brought, and what it will try to accomplish in the future.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • Initial coverage on and response to the funding of CARE can be found here and here
  • The Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee's Recommendations Report from October 2019
  • More on University of Chicago's Urban Labs Health Lab that completed the Road Map Initiative report on cyclic utilizers
  • Most recent news report on the outcomes of the CARE program and coverage of pushback on the CARE program design

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to check in on the Chicago Public Health Department you can visit their website or follow them on Twitter.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we chatted with one of the leaders of the new First-response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) run by Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Christopher Mayer, to learn more about their recently debuted mobile crisis team that serves Evanston and north Chicago!
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • More on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program in Illinois
  • More on the goals of CESSA and the upcoming 988 crisis line number

Trilogy's FACT program can be accessed by calling 1-800-FACT-400.

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Executive Director of Impact Behavioral Health Partners, Dr. Patti Capouch, about the background behind mobile crisis response teams in our area and the latest crisis response resource to be funded by our local Evanston government.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • More about the prior work of the Alternative Response Subcommittee and their meetings
  • Other notable crisis response models in Denver and Oregon (CAHOOTS)
  • More about Turning Point's Living Room in Skokie and the upcoming Living Room in Evanston
  • "City Council allocates funds for walk-in mental health crisis center" by the Daily Northwestern
  • Introduction to the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) in Illinois

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow Impact Behavioral Health Partners and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Director of Programs of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Cook County North Suburban, Dr. Christine Somervill, about the state of mental healthcare in our area and how crisis response compares to other healthcare needs.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • More about mental health services in Evanston
  • "Mental health advocates push for more federal ARPA funds from Evanston, describe system in crisis"
  • The mental health dashboard and Mental Health is Essential campaign created by the Mental Health Taskforce
  • "The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use"
  • "COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide" by the WHO
  • "Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century" about deaths of despair before COVID-19
  • "Deaths of despair: the unrecognized tragedy of working class immiseration"
  • "They Lost Sons To Drug Overdoses: How The Pandemic May Be Fueling Deaths Of Despair" by NPR
  • "The Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in COVID-19"
  • "Mental health professionals are the ones taking care of us: Who’s taking care of them?" by USA Today

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow NAMI CCNS and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more. You can also check out NAMI's national organization website here.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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, check out:

  • A lecture on how innovation in Materials Sciences
  • An educational physics channel
  • A book by Albert Einstein on relativity
  • A short article on the origins and applications of spintronics

Make sure to reach out to Sean on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**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.

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

  • Evo-Devo (Despacito Biology Parody) by A Capella Science (YouTube video)
  • Biologists Home In on Turing Patterns (news article)
  • Why use the frog in research?
  • Lab website for the LaBonne Lab at Northwestern University

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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

  • A fascinating insight into the triggers for Snowball Earths
  • A short video Climeworks, a novel carbon-capture technology
  • A somber piece on The Atlantic discussing the latest IPCC report

Make sure to reach out to Nilou on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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 about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • Ask Dr. Jill: Does Mental Illness Play a Role in Suicide? (website)
  • Uncovering Suicidal Thoughts and 10 Things to Say to a Suicidal Person (website for suicidal individuals and their loved ones)
  • Reach Out: How to Help Someone at Risk of Suicide (article)
  • News articles on Meghan Markle's mental health stories and ways that it has changed the way we talk about suicide
  • Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents by Barry M. Wagner (book)
  • Managing Suicidal Risk: A Collaborative Approach by David A. Jobes (book)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents by Alec M. Miller, Jill H. Rathus, & Marsha M. Linehan (book)

If you or someone you care about is struggling with suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to check out the following resources:

  • The Jed Foundation
  • 13 Reasons Why by Helping Give Away Psychological Science (HGAPS)
  • The Trevor Project
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
  • The American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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 discussed in this episode, check out:

  • This article from the Conversation on why more and more people are living in tiny homes
  • This article on the unspoken difficulties of living in a tiny house
  • This (accessible!) academic article assessing whether tiny homes are here to stay
  • Alice's blog, where you can keep up with her latest thoughts on the subject
  • A great episode from our friends over at HookedOnScience

Make sure to reach out to Alice on Twitter or Instagram!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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 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 education that's been particularly challenging during the changing learning environments of the pandemic - social and emotional learning (SEL). Former educator and now Northwestern University professor Dr. Tim Dohrer shares his decades of experience on the topic and personal observations of how SEL has changed in the last few years!
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • Introduction to the topic of education loss during the pandemic from the University of Arizona and CNBC
  • Statistics on mental health of children shared by Dr. Dohrer on depression rates and treatment seeking
  • Information on the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and one of their recent working papers on supportive relationship building and resilience
  • The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) in Chicago and their introductory page on social and emotional learning
  • CPS remote learning policies and a news article entitled "Chicago Public School student says high school students should leave cameras on during remote learning"

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 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 COVID-19, but this time more specifically about transmission and risk mitigation strategies in schools. Dr. Priya Edward and many others from Lurie Children's Hospital are doing ongoing research on how SARS-COV-2 transmission through schools can be characterized and shares about how this could make a big difference in how we make policy decisions moving forward.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • Dr. Edward's study on asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission in Chicago private schools and preprint study on COVID-19 variants in children
  • Information on the childhood opportunity index measurement
  • Detailed information on COI in Chicago zip codes as of 2015 and the "Healthy Chicago 2.0" plan of action that incorporates COI data
  • Chicago Teacher's Union's safety committee resources, including vaccination rates in Chicago Public Schools
  • The CDC's "Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools"

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 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 risk and transmission in kids - are children really as immune to COVID-19 as the media portrays them to be? What research questions do we still need to figure out? All this and more from a pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent!
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • Dr. Heald-Sargent's early paper from the pandemic on SARS-CoV-2 in children
  • CDC's March 11th MMWR report on COVID-19 risk in children
  • More on the ABC Science Collaborative and their study on rates of secondary transmission in schools

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 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 nurse and active member of the Chicago Teachers Union, Dennis Forsuth, to best understand the teacher experience during the changing safety guidelines of COVID-19.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here:

  • "90% of U.S. school boards are picked by voters, but not in Chicago. Here's why that could change" news article
  • "Chicago will have the largest elected school board of any major U.S. city" news article
  • Nationwide analysis of school boards from the Pew Charitable Trust
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Doses by ZIP Code reported and updated by the city of Chicago
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Data reported and updated by the Illinois Department of Public Health
  • "South Siders In Chicago’s Least-Vaccinated Areas Say Misinformation, Mistrust Behind The Lag. Here’s What They Say Can Help" news article
  • "Chicago teachers approve deal to end walkout over COVID safety protocols" news article
  • Risk of diabetes diagnosis in kids after COVID-19 as studied by the CDC and as reported by the New York Times
  • "What's new in the January 2022 Safety Agreement?" summary fact sheet by the Chicago Teachers Union
  • What is an unfair labor practice (ULP)? from the U.S. Federal Labor Relations Authority
  • Update on the CTU: "ULP charge now moves to trial before an administrative law judge" news article

If you want to follow the Chicago Teachers Union, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website and blog for updates.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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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 learn more about diversity in EEG research
  • Find out about interesting prostheses research at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

Make sure to reach out to Maggie on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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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 series, we will interview scientists, community members, elected officials, and more to try to understand different perspectives and how science informs their work. We can't wait to release the first series on March 28th - see you then!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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The world of immunology has fascinated many of us even more since the COVID-19 pandemic, but there's still so much to discover. PhD student Becca Mellema loves microbiology and is here to share a lot of new information - especially fun facts! - about the tiny cells called platelets. While you might think you know what they are, this episode is sure to surprise you!
If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation website to learn more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Platelet Activation and Factors for Clot Formation (video)
  • Hyaluronan and Its Receptors as Regulatory Molecules of the Endothelial Interface (scientific article)

And you can follow our guest Becca on Twitter here or check out her blog, Getting the Science Write!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**Autism Spectrum Disorder affects roughly 1% of the world's population, yet it's cause remains a multi-faceted mystery. Kicking off Season 3 of In The Spotlight, we welcome Daniel Giffney, a technician working at the University of Edinburgh on understanding the genetic causes of ASD.

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

  • Spectrum, a science news website focused on discussing the latest ASD research
  • The Disordered Mind by Eric Kandel
  • The Idea of a Brain by Matthew Cobb

Make sure to reach out to Daniel on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

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**For our season 2 finale episode (!!!) , we're looking forward to new types of decarbonization strategies that can make all the difference in how our energy needs can change to survive climate change. Renewable energy and even more extreme technologies are great, but there are also baby steps that we can use in the fossil fuel industry to reduce our carbon footprint and make a smoother transition. PhD candidate and SPOT member Elsa Koninckx tells us more about shale gas, how fossil fuel companies are starting to make positive changes, and what energy changes we should look for in the future!

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

  • Learn more about Northwestern's CISTAR through their website and this video
  • Gas-to-liquids plants face challenges in the U.S. market (news article)
  • Product Value Modeling for a Natural Gas Liquid to Liquid Transportation Fuel Process (scientific article)
  • Biden’s quest to lower fuel prices clashes with his climate agenda (news article)
  • How Politics are Determining What Stove You Use (news article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

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**We live in a bacterial world. Not only are the microscopic organisms all around us, they're found inside our bodies -- living and growing alongside us. Joining us to tell us all about the wonders of the microbiome is Dr. Liisa Veerus. It turns out some bacteria may be more important than we realise.

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

  • A quick read on our ancestral microbiome
  • A free, at-home gut test that could be a fun experiment for the entire family
  • A list of foods to feed your microbiome during the upcoming holidays
  • A fascinating read on the link between breast milk and a newborn's microbiome
  • Gut Wars, an online activity from Dr. Foster's lab at Oxford, teaching us about bacterial characteristics

Make sure to reach out to Liisa on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Bogs are small but mighty - they may make up a small percentage of the Earth's surface, but they are powerful ecosystems that act as "carbon sinks." PhD student Peter Lebrocquy Cox from Dublin, Ireland shares a bit more about these fascinating environments and the research behind their rehabilitation. You may not immediately think of bogs when you think of climate change mitigation, but that's what we're here for!
If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • "For the Love of Peat" by 99% Invisible podcast
  • "Ultimate bogs: how saving peatlands could help save the planet" (news article)
  • "Peatland Legacy: Saving Ireland's Peatlands" (video)

And you can follow our guest Peter on Twitter here and the Smart Bog project on Twitter here!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Let's dive back into the crazy science of materials! Our guest this episode, recently crowned Dr. Ramya Gurunathan, works with thermoelectric materials and shares a bit about how this field has originally found utility in space robots and satellites, but may be finding its way into our factories, homes, and even clothes soon.
If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • A novel way to heat and cool things by The Economist (article)
  • This Start-up is Turning Gas Flares Into Power (article)
  • Spacecraft Power (explained by a NASA scientist!) (Youtube video)

And you can follow our guest Ramya on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**Climate change is one the most daunting problems the world faces. It affects facets of everyday life, ranging from the seasons all the way to the humble bumblebee of the Rocky Mountains. Joining us today is PhD candidate Jackie Fitzgerald, from our very own Northwestern University, to tell us all about how bees are impacted by climate change, and how they may be able to adapt.

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

  • A New York Times article on a recent study investigating heat waves and bumblebee decline
  • A in-depth article on the Magazine of American Beekeeping about bees in a changing climate
  • An article on New Scientist about how bumblebees can adapt to climate change by evolving shorter tongues

Make sure to check out Jackie's work on her website!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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While a trip to the dentist might not be your first choice activity, the relationship between teeth, pain, and neuroscience is sure to intrigue you! Pain isn't always a bad thing, and figuring out HOW these pain mechanisms work can help us understand and treat complex diseases. PhD student Katie Lillis studies how pain-perceiving neurons in your teeth might be protecting you from infection, and how we might be able to use their abilities to avoid tooth pain in the future.

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

  • "Myths about root canals" from The American Association of Endodontists
  • Teeth: your body's early warning system (TedTalk)
  • Think dental health doesn't matter? Think again! (TedTalk)
  • Modern day root canals: saving teeth will save healthcare (TedTalk)

And you can follow our guest Katie on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

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**Science fiction has long popularised the idea of being frozen alive to achieve a sort of immortality. While that remains a fantasy for the future, cryopreservation has a very real role to play in the present. Joining us all the way from Colorado, PhD candidate Fionna Samuels is here to tell us all about how she studies the key to preserving our biodiversity in the face of a changing climate, and why you should savour the next time you bite into an apple.

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

  • A Massive Science article on tree cryopreservation
  • An article from the Modern Farmer on saving avocados for future generations
  • An op-ed from The Revelator on why the next pandemic we should we worried about might not infect us
  • For those interested in the details Fionna's research, an academic paper she recently published in Plants

Make sure to keep up with Fionna on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

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The wonders of the brain aren't going to unlock themselves... we need engineers working on the tools to decipher them! That's where graduate students like PhD student Megan Baker come in. Megan shares some brief insights into what matters when you design neural probes, what problems currently exist in the field, how you fabricate such tiny devices, and more!

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

  • What is Microfabrication? (website) and an Introduction to Microfabrication via Photolithography (video)
  • When Mice Can’t Answer Questions, Neuroscience Turns to Primates (website article)
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (website article)
  • Neural Interfaces for Intracortical Recording: Requirements, Fabrication Methods, and Characteristics (scientific review article)

And you can follow our guest Megan on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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It's not just individual citizens that need to make decisions to reduce carbon emissions, but also industries. But for companies to make these sweeping changes to decarbonize, we need to analyze all of the possibilities and make strong recommendations! PhD student Carrie Schoeneberger does just that by using computational modeling to analyze complex problems and solutions related to renewable energy.

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

  • A great description and details on solar process heating by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • The Energy Gang podcast about timely topics in energy science
  • The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference is sure to have exciting outcomes
  • And finally, try Inside Climate News to stay up-to-date on recent events in climate science!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Stress is an unfortunate constant in a lot of people's lives, but have you ever thought of it as something positive? PhD student Michael Lim joins us all the way from Canada to tell us what happens in your body when you get stressed, how zebrafish are a surprisingly way to study it, and why you should reframe the way you think about stress as a whole.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • A BBC article on transgenerational trauma
  • An article on The Conversation about fish behaviour and inheritance
  • A wonderful TED Talk on epigenetics

Feel free to connect with Michael on Twitter @hiimlimmy

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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One way that scientists can help our society is by supporting farmers - specifically, testing out new crops and breeding new plants for them to use! Agronomy and Plant Genetics PhD student Julija Cubins works on developing the planting of new winter crops in the northern Midwest states that could benefit both the environment and farmers' wallets.

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

  • Listen to Julija's guest appearance on the podcast, Planthropology, here!
  • Episodes from Hooked on Science on winter oilseed breeding and soybean cyst nematodes
  • Management of pennycress as a winter annual cash cover crop (review article)
  • Winter annuals quarterly reports and growing bulletins from the Forever Green Initiative

Julija is also the host of the science podcast, Hooked on Science! This is a CROSSOVER episode with Hooked on Science, so check out their website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can specifically listen to the episode interviewing In the Spotlight host Emily Schafer here.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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You might hear about genes a lot in science news, but what you SHOULD be hearing more about is your genome structure! PhD candidate Ranya Virk describes how she and other scientists use a combination of optical techniques and computational modeling to figure out the exact mechanism of DNA packing, especially in complex diseases like cancer.

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

  • Imaging breakthrough leads to further understanding of genome structure and function (press release)
  • Epigenetics: why your DNA isn't enough (website article)
  • NPR Shortwave's Legacy of Trauma: Can Experiences Leave a Biological Imprint?(podcast episode)
  • The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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The mind works in mysterious ways. Why do we make the decisions we do, and how do our experiences guide them? PhD student Alexa Ruel joins us to talk about how this complex process changes and adapts as we age, and why we shouldn’t be as worried about mental aging as you’d think.

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

  • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
  • An opinion piece in the Montreal Gazette on decision making in seniors
  • A review paper on approaches to control problems across lifespans

Feel free to connect with Alexa on her Twitter @AlexaRuel

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**Electrochemistry is NOT throwing a toaster in a bathtub, according to PhD candidate Daniel San Roman. So what is it!? Not only is electrochemistry fascinating to learn about on its own, but Daniel also shows off numerous interesting applications with surprise uses in the real world, especially in electrocatalysis and biosensing.

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

  • Producing hydrogen peroxide when, and where, it's needed (news article)
  • DARPA awards $22M for "Smart" Device that Regenerates Muscle (news article)
  • Nitric oxide: a newly discovered function on wound healing (scientific article)
  • hpnow, a cool company commercializing similar technology!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**Welcome to In the Spotlight, the science communication podcast brought to you by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce! In each episode, hosts Emily Schafer and Nicolas Scrutton Alvarado interview a different graduate student or postdoctoral scholar in the sciences  to discuss their research and how it relates to the world around us. What problems are they trying to solve? What should we all understand about their work? What policies may be needed to support this research? These are the questions we will try to answer on In the Spotlight.

Season 2 is shaping up to be just as exciting as Season 1 - join us for more fascinating science content!**Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

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In this season 1 BONUS episode, we're trying to get at the elephant in the room: why should scientists even care about science communication?

5 very special guests in science communication come to answer this question:Danni Washington, science communicator, TV host, and podcaster (@danniwashington)
Dr. Sadie Witkowski, science writer and podcaster (@SadieWit)
Dr. Shannon O'Dell, science comedian and podcaster (@Shodell)
Dr. Yarrow Axford, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University (@yarrowaxford)
Prof. Patti Wolter, professor of Journalism at Northwestern University (@Plwolter)

If you listen to this episode and want to learn more about science communication or get involved in the science communication process, here are a few resources we recommend:

  • Science Communication Online Programme (SCOPE)
  • ComSciCon
  • AAAS Communication Toolkit
  • SciLine nonprofit
  • NPR Scicommers: A Science Communication Collective

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Sometimes, it feels like scientific research is too fundamental or incremental to see its effects on humans. But, PhD student Kavi Chintam argues that that needs to change! Using her chemical engineering research and passion for environmental justice as an example, Kavi shares inspirational advice on how to find the humanity in science.

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

  • Clean and White: A History of Environmental Racism in the United States by Carl Zimring (book)
  • Living Downstream by NPR (podcast)
  • The History of Environmental Justice in Five Minutes (news article)
  • The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (book)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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We all know that honeybees are important pollinators, but did you know that they only make up a tiny fraction of bee species? PhD student Amelia Litz does field research on ground nesting bees and wants us to know what we have yet to discover about them, her experiences with field research, and why these interesting solitary bees matter for agriculture.

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

  • Cool bee pictures from the Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
  • Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conversation to learn about pollinator conservation (website)
  • The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation. By Danforth, Minckley & Neff (2020) (book)
  • The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America's Bees. By Wilson & Messinger-Carril (2015) (book)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Countless questions need to be answered about cancer, but we also need to think deeply about the tools that we choose to answer those questions. PhD student Bernat Navarro shares with us what makes pancreatic cancer particularly scary, and how cancer tumor organoids might be the perfect method to balance many scientific needs when we study cancer. You're sure to leave this episode feeling inspired to trust the process of science!

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

  • Organoids: Method of the Year (article)
  • Detecting pancreatic cancer earlier (podcast episode)
  • Growing tumors in a dish, scientists try to personalize pancreatic cancer treatment (news article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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If we want to slow climate change and reduce our carbon outputs, humans need an entire toolkit to approach the problem in different ways - including hydrogen fuel! University of California - Berkeley PhD student Julie Fornaciari tells us about the things she likes most about chemical engineering, what gaps in technology hydrogen fuels could solve, and what areas of research are still needed to make these tools more efficient and accessible.

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

  • The Future is H2 (news article)
  • The Gospel of Hydrogen Power (news article)
  • What is green hydrogen and will it power the future? (video)
  • The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (infographic)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Scientists do a lot of interesting research, but it all means nothing if it's not communicated properly to non-scientists - ESPECIALLY during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neurobiology graduate student and science communication enthusiast Nicolas Scrutton Alvarado weighs in on the toughest questions about science communication that we've all been wondering, and lends some great advice on how to become better communicators in our own lives.

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

  • Join NPR SciCommers or ComSciCon if you're interested in science communication!
  • How I switched from academia to science communication (news article)
  • 10 Tips for effective science communication (blog post)
  • What we've learned from communicating our science during the pandemic (article)
  • Readable - the tool for making your science writing, well, readable!
  • This COVID-vaccine designer is tackling vaccine hesitancy — in churches and on Twitter (news article)
  • Science audiences, misinformation, and fake news (scientific article)
  • This Podcast Will Kill You: COVID-19 episode series (podcast)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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This episode, we're tackling the science behind autoimmune disorders like Celiac and Crohn's disease with Columbia PhD student Alyssa Shearer! Alyssa shares more about her research studying the genetics behind these diseases, the science policies she hopes to see for patients, and how she got involved in science advocacy. For our science PhD friends feeling burned out by the lab, Alyssa is here to inspire!

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

  • March for Science NYC website
  • Lack of diversity in genetic research a problem (news article)
  • Doctors once thought bananas cured Celiac Disease. They saved kids' lives - at a cost. (news article)
  • Genetics of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity (blog post)
  • What are lncRNAs and lincRNAs? (website)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Maximilien Peroux, a postdoc in theoretical mathematics, has some important messages for us about math: math is social, and math is FUN! Maximilien tells us more about what goes into math research, why ongoing math research matters, and what types of problems his math research could solve. Spoiler alert: even if you hated math in school, you'll find this fascinating!

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

  • Digital Neuroscientist of the Future (TedX Talk)
  • What in the world is topological quantum matter? (Ted Talk)
  • With Category Theory, mathematics escapes from equality (news article)
  • Secret link uncovered between pure math and physics (news article)
  • Why do people get so anxious about math? (TedED Talk)
  • Example of topology based data analysis on breast cancer patients mentioned in the episode (scientific article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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As humans, we have countless questions about the universe, but it's not always clear HOW we can answer those questions. Physicist and mathematician PhD student Grace Chesmore talks about her work developing the instrumentation of telescopes that can detect the first light of the universe (!!!) and how this technology intersects with other important science policy topics, like the use of 5G. For all of those scientists who never thought they could do math, this episode goes out to you!

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

  • Simons Observatory website
  • Cosmic Microwave Background Explained! (video)
  • Does 5G pose health risks? (news article)
  • Head of NOAA says 5G deployment could set weather forecasts back 40 years. The wireless industry denies it. (news article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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How do neuroscientists tackle important questions about the brain? In this episode, Neuroscience PhD student Chiaki Santiago instils her wisdom about how we make discoveries about the brain, the nature vs. nurture debate, and common misconceptions we might have about the field. Discoveries about learning and memory in the brain may even be used to inform education policy - there's so much to unpack!

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

  • So You Want to be a Neuroscientist? by Ashley Juavinett (book)
  • "Experience-dependent structural synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain" in Nature Reviews (scientific article)
  • "Growing evidence of brain plasticity" by Michael Merzenich (TedTalk)
  • Stories of WiN (Women in Neuroscience) Podcast: Episode with Brenda Bloodgood (podcast)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

So You Want to Be a Neuroscientist?

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Do psychologists consider themselves to be scientists, and why is that a complicated question to answer? How do we develop our sense of identity during childhood? What is white racial identity, and why is it important to be studied? Ursula Moffitt, a postdoc at Northwestern University, will tackle all of these questions and much more during this episode about the psychology behind racial identity development.

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

  • "Seeing White" (podcast)
  • Is my skin brown because I drank chocolate milk? by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum (TedX Talk)
  • "Nice White Parents" (podcast)
  • White Supremacists Who Stormed the Capitol are Only the Most Visible Product of Racism (news article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Would we even be a science podcast if we didn't discuss cancer? Researchers like George Lin want to answer fundamental questions about how cancer cells work so that doctors can prescribe the best drugs possible for each patient.

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

  • Open-source cancer research (TedTalk)
  • The Billion Dollar Molecule: One Company's Quest for the Perfect Drug by Barry Werth (book)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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To many scientists, statistics is just a means to an end, but to PhD student Abby Smith, it's the most interesting part! Abby tells us more about what it means to study Applied Statistics and how designing more thorough statistical modeling of social networks can make the scientific outcomes that much better.
If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

  • Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez (book)
  • The Hidden Influence of Social Networks (TedTalk)
  • How We Make Sure That Nobody Is Counted Twice: A Peek Into HRDAG's Record De-Duplication (article)
  • Has Large-Scale Named-Entity Network Analysis Been Resting on a Flawed Assumption? (scientific article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!
Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang
Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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We may not be able to predict earthquakes, but we can certainly find better ways to prepare for them! Modeling earthquakes by researchers at Northwestern University like Jamie Neely informs many levels of preparedness by policymakers for large, potentially dangerous earthquakes – listen on to hear what earth science is capable of to improve our world!

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

  • The Great Quake: How the Biggest Earthquake in North America Changed Our Understanding of the Planet by Henry Fountain
  • A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906 by Simon Winchester

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**Even just the word "nuclear" might make your brain go numb, but not anymore! Graduate student Katie Mummah has heard every single question trying to understand nuclear energy and engineering, and she's here to answer them all. Katie will also discuss her research on coding for nuclear non-proliferation across the world.

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

  • Podcast episode about Katie's research
  • IAEA Safeguards: Delivering effective nuclear verification for world peace (flyer)
  • World Nuclear Association's information library for up-to-date resources!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!
Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang
Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**More nanoparticle talk, but for a completely different application: the ways that we treat allergies. Biomedical engineering PhD student Clayton Rische investigates new ways to treat allergic reactions at their source, not just the symptoms, connecting researchers and doctors together in the process.

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

  • How nanoparticles could change the way we treat cancer (TedTalk)
  • Nanomaterials for direct and indirect immunomodulation (scientific article)
  • Advances in nanotechnology and asthma (scientific article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!
Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang
Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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**For our first EVER episode, we are welcoming chemistry graduate student and science communication veteran Suyog Padgaonkar to talk about his work on the fascinating nanomaterials that may change the way we trap and emit light. He also gives us the scoop on why science outreach matters, and not just the programs for kids.

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

  • The Mighty Power of Nanomaterials: Crash Course Engineering #23 (video)
  • What are quantum dots, and why do I want them in my TV? (news article)
  • Northwestern graduate students host virtual, monthly science talks with seniors (news article)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!
Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang
Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

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Welcome to In the Spotlight, the science communication podcast brought to you by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce! In each episode, host Emily Schafer interviews a different graduate student or postdoctoral scholar in the sciences  to discuss their research and how it relates to the world around us. What problems are they trying to solve? What should we all understand about their work? What policies may be needed to support this research? These are the questions we will try to answer on In the Spotlight.Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu