Best Institute For Advanced Learning And Research Podcasts (2025)

1
Can AI Take Common Sense from a Baby? 37:17

2h ago37:17

37:17

Generative AI tools built on large language models are increasingly "intelligent" yet lack a baby's common sense – the ability to non-verbally generalize to novel situations without additional training. What can developmental science contribute to AI? Tech journalist and former CASBS fellow John Markoff chats with 2023-24 CASBS fellow David Moore, …

1
Exploring the Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Brain Health 42:01

4d ago42:01

42:01

Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta is a leading researcher at the University of Rochester. She is a professor with appointments in Environmental Medicine, Neuroscience, and Public Health Sciences. She co-leads the University’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center Animal Behavior and Neurophysiology Core. She has chaired the Department …

1
From Bench, to Bedside, to Boardroom 17:16

12d ago17:16

17:16

Priya Kumthekar, MD, didn’t have industry connections or commercialization training when she started working with small companies to help bring scientific advancements to her patients with brain tumors. She learned along the way the many steps it takes to bring new scientific breakthroughs to the marketplace specifically through clinical trials. In…

1
Restoring Hope: the Mission of God's Pit Crew 27:56

15d ago27:56

27:56

Let's hear from Randy Johnson, founder of God's Pit Crew, a faith-based disaster relief organization headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and Tracy Fink, Vice President of the IALR Conference Center. God's Pit Crew has transformed from a simple altar prayer into an extensive operation that has responded to over 200 disasters across more than 30 sta…

1
Career Exploration in 73 Middle Schools 32:13

1M ago32:13

32:13

Let's hear from Jake Taylor, Technical and Training Manager of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program managed by IALR. GO TEC is an innovative career initiative providing middle school students across Virginia with engaging, hands-on experiences in technology, manufacturing and engineering careers. Jake shar…

1
Neuroscience & RNA Biology: How mRNA Decay Shapes Health & Disease 33:55

1M ago33:55

33:55

How does RNA biology influence cell function, gene expression, and disease mechanisms? In this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, host John Foxe, PhD, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester (UR), sits down with Lynne Maquat, PhD, director of the Center for RNA Biology at UR, and J. Lowell Orbison Endo…

1
Make the Atmosphere Great Again 57:26

1M ago57:26

57:26

Given deeply polarized domestic politics and insufficient international commitment to the Paris Accord, can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avert some of the worst effects of climate change before it's too late? It's an elemental question that warrants despair, yes, but plenty of hope too. Political scientist Leigh Raymond, a 2021-22 CASBS f…

1
DF020 The Future of Buildings that Heal 7:28

1M ago7:28

7:28

What if architecture could do more than shelter us—what if it could heal? In this episode of Design Futurecast, we explore how poetic architectural design can go beyond surface-level needs to nurture deep well-being and even enable human thrivability. Discover a future world where spaces anticipate and respond to our emotions, where cities uplift t…

1
Internship Support for Southern Virginia Employers 19:07

1M ago19:07

19:07

Internships create powerful win-win opportunities for both students and employers when structured properly. IALR's Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Kiana Dillard, explains how these programs build talent pipelines while giving students valuable real-world experience. • Internships provide structured learning opportunities where students develop ski…

1
Bridging Gaps to Improve Global Health 18:25

2M ago18:25

18:25

Through implementation science, NUCATS is dedicated to accelerating and moving new interventions into impact that improves health for all. In this episode of Science in Translation, Amy Van Pelt, PhD, discusses her work in implementation science and its impact on global health, particularly in resource-limited settings. She shares the importance of…

1
From Trainees to Trainers: The ATDM Additive Journey 30:40

2M ago30:40

30:40

This episode features Daniel Hyler and Tim Holland—two graduates turned additive manufacturing instructors with the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Hear them discuss lessons they picked up along the way, plus real-world applications of additive manufacturing in today’s job market. Listen in as they discuss: Jumping fro…

1
Anthropology at the Borderlands of Experience 57:45

2M ago57:45

57:45

Two-time CASBS fellow and renowned anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann discusses her past and current work as an anthropologist of the mind, both in religious and psychological contexts, in conversation with 2023-24 CASBS fellow Erica Robles-Anderson. Luhrmann's award-winning work investigates visions, voices, psychosis, the supernatural, and other unusu…

1
Your Brain & Perception: Using Science to Understand How We See the World 35:26

2M ago35:26

35:26

How brain dynamics, perception, and neural processing offer a deeper understanding of how brain activity shapes our understanding of the world. Christopher Moore, PhD, associate director of the Carnegie Institute of Brain Science and professor of Neuroscience at Brown University, joins Neuroscience Perspectives host John Foxe, PhD, director of the …

1
Building Stronger Local Food Systems 21:45

2M ago21:45

21:45

In this episode of Inside IALR, Value Chain Coordinator Mitchell Doss highlights a new initiative aimed at strengthening Southern Virginia’s local food ecosystem. Funded by a Tobacco Commission grant, Mitchell’s work focuses on helping farmers broaden their reach to new markets while ensuring communities gain greater access to fresh, local produce …

1
From Blueprint to Reality: Moving into the Navy's National Training Center 18:46

3M ago18:46

18:46

Question: How do you move an active training program with massive, sophisticated equipment into a new facility without halting progress? Answer: An abundance of planning—and the determination to make it happen. In this episode, Senior Facilities Manager Stewart East and Assistant Director of Advanced Training and Operations Wesley Cifers explain: P…

1
Recovering From Stroke - How Physical Therapy & Neuroscience are Advancing Care 16:50

3M ago16:50

16:50

The intersection of stroke rehabilitation & neuroscience research is transforming our understanding of the brain and recovery after a stroke. Catherine Lang, PT, PhD, Barbara J Norton Professor of Physical Therapy, Professor of Neurology and Occupational Therapy, and Associate Director of the Movement Science Program at the University of Washington…

1
Demystifying the Disinformation Marketplace 46:43

3M ago46:43

46:43

There never will be enough independent fact checking of online political advertising and their ecosystems. Can we develop methods and tools to demonetize or at least disincentivize the behaviors of disinformation producers as well as the ad firms and content providers in business with them? 2023-24 CASBS fellow Ceren Budak navigates the disinformat…

1
DF019 The Future of Design with Intention 8:18

3M ago8:18

8:18

In this episode of Design Futurecast, Maria Lorena Lehman explores what it means to create architecture by design, not by default. She challenges architects, interior designers, and urban planners to break free from status quo patterns and embrace intentional, soul-nurturing design that transcends. Through a vivid scenario, she paints a picture of …

1
Career Development: ‘It’s Not One Size Fits All’ 16:10

3M ago16:10

16:10

In this episode of Science in Translation, Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, PhD, explains some of the innovative strategies and programs driving career development in clinical and translational science at NUCATS. She talks about her new role as co-director of the Center for Education and Career Development (CECD) at NUCATS, her journey in research and mento…

1
Training the Workforce in Industrial Fermentation Processes 13:04

3M ago13:04

13:04

Industrial fermentation—a core biotechnology process that harnesses living organisms—is a growing discipline used across multiple industries. In this episode of Inside IALR, we recap IALR’s first week-long fermentation workshop, offered in partnership with Virginia Tech and industry experts. Joining the conversation are Dr. Scott Lowman, Ph.D., Vic…

1
DF018 The Future of Architectural Experience 8:13

4M ago8:13

8:13

Viewing buildings as directors of our personal narratives offers important insights for designing environments that positively influence our lives. Thoughtful architecture can shape our emotions, encourage creativity, and foster well-being by creating spaces that adapt to our needs, much like a director crafts a film's emotional tone. Urban design …

1
A Decade of Service and Impact: Dan River Year AmeriCorps 33:07

4M ago33:07

33:07

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program celebrates its decade of impact in the community. The episode highlights the evolution of the program and its multifaceted approach to address educational gaps in STEM and literacy. This episode features Dana Silicki (Director of STEM, Service, and Lifelong Learning at IALR), Audia Harris (Program Coordinator a…

1
What Happens When You Combine AI and Neuroscience? 28:05

4M ago28:05

28:05

Can we predict brain health across a lifetime? Just as a knee injury at 20 might cause problems later, researchers are exploring how early brain experiences shape future brain health. In this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, Dr. Randy McIntosh, Professor and Director at the Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology at Simon Fraser Univers…

1
An Inspired Path to Health Equity with Cory Bradley 21:32

5M ago21:32

21:32

From being a pastor to becoming an assistant professor and team scientist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Cory Bradley, PhD, is focused on integrating health equity and social justice into translational science, developing diverse communities and workforces, and creating public health interventions that benefit marginalized …

1
Collaborative Forces in Maritime and Additive Manufacturing 56:14

5M ago56:14

56:14

The U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), a linchpin in maritime technological advancement, is located inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement on the IALR campus. This episode highlights the AM CoE as a collaborative hub of strategic importance in meeting the U.S. Navy's ambitious submarine production goals. This…

1
Unlocking the Brain's Communication Hub: The Power of the Thalamus with Dr. S. Murray Sherman 26:16

5M ago26:16

26:16

In this special episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, host John Foxe, PhD, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester, sits down with S. Murray Sherman, PhD, Maurice Goldblatt Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Chicago, in Chicago at the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference. Sherman i…

1
Transforming the Region for 20 Years - Building an Anniversary Special Series 52:57

5M ago52:57

52:57

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years. For the fourth and final anniversary episode, guest host Daniel Dalton is joined by two impo…

1
Empowering Clinical and Translational Research Across Northwestern with Leah Welty, PhD and Anju Peters, MD 21:09

6M ago21:09

21:09

As part of $55 million recently awarded to NUCATS by the NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, NUCATS will provide critical resources and services that empower clinical and translational research across Northwestern and its affiliates. Leah Welty, PhD and Anju Peters, MD are co-leading an effort to streamline research processes, …

1
Conference Center Tales - Building an Anniversary Special Series 57:50

6M ago57:50

57:50

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years. This third-anniversary episode features the two longest-tenured employees of both the Confer…

1
Exploring the Genetic Dance of Neurons: What Roundworms Reveal About Behavior 32:51

6M ago32:51

32:51

In this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, we dive into the microscopic world of C. elegans—tiny roundworms that are revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and behavior. Join host John Foxe, PhD, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester as he chats with Doug Portman, PhD, the Donald M. Foster Pro…

1
Better Call Maintenance - Building an Anniversary Special Series 54:08

6M ago54:08

54:08

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years. This second special anniversary episode features two maintenance professionals who have kept the bu…

1
The Humanity of Connective Labor 51:23

7M ago51:23

51:23

Are jobs requiring high levels of human interaction worth preserving in the age of automation? Can we design machines to achieve something profound – the mutual recognition that occurs when human beings truly "see" each other? CASBS faculty fellow Mitchell Stevens explores these questions with Allison Pugh, author of the 2024 book The Last Human Jo…

1
The Mind Behind the Iconic IALR Building: Dewberry's Larry Hasson - Building an Anniversary Special Series 1:05:14

7M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years. This special premiere anniversary episode features Dewberry's Larry Hasson (Associate Principal | A…

1
How a quest to find solutions for vision loss- turned a clinician into a scientist 27:55

7M ago27:55

27:55

José Alain Sahel, MD, is a distinguished professor, eye and ear foundation professor, and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also the director of the UPMC Vision Institute. Dr. Sahel is a leading expert in retinal diseases and vision restoration research and is a pioneer in optogenetic…

1
Comprehensive Support for All Students: ATDM Wrap-Around Services 28:01

8M ago28:01

28:01

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program provides comprehensive and unique support and career services from the day students arrive. This level of support makes the program more successful and accessible. This episode features three ATDM staff to highlight those services and how they enhance student experiences and outcomes:…

1
Technology for a Growing and Diverse Campus and Team 27:23

8M ago27:23

27:23

This episode features four of the five Information Technology staff: Tim Kruggel, Director of IT; Daniel Cory, Systems Administrator; Jessica Hardy, IT Technician; and Jeremiah Slaughter, IT Specialist. They discuss how the IT department provides services for a diverse and growing campus and team as well as maintaining and upkeeping all types of te…

1
What helped launch leaders in neuroscience into a lifetime of learning 9:04

8M ago9:04

9:04

Is there a defining moment that set you on your current path? In this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, we’re revisiting origin stories – what launched leading neuroscientists into a lifetime of learning and interest in the brain. Host: John Foxe, PhD, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Guests (in order of appearance): Nathan …

1
Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture 26:19

8M ago26:19

26:19

The Plant Endophyte Research Center at IALR is focused on the use of naturally occurring plant bacteria to help with plant growth promotion and stress response. This is biotechnology in action. This episode features three of the scientists who run the Plant Endophyte Research: Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research; Dr. Chuansheng Mei…

11M ago29:28

29:28

A two-year, dual-enrollment program housed at IALR, the Academy for Engineering and Technology (AET) provides experiential learning activities focused on theory and design. This episode features AET’s Coordinator and Engineering Instructor, John Hatchett, 2016 graduating AET class and current PhD student, Shelita Hall and 2024 AET graduate Caleb Pe…

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