In the Spotlight

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).

  1. 02/27/2023

    Lung Microbiomes in the Spotlight

    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 microbiomeIf 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 microbiomeTo 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

    31 min

  2. 12/15/2022

    Regenerative Engineering in the Spotlight

    The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how how healing can be controlled through electricity and her insights on how medical device regulation can keep up with the pace of new medical devices. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out: The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) at Northwestern UniversityMore 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

    28 min

  3. 10/27/2022

    Smart Pathogens in the Spotlight

    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 MicrobiologyA report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's HospitalIf 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

    34 min

  4. 06/16/2022

    Green Spaces in the Spotlight

    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

    29 min

  5. 06/02/2022

    Transnationalism in the Spotlight

    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 migrationAn overview on American StudiesA summary of transnationalismThis 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

    38 min

  6. 05/26/2022

    Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 4

    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 hereThe Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee's Recommendations Report from October 2019More 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

    37 min

  7. 05/25/2022

    Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 3

    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

    30 min

  8. 05/24/2022

    Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 2

    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 meetingsOther 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 NorthwesternIntroduction 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

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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).

Information

  • Creator
    Northwestern University Science Policy Outreach Taskforce
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2023
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 In the Spotlight
  • Show Website
    In the Spotlight