Curious Conversations

Virginia Tech

Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.

  1. Data centers and water with Landon Marston

    3D AGO

    Data centers and water with Landon Marston

    Landon Marston joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the relationship between data centers and water usage. Marston explained the amount of water used by data centers, what they’re doing with it, and the reality of national and local impacts. He also shared aspects localities might consider before welcoming a new center.Marston is an associate professor in Virginia Tech’s Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, where he specializes in water resources engineering. His research focuses on the sustainability of water systems and the complex interconnections between water, energy, food, and infrastructure.#virginiatech #datacenter #waterusage #waterquality #techexplained #environmentalimpact

    18 min
  2. Detecting dark matter with Patrick Huber

    FEB 2

    Detecting dark matter with Patrick Huber

    Patrick Huber joined ⁠Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations”⁠ to talk about world of neutrino physics and its implications for understanding dark matter. He explained the significance of neutrinos in the universe, the methods used to detect dark matter, and emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the research. Huber is the William E. Hassinger, Jr. Senior Faculty Fellow in the ⁠College of Science⁠, a professor of physics, and director of the Center for Neutrino Physics. His research focuses on neutrino physics and he has helped build an internationally recognized program that has implications for basic science and applications to global and national security.

    30 min
  3. Smart mobility and the future of transportation with Mike Mollenhauer

    JAN 26

    Smart mobility and the future of transportation with Mike Mollenhauer

    Mike Mollenhauer joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how smart mobility and infrastructure are influencing the future of transportation. He explained the use of real-time data, adaptive speed control, and automated driving systems to enhance transportation safety and efficiency. He also shared the work he and his colleagues are doing related to real-time traffic management, variable speed limits, and the integration of automated vehicles with smart infrastructure.Mollenhauer is the Director of the Center for Technology Implementation at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. He oversees the center's aspects of business and product development, including management of product development teams, leading business and product roadmap development activity, project management for commercial and government contracts, as well as evaluating in-vehicle technologies and quantifying driver safety behaviors.#virginiatech #transportation #RoadSafety #SmartMobility #TrafficTechnology #TrafficInnovation #AI #DataDriven #RoadSafety #SmartCities #futureoftransportation

    20 min
  4. Highlights from 2025!

    12/15/2025

    Highlights from 2025!

    In 2025, Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” featured more than 30 researchers sharing their expertise. We learned about everything from the future of airspace, mitigating online threats, and curing cancer with air bubbles to the neuroscienceof dancing, the importance of ghost stories, the history of Christmas music, and much more. We’re so thankful each one took the time to chat with us, and excited for even more "Curious Conversations" coming in 2026!

    6 min
  5. The history of Christmas music with Ariana Wyatt

    12/08/2025

    The history of Christmas music with Ariana Wyatt

    Ariana Wyatt joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of Christmas music, from its origins in early Christian hymns to its transformation into a commercialized genre in the 20th century. She shared the cultural impact of Christmas music, the distinction between church hymns and secular songs, and the nostalgia that these tunes evoke during the holiday season. Wyatt is associate dean for outreach and engagement and associate professor of voice in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. A graduate of Juilliard Opera Center, she has performed in operas and concert halls throughout the country and her research focuses on vocal diction and acting as well as opera research and production.

    31 min
  6. 3D printing homes with Andrew McCoy

    12/01/2025

    3D printing homes with Andrew McCoy

    Andrew McCoy joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about 3D printing concrete homes as a potential solution for current housing challenges. He shared the current landscape of housing in Virginia and how this emerging technology might be harnessed to reduce costs and improve efficiency. He broke down how this building process works, the challenges of attempting to shift to it, and how he and his colleagues are working to overcome those hurdles.McCoy, the Beliveau Professor in the Department of Building Construction, is associate director for research and innovation for the Myers-Lawson School of Construction and director of the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on pioneering solutions using industrialized construction, 3D concrete printing, and smart housing technologies with a goal of building housing that’s smarter, faster, and fairer for all.

    33 min
  7. Banjo history with Patrick Salmons

    11/24/2025

    Banjo history with Patrick Salmons

    Patrick Salmons joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of the banjo, including its origins, cultural significance, and the impact of racism and minstrelsy on its perception. Salmons also shared the music industry's impact on the instrument and highlighted contemporary banjo players who are reshaping its narrative. Salmons is the graduate programs coordinator and a communication specialist with the Department of Political Science, as well as an instructor for Appalachian Studies. His research focuses on the intersection of music, history, race and class relations. In 2021, he wrote a dissertation titled, “Hip Hop, Bluegrass, Banjos, and Solidarity: Race and Class Histories in Appalachia U.S.A.”

    26 min
  8. Knee injuries and recovery with Robin Queen

    11/17/2025

    Knee injuries and recovery with Robin Queen

    Robin Queen joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the nature of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in knees. She shared insights about the common mechanisms of injury, the impact of age and gender, and the importance of recovery and prevention strategies. She also provided some general advice for athletes of all ages on injury prevention and recovery. Queen is the L. Preston Wade Professor of Engineering professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics and the director of the Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab at Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on whole body mechanics with an emphasis on loading symmetry and functional outcomes following surgical interventions.

    32 min
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About

Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.

Information

  • Creator
    Virginia Tech
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Virginia Tech
  • Show Website
    Curious Conversations