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PODCAST

Curious Conversations

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.

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All Episodes

00:19:44

Smart mobility and the future of transportation with...

Curious Conversations ·

2026/01/26

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

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00:05:36

Highlights from 2025!

Curious Conversations ·

2025/12/15

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!

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00:31:14

The history of Christmas music with Ariana Wyatt

Curious Conversations ·

2025/12/08

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

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00:33:08

3D printing homes with Andrew McCoy

Curious Conversations ·

2025/12/01

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

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00:26:23

Banjo history with Patrick Salmons

Curious Conversations ·

2025/11/24

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

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00:31:40

Knee injuries and recovery with Robin Queen

Curious Conversations ·

2025/11/17

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

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00:22:33

Black bears and observing wildlife with Marcella Kelly

Curious Conversations ·

2025/11/10

Marcella Kelly joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about Virginia Tech, her journey into wildlife conservation, and insights on bear populations in Southwest Virginia. She explains the use of genetic sampling to study bear health, the impact of warm winters on their behavior, and how to navigate human-bear interactions.Kelly is a professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. She researches the dynamics and behavior of elusive carnivores, including coyotes,

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00:21:01

The history of bed bugs with Lindsay Miles

Curious Conversations ·

2025/11/03

Lindsay Miles joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her research on bed bugs, focusing on genomic sequencing, the history of bed bug populations, and the implications of their mutations. She explained how bed bugs evolved alongside humans, their genetic similarities, and the challenges in managing their populations due to their emerging resistance to pesticides. Miles is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Entomology and an affiliate with the Fralin Life Sciences

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00:20:33

The cultural significance of ghosts with Shaily Patel

Curious Conversations ·

2025/10/27

Shaily Patel joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about a new course she’s teaching that explores hauntology, its connection to ghost stories, and the cultural significance of these narratives. Patel explained the role of ghosts as cultural metaphors and how ghost stories serve as a way of making meaning out of past traumas. She also shared the significance of ghost stories in Appalachia and the importance of their role in how people make meaning of the human experience.Patel is an

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00:15:42

Adolescent suicide, screens, and sleep with Abhiskey...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/10/20

Abhishek Reddy joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact of screen time and time of day on the suicide risk of adolescents. Reddy shared his recent study that examined these two factors, as well as the medicine used, among a group of adolescents who attempted to overdose. He also shared proactive strategies for parents and guardians to help mitigate potential issues, as well as some good sleep hygiene practices for people of all ages. Abhishek Reddy is a faculty member

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00:22:04

Drug discovery and weight loss with Webster Santos

Curious Conversations ·

2025/10/13

Webster Santos joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the intricate process of drug discovery and the rigorous multidisciplinary approach required to develop new pharmaceuticals. Santos is exploring a new weight loss compound that has the potential to help people lose weight without exercise and retain muscle. Santos is a professor of chemistry and the Cliff and Agnes Lilly Faculty Fellow in the College of Science. He also directs the Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery,

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00:20:54

Exploring the mind-body connection with Julia Basso

Curious Conversations ·

2025/10/06

Julia Basso joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her research at the intersection of mind-body movement and neuroscience, particularly through the lens of dance. She explained how the Embodied Brain Lab explores the effects of dance on brain function, mental health, and social connections. She also shared the unique aspects of dance that make it an ideal activity for these studies. Julia Basso is an assistant professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise in the College

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00:23:48

Controlled environment agriculture with Mike Evans

Curious Conversations ·

2025/09/29

Michael Evans joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about controlled environment agriculture. He shared its historic roots, economic challenges, and impact on consumers. He explained how this method of farming allows for the cultivation of crops in controlled settings, the role technology plays, and the importance of efficiency and sustainability in modern agriculture. About EvansEvans is a professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and co-director of the Controlled

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00:19:53

Ecosystem forecasting with Cayelan Carey

Curious Conversations ·

2025/09/22

Cayelan Carey joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about ecosystem forecasting, which provides near real-time predictions about water quality in lakes and reservoirs. She explained how utilizing advanced modeling techniques and data from sensors, her team at Virginia Tech is able to help water managers make informed decisions to mitigate issues like algal blooms, both in Southwest Virginia and across the globe. She also shared the importance of collaboration, both domestically and

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00:22:34

Building better with bamboo with Jonas Hauptman

Curious Conversations ·

2025/09/15

Jonas Hauptman joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about his extensive work researching bamboo as a sustainable building material. He shared his journey into non-traditional materials, the challenges of using bamboo in construction, and the potential impact of bamboo might have in addressing global housing shortages.About HauptmanHauptman is an associate professor of industrial design at the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, as well as the co-founder and co-leader of the

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00:30:30

The future of 3D printing with Chris Williams

Curious Conversations ·

2025/09/08

Chris Williams joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the evolution and significance of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. He explained the differences between additive and subtractive manufacturing, the various materials used, and the advantages of this technology. He also shared some of the ongoing additive manufacturing projects of he and his colleagues. About WilliamsChristopher Williams is the L.S. Randolph Professor and the Electro-Mechanical

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00:23:37

Bacteriophages' role in the gut with Bryan Hsu

Curious Conversations ·

2025/05/12

Bryan Hsu joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about bacteriophages, commonly called phages. He explained their role in the gut microbiome, their potential in phage therapy, and the potential as a tool against antibiotic resistance. Hsu also broke down how phages interact with bacteria, their dual nature as both beneficial and harmful, and the innovative ways researchers are engineering phages for therapeutic use. About HsuBryan Hsu is an assistant professor in the Department of

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00:32:40

Make sense of economic climates with David Bieri

Curious Conversations ·

2025/05/05

David Bieri joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of understanding economic climates and the importance of historical context and narratives in economic theories. He emphasized the role of government in providing certainty, the significance of individual actions in the economy, and the necessity of re-evaluating economic ideas and institutions. Bieri also highlighted the interplay between economics and humanity, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to

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00:23:43

The magic of 'The Magic School Bus' with Matt...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/04/28

Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the enduring impact of “The Magic School Bus,” which is best known as a long-running educational television show for children. Wisnioski and Meindl shared the insights they’ve gained while working on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why the content worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment. The discussed the television

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00:20:54

Using virtual reality to explore history with Eiman...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/04/21

Eiman Elgewely joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her work using virtual reality and the principles of interior design to explore historical spaces. She described the research and collaboration required by such projects and explained how digital technology can help revive lost heritages, increase access, and provide insights for current applications. She specifically talked about two recent projects - 3D virtual reality creations of the house of Sheikh Isa in Bahrain and

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