Loading...

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.

education

All Episodes

00:29:00

Ultra-processed foods with Alex DiFeliceantonio

Curious Conversations ·

2025/04/14

Alex DiFeliceantonio joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact of ultra-processed foods on health, the NOVA classification system for food, and the role of dopamine in food choices. She highlighted the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the American diet, their association with various health issues, and the challenges of navigating food choices in a highly processed environment. She also emphasized the need for a balanced approach to diet, recognizing the

en

00:29:36

Technology’s impact on the Appalachian Trail with...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/04/07

Shalini Misra joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact of digital technologies on the Appalachian Trail. She explained a recent research project that surveyed trail resource managers to gather insights as to the challenges and opportunities emerging technologies present. She explained the tensions between traditional hiking experiences and modern technology, and emphasized the need for a balance between accessibility and preservation of natural environments.About

en

00:25:50

The dangers of gaze data with Brendan David-John

Curious Conversations ·

2025/03/31

Brendan David-John joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about gaze data, exploring its applications in virtual and augmented realities and the associated privacy concerns. He highlighted the potential for gaze data to reveal personal information and related security implications, especially in a military context, and shared the projects he’s currently working on to better mitigate this threat.About David-JohnDavid-John is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science

en

00:19:47

Community dynamics during and after disasters with...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/03/24

Liesel Ritchie joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how sociology can help people better understand community dynamics during and after disasters. Ritchie shared the importance of understanding social capital’s role in community resilience, as well as how natural disasters differ from other types of disasters that strike communities. She also emphasizes the need for strong community relationships and the importance of listening to community needs when providing assistance

en

00:30:18

Drone regulation, detection, and mitigation with...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/03/17

Tombo Jones joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the intricacies of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. Jones explained the various regulations surrounding drone operations, the challenges of identifying drones in the sky, and the importance of safety measures. He also shared his insights into counter UAS strategies, including detection and mitigation techniques, and its implications for national security, as well as how Virginia Tech is helping advance

en

00:16:49

Public perception of affordable housing with Dustin Read

Curious Conversations ·

2025/03/10

Dustin Read joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the public perception of affordable housing, especially related to non-profit and for-profit providers. Read explained how building public support is a critical piece of affordable housing projects and his research on the various aspects that might influence that, including profit status and development size. He also shared his insights as to the impact such developments have on neighboring properties and communities. About

en

00:27:44

Unpacking the complexities of packaging with Laszlo...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/03/03

Laszlo Horvath joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of packaging, specifically highlighting the multiple factors to be considered during packaging design. Horvath also shared insights related to affordability and sustainability, as well as how international tariffs and other supply chain disruptions can impact packaging and ultimately customers. About HorvathHorvath is an associate professor in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and the director

en

00:25:23

Engineering safer airspace with Ella Atkins

Curious Conversations ·

2025/02/24

Ella Atkins joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of air travel safety. She explained the differences between Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and the challenges posed by having two sets of rules in the same airspace. Atkins also discussed the recent incidents involving aircraft collisions and the technological advancements that could enhance safety, which include updating methods of data sharing and the use of automated systems.Ella

en

00:25:20

Cancer-fighting bubbles with Eli Vlaisavljevich

Curious Conversations ·

2025/02/17

Eli Vlaisavljevich joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about histotripsy, a novel ultrasound therapy for cancer treatment. He explained the mechanics of how histotripsy works, its clinical applications, and the body's immune response to tumor liquefaction. Vlaisavljevisch also shared insights related to the development of histotripsy devices, patient experiences, and future directions in cancer treatment.About VlaisavljevichEli Vlaisavljevich an associate professor in the

en

00:16:27

Examining the ‘5 Love Languages’ with Louis Hickman

Curious Conversations ·

2025/02/10

Louis Hickman joinedVirginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the concept of the ‘The 5 Love Languages’, its origins, and its impact on relationship satisfaction. He shared his thoughts on the appeal of simple solutions to complex relationships, findings from his recent research on the love languages, and the importance of personality traits in relationships. Hickman also emphasized the need for self-care and adaptability in maintaining healthy relationships over time.About HickmanLouis

en

00:33:25

The behavior and prevention of wildfires with Adam...

Curious Conversations ·

2025/02/03

Adam Coates joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the contributing factors of the recent wildfires in California, particularly related to their intensity and spread. He explained some of the science behind fire behavior, the role of landscape, and the challenges posed by urban areas to fire management. He also shared his insights related to preventative measures communities can take, including the use of prescribed burning. About Coates Coates is an associate professor of

en

00:22:02

Computer security in the new year with Matthew Hicks

Curious Conversations ·

2025/01/27

Matthew Hicks joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to discuss how computer users can be more secure heading into 2025. He shared insights about the evolving landscape of computer security, particularly related to artificial intelligence (AI) and generative technologies, and the implications of these technologies on personal security, including the rise of sophisticated phishing attacks. He also provided guidance on some commonly overlooked aspects of computer security.About Hicks Hicks

en

00:18:01

Internet of things safety and gift giving tips with...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/12/09

Christine Julien joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the Internet of Things (IOT), exploring its definition, potential vulnerabilities, and the implications of using smart devices, especially for children. Julien stressed the importance of security and privacy when using IOT devices, particularly during the gift-giving season and shared insights on navigating these complexities with an aim of balancing the enjoyment and security.About Julien Julien is head of the

en

00:20:15

Neurodiversity and the holidays with Lavinia...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/12/02

Lavinia Uscatescu and Hunter Tufarelli joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the importance ofunderstanding and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in various environments, particularly social gatherings during the holiday season. The pair shared the impact environmental factors can have on neurodivergent individuals, as well as the significance of predictability and communication in social settings. As a person with autism, Tufarelli also shared her first-hand

en

00:20:43

AI and better classroom discussions with Yan Chen

Curious Conversations ·

2024/11/25

Yan Chen joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance teaching and peer instruction in classrooms. Chen believes one potential use for AI, specifically large language models, is to monitor and analyze peer interactions in real-time. He shared the platform he and colleagues have created to do this, called VizPI, which aims to provide instructors with insights and recommendations to create a more engaging and personalized learning

en

00:17:12

Forest health and natural disasters with Carrie Fearer

Curious Conversations ·

2024/11/15

Carrie Fearer joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about forest health in the wake of natural disasters. She explained how storms and disturbances affect forest ecosystems, the importance of human interaction in promoting healthy forests, and the opportunities for restoration following catastrophic events. She also emphasized the significance of native species and the role of decomposition in maintaining forest health.About Fearer Carrie Fearer is an assistant professor of forest

en

00:20:23

Subduction zones, earthquakes, and tsunamis with Tina...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/11/11

Tina Dura joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about subduction zones, particularly the Cascadia Subduction Zone, earthquakes and tsunamis. She explained the mechanics of earthquakes, and how the geological record and fossilized algae are helping researchers better understand past occurrences and predict future ones. Dura emphasized the importance of translating scientific research into actionable information for the public, especially regarding tsunami preparedness and community

en

00:17:22

Turning old plastic into soap with Guoliang “Greg” Liu

Curious Conversations ·

2024/11/04

Guoliang “Greg” Liu joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about his journey in sustainability, focusing on the innovative process of converting plastic waste into soap. He shared insights on the challenges of controlling the chemical processes involved, the types of plastics used, and the potential for creating both liquid and solid soap products. He emphasized the importance of sustainability in the detergent industry and expressed hope for future commercialization of his

en

00:20:20

Emerging technologies and entrepreneurship with James...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/10/28

James Harder joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, specially highlighting the Department of Computer Science’s initiative, CS/root. Harder shared his belief that the entrepreneurship process can be learned and applied to various novel ideas and the ways the program hopes to teach and support it, as well as the role it will play in putting emerging technology in more people’s hands.About Harder Harder is the external engagement

en

00:24:24

AI and emergency management with Shalini Misra

Curious Conversations ·

2024/10/21

Shalini Misra joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how artificial intelligence (AI) might be used in the field of emergency management. She shared some of the different ways AI is currently being used and the concerns she’s heard from emergency managers. Misra also talks about the steps she believes will be necessary for the technology to reach its full potential in this field. About Misra Shalini Misra is an associate professor of urban affairs and planning in the School of

en

105 results

Similar Podcasts

Edutainment Learning

Ralph Krauss

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Education Futures

Svenia Busson & Laurent Jolie

Out In The Hall

NHSA