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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.

education

All Episodes

00:28:00

Female leaders of nations and the US presidency with...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/10/14

Farida Jalalzai joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the state of female leadership globally, with a focus on the United States. She shared how she believes the U.S. compares to other nations in terms of female political representation, the unique challenges women face in the U.S. political landscape, and the impact of gender roles on women's leadership opportunities. She also shared the insights she gained through her research of female leadership during the COVID-19

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00:25:12

AI and securing water systems with Feras Batarseh

Curious Conversations ·

2024/10/07

Feras Batarseh joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to discuss the intersection of water systems and technology, specifically focusing on aspects of artificial intelligence (AI). He shared the importance of using AI to predict and prevent water quality issues, such as high turbidity, and highlighted the need for water systems to become more intelligent and cyber-secure. About Batarseh Batarseh is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the director

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00:26:11

Alcohol use and intimate partner violence with Meagan...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/09/30

Meagan Brem joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to discuss the intersection of alcohol use and intimate partner violence, highlighting the importance of understanding the causal relationship between the two. She debunked common myths, identified current knowledge gaps, and shared insights from ongoing studies. She also described the unique challenge of understanding these topics as they relate to LGBTQ+ populations and shared possible interventions on both societal and individual

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00:28:14

Brain chemistry and neuroeconomics with Read Montague

Curious Conversations ·

2024/09/23

Read Montague joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the role of dopamine and serotonin in learning, motivation, memory, mood, and decision-making. He discussed his research on measuring dopamine and serotonin dynamics in the brain in real time using electrodes in epilepsy patients and explained the role neuroeconomics are playing in that research. About Montague Montague is the Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) Vernon Mountcastle Research Professor and the director of the Center

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00:21:54

The future of wireless networks with Lingjia Liu

Curious Conversations ·

2024/09/16

Lingjia Liu joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the future of wireless networks and wireless communications. He explained the evolution of cellular networks from 1G to 5G and the potential for 6G, as well as how open radio access networks (O-RAN) can help advance innovation in this space. About Liu Lingjia Liu is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and a member of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus faculty. He is also the director of Wireless@Virginia Tech

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00:23:55

The mung bean and reducing hunger in Senegal with...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/09/09

Ozzie Abaye joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her work using the mung bean to diversify the cropping system, empower farmers, and reduce hunger in Senegal, Africa. She explained why the mung bean is a good fit for that region, the process by which she began to share it with farmers, and the collaborations she’s utilized to expand it across the country. She also shared what some of the challenges were in developing recipes across cultural lines. About Abaye Abaye is

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00:20:41

Curbing the threat of invasive species with Jacob Barney

Curious Conversations ·

2024/08/29

Jacob Barney joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about invasive species, their impact on native species, and the challenges of managing them. He explained the history and terminology of invasive species, their economic and ecological consequences, and the interdisciplinary approach to addressing the problem. Barney also highlighted practical steps individuals can take to prevent their spread.About Barney Barney is a professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He

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00:21:26

Making motorcycle riding safer around the globe with...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/08/26

Richard Hanowski joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about harnessing research to help make motorcycle riding safer in low- and middle-income countries. He shared the difference in riding culture in those areas as opposed to the United States and explained how his team is utilizing some of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s pioneering technology to help increase rider safety. About Hanowski Hanowski is a senior research scientist and the director of the Division of

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00:25:48

The evolution of political polling with Karen Hult

Curious Conversations ·

2024/08/19

Karen Hult joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to chat about the history and evolution of polling, methods used in modern polling, and how politicians and the average person can interpret poll results. The conversation highlights the importance of probability sampling and inferential statistics in generating accurate poll results, as well as the need for critical thinking when consuming poll results.About Hult Hult is an professor of political science at Virginia Tech, serves on the

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00:19:43

Navigating back-to-school emotions with Rosanna Breaux

Curious Conversations ·

2024/08/05

Rosanna Breaux joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to chat about the challenges and emotions children may experience during the transition back to school. The discussion includes red flags to look for, as well as coping skills and support parents and caregivers can provide to help their children navigate the school year. The conversation touches on the impact of recent bans on students having individual smart devices in schools.About Breaux Breaux is an assistant professor in the

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00:25:41

Geologic carbon sequestration with Ryan Pollyea

Curious Conversations ·

2024/06/03

Ryan Pollyea joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about geologic carbon sequestration, which is the process of permanently storing carbon dioxide (CO2) thousands of feet below the Earth’s surface. Pollyea explained what types of rock this is currently known to work with, the efforts he and his colleagues are taking to expand this to other geologic regions, and the potential impact that could have for the environment and economics.About Pollyea Pollyea is an associate professor in

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00:32:14

Veterans and mass incarceration with Jason Higgins

Curious Conversations ·

2024/05/24

Jason Higgins joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the intersection of United States military veterans and mass incarceration and his book, “Prisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass Incarceration.” He shared what led him to work at this intersection, some of the reasons he thinks it’s often overlooked, and factors he believes lead many veterans to being in prison. Having interviewed more than 60 veterans whose service ranged from the Vietnam War to the wars in Iraq

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00:18:15

Microplastics, the ocean, and the atmosphere with...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/05/20

Hosein Foroutan joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about microplastics, the ocean, and the atmosphere. He explained what microplastics are and shared recent findings that indicate such waste is somehow making its way into the air around the world. He also described some of the research he’s doing to figure out how this is happening and shared his current theories. About Foroutan Foroutan is an assistant professor in the Charles E. Via Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental

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00:14:24

Real estate values and elections with Sherwood Clements

Curious Conversations ·

2024/05/13

Sherwood Clements joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact real estate values have on the presidential election. He discussed some recent research he was a part of that explored the impact of the “homevoter,” what findings surprised him, and what he thinks the date tells us about the upcoming election. About Clements Clements is a collegiate assistant professor of real estate and the William and Mary Alice Park, Jr. Faculty Fellow in the Blackwood Department of Real

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00:24:04

AI and the hiring process with Louis Hickman

Curious Conversations ·

2024/05/06

Louis Hickman joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the hiring process. He shared the ways in which AI has long been a part of the process, the findings from his research on AI evaluating automated video interviews, and some tips on how job seekers can leverage the technology to improve their job hunt. About Hickman Hickman is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Science. His research focuses

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00:21:29

Exploring the human-dog relationship with Courtney...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/04/29

Courtney Sexton joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the unique relationship between humans and dogs. She shared the origins of the dog-human relationship, how the animals have adapted and become more attune to human needs, and their role in helping researchers learn more about human health.About Sexton Sexton is a post-doctoral researcher in population health sciences within the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research is focused on human-animal

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00:17:43

The chemistry of Earth history with Ben Gill

Curious Conversations ·

2024/04/22

Ben Gill joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to chat about piecing together Earth history through a combination of geology and chemistry. Gill explained how studying the cycles of different elements can tell a story and help us better understand the planet’s most pivotal moments, such as mass extinctions. He also shared how studying both the worth and best times of our planet can provide us valuable insights for the future. About Gill Gill is an associate professor in the Department of

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00:27:33

Circular economies with Jennifer Russell

Curious Conversations ·

2024/04/15

Jennifer Russell joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the concept of a circular economy. She explained that a circular economy is a shift away from the linear economy, which follows a take-make-dispose model, and instead focuses on reducing waste and reusing materials and shared examples of tangible products and industries that can be, or already are, part of a circular economy. About Russell Russell is an assistant professor in the College of Natural Resources and

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00:20:28

The history of Virginia Tech's Helmet Lab with Stefan...

Curious Conversations ·

2024/04/08

Stefan Duma joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and the impact it has had on sports-related head injuries. He shared how a military research conference led him to study helmets, as well as the critical role the lab’s relationships with the Virginia Tech football and sports medicine programs have played in advancing this pioneering research. Duma discussed the role of the helmet lab in helping to create a greater awareness about

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00:26:39

The history of food waste with Anna Zeide

Curious Conversations ·

2024/04/01

Anna Zeide joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of food waste in America and its impact on society and the environment. She shared insights related to several historical turning points and stressed that addressing food waste requires rethinking and integrating food security and waste management systems.About Zeide Zeide is an associate professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and founding director of the Food Studies Program. She

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105 results

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