Kelly Drew, is a professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and the Director for Transformative Research in Metabolism, whose lab focuses on hibernation biology. Inspired by the hibernation talents of the arctic ground squirrel, Kelly studies how its biology protects the brain as it goes in and out of hibernation. The work, as documented by extensive publications in professional research journals, has potential practical applications in extending the protection of the brains of patients in in medically-induced comas. And, further in the future, Kelly’s work is relevant to the necessity of hibernation — or suspended animation — in astronauts traveling to Mars.

(Recorded 12/13/22.)