EIU Innovate Podcast

In this podcast we interview Dr. Robert Colombo, EIU professor of Biological Sciences and resident fish expert. In a wide ranging discussion, we address Dr. Colombo's interest in fish species, whether or not you should eat fish out of rivers in Illinois,�how he teaches fish dissections online,�and we even briefly explore the television show River Monster.

Dr. Kevin Anderson talks about teaching political science in a contentious political environment, shares his research findings on state education laws and the political impact these legal changes are having across the United States.

With the 2019�start of�Major League Baseball, Dr. Ed Wehrle, professor of history at Eastern Illinois University, discusses his recent�book, BREAKING BABE RUTH.�Dr. Wehrle confronts the many misunderstandings of Babe Ruth, the ways in which he has been misrepresented,�and�"the Babe's" challenges with baseball's league owners and managers.� Werhle provides new and fascinating perspectives on this baseball legend.�

Dr. Nichole Hugo has both an innovative teaching and research agenda. Listen in to learn about having a "cup of cheer" at the holidays, tourism in Jamaica, Botswana, and�Costa Rica, and bed-and-breakfasts. She also does research on "selfies" while traveling abroad. Dr. Hugo is an assistant professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Eastern Illinois University.�

Episode 8 Dean Hendrickson discusses monsters, zombies, Clint Eastwood and Bambi, among other topics with Dr. Robin Murray, professor of English, Film Studies and Women's Studies on EIU Innovate. Dr. Murray is the author of 6 books and over 40 articles, many�of which examine the interaction between the environment and film. She also is the Director of the Eastern Illinois University's Writing Project, a National Writing Project Site.�

Episode 7 Dean Hendrickson talks with Dr. Margaret Floress, associate professor of psychology, about her research on praise in the classroom, and how praise can help foster positive student behavior. Dr. Floress also speaks about her experiences at EIU, her co-authorship with EIU graduate students, and her innovative caterpillar game to help improve the classroom environment.

Episode 6 of EIU Innovate talks to Dr. Chris Laingen, associate professor of Geography. We talk about pheasants, old red barns, sustainable energy, as well as Dr. Laingen's new book, and his expansive research agenda.

In Episode 5, we address ukuleles, piano bar musicians, and the innovative research of Dr. Danelle Larson, associate professor of music education at Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Larson teaches in the online graduate program in Music Education, and also has an extensive background in promoting undergraduate research and a successful record of creating partnerships with local school music programs.

In Episode 4 of EIU Innovate, Dean Hendrickson interviews Dr. Kathleen O'Rourke, a professor of Family and Consumer Sciences and the graduate coordinator for Aging Studies, formerly known as Gerontology. The interview focuses on developments in Aging Studies, Dr. O'Rourke's research on shopping on Black Friday, and her interest in triathlons.

In the third episode of EIU Innovate, Dean Hendrickson interviews Biological Sciences professor Dr. Britto "blood pressure" Nathan about his path-breaking research on Alzheimer's disease, the graduate program in Biological Sciences, and his lifelong commitment to mentoring EIU students.