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Our guest today is Richard Edden. 

Richard is a professor in the department of Neuroradiology at Johns Hopkins University. 

He uses a tool — a technology, a method— called Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to study the brain. Richard’s group focuses on both method development — how can they make MRS better? More informative? — and also what the specific findings mean for brain health. 

In this MINI episode, Richard talks to us about spectroscopy and a particular kind of spectroscopy: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, also known as NMR (and more familiarly, MRI.) Richard talks about why electronegativity, a concept taught in high school and early college chemistry, is essential to how NMR works.  

Tune in on Thursday for the full-length interview!

Highlights of the episode:

*Susan introduces Richard and today’s topic [0:56];

*Susan explains electronegativity and phrases the question to Richard [1:45];

*Richard answers, beginning with an explanation of spectroscopy, starting with the visible light spectrum [3:12];

*Richard describes NMR and how electronegativity influences it [4:23];

*Richard talks about the features of molecules in our body and how NMR can help distinguish them [8:44]

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