In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, we welcome Dr. Evan Thacker, BYU epidemiologist and dedicated mentor, to discuss brain health, metabolism, and the power of student-driven research.

Dr. Thacker shares his journey from neuroscience at BYU to graduate training at Harvard and the University of Washington, and how mentorship shaped his path. Now, with nine publications in 2025, he’s helping students take real research projects—from initial question to national presentation at the American Public Health Association and even peer-reviewed publication.

We explore student-led studies on PCOS and mental health, rural versus urban differences in cognitive decline using data from the REGARDS study, and research on leptin and how metabolic health influences brain aging. A key theme emerges: heart health, metabolic health, and brain health are deeply connected.

Dr. Thacker leaves listeners with two simple challenges:

1. Improve one daily health behavior—sleep, nutrition, or movement.
2. Stay curious. Write down your questions and pursue answers.

It’s an inspiring conversation about scholarship, mentorship, and how small actions—both in research and in health—can have lasting impact.

Articles Mentioned:

Knowledge about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), body image and depression by PCOS status among a sample of US females by Mireya Long, Ruth Larson, Lexi Maycock, Emma Huefner Wood, and Gray Stratford 

Rural Versus Urban Residence in Adulthood and Incident Cognitive Impairment by Matthew Harris, Erica Bennion, and Kristine Magnusson

Leptin, adiponectin, body mass index, and incident cognitive impairment by Reena Karki, Rachel Gabor, Cyrille Kouambo Beckodro, Quinn Preece, Sam Prince, and McKay Smith

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Averee Bates, Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Madison McArthur, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale