Illuminating Science

Dr. Mike Wagner is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin Madison.  His work focuses on the optimization of renewable energy production, in particular from concentrating solar plants, in order to maximize efficiency and profitability of those systems.  We talk about how concentrating solar plants work and what advantages they offer when compared to other renewables like wind or photovoltaics.  We also discuss grid frequency and stability and how the increasing presence of variable renewable power sources is creating challenges in terms of maintaining grid frequency and stability.  

Dr. Lauren Baker has a doctorate of veterinary medicine as well as a Masters and a PhD in comparative biomedical sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is researching complex genetic traits in dogs.  We start with some basics of genetics and genomics and why dogs are good models for genetic study in order to lay the groundwork to talk about her research into some of the possible genetic influences for cruciate ligament rupture in dogs.  We also discuss the science and value of commercially available genetic testing for dogs both for owners and practicing veterinarians.

Joe Lauer is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the department of agronomy and the corn research program.  We discuss a range of topics related to corn breeding including some aspects of bio-engineering or genetic modification, crop rotations, and soil health.   

Kyle Bourassa is a clinical psychology researcher at Duke University’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. His research is focused on understanding how stressful life events—such as relationship dissolution, financial stress, and trauma—might influence people’s health as they age, with the goal of better understanding how to prevent stressful life events from leading to poorer health.  We discuss what ‘stress’ means in the context of a research setting, how stress leads to reduced health outcomes, and what some of the implications of this research is for treatment and health.

My guest today is Paul Lata.  Paul is the pharmacy director of a hospital antimicrobial stewardship program.  In our conversation we dive into what antimicrobial stewardship is, why it is important, how healthcare institutions manage it, how it relates to patient care and what a pharmacist’s role is in this picture .  We also discuss antibiotic resistance from an individual perspective up to a global perspective and briefly touch on drug allergies and drug allergy evaluation.

Gustavo is chair of medicine and director of the Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Melbourne.  He is one of the primary people working to further research and awareness regarding a recently recognized condition called osteosarcopenia.  We talk about what osteosarcopenia is, how the muscular and skeletal system interact, what we can do in terms of treatment or prevention, and why it is so important that osteosarcopenia be recognized as a major health concern.

Dr. Adam Kuchnia is an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where his research focuses on medical imaging to characterize changes in muscle as a result of aging and disease as well as protein management and intervention to mitigate and prevent muscle loss.  We discuss how protein is used in the body, how nutrition is managed in clinical settings, assessment of muscle mass and quality, and how all of these things come together to impact clinical outcomes.  

Dr Hernandez is an associate professor of lactational biology in the department of animal and dairy sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  We discuss the role of serotonin during pregnancy and lactation, how bone health is impacted by lactation, and how there may be cause for concern around the use of SSRIs during pregnancy and lactation when it comes to the health of both mother and baby.  We also touch on how her work relates to the health of production dairy cows, and we talk about what she has learned about breastfeeding in humans and what insight and advice she can offer to mothers who are or plan to breastfeed.  

My guest today is my Dad, Dr. Neil Binkley.  He is a geriatrician and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where his research is largely focused on bone health.  Our conversation today is mostly focused on osteoporosis.  We discuss what osteoporosis is, who is most at risk, how it is assessed and treated, why it is important, and the state of osteoporosis related care.  You may also notice that several of the following episodes are related to the theme of musculoskeletal health during aging.  This is, in part, due to my intention to try to have batches of episodes around a similar topic, and in part due to accessing a number of my early guests through my dad’s contacts.