In the Spotlight

The microbiome has gotten a lot of attention recently, with gut health being emphasised in everything from digestion to mental health. But when is the last time you thought about the microbiome in your lungs? Here to tell us all about the fascinating environment that is our lungs is Jack Thomas Sumner, a Northwestern University PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• This TED Talk on the human microbiome
• If you're feeling a longer read, Ed Yong's I Contain Multitudes is a great deep dive into the topic (non-affiliate link)
• If you're feeling extra science-y, here's a review on the lung microbiome
• To find out more of the research at Northwestern, check out SCRIPT's homepage

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how how healing can be controlled through electricity and her insights on how medical device regulation can keep up with the pace of new medical devices.

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) at Northwestern University
• More on the FDA's Right to Try Act 
• Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's exhibit, "You! The Experience"

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsmart our immune system is Northwestern PhD student Alexandra Karagiaridi, from the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into her graduate school, the significance of her work, and how she goes about solving the problem.

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• A nice summary by the American Society for Microbiology
• A report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's Hospital
• If you're feeling up for it, a scientific review on ABC transporters and how they help pathogens infect us

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

For our season 3 finale, we're uncovering all there is to know about green spaces and green infrastructure for cities! Many people don't realize the dozens of benefits that trees and green spaces give us, including in stormwater collection and preventing flooding. Northwestern PhD Candidate Colleen O'Brien (and member of our podcast team!) shares a bit more about the fascinating questions being asked about green spaces in environmental engineering research and how green infrastructure policy can be designed with communities in mind. 

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• "The climate crisis haunts Chicago's future. A battle between a great city and a great lake" by the New York Times 
• "Green infrastructure: how to manage water in a sustainable way" by the NRDC
• "Chicago's Green Space: Inequitable for 100 years" 
• Adopt a tree through Openlands' Treekeepers!
• "How one Boston neighborhood stopped gentrification in its tracks" 
• Happy City by Charles Montgomery (book)

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Humans are messy, complicated beings. Who we are is influenced by a number of factors, ranging from our upbringing to our geography. Here to walk us through the study of transnationalism, and how it's changing, is David Duske. David is a 2nd year MA student at the University of Buffalo, in the Department of Africana and American studies. 

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• This video by the University of Oxford on transnational migration
• An overview on American Studies
• A summary of transnationalism
• This article from The Atlantic on what being "American" really means

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 4th and final episode of this 4 episode series, we had the privilege to speak with the Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Public Health Department, Matthew Richards. Together, we tackle the new Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program in Chicago, the new changes its brought, and what it will try to accomplish in the future. 

If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: 

• Initial coverage on and response to the funding of CARE can be found here and here
• The Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee's Recommendations Report from October 2019
• More on University of Chicago's Urban Labs Health Lab that completed the Road Map Initiative report on cyclic utilizers 
• Most recent news report on the outcomes of the CARE program and coverage of pushback on the CARE program design

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!
If you want to check in on the Chicago Public Health Department you can visit their website or follow them on Twitter. 

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we chatted with one of the leaders of the new First-response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) run by Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Christopher Mayer, to learn more about their recently debuted mobile crisis team that serves Evanston and north Chicago!
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: 

• More on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program in Illinois 
• More on the goals of CESSA and the upcoming 988 crisis line number

Trilogy's FACT program can be accessed by calling 1-800-FACT-400.

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!
If you want to follow Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Executive Director of Impact Behavioral Health Partners, Dr. Patti Capouch, about the background behind mobile crisis response teams in our area and the latest crisis response resource to be funded by our local Evanston government.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: 

• More about the prior work of the Alternative Response Subcommittee and their meetings
• Other notable crisis response models in Denver and Oregon (CAHOOTS)
• More about Turning Point's Living Room in Skokie and the upcoming Living Room in Evanston
• "City Council allocates funds for walk-in mental health crisis center" by the Daily Northwestern
• Introduction to the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) in Illinois

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!
If you want to follow Impact Behavioral Health Partners and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.
In the 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Director of Programs of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Cook County North Suburban, Dr. Christine Somervill, about the state of mental healthcare in our area and how crisis response compares to other healthcare needs.
If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: 

• More about mental health services in Evanston
• "Mental health advocates push for more federal ARPA funds from Evanston, describe system in crisis"
• The mental health dashboard and Mental Health is Essential campaign created by the Mental Health Taskforce
• "The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use" 
• "COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide" by the WHO
• "Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century" about deaths of despair before COVID-19
• "Deaths of despair: the unrecognized tragedy of working class immiseration" 
• "They Lost Sons To Drug Overdoses: How The Pandemic May Be Fueling Deaths Of Despair" by NPR
• "The Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in COVID-19"
• "Mental health professionals are the ones taking care of us: Who’s taking care of them?" by USA Today

Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!
If you want to follow NAMI CCNS and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more. You can also check out NAMI's national organization website here. 

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Computational modelling has revolutionised complete fields, leading to increasingly advanced theories and applications. But what does computational modelling look like in material science, a field often associated with material things? PhD candidate Sean Koyama is here to walk us through the bleeding edge research that is computational material science!

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:

• A lecture on how innovation in Materials Sciences
• An educational physics channel
• A book by Albert Einstein on relativity
• A short article on the origins and applications of spintronics

Make sure to reach out to Sean on Twitter!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!

Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Podcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiang

Music in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438