Master Minds

Professor Cowsik is considered by many to be the 'Father of Astroparticle Physics' for his invention of the leaky box model for the observation of cosmic rays and his discoveries characterizing neutrinos and dark matter as having a role in the Big Bang. The James S. McDonnell Professor of Space Sciences here at WashU, he has been compared to Enrico Fermi for his immensely productive career in theoretical and experimental physics. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Cowsik about the origin of the universe, dark matter, neutrinos, Grand Unified Theory, and more.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Background music: Thesame by Tea K Pea

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Today, we will be learning about genetics and evolution with Professor Barbara Schaal, evolutionary biologist and the Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in Arts and Sciences at WashU. A pioneer in the field of plant evolution, she was one of the first to apply molecular genetic techniques to understanding evolutionary processes. Professor Schaal has served as president of the Botanical Society of America, the Society for the Study of Evolution, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has also served as vice president of the US National Academy of Sciences and as a member of President Obama’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, as well as received the National Science Board Public Service Award in 2019 for her work in national science policy and education.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Background music: Sunday Morning by Maarten Schellekens

Today, we are taking a deep dive into the brain to learn about psychology of memories. We sat down with Dr. Henry Roediger, James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences here at WashU and co author of the book, “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning”. Dr. Roediger has been a pioneer in studying memory accessibility and retrieval, particularly false memories. Our conversation spanned topics from improving the Navy SEAL’s training to testing the reliability of eyewitness accounts in court.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

In this episode of Master Minds, we sit down with Dr. Graham Colditz, epidemiologist and public health expert. Dr. Colditz is the Associate Director for Prevention and Control at Siteman Cancer Center and Chief of the Division of Public Health Sciences in the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. He is also an adjunct professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Colditz is an internationally recognized leader and researcher in cancer and chronic disease prevention and is currently the 4th highest cited researcher in the world with an h-index of 299. Throughout this episode, you will hear about Dr. Colditz’s background coming from Australia to the US, cancer epidemiology and prevention, and specific risk factors for cancer.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Background music: O Holy Still by Blue Dot Sessions (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Ashesfrombelow by Tea K Pea (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Magicofold by Tea K Pea (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Springtime by Podington Bear (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)

Aloyandthemachine by Tea K Pea (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In this episode of Master Minds, we sit down with someone who is somewhat of a celebrity among the pre-med students at WashU. Dr. Greg Polites is the founder of MedPrep, a series of classes that students can take to learn more about the field of medicine. He is, by training, an emergency medicine physician and currently serves as the chair of the central subcommittee on the Admissions Committee for the Washington University School of Medicine. Over the course of this episode, you will see how Dr. Polites’ love of medicine and love of teaching coevolved and led to his extensive career in both clinical practice and guiding students on their own journey into medicine.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Background music:

Ghost Byzantine by Blue Dot Sessions (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Hope by Yakov Golman (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Ashesfrombelow by Tea K Pea (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In this episode of the podcast, we’re taking a slight detour from our usual guest, and I couldn’t be more excited. Professor Rebecca Messbarger wears many hats, among them, Professor of Art History and Global Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Italian, and Co-founder and Director of Medical Humanities here at WashU. This episode is a fascinating dive into how literature and art, both ancient and new, inform modern medicine. We talk about medieval history and Boccacio’s Decameron and Frankenstein, and a lot more. And who knows, maybe after hearing Professor Messbarger talk, you too will find yourself, a pious pre-med, making room in your schedule to dabble in the humanities.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Dr. Ray Arvidson is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University. He directs the Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory, where he studies terrestrial and extraterrestrial planetary surfaces, including Mars, Venus, and the Moon. Professor Arvidson has led and participated in many major NASA projects, most notably as the Deputy Principal Investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Missions. What can the rovers tell us about the history of Mars? How can we use this info to better understand our own planet? If you are a space travel fanatic and want to know about the current progress on the search for life on other planets, check out this amazing interview with Professor Ray Arvidson.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Background music:

Organisms by Chad Crouch (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

The Confrontation by Podington Bear (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)

Amber Glow by Scott Holmes Music (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Clear Progress by Scott Holmes Music (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Awaits by Ketsa (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

We were so excited to have the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Michael Kinch: author, scientist, and Associate Vice Chancellor at WashU. Dr. Kinch has a scientific background in cancer and immunological and infectious diseases. He founded and currently directs the Centers for Research Innovation in Biotechnology and Drug Development here at WashU. In this episode, we’ll discuss Dr. Kinch’s contributions to the development of COVID-19 vaccines, his research on drug discovery and rollout, and his analysis on price increases in the pharmaceutical industry.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

We are so excited to have had the opportunity to sit down with Chancellor Emeritus of Washington University in St. Louis, Mark Wrighton. Over the course of twenty four years, he oversaw the establishment of the East End and several important endowed professorships, which brought renowned faculty members to Washington University. But what many don't know is that Wrighton made a name for himself in the world of chemistry by making major contributions to photochemistry and energy research that have grand implications for climate change mitigation. Listen now to hear about the former Chancellor’s career in chemistry, his leading role in Washington University’s rise over the last twenty years, and why his colleagues at MIT knew him as 'Magic Mark'.

Title music: World Is Holding Hands by WinnieTheMoog

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Dr. Len Green is Professor of Psychology and Economics and the director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at WashU. His research laid the groundwork for the field of behavioral economics: the study of the psychological factors that impact economic theories. Dr. Green did this in a rather unusual way; he performed studies on rats and pigeons! What can the behavior of these nonhuman animals and how they react to “income” and other economic situations tell us about the ways humans interact in the economy? Check out this episode if you want to learn about groundbreaking psychology, especially when it is told by a hilarious New Yorker living in the Midwest.