In this insightful conversation, Edward Abeyta, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Education and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, shares his passion for lifelong learning, community access, and innovation in education. Drawing on his personal journey, shaped by his family’s belief in hard work and continuous learning, Abeyta underscores the importance making education accessible to all. He discusses his book, Reinventing Lifelong Learning: The Coming Renaissance of Continuing Education and Community Outreach, as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers looking to foster positive change. Abeyta highlights UC San Diego’s unique role in supporting learners at every stage of life—from youth to retirement—reinforcing his vision of education as a transformative force for individuals and communities alike. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 40255]

Anthony Lim, M.D., J.D., explores how small, intentional steps can lead to lasting behavioral change. Lim breaks down a simple, four-step framework—awareness, intention, action, and reflection—to help people achieve their goals, whether it's improving health, forming better habits, or making positive life changes. Through real-life examples and insights from neuroscience, he emphasizes the power of connecting with your deeper "why," taking action, and practicing self-compassion. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40323]

Christine Wu Nordahl, Ph.F., offers an insightful exploration into the unique needs and experiences of autistic teens, focusing on fostering inclusive spaces. Highlighting themes of gender diversity, underdiagnosis in girls, and the impact of societal perceptions, she emphasizes the importance of tailored support for neurodiverse individuals. Through powerful participant stories and an inspiring poem, Nordahl underscores the resilience and creativity within the autistic community. Her passionate advocacy for better diagnostic tools and inclusive interventions makes this talk a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand and empower autistic youth. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40213]

Frank Furnari, Ph.D., and Alexander Khalessi, M.D., M.B.A., discuss exciting advancements in brain cancer research, focusing on glioblastoma, an aggressive and challenging tumor. They highlight how specific genetic mutations drive tumor growth and how targeting these mutations could lead to new treatments. They also delve into cutting-edge therapies, including using light to activate drugs aimed at combating cancer. A central theme of the talk is the complexity and ever-changing nature of these tumors, which makes them difficult to treat. However, technological breakthroughs, like single-cell genetic sequencing and lab-grown tumor models, are providing scientists with valuable insights into tumor behavior, paving the way for more personalized and effective treatment options in the future. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39871]

Everyone experiences mental chaos - when the mind is distracted, racing and anxious. But too much mental chaos can have negative impacts on our health and can limit our creativity. Jaime Pineda, professor emeritus of cognitive science at UC San Diego, has spent decades studying how the mind works. His new book “Controlling Mental Chaos: Harnessing the Power of the Creative Mind” focuses on the importance of psychological wellbeing. He says controlling mental chaos leads to positive outcomes including increased creativity, awareness of connection to others and reduction in distorted perceptions. He talks about ways to quiet the mind through mediation and mindfulness training. Series: "Library Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 40066]

Le Xu, Ph.D., examines the intricate processes underlying lung development and disease, with a focus on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Xu explores the roles of genetic and cellular mechanisms, including the hedgehog pathway, FGF signaling, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, in driving lung fibrosis. Xu also highlights links between congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and lung development, suggesting that both mechanical and genetic factors contribute to lung hypoplasia. The discussion includes the development of advanced mouse models that replicate key aspects of human IPF, offering insights into fibrosis progression. Xu's research ultimately seeks to identify the causes of lung tissue abnormalities and pave the way for targeted therapies. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39460]

Darlene Lopez shares her inspiring journey in the business world, offering valuable insights into career growth, mentorship, and navigating the corporate landscape. Drawing from her experiences at Apple and TikTok, she discusses how these roles shaped her leadership style, approach to self-promotion, and the importance of setting boundaries. A central theme in the conversation is Lopez’s deep connection to Latin culture and music, which has profoundly influenced both her personal and professional life. She passionately speaks about the power of Latin artists and the growing influence of the Latinx community, particularly in music, and her mission to empower this community through her work in the arts. Series: "Career Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 40306]

In late September 1941, tens of thousands of people were massacred over two days in a ravine known as Babyn Yar on the outskirts of Nazi-occupied Kyiv. Most of the victims were Jews, though Roma, Crimean Tatars, and Ukrainian and Russian Communists were also among those murdered. In her 2017 book of poems, “The Voices of Babyn Yar,” award-winning poet Marianna Kiyanovska engages with this tragedy as a Ukrainian who learned of the mass killings only as an adult. Kiyanovska is the author of more than a dozen books of poetry, prose, and literary translations and her works have been translated into 18 languages. In this bilingual poetry reading, Kiyanovska shares poems in the original Ukrainian, including selections from “The Voices of Babyn Yar.” UC San Diego Professor of Literature Amelia Glaser will read the English translations. Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40068]

Carrie Bearden, Ph.D., delves into how sleep patterns and brain activity influence memory and cognitive abilities in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. Her research reveals that while these individuals tend to sleep longer, their brain activity shows unique differences, such as reduced slow-wave power, which may limit the cognitive benefits typically associated with sleep. Bearden also spotlights groundbreaking studies using advanced tools like stem cells and brain organoids to investigate how specific genes might drive these differences, offering hope for deeper insights and potential interventions. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40211]

At a global level, Homo sapiens have reshaped the planet Earth to such an extent that we now talk of a new geological age, the Anthropocene. But each of us shapes our own worlds, physically, symbolically, and in the worlds of imagination. This symposium focuses especially on one form of construction, the construction of buildings, while stressing that such construction is ever shaped by diverse factors from landscape to culture and the construction of history embodied in it - and more. After a brief look at birds building their nests as an example of variation on a species-specific Bauplan, we sample a broad sweep of cultural evolution and niche construction from the earliest stone tools of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens through the Neolithic and the rise of cities to the formal and informal architecture of the present day. Finally, we explore the ways artificial intelligence may further change how humans construct their mental and physical worlds. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40170]