University of California Audio Podcasts (Audio)

Natalia Henriquez grew up in the San Fernando valley knowing that a college education would be in her future. After attending community college in the LA area, she transferred to UC San Diego to pursue a degree in physics. She shares how she stayed connected to family while in school, how participating in hands-on research impacted her studies, and how she found community through shared interests and campus organizations. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 37192]

Mariana Carrola was able to experience a taste of college while still in high school through programs such as Summer Bridge and Academic Connections. This early connection to college not only helped her choose where to attend but gave her valuable insights into how to navigate her freshman year. She shares how she found community as an undocumented student, how she engaged in hands on research, and where her academic career is taking her next. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 37080]

Low back pain is very common but can improve or resolve with proper care and treatment. Peter I-Kung Wu, MD, PhD explains the various causes of mechanical lower back pain, how they are diagnosed, and effective treatments. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37507]

The UCSF Repair Project recognizes that long-standing racial inequities in health, health care institutions and scholarship are a result of structural violence and systemic racism. The project seeks to open conversation and promote efforts to rectify and eliminate these problems. Aimee Medeiros, PhD shares the history that informs the project and current research. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37572]

Ronny Vasquez moved from Venezuela to attend college. The culture shock was often overwhelming but when he transferred to UC San Diego he discovered a community of students with similar backgrounds who provided support and friendship. His advice to new college students is to advocate for yourself and find your voice. He also shares how he uses his studies in STEM to teach K-12 students. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 37089]

Andrea Bravo is passionate about supporting her community and always knew that education would give her the tools she needed to make changes in the world. When she got to UC San Diego, she joined a sorority that emphasizes sisterhood and campus involvement. She is currently pursuing her dream of becoming an educator to support other students in their academic goals. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 37092]

John Saintignon leveraged his skills on the basketball court to gain a world class education. He shares what he learned on and off the court during his time as a first generation college student. He shares what inspires him, how he went from basketball coach to author, and his advice to college students looking to carve their own path. Series: "Education Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 36933]

UC San Diego professor Carol Marchetto discusses how a comparative gene expression analysis of human and non-human primates revealed differences in the regulation of a class of transposable elements LINE1 retrotransposons between species. University of Southern California professor Joseph Hacia discusses studies profiling phytanic acid levels in red blood cells obtained from humans and captive non-human primates all on low phytanic acid diets. Emory University professor James Rilling discusses the difference of arcuate fasciculus between human and non-human primate brains and how the specialization of speech has helped humans evolve. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 37527]

How can new technologies be used to help anxiety and depression? Tarek Rajji, MD, shares recent findings from trials combining brain stimulation with cognitive remediation. John Torous, MD, MBI, takes a deep dive into mental health apps and how to evaluate their effectiveness and utility. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37592]

This symposium addresses several important distinctly human characteristics that range from molecules, to metabolism, anatomy, disease, and behavior. Goals include transdisciplinary interactions, improved self-understanding, promotion of ethically sound studies to explain known differences, and the generation of new, potentially unexplored, insights on uniquely-human specializations. Given the interest in understanding our evolution, this symposium will also help to organize how and in what sequence distinctly human physical, mental, social, and cultural features evolved. Such understanding may help explain the origin of our species and how it came to now directly shape the planet, giving rise to the Anthropocene (a proposed geological epoch distinguished by human influence on climate and the environment). Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 37534]