In this insightful episode of Y Health, Dr. Cougar Hall from BYU's Public Health Department is joined by Professor Zach Aanderud from BYU's Plant and Wildlife Science to explore the fascinating world of the human microbiome. They discuss Zach's academic journey, the effects of diet on gut bacteria, and the microbiome's role in digestion, nutrient absorption, mental health, and chronic diseases. The episode emphasizes the importance of dietary diversity, highlighting the benefits of plant-based foods, probiotics, and the adverse effects of antibiotics. Listeners are encouraged to access reliable scientific information, with practical insights on optimizing gut health through food choices and understanding the profound impact of the microbiome on overall well-being.

 https://pws.byu.edu/directory/zach-aanderud 

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

 Gladys Lopez, a recent graduate of BYU’s Master of Public Health program, is passionate about family health, women's health, and promoting public health within family systems. In this episode, she joins Cougar to share her experiences working with inmates struggling with substance use disorders. Gladys reflects on how this work taught her to look beyond outward appearances and truly connect with the individuals behind the challenges they face. 

Learn more about the Foundation for Family Life that Gladys has been working with by going to: https://fflut.org/

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

Bio: Chelom Leavitt teaches and researches healthy sexuality at BYU. She received her Ph.D. from Penn State. Her research specifically examines how being present, accepting, and non-judgmental is linked to improved sexual functioning and satisfaction. Dr. Leavitt’s research has been published in top academic journals such as Journal of Sex Research and Archives of Sexual Behavior. She has written books and teaches seminars on sex and healthy relationships around the world. 

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

In this special one-year anniversary episode of the Y Health Podcast, listeners are invited to get to know their esteemed host, Dr. Cougar Hall! He discusses mind-body health, offering valuable tips for maintaining balance in life. Join in this celebration as the Y Health Podcast reflects on its journey and Dr. Cougar Hall's unwavering commitment to empowering listeners to take charge of their well-being.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

If theres one thing you should know about Dr. Eik Nelson, it’s that he likes to get uncomfortable (all in the name of science). This has lead him to pursue research in areas that are a bit on the messier side. Listen as he and Dr. Cougar Hall discuss the social determinants of disease, maps and spirituality.

Bio:

Dr. Nelson's research combines epidemiologic, statistical, and geospatial modeling techniques to identify where and why health disparities occur so that appropriate interventions can be developed to help overcome them. His research utilizes novel online recruitment techniques and Bayesian spatio-temporal models. His main areas of interest include health disparities, sexual health, screening, cancer prevention, environmental lead exposure, and social epidemiology. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles on a variety of public health issues such as human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccination, lead exposure, violence, substance abuse, air pollution, and cognitive functioning.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

How far is too far when involving parents in the learning process? High school educator Byron Tanner takes the hot seat to share the best practices he implements in the classroom each year. 

Bio:

With 20 years of experience at Timpanogos High School, Byron Tanner currently teaches Health, CTE Health Science Courses, and Driver Ed and has spent three years as an assistant principal during an administrative assignment. Tanner graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s degree in School Health Education and earned a Master’s degree from SUU in School Administration. He is married to Niki and together they have four wonderful children.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

Pam Hansen–a BYU Master of Public Health (MPH) student–opens up about heartwrenching experiences that led her down the path she now walks. Returning to university after raising her children,  Pam echoes CS Lewis: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Bio:

Pam Hansen is a 2nd year MPH student, about to graduate this Spring. She authored the inspirational book “Running With Angels,” in which Pam discusses her battles with the death of her children, family illness, and obesity, leading to her ultimate decision to run a marathon amid life’s tragedies.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

Many of us take workplace safety for granted, but not Dr. Steve Thygerson. He and his students aid in “capacity building” in countries that lack the understanding of workplace safety and the resources to implement it. 

Bio

Dr. Steve Thygerson is an environmental and occupational health professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Prior to his appointment at BYU in 2008, he worked for 9 years in various occupational and environmental health settings in the public and private sector. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and past chair of the International Affairs Committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. As a Workplace Health Without Borders member, he mentors other occupational hygienists and provides occupational health training worldwide. Those countries include Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. He loves taking students to these countries as well as focusing on global occupational health. For the past 20 years, he has authored first aid, CPR, and wellness textbooks.

While not at work, he loves to run, mountain bike, backcountry ski, set out on family backpacking trips, and is a wanna-be overland expedition enthusiast. 

Click here to read about Dr. Thygerson’s occupational health work in Nepal.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

Dr. Julianne Grose: Belonging and Be the Match

Honoring her brother-in-law’s dying wish, Dr. Grose advocates for Be The Match bone marrow transplant nonprofit. She guides listeners through the simple process of becoming a “match” and outlines its lifesaving implications. Additionally, Dr. Grose discusses what it means to truly belong and how we can cultivate that kind of environment on BYU’s campus.

Bio

Dr. Julianne Grose is a microbiology and molecular biology professor of 15 years at BYU. She obtained her BS in Chemistry with a math minor as well as a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Utah where she studied the central metabolic pathways of Salmonella. Dr. Grose began BYU Be the Match on Campus in 2017, a student group to recruit potential bone marrow donors for patients with blood disorders such as lymphoma and leukemia. Together,  students have registered over 5,000 potential donors and 48 of our students have donated and saved a life! In 2022 Be the Match honored BYU by presenting Dr. Grose with the “Lives Award.”

Join the registry here and you might just save someone’s life.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale

Clinging to research findings at the expense of understanding another’s perspective may hinder progress in the world of policy. Dr. Jeff Glenns shares with us best practices for health policymaking, emphasizing the importance of listening to others and understanding the political climate surrounding public health. 

 As avid Survivor fans, Glenn and Dr. Cougar Hall also reflect on life lessons they’ve learned from the reality tv show.

 Bio

 Dr. Jeff Glenn is a BYU professor best known by undergraduate students for his teachings on policy. Glenn completed his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health where he studied health policy and systems change. Prior to his doctoral education, Glenn worked as a Presidential Management Fellow and Public Health Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA where he helped establish the agency’s global cancer program. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Southern California and a BA in International Relations from Brigham Young University. Glenn grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to new places with his wife, Kathryn, and their three children.

Learn more about the campus conversations Dr. Glenn discussed here.

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale