S02E8 Multi sensory Perceptions with Carmel Levitan

As first scientist on the podcast, Carmel invites the audience to look beyond color and design and broaden our perceptions as she explains how color connects to other senses such as taste and smell. Carmel will reveal why humans are so keen in connecting multiple senses and what the future is for multisensory experiences. She will talk in detail about her research in the field of cognitive sciences and how our food experiences in particular are influenced by many different aspects. Which colors indicate which of the five tastes? What is synesthesia and how many different types of this neurological condition exist? This episode brings color to a whole other level. 

Carmel Levitan is a Professor of Cognitive Science at Occidental College, in Los Angeles, California. Carmel received her PhD in Bioengineering from UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral researcher in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. Carmel’s main area of research expertise is multi sensory perception, focusing on how the senses interact and how factors such as culture, emotions, and expectations mediate associations within and across the senses. Carmel welcomes the opportunity to connect with scientists and artists across the world.