In the Spotlight
In the Spotlight is a science communication podcast where we interview graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in the sciences about their research and how it relates to the world around us. What problems are they trying to solve? What should we all understand about their work? What policies may be needed to support this research? These are the questions we will try to answer on In the Spotlight. This podcast is hosted and produced by Emily Schafer and Nicolas Scrutton Alvarado, and supported by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT).
Episodes
55 episodes
Lung Microbiomes in the Spotlight
The microbiome has gotten a lot of attention recently, with gut health being emphasised in everything from digestion to mental health. But when is the last time you thought about the microbiome in your lungs? Here to t...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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30:59
Regenerative Engineering in the Spotlight
The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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28:09
Smart Pathogens in the Spotlight
Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsm...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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33:51
Green Spaces in the Spotlight
For our season 3 finale, we're uncovering all there is to know about green spaces and green infrastructure for cities! Many people don't realize the dozens of benefits that trees and green spaces give us, including in stormwater collection a...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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29:05
Transnationalism in the Spotlight
Humans are messy, complicated beings. Who we are is influenced by a number of factors, ranging from our upbringing to our geography. Here to walk us through the study of transnationalism, and how it's changing, is David Duske. David is a 2nd...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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37:45
Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 4
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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37:27
Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 3
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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30:13
Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 2
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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37:01
Science Policy in the Spotlight: Mental Health Crisis Response 1
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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36:03
Computational Materials in the Spotlight
Computational modelling has revolutionised complete fields, leading to increasingly advanced theories and applications. But what does computational modelling look like in material science, a field often associated with material
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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37:37
Developmental Biology in the Spotlight
The process of developing from a single fertilized egg cell to a mature adult requires your cells to know exactly what specialization they will have AND spatially where they need to be in the developing organism. That's a lot for us to figur...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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29:08
Prehistoric Climates in the Spotlight
Climate change is something a lot of us hear about on a daily basis, but how much do we really know about the history of our climate. It turns out our Earth's past may hold some clues to its future. Here to walk us through her work in ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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36:31
Adolescent Suicidality in the Spotlight
Evidence-based interventions are so critical to treating mental illness and behaviors like suicide, but the road to developing these interventions is far from easy. Psychology PhD candidate Abby Ridge-Anderson shares more about her path into...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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36:18
Tiny Houses in the Spotlight
While the concept of tiny houses may evoke imagery straight out of a fairy tale, these small abodes help empower women around the world. Here to walk us through this fascinating concept is Alice Wilson, a 3rd year PhD candidate in urban soci...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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27:52
Science Policy in the Spotlight: COVID-19 and Schooling 4
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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37:30
Science Policy in the Spotlight: COVID-19 and Schooling 3
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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27:43
Science Policy in the Spotlight: COVID-19 and Schooling 2
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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30:45
Science Policy in the Spotlight: COVID-19 and Schooling 1
We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the top...
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Season 3
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41:39
Prostheses in the Spotlight
The world of prostheses has been advancing rapidly, but how can we make sure that the benefits are reaped by everyone that needs it? Here to talk us through prosthetic development and equity initiatives in the field is Maggie Swerdloff, a Ph...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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30:12
In the Spotlight Season 3 Podcast Trailer
Welcome to In the Spotlight, the science communication podcast brought to you by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce! This season, we are unveiling a new episode series alongside our normal content, called "Science Po...
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Season 3
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Episode 0
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3:14
Platelets and Immunology in the Spotlight
The world of immunology has fascinated many of us even more since the COVID-19 pandemic, but there's still so much to discover. PhD student Becca Mellema loves microbiology and is here to share a lot of new information - especially fun facts...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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28:46
Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Spotlight
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects roughly 1% of the world's population, yet it's cause remains a multi-faceted mystery. Kicking off Season 3 of In The Spotlight, we welcome Daniel Giffney, a technician working at the University of Edinburgh o...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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26:49
Decarbonization of Natural Gas in the Spotlight
For our season 2 finale episode (!!!) , we're looking forward to new types of decarbonization strategies that can make all the difference in how our energy needs can change to survive climate change. Renewable energy and even more extreme te...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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34:50
The Microbiome In The Spotlight
We live in a bacterial world. Not only are the microscopic organisms all around us, they're found inside our bodies -- living and growing alongside us. Joining us to tell us all about the wonders of the microbiome is Dr. Liisa Veerus. It tur...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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30:57
Bogs and Peatlands in the Spotlight
Bogs are small but mighty - they may make up a small percentage of the Earth's surface, but they are powerful ecosystems that act as "carbon sinks." PhD student Peter Lebrocquy Cox from Dublin, Ireland shares a bit more about these fascinati...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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