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Margaret Atwood is donating 1 million dollars to Western University. The money will establish a new chair in avian biology and honour her late partner and fellow novelist Graeme Gibson who loved birds. We speak with Chris Guglielmo Professor of Biology and Director at the Centre for Animals on the Move at Western University about what this donation could mean for the research of birds and why humans are still so fascinated by them.
Can your body's own biology help it heal? This week I sit down with Dr. Danielle Aufiero, a fellow PM&R physician and one of LA's early leaders in regenerative medicine, to talk about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the wider world of orthobiologics. We separate what the evidence supports from the hype, and talk about who's a good candidate, what recovery actually looks like, and where these treatments fit between physical therapy and surgery.About Dr. Aufiero: Dr. Aufiero is board-certified in PM&R and has more than 20 years of experience as a regenerative musculoskeletal specialist. She has been a partner at the Orthohealing Center in Los Angeles since 2009, and was one of the first physicians in the city to treat stubborn spine pain with PRP. She trained at the Kessler Institute under regenerative medicine pioneer Dr. Gerard Malanga, is well-published in her field with multiple FDA studies and clinical trials under her belt, and is a clinical assistant professor of PM&R at Western University of Health Sciences and adjunct professor of PM&R at Touro University.Dr. Aufiero just opened a new clinic in Beverly Hills. It is a culmination of everything she believes in and practices, anchored in a functional sanctuary designed to make patients feel safe, regulated, and ready to heal. Check out the Fluid Mosaic Method.YouTube link to watch us in this beautiful Venice, CA studio.The podcast episodes drop weekly on Monday's in seasonal chunks. Subscribe to stay up to date, and tune in when you can! Be sure to rate, review, and follow on your favorite podcast app and let me know what other brain & body things you'd like to hear about. For more information about me, check out my website.Follow me on Instagram or Tik Tok @drnatashamehta.This episode is not sponsored.
Send us your admissions questions!What does it look like to leave a successful career in book publishing and build a new path to medical school? In this episode of Accepted's Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Sarah Shirley, an osteopathic medical student at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, about her journey from English and comparative literary studies to book publishing, premed coursework, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) school.Sarah shares how hospital volunteering helped her test whether medicine was the right fit, why career changers need to take their doubts seriously without letting fear make the decision for them, and how she built a med school application around authentic experiences rather than a “checkbox” list. She also discusses letters of recommendation, the value of staying fully present while shadowing, and the journaling habit that helped her make stronger recommendation requests.The conversation also explores osteopathic medicine, including what drew Sarah to the DO philosophy, how osteopathic manipulative medicine shaped her understanding of patient care, and why applicants should learn the tenets of osteopathy before writing their secondary essays. If you are a nontraditional applicant, a humanities major considering medicine, or a premed wondering whether your path is too different, this episode offers practical advice and honest encouragement.00:00 Meet Sarah Shirley: From Humanities to DO School03:21 Finding Medicine Through Hospital Volunteering05:14 Deciding to Pursue the Premed Path08:10 Self-Doubt, Failure, and Changing Careers14:34 Building a Meaningful Med School Portfolio22:29 Asking for Strong Letters of Recommendation30:30 Why Osteopathic Medicine Was the Right FitRelated EpisodesFrom Med School Reapplicant to Current M1 [Episode 609]Inside COMP: What the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Looks for in Applicants [Episode 625]How to Get the Most Out of Your Premed Shadowing Experience [Episode 620]Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553
We're back with our mini-series, chatting with folks on campus who support graduate students in every aspect of life! This week, your hosts, Maris Schneider and Garth Casbourn, are chatting with Melanie Molnar, the Ombudsperson at Western University. Melanie is a professional mediator who supports graduate students as they move through their programs and learn to navigate complex relationships with supervisors and advisors. Tune in to learn more about Melanie's role in graduate life and how you can use the Ombudsperson to support your academic journey. If you would like to learn more about the Ombudsperson or access their services, you can find all of the information here https://www.uwo.ca/ombuds/index.html. Recorded on Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026 Produced by Kuljeet Chohan Theme song provided by FreeBeats.io (Produced by WhiteHot)
In the second episode of season 5, we are looking at bimodal hearing, the combination of a hearing aid and a cochlear implant. Host and co-producer Maryam Othman chats with Dr. Karen Gordon, Dr. Melissa Polonenko and Dr. Robel Alemu! Our first guest is Dr. Melissa Polonenko, Principal Investigator at the PoloLab at the University of Minnesota. Her lab focuses on developing new ways to assess hearing, vestibular, and multi-sensory function and to evaluate outcomes with hearing devices. Our second guest is Dr. Robel Alemu, who recently completed his PhD at Archie's Cochlear Implant Lab. His research focused on binaural hearing in children with hearing prosthetics using behavioural and electrophysiological measures of hearing. Maryam brings her lived experiences into the discussion as she uses bimodal hearing and is a medical student at Western University. This episode looks at the basis of bimodal hearing, how it impacts spatial hearing, auditory development, and how parents of children with bimodal hearing can support their hearing journeys. Transcript of S5E2 PoloLab Website Recorded on Oct 13, 2025 Produced by Maria Khan Music composed and performed by Dr. Blake Papsin, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at the Hospital for Sick Children
In this special National Chicken Month episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Brian Oakley, Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, explains the importance of the cecal microbiome in poultry nutrition. He discusses how microbial communities, fiber fermentation, and cecal activity influence feed efficiency, bird performance, and gut health. Explore how microbiome research is shaping future poultry nutrition strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!Click here to read the full research article!"Microbiome research now allows scientists to understand which microorganisms are present, their functions, and how communities influence poultry health."Meet the guest: Dr. Brian Oakley is a Professor of Microbial Ecology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. His research applies microbial ecology, qPCR, high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, and bioinformatics to poultry nutrition, food safety, infectious disease, and animal health. Before joining WesternU, he worked as a research microbiologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. He earned a Ph.D. in Plant and Microbial Ecology from the University of Washington. Learn more from Dr. Brian Oakley on The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:30) Introduction(02:40) Microbiome transplant(05:00) Performance effects(05:43) Metagenomics and cecal fermentation(10:49) Early microbial colonization(12:44) Matching microbes to feed(15:16) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Fortiva- Poultry Science Association- Anitox- DietForge
“Lupus is a disease of a thousand faces”—and some of its most difficult symptoms are the ones clinicians cannot see."In this episode, hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope are joined by Dr. Zahi Touma to explore cognitive neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They examine the difference between patient-reported “brain fog” and objectively measured cognitive impairment, the cognitive domains most commonly affected, and why symptoms can be so difficult to attribute to the disease itself.Dr. Touma discusses what long-term research reveals about cognitive trajectories in patients with SLE, including why some patients remain stable, some experience persistent impairment, and others fluctuate over time. The conversation also considers the influence of depression, chronic pain, and sleep disorders; the limitations of current blood tests and brain imaging; and emerging research into functional imaging; and potential biomarkers such as calprotectin.Most pertinently, the episode asks what rheumatologists can do now. While better screening tools and targeted treatments are still being developed, the first step is listening to patients, taking their cognitive concerns seriously, and offering appropriate reassurance that impairment does not necessarily mean continued decline.Dr. Zahi Touma is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Clinician-Scientist with the University of Toronto, the Krembil Research Institute, and Schroeder Arthritis Institute. He is also the director of the Lupus Program at Toronto's University Health Network (UHN). His research is focused on patients with systemic lupus and also measurement science, with a particular interest in the assessment of disease activity, patient-reported outcomes, and cognitive function.Dr. Daniel Ennis is a rheumatologist and clinical faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.Dr. Janet Pope is a professor of medicine at Western University and division head of rheumatology at St. Joseph's Health Care London. Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host), David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca
AI is rapidly making its way into healthcare — helping clinicians identify deteriorating patients earlier, improving hospital flow and discharge planning, reducing administrative work, and beginning to change how and where care is delivered. But as hospitals adopt more and more AI tools, a new challenge is emerging: how do you manage, monitor and govern all of it?In this episode of The Unlimited Podcast®, Brian speaks with Mara Lederman, Co-Founder of Signal 1, a healthcare technology company building the infrastructure health systems need to manage AI at scale.Brian and Mara discuss her more than two decades as a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, her experience leading the Toronto site of the Creative Destruction Lab, and what she learned working alongside early-stage technology founders as AI began transforming industries. They also explore Mara's own leap from professor to entrepreneur: why she left academia to co-found Signal 1 with Canadian AI entrepreneur Tomi Poutanen, how the company evolved from developing individual healthcare AI applications to helping health systems manage their broader AI portfolios, and what she has learned from making the transition from advising entrepreneurs to becoming one herself.Mara Lederman is Co-Founder of Signal 1. She previously spent more than two decades on the faculty of the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and served as Site Lead of the Creative Destruction Lab in Toronto, where she worked extensively with early-stage technology companies and helped develop CDL's health-focused programming. Mara holds a PhD in economics from MIT and an undergraduate degree in economics from Western University.Timestamps0:00 Intro and Disclaimer4:38 Mara's path into academia7:46 Teaching as the world evolves11:38 Mara's role at the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)18:04 The beginning of Signal 124:55 "Pivoting" Signal 131:30 How is AI being used in healthcare?37:03 Mara's vision of future healthcare40:19 Setting students up for success47:28 If Mara could do anything, what would it be?49:50 Outro
Our guest is Mahmood Nanji, policy fellow at Western University's Ivey School of Business and former Ontario Associate Deputy Finance Minister.
Dr. Treena Orchard is an author and award-winning professor at Western University. Her work on sexuality, gender, and health sheds new light on human behaviour in the 21st century. She has written for Maclean's, Psychology Today, and The Walrus and been featured in top-tier media like The Social, The National Post, Wired, Global TV, Breakfast TV, The Kit, and Huffpost. Her memoir Sticky Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & The Darker Side of Dating Apps was nominated for Book of the Year & People's Choice by Mindvalley. Treena's next book project Vulnerbro: Men, Masculinity & Vulnerability explores how men cultivate their sense of identity and belonging.In this episode, we explore how stigma shows up in dating apps and swipe culture—and how traditional masculine gender norms affect all of us, including men. Treena reminds us why it's worth taking a chance on perspectives and voices we may not have encountered before: “The more we learn about things we don't know a lot about, the wider our sphere of understanding the world is.”Fun. Affordable. Safe. Inclusive. Not too much to ask from a dating app, right?Join us for a conversation about stigma, gender, dating, and what it might take to create more inclusive ways of connecting.Episode hosted by Dr. Carmen Logie. Supported by funding from the Canada Research Chairs program. Original music and podcast produced by Cozmic Cat, who have various production services available to support your podcast needs.
How do authoritarian leaders use threats, illusions and force to seize and maintain power? And what does it take for truth and justice to prevail? IDEAS explores the rise and fall of pivotal authoritarians and their regimes from recent world history, and asks what we can learn from their eventual downfall. We start our series with the legacy of Italian fascism and its relevance today.Listen to other episodes in this series:How to Defeat Authoritarianism | Augusto Pinochet's ChileHow to Defeat Authoritarianism | Idi Amin's UgandaHow to Defeat Authoritarianism | Bashar al-Assad's SyriaGuests in this podcast:Joshua Arthurs is an associate professor in the Faculty of Information and the Department of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies at the University of Toronto.Robert Ventresca is the president of King's University College at Western University and a historian of 20th century Europe.Aitana Guia is the Mackenzie Papineau Memorial Chair in Modern Spanish History at York University, Toronto, Canada.
On The Power VerticalPodcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Serhiy Kudelia, a Professor of Political Science at Baylor University, and the author of the recently published book, Seize the City, Undo the State: The Inception of Russia's War on Ukraine and Marta Dyczok, an Associate Professor of History and Political Science at the Western University, a Fellow at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs, and author of the book Ukraine, Not The Ukraine.
In this episode of Dean's Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey sit down with Joseph Park, DPM, FACFAS, Assistant Professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine and Program Director of the Riverside University Health System PMSR/RRA Residency.Dr. Park discusses his path through podiatric medicine, from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine to residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, followed by fellowship training in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery.The conversation explores Dr. Park's transition into academic medicine, his role as an educator and residency program director, and his perspectives on mentorship, surgical training, residency preparation, and the future of podiatric medical education.Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, Dr. Park brings a valuable perspective on combining advanced surgical training with teaching and academic leadership.Join Drs. Jensen and Richey for a conversation about podiatric education, residency training, reconstructive surgery, mentorship, and developing the next generation of podiatric physicians.KeywordsJoseph Park DPM, WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine, Riverside University Health System, podiatry residency, PMSR/RRA, podiatric medical education, foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery, ABFAS, ACFAS, Dean's ChatHashtags#DeansChat #Podiatry #PodiatricMedicine #PodiatricEducation #PodiatricResidency #FootAndAnkleSurgery #WesternU #ABFAS #ACFAS
Blair Trewartha is here to talk his second full-length poetry collection, Half-Earth. Andrew talks about going through a writing drought. This one's a banger!--Order Andrew's new chapbook, Fists You've Called Home!--Blair Trewartha's debut collection, Easy Fix (Palimpsest Press, 2014), was shortlisted for the Relit Award. He is the author of three chapbooks: Break In (Cactus Press, 2010), Porcupine Burning (Baseline Press, 2012), and Human Energy (Anstruther Press, 2022). Blair's poems have recently appeared in The Dalhousie Review, Prairie Fire, andThe Fiddlehead. Born and raised on a farm outside of Clinton, Ontario (Treaty 29 Territory), Blair now lives in London, Ontario (Treaty 6 Territory) with his partner, two children, and their hyper Beagle. Half-Earth is his second full-length collection.--Andrew French (they/them) is a queer poet from North Vancouver, British Columbia. They have published four chapbooks, most recently Fists You've Called Home (Pinhole Poetry, 2026). Andrew holds a BA in English from Huron University College at Western University and an MA in English from UBC. They have hosted this podcast since 2019.
SPONSORS: - Visit https://mod.com for a free consultation and get 10% off your first order PLUS free shipping with promo code TOE. - I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE There are three questions people ask about consciousness: what it is, how to explain it, and how to measure it. This episode is entirely the third one. Adrian Owen, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Western University, joins to explain how he detects consciousness in patients thought to be completely unaware — and why he believes thousands have been "hiding in plain sight" for decades. Owen walks through the landmark case that started it all: asking a non-responsive patient to imagine playing tennis, and watching her brain light up like a healthy person's. We discuss the differences between coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and locked-in syndrome, and what recovered patients have reported about their experience — including one man whose memories were sharper than his doctor's. The conversation covers how movies like Taken are used to detect awareness through brain synchronization, why negative results can never prove someone is unconscious, and the ethics of asking a locked-in patient if they want to keep living. This is an in-depth conversation with Adrian Owen. FOLLOW: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e - Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe - Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt - Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs - Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE - PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4 TIMESTAMPS: - 00:00:00 - Trapped Consciousness Detection - 00:05:15 - Total Locked-in Syndrome - 00:10:40 - Wakefulness Without Awareness - 00:15:45 - The fMRI Tennis Test - 00:21:00 - Decoding Neural Intent - 00:26:30 - Mapping the Grey Zone - 00:32:00 - Non-Responsive Patient Lucidity - 00:37:30 - Life-Support Ethical Dilemmas - 00:43:00 - Brain-Computer Interface Futures - 00:48:30 - Hijacking Consciousness via Narrative - 00:54:00 - The Liam Neeson Test - 00:59:30 - Thalamocortical Pathway Disruption - 01:05:00 - Deep Brain Stimulation Potential - 01:10:30 - Anesthetic Awareness Dangers - 01:16:00 - AI and Language Lures - 01:21:30 - IIT Pseudoscience Controversy LINKS MENTIONED: - The Owen Lab: https://owenlab.org/ - Think Before You Think [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/1324075163?tag=toe08-20 - Into The Gray Zone [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/1501135201?tag=toe08-20 - Into The Gray Zone [Lecture]: https://youtu.be/01_ECXZK9dA - Detecting Awareness In The Vegetative State [Paper]: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1130197 - Cortical Processing In Persistent Vegetative State [Paper]: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)77805-3/abstract - Response To 'Minimally Conscious State Or Cortically Mediated State?' [Paper]: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/141/4/e26/4838964 - Risk, Diagnostic Error, And The Clinical Science Of Consciousness [Paper]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25844313/ - A Common Neural Code For Similar Conscious Experiences In Different Individuals [Paper]: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1407007111 - Locked-In Syndrome: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/locked-syndrome - CIFAR: https://cifar.ca/research-programs/brain-mind-consciousness/ - Tests For Consciousness In Humans And Beyond [Paper]: https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(24)00010-X - Early Identification Of Recovery Potential After Acute Brain Injury Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy [Paper]: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12028-026-02605-0 - Consciousness Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk - Michael Levin & Anil Seth [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_kuwwmFnxGY - Iain McGilchrist [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0 - Roman Yampolskiy [TOE]: https://youtu.be/TgFmA-Qwsek - Elan Barenholtz [TOE]: https://youtu.be/A36OumnSrWY - Simon Saunders [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Ihv542rCUns Guests do not pay to appear. #science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory. “Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right's favorite buzzwords. But despite its currency, the meaning and origins of the term are rarely investigated. This book uncovers the bizarre story of the cult leaders, right-wing intellectuals, and White House officials who believe a coterie of left-wing scholars and students is plotting to undermine Western civilization. Drawing on years of archival research and using the tools of critical theory, A.J.A. Woods reveals how a group of German thinkers known as the Frankfurt School was recast as the sinister orchestrators of a global conspiracy. Instead of simply debunking this conspiracy theory, Woods offers a sharp analysis and critique of the political movements that have declared war on all that passes for Cultural Marxism in the US, the UK, and Brazil. Only when we understand the practices and weaknesses of those reactionaries committed to fighting this illusory threat—a conflict causing real-world damage—can we effectively resist. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand the ideological currents shaping politics in the twenty-first century. A.J.A. Woods is an intellectual historian who lives in Brighton, England. In 2022, Woods received a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at Western University, Canada. Their writings on conspiracy theories and reactionary politics have been translated into four languages and appeared in Open Democracy, Patterns of Prejudice, and Marx & Philosophy Review of Books. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics
For our 50th anniversary celebration last October, we spoke with some of Canada's top scientists about their predictions for the future. We revisit our conversations with:Evan Fraser, director of Arrell Food Institute and professor of geography at the University of GuelphKatie Mack, Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsLuke Stark, assistant professor in the faculty of information and media studies at Western UniversityLaura Tozer, assistant professor of environmental studies at the University of TorontoAna Luisa Trejos, professor in the department electrical and computer engineering and the school of biomedical engineering and Canada Research Chair in wearable mechatronics at Western University in London, Ont.Yvonne Bombard, professor at the University of Toronto and scientist and Canada Research Chair in Genomics Health Services and Policy
Depression can turn a loving relationship into a confusing maze: one person is suffering, the other is scrambling to help, and both end up feeling alone. We sit down with Dr. David Dozois, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Western University and author of What to Do When Your Partner Is Depressed, to get practical, research-informed guidance for couples living with depression.We dig into what partners most often get wrong, not because they do not care, but because they reach for the fix-it reflex. Dr. Dozois explains why “connect first” matters, how validation changes the emotional tone, and how advice delivered too soon can feel invalidating. We also talk about depression symptoms like withdrawal, fatigue, and anhedonia, and how understanding the symptom picture can reduce personalization and reduce conflict.From there we zoom out to relationships and mental health through a CBT lens, including Dr. Dozois's dyadic partner schema model and how our beliefs about a partner shape interpretations, reactions, and relationship distress. We also name the hardest part out loud: partners have needs too, and there is no simple formula for knowing when you have reached your limit. The conversation closes with actionable tools, including checking thoughts against facts, problem solving, behavioral activation, and acceptance strategies for what cannot be changed.If you want evidence-based tips for supporting a depressed partner while protecting your own wellbeing, listen now, then subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more couples can find the show.Follow The Menninger Clinic on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new Mind Dive episodes. To submit a topic for discussion, email podcast@menninger.edu. If you are a new or regular listener, please leave us a review on your favorite listening platform! Visit The Menninger Clinic website to learn more about The Menninger Clinic's research and leadership role in mental health.
This episode we are joined by Mr. Steve Fagan - Vice Chairman of Strathcona Resources - a TSX listed energy company with a market cap of ~$9 billion. Mr. Fagan has more than 40 years of experience in the Canadian energy industry, building and monetizing exploration and production companies.He co-founded Strath Resources in January 2017, which later merged into Strathcona Resources, initially acquiring the Kakwa Montney for $280 million and with production growing from approximately 5,000 boe/d to over 40,000 boe/d. Those assets were subsequently divested to ARC Resources in 2025 for just under $1.7 billion.Previously, Mr. Fagan served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mosaic Energy Ltd., a Natural Gas Partners-backed producer where he led the company's transition from conventional development into the liquids-rich Montney and assembled the Kakwa land position.Mr. Fagan joined Addison Energy Inc. in 1999 as part of the leadership team, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 2003, as the company grew to more than 11,000 boe/d through development and more than 50 acquisitions prior to its sale to NAL Oil & Gas Trust in 2005.He founded his first company, Sequoia Exploration, in 1996, after spending the early years of his career at Imperial Oil and Consumers' Gas.Mr. Fagan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland and an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. He holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.Outside of energy, Mr. Fagan is a documentary photographer (Steve Fagan Photography) and founder of the Fagan Foundation, which supports education initiatives in Nepal's Tsum Valley.Among other things we learned about Building 4 Companies in 40 Years: Sequoia to Strathcona.Enjoy.Newsletter: Subscribe HereThank you to our sponsors.Without their support this episode would not be possible:Connate Water SolutionsATB Capital MarketsBunch Projects-*This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as investment advice. Please do your own research, and consult professionals directly before making any investment decisions.Support the show
In today's episode, Haylie Pomroy is joined by Dr. Payam Hakimi, D.O., Medical Director of Body of Harmony, for a conversation she has wanted to have for years. Haylie has used homeopathy since she was two, raised her kids on it, and now has two physicians at the Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine enrolled in Dr. Hakimi's training course. Dr. Hakimi covers how homeopathy works through the immune system to inspire the body to act rather than acting on its behalf, how dilution levels and potency affect speed and depth of response, and why the concept of constitution, the full physical, physiological, and emotional makeup of a person, is central to selecting the right medicine. He also explains what blocked elimination pathways look like clinically and how homeopathic medicines target specific detox organs to release what the body has been holding. If homeopathy has ever felt mysterious or inaccessible, this episode of Fast Metabolism Matters makes it clinical, clear, and actionable. If your body feels like it's running on empty, overburdened, or just not responding the way it used to, Haylie's latest book, Toxic Overload, tells you exactly what to do. Download your free digital copy today and start understanding what your body is trying to tell you. Free Download: Get Your Copy of Toxic Overload
Rod Duclos, Associate Professor of Marketing at Ivey Business School at Western University, joins Up Next to discuss research published in April 2026 in the International Journal of Research in Marketing (IJRM). The paper, co-authored with Amir Sepehri and Jonah Berger, draws on over 160,000 real complaints and five controlled experiments to show that the grammatical voice customers use when filing a complaint reliably predicts escalation risk before any explicit threat is made. The conversation covers the mechanism behind this signal, its limits, the looming AI confound, and what a CMO should do with it.
Turning 18 doesn't mean that a young person is suddenly ready to manage a lifelong illness alone. Between 25 and 75 percent of young people with rheumatic diseases experience a gap in care or are lost to follow-up after moving into the adult system — even though most will require ongoing treatment and monitoring.Join pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Michelle Batthish as she chats with our hosts Dr. Janet Pope and Dr. Daniel Ennis about why transition should be a gradual process rather than a single transfer of care.They explore how clinicians can assess readiness, help patients become more independent with appointments and medications, and support parents as their role changes. They also discuss young-adult rheumatology (YARD) clinics, the reasons patients are lost to follow-up, and the importance of addressing mental health, relationships, and the other pressures facing young adults.Dr. Michelle Batthish is a pediatric rheumatologist at McMaster Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at McMaster University. She is a CanChild scientist and chairs the Canadian Rheumatology Association's Transition Working Group. Her research focuses on healthcare transition and quality improvement in pediatric rheumatology.Dr. Daniel Ennis is a rheumatologist and clinical faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.Dr. Janet Pope is a professor of medicine at Western University and division head of rheumatology at St. Joseph's Health Care London. Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host), David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.We sat down with Brookfield Private Equity CEO Anuj Ranjan. We were live from Berlin, which becomes the “capital of private capital” in June as private equity industry leaders make the annual pilgrimage to the city for one of the marquee private equity conferences, SuperReturn Berlin.With Prosek Partners and former Bloomberg TV journalist Deirdre Bolton as my producer, along with her team, we took over a Tiny Space cabin to hold big conversations with some of the industry's leading alternative asset managers.Brookfield has a rich legacy as an asset owner and operator of some of the “businesses that drive the global economy.” Brookfield is a firm where skin in the game (~25% of every fund includes an investment from Brookfield's balance sheet) meets scale and synergies across its investment platform, which spans private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and energy.Now, they are looking to own what's next.What will the next era of private equity require? A different approach, according to Brookfield Private Equity CEO Anuj Ranjan. The conversation that Anuj and I had in the Tiny Space cabin covered big themes.Brookfield is investing in the megatrends that are driving the world's economy across its platform, from digitalization to decarbonization to deglobalization. The firm's focus on industrials in its private equity business makes it well equipped to invest in essential companies, as Brookfield aptly describes their investment focus as “own[ing] the boring that makes exciting possible.”Anuj and I had a fascinating conversation about the current state of private equity and what it will take to drive value in a new era for the industry where “12 is the new 5.” We covered:Brookfield's history as an owner-operator.How the firm's long-term perspective informs its investments in and ownership of private equity-backed companies.Anuj's experience investing in India was an exercise in patience.Why is today the era of “roll up your sleeves private equity?”How Brookfield is approaching value creation in industrial companies.Where Brookfield believes it can leverage AI to create post-deal operational value.Why Brookfield partnered with OpenAI to create DeployCo in order to scale enterprise AI deployment.Where are we in the adoption curve of physical AI and robotics?BioAnuj Ranjan is Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield's Private Equity Group and Brookfield Business Corporation. In this role, Mr. Ranjan is responsible for the investments, operations, and expansion of the Private Equity business, in addition to managing Brookfield's external strategic partnerships. He is a member of Brookfield's Executive Committee.Mr. Ranjan joined Brookfield in 2006 and has held various positions within the company and its affiliates. He established and previously led Brookfield's India and Middle East operations.Mr. Ranjan holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Ivey Business School at Western University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta.Thanks, Anuj, for sharing your wisdom, expertise, and passion about private markets and how to create value through operating companies better.Show Notes00:00 Welcome to SuperReturn00:07 Meet Anuj Ranjan00:55 From Software to Finance02:03 Building India and Mideast02:48 India Deal Frenzy03:17 Five Years of Patience03:22 Learning Before Buying03:28 First True Buyouts04:06 Profits and Team Growth04:16 Taking Model Global04:32 Growth Amid Headwinds04:58 Roll Up Sleeves Private Equity Era05:06 Operational Value Creation05:12 Brookfield Platform DNA05:33 Balance Sheet Advantage05:54 Long-Term Investing06:12 Patience Gets Rewarded07:14 Testing Tech on Balance Sheet07:32 Owning What's Next07:41 AI Needs Hard Assets07:58 Brookfield at the Center09:09 One Firm Collaboration09:51 Platform Informs Deals11:27 Westinghouse Nuclear Bet15:19 Picking the Right Carve Outs16:34 Pricing Power Example17:51 From Five to Twelve18:59 Why Carve Outs Win Now20:05 AI for Industrial Ops20:53 Data Before AI22:12 Predictive Maintenance Story23:31 Physical AI and Robotics24:52 Digitizing the Physical World25:33 Humanoid Robotics Timeline26:28 Deploying AI at Scale26:56 Execution Beats Innovation27:52 Best AI Investment Thesis28:00 Buying Boring Businesses28:52 AI Ready Leadership Team29:30 Hiring Real Tech Leaders30:00 Blockbuster vs Netflix30:43 Closing Reflections
In this episode of Dean's Chat, Dr. Johanna Richey welcomes Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine students Ritika Surisetty and Kaylin Lam for an inspiring conversation about discovering podiatry, navigating medical school, and shaping the future of the profession. Both students share the unique journeys that led them to podiatric medicine—from dance, neuroscience, and biomechanics to athletics, dermatology, and orthopedics—and discuss how curiosity about movement and lower extremity health ultimately became a passion for patient care. They reflect on Western University's integrated medical curriculum, highlighting the value of learning alongside osteopathic medical students while emphasizing the importance of treating the whole patient rather than simply focusing on the foot.The conversation explores the challenges of medical education, including balancing rigorous coursework, maintaining perspective, and developing resilience. Ritika and Kaylin also describe their involvement in Western's Student Ambassador Leadership Training (SALT) program, where they mentor prospective students, provide honest insight into podiatric medical education, and promote the profession through outreach to high school and undergraduate students. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of mentorship, transparency, and helping future students discover podiatry earlier in their educational journey.A central theme of the episode is diversity and representation within healthcare. Both guests share personal experiences as first-generation and underrepresented students, discussing why diverse perspectives strengthen the profession, improve patient trust, and create meaningful mentorship opportunities for future generations. They encourage students from all backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare with confidence, emphasizing that authentic representation helps inspire the next generation of physicians.The episode also highlights the students' experiences at the Western Foot and Ankle Conference, where they assisted with educational sessions, interacted with leaders in the profession, and witnessed firsthand how innovation and lifelong learning continue to shape podiatric practice. Finally, the discussion turns to artificial intelligence and its growing role in medicine. While recognizing AI's potential to improve education, documentation, and administrative efficiency, the group stresses that technology should enhance—not replace—the human connection, clinical judgment, and compassion that define exceptional patient care.The episode concludes with heartfelt advice for future healthcare professionals: stay curious, embrace lifelong learning, avoid comparing your journey to others, prioritize self-care, and remain open to growth. Above all, the guests remind listeners that medicine is ultimately about serving people with empathy, humility, and a commitment to continual improvement.
Send us your admissions questions!What exactly is—and isn't—a DO? And what does it take to get into a Tier 1 primary care medical school that operates across two very different campuses?In this episode of Accepted's Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with the leadership and a current student from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Lisa Warren, the dean and a COMP graduate; Dr. Marcel Fraix, associate dean for admissions and also a COMP graduate; TJ Pe, assistant director of recruitment; and Sarah Shirley, a rising second-year COMP DO student, walk listeners through what makes this program distinctive.The conversation covers the school's two-campus structure—urban Pomona, California, and rural Lebanon, Oregon—and how the shared curriculum delivers a consistent experience in two very different environments. COMP has now earned U.S. News & World Report's Tier 1 recognition for primary care training for three consecutive years, and the panel breaks down why that matters for applicants.Sarah shares her nontraditional path: a literature degree, a career in book publishing, a mid-20s pivot, and what drew her to osteopathic medicine specifically. The panel also discusses COMP's longitudinal student tracks (business, rural health, sports medicine, and more), the technology-infused curriculum including simulation and AI exposure, and the robust student wellness infrastructure—from free yoga to open-door faculty.For applicants concerned about GPA and MCAT thresholds, Dr. Fraix and TJ offer a candid, encouraging reality check on holistic admissions and the one-year master's program that creates a pathway for promising candidates who don't yet meet full admission requirements.Related Resources:College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health SciencesExperience WesternU (preview day): August 22, 2026Dr. Lisa Warren, dean, Western University of Health Sciences COMP and COMP-Northwest: lwarren@westernu.eduDr. Marcel Fraix, associate dean, admissions and enrollment chair, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation: mfraix@westernu.eduTJ Pe, assistant director of recruitment: pet@westernu.eduFollow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553
A contrast allergy note on the chart can trigger delays, unnecessary steroids and avoided scans, yet often these labels are not clinically justified. A new practice article in CMAJ, “Hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast media,” examines how the labels arise and why the standard premedication rests on contrast agents that are no longer used.Dr. Samira Jeimy, an associate professor and program director of the division of clinical immunology and allergy at Western University and an author of the article, separates adverse reactions into Type A, the dose-dependent flushing, nausea and vasovagal symptoms anyone can get, and Type B, the bizarre ones from anaphylaxis to delayed reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. She notes the weak literature behind corticosteroid premedication is based on older high-osmolality agents that modern imaging has left behind.Dr. Amit Katyan, a radiologist at the Ottawa Hospital and its lead for CT, has built a protocol that works back through the history for signs the reaction affected airway, breathing or circulation, or required epinephrine, an emergency visit or admission. For mild and moderate reactions his team skips steroids and switches to a contrast agent the patient has not had before, an approach he says the guidelines favour.For physicians, the first move is to reverse-engineer the label rather than act on it, since many notes describe an expected physiological reaction rather than a true allergy. A necessary contrast study should not be delayed for steroid premedication when the history points to a mild reaction and another agent can be substituted.For more information from our sponsor, go to md.ca/lifeplanComments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions
Nusha Keyghobadi is a biology professor at Western University who studies mosquitoes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens when the spaces people rely on to connect outside of home and work begin to disappear? The idea of the "third place," first defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, points to the everyday settings that foster community and belonging, and experts say they remain critical to health and happiness. Debbie Laliberte Rudman of Western University, urban planner Corey Horowitz of DIALOG, and cultural programmer Said Yassin examine how these spaces shape social life and what is at risk as cities evolve. Then, a fight to save one of Toronto's most recognizable gathering spots brings that question into focus, as organizers mobilize petitions and pack city hall committee rooms to protect the iconic dive bar Sneaky Dee's, with general manager George Diamantouros on the front lines of a battle over what the city stands to lose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New research is providing one of the first detailed looks at the clinical performance of Nuance Audio Glasses, an over-the-counter hearing solution that has generated significant interest since its launch. In this episode, host Shari Eberts sits down with Dr. Tami Harel, Chief of Audiology at Nuance Audio, to discuss the newly published findings, what they reveal about speech understanding in noise and listening effort, and where this technology may fit within the evolving hearing care landscape. The conversation explores a recently published study from Western University's National Centre for Audiology, which found that the device significantly improved speech recognition in noise while reducing listening effort compared with the unaided condition. Dr. Harrell explains how the glasses use multiple microphones, open-ear speakers, and beamforming technology to address one of the biggest challenges for people with hearing loss: understanding speech in noisy environments.Beyond the clinical findings, the discussion examines why many adults wait nearly nine years before seeking hearing treatment, the stigma surrounding mild hearing loss, the relationship between hearing, vision, and healthy aging, and how new form factors may encourage earlier adoption of hearing technology. Dr. Harrell also shares insights into the future of Nuance Audio and the next generation of its hearing glasses.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.- https://x.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearingVisit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop interviews Joshua Pearce, the John Thompson Chair in Innovation at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Ivey Business School at Western University, about the revolution in open source hardware for scientific research. They discuss how three-dimensional printing, Arduino controllers, and open source designs are dramatically reducing research costs—often by 85-95%—while democratizing access to lab equipment worldwide. Pearce shares stories from his 2013 book "Open Source Lab" and explains how the movement has exploded since then, covering everything from filter wheel changers and ball mills to metal three-dimensional printers and battery research equipment. The conversation explores recycle bots that turn plastic waste into filament, the role of AI in accelerating hardware development, and how open source licensing creates a global knowledge management system where improvements are shared across the scientific community. For those interested in learning more, Pearce recommends checking out the journal HardwareX, repositories like Thingiverse and My Mini Factory, and appropedia.org for open source scientific tools and appropriate technology designs.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and introduction to Joshua Pearce, discussing his work on open source lab equipment and the evolution since publishing his book in 201305:00 Early development of open source hardware including the breakthrough filter wheel changer project built by a high school student that saved thousands of dollars10:00 Discussion of how Arduino and RepRap three-d printers enabled the democratization of scientific tools, making complex equipment accessible to anyone15:00 Economic impact showing average tool savings of 85 percent, with Arduino and three-d printing combinations reaching mid-90s percent cost reduction20:00 Case study of PhD student Mariam building complete battery research tool chain from scratch using open source designs and three-d printed components25:00 Recycle bots enabling transformation of waste plastic into three-d printer filament for pennies, revolutionizing material costs and sustainability30:00 Collaboration between universities and open source companies creating fluid handlers and acquisition systems, accelerating research capabilities globally35:00 Large language models assisting code translation and research planning, though hallucinations require careful verification and domain expertise40:00 Importance of fundamental knowledge when using AI tools, comparing vibe coding acceleration with necessity for understanding underlying principles45:00 Testing standards and calibration methods for open source equipment, balancing precision requirements against cost-effectiveness for specific applications50:00 Metal and ceramic three-d printing developments including MIG welding techniques and sintering processes for creating functional parts55:00 Knowledge management through open source licenses, repositories like Thingiverse and Apropedia enabling global collaboration and continuous improvementKey Insights1. Open source hardware has evolved dramatically since Joshua Pearce wrote his book in 2012-2013, to the point where he can no longer keep up with all the developments in the field. What started as a collection where every single example could fit in one book has exploded into an entire ecosystem with dedicated journals and thousands of researchers contributing. The vision was that scientific papers would eventually include hyperlinks to equipment designs that anyone could download and replicate, and that future is largely here today. There are now so many open source hardware articles being published that no single person can read them all, which represents a massive success for the movement.2. The fundamental breakthrough enabling open source scientific hardware came from combining several key technologies, particularly the RepRap three-d printer project and Arduino microcontrollers. Pearce's introduction to the field came when he needed a sixty-five dollar plastic part for a solar laptop project and discovered Adrian's open-sourced rapid prototyper that could make its own parts. This led to building equipment like a filter wheel changer for testing solar panels with a high school student in about a week, replacing a device that would have cost two thousand five hundred dollars with five months lead time. The democratization of tools like three-d printing and Arduino, combined with extensive code libraries and shared designs, means that even high school students can now create sophisticated scientific equipment.3. Open source scientific hardware delivers massive economic benefits, with the average tool saving scientists around eighty-five percent compared to commercial equipment, and savings reaching the mid-nineties when using Arduino and three-d printing. The economics are so compelling that the tax paid on a normal scientific tool can cover the cost of an open source alternative. A thousand dollar three-d printer can manufacture scientific tools worth more than a thousand dollars in a single Saturday. This dramatic cost reduction makes sophisticated research accessible to laboratories around the world regardless of their funding levels, fundamentally democratizing scientific capability.4. The knowledge management approach enabled by open source licenses creates a powerful collaborative improvement cycle where thousands of people worldwide contribute to evolving designs. When researchers publish equipment designs with strong reciprocal licenses, anyone can use, modify, or even sell the designs, but improvements must be shared back with the community. This creates a dispersed international engineering effort where equipment continuously improves through contributions from researchers across different institutions and countries. The RepRap three-d printer exemplifies this process, starting as barely functional prototypes but evolving through community contributions to surpass commercial alternatives in speed, resolution, and material capabilities.5. The integration of large language models and AI tools has significantly accelerated open source hardware development, though with important caveats about their limitations. LLMs excel at translating code between languages, suggesting experimental approaches, and helping researchers navigate unfamiliar fields by quickly synthesizing information from scientific literature. However, they suffer from hallucination problems and cannot be trusted for writing scientific articles or conducting complete literature reviews without verification. The key to effective use is having enough foundational knowledge to ask the right questions and verify outputs, using AI as a powerful acceleration tool rather than a replacement for expertise.6. Material science capabilities in open source hardware have expanded far beyond plastic three-d printing to include metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites through innovative adaptations of basic equipment. Pearce's lab has developed methods for metal three-d printing using modified MIG welding for as little as twelve hundred dollars, created slot-die coating systems for seventeen nanometer semiconductor layers using converted three-d printers, and developed techniques for ceramic printing through various material mixing approaches. The recycle bot technology enables converting waste plastic into high-quality filament for twenty-five cents instead of twenty-five dollars per roll, dramatically reducing material costs while enabling circular manufacturing practices.7. The infrastructure for sharing and discovering open source hardware designs has matured into a robust ecosystem spanning academic journals, commercial repositories, and specialized communities. Hardware X and the Journal of Open Hardware publish peer-reviewed designs alongside traditional scientific journals increasingly incorporating open hardware sections. Repositories like Thingiverse recently returned to hardcore open source principles after ownership changes and contains millions of designs, while Appropedia serves as a wiki for appropriate technology with thousands of open source designs. The GOSH community hosts annual conferences bringing together university researchers, companies, and independent hardware hackers, while field-specific communities have formed around technologies like the OpenFlexure microscope, creating networks where knowledge accumulates and never gets lost.
Today's crossword was by Jeffrey Martinovic and Evan Park, students at Western University in London, Ontario (go, Mustangs!). It was inspired in part because at Jeffrey's high school they played the William Tell Overture before the school day commenced (very classy!). It was constructed as a result of months worth of brainstorming sessions, and all that effort really paid off. We loved it!Show note imagery: John CENA, ACME's lawyer in Coyote vs. ACME, arriving in theaters August 28, 2026 — mark your calendars!!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Welcome to season 6 of the Runner's Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest's favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Robyn Michaud (@giiwedinanang_kwe) about the spirit of running as an adaptive athlete and her running travels around the world.Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don't forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5SuVm5Q9_-YAbout Stephanie Diaz:Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner's Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/https://thecookierunner.netAbout Dr. Robyn Michaud:Dr. Robyn Michaud is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Education at Western University in Ontario, Canada. She is a 51x road, trail and ultramarathoner and including completing all six World Majors in 2024. Robyn started marathoning in 2012 after being diagnosed with a spinal cord injury called ‘syringomyelia', which is the formation of a cyst within the spinal cord itself. Robyn is passionate about making space in running circles for adaptive runners, as well as Indigenous runners, as she uses her platform for advocating for these two communities. https://instagram.com/giiwedinanang_kwe
ArticlesThe Society of Interventional Radiology Practice Guidance Document on Venous Origin Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women (Read)Comparative Prognostic Accuracy of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Scores and the Freiburg Index of Post–Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Survival in Patients Undergoing Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure for Ascites or Gastroesophageal Bleeding: A Meta-Analysis of Time-Specific Mortality (Read)Intravascular Lithotripsy for Peripheral Artery Calcification: 30-Day and 6-Month Outcomes from the RESTORE ATK Study (Read)Transarterial Embolization to Improve Plantar Heel Pain: 6-Month Results from a Prospective Case Series (Read)Feasibility and Early Outcomes of SingleSession Percutaneous Cholecystolithotomy Using Holmium Laser Lithotripsy Followed by Primary Tract Closure via Cholecystopexy (Read)Percutaneous Image-Guided Screw Fixation Combined with Cementoplasty for Radiation-Induced Pelvic Insufficiency Fractures: Feasibility, Safety, and Early Outcomes in a Multicenter Retrospective Study (Read)HostMarie Hamel, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityAudio EditorAndrew Sasser, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineAbstract ReadersShobhit Chamoli, Armed Forces Medical CollegeTiffany Nakla, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic MedicineAgnes Manish, Loma Linda UniversitySekeena Siddiq, Western University of Health SciencesEmily Jagenburg, Oakland University William Beaumont School of MedicineAhmed Alzubaidi, Wayne State University School of MedicineSupport the show
This week, Thomas sits down with Dr. Ruth Lanius, a renowned clinical researcher and psychiatry professor, for a fascinating discussion on the neuroscience of trauma healing and the critical link between the brain's physical balance system and our emotional safety and stability.Dr. Lanius shares groundbreaking brain-imaging research revealing how trauma creates a profound brain-body disconnect, and explains how her "Finding Solid Ground" therapy helps highly dissociative individuals restore internal synchrony, embodiment, and self-compassion.It's an inspiring exploration into the science of individual and collective healing, the importance of attunement in healing relationships, and the hopeful reality that our brains and bodies can recover from trauma.How do you find your purpose in times of turmoil, upheaval, and change? Join Thomas on Wednesday, June 3rd, to explore this topic in a free, live event: ✨ Your Karmic Blueprint:The Key to Building a Purposeful Life. ✨Uncover the hidden architecture shaping your life and get inspired to forge your path forward with greater clarity, groundedness, and confidence.Sign up for free here
Scientists with the SuperAging Research Initiative are studying a group of superagers - people 80 and up who have the memory of people half their age - to understand what helps them stay sharp. We speak with Morry Kernerman, a lifelong violinist who's 101 years old, and still hiking, travelling and teaching music, and with Angela Roberts at Western University in London, Ont., who's leading the study in Canada, about how biology and lifestyle contribute to aging well.
Want to know how to ace your MBA interview? J.D. Clarke is Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Ivey Business School at Western University, and has worked at business schools for over 25 years. In this episode, J.D. offers tips for nailing the interview by being true to yourself, how to impress an admissions officer, and advice for specific questions. Achievable GRE uses AI-powered adaptive learning to target your weak areas and boost your score - visit https://achievable.me/exams/gre/overview/#s=podcast to try it for free.
Sponsor Link:To get our secial NordVPN offer and save a heap of money, Click HereIn this milestone episode — one away from our 100th — Anna and Avery cover six extraordinary stories: the Pentagon's unprecedented release of 162 declassified UFO/UAP files; SpaceX firing all 33 Raptor V3 engines on the Super Heavy booster ahead of Starship Flight 12; tomorrow's CRS-34 cargo launch to the ISS; JWST's breathtaking new portrait of cosmic buckyballs inside a dying star; never-before-seen mineral maps of the Moon's far side created from Artemis 2 mission photographs; and the American Meteor Society's growing alarm over an unexplained spike in large fireball events across the globe. Stories Covered 1. Pentagon Releases 162 Declassified UAP Files (May 8, 2026) • The Pentagon launched a public portal at war.gov/UFO on Friday 8 May, releasing 162 declassified files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. • Files include 120 PDF documents, 28 videos, and 14 images — spanning sightings from the 1940s to 2025. • The PURSUE program (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters) will release additional files on a rolling basis every few weeks. • The files show no evidence of extraterrestrial contact or government cover-up; they are classified as 'unresolved cases.' • Notable items include footage of a football-shaped UAP near Japan, a white orb over Syria, and Apollo 17 lunar imagery showing unexplained lights. 2. SpaceX Starship V3 Super Heavy — Full 33-Engine Static Fire (May 7, 2026) • SpaceX completed the first successful full-duration, full-thrust static fire of the Super Heavy V3 booster at Starbase, Texas, on 7 May. • All 33 Raptor V3 engines fired simultaneously — the most powerful ground test of any rocket first stage in history. • Previous tests on 15 April ended early due to ground equipment issues; the 7 May test went the full duration. • The Starship V3 Ship upper stage also completed its static fire in April — both vehicle halves now cleared for flight. • SpaceX is targeting 15 May for Starship Flight 12, a suborbital test mission. Starship is central to NASA's Artemis lunar landing system. 3. SpaceX CRS-34 — ISS Resupply Launch (12 May 2026) • Launch: 7:16 PM EDT, Tuesday 12 May from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. • Cargo: approximately 6,500 pounds, including scientific experiments, food, equipment, and crew supplies. • Autonomous docking scheduled: ~9:50 AM EDT, Thursday 14 May, at Harmony module's forward port. • Key payloads: Laplace (planet formation dust study), STORIE (space weather / ring current monitoring), wooden bone scaffold (osteoporosis research), and red blood cell / spleen change investigation. • Watch live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and NASA's website from 7:00 PM EDT on 12 May. 4. JWST Reveals the Birthplace of Cosmic Buckyballs — Planetary Nebula Tc 1 • Western University astronomers returned to planetary nebula Tc 1 (10,000+ light-years away, constellation Ara) using JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). • First detected buckyballs (buckminsterfullerene / C60 molecules) in space here in 2010 using Spitzer; now JWST reveals the full structure for the first time. • Buckyballs are concentrated in a thin spherical shell around the central white dwarf — arranged like 'one giant buckyball.' • JWST imagery also reveals an unexplained upside-down question mark feature at the nebula's heart. • Current theoretical models don't fully explain the buckyballs' observed infrared emissions — multiple new papers are in preparation. • Buckyballs found in meteorites on Earth; understanding their space origins provides clues about organic chemistry and possibly life's building blocks. 5. Artemis 2 — Far-Side Moon Images (Published May 2026) • Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy collaborated pre-mission with Commander Reid Wiseman to plan detailed lunar photography during the Artemis 2 flyby. • McCarthy's image-stacking technique — applied to Wiseman's far-side photographs taken during the 6 April lunar flyby — has produced unprecedented colour mineral maps of the far side. • Colours reveal mineral composition variations (browns, blues, reds) not visible to the naked eye — described as 'cyborg vision' for the Moon. • NASA has released the full Artemis 2 photo archive: 12,217 images now publicly available. • Full archive: NASA astronaut photography public archive (link in episode resources). 6. The 2026 Fireball Surge — AMS Analysis (Published May 2026) • The American Meteor Society reports an anomalous spike in large fireball events in Q1 2026 that 'warrants serious investigation.' • Total Q1 event count (2,046) is only marginally above historical norms; the anomaly is in the SIZE of events — the largest fireballs are happening at roughly double the historical rate. • March 2026: 40+ major events, including a 3,229-witness fireball over Europe (8 Mar), an Ohio sonic boom explosion (17 Mar), and a meteorite through a Houston roof (21 Mar). • 79% of Q1's high-witness fireball events produced confirmed sonic booms — a strong physical indicator of large, dense incoming objects. • Anthelion sporadic source (opposite the Sun) is producing roughly double its normal activity; activity concentrated in a single 1,000-square-degree patch. • Ruling out explanations: not a new shower, not seasonal variation alone, not reporting bias. • AMS calling for expanded automated all-sky camera networks and better cross-referencing with radar, infrasound, and satellite data.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.
Teaching is one of the most underrated ways to advance public health. In this episode, Gordon reflects on his first semester teaching Health Promotion in Western University's MPH program and what the experience revealed about the field itself. From designing a course to classroom moments that genuinely surprised him, Gordon shares the thinking behind his approach and the lessons that stayed with him. Because public health advances not only through programs and policy but through the people we prepare to do the work. The challenges of tomorrow aren't waiting. Neither should the classroom.Host & Producer◼️Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®Production Notes◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music RoomLeave Us Some FeedbackIf you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We'd love to hear what you think.Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.
How does gender affect workplace conflict? Task conflict – challenging ideas to find the best possible solutions – is essential for team innovation, but it carries hidden risks for women. While men are often rewarded with a boost in perceived agency for engaging in task conflict, women are frequently penalized for violating gender stereotypes. This subtle bias can lead to workplace distancing, lost opportunities, and long-term occupational segregation. Overcoming this barrier requires team members and leaders to think critically about their biases, audit their evaluations for gendered tone, and actively create conditions where everyone can safely discuss ideas. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with Dr. Samantha Hancock, an assistant professor at Western University whose research focuses on the challenges faced by women pursuing leadership. Together, they explore how gender bias penalizes women for the exact same assertive behaviors that benefit their male colleagues. Dr. Hancock shares actionable takeaways for individuals and leaders to recognize these micro-biases and build genuinely equitable teams. Keep Up with Samantha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sehancock27/ Try Learning Snippets: https://dialectic.solutions/signup Contact Us to Be a Guest on Just One Q: https://dialectic.solutions/podcast-guest
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary | Astronomy, Space & Science News
SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 52 *Interstellar comet 3i/ATLAS is far more alien than we thought A new study has found that the interstellar comet 3i Atlas must have originated in a much colder star system with lower levels of radiation than our own solar system. *NASA now looking at September to launch its new Roman Space Telescope NASA are now targeting September as the likely launch date for their new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. *The European Space Agency's new Australian dish The European Space Agency has commissioned its second Australian deep space communications dish at its New Norcia complex near Perth. *The Science Report How climate change is affecting the health of people in Europe. Warnings that agricultural soils exposed to glyphosates could be breeding grounds for superbugs. The Pentagon's plans for big a new battleship for the US Navy -- the first since the 1940s. Skeptics guide to the big UFO announcement allegedly coming this year. Our Guests This Week: Professor Kliti Grice from Curtin University Jan Cami from Western University And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary | Astronomy, Space & Science News
SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 51 *Discovery of organic molecules never before seen on Mars New data has confirmed that NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover has identified seven organic molecules on the red planet that have never been detected there before. *A spectacular new understanding of cosmic buckyballs Fifteen years after astronomers first discovered buckyballs in space, new observations have now shown how they're distributed in a shell around the corpse of a dying star. *NASA shuts down another instrument on Voyager 1 to keep it operating NASA has been forced to shut down an instrument aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft in order to conserve power and keep humanity's first interstellar explorer operational. *The Science Report New implants to help sleep apnea sufferers who can't use breathing masks. Palaeontologists have identified a new species of sauropod dinosaur. Artificial Intelligence successfully judge a person's mood by the expression on their face. Alex on Tech: $25 billion for a new Aussie AI centre.Our Guests This Week: Professor Kliti Grice from Curtin University Jan Cami from Western University And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary | Astronomy, Space & Science News
SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 50 *Key ingredients of DNA discovered in the asteroid Ryugu A new study has confirmed that all five fundamental molecules needed to make up the DNA and RNA which underpins life as we know it, have been discovered in samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu. *Discovery of a metal‑rich hot spot tied to ancient Martian lake NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has discovered the highest concentrations of iron, manganese and zinc ever found in the one place on the red planet. *The edge of the Milky Way revealed Astronomers have for the first time, identified where the star forming region of the Milky Way Galaxy ends, finding it occurs some 40,000 light-years of the Galactic Centre.. *The Science Report Study shows young Americans and Australians are less happy now than they were 15 years ago. A new study warns that gay guys with left-leaning political views are the most likely to be gold-diggers. Skynet's Terminators are becoming reality with new bipedal humanoid robots out performing people. Skeptics guide to scientists view on life beyond Earth.Our Guests This Week: Professor Kliti Grice from Curtin University Jan Cami from Western University And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics
Kevin Jones, a native of Toronto, Canada, has spent more than 30 years working in professional theatre as an actor, musical director, director, and choreographer. His many credits include the Broadway first and fourth national tours of Disney's Beauty And The Beast, the Asian tour of Annie, the European tour of Annie Get Your Gun, three productions of Evita, and two of Phantom.Recently, Kevin served as the musicalsupervisor for the Oceania Marina Cruise ship and the Regent Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship, and sailed to both ends of the world as well as Australia and Indonesia. Kevin is an alumnus of Western University in Canada, where he received a B.MUS.ED; and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where he received his certificate in musical theater performance. For 22 years, Kevin has served as the choreographer for the award winning Roanoke Valley Children's Choir.For 27 years, Kevin has served as the artistic director of the KJPAS Summer and Winter Intensives (Performing Arts Camps) in Virginia. As a vocal and acting coach, Kevin has coached hundreds of actors into Broadway shows, national tours, regional theater productions, film, and television shows. Kevin continues to work professionally as an actor, filming television commercials.
Prepare to be floored! This week, we're deciding if carpet conquers hardwood. Jan Caruana's on a roll when she argues in favour of carpet, but Sean Cullen says wood floors are best, plank you very much! Then, from London, Ontario, home of Western University, we're asking: does nothing beat living in a university town? Courtney Gilmour's in-tuition says yes, but Rob Bebenek believes it's better to live far away from any campus.Featuring: Jan Caruana, Sean Cullen, Courtney Gilmour, and Rob Bebenek.
Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as Biomedical Engineering at Western University in Canada. She is also an Associate Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute. Ana Luisa's research combines mechanical, electrical, computer, and software engineering to develop smart machines that can perceive what is happening in the environment and react intelligently. In particular, she is designing wearable mechatronic technologies that can help people recover from mobility problems due to a musculoskeletal injury or a movement disorder like Parkinson's disease. When she's not at work, Ana Luisa enjoys hanging out with her family, reading, putting together jigsaw puzzles, hiking, swimming, and running. She has also been having fun renovating her house, and she has recently been working on completely remodeling one of their bathrooms. Ana Luisa was awarded her B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Costa Rica and her M.A.Sc. in mechanical engineering from the University of British Columbia. She worked as an Applications Engineer for Progressive Moulded Products in Ontario from 2000-2003. She then joined the team at Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics at Western University as a research engineer. Ana Luisa later attended graduate school at Western University where she was awarded her Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering in 2012. Ana Luisa has been awarded the IEEE London Section Outstanding Women in Engineering Award and the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Canada District Volunteer Appreciation Award. In our interview, Ana Luisa shares more about her life and research.