FAU: Ask a Scientist

Dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., interviews FAU Professor, Nwadiuto Esiobu, Ph.D., a microbiologist and biotechnologist in this episode of Ask a Scientist. Esiobu answers questions submitted from fans of the show, ranging from how does a virus generate, how do we find drugs to block the coronavirus disease, how AI is used to find treatments for diseases, the impacts of climate change on viruses such as COVID-19, how a pandemic becomes endemic and much more.

Mathematical biologist, Necibe Tuncer, Ph.D. Tuncer is interviewed by College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., about how mathematical models are used to understand how infectious disease spreads in a population. Tuncer also discusses what information mathematical epidemiologists look for to better understand emerging diseases, such as the coronavirus.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., interviews Behnaz Ghoraani, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who is involved in research that uses engineering to better understand human physiology. Dean Sarajedini discusses how science uses models to explain observations. Ghoraani uses data from patients, and modeling techniques from artificial intelligence, to better treat patients and develop new therapeutic approaches to fight diseases. The scientists discuss artificial intelligence, how it is a decision-making system, and the immersion of science and technology.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., discusses systematic work undertaken to increase the amount of knowledge we have. Ata interviews Associate Professor from the FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Deborah D. Avolio, Ph.D. Deborah talks about how research and adding a core curriculum can help with keeping healthcare providers up-to-date on the knowledge required to counter unmet health care needs such as patients with delirium. This interview was made in partnership with the Research in Action lecture series, as part of the FAU Division of Research.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., discusses what Science is and how it works. He interviews Assistant Professor from the School of Social Work in the College of Design and Social Inquiry, Christine Spadola, Ph.D., who discusses how sleep can impact our health and behavior, and how alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine may impact your night of sleep. Christine also researches health promotion interventions that are accessible to underserved populations.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D. dives into what Science is as a tool. He interviews Chair of the Psychology department, Dr. Teresa Wilcox who discusses her research on the origins of knowledge. Dr. Wilcox looks for where our human knowledge comes from through her focus on babies and their social interactions through people and mechanical entities

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., talks about how science is a self-correcting process through the testing of theories, and the fundamentals of research. He speaks with Rindy Anderson, Ph.D., a behavioral ecologist. Anderson studies the social behavior of songbirds, in particular, the vocal signals of Bachman's sparrows. This interview was made in partnership with the Research in Action lecture series, as part of the FAU Division of Research.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., discusses how a scientific method is a tool used to better understand the natural world. He interviews Gregg Fields, Ph.D., who studies metastasis, or how cancer spreads throughout the body - often considered the deadliest aspect of the disease. Dr. Fields and his research team are looking for ways to stop the spread of cancer. Fields is a Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the FAU Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., discusses the three steps in the scientific method. He interviews Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., who researches the seasonal aggregations of blacktip sharks that visit south Florida during the winter months. Stephen is a Professor of Biology at Florida Atlantic University.

Florida Atlantic University College of Science Dean, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., discusses the scientific method and how science is a self-correcting process. He interviews Kate Detwiler, Ph.D., a primatologist at FAU. Detwiler studies monkeys in their natural habitat, specifically the hybridization between different species of monkeys. She performs research in Gombe National Park in western Tanzania, Africa and other sites in the Congo Basin

Science Dean and professor, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., meets with Bill Louda, Ph.D., a Research Professor whose research focuses on water quality across Florida. Louda discusses the impacts of red tide and harmful algal blooms across the state of Florida, especially here in South Florida.

Science Dean and Professor, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., meets with Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., a Professor of Biological Sciences at FAU. Jeanette speaks about how the environment can impact sex determination of sea turtles, the effects of climate change on incubation temperatures in nests, and the research being performed in the FAU Marine Lab at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.

Science Dean and Professor, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., meets with Maria Fadiman, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Geosciences at FAU and a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Ata speaks with Maria about her research as an ethnobotanist and the places around the world her studies take her. Maria discusses the relationship between people and plants, focusing on conservation and sustainability.

Science Dean and Professor, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., meets with Colin Polsky, Ph.D., a Professor of Geosciences at FAU and the Director of the Florida Center for Environmental Studies, to discuss how science is a tool used to better understand the natural world. Ata discusses the foundational principles of science, and Colin talks about sea-level rise, its impact on the world, and how the scientific method is applied to an issue so large that its impacts are felt across the globe.