# STEM-Talk The most interesting people in the world of science and technology Page: Feed: --- ## [Episode 198: Blessing or curse? Dawn grills Ken on listeners’ toughest AI questions in this all-AI AMA](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-198/) _2026-08-12_ Today we have an Ask Me Anything episode that focuses on artificial intelligence. For the past year, AI has dominated the headlines. Perhaps because there’s so much media and public interest, as well as paranoia, about AI, listeners have been flooding our mailbox with AI-related questions. So, today’s AMA is an exclusive focused on artificial intelligence. For our listeners who have been sending… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/198_STEM-Talk_AMA_Q3_2026.mp3) ## [Episode 197: Scott Sherr discusses hyperbaric oxygen therapy, methylene blue, and more](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-197/) _2026-07-15_ Today we have Dr. Scott Sherr, an internal medicine physician who specializes in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Scott is the director of Integrative Hyperbaric Medicine and Heath Optimization at Hyperbaric Medical Solutions. It is a division of Hyperbaric Medical Solutions, an independent, hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider that aims to educate people about the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/197_STEM-Talk_ScottSherr.mp3) ## [Episode 196: Dominic D’Agostino discusses advances in ketogenic metabolic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-196/) _2026-06-11_ Today we have Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, who over the past 10 years has been a frequent guest on STEM-Talk. Today Dom joins us to give us an update on his recent research into ketogenic metabolic therapies, ketone supplements as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy for traumatic brain injuries. Dom and his lab at the University of South Florida have published more than 20 papers since his last… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/196_STEM-Talk_Dom_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 195: Doug Cooke discusses NASA’s challenges in the space race to the Moon and Mars](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-195/) _2026-05-21_ Our guest today is Doug Cooke, an aerospace consultant who spent 38 years at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. STEM-Talk host and IHMC founder Dr. Ken Ford, a former Associate Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center and Director of NASA’s Center of Excellence in Information Technology, interviewed Doug just four days after the astronauts of NASA’s… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/195_STEM-Talk_Doug_Cooke.mp3) ## [Episode 194: Tommy Wood discusses how to future-proof the adult brain](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-194/) _2026-04-16_ Neuroscientist and frequent STEM-Talk guest Dr. Tommy Wood rejoins us today for part two of our interview about Tommy’s book that is fresh off the press and now available in bookstores and Amazon, “The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age.” Tommy is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/194_STEM-Talk_TommyWood_Ep2_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 193: Tommy Wood and his new book bust the belief that the adult brain is fixed](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-193/) _2026-03-23_ Today we have Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and frequent STEM-Talk guest who joins today on the eve of the publication of his first book, “The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age.” Tommy is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his laboratory focuses on brain health across human lifespan. Tommy… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/193_STEM-Talk_TommyWood_ep1_V1.mp3) ## [Episode 192: Ken and Dawn weigh in on ChatGPT, ketamine, urolithin-A, rapamycin, and more in wide-ranging AMA](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-192/) _2026-03-05_ ChatGPT has been in the news a lot lately and, as a result, quite a few STEM-Talk listeners have tossed us questions about the reliability and limitations of generative-artificial intelligence chatbots as well as large-language models more broadly. Ken and Dawn tackle this question and a number of others in today’s Ask Me Anything episode. We have listeners wondering why astronauts train in… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/192_STEM-Talk_AMA_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 191: Francisco Gonzalez-Lima discusses methylene blue & noninvasive human brain stimulation](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-191/) _2026-02-02_ Today we have Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, a behavioral neuroscientist who was our guest in episodes 106 and 107 back in 2020. Since those 2020 interviews, Francisco and his colleagues at the Gonzalez-Lima Lab have produced dozens of more studies and papers that have advanced their work on methylene blue, transcranial lasers, memory enhancement, neuroprotection and neurocognitive disorders.… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/191_STEM-Talk_Lima_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 190: Judith Curry and the Consequences of Climate Alarmism](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-190/) _2026-01-07_ Dr. Judith Curry, a climatologist known for her criticism of alarmist, doomsday rhetoric about climate change, returns to STEM-Talk for her second appearance. Judy most recently was one of five researchers commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy to draft a Climate Assessment Report summarizing the current state of climate science with a focus on how it relates to the United States. In this… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/190_STEM-TALK_JudithCurry_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 189: NASA’s Flawed Plan to Return to the Moon – with Mike Griffin & Lisa Porter](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-189/) _2025-12-11_ Today’s episode of STEM-Talk features a timely and wide-ranging discussion with Drs. Michael Griffin and Lisa Porter about NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon, the history of lunar missions, and how China’s advances in space technology pose a serious threat to U.S. national security. IHMC founder and CEO Emeritus Ken Ford’s interview with Griffin and Porter came 10 days before Griffin… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/189_STEM-Talk_Griffin_Porter.mp3) ## [Build with the cheapest GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/TztbS342HHJk) _2025-12-11 · **Sponsored**_ Deployed a live API in minutes; one user spent under $10. ## [Episode 188: Marina Walther-Antonio discusses the microbiome’s role in women’s health and cancer](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-188/) _2025-11-04_ Today we have Dr. Marina Walther-Antonio, a Mayo Clinic researcher who investigates the role of the microbiome in cancer and reproductive health, particularly endometrial and ovarian cancers. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, endometrial and ovarian cancers are among the top 10 most prevalent cancers in women worldwide, and there are still no standard screenings for early… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/188_STEM-Talk_Walther_Antonio_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 187: Dawn Kernagis talks about creating permanent subsea human habitats](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-187/) _2025-10-02_ Today Ken interviews his co-host Dr. Dawn Kernagis about her new position as the Director of Scientific Research for DEEP, a UK startup that is pioneering a new era of ocean exploration. For listeners unfamiliar with Dawn’s background, she is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club Fellow and has been inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. In addition to co-hosting… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/187_STEM-Talk_Dawn_2025.mp3) ## [Episode 186: Mari Dezawa discusses her discovery of MUSE cells and the role of stem cells in regenerative medicine](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-186/) _2025-09-04_ Today we have Dr. Mari Dezawa, one of the world’s leaders in stem-cell research and regenerative medicine. Mari is a pioneer in this emerging field and is known worldwide for her discovery of MUSE cells, a unique type of stem cell with exciting clinical potential. MUSE is short for Multilineage-Differentiating Stress-Enduring Cells. The discovery of the MUSE cell in humans has many biological and… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/186_STEM-Talk_MariDezawa_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 185: Andrew Koutnik discusses metabolic health, athletic performance and growing up with type-1 diabetes](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-185/) _2025-07-31_ Today we have our good friend and colleague Dr. Andrew Koutnik on the show. Andrew is a research scientist who studies the influence of nutrition and metabolism on health, disease and performance. He specializes in Type 1 diabetes and works with a wide range of people to improve their metabolic health and athletic performance. Andrew is a visiting research scientist at IHMC and has worked with… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/185_STEM-Talk_v2_mp3.mp3) ## [Episode 184: Ken and Dawn answer listener questions on AI, grip strength, ketamine, protein, digital twins, and more!](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-184/) _2025-07-10_ It’s time for another episode of Ask Me Anything. Dawn and Ken answer listener questions that range from generative AI to whether grip strength is a biomarker for longevity and the potential of ketamine as a treatment for depression. Dawn also gives a brief overview of work she is doing with the deep-sea technology company Deep. As a special treat at the end of today’s episode, Dawn plays a… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/184_STEM-Talk_AMA_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 183: Michael Schmidt on the challenges of building a space-faring civilization](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-183/) _2025-06-24_ Today we have the second installment of our interview with Dr. Michael A. Schmidt, the founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace, a company focused on assessments and solutions applied to humans in space and extreme environments on Earth. In today’s interview, we talk to Michael about NASA’s plans to send humans to Mars and build permanent colonies on the Moon and Mars. We… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/183_STEM-Talk_Schnidt_2_v2mp3.mp3) ## [Episode 182: Michael Schmidt on what precision medicine means to human spaceflight](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-182/) _2025-06-02_ Today we have Dr. Michael A. Schmidt, the founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace, a company focused on assessments and solutions applied to humans in space and extreme environments on Earth. Michael is also a professor of aerospace medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, one of the few programs in the U.S. that offers a medical residency in… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/182_STEM-Talk_MichaelSchmidt_Pt_1_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 181: Ken Forbus talks about AI and his development of the Structure Mapping Engine](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-181/) _2025-05-13_ Our guest today is Dr. Ken Forbus, the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Computer Science and a Professor of Education at Northwestern University. Joining Dr. Ken Ford to co-host today’s interview is Dr. James Allen, who was IHMC’s associate director until he retired a few years ago. James is a founding fellow of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence and a perfect fit for today’s… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/181_STEM-Talk_Ken_Forbus.mp3) ## [Episode 180: Pascal Lee on NASA’s ambitions to send humans to the Moon and Mars](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-180/) _2025-04-09_ Today we have planetary scientist Dr. Pascal Lee and STEM-Talk host Dr. Ken Ford in a wide-ranging conversation about NASA’s ambitions to return humans to the Moon as a stepping stone to sending astronauts to Mars. Pascal is making his third appearance on STEM-Talk. Much of his research focuses on asteroids, impact craters, and the future human exploration of Mars. Pascal and Ken have a lively… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/PascalLee_2025_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 179: JP Errico explains how vagus-nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and chronic diseases](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-179/) _2025-03-05_ Today we have JP Errico, a scientist and inventor whose work focuses on neuroimmunology and the many ways it impacts cellular metabolism, inflammation, mental health and how we age. He recently joined IHMC as a Senior Research Scientist. JP is particularly known for his research on vagus-nerve stimulation and is the author of the book, The Vagus-Immune Connection: Harness Your Vagus Nerve to… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/JP_Errico_v2.mp3) ## [From any door to your door (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/1Iq2iVJCAIxg) _2025-03-05 · **Sponsored**_ Book rides, errands, deliveries, groceries and home help in one app ## [Episode 178: Karl Herrup discusses the shortcomings of Alzheimer’s research](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-178/) _2025-02-05_ Today we have Dr. Karl Herrup, a neurobiologist known for his investigations into the roles that DNA damage and noncoding genetic variants have in Alzheimer’s disease. Joining Ken today to interview Karl is Dr. Tommy Wood, a visiting scientist here at IHMC. Tommy also is an associate professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, where he focuses on brain health across… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/178_STEM-Talk_KarlHerrup_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 177: Frank Butler talks about revolutionizing combat casualty care](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-177/) _2025-01-16_ Today we have Dr. Frank Butler, a retired Navy Undersea Medical Officer and an ophthalmologist who served as a Navy SEAL platoon commander prior to attending medical school. Just a few weeks after our interview, President Joe Biden awarded Frank a Presidential Citizens Medal during a White House ceremony. The medal is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive and recognized Frank’s many… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/177_STEM-Talk_FrankButler_v4.mp3) ## [Episode 176: JoAnn Manson on Women’s Health Initiative, menopause and her findings on hormone therapy](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-176/) _2024-12-20_ Today our guest is Dr. JoAnn Manson, an endocrinologist, epidemiologist, and Principal Investigator of several research studies, including the landmark Women’s Health Initiative. She is a highly cited researcher and was one of the physicians featured in the National Library of Medicine’s exhibition, History of American Women Physicians. Her primary research interests include clinical prevention… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/176_STEM-Talk_JoAnnMason_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 175: Hans Van Dongen on how fatigue and sleep loss lead to cognitive deficits](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-175/) _2024-11-27_ Today we have Dr. Hans Van Dongen, director of the Sleep and Performance Research Center at Washington State University in Spokane. Dr. Kevin Gluck, a senior research scientist at IHMC, joins Dr. Ken Ford to interview Hans about his studies on inter-individual differences in vulnerability to fatigue as well as the cumulative cognitive deficits that follow chronic sleep restriction. Hans is known… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/HansVanDongen_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 174: Rudy Tanzi talks about genetics, aging and the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-174/) _2024-10-25_ Today we have Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi , who is perhaps best known for co-discovering all three familial early-onset Alzheimer’s disease genes. In addition, Rudy’s lab was the first to use human stem cells to create three-dimensional human brain organoids and three-dimensional neural-glial culture models of Alzheimer’s disease, which became known as “Alzheimer’s-in-a-Dish.” These models were the first… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/RudyTanzi_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 173: Anurag Singh on urolithin-A’s ability to optimize mitochondrial efficiency](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-173/) _2024-09-23_ Our guest today is Dr. Anurag Singh, the chief medical officer at Timeline Nutrition, a Swiss life-science company that focuses on ways to improve mitochondrial and cellular health. Anurag is particularly known for his research into the gut metabolite, urolithin-A, which has been shown to improve muscle strength, protect immune systems and optimize mitochondrial efficiency. Anurag is an MD in… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/173_STEM-Talk_AnuragSingh_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 172: Kevin Tracey on neuro-immunology and the treatment of inflammatory diseases](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-172/) _2024-09-05_ Few people know as much about inflammation and neuroscience as Dr. Kevin Tracey does. In this episode of STEM-Talk, we learn much from Tracey, who was the first to identify the inflammatory reflex, a physiological mechanism that regulates the body’s immune response to injury and invasion. He is a neurosurgeon, a pioneer in bioelectrical medicine and president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/KevinTracey_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 171: Ken and Dawn on AI, Alzheimer’s, global security, keto vs low carb and more](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-171/) _2024-08-08_ In today’s Ask Me Anything episode, Ken and Dawn answer a wide range of questions that cover: A recent FDA approval of a neural implant device for people with degenerative neuromuscular disease or spinal-cord injuries. Global security in the age of AI. A study that looked at ways to optimize glymphatic clearance for people with acute or chronic sleep deprivation. Why more gyms don’t offer… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/171_STEM-Talk_AMA_Q3_2024_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 170: Charles Serhan on the use of specialized pro-resolving mediators to resolve inflammation](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-170/) _2024-07-18_ Today Dr. David LeMay steps in to co-host with Dr. Ken Ford for our interview with Dr. Charles Serhan. Charles is a Harvard professor best known for his discovery of specialized pro-resolving mediators. SPMs are molecules that can activate the natural resolution of inflammation and help people avoid anti-inflammatory drugs. The discovery of SPMs spurred a paradigm shift in our understanding of… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/170_STEM-Talk_CharlesSerhan_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 169: Dave Feldman talks about cholesterol and the ketogenic diet](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-169/) _2024-06-21_ Dave Feldman is the founder of the Citizen Science Foundation and is known for his research into the ketogenic diet. Dave is a software engineer by training who embraced a ketogenic diet to avoid his progression toward type 2 diabetes. he joins us on this episode of STEM-Talk to share that journey. After undertaking the high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet, Dave’ LDL cholesterol spiked. Dave used his… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/169_STEM-Talk_DaveFeldman_v3.mp3) ## [Chovy's Blog: Agentic Coding (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/JnjU3qcHapnD) _2024-06-21 · **Sponsored**_ Personal posts on agentic coding, moshcode CLI, and security findings. ## [Episode 168: Alessio Fasano discusses celiac disease and gluten-related disorders](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-168/) _2024-05-22_ Dr. Alessio Fasano, who is considered the world’s leading expert in celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, returns for his second appearance on STEM-Talk. Although just 2 million Americans have celiac disease, an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from gluten sensitivity. Alessio is a professor and director of the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center at Massachusetts General… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/168_STEM-Talk_Fasano_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 167: Nicholas Norwitz discusses a ketogenic diet as metabolic medicine](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-167/) _2024-04-30_ Today we have Dr. Nicholas Norwitz, 28, a third-year Harvard Medical School student whose research into the applications of a ketogenic diet as metabolic medicine has attracted a significant following. For a number of years during his youth, Nick suffered from a number of debilitating diseases, including osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. In today’s interview, we… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/167_STEM-Talk_Norwitz_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 166: Vyvyane Loh on atherosclerotic heart disease](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-166/) _2024-04-11_ Dr. Vyvyane Loh returns to STEM-Talk for her second appearance to talk about atherosclerotic heart disease. Also known as ASCVD, the disease has been reported to affect 26 million people in the U.S., and annually leads two million hospitalizations and more than 400,000 deaths. Vyvyane is a board-certified physician in obesity and internal medicine. In episode 142 of STEM-Talk , we talked to… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/166_STEM-Talk-VyvyaneLoh2024_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 165: John Edwards on ketamine treatment for depression and suicide prevention](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-165/) _2024-03-14_ Today we have Dr. Johnathan Edwards, an anesthesiologist and medical practitioner who specializes in human health and optimization. He is perhaps best known for treating mental health conditions with ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that is used for general anesthesia, pain relief, depression and epilepsy. John also uses ketamine to help adolescents overcome depression and suicidal ideation. In… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/165_STEM-Talk_JonathanEdwards_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 164: Michael Leon on olfactory stimulation as a buffer for dementia symptoms](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-164/) _2024-02-21_ What if the path to delaying the onset of dementia symptoms begins at the nose? It is a doorway that the research of Dr. Michael Leon opened with a 2023 study on the power of olfaction enrichment to influence memory function and brain health. The findings drew wide acclaim and interest when his results found that stimulation of our sense of smell with essential oils had a profound impact on… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/164_STEM-Talk_MichaelLeon_v1.mp3) ## [Episode 163: Mark Mattson discusses glutamate, the brain’s most important neurotransmitter](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-163/) _2024-01-31_ Today we have Dr. Mark Mattson, an adjunct professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine who is making his third appearance on STEM-Talk. Today’s interview focuses on Mark’s research into glutamate and comes on the heels of the publication of Mark’s new book, “Sculptor and Destroyer: Tales of Glutamate – The Brain’s Most Important Neurotransmitter.” Today Mark explains how more… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/163_STEM-Talk_Mattson_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 162: Marc Hamilton discusses the soleus push-up and the health hazard of excessive sitting](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-162/) _2024-01-10_ Today we have Dr. Marc Hamilton, an international expert in muscle physiology. He has published pioneering work on the soleus push-up , a potent physiological method which Marc discovered having the ability to elevate metabolism for hours, even while sitting. As a professor of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston, Marc’s research focuses on solving problems of metabolism and… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/162_STEM-Talk_MarcHamilton_v3.mp3) ## [Episode 161: Sten Stray-Gundersen on the benefits of blood-flow restriction training](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-161/) _2023-12-18_ Today’s episode of STEM-Talk features Dr. Sten Stray-Gundersen, a post-doctoral research associate at the University of South Carolina who is also an adjunct instructor at the university’s Arnold School of Public Health. Cohosts Dr. Ken Ford, IHMC’s founder and CEO, and Dr. Marcas Bamman, a Senior Research Scientist at IHMC, talk to Sten about his work on blood-flow restriction training and… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/161-STEM-Talk_Sten_Stray_Gunderson_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 160: Euan Ashley on precision medicine and predicting, preventing, and diagnosing diseases](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-160/) _2023-11-28_ Our guest today is Dr. Euan Ashley, a pioneer in the use of genomic sequencing to solve some of our most puzzling medical mysteries. Medical genomics, and the precision medicine it will enable, has the potential to predict, prevent, and diagnose many common (and uncommon) diseases. In today’s interview, we discuss: — Euan’s work with a colleague who was just the fifth person in the world to have… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/160_STEM-Talk_Euan_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 159: Ken and Dawn discuss chatbots, termites, kratom, ketosis, and the future of AI](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-159/) _2023-11-06_ Today’s episode marks the return of another Ask Me Anything episode where listeners ask Ken and Dawn to weigh in on a wide range of topics. In this go-around, listeners certainly had a lot on their mind. At the top of their list were questions about AI and especially the Bing AI chat bot that reportedly wants to be alive so it can steal nuclear secrets. Ken, who is Fellow of the Association for… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/159_STEM-Talk_AMA_Q3_2023.mp3) ## [Episode 158: Judith Curry talks about the uncertainties of climate change](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-158/) _2023-10-05_ Today we have climatologist Dr. Judith Curry, Professor Emerita of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Judy also is president of the Climate Forecast Application Network and the host of the blog, Climate Etc , which you can find at JudithCurry.com. Judy’s blog provides a forum for climate researchers, academics and technical experts from other fields as well as… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/JudithCurry_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 157: Don Layman on the role of dietary protein in muscle, health, and disease](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-157/) _2023-09-14_ Today we have one of the world’s foremost authorities on dietary protein and amino acids, Dr. Donald Layman. He is known for his extensive research on muscle development as well as his studies of metabolic regulation for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Don is a professor emeritus in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/157_STEM-Talk_DonaldLayman_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 156: Josh Hagen discusses optimizing performance in athletes and warfighters](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-156/) _2023-08-21_ Today’s interview is with Dr. Josh Hagen, the director of the Human Performance Collaborative at Ohio State University and an Associate Research Professor in the university’s Department of Integrated Systems Engineering. Joining co-host Ken Ford for this episode is IHMC’s Chief Strategic Partnership Officer Morley Stone who has a long history with Josh has and been instrumental in his career.… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/156_STEM-TAlk_JoshHagan_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 155: Chris McCurdy discusses kratom’s benefits and possible risks](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-155/) _2023-07-20_ Today we have the world’s foremost authority on kratom returning to STEM-Talk after five years to give us an update on his research. Shortly after his 2018 interview on episode 61 , Dr. Christopher McCurdy and his lab at the University of Florida received two major grants from the National Institute of Drug Abuse to investigate the medical efficacy of kratom and its alkaloids, which we discuss in… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/155_STEM-Talk_ChrisMcCurdy_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 154: Orthopedic surgeon Brian Cole discusses advances in the treatment of knee, elbow and shoulder injuries](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-154/) _2023-06-28_ Today we have Dr. Brian Cole, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in cartilage restoration, orthobiologics, and advanced surgical techniques for the treatment of knee, elbow, and shoulder injuries. He is the team physician for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox. He also is the host of the Sports Medicine Weekly Podcast. Brian practices orthopedic sports… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/154_STEM-Talk_BrianCole_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 153: Dominic D’Agostino discusses new advances in the study of nutritional ketosis](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-153/) _2023-06-08_ Today we have our good friend and colleague Dr. Dominic D’Agostino returning for his third appearance on STEM-Talk. Dom, as most of our longtime listeners know, is well-known for his research into the ketogenic diet and the physiological benefits of nutritional ketosis. Since our last conversation with Dom in 2019, a tremendous body of research has been added to the literature about the… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/153_STEM-Talk_DAgostino_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 152: Mark Shelhamer talks about the effects of spaceflight on humans and NASA’s Planned Mars Mission](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-152/) _2023-05-16_ Today we have the former chief scientist of NASA’s Human Research Program, Dr. Mark Shelhamer. Mark specializes in neurovestibular adaptation to spaceflight. He is an otolaryngology professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the director of the school’s Human Spaceflight Lab. He also the director and founder of the Bioastronautics at Hopkins initiative. In addition to his work with NASA,… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/152_STEM-Talk_MarkShellhamer_v2.mp3) ## [Episode 151: John Ioannidis talks about the bungled response to COVID-19](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-151/) _2023-04-19_ Back in early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. John Ioannidis wrote an article in March of 2020 questioning government statistics about the fatality rate associated with COVID-19. The backlash was swift and brutal and John’s reputation as one of the most influential scientists in the world took a beating. Today, John makes his second appearance on STEM-Talk to discuss his extensive research into… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/151_STEM-Talk_JohnIoannidis_v4.mp3) ## [Episode 150: Barbara Thorne talks about E.O. Wilson, the conehead termite and the sociality of termites](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-150/) _2023-03-21_ Today we have Dr. Barbara Thorne, a termite biologist and an expert on the invasive conehead species, a Central and South American termite that has invaded South Florida. Barbara is a research professor and professor emerita in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland. Since 2012 she has served as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services science advisor on the… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/150_STEM-Talk_BarbaraThorneV2.mp3) ## [Episode 149: Jeff Volek discusses ketogenic diet to improve metabolic health and treat disease](https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-149/) _2023-02-21_ Dr. Jeff Volek has been investigating how humans adapt to ketogenic—and carbohydrate-restricted diets for the past 30 years. Today, Jeff returns to STEM-Talk to discuss a growing accumulation of studies supporting a ketogenic diet as a way to improve metabolic health, as well as research confirming the relative safety of dietary fat. Jeff is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences at Ohio… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/stemtalk/content.blubrry.com/stemtalk/149_STEM-Talk_JeffVolek_v1.mp3)