Using the Power of Biophysics to Understand Pain and Other Medical Conditions Pain. The word itself is enough to make one cringe. But to bioengineer Siddhartha Sikdar, pain — especially chronic pain, the biophysics of it and how to devise technology to localize and treat it at key trigger points — is a major focus… Learn more
Ken Shields: Engaging America in the Excitement of the International Space Station Space and cosmos exploration. These words alone are enough to conjure up images of science and engineering at its best. Ken Shields, as Director of Flight Operations and Educational Opportunities for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), is responsible for… Learn more
Matthew Scott Leads Carnegie Institution´s Collaborative Quest In Science Research When Matthew P. Scott, Ph.D., was named president in 2014 of the prestigious Carnegie Institution for Science headquartered in Washington, DC, he was well prepared to assume the high-profile position, having gained a national reputation as a leading scientist in his field, including at Stanford… Learn more
Exciting Insights Into How the Brain Makes Decisions and Pays Attention What guides and influences us in the decisions we make? Past research indicates that our choices, both voluntary and involuntary, are separate processes in the brain. But, studies by cognitive neuroscientist Sarah Shomstein show that these processes are linked and decisions are ultimately made… Learn more
From Parasites and Bad Weather to the Big Bang – Writing Science Books That Pique Kids’ Imagination “Writing about science for kids gives me an excuse to follow my own curiosity about all sorts of fascinating subjects,” says science author and educator Paul Fleisher. “It gives me permission to ask people questions I might otherwise… Learn more
Applying Mathematical Principles to the ‘Real World’ Padmanabhan “Padhu” Seshaiyer grew up in his native India dreaming about how to solve “real world” problems through mathematics. Now, a noted mathematician at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA where he is living out his passion, Padhu is also on a personal mission to change the often-negative… Learn more
Saving the World’s Endangered Coral Reefs: A Renowned Smithsonian Biologist Voices an Urgent Ecological Concern This is an ecological situation that should concern all of us: the world’s coral reefs are in danger of disappearing. “In the Caribbean alone over the last three decades we’ve lost 80 percent of all corals,” says renowned coral reef biologist… Learn more
Revealing the Secrets to Delicious Cooking Through Chemistry! Ever wonder what the secret is to making perfect ice cream? Or how to make a delectable macaroni and cheese dish, or to-die-for jellies and jams? No, you don’t have to go to culinary school to learn. Try attending ¨The Chemistry of Cooking¨, a wildly popular undergraduate… Learn more
View From Space: A NASA Shuttle Flight Veteran Shares Her Fascinating Experiences as an Astronaut and Environmental Engineer! As a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions during her career at NASA, Mary Cleave was privileged to fascinating, breath-taking views of Earth and its lower atmosphere that few of us will ever experience. It was those glimpses… Learn more
Biomedical Engineering: Taking Those Extra Steps to Expand Your Career If you are thinking about a career in science or engineering, Katie Gerbensky Serrano recommends that you not only be academically astute in such essential subjects as math, biology, chemistry and physics, but also take two extra steps in college to expand your horizons, especially… Learn more
