Discovering Academia

#086 - Richard Miller: There Is No "Mechanism" of Aging

Professor Richard Miller of the University of Michigan, a leading expert in the biology of aging, joins us to redefine what aging is and how we can slow it down.
Discover the groundbreaking work of the Interventions Testing Program (ITP), which has identified over a dozen compounds—including the drug Rapamycin—capable of extending the healthy lifespan of mice by up to 30%. Miller reveals why this level of lifespan extension is considered ten times more effective than finding a complete cure for all adult cancers.
We dive into his revolutionary concept of "Aging Rate Indicators" (the biological "speedometer") and how this new metric is essential for filtering promising anti-aging drugs in mere months, bypassing the need for decades-long clinical trials. Learn why the search for a single "mechanism of aging" is a flawed approach and why widely popular concepts like cellular senescence and telomeres are considered scientific "zombie ideas".
If you're interested in the future of longevity and the science behind the most effective anti-aging drugs, this episode provides an unfiltered look at the cutting edge of biogerontology.
 
For more information, please see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/richard-miller
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#085 - Steven Austad: Riding Lions and Unlocking the Secrets of Aging

Steven Austad is a Distinguished Professor and the Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as the Scientific Director of the American Federation for Aging Research. A former Hollywood lion trainer turned leading biologist, Austad explores the evolutionary and biological mechanisms that control how fast we age.
In this episode, we dive into the science of longevity — from why island opossums age slower to what birds can teach us about extending human healthspan. We also discuss why women consistently live longer than men, despite facing more health challenges in old age, and the flaws in how aging research is conducted in sterile lab environments. Finally, Austad shares insights behind his famous $100 million bet that someone alive today will live to 150.
Topics: longevity science, women’s lifespan, comparative biology, aging research, healthspan extension, evolutionary biologyFor more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/steven-austadThis presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#084 - Ying Lu: How Cells Recycle Protein and Prevent Alzheimer's

Ying Lu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School. His work combines physics, biochemistry, and quantitative methods to understand the fundamental mechanisms of biological processes, particularly protein degradation. In this episode, we discuss why curiosity is the most powerful engine for scientific breakthroughs, from the discovery of CRISPR to modern weight-loss drugs. We explore the cell’s sophisticated quality control system, where a "barcode" tag called ubiquitin marks unwanted proteins for destruction by a nanoscale "shredder." Professor Lu explains how failures in this system are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer, and how his research could lead to new therapies that either inhibit or boost this process to restore health.
 
For more information about this episode, visit our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/ying-lu
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#083 - Homa Bahrami: Super-Flexibility, Agile Organizations, & The Evolution of Silicon Valley

#083 - Homa Bahrami: Super-Flexibility, Agile Organizations, & The Evolution of Silicon Valley
In this episode, we talk with Homa Bahrami, Senior Lecturer at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, about how leaders and organizations can thrive in constant change. We explore her concept of super-flexibility—the ability to balance stability with adaptability—through insights drawn from decades of research in Silicon Valley.
From the dot-com boom to the AI revolution, Homa breaks down what it takes to lead in a fluid world. Whether you're launching a startup or navigating a corporate career, her advice on mindset, mentorship, and agility is timely and actionable.
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/homa-bahrami
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#082 - Amber Boydstun: Media Storms, Social Media, and the Battle for Your Attention

Feeling overwhelmed by the news? UC Davis Prof. Amber Boydstun explains "media storms" – why some stories dominate while others fade – and breaks down the challenges of getting reliable info from social media vs. traditional news. Learn why deep dives still matter in our fast-paced world.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/amber-boydstun
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#081 - Manvir Singh: Shamanism, Psychedelics, and Our Shared Humanity

Why do humans everywhere tell stories, make music, and believe in the unseen? Professor Manvir Singh, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis, dedicates his research to understanding why human societies around the world develop such recurring traditions – from shamanism and religion to music and legal systems.
In this episode, join us on a journey through the heart of human culture as Professor Singh shares insights from his immersive fieldwork with the Mentawai people of Indonesia. We dive deep into his investigations into shamanism, exploring how these ancient practices help people create order out of chaos, and uncover the complex and significant role altered states of consciousness and psychedelics have played in human societies for millennia. Tune in to explore what makes these traditions stick and how these powerful experiences have profoundly shaped what it means to be human!
 
For more information, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/manvir-singh
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#080 - Grant Cornwell: The Need for Liberal Arts Education and Freedom of Inquiry in American Universities

Is free speech truly alive on college campuses? Rollins College President, and nationally recognized advocate for liberal arts education, Grant Cornwell tackles tough questions about academic freedom, why classrooms shouldn't be "intellectually safe spaces," and the enduring value of a liberal arts degree for tackling global issues and strengthening democracy.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/grant-cornwell
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#079 – Paul Griffin: Climate Risk, Business Resilience, and Innovation in a Changing World

How do businesses price the risks of climate change, from wildfires to hurricanes? UC Davis Professor Paul Griffin breaks down climate risk, corporate responsibility, and how tech like AI is changing environmental accountability. Tune in to understand the future of sustainable business and why facing reality is key.
 
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/paul-griffin
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#078 - Erin Kinnally: What Monkeys Teach Us About Stress and Resilience

Erin Kinnally is a biological psychologist and core scientist at the California National Primate Research Center. Her work explores how early life experiences—like maternal care or social stress—can shape biology, behavior, and even gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.
In this episode, we unpack how Erin studies primates to better understand human development, discussing the ways stress can become biologically embedded, how maternal traits like "friendliness" or "impulsivity" affect infant outcomes, and how interventions during early life may support resilience. We also dive into the ethics of primate research, the nuance of working across disciplines, and why behavioral assessments matter for both monkeys and people.
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/erin-kinnally
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#077 - Marissa Baskett: How Math Can Help Save Our Oceans

What do sea urchins, disappearing kelp forests, and coral gene editing have in common? In this episode, we sit down with UC Davis professor Marissa Baskett to explore how science can help restore and protect ocean ecosystems in a changing climate. She explains why kelp forests off the Northern California coast collapsed, how disease wiped out key predators like sea stars, and what scientists are doing now—like reintroducing predators, removing urchins, and even selecting heat-tolerant coral for future restoration. We also talk about how math and modeling help guide conservation decisions, and why working with local communities is key to success. If you care about the ocean and want to understand how real solutions come together, this episode is for you.
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/marissa-baskett
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.