Welcome to the fourth episode of our Science Policy mini-series. In this episode, we interview Prof. Andrea Lavazza. Prof. Lavazza is a professor of neuroethics at the University of Pavia in Italy. Among other topics, we discussed what is the field of neuroethics concerned with, how philosophy can help us with informing policy and decision-making, or ethical issues that come with using neuroimaging in the courtroom.   

Welcome to the third episode of our Science Policy mini-series, where Daniel talked with Katie Cooke. Katie participated in our last year's Science Policy Paper Competition with her paper 'Gender Dysphoria: What it is and Why Does it Matter?'. We discussed what is gender-affirming health care, why is it important to allow access to it, and if there is enough scientific evidence to ban it.

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Karl Friston, a theoretical neuroscientist and authority on brain imaging. One of the most influential neuroscientists in history, Dr. Friston invented statistical parametric mapping (SPM), voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and dynamic causal modeling (DCM), and has been cited over 245,000 times. The free-energy principle is his major contribution to theoretical neurobiology, and serves as a unified theory for how the brain acts and perceives information. 

LINKS: Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging - https://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/. Dr. Friston’s Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_J._Friston

Written and produced by Ayushe Sharma, Chaoqun Yin and Elizabeth Burnette.

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this special Halloween episode, Knowing Neurons interviews Drs. Bradley Voytek and Timothy Verstynen, authors of Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep, about zombie neuroscience and science communication. Learn more about Bradley and Tim at voyteklab.com and cognitiveaxon.com and follow them on Twitter @bradleyvoytek and @TDVerstynen.
Written and produced by Ayushe Sharma, Chaoqun Yin and Elizabeth Burnette.

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

[Spanish Exclusive Episode] 

Knowing Neurons entrevista al Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau, Profesor de Neurología en UCLA, sobre su carrera como médico científico, su viaje educativo y la identidad y representación hispana y latina dentro del campo de las ciencias. Obtenga más información sobre el laboratorio de Dr. Portera en porteralab.dgsom.ucla.edu. Escrito y producido por Jayleska Johnson, Daniela Semerjian y Jenna Hartstein. Música de Kevin MacLeod.

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau, Professor of Neurology at UCLA, about his career as a physician scientist, his educational journey, and Hispanic/Latino identity and representation within the field of science. Learn more about the Portera lab at porteralab.dgsom.ucla.edu. Written and produced by Jayleska Johnson, Daniela Semerjian, and Jenna Hartstein. 

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Ashley Juavinett, Assistant Teaching Professor at UC San Diego and author of "So You Want to be a Neuroscientist." Follow Ashley on twitter at @analog_ashley and on instagram at @neurosciencepaths.
Written and produced by Chaoqun Yin and Elizabeth Burnette.

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to the second episode of our Science Policy mini-series, where we interview Kathleen Carmichael. Kathleen participated in last year's ⁠Science Policy Paper competition⁠ with her paper, ⁠'Revealing Injured Minds: Harnessing Cutting-Edge Neuroimaging for Enhanced Brain Injury Claim Validity'⁠. We discuss the different issues she touches upon in her work, such as the challenges that come with the potential use of neuroimaging measures in the courtroom. These include but are not limited to education, privacy, and accessibility.

Kathleen's social media:

⁠Twitter⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Additional Science Policy Pieces by Kathleen:

The Brain in the Courtroom: Neuroscience’s Influence on the Criminal Justice System. (Essay/Opinion piece)

Science Policy Around the Web – August 22, 2023: Family of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken for research, settles with company that profited. (Article summary)

Science Policy Around the Web – April 28, 2023: Complaints grow over $1 billion U.S. Antarctic icebreaker design. (Article summary)

Written and produced by Daniel Janko, Rana El-Danaf, Bharti Upparu, and Knowing Neuron's Science Policy team

Music Used: 

"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo⁠⁠

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 

⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠ 

"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea⁠⁠ 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 

⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠ 

"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-⁠⁠relax⁠⁠

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the first episode of our Science Policy mini-series, Knowing Neurons interview Erin Morrow. Erin participated in last year's Science Policy Paper competition with her paper, 'The Truth is in Your Eyes: Regulating the Covert Use of Pupil Biofeedback'. We discuss the different issues she touches upon in her work as well as other ethical concerns related to the latest developments in the filed of brain-computer interface.

Erin's social media:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Written and produced by Daniel Janko, Rana El-Danaf, Bharti Upparu and Knowing Neuron's Science Policy team

Music Used: 

"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo⁠

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 

⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠ 

"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea⁠ 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 

⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠ 

"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: ⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax⁠

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Bradley Love, Professor of Cognitive and Decision Sciences at University College London and an inaugural Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. In this episode, we discuss his views on Marr's levels of analysis, computational modeling for studying the brain, and his interdisciplinary research into cognitive science and artificial intelligence. Learn more about Bradley's research at http://bradlove.org/.

Papers discussed: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022249616000031

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=H8dnlegAAAAJ&citation_for_view=H8dnlegAAAAJ:eflP2zaiRacC

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=H8dnlegAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=H8dnlegAAAAJ:ZzlSgRqYykMC

Written and produced by Ebrahim Feghhi, Elizabeth Burnette, Chaoqun Yin, Danny Kusko, and Ayushe Sharma.

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Sara Manning Peskin, clinical neurologist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of "A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales from the Hijacked Brain." We discuss Sara’s scienctific and medical background and writing career, as well as the science, history, and diagnostic detective work behind the fascinating set of stories and characters featured in the book itself.
Written and produced by Chaoqun Yin, Elizabeth Burnette, Ebrahim Fegghi, Danny Kusko, and Ayushe Sharma.

Music Used:
"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Pamgaea" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

[Spanish Exclusive Episode]

Knowing Neurons entrevista al la Dra. Stephanie Correa, profesora en el departamento de biología integrativa y fisiología de UCLA. En este episodio, la Dra. Correa explica su viaje para convertirse en investigadora, el trabajo que hace en su laboratorio y los obstáculos que enfrentó como científica latina. El laboratorio de la Dra. Correa estudia cómo las hormonas reproductivas afectan la temperatura y el equilibrio energético. Obtenga más información sobre su laboratorio aquí https://sites.lifesci.ucla.edu/ibp-correalab/. Escrito y producido por Keya Vijapure. 

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Stephanie Correa, a UCLA professor in the department of integrative biology and physiology. In this episode, Dr. Correa explains her journey to becoming a researcher, the work her lab does, and the obstacles she faced as a latina scientist. Dr. Correa's lab studies the effects of reproductive hormones on temperature and energy balance. Learn more about her lab at https://sites.lifesci.ucla.edu/ibp-correalab/. Written and produced by Keya Vijapure. 

Music Used:

"Bleeping Demo" by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Study and Relax" by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

En este episodio, la Dra. Carla Suhr y el Dr. Rafael Romero nos comparten cómo el Proyecto de Divulgación y Traducción de Knowing Neurons ha roto barreras idiomáticas en la comunicación científica, combinando neurociencia y lingüística para hacer el conocimiento más accesible en español. Exploramos su impacto en la educación, la divulgación y la comunidad científica, un esfuerzo reconocido con el premio SfN Next Generation 2022.

Produced by: Natalia Padillo-Anthemides, Brenda Leyva, and Alba Peris

Join Larissa, Johanna, LanVi, and Lisa as they dive into the journey of doing a PhD in Europe! From tips on finding the perfect lab and navigating the application process to tackling your research and defending your dissertation, this series is packed with advice, personal stories, and practical insights for aspiring academics.

Produced by: Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, LanVi Nguyen, and Daniel Janko

Graphics: Maria Vogel

The Chatting Neurons podcast showcases the exciting work of early-career researchers in neuroscience, offering engaging conversations that demystify complex topics. Hosted by Daniel, each episode highlights the journey and discoveries of a new guest, making cutting-edge research accessible to all. Listeners are invited to join the conversation by signing up via the link in the show notes.

Fill out the questionnaire, and we will reach out.

Megan Hall

Participate in one of Megan's studies.

Produced by Daniel Janko

Graphics: Kaitlyn Niznik

In this episode we get to know Jana, who is currently working on her PhD in the field of biomedical engineering at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She shares insights into her fascinating research on creating tiny hearts using human stem cells (organ-on-a-chip), which can be used for disease modeling and have the potential to reduce the need for animal testing. We also explore how her work connects to neuroscience and discuss career opportunities for PhD candidates beyond academia.

Produced by: Greta Sandow, Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, and LanVi Nguyen

Graphics: Maria Vogel

In this episode, our guest, Huseyin, takes Greta on his academic journey—from becoming a medical doctor in Ukraine to pursuing his Master's in Neuroscience in Scotland and finally his PhD on psychedelics in the Netherlands. He shares his experiences of discovering his passion for neuroscience, the challenges of finding a suitable PhD position and securing funding. Huseyin also offers his personal insights into the academic systems in Cyprus, Ukraine, and the Netherlands.

Disclaimer: Some topics in this episode might be sensitive. While we believe it is important to share personal experiences, these stories do not reflect everyone's reality or academic systems as a whole. The views of our guests are exactly that—personal experiences. Please note that opinions shared in this podcast do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the hosts.

Produced by: Greta Sandow, Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, and LanVi Nguyen

Graphics: Maria Vogel

In this episode of PhD Deep Dive, host Lan Vi sits down with Diana and Marta, two neuroscientists who began their academic journey together in the same lab in Madrid—but chose very different paths after completing their PhDs.

Marta is currently pursuing her PhD in Switzerland, continuing her path in academia, while Diana made the leap into industry and now works as a Data Analyst. Together, they break down the key differences between these two worlds: from application processes, day-to-day responsibilities to how PhD-acquired skills transfer into each career.

Whether you're navigating your final year of a PhD or wrestling with your next move, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal reflections, and insider tips—including how hiring decisions are made in industry, what life looks like in academia, and why it's important not to compare your path to others.

Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation that will help you choose your next step with confidence!

In this episode, we meet Troy, a second-year PhD student at the Donders Institute in the Netherlands. We talk about his research on inhibitory bouton removal using two-photon microscopy, and what everyday life in academia looks like — the challenges, the joys, and the things in between. Troy also shares how he found his way into his PhD program, what the application and interview process was like, and offers advice for anyone thinking about pursuing a PhD.

Produced by: Greta Sandow, LanVi Nguyen, Johanna Popp, Larissa Weyler, Lisa-Sophie Wüstner

Graphics: Maria Vogel

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Michal Milczarek, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. In this episode we discuss Dr. Milczarek's upcoming talk at the British Neuroscience Association's Festival of Neuroscience, the challenges of modeling schizophrenia, and his career path as a postdoctoral researcher.

Produced by: Ashley Adamson & Teel Walters

Illustration: Maria Vogel

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Kirsty McMillan, Tenure-Track Fellow at the University of Liverpool. In this episode we discuss Dr. McMillan's upcoming talk at the British Neuroscience Association's Festival of Neuroscience, the importance of science communication, and her path recently establishing her independent lab.

Produced by Ashley Adamson and Teel Walters

Illustration - Maria Vogel

Visit the BNA website

McMillan lab webiste

In this episode of PhD Deep Dive, Greta chats with Mrutyunjaya Panda (aka Jay) about his journey from India to Europe — and the surprising differences in how science is practiced differently across continents. They unpack everything from academic culture shocks to what truly helps you grow as a researcher. From information overload to the myth of multitasking, this episode dives into strategies to think deeper and work smarter.

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. William Pettersson-Yeo, an Academic Clinical Fellow and a member of the British Neuroscience Association. In this episode we discuss Dr. Pettersson-Yeo's research on first episode psychosis using AI as a tool to identify patients with treatment-resistant psychosis.

Be sure to check out the rest of the BNA 2025 content and join as a member. By joining the BNA you will be part of a vibrant, progressive community of over 3000 neuroscientists from across all sectors, helping to define and deliver the future of neuroscience. BNA members also receive benefits including free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Associations (FENS), access to reduced fees for the US-based Society for Neuroscience (SfN) annual meeting, and eligibility for prizes, bursaries and funding.

En este episodio, exploramos la trayectoria científica de la Dra. Angélica Torres-Berrio como mujer latinoamericana y bilingüe. Nacida en Colombia, realizó su licenciatura en Psicología en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, su maestría en Neurociencia en la Universidad de Sevilla, su doctorado en la Universidad McGill y su postdoctorado en Mount Sinai en Nueva York. Actualmente, dirige un laboratorio en la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard y es Directora de Investigación Social y Cognitiva en el Lurie Center for Autism del Hospital General de Massachusetts. También conversamos sobre su compromiso con la educación y la inclusión a través de iniciativas como STEM sin Fronteras, Neuro Diáspora Colombia y el Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias.

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Emma Muller, a clinical psychology PhD student at the University of Kansas, and Dr. Neda Jahanshad, an assistant professor in Neurology at University of Southern California. They discuss our limited understanding of menopause, despite its prevalence in society, and highlight the research participants that make learning more about brain health possible. They also discuss short term and long term policy actions in this space.

Guests:

Emma Muller

Dr. Neda Jahanshad, PhD

Episode Notes/Relevant links:

● Emma’s policy paper

● Wellcome Leap Initiative, CARE Program

● BALANCE Docuseries

● Office of Research on Women’s Health

● Society for Women’s Health Research

● Women’s Brain Foundation

● North American Menopause Society

● Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

● Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act

● My Menoplan

● Hormone Therapy Warning Label and Controversy

● After Decades of Misunderstanding, Menopause is Finally Having Its Moment

Link to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons

Produced by Jessica Froula and Katie Chan

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Anna Rader Groves, a PhD candidate at

Georgia State University, and Margaret Master, MBA, MPH, who serves as the current Executive Director of

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. They discuss key issues in maternal healthcare,

resources available to families in Georgia, and challenges faced by advocates in this policy space.

Guests:

Anna Rader Groves

Margaret Master, MBA, MPH

Episode Notes/Relevant links:

● Anna’s policy article

● HMHBGA Perinatal Mental Health Resource Guide

● HMHBGA 2025 State of the State Report

● HMHBGA Legislative Tracking Tool

● Implicit Bias bill introduced in GA state house in 2025

● Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank and their 10-Year Retrospective Report

● Maternal Mortality Review (MMRIA) data

● Postpartum Support International (PSI) - Georgia

● PEACE for MOMS

● Mobile clinic: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

● GEEARS

Link to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons

Produced by Jessica Froula

Knowing Neurons talks with Elizabeth, Nada, Maarten, and Eric about brain-computer interfaces and their use across medical and consumer spaces. Elizabeth and Maarten, both neuromodulation researchers, discuss brain-computer interfaces in the research setting, which includes testing safety as well as potential efficacy for therapies. Nada outlines challenges on the ethics side, including engaging larger groups of both study participants and consumers. Senator Lucero brings expertise about the legislative process and data privacy at large. Together, all the guests consider how to best approach regulation of brain computer interfaces as the industry grows and spreads across different aspects of our lives in healthcare and beyond.

Guests:

Dr. Elizabeth Bottorff, PhD

Nada Salem, MSc

Dr. Maarten Ottenhoff, PhD

Minnesota State Senator Eric Lucero

Episode Notes/Relevant links:

●       Elizabeth’s policy paper

●       Nada’s policy paper

●     BrainGate

●     Eric’s bill

●     Insulin pump cybersecurity risk

●      Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC)

●       FDA Investigational Device Exemption

●     Institutional Review BoardI (IRB) 101

●     MnDRIVE

Link to Knowing Neurons’Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons

Produced by Jessica Froula