Dr. Theofanopoulou studies neural circuits behind sensory-motor behaviors like speech and dance, aiming to develop drug- and arts-based therapies for brain disorders. Her brain imaging research reveals overlapping motor cortex regions controlling muscles for speech and dance, while transcriptomic studies show upregulation of the oxytocin gene pathway in key areas like the motor cortex and brainstem. Using zebra finches, Bengalese finches, white-rumped munias, and humans, she demonstrates oxytoci...
Feb 24, 2025•27 min
Humans are an intensely social species. We experience social interactions as rewarding from infancy, and the social cognitive skills that we develop in the context of our earliest interpersonal attachments are critical for our survival and personal well being. Lack of social connection is common in many psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. In some disorders, like autism spectrum disorder, social cognition and social interaction impairments are the defining, core feature. Yet, despite th...
Feb 21, 2025•25 min
Human beings show a range of emotional attachment, affection, and infatuation often referred to as “love”. Love promotes long-lasting and secure relationships that involve nurturing and support. Biological mechanisms underlying such behavior involve ancient neuropeptides and their receptors in the brain. These systems are also involved in reproduction, ranging from mating and pair-bonding, to giving birth and lactation. They shape the earliest experiences of all mammals and their mothers. The co...
Feb 19, 2025•7 min
Oxytocin is a peptide molecule with a multitude of physiological and behavioral functions. Based on its association with reproduction, including social bonding, sexual behavior, birth and maternal behavior, oxytocin also has been called “the love hormone.” This presentation will examine parallels between the healing power of oxytocin and love. As described here, many myths and gaps in knowledge remain concerning oxytocin and love. A few of these are described and we hypothesize that the potentia...
Feb 19, 2025•23 min
Karen Christman, Sheila Chari, Stella Hurtley, and Robert Stephenson explore academic publishing in stem cell research, focusing on reproducibility, collaboration, and public communication. Editors from top journals discuss curating impactful research, sharing clinical trial data, and addressing challenges in scaling and standardizing therapies. They emphasize bridging silos, advancing precision regenerative medicine, and navigating open access publishing to responsibly propel the field forward....
Feb 18, 2025•59 min
Ancient texts warn of love turning into hatred, as seen in stories like Cain and Abel or “Et tu, Brute?” This talk explores the neurobiology of hatred based on the biology of love: the oxytocin system, attachment networks, and biobehavioral synchrony, which mature through mother-infant bonding and later support group solidarity and out-group hostility. Using this model, we developed Tools of Dialogue© for Israeli and Palestinian youth. After 8 sessions, participants showed reduced hostility, inc...
Feb 14, 2025•20 min
Computer technology is evolving at a rapid pace, but have you ever wondered how computer scientists are able to make the devices we use on a every day basis so fast? How do machine learning computers and artificial intelligence work at such a high capacity? The work of theoretical computer scientists, that use math instead of programming to provide a rigorous framework for understanding what computation is, how it can be performed, and what its limitations are. In a first for Science Like Me, tw...
Feb 07, 2025•29 min
This engaging panel discussion delves into the evolving representation of autistic characters in literature, comics, and pop culture, featuring authors and creators who bring authentic perspectives to their work. The conversation highlights the importance of intentionality in storytelling, challenges stereotypes, and explores the nuances of portraying neurodiverse experiences with depth and empathy. Panelists share personal journeys, writing inspirations, and the transformative power of seeing o...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr
San Diego artist and graphic designer Ron Miriello's new art installation "Found Adrift" is inspired by a scrapbook of seaweed. The exquisite collection was gathered by an unknown young woman from Searsport, Maine, in 1876. Tucked away in a trunk for almost 150 years, it was rediscovered by Richard Rydell, a local collector and lifelong friend of Miriello's. The intricate beauty captured in the original specimens inspired the artist during a visit to Maine in 2023 and became the subject for his ...
Feb 02, 2025•4 min
The human body is made up of billions of cells. These cells are the basic building blocks of life, and they work together to form tissues, organs, and systems that enable our body to function and carry out various activities. Each cell has its own specific function and role in maintaining the overall health and functionality of the body, but how do these cells know what to do? Researchers at UC San Diego and Hebrew University of Jerusalem share an intercontinental effort working to determine jus...
Jan 31, 2025•12 min
An unstoppable behind the scenes force of musical nature since his 1994 breakthrough as a producer with “Sweet Sensual Love,” Big Mountain’s follow-up to their smash “Baby I Love Your Way,” and keyboardist on their Reggae Sunsplash tour, Kevin Flournoy has amassed a dizzyingly prolific all-star resume in the jazz, pop and R&B realms over the past three decades. Kevin has written, performed or recorded with Chaka Khan, Babyface, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osborne, The Pointer Sist...
Jan 26, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Learn about advancements in precision medicine, particularly the role of AI, stem cell research, and gene therapy. Experts highlight AI’s potential in personalized treatments, diagnostics, and patient care. Key topics include RNA targeting therapies, base editing for gene mutations, and using stem cells for disease modeling and regeneration. AI’s contribution to enhancing healthcare efficiency and decision-making is also explored, emphasizing its role in personalized medicine through large data ...
Jan 24, 2025•58 min
Artist Jeppe Hein discusses Breathe with Me, a participatory artwork that invites the public to paint their breath on large canvases, visualizing the invisible act of breathing. Through an interview with Jess Berlanga Taylor, Hein reflects on the work’s themes of interconnectedness and cooperation, drawing from his own mental health journey to emphasize the importance of mindfulness and presence. By painting their breath, participants create a collective experience, symbolizing shared rhythms of...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min
In the early 20th century, Budapest was the second-largest Jewish city in Europe, and Jewish artists and intellectuals played a major role in the city’s cosmopolitan cultural life. Among them was theater and cinema director and producer Béla Pásztor, whose career was marked by early success and later oppression. In a conversation with UC San Diego history professor Deborah Hertz, Béla’s son, Rafael Pastor, explores his family’s history before, during, and after the Nazi occupation of Hungary, in...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 1.3 billion people or 16% of the global population have a significant disability. A disability is a condition that can be mental or physical, and can affect a person's vision, movement, thinking, learning, communication, hearing, mental health or social relationships. However, not all disabilities are the same. Some disabilities are genetic, passed down from generation to generation, while others may have been caused by an incident ou...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion where experts explore the contributions of Indigenous practices to modern agriculture. The conversation highlights traditional ecological knowledge, addresses gaps in food access, and proposes strategies to promote food sovereignty. Panelists examine how Indigenous wisdom and contemporary innovation create equitable, sustainable food systems, amplify Indigenous voices, and inspire collaboration for a resilient future. Series: "Future Thought Leaders" [Healt...
Jan 13, 2025•2 hr 18 min
What's behind the political and social transformation taking place in the U.S.? According to Mike Madrid, author, veteran political strategist and expert on Latino voting trends, it's digital technology and demographics. His latest book is "The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy." As part of the Helen Edison Lecture Series, Madrid covers a wide-range of topics, from the outcome of the 2024 election to the state of America's institutions to who he thinks will...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Carissa Cascio, Ph.D., explores how autistic individuals perceive and process sensory experiences, focusing on internal sensations of the body, known as interoception, and their impact on emotions, anxiety, and sleep. Cascio highlights the challenges of heightened sensory awareness, including how it can disrupt rest, and underscores the importance of understanding these experiences to improve therapy and overall well-being. Cascio shares personal anecdotes and challenges myths about autism, emph...
Jan 10, 2025•35 min
Gordon Saxe, M.D., Ph.D., reveals the secrets to slowing down the aging process and living a healthier life. He uncovers how aging affects everything from our bones and muscles to our brain, leading to issues like memory loss, fatigue, and weakened immune responses. How can you make choices today that could help you live longer and feel better? Saxe dives into groundbreaking research on caloric restriction, a powerful tool for extending lifespan, and how a plant-based diet can prevent chronic di...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min
Pinar Yoldas, Ph.D., an artist and professor at UC San Diego, uses her background in neuroscience and architecture to create thought-provoking art that blends biology, technology, and design. Her work imagines new possibilities for a more compassionate and sustainable future, from algae-based plastics to sculptures inspired by the human brain. By exploring how human desires drive technological innovation, Yoldas challenges us to consider how creativity can shape our world. Series: "Arts Channel ...
Jan 06, 2025•5 min
The current conflict between Israel and Gaza stems from long-standing tensions but was exacerbated after a major attack by armed groups from Gaza on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 hostages being taken. This prompted a large-scale military response by Israel, including airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, which have killed over 41,000 Palestinians, with tens of thousands more injured and displaced. The escalation in violence has also created a humanitarian cr...
Jan 04, 2025•54 min
Martin Kampmann, Ph.D., explores how CRISPR screening and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology can uncover new insights into neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. His lab uses CRISPR to identify genes that influence protein aggregation and cellular vulnerability, focusing on neurons, astrocytes, and microglia derived from human stem cells. Kampmann highlights the roles of mitochondria, autophagy, and other cellular pathways in disease progression, emphasizing the importance of un...
Jan 03, 2025•58 min
The Intersections Concert series is excited to present the award-winning, hip-hop soul band, The Lyrical Groove. Delivering a truly unique artistic experience that both entertains and inspires, The Lyrical Groove combines spoken word and live instrumentation, cohesively crafted of several genres of music. Producer and poet, Kendrick Dial, the multi-talented artist Brisa Lauren, and an assortment of experienced musicians join forces to create timeless music that sings life to humanity and moves t...
Dec 30, 2024•7 min
In this insightful conversation, Edward Abeyta, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Education and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, shares his passion for lifelong learning, community access, and innovation in education. Drawing on his personal journey, shaped by his family’s belief in hard work and continuous learning, Abeyta underscores the importance making education accessible to all. He discusses his book, Reinventing Lifelong Learning: The Coming Renaissance of Continu...
Dec 28, 2024•16 min
Anthony Lim, M.D., J.D., explores how small, intentional steps can lead to lasting behavioral change. Lim breaks down a simple, four-step framework—awareness, intention, action, and reflection—to help people achieve their goals, whether it's improving health, forming better habits, or making positive life changes. Through real-life examples and insights from neuroscience, he emphasizes the power of connecting with your deeper "why," taking action, and practicing self-compassion. Series: "Stein I...
Dec 27, 2024•30 min
Christine Wu Nordahl, Ph.F., offers an insightful exploration into the unique needs and experiences of autistic teens, focusing on fostering inclusive spaces. Highlighting themes of gender diversity, underdiagnosis in girls, and the impact of societal perceptions, she emphasizes the importance of tailored support for neurodiverse individuals. Through powerful participant stories and an inspiring poem, Nordahl underscores the resilience and creativity within the autistic community. Her passionate...
Dec 26, 2024•35 min
Frank Furnari, Ph.D., and Alexander Khalessi, M.D., M.B.A., discuss exciting advancements in brain cancer research, focusing on glioblastoma, an aggressive and challenging tumor. They highlight how specific genetic mutations drive tumor growth and how targeting these mutations could lead to new treatments. They also delve into cutting-edge therapies, including using light to activate drugs aimed at combating cancer. A central theme of the talk is the complexity and ever-changing nature of these ...
Dec 23, 2024•57 min
Everyone experiences mental chaos - when the mind is distracted, racing and anxious. But too much mental chaos can have negative impacts on our health and can limit our creativity. Jaime Pineda, professor emeritus of cognitive science at UC San Diego, has spent decades studying how the mind works. His new book “Controlling Mental Chaos: Harnessing the Power of the Creative Mind” focuses on the importance of psychological wellbeing. He says controlling mental chaos leads to positive outcomes incl...
Dec 20, 2024•58 min
Darlene Lopez shares her inspiring journey in the business world, offering valuable insights into career growth, mentorship, and navigating the corporate landscape. Drawing from her experiences at Apple and TikTok, she discusses how these roles shaped her leadership style, approach to self-promotion, and the importance of setting boundaries. A central theme in the conversation is Lopez’s deep connection to Latin culture and music, which has profoundly influenced both her personal and professiona...
Dec 18, 2024•28 min
Le Xu, Ph.D., examines the intricate processes underlying lung development and disease, with a focus on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Xu explores the roles of genetic and cellular mechanisms, including the hedgehog pathway, FGF signaling, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, in driving lung fibrosis. Xu also highlights links between congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and lung development, suggesting that both mechanical and genetic factors contribute to lung hypoplasia. The discuss...
Dec 18, 2024•59 min
