Brain Matters

Brain Matters Neuroscience

Brain Matters the Podcast is an exciting way for anyone to learn about the fascinating world of neuroscience directly from the researchers who have dedicated their lives to uncovering the mysteries of the brain. Our mission is to make neuroscience accessible, relatable, and intriguing while still respecting the integrity of the science we love.

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53 episodes
Updated Jan 9, 2019

Episodes53

Newest first

Jan 9, 2019 · 41 min
But Always See First with Dr. Roderick MacKinnon
On this episode, Anthony spoke to Dr. Roderick MacKinnon (Professor, Rockefeller University, HHMI) about ion channels, studying what fascinates you, and the importance of thinking childishly. The music on today's episode was by The Caretaker: thecaretaker.bandcamp.com
May 22, 2018 · 46 min
Being Romantic and Practical with Dr. Richard Tsien
On this episode, Matt spoke to Dr. Richard Tsien (Professor & Chair, New York University). Dr. Tsien has a diverse career, contributing many important findings to the field of cellular and molecular neuroscience, with a primary focus on understanding how the brain meets the demands to process information. Matt delved primarily into Dr. Tsien's path to becoming a scientist, and his advice for anyone interested in becoming a neuroscientist. The music on today's episode was by Robby. Check out their music at listentorobby.bandcamp.com
Dec 26, 2017 · 52 min
Barflies: Alcohol and Fly Genetics with Dr. Fred Wolf
On this (50th!) episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talks to Dr. Fred Wolf (Assistant Professor, UC Merced). Dr. Wolf is interested in how alcohol and other drugs of abuse change our genes when we take them. Using the fruit fly as a model organism, he is able to use powerful techniques to delve into the complex relationship between drugs, genes, and behavior. Dr. Wolf helps run his own biology podcast, RadioBio, with graduate students at UC Merced. Check it out at radiobio.net The music on today's podcast was by koleżanka. Go check out and buy their music at kolezanka.bandcamp.com
Apr 19, 2017 · 52 min
Alzheimer's and C. elegans with Dr. Jon Pierce
On this episode of Brain Matters, we talked with Dr. Jon Pierce (University of Texas at Austin). Jon uses to C. elegans to study Alzheimer's, Down Syndrome, alcoholism, and more. Jon is currently raising money to fund undergraduate research and engagement in his lab. You can find more information at: https://hornraiser.utexas.edu/project/5559 This episode was brought to you by Maze Engineers. To get 10% off your quote visit: https://hornraiser.utexas.edu/project/5559. Thanks to Bridget and Brian for their awesome maze ideas!
Mar 7, 2017 · 48 min
Space and Time with Dr. Mayank Mehta
On this episode of Brain Matters, Matt and Mayank Mehta (Professor, UCLA) talk about how rodents and human perceive space and time. Mayank has always been obsessed with time and merges physics and neuroscience to understand how the brain deals with these abstract concepts. This episode was brought to you by Maze Engineers. Get 10% off your quote by visiting mazeengineers.com/brainmatters and enter the offer code: brain. They have some incredible mazes and other neuroscience goodies so check them out.
Feb 13, 2017 · 48 min
Becoming a Curious Scientist with Dr. André Fenton
What's the most important thing about being a scientist? According to Dr. André Fenton: Curiosity. Anthony and André talked about how André tinkered his way to researching learning and memory at NYU.
Jan 30, 2017 · 57 min
The Nature of Nature (and the brain too) with Dr. David McCormick
This week on Brain Matters, Matt and Dr. David McCormick (Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, Yale) start off 2017 right. On this episode you'll get a quick briefing on the early history of neuroscience, information about Frankenstein's monster, a look at neural circuits, and perspective from the Buddhist Monks of Tibet. You're gonna want your cochleas ready for this one. David mentioned a ton of people and books. Here's a list in case you wanna dive in. Major Figures in the Early History of Neuroscience: Luigi Galvani, Giovanni Aldini, René Descartes, Jan Swammerdam, Alessandro Volta, Emil de Bois-Reymond Texts David Referenced: 1. Animal Electricity (Galvani, 1791) 2. Essay on Galvanism: "Précis des expériences galvaniques faites récemment à Londres et à Calais" (Aldini, 1803) 3. Frankenstein (Mary Shelley, 1818) 4. The Cerebellum as a Neuronal Machine (Eccles, 1967) Further Reading (if you're into it like we are): 1. Early History of Neuroscience, Charles Gross 2. Giovanni Aldini: From Animal Electricity to Human Brain Stimulation, André Parent 3. History of Psychology, Ideas and Context (Chapter 8) King et al. We partnered with Wiley Neuroscience on this one. Follow them on twitter at @neuroscience. Shout out to their team for getting the twitter handle coveted most by neuroscientists. The music on this episode was by Noveller. The first track was "Trails and Trials" from the soon to be released album "A Pink Sunset for Noone", the second track was "Rubicon" from the Fantastic Planet LP. Go check out and purchase her music at noveller.bandcamp.com, or at her current label, FireRecords.com
Dec 12, 2016 · 1 hr 5 min
Engineering the Brain with Dr. Caleb Kemere
On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony and Caleb Kemere (Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University) talk about Caleb's path to studying real time neural engineering.
Nov 13, 2016 · 5 min
Bonus - SfN 2016
The Brain Matters team will be at the 2016 Society for Neuroscience convention in San Diego. Come say hey! We also got some exciting news - Brain Matters is now officially award-winning and Science-approved!
Oct 13, 2016 · 50 min
Neurons, Mitochondria, and Human Evolution with Dr. Franck Polleux
On this episode of Brain Matters, Matt and Dr. Franck Polleux (Professor, Department of Neuroscience at Columbia University and the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute) cover a lot of ground. Franck talks about his work as a graduate student and the topics his lab is working on now. The Polleux lab is studying topics like neural progeneration, mitochondria in dendrites of neurons, and what makes the human brain special. This is an episode you won't want to miss.
Aug 8, 2016 · 36 min
Sensorimotor Circuits in Zebrafish with Dr. Tod Thiele
On this episode of Brain Matters, Matt and Dr. Tod Thiele (Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Scarborough) talk about a model organism we haven't featured on the podcast yet- zebrafish. In his new lab, Tod is continuing his work on neural circuits in the zebrafish using all the latest imaging and optogenetic techniques.
Jun 23, 2016 · 34 min
Enhancing Cognition with Video Games with Dr. Adam Gazzaley
On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talked with Adam Gazzaley (Professor, UCSF) about his work on cognition. Adam develops and designs video games that are fun to play and also have enhancing cognitive effects. Thank you for listening! We'd love it if you rated and reviewed us on iTunes. Those reviews mean more to us than you could ever imagine. We read each one and show them to strangers on the streets of Austin, Texas every time a new one appears. What would you like to hear on Brain Matters? Leave us a comment on twitter or facebook.
May 9, 2016 · 37 min
The Vestibular System with Dr. Dora Angelaki
On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talked with Dr. Dora Angelaki (Professor & Chair of the Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine) about her work in the vestibular system. Dora refers to the vestibular system as 'the sixth sense' and her passion for studying this under-appreciated sensory system is clear as talks about her research. Dora is also working on a computational understanding of Autism. She discusses her approach to understanding this complicated disorder.
Apr 1, 2016 · 41 min
Molecular Mechanisms of Depression with Dr. Lisa Monteggia
On this episode of Brian Matters, Anthony and Dr. Lisa Monteggia (Professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center) talked about depression and the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficacy of antidepressants. They also talked about Lisa's work on MeCP2, the gene linked to the autism spectrum disorder. Towards the end, Lisa opens up about how important mentorship is in the career of a young scientist. Ride the Tiger: A Guide Through the Bipolar Brain premiers April 13, 2016 at 10/9c. It features neuroscience experts Thomas Insel, Paul Keck, Karl Deisseroth, and Helen Mayberg.
Mar 14, 2016 · 29 min
The Resting Brain with Dr. Gagan Wig
On this episode of Brain Matters, Matt talked with Dr. Gagan Wig (Assistant Professor of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas) about his research on brain networks. Gagan studies the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI and investigates a multitude of interesting questions about the human brain.
Feb 4, 2016 · 47 min
Stroke and Aphasia with Dr. Argye Hillis
Anthony and Dr. Argye Hillis (Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University) talked about a medical perspective on neuroscience research. Argye's research focuses on understanding how language and emotional functions recover after stroke.
Jan 15, 2016 · 56 min
Sleep Circuits with Dr. Yang Dan
On This episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talked with Dr. Yang Dan (Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Professor of Neurobiology, UC Berkeley). Yang studies the circuits in the brain that control sleep. Perk up your cochlea and jump into this great conversation. Thanks to audible for supporting our podcast. Get a free 30 day trial at audiblepodcast.com/brainmatters.
Dec 22, 2015 · 41 min
Cortical Columns with Dr. David Fitzpatrick
On this episode of Brain Matters, Matt and Dr. David Fitzpatrick (Chief Executive Officer & Scientific Director, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience) chat about the cortex. They talked about the visual system and David's research on his friend the column.
Nov 12, 2015 · 45 min
Contextualizing Fear with Dr. Michael Fanselow
On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony interviewed Dr. Michael Fanselow (Distinguished Professor, Psychology, UCLA). They talked about Michael's contributions to our understanding of fear memories and how the context of an event can impact learning. The music featured in this episode is by Steve Beres. You can find more information about The Steve Martin Album at https://thehumannatures.bandcamp.com/album/the-steve-martin-album Anthony's interview on WBEZ Chicago's Morning Shift can be found at soundcloud.com/morningshiftwbez/childhood-fears-that-stay-with-us Thanks to Audible for supporting our podcast. Get a free 30 day trial at audiblepodcast.com/brainmatters.
Oct 27, 2015 · 56 min
Rich Perspectives with Dr. Rick Aldrich
Dr. Rick Aldrich (Professor, University of Texas at Austin) is a man who wears many hats - biophysicist, neuroscientist, molecular biologist, structural biologist. Throughout his career, he has contributed extensively to our understanding of mechanisms of ion channel function. Matt spoke to Dr. Aldrich about his diverse interests inside and outside the lab.