Faculty Experts

Frank Scannapieco wasn’t too interested in school as a kid; he went to college largely because his father insisted. But a few inspiring teachers, a growing fascination with biology and a chance encounter with oral microbiology set him on a path that would lead to an internationally recognized career. In this episode, Laurie Kaiser talks with Scannapieco, a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Dental Medicine, about his pioneering research linking oral health to systemic diseases such as pneumonia, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. He explains—in plain terms—how inflammation and bacteria in the mouth can affect the rest of the body, why dentistry and medicine have long been disconnected, and what simple steps we can all take to protect our oral and overall health as we age.

Sleep is a basic biological function, so why do so many people struggle with it? In this episode, renowned sleep expert Carleara Weiss unpacks the mysteries of why we sleep and what happens when we don’t; discusses her research on the link between sleep and Alzheimer's; and shares her top tips for getting a better night’s rest.

An AI pioneer who combines scientific expertise with a love for language, Rohini Srihari is the ideal person to reimagine chatbots. In this episode, she talks about building conversational AI tools that create positive change, from tackling the nation’s mental health crisis to helping people with motor neuron diseases find their voice.

An act of sorcery at a school table tennis match in Nigeria led Phillips Stevens to a 50-year anthropology career that dove deep into magic and witchcraft. In this episode, Stevens talks with host Tom Dinki about why belief in the supernatural persists in the modern world, and how it may ultimately be what makes us human.