Podcast

Who are scientists talking to? In this episode, Kate Severtson (’21) has a conversation with two non-scientist friends about a paper that describes the contribution of limbic neurons to mating and aggression and mice. Can Kate help her friends understand this complex neuroscience paper? What responsibility do scientists have to communicate their research in a … Continue reading Episode 3: Lost in Translation

In this episode, Roy Simamora (’22) talks about the development of sexual orientation. Does prenatal hormone environment influence adult sexual orientation in people? Can animal studies tell us anything about human sexual orientation? How does homophobic bias influence this research? Tune in to find out Roy’s take on these questions, and more! Continue reading Episode 4: I’m On The Right Track, Baby

Have you ever heard that a shark can smell a drop of blood from a mile away? In this episode, Paula Kissinger (’21) tells us about the neurobiology underlying olfaction in sweet, cuddly Bull Sharks! How does Testosterone act in shark’s Y-shaped brain to alter their olfaction? Why do female sharks find cold murky waters … Continue reading Episode 5: Just Keep Swimming

In this episode, Benjamin Kwon (’21) explains how the brain’s reward pathway is activated by testosterone. What can experiments in animal models tell us about people who use and abuse anabolic androgenergic steroids? Tune in to find out! Continue reading Episode 6: Hooked on a Testosterone Feeling

In this episode, Jesse Friedson (’21) takes the role of a podcast guest to tell us about the Organizational Hypothesis of Sexual Differentiation. Let him expertly guide you through complex scientific experiences in different animal models in a way that is accessible and entertaining! Continue reading Episode 7: Organ(ize)!

Seat Belts, Everyone! In this episode, Josh Searle (’21) takes two unsuspecting travelers (and us!) on a Magic School Bus-style tour of the brains of two different species of voles, a model organism that has been used to study the neurobiology of monogamy. Let Josh transport you as you learn about the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry … Continue reading Episode 8: Magic School Bus of Monogamy

In this episode, Abiola Irvine (Haverford College ’20) talks about how male and female brains differ. As part of this, she discusses a study showing that men and women differ in their amygdala response to visual sexual stimuli (Hamman et al., 2004, Nature Neuroscience). You’ll be transported as Abiola takes you on a whirlwind tour … Continue reading Episode 1: Do Brains Have Sex?

In this episode, Kelly Brown (Haverford ’19) tells us about the neurobiology of mating in Japanese Quails, a surprisingly popular animal model in behavioral neuroendocrinology research. As part of this, she tells us about a study in which dopamine release was measured in the brains of male Japanese Quails during various stages of their mating … Continue reading Episode 2: Love Birds

In this episode, Maeve Gaffney (Haverford ’20) explores the mating behavior of the Pond Snail, a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Mating behavior in this organism is complicated because individuals have both male and female reproductive organs, but mate in pairs. Listen in to hear Maeve break down a complex study about the electrical and chemical properties of … Continue reading Episode 3: Snail Male?

In this episode, Marc Jaskir (Haverford ’20) takes us on a detective-style search for answers about the neurobiology of orgasm in women. As part of this, he tells us about a study in which women had their brain activity monitored using PET Scans while their partners helped them to achieve orgasms (Georgiadis et al., 2006, … Continue reading Episode 4: How to Fake an Orgasm… In The Brain