Podcast: Season 3

Do psychopaths lack empathy? Are women more empathetic than men? What does yawning in chimpanzees or chocolate chip eating in rats have to do with any of this? Join Sophia Mercado (’22) as she leads you though a tour de force podcast that answers these questions, and more! You’ll come away feeling smarter… and maybe … Continue reading Episode 11: This is your brain on empathy

What does your family talk about around the thanksgiving table? If you’re Rav Davis (’22), the answer is “if you think about past relationships, or people you are attracted to, what senses do you think of?” Eavesdrop on Rav’s family’s conversation, and then use this as a jumping off point to learn about the contribution … Continue reading Episode 12: Thankful for pheromones

In this episode, Anna D’Antonio (’22) tells us about the mating behavior of Orchid Bees. In this (gorgeous!) species, males attract females by mixing up a signature perfume, which females then use to decide whether they want to mate. How do sex differences in orchid bee brains support that decision process? And what can this … Continue reading Episode 13: Bee mine?

How are female orgasms different from male orgasms? Can females ejaculate? In this episode, Fariea Kahn (’22) uses an expert interview to probe the peripheral nervous system mechanisms underlying the orgasm gap between men and women. Come for the facts and stay for the practical suggestions about how to eliminate stigma and myths around female … Continue reading Episode 14: Mind the gap

As we heard earlier this season, flies are semelparous — they only reproduce once in their lifetime. What are the neurobiological mechanisms that control this single, excessive mating event that typically leads to death? To answer this question, Brian Thai (’22) goes straight to the source and interviews… a fly! You won’t want to miss … Continue reading Episode 15: To be a fly on the wall