Synaptic

When autistic kids grow up

An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.

Ep. 19: Stimulating the brain with Damien Fair

The MacArthur Foundation “genius” discusses his return to his home state of Minnesota and why it’s important to protect the developing brain.

Season 2 of 'Synaptic' draws to a close

Season 3 will begin next year.

Ep. 18: Timothy Ryan on his pivotal switch from studying particle physics to decoding synaptic transmission

Dissuaded from pursuing theoretical physics and deterred by the “long feedback loop” in experimental physics, the National Academy of Sciences member took inspiration fro

Ep. 17: Biosensors and being fearless with Lin Tian

Tian discusses protein function and structure, and the historic city in China where she was born.

Ep. 16: Male and female brains, Proust, and Catherine Dulac

The 2021 Breakthrough Prize winner explains how reading widely shaped her worldview, and discusses the vomeronasal organ.

Ep. 15: Diagnosing autism and teaching neurodiversity with So Hyun "Sophy" Kim

The Korea University professor on her path to autism research and studying in the United States.

Ep. 14: Eve Marder, neural circuits and being heard

The National Medal of Science winner explains why she built her career around the crustacean and what it was like attending high school in a Hudson River town.

Ep. 13: Brain connectivity and letting the data speak with Emily Finn

The Dartmouth College researcher talks about her quest to understand behavior and doing neuroscience “in the woods.”

Ep. 12: The value of math and spatial learning with Loren Frank

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator discusses what drew him to study the brain and his current work at the University of California, San Francisco.

Ep. 11: Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O'Connell

To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.

Ep. 10: Being uncomfortable and PKMzeta with André Fenton

The director of the Center for Neural Science shares a ghost story and talks about his collaboration with Todd Sacktor. (This podcast was updated on 26 February 2024 to c

Ep. 9: Joseph LeDoux, the split brain and a traveling magic show

The director of the Emotional Brain Institute discusses the Cajun music scene in Louisiana and how memories change with time.

Ep. 8: FORCE learning and finding an out with David Sussillo

The senior research manager at Meta Reality Labs talks about neural networks and his time at the Milton Hershey School.

Ep. 7: Sensing touch, the immigrant life and Ardem Patapoutian

The Nobel Prize winner talks about PIEZO 1 and 2, proprioception and the viral photo of him and his son from the 2021 Nobel Prize announcement.

Ep. 6: Brian Boyd, classroom-based interventions and the importance of representation

The leader of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute talks about what drew him into the autism field, and his departure from — and return to — the University

Ep. 5: Evdokia Anagnostou and the concept of a good life

The Holland Bloorview clinician and research director discusses how growing up on a small island shaped her career and the existential questions that keep her up at night

Ep. 4: Emotion dysregulation in autism with Carla Mazefsky

Carla Mazefsky is the Nancy J. Minshew endowed chair in autism research and professor of psychiatry, psychology, and clinical and translational science at the University

Ep. 3: The sleep/wake cycle and autism with Ashura Buckley

Ashura Buckley is director of the Sleep and Neurodevelopment Core in the Office of the Clinical Director at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Mary

Ep. 2: Social communication and developmental disorders with Connie Kasari

Connie Kasari is distinguished professor of human development and psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she is also a founding member of the Cent