Imperial College Podcast

In this edition: We hear how close we are to an HIV vaccine, how severe COVID-19 affects brain power, and how one ecologist is saving Brazil’s forests. News: Great Exhibition Road Festival preview – We hear from two ‘Young Producers’ for the Great Exhibition Road Festival, who are working on an event called Sonder, which investigates how the summer sun influences culture. HIV vaccine progress – We talk to Professor Robin Shattock about the successes and challenges in creating a successful vaccine for HIV, and what the future could hold. You can also listen to an extended version of this interview on our Imperial Soundcloud account. How COVID affects brains – We hear from Dr Adam Hampshire how the long-term effect of severe COVID-19 could be a loss of 10 IQ points or the equivalent of 20 years of ageing, as measured by slower reaction times and less accuracy in cognitive tests. Saving Brazil’s forests – As part of a series on the people behind our world-leading research, we meet Dr Cristina Banks-Leite, whose

In this edition: We discover what it will take to eradicate malaria, how psychedelics affect the depressed brain, and how a new diet can keep us full. News: New medical school and dragonfly wings – We hear about Imperial’s new joint medical school with the University of Cumbria, and learn how dragonfly wing sensors could help us design better airplane wings. Making malaria history – We meet Professor Faith Osier, who is taking a new approach to designing malaria vaccines by mimicking natural immunity, and also find out why the fight against malaria is so important to her. Read more about Imperial’s work on malaria in our latest feature: 8 innovative ways Imperial is tackling malaria on Imperial Stories. Psychedelics for depressed brains – We catch up with the latest research into how psilocybin– the active compound in magic mushrooms – helps the brains of depressed people get out of negative thought patterns. You can also listen to an extended version of this interview on Imperial's Soundcloud account. Th

In this edition: A COVID-linked condition in children, how AI could magnify health inequities, and 9 things you can do for your health and the planet. News: What nuclear war would look like and new European grants – We learn what one of our experts said about the realities of nuclear war, and find out what new science the European Research Council is funding at Imperial, from drones to lasers. AI and health inequalities – AI is increasingly being used in healthcare, for example to analyse images like X-rays, but biases mean they may not benefit everyone equally, and may actually perpetuate minority ethnic inequalities. We meet the researchers highlighting this issue and suggesting ways it can be tackled. Child COVID condition – We meet Dr Liz Whittaker, a paediatric researcher who was part of a group that recognised and characterised Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS) – an inflammatory condition in children linked to COVID-19. She tells us how it was first discovered, and what we’ve learne

In this edition: A scientist countering vaccine misinformation, members of Imperial’s LGBTQ+ network, and the people behind an impactful asthma trial. News: Yeast mini-factories and inspiration from nature – We learn about researchers who have engineered yeast to act like mini factories producing dementia drug compounds, and engineers who have taken inspiration from insect wings and shark skin to create materials that pop bacteria and reduce drag. Primetime COVID vaccine debate – We catch up with Professor Robin Shattock following his appearance on Question Time countering COVID-9 vaccine misinformation, hearing how he decides when to engage with sceptics and the best techniques for doing so. LGBT+ history month – We meet Ji Young Yoon and Josh Hodge from Imperial 600, the College's network for LGBTQ+ staff, postgraduate students and their allies. We talk about what LGBT+ history month means to them, who some of their heroes are, and what issues could be tackled next. You can also listen to an extended ve

In this edition: How fishing may impact the carbon cycle, how to teach a robot to make toast, and sharing research in the form of a short magazine. News: Latest REACT study and discovering the holobiont – We learn that the REACT coronavirus surveillance study has shown that infection rates in January were three times higher than in December, and discover what a holobiont is, and what a new centre focusing on it will do. Fishing and the carbon cycle – We explore the links between fishing and the oceans’ ability to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it away, identifying potential problems and their solutions. You can also listen to an extended version of this interview on Imperial’s Soundcloud account. How to teach a robot to make toast – We drop into the Robot Learning Lab to discover a human-friendly way to teach robots how to do physical tasks, such as operate a toaster. Mental health zine – We celebrate the launch of a new mini-magazine created with and for young people facing mental healt

In this edition: Differences between men’s and women’s hearts, how psychedelics can change our worldview, and introducing children to nanotechnology. News: Omicron latest and Three Wise Women – We learn about the latest research into Omicron and how it might evade immunity, the value of booster vaccines, and hear about three Imperial medical experts working on different aspects of the pandemic. Women’s hearts – We meet Dr Paz Tayal, who is researching the differences between men’s and women’s hearts and why the problem has been understudied. Psychedelics and worldview – How can taking psychedelics change your worldview, and your perceptions of reality? We meet the team exploring this question and how research into the effects can be conducted safely. Nanotechnology for children – We catch up with Dr Jess Wade, hearing how her passion for both art and atoms collided in the children’s book Nano, of which 500 copies have been sent to UK primary schools thanks to the Department of Materials and the Royal Acade

In this edition: A new test to monitor treatment-resistant HIV, a book tracing the fight against infection, and how the NHS can make cheaper drugs. News: COP26 roundup and detecting illegal images – We discuss the progress and shortcomings of the latest climate change conference and hear about worrying findings that algorithms designed to discover illegal images are easy to fool. Simple HIV test – As drug-resistant strains of HIV rise across Africa, we hear from Dr Catherine Kibirige, who has designed a new cheaper, simpler test to measure viral load to help manage these new strains. Infectious reading – We hear from author of a new book called Infectious, Dr John Tregoning, about the progress we have made in fighting infectious diseases so they are no longer the leading cause of death. In the book he uses examples from HIV and COVID-19, and meets some of the frontline’s more colourful characters. You can also listen to an extended version of this interview on Imperial's Soundcloud account. The fight for c

In this edition: What makes a healthy environment, the final steps to eliminate polio, and a test for proper cleaning. News: Life expectancy and a new space mission – We discover that life expectancy in England was dropping even before the pandemic, and celebrate Imperial physicists building an instrument for a new NASA mission. What is a healthy environment? – We chat to researchers who interviewed underrepresented groups about what they thought made a healthy environment, and what research they would like to see to help these environments thrive. Polio progress – To mark World Polio Day on 24 October, we find out from Imperial researchers how close the world is to eradicating the disease, and what still needs to be done. Fresh check – We meet the Imperial-alumni makers of Fresh Check – a colour-change solution that can tell if a surface has been properly cleaned – and find out where they’re taking the company next.

In this edition: We tackle climate change injustice and anxiety, and hear about a new way to build quantum computers. News: Imperial at COP26 and previewing the Great Exhibition Road Festival – We hear about Imperial’s priorities for the upcoming COP26 climate change summit, and find out what’s happening at the new hybrid Great Exhibition Road Festival, for which this year’s theme is ‘one world’. Solving climate injustice – We meet two researchers from Imperial and the Royal College of Art trying to tackle climate injustice – where those who have contributed the least to climate change face the worst impacts – through design and finance. You can hear more from the experts in a panel discussion at the Great Exhibition Road Festival, in-person and streamed online, on Saturday 9 October. The climate crisis and mental health – We hear all the ways climate change itself, and worries about the future, can affect mental health, and discuss how people can deal with these issues including building a better future.

In this edition: Art-science collaborations around wildfire research, joining the climate fight, and an app to aid stroke rehabilitation. News: New test for eye disease – We learn about a new AI-led test for a debilitating eye disease that can cause blindness, and how warming temperature may affect bumblebees’ flight. The art and science of wildfires – We hear about a series of workshops that brought together scientists and artists, who found differences but also surprising similarities between their approaches to studying – and sharing – the world of wildfires, both devastating and beneficial. Tipping points – What motivates people to study and fight climate change? PhD student Peter Knapp talks to scientists who have joined the Extinction Rebellion movement, and we’ve got a preview of some of his interviews. You can listen to the full interviews in the Tipping Points podcast. On track for stroke rehabilitation – We meet the makers of an app to help patients recover the activity of their arms following a

In this edition: Delving into long covid, bioplastics and the future of recycling, and a first-year physics project that became a peer-reviewed paper. News: Latest COVID-19 survey results and Imperial at the Olympics – We catch up with the latest REACT results, showing coronavirus infections doubling every six days but antibodies also ramping up, and meet the Imperial students and alumni competing in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. What do we know about long COVID? – We catch up with Dr Danny Altmann, who is investigating long COVID – who gets it, what are the symptoms, how long might it last, and what other health impacts might it cause? Bioplastic solutions to plastic pollution – Despite decades of recycling, plastic pollution is still a major problem. We talk to Sarah Kakadellis, who says bioplastics may be a solution, but the distinction between different types needs to be clear to help consumers make the right decisions when disposing of plastics. First-year project to peer-reviewed paper

In this edition: We examine the impact of radiation from nuclear accidents, meet a Sickle Cell Warrior, and follow those fighting the Four Horsemen. News: Science meets poetry and music – We hear about how Imperial scientists have teamed up with poets to create spoken-word pieces and how a COVID-19 study has been set to music. Radiation from nuclear accidents – It’s been 35 years since Chernobyl and 10 years since Fukushima – so what issues has the radiation actually caused? Professor Gerry Thomas takes us through the evidence, which shows the effects may be far less severe than scare stories suggest. Living with sickle cell disease – We meet Sickle Cell Warrior Louisa Thompson, who has teamed up with Imperial academics to raise awareness of living with the disease, including its impact on mental health. Find out more about the Invisible Warrior project on Imperial's website and watch a video featuring Louisa’s story. You can also listen to an extended version of this interview on our Soundcloud account. Th

In this edition: How pandemic behaviours have changed, why carbon needs to be rapidly cut, and how Imperial is supporting global sustainability. News: Digital chemistry and the impact of climate change on mental health – We celebrate the launch of ‘DigiFAB’ – the Institute for Digital Molecular Design and Fabrication – and get a preview of a new report looking at how climate change affects mental wellbeing. A year of insights into global COVID behaviours – How have people’s attitudes and behaviours around the pandemic changed over the past year? We dig through data from around the world to find out how people have changed their views on face masks, life satisfaction, vaccines, and trust in governments. The 50x30 Coalition for climate action – We hear about a new coalition of governments and research institutions, including Imperial, that is calling for a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 – a crucial target for protecting the planet, and especially the vulnerable icy regions. Supporting the

In this edition: We investigate the psychedelic research renaissance, discover an AI designed to spot organ failure, and chat to Maggie Aderin-Pocock. News: Island evolution and an ancient asteroid – We hear how animals evolve into dwarfs or giants on islands and how a 430,000-year-old asteroid impact in Antarctica has been identified from the dust it left behind. Psychedelic research renaissance – We celebrate the second anniversary of the Centre for Psychedelic Research, looking at the successes of testing the therapeutic potential of active compounds in drugs like magic mushrooms and ayahuasca, and look forward to new studies in brain imaging. AI to predict organ failure – We meet PhD student Sam Turka, who has been developing an AI to help clinicians spot patients most at risk of organ failure in intensive care, with the ultimate aim of creating patient simulations to speed up medical testing and decision-making. Maggie Aderin-Pocock – We partner with the Suffrage Science podcast to bring you an inte

In this edition: Launching human challenge trials for COVID-19, a new air pollution monitoring network for London, and fully biodegradable plastics. News: Potential new physics and climate change innovation – Imperial physicists are part of a team that have found hints of a new kind of physics, and a new centre for climate change innovation launches to help accelerate the transition to net zero emissions. Infecting people with COVID-19 – We hear from the investigators behind the world’s first ‘human challenge’ clinical trial for COVID-19, which will purposefully infect people with the virus behind the disease to see how the infection progresses and how drugs and vaccines could work against it. Helping London breathe – We meet a researcher behind the new Breathe London network of affordable air pollution monitors, which are being deployed across London to help local communities understand and tackle their pollution issues. Biodegradable and recyclable plastic – We chat to the CEO of Polymateria about their

In this edition: What testing on transport says about coronavirus transmission, how new virus variants are emerging, and chatting to a cardiologist. News: Dragonfly flight, making audio more immersive and landing on Mars – We hear how dragonflies perform mid-air backward somersaults to right themselves, why making more immersive audio experiences could improve virtual interactions, and discover what the next Mars rover, landing on the red planet this week, will investigate. TfL testing for coronavirus – Imperial researchers are working with the London transport network, testing air and surfaces for the coronavirus (and thankfully finding nothing). We learn what this means about transmission of the virus and how it feeds into a larger project into subway environments. Coronavirus variants – Variants of the coronavirus are emerging worldwide and hitting the headlines. We find out what these variants mean for controlling the pandemic and the potential impact on vaccines. You can also watch the full event cove

In this edition: Spreading US election misinformation, deciding the future of the NHS, and improving breast cancer surgery. News: Identifying new coronavirus variants and kombucha-inspired materials – We hear about a new consortium, led by Imperial researchers, tracking changes in new coronavirus variants, and find out how kombucha tea ingredients are being used to make new smart living materials. US election misinformation – Analysis of the past two US presidential elections shows where misinformation originated from, including traditional and social media, foreign influences, and in the case of the 2020 election, the president himself. This feature is an excerpt from 'Never Lick the Spoon' – a podcast from Imperial's Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering. Future of the NHS – The NHS has worked incredibly well as an ‘illness’ service, but what about protecting and promoting good health? Investing in health could benefit us all, argues Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard in his new book with Dame Sally

In this edition: A new child health centre opens, assistive technologies at the Cybathlon, and healthier Christmas food for you and the planet. News: Looking back at 2020 – Our podcast team share the most interesting facts they’ve learned on the job this year – from how much water it takes to make a pair of jeans to how fungus can be used to make a leather alternative. Launch of a new child health centre – We catch up with the Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health's inaugural Director, Professor Andy Bush, about priorities for research into child health, working with local communities, and how the pandemic has affected the capacity for care. The ‘Bionic Olympics’ – We talk to Professor Aldo Faisal about the Cybathlon, where differently abled athletes compete using the latest assistive technologies, and how his work using sensors to understand real-world learning can help in rehabilitation. Levelling up Christmas dinner – How can we enjoy the holidays but also make our Christmas dinner better for the plane

In this edition: The nocebo effect of statins, the latest on Imperial’s COVID-19 vaccine and a former PM talks pandemic. News: Gut problems linked to depression, and a new test for Chagas disease – We find how people with inflammatory bowel conditions are often diagnosed with depression before their bowel diagnosis, and discover a new test that can differentiate between the different strains of Chagas disease. The nocebo effect of statins – We learn from Dr James Howard about his study that found some people report side effects whether they are taking statins or just placebo pills, showing the startling ‘nocebo effect’ that can stop people taking vital medicines despite doing them no harm. The state of COVID-19 vaccines – We speak to Professor Robin Shattock, who is leading Imperial’s vaccine effort, about the current state of play and how he feels about anti-vaccine sentiments. Neil Ferguson and Tony Blair talk pandemic – The Director of Imperial’s J-IDEA institute, Professor Neil Ferguson, talks to forme

In this edition: Exploring pandemic mental health, comparing spaceflight and frontline NHS work, and linking severe morning sickness with depression. News: The toll of the first wave and bringing the Festival online – We discover how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected deaths from all causes, and look forward to the Great Exhibition Road Festival moving online with the launch of a new art project. Youth mental health during the pandemic – We speak to Dr Lindsay Dewa, who is part of a project to find out how young people coped during the COVID-19 lockdown, and whether their coping strategies have changed over time. Comparing spaceflight and surgery – Astronaut Helen Sharman chats to trainee surgeon Dr Derek Yeung, comparing notes on the challenges and triumphs of spaceflight and working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an excerpt from the Hidden Strengths podcast series, created by PanSurg, where healthcare staff share their experiences of adversity and perseverance with key f