Chris Williams joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the evolution and significance of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. He explained the differences between additive and subtractive manufacturing, the various materials used, and the advantages of this technology. He also shared some of the ongoing additive manufacturing projects of he and his colleagues. About WilliamsChristopher Williams is the L.S. Randolph Professor and the Electro-Mechanical Corporation Senior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He is the Director of the Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems (DREAMS) Laboratory and holds affiliate faculty appointments in the Department of Engineering Education and the Department of Material Science and Engineering.
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Bacteriophages' role in the gut with Bryan Hsu
Bryan Hsu joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about bacteriophages, commonly called phages. He explained their role in the gut microbiome, their potential in phage therapy, and the potential as a tool against antibiotic resistance. Hsu also broke down how phages interact with bacteria, their dual nature as both beneficial and harmful, and the innovative ways researchers are engineering phages for therapeutic use. About HsuBryan Hsu is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and an affiliate of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. His research broadly focuses on using an interdisciplinary approach towards understanding and remodeling the gut microbiota with a special focus on discovering new phages and genetically engineering them for anti-bacterial and anti-virulence applications.
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Make sense of economic climates with David Bieri
David Bieri joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of understanding economic climates and the importance of historical context and narratives in economic theories. He emphasized the role of government in providing certainty, the significance of individual actions in the economy, and the necessity of re-evaluating economic ideas and institutions. Bieri also highlighted the interplay between economics and humanity, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to economic systems.About BieriDavid Bieri is an associate professor in the School of Public and International Affairs and an associate professor of economics. He also holds an appointment in the Global Forum on Urban and Regional Resilience. His teaching interests are at the intersection of public finance, monetary theory and history of economic thought. He has held various senior positions at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to his work in central banking, he worked in investment banking in London and Zurich.
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The magic of 'The Magic School Bus' with Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl
Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the enduring impact of “The Magic School Bus,” which is best known as a long-running educational television show for children. Wisnioski and Meindl shared the insights they’ve gained while working on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why the content worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment. The discussed the television show’s origins and the importance of the collaborative nature that led to its success.About Wisnioski and MeindlWisnioski is an associate professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.Meindl is an associate professor in Radford University’s School of Communication and a Ph.D. student in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.The pair are co-investigators on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why “The Magic School Bus” worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment
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Using virtual reality to explore history with Eiman Elgewely
Eiman Elgewely joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her work using virtual reality and the principles of interior design to explore historical spaces. She described the research and collaboration required by such projects and explained how digital technology can help revive lost heritages, increase access, and provide insights for current applications. She specifically talked about two recent projects - 3D virtual reality creations of the house of Sheikh Isa in Bahrain and Meketre's ancient Egyptian garden. The latter can be experienced in the Cube at the Moss Arts Center from May 5 - May 7.About Elgewelyis an Assistant professor of Interior Design at the School of Design and a Faculty Affiliate of the Center of Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech. Her research interests are in digital cultural heritage and museum studies and she currently leads several projects in the Visualization and Virtual Reality Lab.
Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.
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