In the Spotlight

The microbiome has gotten a lot of attention recently, with gut health being emphasised in everything from digestion to mental health. But when is the last time you thought about the microbiome in your lungs? Here to tell us all about the fascinating environment that is our lungs is Jack Thomas Sumner, a Northwestern University PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:This TED Talk on the human microbiomeIf you're feeling a longer read, Ed Yong's I Contain Multitudes is a great deep dive into the topic (non-affiliate link)If you're feeling extra science-y, here's a review on the lung microbiomeTo find out more of the research at Northwestern, check out SCRIPT's homepageDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how how healing can be controlled through electricity and her insights on how medical device regulation can keep up with the pace of new medical devices. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) at Northwestern UniversityMore on the FDA's Right to Try Act Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's exhibit, "You! The Experience"Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsmart our immune system is Northwestern PhD student Alexandra Karagiaridi, from the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into her graduate school, the significance of her work, and how she goes about solving the problem.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:A nice summary by the American Society for MicrobiologyA report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's HospitalIf you're feeling up for it, a scientific review on ABC transporters and how they help pathogens infect usDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

For our season 3 finale, we're uncovering all there is to know about green spaces and green infrastructure for cities! Many people don't realize the dozens of benefits that trees and green spaces give us, including in stormwater collection and preventing flooding. Northwestern PhD Candidate Colleen O'Brien (and member of our podcast team!) shares a bit more about the fascinating questions being asked about green spaces in environmental engineering research and how green infrastructure policy can be designed with communities in mind. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:"The climate crisis haunts Chicago's future. A battle between a great city and a great lake" by the New York Times "Green infrastructure: how to manage water in a sustainable way" by the NRDC"Chicago's Green Space: Inequitable for 100 years" Adopt a tree through Openlands' Treekeepers!"How one Boston neighborhood stopped gentrification in its tracks" Happy City by Charles Montgomery (book)Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Humans are messy, complicated beings. Who we are is influenced by a number of factors, ranging from our upbringing to our geography. Here to walk us through the study of transnationalism, and how it's changing, is David Duske. David is a 2nd year MA student at the University of Buffalo, in the Department of Africana and American studies. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:This video by the University of Oxford on transnational migrationAn overview on American StudiesA summary of transnationalismThis article from The Atlantic on what being "American" really meansDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.In the 4th and final episode of this 4 episode series, we had the privilege to speak with the Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Public Health Department, Matthew Richards. Together, we tackle the new Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program in Chicago, the new changes its brought, and what it will try to accomplish in the future.  If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: Initial coverage on and response to the funding of CARE can be found here and hereThe Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee's Recommendations Report from October 2019More on University of Chicago's Urban Labs Health Lab that completed the Road Map Initiative report on cyclic utilizers Most recent news report on the outcomes of the CARE program and coverage of pushback on the CARE program designGive your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to check in on the Chicago Public Health Department you can visit their website or follow them on Twitter. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.In the 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we chatted with one of the leaders of the new First-response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) run by Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Christopher Mayer, to learn more about their recently debuted mobile crisis team that serves Evanston and north Chicago! If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: More on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program in Illinois More on the goals of CESSA and the upcoming 988 crisis line numberTrilogy's FACT program can be accessed by calling 1-800-FACT-400.Give your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response.In the 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Executive Director of Impact Behavioral Health Partners, Dr. Patti Capouch, about the background behind mobile crisis response teams in our area and the latest crisis response resource to be funded by our local Evanston government. If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: More about the prior work of the Alternative Response Subcommittee and their meetingsOther notable crisis response models in Denver and Oregon (CAHOOTS)More about Turning Point's Living Room in Skokie and the upcoming Living Room in Evanston"City Council allocates funds for walk-in mental health crisis center" by the Daily NorthwesternIntroduction to the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) in IllinoisGive your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow Impact Behavioral Health Partners and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more.Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on new strategies in mental health crisis response. In the 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from the Director of Programs of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Cook County North Suburban, Dr. Christine Somervill, about the state of mental healthcare in our area and how crisis response compares to other healthcare needs. If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: More about mental health services in Evanston"Mental health advocates push for more federal ARPA funds from Evanston, describe system in crisis"The mental health dashboard and Mental Health is Essential campaign created by the Mental Health Taskforce"The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use" "COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide" by the WHO"Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century" about deaths of despair before COVID-19"Deaths of despair: the unrecognized tragedy of working class immiseration" "They Lost Sons To Drug Overdoses: How The Pandemic May Be Fueling Deaths Of Despair" by NPR"The Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in COVID-19""Mental health professionals are the ones taking care of us: Who’s taking care of them?" by USA TodayGive your feedback on the episode here for a chance to win a $30 Visa gift card!If you want to follow NAMI CCNS and stay updated with their work, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website to learn more. You can also check out NAMI's national organization website here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

Computational modelling has revolutionised complete fields, leading to increasingly advanced theories and applications. But what does computational modelling look like in material science, a field often associated with material things? PhD candidate Sean Koyama is here to walk us through the bleeding edge research that is computational material science!If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:A lecture on how innovation in Materials SciencesAn educational physics channelA book by Albert Einstein on relativityA short article on the origins and applications of spintronicsMake sure to reach out to Sean on Twitter!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

The process of developing from a single fertilized egg cell to a mature adult requires your cells to know exactly what specialization they will have AND spatially where they need to be in the developing organism. That's a lot for us to figure out! PhD student Andrew Montequin uses frogs to study exactly how these cellular processes occur so that we can better understand everything from evolution to cancer metastasis. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:Evo-Devo (Despacito Biology Parody) by A Capella Science (YouTube video)Biologists Home In on Turing Patterns (news article) Why use the frog in research? Lab website for the LaBonne Lab at Northwestern UniversityDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Climate change is something a lot of us hear about on a daily basis, but how much do we really know about the history of our climate. It turns out our Earth's past may hold some clues to its future.  Here to walk us through her work in Deep Time is Nilou Sarvian, a 5th year PhD candidate in the Department of Earth and Planetary sciences at Northwestern University.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:A fascinating insight into the triggers for Snowball EarthsA short video Climeworks, a novel carbon-capture technologyA somber piece on The Atlantic discussing the latest IPCC reportMake sure to reach out to Nilou on Twitter!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Evidence-based interventions are so critical to treating mental illness and behaviors like suicide, but the road to developing these interventions is far from easy. Psychology PhD candidate Abby Ridge-Anderson shares more about her path into adolescent suicide research, how new treatments can specifically target the drivers of suicide, and common misconceptions about suicide and mental illness. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:Ask Dr. Jill: Does Mental Illness Play a Role in Suicide? (website)Uncovering Suicidal Thoughts and 10 Things to Say to a Suicidal Person (website for suicidal individuals and their loved ones)Reach Out: How to Help Someone at Risk of Suicide (article)News articles on Meghan Markle's mental health stories and ways that it has changed the way we talk about suicideSuicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents by Barry M. Wagner (book)Managing Suicidal Risk: A Collaborative Approach by David A. Jobes (book)Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents by Alec M. Miller, Jill H. Rathus, & Marsha M. Linehan (book)If you or someone you care about is struggling with suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to check out the following resources: The Jed Foundation13 Reasons Why by Helping Give Away Psychological Science (HGAPS)The Trevor ProjectAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

While the concept of tiny houses may evoke imagery straight out of a fairy tale, these small abodes help empower women around the world. Here to walk us through this fascinating concept is Alice Wilson, a 3rd year PhD candidate in urban sociology at the University of York, in the United Kingdom. Join us as we chat about the definition, history, and significance of tiny homes.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:This article from the Conversation on why more and more people are living in tiny homesThis article on the unspoken difficulties of living in a tiny houseThis (accessible!) academic article assessing whether tiny homes are here to stayAlice's blog, where you can keep up with her latest thoughts on the subjectA great episode from our friends over at HookedOnScienceMake sure to reach out to Alice on Twitter or Instagram!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.In the 4th and final episode of this series, we are focusing on one aspect of education that's been particularly challenging during the changing learning environments of the pandemic - social and emotional learning (SEL). Former educator and now Northwestern University professor Dr. Tim Dohrer shares his decades of experience on the topic and personal observations of how SEL has changed in the last few years! If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: Introduction to the topic of education loss during the pandemic from the University of Arizona and CNBCStatistics on mental health of children shared by Dr. Dohrer on depression rates and treatment seekingInformation on the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and one of their recent working papers on supportive relationship building and resilienceThe Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) in Chicago and their introductory page on social and emotional learningCPS remote learning policies and a news article entitled "Chicago Public School student says high school students should leave cameras on during remote learning" Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu 

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.In the 3rd episode of this 4 episode series, we next dive into the research behind COVID-19, but this time more specifically about transmission and risk mitigation strategies in schools. Dr. Priya Edward and many others from Lurie Children's Hospital are doing ongoing research on how SARS-COV-2 transmission through schools can be characterized and shares about how this could make a big difference in how we make policy decisions moving forward.If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: Dr. Edward's study on asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission in Chicago private schools and preprint study on COVID-19 variants in childrenInformation on the childhood opportunity index measurementDetailed information on COI in Chicago zip codes as of 2015 and the "Healthy Chicago 2.0" plan of action that incorporates COI dataChicago Teacher's Union's safety committee resources, including vaccination rates in Chicago Public SchoolsThe CDC's "Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools" Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu 

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling.In the 2nd episode of this 4 episode series, we are hearing much more on the topic of risk and transmission in kids - are children really as immune to COVID-19 as the media portrays them to be? What research questions do we still need to figure out? All this and more from a pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent! If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: Dr. Heald-Sargent's early paper from the pandemic on SARS-CoV-2 in childrenCDC's March 11th MMWR report on COVID-19 risk in childrenMore on the ABC Science Collaborative and their study on rates of secondary transmission in schoolsDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

We are introducing a new monthly policy episode series called "Science Policy in the Spotlight," where we will focus our attention on a timely and local policy topic in the greater Chicago area and understand how science helps inform the topic. This series, we're focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 schooling. In the 1st episode of this 4 episode series, we will hear from Chicago Public Schools nurse and active member of the Chicago Teachers Union, Dennis Forsuth, to best understand the teacher experience during the changing safety guidelines of COVID-19.  If you want to learn more about the information discussed throughout this episode, our sources are listed here: "90% of U.S. school boards are picked by voters, but not in Chicago. Here's why that could change" news article"Chicago will have the largest elected school board of any major U.S. city" news articleNationwide analysis of school boards from the Pew Charitable TrustCOVID-19 Vaccine Doses by ZIP Code reported and updated by the city of ChicagoCOVID-19 Vaccine Administration Data reported and updated by the Illinois Department of Public Health"South Siders In Chicago’s Least-Vaccinated Areas Say Misinformation, Mistrust Behind The Lag. Here’s What They Say Can Help" news article"Chicago teachers approve deal to end walkout over COVID safety protocols" news articleRisk of diabetes diagnosis in kids after COVID-19 as studied by the CDC and as reported by the New York Times"What's new in the January 2022 Safety Agreement?" summary fact sheet by the Chicago Teachers UnionWhat is an unfair labor practice (ULP)? from the U.S. Federal Labor Relations AuthorityUpdate on the CTU: "ULP charge now moves to trial before an administrative law judge" news article If you want to follow the Chicago Teachers Union, you can follow them on Twitter or check out their website and blog for updates.Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases! Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu

The world of prostheses has been advancing rapidly, but how can we make sure that the benefits are reaped by everyone that needs it? Here to talk us through prosthetic development and equity initiatives in the field is Maggie Swerdloff, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:Check out the EEG Hair Project to learn more about diversity in EEG researchFind out about interesting prostheses research at the Shirley Ryan Ability LabMake sure to reach out to Maggie on Twitter!Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Welcome to In the Spotlight, the science communication podcast brought to you by Northwestern University's Science Policy Outreach Taskforce! This season, we are unveiling a new episode series alongside our normal content, called "Science Policy in the Spotlight." We want to showcase some local policy issues in the greater Chicago and Evanston communities where science is important to the discussion. Each policy series, we will interview scientists, community members, elected officials, and more to try to understand different perspectives and how science informs their work. We can't wait to release the first series on March 28th - see you then! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.edu