Mind-Controlled Prosthetic, Rough Riders, Snakes, Psych of Food

Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Limbs Guest: Robert Gaunt, Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh The Rehab Neural Engineering Lab at the University of Pittsburg is working on robots you can control with your brain. Specifically, robot limbs for paralyzed people and amputees that can feel the things it interacts with like biological limb can. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders Guest: Clay Risen author, "The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, The Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century" The Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment, led by Teddy Roosevelt, symbolized a very specific vision of American identity for the coming century, and their heroic story gave that vision broad reach. Snake hugs, anyone? Guest: Sara Ruane, Assistant Professor of Evolution, Rutgers University - Newark If anyone can make you love snakes, it's Sara Ruane. She wants us all to understand just how amazing, diverse, and relatively safe these creatures are. Art Students In the Cadaver Lab Guest: Michael Grimaldi, Director of Drawing, New York Academy of Art Michael Grimaldi, in the throes of his art education, felt like modern art had lost a bit of its realistic touch. The great artists that he revered learned drawing by studying cadavers and dissection, but modern art schools lacked the resources to provide that same experience. Psychology of Food Guest:  Rachel Herz, author, "Why You Eat What You Eat: the Science Behind Our Relationship with Food" and adjunct professor, Brown University, and part-time faculty, Boston College There is much, much more to your food preferences than you’d think—besides your tongue, your brain and nose play invaluable roles in helping you love bacon, chocolate, and pickles.  We’re going to learn how to use that. Find out more about her work here.