Stony Brook University’s College of Arts and Sciences has launched a new podcast titled “The Difference You Make: The Ideas That Matter.” The podcast is hosted by Dean David Wrobel and features faculty members from the college discussing their research, scholarship, and mentorship. According to the university, the series aims to highlight how academic ideas contribute to new knowledge about both the physical world and human experience, with an emphasis on strengthening communities.
“I’m excited to launch ‘The Difference You Make: The Ideas That Matter’ podcast after months of planning and preparation, and couldn’t be happier with the guidance, support and contributions my team has received along the way,” said Wrobel. “The conversations have been excellent, and I cannot wait to share them with our community. It’s another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the intellectual life of the College.”
The first episode was released on September 17 and featured Barry Barish, a Nobel Laureate in Physics who holds the President’s Distinguished Endowed Chair in Physics at Stony Brook. Barish discussed his path into physics driven by curiosity as well as his work with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which contributed to his joint receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017 for observing gravitational waves. The release of this episode coincided closely with the tenth anniversary of LIGO’s first detection of gravitational waves.
Barish also spoke about mentorship he received from another Nobel Laureate during his undergraduate studies. He reflected on his research into sub-atomic particles that led to achievements such as being awarded the National Medal of Science. Barish continues teaching at Stony Brook University and mentors both graduate and undergraduate students.
The second episode became available on September 24 and features Alfredo Fontanini, professor and chair in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior. Fontanini explained how he began studying taste—describing it as a coincidence—and outlined his research focused on how regions of the brain process taste and emotions. He also shared personal anecdotes about his interest in food tastes and discussed connections between taste and smell.
Listeners can access “The Difference You Make: The Ideas That Matter” on Spotify or through Stony Brook University’s College of Arts and Sciences YouTube channel. New episodes are scheduled for release every Wednesday.
