Knowing Neurons

Knowing Neurons talks with Elizabeth, Nada, Maarten, and Eric about brain-computer interfaces and their use across medical and consumer spaces. Elizabeth and Maarten, both neuromodulation researchers, discuss brain-computer interfaces in the research setting, which includes testing safety as well as potential efficacy for therapies. Nada outlines challenges on the ethics side, including engaging larger groups of both study participants and consumers. Senator Lucero brings expertise about the legislative process and data privacy at large. Together, all the guests consider how to best approach regulation of brain computer interfaces as the industry grows and spreads across different aspects of our lives in healthcare and beyond.
Guests:
Dr. Elizabeth Bottorff, PhD
Nada Salem, MSc
Dr. Maarten Ottenhoff, PhD
Minnesota State Senator Eric Lucero
 

Episode Notes/Relevant links:
●       Elizabeth’s policy paper
●       Nada’s policy paper
●     BrainGate
●     Eric’s bill
●     Insulin pump cybersecurity risk
●      Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC)
●       FDA Investigational Device Exemption
●     Institutional Review BoardI (IRB) 101
●     MnDRIVE
 
Link to Knowing Neurons’Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons
 
Produced by Jessica Froula

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Emma Muller, a clinical psychology PhD student at the University of Kansas, and Dr. Neda Jahanshad, an assistant professor in Neurology at University of Southern California. They discuss our limited understanding of menopause, despite its prevalence in society, and highlight the research participants that make learning more about brain health possible. They also discuss short term and long term policy actions in this space.

Guests:
Emma Muller
Dr. Neda Jahanshad, PhD

Episode Notes/Relevant links:
● Emma’s policy paper
● Wellcome Leap Initiative, CARE Program
● BALANCE Docuseries
● Office of Research on Women’s Health
● Society for Women’s Health Research
● Women’s Brain Foundation
● North American Menopause Society
● Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
● Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act
● My Menoplan
● Hormone Therapy Warning Label and Controversy
● After Decades of Misunderstanding, Menopause is Finally Having Its Moment

Link to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons

Produced by Jessica Froula and Katie Chan

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Anna Rader Groves, a PhD candidate at
Georgia State University, and Margaret Master, MBA, MPH, who serves as the current Executive Director of
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. They discuss key issues in maternal healthcare,
resources available to families in Georgia, and challenges faced by advocates in this policy space.

Guests:
Anna Rader Groves
Margaret Master, MBA, MPH

Episode Notes/Relevant links:
● Anna’s policy article
● HMHBGA Perinatal Mental Health Resource Guide
● HMHBGA 2025 State of the State Report
● HMHBGA Legislative Tracking Tool
● Implicit Bias bill introduced in GA state house in 2025
● Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank and their 10-Year Retrospective Report
● Maternal Mortality Review (MMRIA) data
● Postpartum Support International (PSI) - Georgia
● PEACE for MOMS
● Mobile clinic: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
● GEEARS

Link to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons

Produced by Jessica Froula

En este episodio, exploramos la trayectoria científica de la Dra. Angélica Torres-Berrio como mujer latinoamericana y bilingüe. Nacida en Colombia, realizó su licenciatura en Psicología en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, su maestría en Neurociencia en la Universidad de Sevilla, su doctorado en la Universidad McGill y su postdoctorado en Mount Sinai en Nueva York. Actualmente, dirige un laboratorio en la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard y es Directora de Investigación Social y Cognitiva en el Lurie Center for Autism del Hospital General de Massachusetts. También conversamos sobre su compromiso con la educación y la inclusión a través de iniciativas como STEM sin Fronteras, Neuro Diáspora Colombia y el Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias.

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. William Pettersson-Yeo, an Academic Clinical Fellow and a member of the British Neuroscience Association. In this episode we discuss Dr. Pettersson-Yeo's research on first episode psychosis using AI as a tool to identify patients with treatment-resistant psychosis.
Be sure to check out the rest of the BNA 2025 content and join as a member. By joining the BNA you will be part of a vibrant, progressive community of over 3000 neuroscientists from across all sectors, helping to define and deliver the future of neuroscience. BNA members also receive benefits including free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Associations (FENS), access to reduced fees for the US-based Society for Neuroscience (SfN) annual meeting, and eligibility for prizes, bursaries and funding.