In this episode of HOOS in STEM, we speak with Kent Yagi, UVA Professor of Physics, whose work explores the deepest mysteries of gravity and spacetime. From Einstein’s century-old prediction of gravitational waves to their first detection in 2015, Yagi has been testing general relativity at cosmic scales. His discoveries connecting neutron stars, black holes, and the ripples of spacetime are helping redefine our understanding of the universe itself.
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41:09
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41:09
Anton Korinek and the Economics of Artificial Intelligence
In this episode of HOOS in STEM, we speak with Anton Korinek, UVA Professor of Economics and Public Policy and one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in AI. A decade into exploring AI’s long-term impact, Korinek has been at the forefront of understanding how artificial intelligence could reshape our societies, and our lives.
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46:12
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46:12
Modeling Life Itself: Madhav Marathe and the Science of Biocomplexity
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Madhav Marathe, Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of UVA’s Biocomplexity Institute. Dr. Marathe leads one of UVA’s most interdisciplinary research hubs where mathematicians, epidemiologists, social scientists, and AI systems work together to simulate the complex systems that shape our lives.
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39:39
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39:39
Jennifer Morse’s Unlikely Path to Combinatorics
In this episode of HOOS in STEM, we spoke with Jennifer Morse, UVA Professor of Mathematics, whose path to combinatorics defied expectations. Raised on a dairy farm in Vermont, Jennifer’s journey took her from liberal arts studies to eventually earning a PhD in mathematics. Now, as one of the field’s top researchers, she’s preparing to lecture at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians.
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34:42
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34:42
Storytelling in STEM: A Bonus from The Story Collider with Scott Acton
In this special bonus episode, we share a live story told by Professor Scott Acton, chair of UVA’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Recorded at Carr’s Hill as part of our ongoing collaboration with The Story Collider, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the personal side of a scientist’s journey. With humor, vulnerability, and insight, Scott Acton reflects on the experiences that shaped his path in STEM
Host Ken Ono, STEM Advisor to the Provost, keeps his finger on the pulse of scientific and technological innovation at UVA. Hoos in STEM showcases the marvelous cornucopia of STEM at UVA, from the latest innovations to growth inside and outside the classroom.
Our theme music is CPU by Apples in Stereo.