POP Talks returns to U of I with bold research in bite-sized lectures

MOSCOW, Idaho — Curiosity, creativity and bold ideas take the spotlight at University of Idaho’s third annual POP Talks at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. The free event will be held in the Bruce M. Pitman Center International Ballroom and livestreamed on U of I Live.

Eight U of I faculty members will deliver dynamic four-minute talks that reveal surprising insights and spark new ways of thinking. In just one hour, the audience will journey across disciplines — from philosophy to robotics — gaining a glimpse of how Vandals are reshaping knowledge, technology and communities.

After the final presentation, in-person and online attendees can vote for their favorite talk. The winner will receive a $2,500 grant. Undergraduates attending in person will also be entered to win one of two $1,000 scholarships.

This year’s speakers are:

• Bert Baumgaertner, Ph.D., who studies how belief, reasoning and truth spread through society, explores how human intelligence differs from AI when it comes to metaphors.
• Janine Julianna Darragh, Ph.D., who researches literacy, language learning and trauma-sensitive teaching, shares teaching tools and techniques that can be used even in the face of crisis.
• Kendra Kaiser, Ph.D., who leads statewide water research collaborations, highlights efforts to make Idaho’s water science more connected, accessible and practical.
• Simona Picardi, Ph.D., who uses GPS tracking and data science to study animal movement, shows what migration patterns reveal about ecosystems under pressure.
• John C. Shovic, Ph.D., who directs U of I’s Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics, demonstrates how trial-and-error, and even destruction, can be the best ways to learn.
• Tyler Bland, Ph.D., who reimagines medical education through games, storytelling and AI, reveals how creative tools can make medical training more effective.
• Jess Millward, J.D., LL.M., who leads U of I’s Tribal Law Clinic, discusses tribal law and advancing justice and sovereignty through real-world legal advocacy.
• Phil Bass, Ph.D., who researches meat science from genetics to dry aging, explains the central role U of I plays in the Idaho cattle industry.

“We created POP Talks to showcase the incredible range of ideas and discoveries happening at U of I,” said Christopher Nomura, vice president for research and economic development, who will emcee the event. “In just a few minutes per speaker, you get to see how our researchers are challenging assumptions, solving problems and imagining new possibilities for Idaho and beyond.”

Media contact

Leigh Cooper 
Strategic content manager and science writer 
University Communications and Marketing 
208-885-1048 
leighc@uidaho.edu