Introduction Song Han is an associate professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science whose research focuses on efficient AI computing. His work spans high-resolution computer vision for autonomous vehicles, more efficient image generation, improved GPT performance, and novel methods for training machine learning models. He also leads the Efficient AI team at NVIDIA Research, focused on optimizing GPU-accelerated AI systems. In this episode, President Sally Kornbluth speaks with Song Han about efficient AI, why it’s so energy-hungry in the first place, and the benefits of lighter models.
Particle Physics#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Artificial intelligence#Computer science and technology
Introduction Emil Verner is the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Professor of Management and Financial Economics at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His research examines how finance and the broader economy interact, with a focus on the causes and consequences of financial crises — from bank runs and insolvency to debt booms, economic volatility, and political polarization. In this episode, President Sally Kornbluth speaks with Emil Verner about why financial crises happen, how they ripple through economies and politics, and what they mean for individual financial stability.
Environment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Finance#Debt
Introduction Sebastian Lourido is an associate professor of biology at MIT and a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. Sebastian studies human pathogens and uncovers the genetic pathways that allow parasites like Toxoplasma gondii to survive and replicate inside human cells. His work could pave the way for new treatments for toxoplasmosis — which affects roughly 60 million people worldwide — and inspire drug discoveries for diseases caused by similar parasites. In this episode, President Kornbluth and Lourido discuss toxoplasmosis, how parasites behave inside human cells, and the complex relationships that unfold over the course of a chronic infection.
Medical ResearchLife SciencesEnvironment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Whitehead Institute#nuclear medicine
Introduction Christopher Palmer is an Associate Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is also a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and an Affiliate with the Jameel Poverty Action Lab, based here at MIT. He studies consumer credit, and household financial decision making. In this episode, President Kornbluth and Palmer discuss household financial decision making around mortgages, car loans, and how best to save for retirement.
Life Sciences#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Economics#Personal finance
Introduction Brent Minchew is an Associate Professor of Geophysics in the department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT. He studies the behavior of glaciers in response to environmental factors and is dedicated to understanding sea level rise and exploring viable interventions to stabilize ice sheets. In this episode, President Kornbluth and Minchew discuss glacier-related sea-level rise and potential mitigation solutions.
Environment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Climate change#3-D imaging
Introduction Stefanie Mueller is an associate professor with a joint appointment in MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering departments. Her work is focused on developing novel hardware and software systems that advance personal fabrication technologies. She envisions a world in which anyone can use 3D printing to create any object at any time. In this episode President Kornbluth talks with Mueller about the future of customizable 3D printing, what it could mean to manufacturing and sustainability, and how to make it accessible to everyone.
Medical ResearchEnvironment & ClimateTechnology & Innovation#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#3-D printing#Fabrication
Introduction Andres Sevtsuk is an associate professor of urban science and planning at MIT. His work focuses on the influence of urban design on travel behavior and quality of life, and contributes to making cities more walkable, sustainable, and equitable. In this episode President Kornbluth talks with Sevtsuk about the complex forces that shape our cities and the effects of urban planning on sustainable mobility and quality of life for city residents.
Environment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Urban studies and planning#Cities
Introduction Giovanni Traverso is an associate professor in MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering and a gastroenterologist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. His work focuses on innovative methods for drug delivery, diagnostics, and biological sensing. In this episode, President Kornbluth speaks with Traverso about tackling the core challenges of taking medication, the unique perspective that comes with being both a professor and a practicing gastroenterologist, and the importance of entrepreneurship.
Medical ResearchEnvironment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#Drug delivery#Medical devices
Introduction Benedetto Marelli is a biomedical engineer by training and a materials scientist. He is an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His work is focused on using biomaterials-based innovation to improve agricultural methods, food security, and food safety. In this episode, President Kornbluth speaks with Marelli about the advantages of using silk-based coatings in agriculture and water filtration, and why being bold and creative can lead to powerful discoveries.
Life SciencesEnvironment & Climate#Massachusetts Institute of Technology#Curiosity Unbounded#Podcast#MIT News#Podcasts#President Sally Kornbluth#climate#Civil and environmental engineering
