Lucia Leone’s interest in nutrition began in childhood, as she watched her mother—without a car and on a limited income—still manage to put healthy meals on the table. Now an associate professor of community health and health behavior at the University at Buffalo, Leone studies how to make nutritious eating achievable for families facing similar barriers. In this episode, she joins host David Hill to explain why simply expanding access to food is not enough to ensure nutrition security. She discusses community-based interventions like mobile produce vans and food prescription programs, and what her research reveals about why some efforts succeed while others fall short. She also challenges misconceptions about SNAP and the people it serves, and examines what it will take at the societal level to close the food gap for good.

Credits:

Host: David Hill
Guest: Lucia Leone
Writer/Producer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group

Coming March 31: A pioneer in the field of neurovascular disease, Elad Levy helped establish thrombectomy as the standard of care for stroke and was among the first to implant a brain-computer interface enabling people with limited mobility to operate devices with their thoughts. In the next episode, he discusses these and other groundbreaking achievements—and offers a preview of the innovations he’s advancing now.

Frank Scannapieco wasn’t too interested in school as a kid; he went to college largely because his father insisted. But a few inspiring teachers, a growing fascination with biology and a chance encounter with oral microbiology set him on a path that would lead to an internationally recognized career. In this episode, Laurie Kaiser talks with Scannapieco, a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, about his pioneering research linking oral health to systemic diseases such as pneumonia, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. He explains—in plain terms—how inflammation and bacteria in the mouth can affect the rest of the body, why dentistry and medicine have long been disconnected, and what simple steps we can all take to protect our oral and overall health as we age.

Credits:

Host: Laurie Kaiser
Guest: Frank Scannapieco
Writer/Producer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group

Coming March 3: Public health researcher Lucia Leone understands food insecurity—she grew up with it. Now she’s leading interventions to bring healthy, affordable food to everyone, no matter their income or ZIP code. In the next episode, she talks about projects that are making a difference, from food prescriptions to mobile produce markets.

Growing up in a multigenerational household, Carleara Weiss was a caregiver from the start. But as she lay awake at night listening to her elders snore, she didn’t realize those sounds were signs of obstructive sleep apnea—or that OSA is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Now, as an assistant professor of nursing at the University at Buffalo and a nationally recognized sleep researcher, Weiss is advancing our understanding of how sleep affects the brain. In this episode, she talks with host Cheryl Quimba about why sleep is essential, what happens when we don’t get enough of it, and how disrupted sleep can contribute to cognitive decline. She also breaks down her latest research and shares practical strategies for getting a better night’s rest.

Weiss is currently recruiting for two studies related to sleep, aging and Alzheimer’s. If interested, please contact Ayesha Rahman at 716-829-3218.

Credits:

Host: Cheryl Quimba
Guest: Carleara Weiss
Writer/Producer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group

Coming March 3: Public health researcher Lucia Leone understands food insecurity—she grew up with it. Now she’s leading interventions to bring healthy, affordable food to everyone, no matter their income or ZIP code. In the next episode, she talks about projects that are making a difference, from food prescriptions to mobile produce markets.