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The Short Version

The Short Version

Written by: University at Albany
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 Quick insights for busy people. What’s happening at the University at Albany and in the world around us. Recorded in Albany, New York, at one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation.2025 The Short Version Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The weather machine: Kara Sulia on what AI can (and can't) tell us about weather

    The weather machine: Kara Sulia on what AI can (and can't) tell us about weather
    Dec 3 2025
    The longer version: For many people drawn to careers in atmospheric science, their curiosity is kindled by a formative weather event during their youth — a blizzard or flood that leaves such an impression that they spend their adult lives chasing the mysteries in the clouds and wind.But for Kara, it was as much about the math.“I knew I liked math. I knew I liked science. And I thought, ‘Meteorology seems cool,’” she reflected on her decision to pursue it as an undergraduate major. “I thought I was going to be a forecaster, but then I realized I didn’t like forecasting. But I always really liked the fundamental math, the calculus.”As she pursued her PhD in meteorology, Kara also quickly recognized the centrality of computer science to the work she hoped to do.“The coding and the computer programming was always my most favorite part of graduate school and anything I did in undergrad — writing software or writing programs. When I got my job here at UAlbany, I knew I wanted to spend more time learning the best ways to write code. I still understand the fundamental physics, but I also just loved the programming part of it. Because I wanted to do all those things and develop software and take all this interesting data and do something with it, I started taking computer science classes. This past May, I actually earned my bachelor’s degree in computer science from UAlbany and, right before our conversation, I just came from my first master's-level class. So I’ve really been developing a robust background in computer science and seeing how I can use computer science as a tool — and AI as a tool —to enhance my research and the research of those in my center. I really like the mixture of the two, and I also realize that a lot of my peers, especially when I was an undergrad, and now a lot of students, kind of struggle with the computer science component because it wasn’t built into the curriculum. We weren’t taught coding. But literally every single thing we do, every project we have — unless you’re out there counting raindrops on leaves — you are doing some level of computer programming. And it’s not just our field. It’s any scientific field or beyond.”Kara is uniquely suited to run ASRC’s AI/machine learning lab because she understands the fundamentals of both the atmospheric and computer science at work.“You don’t want the computer model making predictions that aren’t grounded in reality,” she said. “You want the actual predictions to be tied to the laws of physics.” Go deeper Learn more about Kara’s research interests and UAlbany's Atmospheric Sciences Research CenterGo inside UAlbany’s xCITE LabRead how Carly Sutter, a graduate student in Kara’s lab, used machine learning to analyze road conditions based on traffic camera imagesExplore ASRC’s history on top of Whiteface MountainAnd watch a daily time-lapse video from ASRC's perch on the roof of New YorkCampus news Dozens of UAlbany Researchers Among World’s Top 2% of ScientistsThe Princeton Review Names UAlbany to Mental Health Honor Roll for Second YearChemistry Professor Honored with Prestigious American Chemical Society AwardUpcoming events 12/9: Holiday Greeting Card Unveiling & Community Coffee Hour12/10:Build-a-Budget Workshop with Thrive UAlbany12/13: Women’s Basketball vs. Boston UniversityExplore everything happening on campus with the University at Albany Events CalendarEpisode credits Research and interview by Mike NolanHeadlines by Erin FrickAudio editing and production by Scott Freedman Photos by Patrick Dodson Written and hosted by Jordan Carleo-Evangelist The Short Version is produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing at the University at Albany, which is part of the State University of New York.Comments, ideas, suggestions? Send them to mediarelations@albany.edu and be sure to put The Short Version in the subject line.
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    14 mins
  • EXTRA SHORT: Taylor Philippi on working with actors to practice high-stakes conversations

    EXTRA SHORT: Taylor Philippi on working with actors to practice high-stakes conversations
    Nov 24 2025
    The longer version:

    When we spoke with Taylor, he had already completed his first field practicum, a core component of the Master of Social Work program, at the Pride Center of the Capital Region.

    The Albany-based non-profit is dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community, offering counseling, peer-led support groups and events. They also offer trainings, which became a focal point of Taylor's experience. This is what he said:

    “Part of my field practicum involved going into schools and delivering trainings to teachers, superintendents, school counselors — really anyone working in a school setting. These trainings focused on gender and sexuality and were designed to help them understand what their students might be experiencing and how they can create affirming, loving environments within their classroom for queer students. And it wasn’t just for students who identify as LGBTQ+, it was also about making learning equitable for all students. How do we meet everyone's social and emotional needs? I was formerly an educator, so getting to speak to my former colleagues was really enriching for me. I could see the lights go on in some of the teachers’ heads who want to help and want to serve but aren't necessarily sure how to support and affirm their queer students.”

    What is your top tip for educators seeking to make their classrooms more inclusive?

    “One of the simplest things I love to say is to have something in your classroom that signifies that you are an ally. That could be a pin, it could be a flag on your desk, it could be a magnet. It could be including your pronouns in your syllabus or putting your pronouns on the board or in an email signature. These sorts of visual cues are really helpful to students because then students can think, “Ok, I know this teacher is going to respect my pronouns or respect my preferred name,” or “I can talk to my teacher about my relationships, no matter what they look like.”

    Those visual cues are a really good starting point. It's very simple and you don't have to think about it every day. The item is just there, and it represents your willingness to learn, your willingness to listen, and your willingness to love them no matter who they are.”

    Go deeper

    Learn moreabout how the School of Social Welfare uses professional actors to help students prepare for client interactions.

    Watch a video featuring Taylor together with fellow advanced standing Master of Social Work student Gabriella Audino and Assistant Director of Field Education Monique Ivey.

    Discover UAlbany’s Master of Social Work program.

    Episode credits

    Interview by Erin Frick
    Audio editing and production by Scott Freedman
    Photo by Scott Freedman
    Written and hosted by Erin Frick

    The Short Version is produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing at the University at Albany, which is part of the State University of New York.

    Comments, ideas, suggestions?

    Send them to mediarelations@albany.edu and be sure to put The Short Version in the subject line.
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    7 mins
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