Coffee Conversations with Scientists

About the Series

In partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin, join host Rayna Andrews each month as she digs into the science behind a health topic making news today. Think of it as a virtual coffee break, with a science twist. 

You bring the coffee. We’ll bring a scientist. And together we’ll explore what science tells us about the health topics that matter to you!

Watch the Episodes

Listen to the Podcasts

The Science Behind Pancreatic Cancer Therapeutics

October 30, 2024

We chat with with Gustavo W. Leone, PhD, Director of Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center and Senior Associate Dean of Cancer Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about urgent research and cutting-edge therapies that are transforming the fight against pancreatic cancer.

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The Science Behind Premature Respiratory Disease

September 25, 2024

We chat with Girija Ganesh Konduri, MD, Pediatrician and Neonatologist with Children’s Wisconsin and Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about the urgent and often life-threatening challenges of neonatal respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension in premature babies—conditions that demand immediate attention and expert care..

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The Science Behind Rising Syphilis Rates

July 30, 2024

We chat with Allison Linton, MD MPH, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, about the latest trends in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and why syphilis is on the rise.

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The Science Behind Collaborative Diabetes Management Interventions

May 28, 2024

We chat with Dr. David Nelson, PhD, Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on the systems changes needed for health integration and delivery for diabetes prevention.

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The Science Behind Integrative Dementia Care

April 24, 2024 

We chat with Leslie Ruffalo, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on how imagination and creative communication strategies could increase caregiver and patient relations for persons living with dementia.

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The Science Behind Self-Compassion and Weight Management

March 20, 2024 

We chat with Dr. Alexander Buhk as we explore the correlation between self-compassion and weight management, and discuss the tools to help love yourself at any size.

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The Science Behind the Grieving Brain

January 17, 2024

We chat with Joseph Goveas, MD, Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Institute for Health and Equity and Vice-Chair and Director, Geriatric Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on the risks, symptoms, and interventions for prolonged grief.

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The Science Behind Autism Diagnosis

November 29, 2023 

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Dr. Kathleen A. Koth, DO, DFAACAP, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), to learn about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), diagnosis, and advancements in care.

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The Science Behind Immunizations

September 29, 2023 

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Carlos Figueroa Castro, MD, assistant professor of infectious disease at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) to learn about the importance of immunizations, early detection, and infection prevention.

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The Science Behind Colorectal Cancer

August 23, 2023 

We chat with Charles R. Rogers, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology and social sciences in the Institute for Health & Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and a Research Scholar Endowed Chair of MCW’s Cancer Center to learn about the importance of early detection for colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as why CRC is slated to be the deadliest cancer among adults under age 50 by 2030.

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The Science Behind Social Media and Youth Mental Health

June 27, 2023 

Dr. Jeff Karst, PhD, pediatric psychologist in the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Wisconsin and associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin talks about the new cautionary effects of social media on young people.

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The Science Behind Effective Dieting

April 26, 2023

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Lisa Morselli, MD, PhD, endocrinologist, and assistant professor at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin about the trends, facts, and misconceptions associated with effective weight-loss diets.

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The Science Behind Vasectomies

March 21, 2023

Approximately 500,000 men in the United States get vasectomies each year, and many of them get scheduled during March Madness. Why is that? Tune in as we discuss the science behind vasectomies and what’s driving the uptick in procedures. Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Jay Sandlow, MD, urologist and professor at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Presented in partnership with the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.

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The Science and Trends Behind Losing Weight

February 21, 2023

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The Science Behind Seasonal Affective Disorder

December 12, 2022 

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Himanshu Agrawal, MD, DFAPA, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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The Science Behind Monkeypox

November 4, 2022 

Andrew Petroll, MS, MD, professor of medicine in the MCW division of infectious diseases chatted with Mary Beth Graham, MD, FIDSA, FACP, associate chief and professor of medicine in the MCW division of infectious diseases about the science behind monkeypox.

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The Science Behind Breast Cancer

October 27, 2022 

Adrienne Cobb, MD, MS, assistant professor of surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, discussed the science behind breast cancer.

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The Science Behind Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion

September 21, 2022 

Dr. Michael McCrea, the Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Chair in Neurosurgery; professor; vice chair of Research; co-director, Neurotrauma Research Center; director, Clinical Trials Office (CTO) in the Neuroscience Institute at MCW, chatted with host Dr. Terri deRoon Cassini, professor of surgery and the executive director of the MCW Comprehensive Injury Center at MCW, about the science behind traumatic brain injury and concussion.

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The Science Behind Parkinson’s Disease

July 27, 2022

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin as we chat with Dr. Cecilia Hillard, Associate Dean for Research; Director of the MCW Neuroscience Research Center; G. Frederick Kasten, Jr. Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research, as she chats with host, Dr. Cassie Ferguson, associate professor at MCW, about the science behind Parkinson’s Disease.

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The Science Behind Seasonal Allergies

May 16, 2022 

Dr. Asriani Chiu, Professor of Allergy and Immunology, and the interim section chief of Allergy at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Medical Director of Asthma and Allergy at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin chatted with host Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, director of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, about the science behind seasonal allergies including understanding the difference between allergies and illnesses such as the respiratory flu or COVID-19.

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The Science Behind Hearing Loss

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Join Dr. Chris Runge, professor in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin and director of the Koss Cochlear Implant Program, as she chats with host, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, director of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, about the science behind hearing loss, the most common types of hearing loss, and what you can do if you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss.

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Understanding the Science Behind Sleep Health

Wednesday, March 23  

Dr. B. Tucker Woodson, otolaryngologist and professor and chief of sleep medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, discussed the science behind sleep health.

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The Science of Health: Transitioning to a Plant-based Lifestyle

Wednesday, January 19

Dr. Stuart Wong, medical oncologist and director of the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Disease Prevention Research Center, chats with Dr. Rania Dempsey, lifestyle medicine physician and mom, about the science behind plant-based nutrition and tips on how to get started with some simple lifestyle modifications to improve your overall health. 

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Managing Mental Wellness: The Science Behind Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout

Thursday, November 18, 2021

‘Tis the season for … stress? Join Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Psychiatry Dr. David Cipriano to explore the science behind how stress, burnout, and anxiety can impact our overall well-being, and what we can do to support our mental wellness during the holiday season and beyond

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Kids & COVID-19: Vaccine Edition

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Join as Children's Wisconsin Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Gutzeit explores the science behind COVID-19 vaccines for kids and what the data says about safety and effictiveness, and the steps we can all take to keep our families healthy today

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Preventing Violence, Promoting Safe & Healthy Communities

July 13, 2021

As cities around the country reimagine public safety, Reggie Moore, director of violence prevention in the MCW Comprehensive Injury Center, and host Dr. Marc de Moya, Chief of Trauma Surgery at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin explore the science behind violence prevention

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Tired & Overwhelmed During COVID-19

May 4, 2021

Why do so many of us feel tired and overwhelmed more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began? Health psychologist Dr. Terri deRoon-Cassini explores the science behind how our experiences today are shaping how we feel, and what we can do to give ourselves the break we need.

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