C2ST Artist in Residence 2015-2018

Aaron Freeman

Meet Aaron Freeman, writer/producer, science commentator and funnyman. Former host of both NPR’s weekly talk show Metropolis, and WTTW’s Chicago Tomorrow, a weekly science-and-health half-hour magazine. Aaron will be sharing his take on a variety of science topics through posts and videos. Follow his YouTube Channel, Science the Day!


AIR Content

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NYC Rat DNA: Uptown, Downtown, and Midtown

University of Chicago neurobiologist Peggy Mason talks with her Brain Buddies Podcast co-host Aaron Freeman about recent research by Fordham University Ph.D. candidate Matthew Comb. Comb and his team collected scores of rats from different neighborhoods in Manhattan and analyzed their DNA. Their work shows identifiable differences in the SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) of rats in different areas of the island. They hope their findings will help the Mayor DeBlasio et al diminish the big apple’s rodent population.

C2ST in the News

Eclipse Moment of Totality

Originally published at: https://www.wbez.org/shows/worldview/eclipse-moment-of-totality/447aa67c-ac5c-46e7-9044-8554461cb40c

Former WBEZ host and self-professed geek Aaron Freeman traveled to Carbondale to see this year’s solar eclipse from the path of totality. The comedian, author, and artist in residence with the Chicago Council on Science & Technology talked Worldview through the moment of totality, and eclipse-themed yoga happening downstate.

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Fermilab’s First Black Particle Physicist – Dr. Herman B. White

Dr. Herman Brenner White was the first African-American physicist hired by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. He is also the first African American to have a scientific equation bear his name; the Stefansky-White Model for Neutrino Production. For Black History Month, Chicago Council on Science and Technology Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman talks with Dr. White about the role of race in his journey from rural Tuskegee, Alabama to one of the world’s top physics facilities.

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Dr. Herman B. White: Particle Physics & Romantic Love

Dr. Herman Brenner White was the first African-American physicist hired by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. He is also the first African American to have a scientific equation bear his name: the Stefansky-White Model for Neutrino Production. For Valentine’s day & Black History Month, Chicago Council on Science and Technology Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman talks with Dr. White about the intersection of particle physics and romantic love.
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The Secret Lives of Female Chimpanzees – Dr. Melissa E. Thompson

Behavioral biologist Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson talks prosocial behavior (or the lack of it.) On Wednesday 17 August 2016 at Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, Dr. Thompson will discuss what she learned about female reproduction while studying chimpanzees of the Uganda’s Kibale wildlife preserve. Her talk is part of the Chicago Council on Science and Technology’s ongoing series of programs to give the sci-curious opportunities to talk with real scientist about what they are discovering.

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A Gym Rat’s Guide to Chimpanzee Fitness

Behavioral biologist Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson explains how researchers assess wild chimpanzee strength and fitness. On Wednesday 17 August 2016 at Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, Dr. Thompson will discuss what she learned about female reproduction while studying chimpanzees of the Uganda’s Kibale wildlife preserve. Her talk is part of the Chicago Council on Science and Technology’s ongoing series of programs to give the sci-curious opportunities to talk with real scientist about what they are discovering.

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What We Got That Chimps Ain’t Got: Grandmothers!

Behavioral biologist Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson explains “The Grandmother Hypothesis.” On Wednesday 17 August 2016 at Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, Dr. Thompson will discuss what she learned about female reproduction while studying chimpanzees of the Uganda’s Kibale wildlife preserve. Her talk is part of the Chicago Council on Science and Technology’s ongoing series of programs to give the sci-curious opportunities to talk with real scientist about what they are discovering.

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Collecting Chimp Urine: The Worst Job In Science?

Behavioral biologist Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson talks about arguably the worst job in science, collecting chimpanzee urine and poop. On Wednesday 17 August 2016 at Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, Dr. Thompson will discuss what she learned about female reproduction while studying chimpanzees of the Uganda’s Kibale wildlife preserve. Her talk is part of the Chicago Council on Science and Technology’s ongoing series of programs to give the sci-curious opportunities to talk with real scientist about what they are discovering.

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Why Are Female Chimps So Sexually Promiscuous?

Behavioral biologist Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson explains female chimpanzee promiscuity. On Wednesday 17 August 2016 at Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, Dr. Thompson will discuss what she learned about female reproduction while studying chimpanzees of the Uganda’s Kibale wildlife preserve. Her talk is part of the Chicago Council on Science and Technology’s ongoing series of programs to give the sci-curious opportunities to talk with real scientist about what they are discovering.

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Dr. Herman White on “The Physics of Attraction”

On Sunday 24 January c2st.org Artist In Residence Aaron Freeman will host a FREE online event, “Sciencing Valentine’s Day: 3 Angles of Attraction ” featuring Fermilab Physicist Herman White, University of Chicago Neuroscientist Peggy Mason and Gaples Institute Cardiologist Stephen DeVries. In this interview Dr. White give us a preview of his thought on the intersections of the forceso attraction in in physics and romance.
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#Isis vs The US The Battle of Hypothalami #parisattacks

This repost seems acutely relevant given the recent Islamic State attacks on targets in Paris France. My basic (though wildly oversimplified take is that US military recruiters appeal to young men’s “inner comic book superhero”. US military marketing videos attempt to stimulate, in the hypothalamus, the production of testosterone. In contrast ISIS recruiting vids lean heavily toward th warm and fuzzy in big to entice young jihadi brains to produce oxytocin.
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How Being Poor Can Make You Sick – Dr. Paula Skye Tallman Pt.1

This is part one of C2ST Artist in Residence, Aaron Freeman’s talk with the Field Museum’s Dr. Paula Skye Tallman. Dr. Tallman is a biological anthropologist. I chat with her to follow up on her 1 September presentation at a Speakeasy in Wicker Park, Geek Bar sponsored by members of The Chicago Council on Science and Technology. Dr. Tallman talks about “How Being Poor Can Make You Sick.”

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#Neuroscience of Chicago #Cubs Fans

C2ST Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman pretends to interview Stanford University Neurobiology professor Robert Sapolsky on the difference between the brains of Chicago Cubs fans and those of lesser beings. According to Sapolsky part of the difference may have to do with higher sustained levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
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Best Day of My Life in Russian w/#Cardiology!

We really do have heartstrings. They’re called the chordae tendinae. Our hearts have four chambers. Two at the top and two the bottom. The two top chambers, the atria, collect blood. The right atrium gets oxygen-poor blood from the from the veins which is then sucked through three-leaf valve into the right ventricle then pumped into the lungs. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs that blood gets sucked through a two-leaf valve into the left ventricle which pumps it, all rich and oxygenated, into the aorta and throughout the body. Helping to prevent the blood from regurgitating from either ventricle back into either atria are the chordae tendinae, our heart strings. As suspension lines help a parachute stay properly shaped to mechanically resist the downward pull of gravity the chordae tendinae help heart valves resist the upward pressure of the ventricles. When we are stimulated, our hearts beat faster and harder tugging ever more on our heartstrings.

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#Asthma, #Comics & Metaphor w/Dr. Alex Thomas

C2ST Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman talks with comics artist, pediatrician and allergist Dr. Alex Thomas about the importance of metaphor to his work as an asthma specialist and medical science communicator. The interview is a intro to the topic of graphic medicine leading up to Comic Nurse MK Czerwiec’s workshop, “A Picture is Worth 1000 Words – Teaching Science with Comics”. The workshop will be hosted on Tuesday 12 November at Northwestern University’s Hughes Auditorium 303 East Superior St. in Chicago.

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Toxicologist Ric Newman talks #GMOs

This video is NOT, NOT, NOT and endorsement of the business practices of ANY multinational corporation, particularly any based in St. Louis, MO. Chicago Council of Science and Technology Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman chats with researcher and entrepreneur Ric Newman about the science of GMOs and what risks, if any, he sees in there presence in our food and farming systems.
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When Playing Sports is Bad For Your Brain – c2st.org

On Wednesday 13 May 2015 University of Chicago neurobioloby professor Peggy Mason will moderate a discussion of sports Traumatic Brain Injuries at Northwestern University’s Hughes Auditorium 303 E. Superior St. in Chicago. She will be joined by fellow neurobiologist Dr. Dorothy Kozlowsky of DePaul University and Rush Medical Center orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeff Mjaanes

C2ST in the News

Highland Park comedian tackles the humor in science

By Jennifer Fisher, Pioneer Press via the Chicago Tribune

Originally published at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/highland-park/news/ct-hpn-aaron-freeman-tl-0319-20150316-story.html

For the first time in his long career as a comedian, Aaron Freeman’s jokes are being fact-checked.

“I’ve never had anyone fact-check my jokes,” says the Highland Park resident. “It adds an extra degree of difficulty.”

An extra degree of difficulty, however, comes with the territory in Freeman’s new role as artist-in-residence for the Chicago Council on Science & Technology, a regional consortium on science and technology education and policy.

Continue reading “Highland Park comedian tackles the humor in science”

C2ST in the News

GarageBand, gTar and how technology can help turn you into a musician

By Haley BeMiller, Special to Blue Sky

Originally published at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/chi-c2st-music-technology-panel-bsi-20150325-story.html

Advances in technology have made it possible for just about anyone, even those who quit after one piano lesson, to explore music making.

That was the message of a panel of three music and music-technology experts who spoke during a Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) event Tuesday night. The event was moderated by Aaron Freeman, C2ST’s artist in residence and former host of NPR’s Metropolis and WTTW’s Chicago Tomorrow.

Music producer Doug McBride, owner of Gravity Studios in Wicker Park, cited Apple’s GarageBand program as an example of production at a user’s fingertips.

Continue reading “GarageBand, gTar and how technology can help turn you into a musician”