In this episode of HOOS in STEM, we spoke with Jennifer Morse, UVA Professor of Mathematics, whose path to combinatorics defied expectations. Raised on a dairy farm in Vermont, Jennifer’s journey took her from liberal arts studies to eventually earning a PhD in mathematics. Now, as one of the field’s top researchers, she’s preparing to lecture at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians.

In this special bonus episode, we share a live story told by Professor Scott Acton, chair of UVA’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Recorded at Carr’s Hill as part of our ongoing collaboration with The Story Collider, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the personal side of a scientist’s journey. With humor, vulnerability, and insight, Scott Acton reflects on the experiences that shaped his path in STEM

Dr. Sontheimer is the department chair, professor, mentor, biotechnology founder, and textbook author behind a recent revolution in the emerging field of cancer neuroscience: a series of breakthrough discoveries that have catalyzed the ongoing translation of scientific research to successful clinical trials. From the evolutionary roots of binocular vision to recording single membrane ion channels over millionths of a second, Prof. Sontheimer has followed his curiosity to reshape our understanding of the glial cells that drive brain tumors and found institutions for training the next generation of distinguished neuroscientists. We are lucky to hear his story in this fitting finale of Hoos in STEM’s summer conversations.

Dr. Kemi Jona, UVA’s Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation, sits down with us to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education and the workplace. We explore the future of education in a post-AI world, and the steps the university is taking to champion lifelong, accessible learning. Reflecting on his expertise in computer science and education, Dr. Jona shares insights into the future of what learning may look like.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Esser, the inaugural Chief Scientific Officer of UVA’s new Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. Dr. Esser, a renowned expert in immunology and vaccine development, shares his journey from AstraZeneca to leading this ambitious institute. With a vision to revolutionize healthcare and accelerate the development of life-saving treatments, Mark discusses fostering innovation, attracting biotech companies to Virginia, and the future of personalized medicine.

To celebrate their graduation from UVA, student producers Katie Nichols and Reeya Verma interviewed four exceptional Hoos in STEM. They welcome astrophysicist, historian, and Rhodes Scholar Sam Crowe; neuroscientist and President of the Raven Society, Campbell Coleman; mathematician and Marshall Scholar Catherine Cossaboom; and computational biologist and Davis Prize for Peace awardee Deniz Olgun. Congratulations to these fantastic four and to all of UVA’s accomplished Class of 2025!

This Spring, UVA welcomed the Story Collider team back to Charlottesville for the third year running. During a special recording at Carr's Hill, four UVA STEM leaders told personal stories about their lives, their careers, and how personal stories and scientific inquiry intertwine.

We hope you'll head over to Story Collider to hear from Scott Acton, Chair of UVA's Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and Stephanie Rowley, Dean of the School of Education and Human Development; and Hoos in STEM is very excited to share the other two stories from some the event. Here's Bill Petri, the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at UVA, and Kathryn Thornton a retired astronaut and Professor Emerita at UVA in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Story Collider's mission is to reveal the vibrant role that science plays in all of our lives through the art of personal storytelling.

Check out all the Story Collider episodes: https://www.storycollider.org/podcast

In this episode, we’re diving into the groundbreaking research of UVA’s 2024 Edlich-Henderson Innovators of the Year: Professors Silvia Blemker and Craig Meyer from the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Their award-winning work is revolutionizing the way we analyze MRI data, creating 3D visualizations of musculature and providing insights that could transform athletic recovery. Whether you’re recovering from injury or optimizing performance, their work offers a new path to maximize recovery for all.