Category: The Academic Minute

In case you missed it: five Wichita State University faculty and staff members were featured in a weeklong takeover of NPR’s “The Academic Minute,” a nationally syndicated public radio program that highlights research and scholarship from universities across the country, last week.

• “Nikki Keene Woods, Wichita State University – Why Patient Trust Determines Whether Technology Improves Care During Pregnancy“
• “Heidi VanRavenhorst-Bell, Wichita State University – Measuring Performance of the Mighty Human Tongue“
• “JaeHwan Byun, Wichita State University – Rethinking Learning with AI“
• “Waruna Seneviratne, Wichita State University – Automated Toolless Manufacturing of Composite Structures in Space“
• “Nick Solomey, Wichita State University – Helping NASA Study Energy From The Solar Core“

If you’re currently involved in research or other projects and would like to share the information with the Office of Strategic Communications for consideration to be promoted, please email the office at strategic.comm@wichita.edu.

Wichita State is taking over “The Academic Minute” podcast on NPR, with one episode each day this week highlighting a WSU researcher.

In today’s episode, Solomey discusses research exploring how detectors placed closer to the sun could dramatically improve the study of solar neutrinos. The concept could provide new insights into both neutrinos and the fusion processes that power the sun. 

Listen to the episode online, on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wichita State is taking over “The Academic Minute” podcast on NPR, with one episode each day this week highlighting a WSU researcher.

In today’s episode, Seneviratne discusses how Automated Tool-less Manufacturing (AToM) could transform space construction by allowing large composite structures to be built directly in orbit. The technology uses coordinated robotic systems to create lightweight, aerospace-quality components while reducing the limitations imposed by rocket launches and payload sizes.

Listen to the episode online, on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wichita State is taking over “The Academic Minute” podcast on NPR, with one episode each day this week highlighting a WSU researcher.

In today’s episode, Byun discusses “Generativism,” a framework that views generative AI as a partner in learning rather than a shortcut to answers. The approach emphasizes critical thinking through an ongoing process of prompting, evaluating and refining information. 

Listen to the episode online, on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wichita State is taking over “The Academic Minute” podcast on NPR, with one episode each day this week highlighting a WSU researcher.

In today’s episode, VanRavenhorst-Bell discusses her research on measuring tongue strength and movement, which play important roles in speaking, chewing, swallowing and breathing. Her work includes innovations designed to improve the accuracy of clinical assessments and treatment. 

Listen to the episode online, on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wichita State is taking over “The Academic Minute” podcast on NPR, with one episode each day this week highlighting a WSU researcher.

In today’s episode, Keene Woods discusses her research on wearable devices that enable healthcare providers to monitor fetal heart rates during pregnancy remotely. Her work examines how factors such as comfort, privacy and trust influence women’s willingness to adopt new health technologies. 

Listen to the podcast episode online, on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.