David Bieri joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of understanding economic climates and the importance of historical context and narratives in economic theories. He emphasized the role of government in providing certainty, the significance of individual actions in the economy, and the necessity of re-evaluating economic ideas and institutions. Bieri also highlighted the interplay between economics and humanity, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to economic systems.

About Bieri

David Bieri is an associate professor in the School of Public and International Affairs and an associate professor of economics. He also holds an appointment in the Global Forum on Urban and Regional Resilience. His teaching interests are at the intersection of public finance, monetary theory and history of economic thought. He has held various senior positions at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to his work in central banking, he worked in investment banking in London and Zurich.

Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the enduring impact of “The Magic School Bus,” which is best known as a long-running educational television show for children. Wisnioski and Meindl shared the insights they’ve gained while working on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why the content worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment. The discussed the television show’s origins and the importance of the collaborative nature that led to its success.

About Wisnioski and Meindl

Wisnioski is an associate professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.

Meindl is an associate professor in Radford University’s School of Communication and a Ph.D. student in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.

The pair are co-investigators on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why “The Magic School Bus” worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment

Eiman Elgewely joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her work using virtual reality and the principles of interior design to explore historical spaces. She described the research and collaboration required by such projects and explained how digital technology can help revive lost heritages, increase access, and provide insights for current applications. She specifically talked about two recent projects - 3D virtual reality creations of the house of Sheikh Isa in Bahrain and Meketre's ancient Egyptian garden. The latter can be experienced in the Cube at the Moss Arts Center from May 5 - May 7.

About Elgewely

is an Assistant professor of Interior Design at the School of Design and a Faculty Affiliate of the Center of Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech. Her research interests are in digital cultural heritage and museum studies and she currently leads several projects in the Visualization and Virtual Reality Lab.

Alex DiFeliceantonio joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact of ultra-processed foods on health, the NOVA classification system for food, and the role of dopamine in food choices. She highlighted the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the American diet, their association with various health issues, and the challenges of navigating food choices in a highly processed environment. She also emphasized the need for a balanced approach to diet, recognizing the difficulties in reducing ultra-processed food intake while maintaining convenience and accessibility.

About DiFeliceantonio

DiFeliceantonio is an assistant professor with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and interim co-director of its Center for Health Behaviors Research. She holds an appointment with Virginia Tech’s Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. DiFeliceantonio is a neuroscientist who studies how the brain integrates peripheral signals to guide food selection and eating behaviors. Using multimodal brain imaging and metabolic measures, her laboratory in Roanoke, Virginia studies food motivation to ask new questions about diet, food choice, and addiction.

Shalini Misra joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the impact of digital technologies on the Appalachian Trail. She explained a recent research project that surveyed trail resource managers to gather insights as to the challenges and opportunities emerging technologies present. She explained the tensions between traditional hiking experiences and modern technology, and emphasized the need for a balance between accessibility and preservation of natural environments.

About Misra

Shalini Misra is an associate professor of urban affairs and planning in the School of Public and International Affairs, which is located in the Virginia Tech Research Center — Arlington. She is also an administrative fellow in the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment. Misra’s research interests include the social, psychological, and health implications of the Internet and digital communication technologies, as well as public interest technology, its design and deployment, and the governance of digital technologies.

Brendan David-John joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about gaze data, exploring its applications in virtual and augmented realities and the associated privacy concerns. He highlighted the potential for gaze data to reveal personal information and related security implications, especially in a military context, and shared the projects he’s currently working on to better mitigate this threat.

About David-John

David-John is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Virginia Tech Private Eye Lab, as well as a researcher with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative. His research interests include eye tracking, virtual reality, augmented reality, privacy, and computer graphics.

Liesel Ritchie joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how sociology can help people better understand community dynamics during and after disasters. Ritchie shared the importance of understanding social capital’s role in community resilience, as well as how natural disasters differ from other types of disasters that strike communities. She also emphasizes the need for strong community relationships and the importance of listening to community needs when providing assistance from the outside.

About Ritchie

Ritchie is a professor of sociology in Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Her research focuses on community resilience and the social impacts of disasters, including conducting social impact assessments, with an emphasis on technological hazards and disasters, social capital, and rural renewable resource communities. During her career, she has studied a range of disaster events, including the Exxon Valdez, BP Deepwater Horizon, and Wakashio oil spills; the Tennessee Valley Authority coal ash release; Hurricane Katrina; and earthquakes in Haiti and New Zealand.

Tombo Jones joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the intricacies of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. Jones explained the various regulations surrounding drone operations, the challenges of identifying drones in the sky, and the importance of safety measures. He also shared his insights into counter UAS strategies, including detection and mitigation techniques, and its implications for national security, as well as how Virginia Tech is helping advance both.

About Jones

Tombo Jones’ unique blend of aviation expertise and skilled leadership anchor his role as Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) director. He leads MAAP’s work as an FAA-designated UAS test site, an FAA ASSURE partner, as well as its leadership of Virginia’s team in the BEYOND program, directing the management and growth of a portfolio that encompasses major federal drone-integration initiatives and complex technical research projects. He serves on the Governor’s Aerospace Advisory Council and has served on FAA rulemaking committees.