From Cells to Creatures: Adventures in Biology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is familiar to many people, yet few know how this technology actually works. Why are strong magnetic fields required? What role does resonance play? And how can these physical effects be used to create images from inside the human body? This talk provides an accessible introduction to the physics behind MRI. Step by step, it explains how magnetic fields, radio waves, and resonance interact to obtain information from the body and transform it into detailed medical images. In doing so, it reveals how fundamental physics enables one of the most important imaging techniques in modern medicine and why MRI has become indispensable in both clinical diagnostics and scientific research.

Ever had nights of poor sleep and noticed how foggy your thinking feels the next day? Sleep is essential for clear decision-making and learning, but why? Unlike most cells, neurons must last a lifetime - they don’t divide.
Think of a house: old and damaged parts must be removed. Neurons face the same problem. But cleaning isn’t just about collecting waste - it has to be transported to the right place for recycling. In neurons, this waste travels along axons to central “recycling hubs,” where it is broken down and reused.

Ever wondered if mice can gamble? Imagine them sitting in front of a tablet, playing games to win candy rewards. Sounds crazy? It’s real! Some mice go “all-in” like fearless risk-takers, while others are cautious and risk-averse, just like us. In my talk, I’ll show how mice become such gamblers, what their choices can teach us, and why studying their risky behavior is surprisingly exciting for science.