Adrienne Antonson: A Journey Through Science, Art, and the Education System | The UIUC Talkshow #28

Adrienne Antonson is a Neuroscience and Animal Sciences professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she uses translational animal models to study the connections between inflammation, neurodevelopment, behavioral abnormalities, and mental health disorders.
In this episode of the UIUC Talkshow, Dr. Antonson shares her experience of balancing her passions for art and science and the importance of breaking out of the traditional system to find one's own path. She also discusses the challenges and inefficiencies within the academic system, particularly for early career faculty and graduate students. We also discuss the flaws in the education system and the societal pressure on individuals to fit into specific career paths.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Antonson remains committed to pushing the forefront of science and finding ways to improve the system for future generations.
In a surprising twist, Dr. Antonson reveals her love for fine arts and her decision to study abroad in Milan, Italy, before ultimately returning to her scientific pursuits. The conversation concludes with Dr. Antonson sharing her thoughts on the modern learner, the consequences of inflammation in fetal neurodevelopment, and advice for young people looking to make a difference in the world.
The episode was great because it was honest. We understood and learned about the many things that make Dr. Antonson a great professor besides her academics. We realized that we are all learning together and that no one is perfect. It's okay not to know what you want to do at an age most people associate with "success" and "growth"-taking your time to get to where you want to can be equally, if not more, rewarding.
We shouldn't be afraid to try new things. Instead, we should take it as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and the world around us. If you can persevere, you can get anywhere you want to. Remember to have fun along the way!
This is The UIUC Talkshow, and this episode is one of Aaryaman Patel's favorites.
EPISODE LINKS:
Adrienne Antonson's Twitter: / amantonsonphd
Adrienne Antonson's LinkedIn: / adrienne-m-antonson-ph...
Adrienne Antonson's Lab Website: publish.illinois.edu/antonson...
Adrienne Antonson's UIUC Website: neuroscience.illinois.edu/pro...
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Being an effective presenter
06:30 - Gaining mastery over a subject
08:43 - Humanistic lens of a professor
10:04 - Running a "small company" as a neuroimmunologist
12:46 - Being interdisciplinary as a scientist
14:36 - What led you to do what you're doing right now?/ How to choose the right path for you
20:50 - Partner in Crime!
22:32 - The power of relationships
26:31 - Want to learn more about yourself? Have an open mind/ Finding meaning in Animal Behavior and Welfare
30:46 - How do you know when something is right for you?/ Finding a balance in life
34:17 - Societal pressure
36:09 - Pushing the forefront of science/ What keeps you going?
38:44 - Dr. Antonson's Twin Sister!
42:58 - Life's a marathon, not a sprint
44:46 - Breaking out of the system/ Inefficiencies within the system
50:16- Fixing the system
57:40 - Are our institutions fixable?
01:01:56- The modern learner/student
1:04:09 - The consequence of inflammation in fetal neurodevelopment
1:16:00 - Inflammation & Modern Diseases
1:28:40 - Advice for young people
🚥Overrated/Underrated Section 🚥
1:34:19 - 🖌 Art History
1:36:24 - 🧠 Neuralink
1:38:01- 🧬 Charles Darwin and The Theory of Evolution
1:41:46 - Closing Words
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Learn more about Juan David & Aaryaman:
Aaryaman
LinkedIn: / aaryamanpatel
Website: www.aaryamanpatel.com/
Twitter: / aaryamanpatel
Juan David
Website: www.juandavidcampolargo.com/
Twitter: / jdcampolargo
LinkedIn: / jdcampolargo
Instagram: / jdcampolargo

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Here are the timestamps for this conversation. If you have questions for Dr. Antonson, please write them below. 0:00 - Introduction 00:34 - Being an effective presenter 06:30 - Gaining mastery over a subject 08:43 - Humanistic lens of a professor 10:04 - Running a "small company" as a neuroimmunologist 12:46 - Being interdisciplinary as a scientist 14:36 - What led you to do what you're doing right now?/ How to choose the right path for you 20:50 - Partner in Crime! 22:32 - The power of relationships 26:31 - Want to learn more about yourself? Have an open mind/ Finding meaning in Animal Behavior and Welfare 30:46 - How do you know when something is right for you?/ Finding a balance in life 34:17 - Societal pressure 36:09 - Pushing the forefront of science/ What keeps you going? 38:44 - Dr. Antonson's Twin Sister! 42:58 - Life's a marathon, not a sprint 44:46 - Breaking out of the system/ Inefficiencies within the system 50:16- Fixing the system 57:40 - Are our institutions fixable? 01:01:56- The modern learner/student 1:04:09 - The consequence of inflammation in fetal neurodevelopment 1:16:00 - Inflammation & Modern Diseases 1:28:40 - Advice for young people 🚥Overrated/Underrated Section 🚥 1:34:19 - 🖌 Art History 1:36:24 - 🧠 Neuralink 1:38:01- 🧬 Charles Darwin and The Theory of Evolution 1:41:46 - Closing Words