BrainCast

The Twists and Turns of Academic Journeys | What's Going on at Sussex | Dr Andrew Penn

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:51:52 GMT

In this episode of Brain case, Kiera sits down with Dr. Andrew Penn, Assistant Professor in Neuroscience at the University of Sussex.

If you study Neuroscience at Sussex, you've probably had the good fortune of being taught by him, be it lab or lecture, but tune in today to hear all about his journey into academia, the twists and turns of building a research career, and how tiny changes in brian signalling can have wide-reaching effects on brain health and disease.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disabilities | Part 2/3

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:59:43 GMT

Zoe, a Univesity of Sussex student, joints the Hidden Disabilities team (Emily and Riddhi) to discuss her Hidden Disability: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a poorly understood chronic pain condition that causes intense and debilitating levels of pain.

Zoe discusses her experience with CRPS, the healthcare adn education systems, and what she think needs to be done to maker society more accessible for people with Hidden Disabilities

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disabilities | Part 1/3

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:59:40 GMT

Zoe discusses her experience with CRPS, the healthcare adn education systems, and what she think needs to be done to maker society more accessible for people with Hidden Disabilities

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Hidden Disability | Part 3/3

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:59:37 GMT

Zoe discusses her experience with CRPS, the healthcare adn education systems, and what she think needs to be done to maker society more accessible for people with Hidden Disabilities.

From Philosophy to Psychedelics | What's Going On Everywhere Else | Dr. Lia Iglesias

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:35:59 GMT

In this episode of BrainCast, Keira sits down with Dr. Lia Iglesias, a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University in Denmark, who spends her days investigating the endocannabinoid system in fear modulation.

Join us for a chat about her narrow miss at a career in philosophy, research into psychedelics for PTSD, and dealing with rejection in academia.

Circadian Rhythms and the Biological Clock: Understanding Sleep Patterns with Dr. Rzechorzek

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:35:49 GMT

What is the "normal" temperature of the human brain, and why might it not always be 37°C?

In this episode of BrainCast, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Nina Rzechorzek, a clinician specialising in human brain temperature and neural circadian rhythms, previously at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge and now working with AstraZeneca.

Tune in for a fascinating talk as Nina shares her experience researching and studying within the fields of neurobiology and physiology and gives insights into her groundbreaking research on sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, and much more!

For further reading:

Rzechorzek, N.M. et al. (2024) ‘Circadian clocks in human cerebral organoids’, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.20.580978.

This episode was recorded in 2024; Dr Rzechorzek is currently interim Coordinator of the Precision Health Strategic ResearchInitiative, based at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cambridge'

Pannel Q&A: Internships and research experience

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:50:21 GMT

This episode features a Q&A panel of five undergraduate students who have completed the Junior Research Associate (JRA) Programme here at Sussex, as well as other neuroscience-related summer internships. We’ll be asking them questions submitted by you, giving you the chance to hear about their experiences, and the advice they’d offer to students looking to follow a similar path. So join us as we get an inside look at their journeys!

Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a quest speaker? Pop us an email - sj464@sussex.ac.uk - fm421@sussex.ac.uk

Switching Gears: From Neuroscience to Cancer Research - Insights from a Graduate's Journey

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 16:56:18 GMT

In this episode of the Early Careers Series, we’re joined by Tanvi Patel, a former Sussex Neuroscience graduate. She shares her journey of pursuing a master’s, switching career paths, and making the most of a neuroscience degree. Tune in for valuable insights and advice!

Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a guest speaker? Pop us an email - sj464@sussex.ac.uk/ fm421@sussex.ac.uk

Parkinson's Research, Student Internships and Inclusivity with Dr. Kalina Naidoo

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:25:16 GMT

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Naidoo, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Oxford. Francesca will be speaking with Dr. Naidoo about her current work in Parkinson’s Disease research and about the internship Francesca undertook this past summer under her guidance. Tune in as they discuss what it's like working in a research lab and the valuable insights and knowledge gained from this internship experience.

EPISODE 3- idiopathic intracranial hypertension (part 3)

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 11:35:35 GMT

Join Emily and Ray this week in a long format (part 3 of 3) session to talk with our guest Amelia about lived experiences with neurological disorders. In this episode, we follow Amelia’s journey with idiopathic inter cranial hypertension and how it affects their life. Please Enjoy and Follow!

EPISODE 3- idiopathic intracranial hypertension (part 2)

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:26:03 GMT

Join Emily and Ray this week in a long format (part 2 of 2) session to talk with our guest Amelia about lived experiences with neurological disorders. In this episode, we follow Amelia’s journey with idiopathic inter cranial hypertension and how it affects their life. Please Enjoy and Follow!

EPISODE 3- idiopathic intracranial hypertension (part 1)

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 13:05:32 GMT

Join Emily and Ray this week in a long format (part 1 of 2) session to talk with our guest Amelia about lived experiences with neurological disorders. In this episode, we follow Amelia’s journey with idiopathic inter cranial hypertension and how it affects their life. Please Enjoy and Follow!

From Rejection to Resilience: Interview Tips with Scientifica's Stephanie Baldwin

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:09:06 GMT

When looking for a job, chances are you'll face a few "no's" before you get to a "yes" — and that's not necessarily a bad thing! In this podcast, Stephanie Baldwin, People Services Manager at Scientifica, joins Ray Das, co-host of BrainCast, for an insightful discussion on embracing rejection and top interview tips. Stephanie explains how each rejection can be a chance to learn, grow, and refine your approach, sharing practical strategies to turn those setbacks into stepping stones for growth, resilience, and personal development.

About Scientifica -

Scientifica is a leading producer of state-of-the-art electrophysiology and imaging tools. Scientifica supports researchers around the world to make advancements in neuroscience, cardiology, cancer research, and various other scientific areas. In addition to leading equipment and comprehensive support, Scientifica hosts an extensive Resource Centre dedicated to fostering the sharing of expertise, which is full of a wide range of blogs, videos, case studies, and much more!

Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a guest speaker? Pop us an email - sj464@sussex.ac.uk / fm421@sussex.ac.uk

Consciousness with Anil Seth

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 23:00:20 GMT

Anil Seth is one of the most prominent consciousness researchers in the 21st century. Working as a professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, and director of the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science, Seth focuses on how brain systems operate to produce the rich inner experience we are all familiar with, but that is inherently different for each of us. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, Seth is also the author of the Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, ‘Being You’, and the speaker of one of TED’s most popular science talks.

In this episode of BrainCast, our co-hosts Loll Downes and Paddy Haresnape speak with Seth about how the field of consciousness science can be translated into psychiatric medicine, the phenomenon of inner diversity and our perceptions of the world, and the possibility of conscious AI machinery.

Listen to this episode to better understand individual perceptions of reality and the self, and the current approaches to uncovering the mysteries of consciousness.

To learn more about the incredible work of Anil, find his website, and his TED talk, linked below.

https://www.anilseth.com/

https://embed.ted.com/talks/the_ted_interview_anil_seth_explores_the_mystery_of_consciousness

Purchase Anil’s highly praised book here.

Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a guest speaker? Pop us an email - ac2021@sussex.ac.uk :)

Mitochondrial Diseases with Aya Tarabeine

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 10:39:43 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Alice Cox speaks with Aya Tarabeine, a postgraduate research student at UCL's Queen Square Institute of Neurology, about her journey to study mitochondrial function, her thoughts and opinions on current debates within mitochondrial biology, and moments of running her own podcast that has been particularly memorable.

Listen to Aya's own podcast, Your Brain Uncovered, here.

Similarly, if you have any questions for Aya, feel free to reach out using aya.tarabeine.22@ucl.ac.uk.

For more frequent BrainCast updates, follow us on Instagram (@usneurosoc) or Twitter (@SussexNeuroSoc).

Any further questions, drop us a message at ac2021@sussex.ac.uk.

Hidden Disabilities: Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:41:24 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, we continue the Hidden Disabilities series where our host Emily Kirkby talks with Rae about her hidden disability; Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a disorder characterised by the dysfunction of the nervous system, and how the brain/body send and receive signals. Rae discusses her experiences with the healthcare system, and what they think needs to be done to make society more accessible for those with a hidden disability.

Food Rewards and Cues with Dr Eisuke Koya

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:41:20 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Dr Eisuke Koya, a reader in behavioural neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about appetitive associations between food rewards and cues that predict their availability.

PhD Research with Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:56:12 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Maja Nowak talks with Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi, a PhD student working on sensory neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about his PhD project, his work experience in Japan, as well as his advice for undergraduates looking to go into academia.

Diversity in STEM Research with Dr Eleanor Jayawant

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:56:00 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Sam Gornall talks with Dr Eleanor Jayawant, a Research Fellow in Computational Systems Biology at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, about experiences of a career in STEM with disabilities, and why it is important to encourage diversity in every field, not just research.

Hidden Disabilities: Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:55:54 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, we begin the Hidden Disabilities series with hosts Emily Kirkby and Sude Umac, who talk with University of Sussex student Alex Michael about their hidden disability, Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP). We talk about their experiences within the healthcare and educational system, and what they think needs to be done to make society more accessible for people with hidden disabilities.

Alzheimer's Research and Public Engagement with Dr Claire Lancaster

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:55:48 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Sam Gornall talks with Dr Claire Lancaster, an Alzheimer's Society Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, about her views on present research, public engagement, and what the field might look like moving forward.

Synesthesia with Professor Jamie Ward

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:55:41 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Loll Downes talks with Professor Jamie Ward, the director of Sussex Neuroscience who specialises in the field of individual differences in perceptual experiences, about his inspirations to working in cognitive neuroscience, as well as his recent work in synesthesia.

Transition from Industry to Academia with Emeritus Professor Dora Duka

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:55:36 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Alice Cox talks with Emeritus Professor Dora Duka, an experimental psychologist at the University of Sussex, about her research on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of addiction, as well as different aspects of human psychopharmacology. She also talks about her career journey from industry to academia.

Motor Neuron Diseases with Professor Majid Hafezparast

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:55:12 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Professor Majid Hafezparast, a lecturer and professor of molecular neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about ALS, and the molecular level defects in how cargo is transported along neuron axons.

The Auditory System with Professor Corne Kros

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:54:55 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Corne Kros, a professor of neuroscience at Sussex, about his research on inner ear hair cells, and their contribution to hearing loss. We also get an insight into what it's like being an academic and hear some advice for those aspiring to do a PhD/have a career in research.

Systems Neuroscience with Professor Miguel Maravall

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:54:48 GMT

On today's episode of BrainCast, our host Marcus Burnell-Spector speaks with Professor Miguel Maravall, the Co-Director of Sussex Neuroscience, about his work on sensory neurophysiology using optogenetics and electrophysiology. He also talks about his career path from studying physics to experimental systems neuroscience.

Vision and Synapses with Professor Leon Lagnado

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:18:29 GMT

In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Marcus Burnell-Spector talks with Professor Leon Lagnado, a lecturer and professor of neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about his research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating synaptic transmission, and how these determine the processing of visual signals in the retina and higher visual centres. He also speaks about his career journey.