Program Wrap-Up

Putting the Spotlight on NYC Innovation

The New York Academy of Sciences’ Scientist-in-Residence Student Showcase is an opportunity to explore scientific innovations taking place in New York City.

Published June 25, 2025

By Jennifer Atkinson
Program Administrator

Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

Students of all ages buzzed about posters and 3D dioramas of every shape, size, and color. In the air was a sense of nostalgia, one that harkened back to school science fairs from our youth. Students dressed in costumes for their presentations, some looking like the stereotyped “mad scientist” in white lab coats and goggles. Others took a different approach, dressing to resemble their projects, with one student wearing a sleep mask with “Nap Queen” embroidered on it.

The Scientists-in-Residence program, created in cooperation with the New York City Department of Education, offers public school students in elementary through high school the chance to bring their scientific imaginations to life by matching them with a scientist from The New York Academy of Sciences’ (the Academy’s) distinguished roster of graduate students and STEM professionals. The scientist works with a partner teacher to devise a project for their school group to work on throughout the year, culminating in a showcase each May to present their findings.

This year’s showcase, which was held on May 29th and 30th, brought nearly four hundred students from 41 schools across NYC together to celebrate their scientific discoveries. Special guest speakers, all of whom shared powerful messages of encouragement and inspiration, included:

Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure and member of the Board of Governors at The New York Academy of Sciences
Rita Joseph, New York City Council Member
Roy Nachum, Co-Founder of Mercer Labs
Cindy Lawrence, Executive Director of MoMath
Magdia DeJesus, Director of Scientific Strategy and Business Operations, Pfizer
Will Lenihan, Curator, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Susanna Ling, Senior Vice President Sponsorships, Partnerships and Industry Programs, Cure

Scientific Innovation Has No Bounds

During the poster sessions, older and younger students engaged with each other by listening to their peers’ presentations, providing an opportunity for students to learn from one another, not just a teacher or a scientist. Each student was provided with a scavenger hunt sheet to take specific notes about other groups’ projects, many of which ranged in complexity and subject.

Some projects tackled intricate topics such as bacterial growth in fermented foods, growing crystals from DNA, planarian secrets on regeneration, the study of sleep, and the Urban Heat Island Effect. This also gave students a chance to better understand their own home, New York City—as several school groups studied subjects that directly impacted their lives as New Yorkers, such as how air pollution affects the pH of drinking water.

The engagement between schools and students of different age groups provided an ideal opportunity for students to learn something new about a subject they had already studied. On numerous occasions, different school groups chose the same project but approached their experiment using distinct methods. They were encouraged to think outside the box—showing that science and creativity go hand-in-hand, but also that one scientific question can have endless answers.

Learning Valuable Lessons

Mentor scientists and teachers also had their own roles to play. Scientists were tasked with teaching their students the rigorous steps of the scientific method, creating hypotheses and sourcing data through surveys, physical collection, or other means. Teachers worked alongside scientists to guide their classes throughout the year. At the showcase, they were given forms to provide feedback to their students about their presentation and public-speaking skills.

In tandem with their mentor scientists and teachers, students learned valuable lessons about how scientific field work is performed and later communicated to the public, thereby developing a well-rounded toolbox of skills to bring with them into their own future careers as scientists.

The students themselves were even able to teach both their peers and adults valuable life lessons. One student from Urban Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science described their project on social media and its effects on mental health: “We learned that while it’s so addictive…silencing notifications and using screen time apps helps to moderate social media use. It is crucial to learn how to manage pleasure without the addiction.”

Inclusion in STEM

A big takeaway from this program is that younger generations are passionate about solving everyday problems and making the world a better place for all—and it shows in their hard work.

“One of the things I like most about the program is that students get a chance to know a real scientist—someone who is actively working or studying in a STEM field and isn’t just a name in a textbook or a figure on TV,” said Adrienne Umali, associate director of education for the Academy.

“As they get to know their scientist over the course of a school year, the students start to humanize what it means to be a scientist and in turn begin to build their own STEM identity. A key goal of our program is to foster the idea of belonging in the scientific world—there is no set criteria and you don’t have to look a certain way. Students start to see themselves as scientists, too,” Umali said.

The Scientist-in-Residence program provides the opportunity for scientific exploration and growth for teachers, scientists, and students alike. It serves as an inclusive space for anyone interested in STEM and shows that we are never too old or young to learn something new about our world.

Learn more about the Scientist-in-Residence Program. Applications for scientists and teachers interested in participating are open each Spring.

More photos from the 2025 Scientist-in-Residence Student Showcase:

Celebrating Scientific Brilliance and Resilience

Highlights from the 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel.

Published June 13, 2025

By Kamala Murthy
Senior Manager, Communications

Against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea and the luminous Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Tel Aviv, Israel, over one hundred preeminent scientific researchers, dignitaries, academics, business leaders, and supporters gathered on June 4, 2025, for an unforgettable evening honoring the future of science in Israel. The 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel recognized three of the country’s most promising early-career researchers in the fields of Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering.

Now in its eighth year, the Blavatnik Awards in Israel ceremony was both a celebration of scientific discovery and a tribute to resilience. As the sun set over Jaffa and guests moved from the reception to the dinner ceremony, Israeli TV anchor Hila Korach, serving as the evening’s presenter, opened the event with a moving acknowledgment of the October 7th attacks and the remaining captivity of 58 Israeli hostages. The resilient spirit of the evening underscored a powerful message: even in the face of geopolitical hardship in the region, science continues to forge ahead as a force for good.

Welcoming the Laureates and Their Institutions with Fanfare

As trumpeters heralded the opening of the ceremony, flag bearers representing ten of Israel’s premier academic institutions led a procession onto the main stage, followed by this year’s three Laureates. These three outstanding scientists were selected from among 36 top nominees from universities and research institutions across Israel. The following scientists were recognized as Laureates at the ceremony, where they received medals and presented a captivating overview of their groundbreaking research:

Professor Yonatan Stelzer (Weizmann Institute of Science) – Life Sciences
Dr. Benjamin Palmer (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) – Chemical Sciences
Professor Chaim Garfinkel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) – Physical Sciences & Engineering

“Laureates, we know you will triumph! We believe in you!”

The flag procession was followed by a dramatic vocal performance of the song “Believer” sung by a youth ensemble from the Artik Music School. The musical performance was designed to inspire guests to be believers in science, with resilience being the key to success.

Science, Hope, and Prosperity

The Blavatnik Award’s two administrative partners underscored the program’s mission to empower young scientists at a pivotal point in their careers when recognition and support can significantly impact their lives as scientists. In his heartfelt remarks, Professor David Harel, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, emphasized the urgent need to protect the freedom and integrity of academic inquiry in science, particularly in politically and culturally challenging times. Nicholas Dirks, President & CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, spoke to the 18-year success story of the Blavatnik Awards, leading it to become one of the most prestigious international science prizes for early-career scientists. Dirks also emphasized how the Blavatnik Awards have helped drive economic prosperity, turning $20 million in collective prize money into $2.4 billion in market capitalization, with over 50 companies founded by past Blavatnik Scholars, including six companies that are publicly traded.

A recorded message from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog served as a reminder that the Blavatnik Awards in Israel are in addition to being a tribute to three brilliant scientists from Israeli institutions are also a declaration of unwavering faith in science as a beacon of light in turbulent times. Herzog quoted Israel’s first President, Chaim Weizmann: “I trust and feel sure in my heart that science will bring to this land both peace and a renewal of its youth.” A moving performance by Israeli musical icon Aviv Geffen further added to the evening’s theme of hope and determination, echoing the national longing for unity, peace, and progress.

Israel’s Scientific Excellence on Display

Life Sciences Laureate, Yonatan Stelzer, PhD, from the Weizmann Institute of Science transported the audience into the remarkable world of embryonic development. His lab’s pioneering models of mammalian cell differentiation offer profound insight into how identical cells diversify into complex organisms—knowledge that holds transformative potential for regenerative medicine.

Physical Sciences & Engineering Laureate, Chaim Garfinkel, PhD, from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, followed with a dynamic exploration of climate modeling. He illuminated the atmospheric mechanisms that influence extreme weather events and detailed how improving prediction models can save lives and guide global climate policy.

Finally, Chemical Sciences Laureate, Benjamin Palmer, PhD, from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev, captivated attendees with a dazzling look into organic biomineralization. Studying how creatures like shrimp and plankton create reflective crystals, his lab is revealing new paths to develop sustainable optical materials that may one day replace conventional, toxic alternatives like titanium dioxide.

A Toast to Science and the Future

The evening concluded with a celebratory toast as the Laureates joined Professors Harel and Dirks on stage. Guests lifted their glasses with a collective “L’chaim!” — to science, to knowledge, and to a better future for the region.

The day prior, the 2025 Laureates presented their research at a public symposium held at the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Jerusalem. 2019 Blavatnik Awards in Israel Laureate Professor Michal Rivlin from the Weizmann Institute delivered the opening symposium lecture. Among the attendees were members of the public and STEM high school students from several regional high schools near Jerusalem.

The 2025 Blavatnik Awards ceremony venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

From Tools to Meta Humans: Talking to AI

In the final installment of this year’s distinguished lecture series hosted by The New York Academy of Sciences’ Anthropology Section, an expert panel discussed the intersection of anthropology, technology, and ethics.

Published May 2, 2025

By Brooke Elliott
Education Communications Intern

Webb Keane, PhD, presents during the From Tools to Metahumans: Talking to AI event at The New York Academy of Sciences on April 7, 2025.

Keynote speaker Webb Keane, PhD, the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan and a leading voice in semiotics, media, and ethics, centered his April 7th talk around his new book Animals, Robots, Gods: Adventures in the Moral Imagination. The book moves beyond human communities and explores the relational ethics that arise from human interaction with non-humans and near-humans, including artificial intelligence.

Prof. Keane opened his presentation by posing the provocative question: What defines a human?

Traditionally, it has been humankind’s capacity for language, tool-making abilities, and moral reasoning. But with the rise of generative AI and large language models, all three are under pressure, according to Prof. Keane.

AI as a Metahuman

Generative AI now challenges humankind’s unique position as language users, introducing tools that seem to “escape the grasp” of their creators. These AI systems don’t merely reproduce human intelligence, they imitate its outputs.

Prof. Keane defines a “metahuman” as “someone or something with superior powers, but lacking a body or particular social location.” These are beings that humans have always interacted with, such as gods, spirits, and, now, robots and androids. These entities possess knowledge, power, and moral authority beyond the human.

Religious communities have taken to AI in surprisingly enthusiastic ways, Prof. Keane pointed out. Tools like Gita GPT, designed to simulate answers from Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism, are used for moral and spiritual guidance. AI’s “oracular affordances,” as Prof. Keane called them, allow it to function like ancient divinatory tools; they can elicit meaning, trust, and belief.

“AI reflects our fears because it is built from our language, our stories, our digital footprints,” said Prof. Keane.

The meanings we get from interactions with AI are the product of collaboration between the person and the device, just as divination, spiritual possession, and speaking in tongues once captivated our imaginations.

Omri Elisha’s Response

Responding to Prof. Keane, Omri Elisha, PhD, associate professor of anthropology at Queens College and the City University of New York Graduate Center, drew parallels with his own work on astrology. Prof. Elisha emphasized that technologies like AI and astrology translate abstract forces into moral guidance. Through symbolic systems, users interact with planetary or digital forces as if they have agency.

Prof. Elisha posed the critical question: “How is it that certain technologies and certain symbiotic mediations come to be authorized to speak for transcendental sources infinitely far from the here and now?”

He also addressed society’s growing reliance on crowdsourced truth. Platforms like Google and Reddit are worshipped for their convenience, immediacy, and trust, even by those who claim to be skeptical. Generations raised on the internet have come to accept the “wisdom of large numbers,” as Prof. Keane calls it

To further support this point, Prof. Elisha cited the viral meme, “A world where AI paints and writes poems while humans perform menial, backbreaking work wasn’t the future I imagined.”

In an age of corporate personhood and surveillance capitalism, many allow branded algorithms to make decisions once left to human discretion, including immigration status, medical diagnoses, and even music recommendations. As Prof. Keane notes, “We should be scrupulous about the would-be gods who lurk behind our devices.”

Danilyn Rutherford’s Call for a Global Perspective

Danilyn Rutherford, PhD, President of the Winter Grant Foundation and activist with A Thousand Currents, praised Prof. Keane’s commitment to ethical nuance. Still, she challenged the limits of cultural relativism. While different societies may live by different moral codes, Dr. Rutherford argued that there’s a deeper universality in our capacity for meaning-making, even across radically different contexts.

“The point, [Keane] argues, is not simply that different ponds nurture different frogs, they nurture different relationships among critters swimming in the same puddle,” said Dr. Rutherford.

Fear, Faith, and the Future of Human Meaning

All three speakers converged on a core insight: that our interactions with AI tell us more about ourselves than they do about the technology. Humans are beings who construct meaning collaboratively, introducing non-humans with agency, because of our innate ability to see intentions in others.

As Prof. Keane emphasized, the real question is not whether AI is sentient, but why we respond to it as if it were. He questioned what does that reveal about our values, our anxieties, and our longing for guidance as we continue toward an era with even greater interaction between humans and AI.

As the 2024–25 lecture series concludes, the Anthropology Section is already looking to the future. A graduate student gathering at the Margaret Mead Film Festival, which takes place May 2-4 at the American Museum of Natural History, will provide a final chance to connect this spring. This fall, the Anthropology Section will return with a new theme and speaker lineup, as well as a continued commitment to bridging anthropological insight and public dialogue.

Learn more about offerings from The New York Academy of Sciences’ Anthropology Section.

Exploring 100 Years of Artificial Intelligence

The past, present, and future of artificial intelligence (AI) were discussed as part of the latest installment in the Tata Knowledge Series on AI & Society.

Published April 18, 2025

By Nick Fetty
Digital Content Manager

Nick Dirks (left), President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, and Alok Aggarwal, PhD, CEO and Chief Data Scientist of Scry AI. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

The future implications for the growth of AI and its impact on our society was the topic of a fireside chat between renowned computer scientist, Alok Aggarwal, PhD, and Nick Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy).

Dr. Aggarwal is CEO and Chief Data Scientist at Scry AI, which he founded in 2014. The company “focuses on research and advanced development (R&D) in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and related disciplines.” In an attempt to demystify AI for the public, he published the book, The Fourth Industrial Revolution & 100 Years of AI (1950-2050), which focuses on demystifying AI for lay audiences.

In discussing the motivation for his book, Dr. Aggarwal explained how AI is part of “the Fourth Industrial Revolution” which started in 2011 and is projected to run through 2050.

He points out that the recently published book “doesn’t have a single piece of software code and almost no math.” Instead, he focuses on what AI is, and what it will be, the “good, bad, and ugly.” Separately, he is also working on a follow-up book for students studying business analytics and other similar programs.

AI and the Business World

Dirks then shifted the conversation to focus on the business applications of AI. Dr. Aggarwal said he sees AI being most useful in pattern-recognition tasks.

“That pattern-recognition aspect is much faster because electrons are moving at the speed of light, unlike humans, where the ions are moving slowly,” he says. “Definitely in the long run, that pattern recognition aspect alone will make AI be extremely beneficial for humans in pretty much all areas.”

Dr. Aggarwal continued by saying “it’s not a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when’ AI is more fully embraced by society. He compared it to public acceptance of the internet, and its associated hype, in the late 1990s.

“I think, in many ways, hype is very good…because it leads to monetary support and makes the passionate inventors even more passionate,” Dr. Aggarwal says, adding that “it will take time.”

The Challenge of Driverless Cars for AI

Dirks pointed out that Google recently reduced investments into its driverless car program. He also referenced Yann LeCun, Turing Award winner and Chief AI Scientist at Meta, who mentioned that driverless car technology has much room for improvement during another Academy fireside chat sponsored by Tata in March 2024.

Dr. Aggarwal shared that driverless car technology goes back to the late 1970s in Japan. The technology was further developed in Germany, and then at American institutions including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of California, Berkeley. Despite this effort, Dr. Aggarwal admits successfully integrating AI and driving has been a challenge. However, he pointed out several areas in which AI shows great potential.

For example, he said AI can be applied to laborious, mundane activities, where humans are prone to making mistakes like sifting through invoices to reconcile financial records or submitting the proper documentation for a mortgage loan. Furthermore, AI has been just as effective in preventative healthcare, such as detecting skin cancer, which Dr. Aggarwal has said has proven to be as accurate as a radiologist.

“A lot of the problem right now is [demonstrating] these benefits rather than just inflating the hype,” says Dr. Aggarwal. “We need to actually show that it works in disparate cases.”

Curating Accurate Training Sets

Dirks pointed out that some AI systems are informed by various sources on the internet, which have varying levels of accuracy. He asked what can be done to curate accurate training sets to develop these technologies.

Dr. Aggarwal said the issue here isn’t so much the AI, as it’s the “human mirror” effect considering many of the inputs from the training sets are merely reflecting reality, which can sometimes be outdated, inaccurate, or biased. He used the example of countries with data sets that do not treat women and men as equals, so inputs from these countries can train the AI to have misinformed biases between genders and their associated roles.

“It’s no different from how we train our children,” said Dr. Aggarwal.

He then referred to “the imitation game” developed by computer pioneer Alan Turing. In this exercise, a human judge blindly assesses whether the answer to the judge’s question was provided by another human or by a computer. The judge needs to determine whether it was the human or the computer. The idea was that eventually the computer technology would be smart enough that the judge wouldn’t be able to differentiate.

Dr. Aggarwal stressed the need for humans to be diligent and balanced in training these AI systems. Because of the strong processing power of these AI systems, they can quickly amplify biases, misinformation, and other negative inputs through which it was informed.

Closing Thoughts

Dirks and Dr. Aggarwal also discussed additional topics including the history of neural networks, the origin of the term “artificial intelligence,” the hype around advancements in computing in the mid-20^th century, the definition of artificial general intelligence (AGI), companionship, job displacement, drug development, and more. After taking questions and comments from those in attendance, Dr. Aggarwal closed his talk by soliciting feedback from those who read his book and welcomed readers to contact him with their commentary.

This article provides a preview of the talk. Video of the full talk is available on-demand for Academy members. Sign up today if you aren’t already part of our impactful network.

This series is sponsored by Tata, a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals. Read about other Academy events supported by Tata:

Become a More Inclusive and Effective Science Communicator

Advice and insights from sci-comm professionals on how to deliver your message so that everyone has the opportunity to engage with and benefit from scientific knowledge.

Published March 7, 2025

By Lydia Jennings, PhD, Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College
Elizabeth Bojsza, MFA, Assistant Professor of Practice, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Amy Sharma, PhD, Executive Director, Science for Georgia
Zamara Choudhary, MA, Program Manager, The New York Academy of Sciences

In fall of 2024, The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) partnered with 2030 STEM to produce a five-part series, titled Inclusion in STEM. The series supported the Academy’s commitment to broaden a sense of belonging in science by empowering everyone involved to contribute ideas that develop innovative solutions to society’s challenges.

One of the sessions focused on inclusive science communication, recognizing that a culture of inclusion in STEM necessitates scientific information be accessible to all communities and individuals. The Academy convened a panel of experts, each with their own unique background, who prioritize inclusive science communication in their practice.

Meet the Speakers

Lydia Jennings, PhD, Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College

In my professional training as an Indigenous soil scientist, I saw that far too often researchers come to study Indigenous communities and our ecosystems, but rarely report the results back in ways that are accessible, relevant, and culturally cognizant. I was trained to be very specific in my professional science jargon, but if I cannot share this information with the very people it pertains to, or my own family members, then how useful is it and how does it help them?

In my own path to becoming a science communicator, I began practicing by talking with friends and family about soils and my research, everyone from my nieces and nephews to my elders. I also incorporated my love of trail-running with how I share my scholarship about soils. Since there are many talented Indigenous runners, and it is how many of us know our homelands, every run became an opportunity to talk about the soil around us.

This helped me refine how I talk about soil in an accessible and concise way, get people out on the land together to run, and bring my own cultural values to my science communication. Every run became a chance to practice how I was explaining my science in accessible ways, and when I began to talk to the broader public about my work, people found my explanations both coherent and culturally grounded. In this way, my science communication became very authentic to who I am as a person.

Elizabeth (E-Beth) Bojsza, MFA, Assistant Professor of Practice, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

I have a background in theatre, and I have been an educator for many years. I am passionate about curriculum design, program evaluation, and educational equity and access.

In my theatre work, I am often the person providing feedback, asking questions, and putting myself in the audience’s point of view to better understand and inform how meaning is conveyed through choices we make. What I do in my science communication work is not all that different: science is communicated whether or not we are intentional about our message design, and whether or not we tailor our communication to our audience.

This also opens potential for bias to creep in. I think for science communication to be inclusive it needs to be intentional, and it needs to be collaborative in some way. You must have a clear goal and strategy for how you are presenting your information that considers your audience, the message you want to convey, and the possible outcomes of you delivering that message.

Amy Sharma, PhD, Executive Director, Science for Georgia

I was the science nerd in high school. I was also really interested in science outreach, from science tutoring to STEM activities for kids. I love science. I love engineering. I want everyone else to love it as well!

Science and facts have become increasingly politicized in the past 25 years. Facts distorted into weapons and belief systems. I grew up in the Washington, DC area–so policy is in my blood.

I currently run an organization that works to ensure science is activated outside of the lab and shared with others. It enables me to employ my love of science, my wanting to share it with the world, my frustration with world events, my love of policy, and my inability to walk away from issues that affect the people around us. Just like the hypothetical tree that falls in the forest, I believe research is not heard unless it is acted upon.

In academia, we reward communicating science in the most obtuse, inaccessible, jargon-filled way. While this earns people tenure, it does nothing for society or to welcome people into the tent. I’ve learned that to be a science communicator, I must be willing to be a lay-person first and scientist second. Respect is a two-way street. People will listen to me when I listen to them and empathize with their situation. Not because “I am a PhD and I said so.”

Key Takeaways to Strengthen your Science Communication

Dr. Jennings sharing her research with fellow scientists at the American Geophysical Union Annual Conference.

Empower communities, activate your research, and support your career by strengthening your science communication. Systemic change is necessary for making STEM more inclusive, but there are ways we can contribute to this process as individual science communicators.

It’s about the Five “W’s”: Who, What, When, Where and Why

To effectively determine HOW to communicate your message, you first need to know WHO is your audience? What is the age range you are speaking with? WHAT are the cultural contexts that might be familiar to your audience? What are issues of concern in the community that science helps champion? Use these questions to help explain the WHY of your message to your specific audience while enhancing engagement.

Effective communication of all types is best told through the “story of one.” Throwing large numbers around does not resonate with individuals who typically look for the “what’s in it for me” value proposition. If you are discussing advances in vaccine development, cite specific case studies WHERE it helped save lives, or conversely about the spread of a virus because of miscommunication about vaccines.

In the age of scientific distrust and misinformation, communicating information in an inclusive way is an opportunity to address misconceptions, fears, and false information directly, while building trust and encouraging action.

Listen and Ask Questions First

E-Beth facilitating the Alda Healthcare Experience healthcare team communication workshop.

Communication is something we do with our audiences. Before we sprint ahead to showcase our expertise, we should intentionally shape our communication to hear from our audiences first. Be curious about their motivation to be your audience. What are their concerns, hopes, and/or issues that can help them to see value in your science communication? What do they care about and why would your message matter to them? What are their lived experiences in relation to what you are communicating that connects to your content? Remember, your audience has their own lived expertise that can expand your understanding of the content. It’s about the story of “one”!

An important part of science communication is co-learning with your audience. What we discover in remaining curious can help us adapt our messages to empathetically meet them where they are–what terminology they know, what prior knowledge they have, what they value, and how our science is relevant to their lives.

Less is More

When talking to people about a subject that might be new to them, our tendency is to overcompensate and pile on the facts, figures, and explanations. “How could someone possibly understand the energy grid without first understanding particle physics?”

Our audience is then almost guaranteed to become disengaged and overwhelmed. Instead think about: What is my goal here? If a person remembers only one thing from our conversation and then tells it to their neighbor, what do I want it to be? Ground your communication in that one thing. And then think about a way to get it to relate to your audience. Use that strategy to keep your science communication straightforward and oriented on your goal. Remember, the five “W’s” and the story of “one”!

Tell Your Story and Share Your Knowledge with Everyone

Dr. Sharma speaking at the annual Environmental Justice and Climate Protection Conference.

We are all lifelong learners with knowledge to offer and to gain. As science professionals, we may be experts in our fields, but there is always so much to learn from those around us, regardless of their background or career stage. By connecting science with storytelling and shared experiences, we open avenues of communication that break down hierarchies and expose us to dynamic new ideas and perspectives. Our science and research are made better when we acknowledge all perspectives.

When sharing this knowledge, it is important to acknowledge and give credit to our sources, even if they may be nontraditional. As science professionals, we have an obligation and duty to be stewards of knowledge. We engage in this work because we believe in the ability of science to create a better world, and we are passionate about learning and getting others excited about science. A great science communicator not only contributes to their field, but also a more broader, well-informed citizenry that serves society as a whole.

Resources for Further Learning

Inclusive Science Communication Resources: from University of Rhode Island’s Inclusive SciComm Symposium at the Metcalf Institute
Run to Be Visible: short film by Lydia Jennings, PhD, where she honors Indigenous scientists of the past, present, and future
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science: located at Stony Brook University, the center provides professional development and graduate programs dedicated to science communication
Science for Georgia: a nonprofit dedicated to getting science out of the lab and onto the street. Provides SciComm training, stand-up comedy training, and advocacy training and ways to act upon your knowledge.

The Tata Transformation Prize Celebrates the 2024 Winners in Mumbai

The New York Academy of Sciences continues its partnership with India’s Tata Group for the second annual Tata Transformation Prize.

Published January 8, 2025

By Kamala Murthy
Senior Manager, Communications

On Friday, December 13, 2024 the Tata Group and The New York Academy of Sciences honored the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Winners at an impressive award ceremony and dinner at the historic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.

Launched in 2023, the Tata Transformation Prize identifies and supports visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address India’s most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare. The ceremonial event was celebrated at this famous venue for the first time.

The 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Winners, selected from 169 entries from 18 Indian states by an international jury of leading experts, included:

FOOD SECURITY: C. Anandharamakrishnan, PhD, CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology has pioneered a variety of rice fortified with multiple essential nutrients that simultaneously has a low glycemic index (GI) to address micronutrient malnutrition and blood sugar management for diabetics. Watch his film HERE.
SUSTAINABILITY: Amartya Mukhopadhyay, DPhil, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is working to advance Sodium (Na)-ion battery technologies. His battery prototype is approximately 30% cheaper than Lithium (Li)-ion batteries and operates in a broader temperature range. His design is safer to store by creating air- and water-stable sodium-transition metal oxide cathodes and alloy-based anodes. Prof. Mukhopadhyay’s approach replaces toxic solvents with water to reduce production costs and environmental impact. Watch his film HERE.
HEALTHCARE: Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD, Indian Institute of Science is working to develop a cost-effective RSV vaccine that will allow for greater access to wide-spread deployment of vaccination programs. His scientific advances will surmount the challenges that have hindered RSV vaccine development for decades and will provide broad, longer-lasting protection against RSV infection. Watch his film HERE.

A Night of Distinguished International Guests

Harish Bhat, former brand custodian for Tata Sons and book author, served as the ceremony presenter. The evening’s Chief Guest, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Guest Speaker, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist for the World Health Organization (WHO), both gave keynote addresses.

Other distinguished guests included Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts; Prof. Désirée van Gorp, Professor of International Business and Chair of the International Advisory Board at Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands; and AI Pioneer and Turing Award Winner, Dr. Raj Reddy of Carnegie Mellon University. Several members of the Tata Transformation Prize’s international jury attended, including Prof. José Miguel Aguilera Radic from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Dr. Jianying Hu from IBM, Dr. Carolyn Duran from Apple, Dr. Sandra Barteit from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, Ankur Bhatnagar from Biocon, Prabhakaran Doiraraj from the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (India), and Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, founder of India’s first Life Sciences research park.

The Tata Transformation Prize, a Catalyst for Innovative Solutions

In his opening remarks, N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Board of Tata Sons, said, “In a technology-first future, India needs a transformation of vision to solve the big problems at its scale. We need our scientists driving deep, fundamental research and innovators pushing beyond the margins of new technology. That is the aim of the Tata Transformation Prize: to both recognize and support breakthrough innovations, developed in research labs across India, that are ready for wide-scale deployment to address India’s challenges.”

Nicholas B. Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, followed the Chairman’s remarks: “We are excited to continue this unique collaboration with Tata Sons, which serves as a catalyst for innovative solutions to India’s most urgent challenges. The Prize addresses India’s critical societal needs by honoring India’s most outstanding scientists who genuinely want to make a difference while supporting India’s advancement as a world leader.” Dirks also recognized the jury, which included eminent scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers from world-renowned organizations and academic institutions across five continents, and the role of the Prize’s Scientific Advisory Council, who serve as ambassadors for the program.

Intending to drive impactful innovation and scale-up implementation of high-reward research, each Winner received INR 2 crores (approximately US$240,000) in prize money and was honored with a Tata Transformation Prize medal at the ceremony.

Roopa Purushothaman, Chief Economist for Tata, delivered closing remarks for the ceremony.

The day prior, the Tata Group and the Academy hosted a symposium featuring the previous year’s Winners at a symposium at Bombay House, the head office of the Tata Group. The 2023 Winners showcased their scientific progress and new collaborations since winning the prize last year.

Photo Gallery

(Left to Right) Nicholas Dirks, President and CEO of the Academy, Healthcare Winner, Dr. Raghavan Varadarajan, Prof. Amartya Mukhopadhyay, Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan, and N. Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons.

Big Time Research from the Junior Academy

A woman in her office presenting as part of a virtual event.

Rising young stars in science are celebrated for their innovative ideas in artificial intelligence and sustainability applications.

Published July 11, 2024

By Kaitlin Green
Senior Program Manager, Education

The New York Academy of Sciences’ Junior Academy celebrated the hard work and dedication of students from the 2023-24 academic year on June 27th, 2024, during the annual Virtual Student Symposia.

More than 80 students, mentors, coaches, sponsors and partners, in 29 countries, were invited to celebrate a successful year of innovation. Meghan Groome, PhD, Senior Vice President of Education at the Academy, opened the proceedings with an inspiring address.

Meghan Groome, PhD, Senior Vice President of Education at The New York Academy of Sciences, presents during the live streamed Virtual Student Symposia on June 27, 2024.
Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

“The Junior Academy was formed to provide a pathway for students and scientist mentors to begin a journey together – to do research together. As you give your first scientific talks today at The Academy, know that we’re so proud of your game changing research.” she said, reflecting on its history.

The strong bond between working scientists and students provides insights into the real-world scientific workplace to ensure a future pipeline of qualified STEM professionals.

“Science is about working together – working across differences, and we know that diversity drives innovation,” Dr. Groome concluded.

The Junior Academy proudly embodies that scientific diversity and creativity, which is evidenced by the creative solutions proposed by this year’s winners. The projects were judged on their overall presentation quality, scientific quality, innovation and design thinking, sustainability, potential, and collaboration.

The Winning Ideas

In order to hone their presentation skills, winning teams work with a communication coach to shape their presentations into five-minute informational speeches. As a result, the students delivered succinct team research project summaries.

Team: AI4Access: Redefining Accessible Classrooms

In the Cognitive Classrooms Challenge students were asked to consider potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and efficient classroom environment. The six person AI4Access team from Qatar, India and the United States developed a tool that not only enriched the students’ education towards achieving an individualized learning experience, but also improved the workload and efficiency of the educator in maintaining a harmonious and well-managed environment where everyone can thrive. Mentor: Aryan C.

Team: Destination: Green

In the Green Homes, Green Schools, Green Communities Challenge, students were given the opportunity to think critically about environmental challenges that impact their lives and what they could do to improve those challenges. As a result, the six person Green team from Poland, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Tunisia designed a solution to enhance access and education to sustainable farming practices. Their solution can be applied both to large-scale and at-home farming practices, making it an excellent solution to improve environmental problems at all levels of a community. Mentor: Adeola A.

Team: MINnovators

Students were tasked with designing an innovative approach to secure the supply of critical minerals in the transition to a fossil-free society in the Minerals of Technology Challenge. The six person MINnovators team from India and the United States researched the feasibility of using asteroid mining to reduce carbon emissions. Their solution has the potential to support a more environmentally sustainable ecosystem when compared to conventional mining practices. Mentor: Ilayda G.

Team: VisionXcelerate

In the spring Wearables Challenge, students were required to design or employ a wearable technology, or network of wearables, that can be utilized to address either public health issues surrounding non-communicable diseases or natural or manmade disaster response. The six person VisionXcelerate team from the United States and India focused on helping individuals with dementia by developing a pair of smart glasses integrated with AI and AR technologies to assist with daily tasks such as medication reminders and person recognition, along with fall detection systems and GPS tracking to assist caretakers.

The VisionXcelerate team during their presentation.

Team: EcoFashion

Students in the Circular Textiles challenge were tasked with choosing one aspect of the “take-make-waste” textile supply chain, and to design an innovative adaptation to fit the circular textile model. The six person EcoFashion team from India, Colombia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the United States developed an innovative approach to the Circular Textile model by developing a synthetic cellulose fiber using agricultural waste, sustainable color dye methods, and an app to educate users on sustainable fashion practices. Mentor: Xanthhi C.

Each team presentation was followed up by an audience Q&A.

The Immeasurable Impact of Mentors

What sets the Junior Academy apart from similar STEM education programs are the international professionals, graduate students, PhD candidates, and postdocs who understand the importance of mentorship and offer their time and expertise to the program. This year’s event included two distinguished mentors: Tomaz Maria Suller and Katherine Wert, PhD.

Tomaz joined the Junior Academy as a secondary student in 2018, participating in many challenges on the online platform Launchpad. He earned his bachelor’s in computer engineering at Poli-USP in Brazil and is currently pursuing a master’s in computer science and engineering at Politecnico di Milano in Italy. He became a Junior Academy mentor in the winter of 2023, advising five teams in four challenges. One of his teams, ZynoFiber, was recognized as a finalist in the Spring 2024 Circular Textiles challenge.

“Why are we here today?” Tomaz asked, reflecting on his time as both a Junior Academy student and now as a mentor. “We want to create a community of engineers, scientists, and innovators who will shape our future – and shape our present.”

Dr. Katherine Wert discovered the impactful mentoring opportunities at the Academy in 2012 during her time as a PhD student at Columbia University. She joined the Junior Academy in 2016 as one of the first cohorts of mentors onto Launchpad and has since mentored over 25 teams.

“I love that this program works hard to include anyone who has a true motivation toward STEM and does not simply focus on their global location or what resources they’ve had available to them,” Dr. Wert said.

Dr. Wert ended her address by advising both students and mentors to take advantage of the Junior Academy community, emphasizing the importance of communication and networking.

“You never know when someone’s crazy idea will mesh with others. The most successful teams I’ve worked with let everyone’s voices be heard – even the most out-of-the-box ideas. You are part of a very special and unique community of passionate STEM professionals and peers,” she said.

Looking Forward

As the 2023-24 academic year ends, Dr. Groome and the Education Team expressed their pride in this incredible community of innovators. They recognize that support for these programs is made possible because of the Academy’s generous partners and sponsors. These supporters’ belief in our mission of “science for the public good” ensures the Junior Academy opportunity is free for all students.

“To our mentors, your support, volunteerism, and deep understanding of the importance of STEM role models in our global community is unmatched. Thank you,” said Dr. Groome. “The Junior Academy students never cease to amaze us with their creativity, innovation, and willingness to connect with peers from around the world. Together, we create a truly special and welcoming environment. Cheers to a fantastic year.”

Showcasing The New York Academy of Sciences’ Spring 2024 Interns

Two interns pose with the Academy's bronze bust of Charles Darwin.

Throughout the year, The New York Academy of Sciences welcomes student interns who join staff teams to gain valuable firsthand experience working on practical projects that help to advance the Academy’s mission of “science for the public good.”

Published May 23, 2024

By Zamara Choudhary
Program Manager, Education

The New York Academy of Sciences has a long history of supporting aspiring young professionals through its broad portfolio of education initiatives. And this spring, the Academy continues that legacy as a participant in the CUNY Spring Forward Internship Program which connects students with opportunities to further their professional development, apply their academic skills outside of the classroom, explore careers and gain critical work experience.

Founded in 2022, the Program covers four key areas: healthcare; marketing and communications; community service, non-profit, or social services; and STEM, all generously funded by the Research Foundation at CUNY. The Education team at the Academy hosts two interns through the STEM priority area. Rosemary Puckett, Program Manager, Mentored Research Programs and Kaitlin Green, Senior Program Manager, Virtual Programs, oversaw the work of Isabella Alfaro and Sumaiya Sultana in spring 20204.

Isabella Alfaro, Mentor and Data Intern

A student at LaGuardia Community College studying computer science, Isabella came to the Academy seeking to improve her communication skills, learn more about professional collaboration and become more comfortable in a professional work environment.

Most of her time was devoted to the Clifford Chance Cornerstone initiative. This initiative engages students in Kigali, Rwanda by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to develop innovative solutions that address food scarcity and the effects of climate change in their communities. She provided key technical, administrative, and programmatic support, enriching the program with her expertise and perspectives.

Isabella’s long-term goal is to become a researcher in AI, and her internship at the Academy helped support and inform this interest. She attended AI & Society seminars and other Academy programming, which helped broaden her network and expose her to new ideas.

“My biggest takeaway from this internship experience was the importance of effective communication,” said Isabella. “By fostering open communication, we aligned our goals, addressed issues promptly, and completed the project efficiently. This experience taught me how to navigate and contribute to a collaborative environment, a skill that will be invaluable in my future career.”

Sumaiya Sultana, The Junior Academy Intern

Sumaiya is studying chemical engineering at The City College of New York. She was excited to gain new skills, further her professional development and discover new interests through an internship at the Academy. She worked closely with Kaitlin Green and Sabrina Debler, Program Assistant, Education to support The Junior Academy, a global community of young people, ages 13-17, who work together under the guidance of STEM experts to devise solutions for STEM Open Innovation Challenges.

Sumaiya was an incredible asset to The Junior Academy team in Education, preparing and fine-tuning multiple materials and taking advantage of opportunities for learning and personal growth. She intends to pursue internships and other opportunities that would allow her to broaden her technical knowledge and gain on-site training in engineering.

“The biggest take way from the internship was gaining valuable experience in navigating multiple projects in an office environment. I developed several key skills such as time management, adaptability, and effective communication,” Sumaiya said.

“Exceeded our Expectations”

The culmination of Isabella’s and Sumaiya’s internships was The Academy Intern and Volunteer Showcase, where they developed their public speaking skills by sharing their accomplishments and insights about their internship experience to Academy staff. This was the first time both interns had given a group presentation, and they collaborated extremely well, highlighting each other’s strengths and finding the commonalities in their experiences.

“Isabella and Sumaiya both exceeded our expectations and contributed immensely to the Academy. This was their first internship experience, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to support them in this early part of their careers. We look forward to following their next steps and hosting more interns in the future,” said Meghan Groome, PhD, Senior Vice President of Education for the Academy.

Isabella (left) and Sumaiya pose with the bust of Charles Darwin, the renowned evolutionary biologist and an honorary member of the Academy, located in the Academy’s office at 115 Broadway. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences

Exploring the Age-Old Question of “Why We Die?”

A man presents during an event at The New York Academy of Sciences.

Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, world-renowned molecular biologist, presents the science about why humans die.

Published May 7, 2024

By Nick Fetty
Digital Content Manager

Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan is interviewed by Titia de Lange, Director of The Rockefeller University’s Anderson Center for Cancer Research, at The New York Academy of Sciences on April 16, 2024. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences

Why do we die? This age-old question is the topic of Nobel Prize-winning author Venki Ramakrishnan’s book Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality.

Ramakrishnan discussed his new book with Titia de Lange, Director of The Rockefeller University’s Anderson Center for Cancer Research, during the “Authors at the Academy” event at The New York Academy of Sciences on April 16, 2024. He began by suggesting that humans may be the only species aware of its own mortality.

While societies have long focused on both the philosophical and the scientific dimensions of mortality, Ramakrishnan pointed out that aging research was considered “something of a backwater in molecular biology for a long time.” It’s only been over the past half-century that this field of research has become more mainstream.

“[While there have been advances in the research], because this is an area that people are concerned about, and they’re anxious about, there’s also a lot of hype,” said Ramakrishnan, who is also a member of the Academy’s President’s Council.

As a molecular biologist, Ramakrishnan avoided speculation, focusing instead on researching an objective, scientifically-based case about aging and mortality.

Evolution and Mortality

Ramakrishnan said there is a wide range in lifecycles of different creatures, from a mayfly which can live for just a day, to certain species of sharks and whales that may live for more than a century.

“A giant tortoise might be around today that could have encountered [Charles] Darwin,” Ramakrishnan said, with a nod to the renowned evolutionary biologist who was an honorary member of the Academy more than a century ago.

Researchers believe that evolution is largely focused on fitness, which, in this context, Ramakrishnan defined as “maximizing the ability to successfully pass on your genes.” Part of this fitness is tied to physical size. He pointed out that creatures like mice tend to have shorter lifespans than an elephant or a whale.

“You might ask, why is that?” Ramakrishnan said. “Well, aging is an accumulation of chemical damage which manifests itself from the molecular level all the way to the entire organism. To repair such damage takes lots of resources and lots of energy. So, this has a cost because animals are always trying to get energy.”

From an evolutionary standpoint, to maximize fitness it’s more advantageous for a creature like a mouse to allocate its resources to features such as rapid growth, rapid maturation, and producing many offspring. Conversely, larger animals allocate resources to repairing and maintaining natural chemical damage because such creatures need to live longer to raise their offspring to full maturity, Ramakrishnan argued.

This is what evolutionary biologists call the Antagonistic Pleiotropy theory. Based on this theory, genes that involve rapid growth or rapid maturation often turn out to be detrimental later in life and contribute to aging.

The Metabolic Rate Theory of Aging

According to Ramakrishnan, the metabolic rate theory states that “if you have increased metabolism then you’re generating byproducts…like free radicals and reactive species which can cause damage. So, the faster your metabolism is, the more likely the higher the rate at which you’re going to age.”

Generally, a faster metabolism means a shorter lifespan, but Ramakrishnan said this is not always the case. He used the example of some species of smaller bats, that are similar in size to mice, but because of the bat’s ability to fly, are less likely to be targets of predators, and can live for as long as 40 years.

“I think biologists would say it’s really about evolutionary choice and how each species has been selected for optimizing that choice,” said Ramakrishnan. “That choice could be, yes there’s damage but you can also repair the damage, so how much do you spend on repairing the damage?”

Researchers who study aging are divided about the potential maximum lifespan of humans. Some believe that 115 is the top of the range, while others feel that the first person to live to 150 has already been born. Ramakrishnan said he thinks the current natural limit is around 120 years, citing the fact that the number of centenarians (those who live to the age of 100) has increased in recent decades, but the number of people who live past the age of 110 has not.

“That suggests that those people who reach 110, are hitting some natural limit of our biology, of our species,” said Ramakrishnan, adding that he feels that those who think the upper limit is 150 are being “excessively optimistic.”

Societal Impacts of Expanded Lifespans

Science aside, what are the societal impacts of expanded lifespans? Several private sector tech billionaires have shown interest in extending lifespans. As Ramakrishnan points out, the issue has also been on the radar of government agencies such as NIH’s National Institute on Aging in the US or the Medical Research Council in the UK.

“So, the question is how do we keep people healthy for as long as possible so people can stay productive?” asked Ramakrishnan.

The answer may well lie with the next generation of scientists who will bring in innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. While Ramakrishnan remains productive, he concedes it may be time to retire next year.

“I think there are lots of roles we can play without taking away resources from the younger people,” said Ramakrishnan, citing examples like serving on editorial boards or as mentors. “Generational turnover is good for society and good for science.”

For on-demand video access to the full event, click here.

Check out the other events from our 2024 Authors at the Academy Series

Full video of these events is available, please visit nyas.org/ondemand

What Near-Death and Psychedelic Experiences Reveal about Human Consciousness

A colorful illustration meant to depict something psychedelic.

A recent Academy event explored near-death experiences and the medical application of psychedelic remedies, combining elements of science and philosophy.

Published June 9, 2023

By David Freeman
Academy Contributor

What is the nature of consciousness? What happens to it at the brink of death—and beyond? In what ways can the scientific study of near-death experiences and the medicinal use of psychedelic compounds boost our understanding of the human condition and our ability to ease emotional suffering?

These and related questions were the focus of an Academy conference held on June 8, 2023, in New York City. The one-day event included presentations by psychologists, neurologists, biomedical researchers and a religious scholar. Additionally, there was a gripping first-person account of a near-death experience from renowned journalist and author Sebastian Junger.

What are Near-Death Experiences?

Near-death experiences, or NDE’s, are deeply affecting, often mystical episodes. Experts call them periods of “disconnected consciousness.” They affect some people who are close to death or in situations of grave physical or emotional danger. They are commonly marked by feelings of floating outside one’s body and the sensation of moving toward a bright light, as well with as encounters with dead relatives.

NDE’s have been documented across many different cultures and have been known since ancient times. “We’re talking about something that could be hundreds of thousands of years old,” said Brian C. Muraresku. He is the author of the 2020 book “The Immortality Key.” His book examines scientific evidence for the ritual use of psychedelics in classical antiquity. He was also one of the speakers at the conference.

There’s something about that kind of experience—near-death, psychedelic, mystical, whatever it is—that holds the entire human race together.
Brian C. Muraresku, author “The Immortality Key”

NDE’s are now known to be remarkably common. In recent research, 15 percent of intensive care unit patients reported having one. As did up to 23 percent of survivors of cardiac arrest. This is according to neuropsychologist Helena Cassol, Ph.D. Dr. Cassol is the scientific coordinator of Neurological Rehabilitation Center of the University Hospital of Liege in Belgium and also presented at the conference.

“More people have survived cardiac arrest and other situations and could recall those experiences” as a result of improved resuscitation techniques that have become available in recent years, she explained. She added that NDE’s now represent an emerging field of scientific research.

NDE’s can be personally transformative. Some people report a reduced fear of death in the wake of an NDE. Others report enhanced feelings of compassion or purpose. But some are saddled with a pattern of persistent intrusive thoughts or dreams or other negative after-effects. Given these possibilities, “I think it is important for people to be able to talk about these experiences and be heard in a nonjudgmental way,” Dr. Cassol said.

The Evolution of Near-Death Experiences

There may be an evolutionary basis for NDE’s. Daniel Kondziella, M.D., Ph.D., is a neurologist at Copenhagen University Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. During his conference presnetation he described research linking the episodes to thanatosis. That’s the well-documented and remarkably consistent phenomenon in which animals—even insects—feign death in order to avoid being killed by predators.

The research suggests that the evolution of language in humans gave us the unique ability to transform this stereotyped behavior into the rich narratives used to describe the mysterious sensations and perceptions commonly seen in near-death experiences, Dr. Kondziella said. Not everyone is convinced by such research.

“Evolutionary explanations are just-so stories,” said Christof Koch, Ph.D. Dr. Koch is chief scientist and president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and also presented at the conference. “They may be true. They made be false. It just doesn’t matter. But the fact that we do have experiences—that is the remarkable thing.”

Studies of the neurological underpinnings of NDE’s suggest that the phenomenon arises amid a sort of blending of conscious states: waking, rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep.

“The physiological balance between conscious states is disrupted during the conditions of near-death, leading the brainstem arousal system controlling conscious states to blend waking and rapid eye movement consciousness into a hybrid state” known as REM intrusion,” said Kevin R. Nelson, M.D., a University of Kentucky neurologist and another speaker at the conference. “REM intrusion leads to many key features of near-death, including lying still, visual activation, out-of-body, and the experience’s narrative qualities.”

Most individuals who experience near-death are physiologically predisposed to REM intrusion, according to Dr. Nelson.

Psychedelics as Medical Treatment

As some scientists work to gain a better understanding of NDE’s, others are pursuing clinical trials of psychedelic compounds, which have been shown to trigger an altered state of awareness similar to that seen in people experiencing an NDE. A growing body of evidence suggests that these compounds—given under expert supervision and in carefully controlled settings—can ease emotional distress in terminally ill people quite profoundly.

One landmark 2016 study by researchers including Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and another speaker at the conference, showed that a single treatment with psilocybin—a psychoactive compound found in some mushroom species that humans have consumed for thousands of years—brought rapid reductions in depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in people with terminal cancer.

The benefits of psilocybin treatment were greatest among individuals who reported strong mystical experiences during the sessions, according to Dr. Bossis. “The more robust that mystical experience, the greater the outcome in terms of reduction of depression,” he said. “These aren’t NDE’s,” he added, “but they’re deathlike experiences with a similar phenomenology.”

Recent research shows that psilocybin is just one of many drugs that can induce NDE-like such experiences and suggests that those induced by ketamine, an anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, show greater similarity to NDE’s than those induced by psilocybin. But “we only studied the phenomenological similarity between subjective experiences” and didn’t assess the extent to which any of the drugs might be effective treatments for depression, said Charlotte Martial, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at the University of Liege in Belgium and another conference speaker.

Junger’s Brush with Death

Sebastian Junger’s brush with death came three years ago, following the rupture of an aneurysm in his pancreatic artery. As doctors rushed to stanch the bleeding that threatened his survival, he recalled, he encountered an “infinitely dark” pit that threatened to pull him in but also the welcoming “essence” of his beloved, long-dead father. “It wasn’t quite a vision. It was halfway between a vision and a feeling,” he said.

A self-described atheist whose father was a physicist, Junger said the experience nonetheless led him to reconsider his ideas not only about life and death but about the nature of the universe.

“I wish I could say I believe in an afterlife. I don’t. But I definitely have lost the certitude of my rationality,” he said, adding that he now believes it was possible that “some kind of energy or quantum phenomena” interacts with reality in ways we don’t understand.

If some see NDE’s as possible evidence of the supernatural or a phenomenon beyond the scope of scientific knowledge, others are convinced that they are simply the result of physiological processes—such as the oxygen starvation to the brain that can result from cardiac arrest.

There is a “perfectly natural explanation for NDE’s,” said Dr. Kondziella. “No need to postulate any supernatural events.”

But Raymond A. Moody, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., the keynote speaker whose remarks set the stage for the conference, expressed uncertainty over what near-death experiences actually represent.

Science? Or philosophy?

“I really just don’t know,” he said. “I think the questions that we are dealing with—a lot of them are not yet scientific questions,” he added. “They are philosophical questions.”

Dr. Moody is the author of the 1975 book “Life after Life” that sparked interest in near-death experiences. He has been documenting NDE’s for many years and is credited with coining the term near-death experience.

Uncertainty about life’s transcendent questions is inevitable, according to Karen Armstrong, a London-based author of numerous books on religious affairs and the other keynote speaker at the conference.

“Neither religion nor science can really respond. Ultimately, we are all in a ‘Cloud of Unknowing,’” she said in a reference to an anonymous 14th Century text on spirituality and Christian mysticism. “We are all just trying to find some meaning in it all,” she added, “without which we humans fall very easily into despair.”

For Brian C. Muraresku, the strange perceptions and complex emotions seen in near-death and similar visionary experiences are central to the human experience. “There’s something about that kind of experience—near-death, psychedelic, mystical, whatever it is—that holds the entire human race together.”

Also read: Music on the Mind: A Neurologist’s Take

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