Stony Brook University researcher Lilianne Mujica-Parodi has an unusual way of measuring stress: She asks volunteers to jump out of an airplane.
In her conversation with “Science on Tap” host and former 60 Minutes producer Steven Reiner, Dr. Mujica-Parodi explains why the emotional stress experienced by novice skydivers helps her understand how the brain’s internal chatter regulates our response to scary situations. This research lets her distinguish between true bravery and foolish recklessness.
Mujica-Parodi, an associate professor in SBU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, is director of the Laboratory for Computational Neurodiagnostics. Her current research leverages brain scanning technology to investigate the brain’s internal conversations and their effect on mental illness.
Science on Tap is a live, award-winning interview and web series produced by Steven Reiner of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.
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