Launchpad: Voices of Innovation

Launchpad: Voices of Innovation explores the bold new chapter in higher education. This podcast brings you front-row access to the voices who are shaping the future of The University of Texas at San Antonio and the world.Produced by UT San Antonio's Office of University Strategic Communications, Launchpad features candid conversations with university leaders and faculty about innovative research and collaborative breakthroughs inspired by their personal stories.This is the beginning. This is the launchpad.

Launchpad: Voices of Innovation is a education podcast hosted by UT San Antonio, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

UT San Antonio hosts Launchpad: Voices of Innovation, a education show with 16 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  Episode 15: How 4,000-Year-Old Artifacts Act as Portals to the Past

  Sep 2, 202623 minS1

  Can we travel back in time without a time machine? In this episode of Launchpad, host John Elizondo sits down with Dr. Rebecca Bria, an assistant professor of anthropology at UT San Antonio, to explore how modern archaeology brings ancient history to life. Dr. Bria shares stories from her research in Highland Peru, where she studies early agropastoral communities, ancient religious practices, and the ways past societies navigated cultural transformations over thousands of years. Along the way, she emphasizes the value of engaging respectfully with local cultures and learning from the contemporary farming communities living alongside these historical sites. Beyond traditional excavation, Dr. Bria details an innovative project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities that uses virtual reality to make ancient history accessible anywhere. Collaborating with local communities in Peru and UT San Antonio alumni, her team is developing an interactive VR video game that allows users to step through time portals, reconstruct ancient artifacts, and experience 4,000 years of Andean history firsthand. Tune in to discover how immersive technology, collaborative research, and archaeological fieldwork are reshaping our connection to the past. 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Guest Teaser 01:21 – Dr. Bria's Archaeological Research in Peru 02:39 – Archeology vs. Pop Culture Myths (Indiana Jones) & Focus on Ancient Farming 05:16 – "Time Traveling" Moments & Ritual Payments to the Past 08:11 – Navigating to Hualcayan & Hiking the Cordillera Blanca 10:14 – Overcoming Language Barriers in the Field 11:53 – Respectful Travel and Learning from Local Communities 14:06 – Developing the Virtual Reality Archaeology Game 16:55 – Collaboration with Students & Community Involvement in Game Design 20:52 – Field School & Study Abroad Opportunities for UT San Antonio Students 22:38 – Stay connected with UT San Antonio About Our Guest: Dr. Rebecca Bria is an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She specializes in Andean archaeology, digital archaeology, and early social, economic, and religious transformations in Highland Peru. Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to hit Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Launchpad! For more updates and the latest news, visit news.utsa.edu . About UT San Antonio The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence – advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond.

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  Episode #14

  Episode 14: Discovering the anatomy of a volcano

  Aug 12, 202622 minS1

  How close is too close to an active volcano? In this episode of Launchpad, host John Elizondo sits down with Dr. Alan Whittington, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UT San Antonio, to explore the high-stakes science of volcanology. From dodging superheated pyroclastic density currents traveling over 100 mph to scooping up glowing red-hot lava samples in the field, Dr. Whittington offers an inside look at what it takes to study Earth’s most formidable natural phenomena. The discussion dives deep into the hidden mechanics of eruptions, unpacking how lava viscosity behaves like everything from ketchup to peanut butter, and why razor-sharp volcanic ash is far more dangerous than flowing magma. Dr. Whittington also uncovers the surprise volcanic history hidden right beneath Texas soil and explains how his team at UT San Antonio’s HAMSTER Lab is using experimental rock physics to solve mysteries on Earth, the Moon, and beyond. 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Guest Teaser 00:57 – Dr. Whittington’s experience studying volcanoes around the world 02:22 – Volcano types: Shield volcanoes vs. stratovolcanoes 05:07 – Seeing an active eruption in person for the first time 06:14 – Why volcanic research and eruption signals matter 08:14 – Collecting live, hot lava samples in the field 10:18 – Volcanic ash hazards and pyroclastic density currents 13:02 – Explaining lava viscosity: From ketchup to peanut butter 15:47 – Texas geology: Ancient volcanoes along the Balcones fault 18:54 – Inside the HAMSTER Lab: Rock physics and planetary volcanoes 21:20 – Stay connected with UT San Antonio About Our Guest: Dr. Alan Whittington is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio. With over two decades of experience researching volcanoes across the globe, his work focuses on experimental rheology, heat and mass transfer in rocks, lava flow dynamics, and planetary geology. Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to hit Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Launchpad! For more updates and the latest news, visit news.utsa.edu. About UT San Antonio The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence – advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond.

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  Episode #13

  Episode 13: Exploring the unknown in Antarctica

  Jul 22, 202622 minS1

  In this episode of Launchpad, world-renowned sea ice expert and UT San Antonio Associate Professor Stephen Ackley takes us deep into the frozen unknown of the polar regions. Drawing from 12 expeditions to Antarctica and four to the Arctic, Ackley shares thrilling firsthand accounts of surviving the planet's most extreme environments. From dodging curious polar bears in whiteout conditions to building isolated ice stations on drifting floes, he offers an intimate look at what it truly takes to conduct research at the bottom of the world. Beyond the wild adventures, Ackley breaks down the critical science behind sea ice and why these remote regions matter to us all. He explains how polar ice acts as a protective blanket for the ocean, fuels complex marine ecosystems, and drives global climate patterns. Discover how shifting Antarctic conditions influence ocean currents across the globe and why changes happening thousands of miles away can directly trigger severe, freezing weather events right here in Texas. 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Guest Teaser 00:51 – Introducing Stephen Ackley 01:21 - Vietnam draft notice leads to polar research 05:14 – Understanding sea ice properties 07:06 – Sea ice forms in the summer? 07:52 – Local ecology & wildlife dependencies on sea ice 08:55 – Observing seals and penguins in their element 10:27 – Inside the Ice Station Weddell experience 11:19 – Challenges of operating in the polar regions 13:08 – Is that a plane? No, it's a polar bear!! 14:25 – Arctic vs. Antarctic research logistics 16:15 – The Story Behind "Ackley Point" 17:52 – How polar sea ice affects global climate 20:08 – Recent changes & trends in Antarctic sea ice 21:10 – Closing Remarks 21:36 - Stay Connected with UT San Antonio About Our Guest: Stephen Ackley is an Associate Professor of Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio and a leading expert in sea ice physics and polar oceanography. Over a career spanning more than five decades, including 30 years as a senior scientist at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, he has led numerous groundbreaking expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. In recognition of his significant contributions to polar research, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names designated "Ackley Point" in Antarctica in his honor. Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to hit Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Launchpad! For more updates and the latest news, visit news.utsa.edu . About UT San Antonio The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence – advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond.

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  Episode #12

  Episode 12: Chasing the wild and the science of survival

  Jul 1, 202634 minS1

  <p>What goes through your mind when you look down and see fresh Sumatran tiger tracks circling your campsite? For most people, it’s a cue to leave—but for a wildlife biologist, it’s just another day at the office. From tracking 150-pound mountain lions through the snow on muleback to navigating the remote, crocodile-infested swamps of Indonesia, fieldwork isn't just a job; it’s an unpredictable, high-stakes frontier that keeps scientists on their toes across the globe.</p><p>In this episode of Launchpad, host John Elizondo sits down with Dr. Kyle Shaney, an assistant professor at the Universi...

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  Episode #12

  Episode 12: Chasing the wild and the science of survival

  Jul 1, 202634 minS1

  What goes through your mind when you look down and see fresh Sumatran tiger tracks circling your campsite? For most people, it’s a cue to leave—but for a wildlife biologist, it’s just another day at the office. From tracking 150-pound mountain lions through the snow on muleback to navigating the remote, crocodile-infested swamps of Indonesia, fieldwork isn't just a job; it’s an unpredictable, high-stakes frontier that keeps scientists on their toes across the globe. In this episode of Launchpad, host John Elizondo sits down with Dr. Kyle Shaney, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Shaney’s passion for conversation goes far deeper than just tracking. He unpacks the fascinating world of apex predators, explaining how traditional ecological knowledge from local guides can keep you alive in remote jungles. Tune in to learn what to do if you encounter an aggressive cougar, what shocking dynamics happen at a mountain lion kill site, how a hammock can save you from microscopic threats, and how he survived eight days alone navigating a labyrinth of freezing rivers in roadless Alaskan wilderness. 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Guest Teaser 01:14 – Dr. Kyle Shaney's Background & Path to Wildlife Ecology 03:04 – Investigating Mountain Lion Kill Sites & First Captures 05:09 – The Step-by-Step Process of Tranquilizing & Collaring Cougars 07:17 – Misconceptions & Safety Protocols for Wild Mountain Lion Encounters 09:10 – Kill Site Dynamics, Kleptoparasitism, and Ecosystem Camera Traps 14:24 – Securing a National Geographic Grant to Study Sunda Gharial Crocodiles 17:22 – Experiences and Benefits within the National Geographic Explorer Program 18:10 – Shaney's First "Welcome to the Jungle" moment 19:52 – Utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge 22:06 – Essential Jungle Survival Gear: A Hammock 23:25 – Surviving Solo in Alaska: Collecting Bison Collars & Winter Expeditions 28:46 – Expanding Research into Borneo & the Pan American Bird Migration Project 31:55 – Wildlife and Wilderness Science YouTube Channel 33:29 – Stay Connected with UT San Antonio About Our Guest: Dr. Kyle Shaney is an expert in wildlife research, biodiversity, and conservation biology. As a National Geographic Explorer, his research focuses on predator-prey dynamics, endangered species preservation like the Sunda Gharial crocodile, and mapping the global threats facing migratory birds. His efforts aim to advance science communication, recruit the next generation of researchers, and inspire the public to appreciate the natural world. Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to hit Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Launchpad! For more updates and the latest news, visit news.utsa.edu . About UT San Antonio The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence – advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond.

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