Big Biology Homo pathogenesis (Ep 128)
Jan 23, 2025
Sabrina Sholts, Curator of Biological Anthropology at the Smithsonian, discusses the fascinating link between human behavior and infectious disease transmission. She reveals how seasonal changes influence the spread of diseases, debunking myths around cold weather illnesses. Sholts shares insights from the 'Outbreak' exhibit, emphasizing the vital connections between human, animal, and environmental health. The conversation also touches on adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for public education and community engagement in combating future outbreaks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Sholts's Path to Outbreak
- Sabrina Sholts's career path to curating the Outbreak exhibit was unexpected.
- Her focus on the 2014 Ebola epidemic led to her involvement in creating the exhibit.
Outbreak Exhibit's Focus
- The Outbreak exhibit aimed to show the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
- It focused on zoonotic diseases, emphasizing the human element in outbreaks.
Diseases in Outbreak
- The Outbreak exhibit included diverse zoonotic viruses, like Ebola and Nipah virus.
- It also had a section on coronaviruses, including SARS and MERS, predating COVID-19.
