Rising To The Challenge
Rising to the Challenge: A podcast by the University of Illinois System

Episode 4: Tech it or Leave It

Host Gwen Macsai breaks down some of the technology that the University of Illinois System is using to implement its COVID-19 mitigation plan. She takes a tour of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab to follow saliva samples through the full process, then talks with Nigel Goldenfeld about the computer modeling the school and state are using to develop its testing protocols. She also talks with Rashid Bashir, the Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering about a test that can detect COVID-19 with your cell phone, then takes a ride with the Bryan Rives, Director of the University of Illinois Springfield Sangemon Performing Arts Center on his 26th trip driving samples from UIS to UIUC.

Rising to the Challenge: A podcast by the University of Illinois System

Episode 2: Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 Testing

Host Gwen Macsai talks with Dr. Martin Burke from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign about developing the rapid saliva test, gets a look at the SHIELD Illinois Program with Ron Watkins from UIUC and learns how the University of Illinois Chicago is getting tests to the homeless with Dr. Stockton Mayer and Rebecca Singer. Then talks to Anant Naik about the children's book he wrote about COVID. It's called Heroes of the Pandemic: Those Who Stood up Against COVID-19.

Rising to the Challenge: A podcast by the University of Illinois System

Episode 1: A Shot In the Arm

Host Gwen Macsai visits with University of Illinois System President Timothy Killeen, gets an update on vaccine development with Dr. Richard Novak and checks in with University of Illinois women's tennis coach Evan Clark who is running to raise money for a COVID Relief Fund.

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