Tara Kerin on The Last of Us

August 08, 2023 00:18:25
Tara Kerin on The Last of Us
Carry the Two
Tara Kerin on The Last of Us

Aug 08 2023 | 00:18:25

/

Show Notes

Could a fungus really wipe out the majority of humans, as shown in the HBO (Max) series The Last of Us? How realistic is the show’s portrayal of epidemiology? Guest and project scientist at UCLA, Tara Kerin explores these questions and how statistics are a core tool in her field of research.

Find our transcript here: LINK

Curious to learn more? Check out these additional links:

The San Diego Comic Con International masquerade ball: https://www.comic-con.org/cci/newsletter/sunday

How to calculate R0 (R-naught): https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/understanding-predictions-what-is-r-naught/

Tara’s work on HIV: https://cch.ucla.edu/about-atn-cares/

More on R0: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/25/1/17-1901_article

More on the science in The Last of Us: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1157842018/the-science-that-spawned-fungal-fears-in-hbos-the-last-of-us

Entertainment Community Fund: https://entertainmentcommunity.org/

Science and Entertainment Exchange: http://scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/

Follow more of IMSI’s work: www.IMSI.institute, (twitter) @IMSI_institute, (mastodon) https://sciencemastodon.com/@IMSI, (instagram) IMSI.institute

Follow Tara Kerin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarakerin/, @tarakerin

This episode was audio engineered by Tyler Damme. 

Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

The Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation (IMSI) is funded by NSF grant DMS-1929348.

Other Episodes

Episode 0

May 30, 2023 00:26:26
Episode Cover

Matt Huber on Modeling Paleoclimates

Today we speak with a non-mathematician who uses mathematical tools to understand our planet’s past climates and what they might be able to tell...

Listen

Episode 3

October 09, 2024 00:29:35
Episode Cover

Mathematics & Political Coalitions

We in the United States are deep in the middle of a major national election, and over half of the world’s population also have...

Listen

Episode 0

December 20, 2022 00:01:52
Episode Cover

Winter Hiatus

We're taking a short break to prepare for the new year and season 2. So stay tuned! Find our transcript here: LINK Follow more...

Listen