In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Johnnie Aycock and Lisa Jones welcome Dr. Luke Roy of Auburn University’s School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences and the Alabama Fish Farming Center in Greensboro. Dr. Roy shares how his work supports Alabama’s catfish industry by addressing fish health, water quality, environmental stewardship and production efficiency to ensure the industry’s long-term success. Lisa, Johnnie and Dr. Roy also discuss how collaboration among farmers, researchers and industry professionals strengthens communities, protects natural resources and supports future generations.

In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock sit down with Dr. Katherine L. Chiou, Associate Professor of Anthropology at The University of Alabama and Co-director of the Artificial Intelligence Teaching Enhancement Initiative. They explore how AI is reshaping higher education, research, and the workforce. The conversation examines whether AI is helping humans think more critically or simply work faster, and what it means for learning when students rely on AI to write, research, and solve problems. Dr. Chiou also discusses the importance of responsible AI use and ethics as these technologies influence innovation, hiring, and everyday life.

In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock welcome Dr. Jeremy Carr, Central Alabama Community College Chemistry Instructor, to the studio to discuss the power of student-driven discovery, why microgravity is the ultimate laboratory, and what this means for the future of scientific innovation. They dive into an incredible student-led research project happening right here in Alabama. From sparking curiosity in the classroom to designing and defending a real space experiment, they explore how undergraduate students are taking science from the lab bench to low Earth orbit.

In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock sit down with Dr. Andrea Cevasco-Trotter, Director & Professor of Music Therapy at The University of Alabama, and Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist Matt Jones to explore why music, poetry, film, and art can trigger powerful emotional responses—and why those responses differ from person to person. It begins with a personal experience of hearing the same song twice but reacting differently the second time, raising a larger question about how changes within us, rather than changes in the art itself, shape what we feel. The discussion sets up an exploration of the brain, emotion, memory, and personal experience from two perspectives.

In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock sit down with Dr. Andrea Cevasco-Trotter and musician Matt Jones spotlights the visionary people and research shaping the state's future. The series debuts with hosts Lisa Jones & Johnnie Aycock speaking with The University of Alabama President Dr. Peter Mohler, exploring how UA is training future leaders and driving groundbreaking innovation across the state.

BrightPath spotlights the visionary people and research shaping the state's future. The series debuts with hosts Lisa Jones & Johnnie Aycock speaking with The University of Alabama President Dr. Peter Mohler, exploring how UA is training future leaders and driving groundbreaking innovation across the state.