A Mind of One’s Own: Exploring the wonders of the brain — and mind

Inside Chancellor Julio Frenk’s first year at UCLA

2025 was a year of change and challenge for UCLA — and for Dr. Julio Frenk, the university’s seventh and its first Latino chancellor, it was nothing short of transformative. From confronting the L.A. wildfires on his second day in office to advocating for the reinstatement of federal research funds, Frenk’s inaugural year in the role offered a sweeping view of UCLA’s strengths, including the expertise at the UCLA College, the academic heart of the university. Join UCLA College’s "Tell Us What You Know" host, Álvaro Castillo, for an in-depth conversation with Chancellor Frenk as he reflects on his first year, the lessons learned and his vision for the future.

Bruins Abroad

From London to The Hague, Dublin to Sydney — UCLA students are expanding their horizons through study abroad programs that combine classroom learning with real‑world experiences. Discover how these journeys build resilience, broaden perspectives and open doors to global opportunities.

A Mind of One’s Own: Exploring the wonders of the brain — and mind

In the latest episode of our podcast "Tell Us What You Know," three passionate UCLA researchers dive into what fascinates them most about the brain — the very organ that helps us understand ourselves, our world and our place in the cosmos.

Taking the temperature of the UCLA Heat Lab

Tune into the second episode of "Tell Us What You Know" and dive into the critical research of the UCLA Heat Lab with Professor Bharat Venkat and his team of student researchers.

Jared Diamond on New Guinea and discovering the long-lost golden-fronted bowerbird

For the inaugural episode of "Tell Us What You Know" — an original podcast highlighting and uplifting voices from across the UCLA College's five divisions — we chat with Pulitzer Prize winner and Professor Emeritus Jared Diamond. Forty-four years ago, he made a remarkable rediscovery of a long-lost bird species in New Guinea, forever linking him to the island and this bird, which is far too fabulous to be forgotten. (0:00) Intro (1:26) The island of New Guinea (6:24) Discovering the golden-fronted bowerbird (10:36) The Foja Mountains (13:21) New Guinea conservation challenges (15:01) New Guinea conservation successes (19:17) Birding closer to home (20:46) The white-crowned cuckoo (23:30) Advice for aspiring ornithologists (25:35) The future of ornithology (29:03) Reflecting on a teaching legacy (30:11) closing remarks / credits #birds #tropicalbirds #ornithology #birdlovers #ecology #NewGuinea #geography Host and Writer: Álvaro Castillo Producer: Trever Ducote Music: Roger A. Martinez