The Science of Sunshine: The Future of Light and Wellness

Episode 5: More Than Meets the Eye: Light & Lighting Sources w/ Mike Krames

In this episode, Dr. Anne Berends speaks with Mike Krames about how lighting has evolved from a simple utility into a foundational technology shaping modern life. With decades of experience in semiconductors and LED innovation, Mike offers a unique perspective on how lighting moved from the lab into global infrastructure, and what may have been lost along the way.As our environments become more energy-efficient and digitally driven, the conversation explores how lighting design has prioritized performance and cost, often overlooking human experience. Together, they discuss how the next generation of lighting may move beyond efficiency alone, integrating new approaches that support comfort, perception, and potentially even well-being.

Episode 4: Bright Futures with Glen Jeffery

In this episode, Dr. Anne Berends speaks with Professor Glen Jeffery about the biological role of long-wavelength light in aging and mitochondrial function. They explore how red and near-infrared light interact with cellular energy systems, how mitochondrial efficiency changes with age, and how modern indoor environments differ from the natural light spectrum our biology evolved with. The conversation unpacks how light influences processes such as vision, inflammation, and blood sugar regulation, and examines the systemic role of mitochondria in health and disease. From retinal aging to broader metabolic effects, they discuss what this emerging field of research could mean for preventive health, daily environments, and long-term wellbeing.

Episode 3: Eye on the Light

What if light could do more than help us see? In this second episode, Dr. Anne Berends talks with Professor Elke Bushbeck about how sunlight affects every living organism — from the eyes of insects to the energy in our own cells. They explore how different wavelengths of light — UV, blue, red, and near-infrared — influence our biology, mood, and even brain function. You’ll learn why insects see the world differently, how natural light supports vision and energy production, and what happens when we spend most of our lives indoors under artificial light.

Episode 2: In the Absence of Light

In this episode of The Science of Sunshine, Dr. Anne Berends speaks with Prof. Timo Partonen, a leading circadian rhythm and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) researcher at the University of Helsinki. Together, they explore how winter darkness disrupts our internal clock, why so many people experience winter blues or SAD, and how modern indoor lifestyles may be amplifying these effects. Prof. Partonen explains the biological pathways linking light exposure to mood, sleep, metabolism, and energy — and why morning light plays a critical role. The conversation also covers proven treatments like bright-light therapy, as well as emerging research into UVA1 and near-infrared (NIR) light.

Episode 1: Sunlight at Scale

Overview: What if the light around us could shape our health, mood and energy? In this first episode, Dr. Anne Berends talks with Dr. Jennifer Veitch, President of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), about the science of sunshine — and how different parts of natural light influence our well-being. Together, they explore how ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light each plays a unique role in human health — from vitamin D production and circadian rhythm to cellular repair and mood regulation. You’ll discover what happens when we spend 90% of our time indoors, how modern lighting has changed the way we experience daylight, and why the future of wellness may depend on bringing the full spectrum of sunlight back into our lives.