DeanCast is hosted by Doug Schmidt, the Dean of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics at William & Mary. In each episode Doug talks with a member of the W&M community - both past and present - to explore the research questions that drive them, the discoveries that excite them, the experiences they’ve had as teachers and students, and the societal impact of their work.
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William and Mary's School of Computing, Data Sciences and Physics
In this episode of DeanCast, Dean Schmidt talks with Dr. Geoff Zahn, Assistant Professor of Applied Science, about the remarkable role microbes play in the health of our planet. From helping restore Chesapeake Bay seagrasses to uncovering new fungal species, Zahn explains how understanding microbiomes could transform conservation and ecosystem resilience. He also discusses the interdisciplinary nature of his research and collaborations with VIMS, the opportunities William & Mary students have to contribute to cutting-edge discoveries, and how even centuries-old scientific papers found through the Swem Library are helping unlock new insights into the microbial world.
23 Jun 2026
Programming Life: Regeneration, Resilience, and Synthetic Biology
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Dr. Margaret Saha, Chancellor Professor of Applied Science at William & Mary, to explore how living systems adapt, heal, and thrive in an unpredictable world. From her unconventional journey studying history to developmental biology, Margaret shares how a fascination with discovery led her to question how organisms maintain robustness and plasticity, and how those same principles might help us engineer biology for the future.
Margaret discusses her groundbreaking work with frog embryos, whose remarkable ability to reorganize and regenerate tissues offers clues for repairing the human nervous system. She explains how advances in synthetic biology and AI are opening new possibilities for programming cells to regenerate damaged tissues, clean up environmental pollutants, and create smarter medicines. The conversation also explores William & Mary’s leadership in hands-on biological research through programs such as Phage Lab and iGEM, where students tackle real-world challenges using interdisciplinary approaches that span biology, computing, engineering, and public policy. Ultimately, Margaret argues that biology is entering a new era—one where understanding how life builds and repairs itself may help address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
7 May 2026
Chasing Neutrinos: Ghost Particles & Big Questions
In this episode of DeanCast, host Dean Schmidt sits down with experimental particle physicist Dr. Tricia Vahle to explore one of the universe’s most puzzling phenomena: neutrinos.
From massive underground detectors to international collaborations decades in the making, Vahle shares how scientists are uncovering clues on how neutrinos change identity and may even break our current fundamental understanding of physics. The conversation also reveals the human side of discovery—what it takes to coordinate hundreds of researchers across the globe, how basic science drives unexpected innovations, and why emerging tools like AI are transforming the future of physics.
Whether you're curious about the origins of the universe or the power of collaborative science, this episode offers a compelling look at how bold questions, and the people who pursue them, push the boundaries of knowledge.
1 Apr 2026
Hackers, Helpers, and Hallucinations: AI’s Double-Edged Role in Cybersecurity
In this episode of DeanCast, we explore the evolvingintersection of AI and cybersecurity with Dr. Yue “Luna” Xiao, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at William & Mary.
Drawing on her experience in both academia and industry, Dr. Xiao examines how AI is transforming the way we identify software vulnerabilities – while simultaneously introducing new risks that demand urgent attention.
From uncovering tens of thousands of previously unknown bugs in the Linux kernel to demonstrating how AI agents can be manipulated through surprisingly simple attacks, Dr. Xiao’s work highlights both the scale of AI’s capabilities and the complexity of securing it. She also reflects on how AI isreshaping education and lowering the barrier to entry in computing, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to build real-world systems earlier than ever before.
Join us for a timely conversation on the promises, pitfalls,and responsibilities of AI in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
3 Mar 2026
Curiosity, Code, and Capital: A Student’s Journey into AI and Finance
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Tucker Peters ’28, a finance and government double major and president of William & Mary’s AI Club. Tucker shares how an investment in Virgin Galactic when he was in 8th grade sparked his interest in markets, how leadership in Model UN shaped his approach to incentives and engagement, and why he believes curiosity is the most important skill students can cultivate today.
From scaling a market trading algorithm using DeepQ networks to teaching himself full-stack development, Tucker discusses the power of interdisciplinary thinking in the age of AI. He reflects on the mentors who challenged him to “adapt or die,” the value of failure as a pathway to growth, and how the AI Club is expanding research and professional opportunities for students across campus.
Tune in for a conversation about risk, resilience, and building meaningful impact at the intersection of finance, government, and AI.
18 Feb 2026
Data Physicist: Bridging Data Science and Physics to Decode the Universe
In this episode of DeanCast, Associate Professor of Data Science Dr. Cristiano Fanelli explores what happens when artificial intelligence meets the deepest questions in physics. Describing himself as a “centaur”—half physicist, half data scientist—Fanelli shares his journey from contributing to the Higgs boson discovery to leading cutting-edge research that uses AI to probe the origins of mass and search for dark matter. He explains why 99% of the mass of ordinary matter does not come from the Higgs mechanism, but from the dynamic energy of the strong force inside protons and neutrons, and how modern machine learning tools are transforming the way scientists investigate these fundamental mysteries.
Fanelli also discusses how AI-assisted experimental design, real-time detector control, and emerging physics-specific foundation models are reshaping large-scale experiments at facilities like Jefferson Lab and the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider. From NSF- and DOE-funded research to collaborations with national labs and industry partners, his work highlights how the fusion of physics and AI is not only advancing our understanding of the universe, but also shaping the future of technology and scientific discovery.
18 Dec 2025
Inside GlueX: Discovery, Collaboration, and Subatomic Particles
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Dr. Justin Stevens, Associate Professor of Physics and spokesperson for the international GlueX Collaboration. Justin explains how GlueX uses high-energy photon beams to probe the strong nuclear force, search for exotic hadrons, and reveal new structures of quarks and gluons. He also shares how large-scale, international collaborations drive discovery and how collaborations with other William & Mary departments are transforming particle identification and detector simulation. The conversation highlights the powerful partnership between William & Mary and Jefferson Lab, which provides students extraordinary access to world-class research.
3 Dec 2025
From Curiosity to Impact: Insights from AI Club Vice President Andrew Yowell
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Andrew Yowell, a sophomore at William & Mary studying economics and serving as Vice President of the AI Club. Andrew shares how a spirit of curiosity and a willingness to “learn by doing” have shaped his journey - from implementing accessible AI tools in commercial real estate to helping build one of W&M's fastest growing student organizations.
Andrew discusses the link between economics and machine learning, the challenges of leading an AI Club with a diverse level of AI fluency, and the importance of lowering the barrier to entry for those new to using AI. He also reflects on the influence of mentors, the balance between AI use and critical thinking, and his evolving interests in applying AI for societal benefit. This conversation highlights how students are taking the lead in shaping William and Mary's AI culture and preparing for a future where AI fluency is essential.
12 Nov 2025
Inside William & Mary’s Rise in Computer Science
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Professor Evgenia Smirni, Chair of William & Mary’s Department of Computer Science, to explore the department’s extraordinary rise in national prominence. From a dramatic 28-place leap in the U.S. News & World Report rankings to groundbreaking faculty hires in AI, cybersecurity, and robotics, Evgenia shares how strategic growth, innovative teaching, and student excellence are redefining computing at William & Mary. Hear how the department balances cutting-edge research with the university’s hallmark personalized approach — preparing graduates not just to keep pace with the AI revolution, but to lead it.
30 Oct 2025
Data, Humanity, and the Future: Dr. Dan Runfola on the Science of Thriving
In this episode of DeanCast, Dean Schmidt sits down with Dr. Dan Runfola, Chair of Data Science at William & Mary, to explore the fascinating intersection of satellites, artificial intelligence, and human well-being. From mapping poverty from space to modeling thousands of online personalities, Dan’s work asks a powerful question: what makes humans thrive?They discuss how a childhood art competition led to a lifelong curiosity about technology, why solving climate change requires understanding people as much as the planet, and how global satellite data can help predict, and ideally prevent,human crises. Dan also shares how his GeoLab empowers undergraduates to lead real-world projects and how William & Mary is preparing students for the era of generative AI through innovative coursework and a new minor in AI.
8 Oct 2025
Debugging the Future: AI, Trust, and the Next Generation of Software Engineers
In this episode of DeanCast, we sit down with Dr. Denys Poshyvanyk, Chancellor Professor of Computer Science at William & Mary, whose pioneering research bridges AI and software engineering. From early skepticism about machine learning to the dawn of self-repairing code, Denys shares how AI is transforming how developers debug, test, and trust their tools and the future of teaching computer science in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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