Dr. Arthur Levine is stepping down from his longtime post as dean of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine and as its vice chancellor for health sciences to start a new Alzheimer’s research lab.
According to the national Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.7 million Americans suffer from the disease, including approximately 200,000 people under 65 who have young-onset Alzheimer’s. Levine discusses existing research, the lab’s goals for continuing that mission and the Million Human Genome Project.
Later in the program:
The 37th State Senate district will hold a special election April 2 to fill the seat formerly held by now-Congressman Guy Reschenthaler. 90.5 WESA’s government and accountability editor Chris Potter spoke with Pam Iovino, the Democratic nominee, about funding state-run universities and a severance taxon the natural gas industry.
Journalist and author Abby Mendelson, photographer David Aschkenas and designer David Wachter are driven by their love of jazz music and the Pittsburgh community. Their new book, “Spirit to Spirit: A Portrait of Pittsburgh Jazz in the New Century,” captures the Pittsburgh jazz community as it exists today. “We felt so privileged and so honored to be part of these guys’ lives for a bit and to go ahead and use our art to celebrate their art,” said Mendelson. He, Aschkenas and Wachter sat down with 90.5 WESA’s Bob Studebaker to discuss their “massive, visceral, emotional deep dive into this community.” The book is expected out later this year.
And iconic Pittsburgh buildings like the Gulf Tower and the Granite Building have storied histories, but many people don't know the convoluted and sometimes scandalous tales behind their construction. Mark Houser, director of news and information at Robert Morris University, shares the history of Pittsburgh landmarks in his monthly column for Pittsburgh Magazine. Houser will share these and other tales at an event Thursday at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center in Wilkinsburg.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators join veteran journalist Kevin Gavin, taking an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
