Episode 340 - Tiffany Schmidt, PhD

<p>On October 29, 2026 we spoke with Dr. Tiffany Schmidt about the unique set of retinal neurons whose activity is not exclusively dependent on the photoreceptors, but which contain melanopsin, a photosensitive pigment that gives them an intrinsic response to light. She explained how these neurons subserve behavioral light responses but are not a part of our conscious visual perception, including light-entrainment of the circadian pacemaker, the pupillary response, and a fascinating contribution to mood.</p><p>Guest: </p><p>Tiffany Schmidt, Associate Professor in the Departments of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology, Northwestern University</p><p>Participating:</p><p>Addison Kanke, Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, UT San Antonio</p><p>Host:</p><p>Charles Wilson, Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, UT San Antonio</p><p>Thanks to James Tepper for original music</p>