Owen Carmichael is director of biomedical imaging at Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center and one of the 12 local speakers you can come see speak on Feb. 28 at TEDxLSU 2015. The California native has a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
A recent transplant to Baton Rouge, Carmichael has spent his academic career developing new ways to understand images of the brain. His research aids him in comprehending the aging process and factors relating to Alzheimer’s Disease.
I connected with Owen recently to learn a little more about his life and background. Here are the highlights of our conversation.
What makes someone human?
The size and complexity of the brain. No other animal, and certainly no machine, includes circuitry that is anywhere close!
What’s your most irrational fear?
When an airplane takes off, there is an initial climbing phase when the engines are working really hard. It’s loud. Then there is a moment when the pilot reduces engine power, there is a very marked reduction in engine noise, and the plane starts to level out. In that moment — especially if the engine reduction is sudden — I have a split second of panic that the engines have failed and the plane is about to fall straight to the ground like a rock — as though the pilot were Wile E. Coyote.
This wins the award for most irrational because I have flown dozens of times, I know physics, I know how airplanes work, etc.
When you were 19, where were you?
Berkeley, California.
Why do you do what you do?
I am incredibly lucky; I have the privilege of being able to spend my days trying to better understand brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, so that someday there might be a chance to rid the world of them. Alzheimer’s disease is in my family and I have met many patients, caregivers and loved ones. I do what I do for them, and for their kids and grandkids who shouldn’t have to go through what they are going through.
Who should play you in a movie about your life?
Tobias Menzes. Because we kind of, sort of, look alike.
What’s your spy name?
“John Smith.” Because it draws less attention to myself than my real name, which is uncommon for people my age. School playgrounds are lousy with Owens these days, but grownup Owens are relatively rare.
Which TED talk do you most want to go to this year?
I can’t wait to see Michael Hatfield’s talk. Using bar room trivia contests as a platform for research on human interaction—what a brilliant idea!
Before you get up to do your TED talk, how are you going to pump yourself up?
I don’t think getting myself further pumped up is going to be the problem. Before I get up to give my talk, I think I’m going to be doing all I can to calm myself down.
If you could ask a question to one of the other TEDxLSU speakers, what would you ask?
I would ask Cole Wiley what it is like to co-inhabit the seemingly very different worlds of technology and art. Do his tech friends get along with his art friends, etc.?
To learn more about Owen and TEDxLSU 2015, follow TEDxLSU onTwitter, Facebook andInstagram. Connect with Owen and his fellow speakers on Feb. 28.
