KU News Release

Weekly radio broadcast shines light on KU research

LAWRENCE — Have you ever wondered what kinds of plants grew on Antarctica 150 million years ago? Are you certain about the benefits of reading together with children? Or are you intrigued by the idea that cooking oil can be used to run a diesel engine?

These topics and many more will be explored by a new weekly broadcast on Kansas Public Radio called “Research Matters.” The two-minute spots will delve into the most relevant and interesting research efforts under way at the University of Kansas.

Beginning Sept. 3, “Research Matters” will air at 2:58 p.m. on Mondays and 1:04 p.m. on Sundays on KPR (91.5 FM in Lawrence, 91.3 FM in Junction City and Manhattan, and 89.7 FM in Emporia).

Brendan Lynch writes and hosts the show. Lynch is a research writer and producer with KU’s Office of University Relations.

“There’s a universe of really intriguing research under way at KU,” said Lynch. “It spans engineering, science, humanities, life sciences and social sciences. The best part of my job is that I get to learn about each of these researchers’ work and bring listeners right into the lab.”

Lynch is not the first member of his family to broadcast on KPR. His father, Bill Lynch, read news on the station in the early '60s while attending KU. Bill Lynch went on to a 30-year career as a radio and TV correspondent for NBC and CBS.

“Research Matters” is an expanded and updated version of a minute-long series that debuted last year.

“It proved so popular, we doubled the running time,” Lynch said.

In addition to airing on KPR, “Research Matters” will be available online at www.researchmatters.ku.edu.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.