LearnOn Podcast: The Science Show By Kids, For Kids!

Throughout this season in the podcast, we have explored the unique role of cutting-edge technology in driving innovation for medicine. But what about the other way around? It turns out that the unique makeup of the healthcare system is crucial in the context of leading changes in digital health. Today, we're hearing from Noelle Eder, CIO at The Cigna Group, for her insights through a career of over 30 years. Tune in to hear about the verticalization of American healthcare, how the fragmentation of this space affects the demand for innovation in medical technology, and the importance of empathy in leadership.Noelle Eder is the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer (CIO) at The Cigna Group. Prior to this role, she served as the Chief Information and Digital Officer at Hilton Worldwide Holdings, the Chief Card Customer Experience Officer for Capital One Financial Corporation, as well as other technology leadership roles at Intuit and TeKnowledge.

It's always exciting to see flashy headlines about the next revolutionary drug approved by the FDA or how a biotech startup is making millions for a diagnostic test. However, it's equally important to not lose sight of what gets us to the most important discoveries in the first place: basic research. Today, we're interviewing Dr. Marc Kirschner, a renowned cell biologist and biochemist known for his research on the cytoskeleton, cell cycle, and embryo signaling. Join us to hear his thoughts on how scientific disciplines have become more intertwined over time, the crucial role of technological advancements such as electron microscopy in the field of biochemistry, and the dire need for approaching scientific discovery with curiosity instead of going straight for the money. Dr. Marc Kirschner is the founding chair of the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School and is known for major discoveries in cell and developmental biology. He has also coauthored 2 books on the biological basis of evolution and helped launch the peer-reviewed journal PLOS (Public Library of Science) Biology. 

It's always interesting to think about how many technologies that we take for granted today, such as genome sequencing and bioengineering, were completely unheard of just a few decades ago. This episode, we're going back to the roots of these applications with Dr. James Collins, who is widely regarded as one of the founders of the field of synthetic biology. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the importance of leveraging the tools we have today for pandemic prevention and readiness, how to reframe thinking around biosecurity when it comes to applications of these technologies, and how AI can help us outrun antibiotic resistance with rapid drug discovery.Dr. James Collins is a professor of medical engineering and science at MIT, a core faculty member at the Wyss Institute of Harvard University, and a member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. He is a member of the National Academies of Engineering, Science, and Medicine, and his technologies have been licensed by over 25 biotech and medical device companies.

Many of us have early memories of visits to the pediatrician, which are often underscored by fear of the dreaded needle. Being poked and prodded is never fun regardless of your age, but it's especially important to consider that a lot of this discomfort is unnecessary. And, traumatizing experiences in young patients can foster distrust for healthcare workers during their formative years. Today, we're chatting with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf about palliative care, advocating for pain management in pediatrics, and how taking a bit of extra time for a simple, evidence-backed procedure to reduce anxiety during vaccinations can help kids develop positive associations with the healthcare system through adulthood. Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf is a pediatric pain and palliative medicine specialist. Through his roles as a professor of pediatrics at UCSF and the medical director of the Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative and Integrative Medicine, he is helping to make pain management for kids a #1 priority through their care.

What would it be like to dedicate over 50 years of your life towards treating a disease? Today, we're finding out with Dr. Jerry Mendell, who has been working to help patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy since the 1960s. He is known for studying a similar disorder and partnering with Sarepta Therapeutics to create a therapy that delivers healthy copies of the dystrophin gene, which was approved by the FDA in June of 2023. Join us to hear Dr. Mendell's thoughts on applying new forms of gene therapy for this condition, extrapolating his findings to treat spinal muscular atrophy, and the onslaught of modern research becoming outdated in the context of accelerating technological developments.

Pregnancy, though vital for sustaining human life, comes with its own unique set of challenges. From weight fluctuation to morning sickness, most people who have experienced pregnancy were no stranger to these symptoms. But what happens when it goes too far? Today, we're discussing hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a pregnancy complication that's often confused with the more milder versions of its symptoms, with geneticist Dr. Marlena Fejzo. Tune in to hear about her journey in researching the causes of hyperemesis, the importance of recognizing it in order to prevent negative health effects, and expanding dataset diversity by partnering with widespread genetic testing platform 23andMe.Dr. Marlena Fejzo is a researcher in the Center for Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Southern California. She has a PhD in genetics from Harvard University. She is also an HG survivor, which has informed her experiences as the Chief Scientific Officer of Harmonia Healthcare as well as a board member and research advisor for the HER foundation (see below).Learn about Harmonia Healthcare: www.harmoniahealthcare.com/Check out the HER foundation: www.hyperemesis.org/

Throughout this podcast, we've explored many facets of what makes science and health so interdisciplinary. Today, we're adding one more factor to the mix: philosophy. Specifically, we'll be joined by Dr. Brennan Spiegel to learn about the future of virtual reality in new medical technologies and how it can be informed by a philosophical approach to tackle complex questions emerging from this field. Tune in to discover the ever-evolving nature of medical technology, how virtual reality can be used for mental health applications, and what human consciousness really means.Dr. Brennan Spiegel directs the Cedars-Sinai Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CS-CORE) to develop one of the largest medical VR programs and support the emerging field of Medical Extended Reality (MXR). Along with authoring many medical textbooks and over 270 articles in peer-reviewed journals, he published the best-selling book VRx: How Immersive Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine in 2020.Read Dr. Spiegel's book here: www.amazon.com/VRx-Virtual-Therapeutics-Revolutionize-Medicine/dp/1541699769Check out Xaia, the mental health VR app developed by Dr. Spiegel's team: xaia.health/

Though there are many known issues with the American healthcare system, one of the most overlooked faults is that it's designed for people who stay in place. Care is often neglected or subpar for immigrants, citizens that regularly travel for work, and other people that frequently move around for various reasons. To understand why this is the case and how to fix it, we spoke with Kim Nolte, CEO of the Migrant Clinicians Network. Tune in to hear about the importance of language for effective communication in medical settings, how this organization carefully tailors resources for the individual needs of populations they serve, and the power of turning your worst moments into your best ones.Kim Nolte joined the Migrant Clinicians Network in 2023. At MCN, she leads with her unique expertise through a master's degree in public health and multilingual experience. Prior to that, she served as the CEO of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential, where she spearheaded a campaign to reduce the teen birth rate of Georgia by a third in just 5 years.Check out MCN's website here: www.migrantclinician.org/

Tackling Alzheimer's disease has seemed to take up a lot of headlines lately - from drugs reducing the severity of symptoms to new research studies revolutionizing how we understand its causes, the media has been nothing short of enthralled by recent advances. However, the initial step of diagnosis is often overlooked despite being a key component of this story. Today, we're chatting with Dr. Venkat Shastri about how his company ALZPath developed a blood test for a protein marker to catch Alzheimer's early on and help prevent its progression. Join us to learn about how we can cut costs of expensive testing and the power of visualizing 5 to 10 years into the future!​Dr. Venkat Shastri is the CEO of ALZPath and the De Sanctis professor of engineering and entrepreneurship at the University of San Diego. He has a PhD in electrical and computer engineering and has been involved in many related startups. He has also previously conducted research at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Yale University along with serving as a consulting professor at Stanford University.Check out ALZPath: alzpath.bio/

Many of us have heard about the issue of lead pipes contaminating our water supply. Though it's been well established that this could improve the health of millions of Americans, the challenge in moving forward is deciding whether the immense upfront costs of replacing pipes is worth it from a financial standpoint. To tackle this issue, we're discussing with Ronnie Levin, a Harvard professor who previously worked at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tune in to hear about how the brilliant simplicity of her cost-benefit analysis approach pushed the EPA to commit to replacing all of the USA's lead pipes in the next decade for better health outcomes.​Ronnie Levin is an instructor in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's department of environmental health. In May of 2023, she published a study demonstrating that the resulting health benefits of replacing lead pipes would be around $9 billion and result in an additional minimum of $2 billion in infrastructure benefits -- all by using analysis methods she developed during her time working at the EPA for 40 years.

Some of the greatest scientific advancements of all time were made completely on accident or weren't recognized until far after the discoverer's death. But how do you stay motivated as a scientist when things don't go according to plan? To tackle this topic, we're interviewing Dr. Karikó, a Nobel Prize winner who's had her fair share of ups and downs through decades of researching mRNA. Join us in a conversation about her thoughts on prioritizing health through hard work, future applications of mRNA technology, and the power of focusing on self-improvement amidst a world full of comparisons.Dr. Katalin Karikó is a Hungarian-American researcher known for her work in mRNA technology. In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Dr. Drew Weissman for the applications of her work in modifying mRNA to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Karikó is also a senior vice president at BioNTech and an adjunct professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania. 

One of the most important ways that we're inspired to discuss topics on this podcast is through science journalism: that is, reading the latest news in STEM fields to stay updated on new innovations! However, considering the sheer volume of science content available on the Internet, it's crucial to know how to navigate this scene. Today, we chatted with Max Levy to discuss key takeaways in this field from his experience as a researcher turned journalist. Tune in to hear about how he comes up with unique stories, balancing individual interests with the need of the consumer, and the power of following your passion to create the best content.​Max Levy is a freelance science journalist based in Los Angeles, California, with a Ph.D. in chemical & biological engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He specializes in writing, editing, and fact-checking across a wide array of science topics, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience. His work has been featured on WIRED, Quanta Magazine, The Atlantic, Drug Discovery News, Smithsonian, TED-Ed, Veritasium, Vox, and more.Check out his magazine, Sequencer, here: www.sequencermag.com/

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), though they may sound very futuristic, are now far from an imagined technology of the past. Integrations between computers and the nervous system are being used all around us to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. Today, we sat down to chat with Ofer Lidsky about his work in neurotechnology through Excellent Brain, a company using electroencephalography-based neurofeedback to treat symptoms of ADHD. Be sure to tune in and hear exciting tips on entrepreneurship in this inaugural episode of our 6th season!Ofer Lidsky is an experienced entrepreneur with 30+ years in software development, focusing on Genetics, Digital Health, EEG Signal Processing, BCI, VR, and Information Security. He has founded multiple startups, created innovative platforms, and holds several patents in various software fields. He is the founder and CEO of Excellent Brain as well as a member of the Forbes Technology Council.Check out Excellent Brain here: excellent-brain.com/Read up on DNAtix: www.dnatix.com/

Today, we're super excited to announce to launch of Season 6: Medical Marvels! This will be our biggest season yet as we hear from researchers, policy makers, and innovators working to make the future of medicine a reality. Join us to hear our thoughts on this upcoming season as well as a note about our recent rebrand! Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as we publish new episodes for this season! Be sure to check our website for additional resources and follow @learnonpodcast on Instagram to be notified whenever a new episode comes up. Thank you all for our support and we'll see you very soon with more episodes!

It's finally here: the finale of season 5! 20 episodes later, we've gone on an exciting exploration together through the depths of digital health, the twists and turns medical technology, and the pathways through artificial intelligence. To wrap up the season, we're chatting with Dr. Alan Lightman, an accomplished physicist, novelist, and essayist. He was the first professor at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and humanities, so we'll be discussing the importance of connecting science and humanities in order to explore the world around us. Tune in as we journey through big ideas about the meaning of consciousness, humanity's role in the universe, and getting started as a kid interested in science.Check out Dr. Lightman's books: cmsw.mit.edu/profile/alan-lightman/ Read Dr. Lightman's articles in the Atlantic: www.theatlantic.com/author/alan-lightman/

Today, we're joined by Dr. Alex Schepart, a pharmacist who is currently a Medical Director at the pharmaceutical company Shionogi Inc. Tune in to hear about the challenges of integrating AI into drug development and healthcare that you may not have considered, ways to stay most informed about the latest scientific discoveries, and the way to build a "board of directors" of effective mentors in order to bolster your growth as a student and professional.Check out the podcast Alex co-hosts, which dives deeper into the world of pharmacy: www.industrypharmacist.org/podcast.phpStart learning about the basics of AI here (created by yours truly!): projectneurify.org/

We all know that improving health equity is an important topic, but a side to this battle that is commonly underappreciated is that of administrative and legislative details. Indeed, combining an entrepreneurial mindset with a patient-centered care approach is the best way to fight for this cause according to Dr. Jessica Schlicher. Dr. Schlicher is a Chief Medical Officer at the nonprofit organization Providence, Head of Content at MedPearl, an actionable intelligence engine, and practicing family physician, so you won't want to miss hearing her wisdom! We'd love for you to join our discussion on how MedPearl makes referring patients to specialists more efficient, how AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human knowledge, and the holistic way of assessing a patient's multifaceted life according to Providence. Check out Providence: www.providence.org/And read up on MedPearl: www.medpearl.com/

We've talked about many incredible organizations advancing health equity with their work, but today, we're going to be talking about a related career that deserves more recognition: healthcare consulting. This is an important job that combines knowledge of business and medicine to optimize patient care. But how does someone get started in this field? Tune in to hear from Alexis Anderson, a healthcare consultant sharing how an incredibly touching personal experience shaped her career and her work in showing the ropes to the next generation of students. And, be sure to stick around until the end to hear a (potentially) hot take revealing the truth behind the evolution of AI!

The accessibility of healthcare is certainly a major issue in the USA and around the world. One major component of this is affordability, but another key factor that often goes overlooked is actually being able to take advantage of the resources available to you. Whether we're thinking about a patient who is freshly an adult or a parent to a newborn child, many people were never educated about the right questions to ask and as a result, don't feel a sense of autonomy with their own health. Today, we're excited to be joined by Dr. Stacey Follman, who shares her experiences working for The Healthcare Navigation Project, a grassroots initiative helping to tackle this problem. Join us in a fascinating conversation about Dr. Follman's unique role as a pharmacist in global medical information and pharmacoviligance in order to understand why the delivery of accurate medical and scientific content is so crucial. ​Check out The Healthcare Navigation Project: thehealthcarenavigationproject.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

We've alluded to this question in many previous episodes, but today we're finally facing it head on! In the light of rapid advancements made in artificial intelligence, many have been worried about its potential in replacing complex jobs thanks to the capabilities of models like GPT-4 and DALL-E. However, we're here to assure you with the help of Dr. Dereck Paul, a physician and CEO of Glass Health (an AI-powered clinical decision support tool). Tune in to hear about why physicians are more capable of working in tandem with AI models than we might realize, how the deployment of such models in clinical practice sheds a light on socioeconomic disparities, and the future of AI to improve patient education resources.Glass Health website: glass.health/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

Today, we're going to be doing a deep dive into yet another crucial sector of healthcare: pharmacy! Joining us is Dr. Miranda Steinkopf,  a pharmacist passionate about health equity, pharmacy practice transformation, and academic innovation. Tune in to hear about the need for strong health equity education so that providers are equipped to serve patients of diverse backgrounds for better outcomes, the unique role that pharmacists have in promoting health equity by understanding the social determinants of health, and how we can overcome barriers created by policy so that the scope of practice for pharmacists can be expanded. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

It is easy to talk about digital health as being mainly consisted of two separate facets: technology and medicine. However, instead of simply focusing on the specialization of these aspects, it is also crucial to recognize how clinical practice and technological expertise must be combined for the success of any digital health company. This is where the work of Ken Perez, a healthcare marketing, strategy, and policy consultant, comes in. Join us to hear about his opinions on the possible overvaluation in the digital health area, how artificial intelligence should be applied with the most recent data in mind, and how the applications of digital health intersect with reduction of healthcare costs. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

Since the COVID pandemic hit, the healthcare industry seemed to share a sentiment as a whole about telemedicine: it was the best possible alternative when the patients couldn't come in for a physical, in person visit, the latter of which is the gold standard of care. But Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, is trying to change this sentiment. Join us in a riveting episode where we discuss what telemedicine looked like before 2020, how it is actually a superior choice of treatment for chronic care and meeting patients' unique needs, and the need for proper infrastructure in scheduling and data management to make sure it is done successfully. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

We've talked a lot about technological advancements in the medical field, but today, we're going to be examining them from a new lens to understand the possible downsides and how to fix it. Joining us to provide a fresh perspective is Dean Sittig, a professor at the UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics. Tune in to hear about a wide range of topics including how the electronic health record system inadvertently disrupted work-life balance by increasing clinicians' workload, finding an efficient and safe balance between trusting AI to make decisions and having to double-check everything on our own, the economical consequences of replacing jobs in healthcare, and how technologies like ChatGPT can be turned for nefarious purposes when in the wrong hands. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

When you think about professions in healthcare, you probably imagine doctors, nurses, or other roles that require direct interaction with patients. And though this answer is certainly true, a major yet often overlooked career is that of a health lawyer, which is very important considering the many legal implications of practicing medicine. Today, we are joined by Matthew Fisher to talk about his career in health law as well as topics in this field including how legal restrictions can actually help healthcare companies, what HIPAA truly is, and the complex interactions between policymaking and the rise of artificial intelligence. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

Silos, which block proper communication and coordination between important groups in healthcare, are a major roadblock that prevent optimized care and contribute to high costs with poor patient outcomes. This is where the European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance) comes in with its goals to connect, convene, amplify, and accelerate. Today, we are joined by Brian O'Connor, founder of ECHAlliance, to hear about his work in breaking down these silos as well as his entrepreneurial experiences through creating different startups, how to better adapt the changes in healthcare post-pandemic, and the permanent shift in the landscape of telehealth.​See the ECHAlliance website here: echalliance.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

It is already a well-known fact that healthcare is not made equal; marginalized communities find themselves facing . This issue is also present in the field of health IT, which is significant in how we treat patients as technology has a larger role in healthcare than ever before. Today, we are joined by Joy Rios, host of HIT Like a Girl Pod, to learn about what health IT is, how we can effectively collaborate to give marginalized voices the platform they deserve, and why informed policymaking is key towards creating lasting change.Listen to HIT Like A Girl Podcast here: www.hitlikeagirlpod.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

As the field of digital health expands more than ever before, a more diverse spread of minds is brought to the table to discuss important aspects of the future of medical technology. Within these perspectives, a particularly important one is that of a practicing physician experiencing the disparities of our healthcare system from a front row seat. Today, we heard from Rafael Grossmann, a surgeon and healthcare futurist who has many years of experience in patient advocacy and digital health education. Tune in to learn about how to properly harness the future of digital health in order to tap into the humane, artistic side of medicine that many are currently missing amidst a boom of technological advancements.Visit Dr. Grossmann's website here: www.rafaelgrossmann.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

We often have serious conversations about the future of global warming as well as global health crises, but it is not as often that these two topics are connected in discussion. In fact, taking care of our planet is crucial for the wellbeing of billions; environmental factors like availability of clean water, consequences of industrial agriculture, and geopolitical conflicts that affect access to important resources all have a dramatic impact on health outcomes, especially in underprivileged areas. Today, we had a fascinating discussion with Gil Bashe on the importance of upcoming technologies in solving these problems, and we'd love for you to tune in and hear about younger generations' power to take control of the future of our health and the planet's health.Health UnaBASHEd Radio Show: www.healthcarenowradio.com/programs/health-unabashed/​Medika Life: medika.life/tag/gil-bashe/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

In a post-pandemic world, the presence of telehealth is now more prevalent than ever. While virtual care, especially for mental health, can significantly increase the accessibility of treatment, it can also make the patient feel more isolated if not performed correctly. Tune in with Dr. Myra Altman and Dr. Kendra Read of Brightline to discuss their unique approach when it comes to mental health services. Join us as we cover what therapy truly means, the family-centered treatment plan, specializing care plans to individual needs, and kids' autonomy regarding mental health care.​Check out Brightline here: www.hellobrightline.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

As technology develops at a pace faster than ever before, more and more digital tools are created for education. From KhanAcademy to ChatGPT to ​Quizlet, many online resources have become staples in the study routines of millions of students across the world. Today, we chatted with Shiv Gaglani, co-founder and CEO of Osmosis, a platform designed to teach medicine in a more effective and efficient manner. Tune in to hear about important topics like balancing the benefits and drawbacks of digital learning tools, the future of AI in education, and the unsung advantages of combining spaced repetition with visual learning methods! Check out Osmosis here: www.osmosis.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

Health education is crucial for young people to establish healthy habits that can be carried on for the rest of their lives. However, due to various factors that can affect accessibility, many are left in the dark about how to build the proper skills to maintain physical and mental health. This is where Peer Health Exchange (PHE) comes in by providing in-person and digital health education resources! Join us in an engaging conversation with Dr. Angela Glymph, the CEO of Peer Health Exchange, about this organization's unique youth-centered approach, moving more towards the digital space to reach more young people, and Dr. Glymph's own story about working with youth for health equity. Check out PHE here: www.peerhealthexchange.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

In the era of machine learning, smartwatch wearables, online health portals, and AI-powered chatbots, healthcare workers now have more technology at there disposal than ever. While adapting to rapid advancement in the field of digital health can be a daunting task, it is often the key to growth and success in providing better care for patients. Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. David Lee Scher, a retired cardiologist who is currently a digital health consultant and the Chief Medical Officer at SpeechMED, a multilingual audio platform bringing patients important information in their native language. Join us in an engaging discussion about the implications of digital health on developing medical innovation, new perspectives on accessibility in the context of health equity, and the classic debate about whether artificial intelligence can really take over healthcare workers' jobs. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message

Hello learners! We are super excited to kick off the new season strong with a captivating discussion about using artificial intelligence to assist patients in need of chronic care, reduce disparities in health equity resulting from geographic location, and providing more representation and accuracy in clinical trials with patients living at home. Join us and Charles Gellman, the cofounder of HiDO Health, to learn more about how this technology is breaking barriers in healthcare, one home at a time. Check out the HiDO Health website here: https://us.hidohealth.com/team Explore patients' stories about how HiDO helped them live healthier lives: https://www.youtube.com/@hidohealth3414/videos --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learnon/message