Progress, Potential, and Possibilities

Send us Fan MailFor decades, male birth control has remained one of medicine's most elusive goals. Now, a new non-hormonal pill is entering human trials—and could finally change the balance of reproductive responsibilityAkash Bakshi is CEO and Co-Founder of YourChoice Therapeutics ( https://www.yourchoicetx.com/ ), a company working to develop the first hormone-free birth control pill for men.Akash's work sits at the intersection of biotechnology innovation, reproductive health, and social change. His team is advancing YCT-529, a first-in-class non-hormonal contraceptive currently in human clinical trials, designed to safely and reversibly suppress sperm production by targeting retinoic acid signaling.Before founding YourChoice, Akash held leadership roles across biotech and drug development, including serving as CEO of ANA Therapeutics, where he rapidly advanced a COVID-19 therapeutic into clinical trials and led the company through acquisition, as well as COO of NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals.Earlier in his career, Akash worked at University of California, Berkeley helping bridge early-stage science and commercialization—experience that clearly shaped his approach to translating breakthrough academic research into real-world therapies.At a time when contraceptive responsibility has largely fallen on women—and amid growing debates around reproductive rights—Akash and his team are trying to fundamentally reshape the landscape.#MaleBirthControl #BirthControlPillForMen #NonHormonalContraception #YCT529 #BiotechBreakthrough #FutureOfMedicine #ReproductiveHealth #MensHealth #WomensHealth #FertilityScience #PharmaInnovation #ClinicalTrials #BiotechStartups #HealthcareInnovation #EndUnintendedPregnancy #SciencePodcast #LongevityAndHealth #DrugDevelopment #MedicalBreakthrough #ContraceptionRevolution #FutureOfHealthcare #RARalpha #YourChoiceTherapeutics #BiotechCEO #HealthTech #PostRoeWorldSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThere's an animal that can rebuild its entire body structure in just a few days—and it might hold clues to a new kind of medicine.Eden Ben is CEO of Amorphical ( https://www.amorphical.com/ ), a pioneering biotech company out of Israel that's been quietly building a completely new approach to mineral-based therapeutics.Founded in 2004, Amorphical has developed a proprietary nano-formulation of amorphous calcium carbonate—what they call ACC—engineered using biomimicry principles inspired by how certain organisms naturally stabilize calcium in highly bioavailable forms.What makes this so interesting is that ACC behaves very differently from traditional crystalline calcium. It's dramatically more soluble, significantly more bioavailable, and appears to act not just as a supplement, but as a functional, bioactive material that can influence cellular and tissue-level processes.The company is leveraging this platform across a range of indications—from bone and metabolic diseases to inflammatory conditions—aiming to move beyond symptom management and toward addressing underlying biological mechanisms.Eden himself has had a fascinating journey with the company—from early business development and global market expansion, to leading clinical and product strategy, and now stepping into the CEO role to scale both the science and the business globally.#Biotech #Longevity #Geroscience #Calcium #Nanotechnology #Biomimicry #ExtracellularMatrix #CancerResearch #Inflammation #Osteoporosis #BoneHealth #FutureOfMedicine #LifeSciences #Biology #RegenerativeMedicine #HealthInnovation #StartupScience #DeepTech #MedicalBreakthrough #Podcast #SciencePodcast #IsraeliInnovation #NanoMedicine #AgingResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailWhat if AI didn't need massive data centers—and could think more like the human brain?Sean Hehir is the Chief Executive Officer of BrainChip ( https://brainchip.com/ ), a pioneer in neuromorphic computing and ultra-low-power artificial intelligence hardware designed for intelligent edge devices.At BrainChip, Sean oversees the commercialization of the company's Akida neuromorphic processor—an advanced AI chip inspired by the architecture of the human brain. Akida enables real-time machine learning and pattern recognition directly at the edge, dramatically reducing power consumption and latency compared to traditional cloud-based AI systems. The technology is now being explored for applications ranging from defense and autonomous systems to automotive sensing, robotics, and healthcare devices.Prior to joining BrainChip in 2021, Sean spent more than two decades in senior leadership roles across the enterprise computing and semiconductor ecosystem. Earlier in his career, Sean held several senior executive roles at Hewlett‑Packard, including Vice President of Strategic Alliances, where he managed some of the company's most important global partnerships with industry giants such as Microsoft, Intel, Cisco Systems, Oracle, and SAP.His earlier leadership experience also includes roles at Fusion‑io and Compaq, where he helped drive large-scale enterprise computing partnerships and global service provider strategies.Sean holds an MBA in Economics from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business from University of Massachusetts Amherst.#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #NeuromorphicComputing #BrainInspiredAI #EdgeAI #FutureOfAI #AIHardware #TechInnovation #DefenseTech #AutonomousSystems #MachineLearning #DeepLearning #NextGenAI #QuantumComputing #Semiconductors #Robotics #SmartSensors #AIRevolution #EmergingTech #HealthcareAI #WearableTech #MilitaryTechnology #Innovation #FutureTech #PodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailNorberto Chaclin is Executive Vice President, Chief Research & Development Officer of Mondelēz International ( https://www.mondelezinternational.com/about-us/leadership/executive-team/norberto-chaclin/ ), a global snacking leader with 2025 net revenues of approximately $38.5 billion, driven by iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate's Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Norberto most recently served as the Company's Senior Vice President, R&D, Global Biscuits and Regional R&D partner for North America. Under his leadership, Mondelēz rolled out exciting innovations and renovations across some of its most iconic biscuit and baked snack brands. Previously, he led R&D for the Company's global gum and candy business. Before joining Mondelēz International, Norberto spent 18 years with PepsiCo in a series of progressively responsible roles spanning Frito-Lay North America, PepsiCo International, Global Beverages and Joint Ventures – ultimately leading R&D for PepsiCo North America Beverages and the Pepsi/Starbucks joint venture. An amateur chef and native of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, Norberto brings to the role a passion for culinary arts and traditions. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. He serves on the Board of Torr FoodTech and on the Board of Trustees for IAFNS – Advancing Food and Nutrition Sciences.Important Episode Link Mondelēz International's State of Snacking reports - https://www.mondelezinternational.com/stateofsnacking/#FutureOfFood #FoodTech #Snacking #Mondelez #Oreo #Cadbury #Chocolate #FoodInnovation #CPG #FMCG #AI #PrecisionFermentation #Sustainability #HealthySnacks #FoodScience #ConsumerTrends #GenZ #SupplyChain #FoodFuture #InnovationSupport the show

Send us Fan MailModern warfare is changing—and it's not just about weapons anymore.The real battle may be logistics, and autonomous systems are about to transform how wars are fought and sustained.Brandon Florian is Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Grid Aero ( https://www.grid.aero/ ), a venture-backed aerospace and defense startup building low-cost, autonomous aircraft designed for long-range operations and resilient logistics.Brandon has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of aerospace engineering, national security strategy, and emerging defense technologies. His career spans engineering, business development, and technology scouting across both large defense primes and the startup ecosystem.Brandon began his career as a spacecraft engineer at General Dynamics working on space systems before moving into strategic roles at Northrop Grumman, where he focused on innovation, disruptive technology scouting, and growth strategy. He later joined Starburst Aerospace, one of the leading global accelerators for aerospace and defense startups, where he helped build international innovation programs—including collaborations between the U.S. Space Force and the UK Ministry of Defense.Brandon has also worked extensively in venture and startup ecosystems through Mandala Space Ventures and independent consulting, helping governments and corporations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of defense innovation.Today at Grid Aero, Brandon is focused on a critical challenge shaping modern warfare: how to build resilient logistics networks capable of operating in contested environments using autonomy, distributed systems, and radically lower-cost platforms.With a background in aerospace engineering from UCLA and an MBA from Pepperdine, Brandon brings both technical depth and strategic insight into how emerging technologies—from autonomous aircraft to distributed supply networks—will shape the future of defense operations.#defensetech #militaryinnovation #futureofwar #autonomy #AI #nationalsecurity #military #aerospace #drones #logistics #warstrategy #china #taiwan #iran #pentagon #startups #innovation #technology #supplychain #geopoliticsSupport the show

Send us Fan MailAdam Molnar is Co-Founder, COO and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Neurable ( https://www.neurable.com/ ), a pioneering neurotechnology company developing real-time brain-computer interface systems that translate neural signals into actionable insights.Over the past decade, Adam and his team have been working at the frontier of non-invasive EEG-based brain-computer interfaces, building technology capable of measuring cognitive states such as workload, fatigue, and attention directly from brain activity. Neurable's platform has attracted over $40 million in funding and has led to collaborations with organizations including the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and U.S. Army, where the technology is being evaluated for applications ranging from pilot training and human performance monitoring to the detection of blast-related mild traumatic brain injury.Adam leads the company's global strategic partnerships across both commercial and defense sectors, helping bring neurotechnology out of the lab and into real-world environments—from wearable computing platforms to operational military systems. His work sits at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and human-machine teaming, exploring how brain data can improve safety, cognition, and performance in high-stakes environments.Beyond Neurable, Adam contributes to the global neurotechnology ecosystem through organizations like NeuroTechX and the Institute of Neuroethics, helping shape the future of neural data governance and ethical brain-computer interfaces. He has also been recognized as part of Forbes 30 Under 30 for his work in advancing consumer neurotechnology.Today we'll explore how brain-computer interfaces are moving beyond laboratories and into operational systems—from defense training environments to everyday wearable devices—and what it means when machines can finally begin to understand the human brain in real time.#neurotechnology #BCI #artificialintelligence #futuretech #wearables #braincomputerinterface #AI #defensetech #militaryinnovation #humanperformance #neuroscience #neuroethics #emergingtechnology #innovation #podcast #techtalk #longevity #healthtech #digitalhealth #futureofworkSupport the show

Send a textGreg Fallon is the CEO of Geminus AI ( https://www.geminus.ai/ ), a company developing real-time, physics-native artificial intelligence designed to operate complex industrial and energy systems. His work focuses on combining engineering simulation, machine learning, and physical laws to create AI systems that can reason about and optimize real-world infrastructure under uncertainty.Before founding Geminus AI, Greg held leadership roles at Autodesk and Ansys, two of the world's leading platforms for digital engineering and simulation. Across more than two decades in industrial technology, he has worked at the intersection of computational physics, engineering software, and AI.At Geminus AI, Greg and his team are building a new class of industrial intelligence platform that allows machines to model their own behavior and make operational decisions in real time—potentially transforming how critical infrastructure such as energy systems, manufacturing plants, and industrial networks are designed, operated, and optimized.#ArtificialIntelligence #IndustrialAI #EngineeringAI #PhysicsAI #EngineeringSuperintelligence #FutureOfAI #DigitalTwins #EnergyTechnology #InfrastructureInnovation #AIRevolution #TechnologyPodcast #EngineeringInnovation #DeepTech #FutureOfEngineering #AIForIndustrySupport the show

Send a textArtificial intelligence and robotics are rapidly transforming surgery. In this episode we explore the future of the operating room with Medtronic's vision for the AiBLE ecosystem and the newly cleared Stealth AXiS surgical platform — technologies designed to integrate surgical planning, navigation, robotics, and real-time intelligence into a single system.Vignesh Shetty is Vice President of AI and Product Development at Medtronic Cranial and Spine Therapies, where he leads the convergence of AI, Robotics, and R&D for the company's $6B Cranial and Spine portfolio, with objectives of moving beyond standalone devices to create intelligent procedural ecosystems to redefine the standard of care ( https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/index.html ).Leading a global team of 900+ across Software and R&D, Mr. Shetty bridges the gap between complex engineering and clinical reality, building AI-enabled platforms across robotics, imaging, planning and implants biologics to drive impact across Medtronic' 3Es -Efficiency: Streamlining surgical workflows through automation.Efficacy: Enhancing clinical precision with data-driven insights.Experience: Elevating the human element for both surgeons and patients.Prior to joining Medtronic, Mr. Shetty served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Edison AI and Platform at GE Healthcare, where he led a team of 700+ engineers and product managers to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions for healthcare imaging, diagnostics, and workflow optimization.Mr. Shetty also previously spent 16 years holding diverse roles at Cisco. His career is marked by his passion for developing technical talent and empowering teams, which has resulted in double-digit growth across multiple revenue streams. Important Episode Links AiBLE™ Smart Ecosystem - https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/specialties/spinal-cranial-orthopedic/therapies-procedures/technology-ai-driven-surgery/aible-smart-ecosystem.html Stealth AXiS™ Surgical System - https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/specialties/spinal-cranial-orthopedic/therapies-procedures/technology-ai-driven-surgery/discover-the-stealth-axis-surgical-system.html#AIinMedicine #RoboticSurgery #FutureOfSurgery #MedTech #HealthcareInnovation #AISurgery #MedicalTechnology #SurgicalRobotics #DigitalHealth #FutureOfMedicine #SpineSurgery #AIHealthcare #MedicalInnovationSupport the show

Send a textDr. Javad Shabani, Ph.D. ( https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/javad-shabani.html ) is Professor of Physics; Director of the Center of Quantum Information Physics ( https://as.nyu.edu/departments/physics/research/center-for-quantum-information-physics.html ); Director of the NYU Quantum Institute; and member of the Affiliated Faculty, NYU-Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Global Innovation and Research Institute ( https://www.nyu.edu/research/nyu-kaist.html ).Dr. Shabani's team of engineers is focused on building hybrid semiconductor–superconductor systems designed to make quantum bits — or qubits — more stable, scalable, and ultimately practical.Dr. Shabani's work ( https://wp.nyu.edu/shabanilab/ ) sits at the intersection of materials science, condensed matter physics, and quantum engineering — and could determine whether quantum computing becomes a transformative technology for medicine, materials discovery, cryptography, and beyond.Dr. Shabani received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 2011. After two years of research on semiconductor-based qubits at Harvard University, he joined UC Santa Barbara. There, he worked closely with Microsoft research on hybrid semiconductors/superconductors heterostructures to study topological superconductivity. Dr. Shabani is also Co-Founder and CSO of QuantumMatter Inc. ( https://quantummatter.com/ ), a quantum hardware startup developing high-performance components that will power the next generation of quantum tech.#QuantumComputing #QuantumPhysics #QuantumTechnology #QuantumHardware #Majorana #TopologicalQubits #QuantumMaterials #QuantumDevices #QuantumSensing #QuantumCommunication #QuantumInternet #SuperconductingQubits #CondensedMatterPhysics #FutureOfComputing #NYUResearch #QuantumInnovationSupport the show

Send a textTara Austraat-Churik is a Partner at Blue Matter ( https://bluematterconsulting.com/ ), a strategic consulting firm serving the life sciences industry, bringing new approaches to consulting with original ideas that deliver a meaningful impact. Tara began her career as a counterterrorism intelligence analyst at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where she prepared strategic assessments for senior policymakers, Cabinet officials, and members of the intelligence community. Trained in structured analytic tradecraft and foreign denial and deception, she worked in environments defined by incomplete information, high stakes, and institutional bias.Tar would later bring that analytical lens into the life sciences sector — first at IBM Watson Health during the early wave of AI in drug discovery, where she led major enterprise partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies. From there she went on to senior leadership roles at EY, advising C-suite leaders on R&D transformation, innovation ecosystems, and AI-driven operating model redesign.Tara has a robust background in consulting, which also includes roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Navitas, WPP, and IBM. Today, as a Partner at Blue Matter, Tara is building the firm's first dedicated R&D strategy and transformation practice. Blue Matter has advised more than 320 biopharma clients — including 18 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies — and has supported more than 300 therapies across the molecule-to-market continuum.Tara holds a BA and MA from the University of Notre Dame and an MSc in Translational Medicine from the University of Edinburgh.#AIinPharma #DrugDiscovery #BiotechInnovation #PharmaR&D #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthcareAI #FutureOfScience #BiotechPodcast #RareDiseaseResearch #PharmaStrategy #HumanAI #ConsultingCareers #DrugDevelopment #LifeSciences #TechInHealthcareSupport the show

Send a textFor most of the history of computing, software systems were written by humans and—at least in theory—understood by humans.But with AI coding assistants now embedded in everyday development workflows, we may be entering an era where large portions of production software are generated, modified, and extended by machines.Pramin Pradeep is the Co-Founder and CEO of BotGauge ( https://www.botgauge.com/ ), an autonomous “QA-as-a-Solution“ company focused on using AI to improve software testing and observability in modern development environments.Pramin's background sits at the intersection of AI-driven development and quality assurance. Prior to founding BotGauge, he held product leadership roles at Sauce Labs, one of the leading platforms for automated testing and continuous quality in enterprise software. Earlier in his career he was a founding product leader at AutonomIQ, an AI-based low-code testing platform that was later acquired by Sauce Labs.Across these roles, Pramin has focused on a central challenge in modern software engineering: as development accelerates through automation and AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, Claude, and Gemini, organizations are increasingly deploying code that no single engineer fully understands.Pramin's work explores how this emerging layer of AI-generated logic—what some are calling “shadow code”—may introduce new security risks, operational blind spots, and governance challenges inside complex software systems.Today we'll talk about what happens when software systems start evolving faster than our ability to fully comprehend them.#AI #AICoding #ShadowCode #BotGauge #SoftwareSecurity #Cybersecurity #EnterpriseSoftware #AIgeneratedCode #RuntimeObservability #SoftwareTesting #CriticalInfrastructure #TechnicalDebt #AIrisks #TechLeadership #InnovationSupport the show

Send us Fan MailKabir Nath is Chief Executive Officer of Compass Pathways  ( https://compasspathways.com/ ), a biotechnology company pioneering evidence-based psychedelic innovation for serious mental health conditions.Kabir brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. Before joining Compass, he served as Senior Managing Director of Global Pharmaceuticals at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., and previously as President and CEO of Otsuka's North America Pharmaceutical Business, where he led the development of therapies and digital solutions addressing complex mental health needs. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb.Under Kabir's leadership, Compass has advanced COMP360 — a synthetic, proprietary formulation of psilocybin — through two pivotal Phase 3 trials in treatment-resistant depression. The program has demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in depression severity, potentially positioning COMP360 to become the first FDA-approved psilocybin-based treatment.Kabir holds an MA from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from INSEAD.#PsychedelicMedicine #Psilocybin #DepressionTreatment #MentalHealthInnovation #CompassPathways #COMP360 #TreatmentResistantDepression #Biotech #Neuroscience #FutureOfPsychiatry #ClinicalTrials #MentalHealthResearch #PsychedelicTherapy #BiotechInterview #DrugDevelopmentSupport the show

Send a textLacey Stone is Chief Development Officer at USA for UNHCR ( https://www.unrefugees.org/about-us/ ), the U.S. partner of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR - https://www.unhcr.org/ ), the UN Refugee Agency.UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building better futures for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. It provides life-saving assistance (shelter, food, medical care) and works in over 130 countries to ensure safety and human rights, often deploying within 72 hours of a crisis.Lacey is a mission-driven leader with more than two decades of experience mobilizing partnerships, philanthropy, and storytelling to address some of the world's most urgent humanitarian challenges. In her role, she leads strategy across private philanthropy, corporate and foundation partnerships, and national engagement efforts that amplify refugee voices and generate critical support for displaced communities worldwide.Lacey's career spans influential leadership roles with organizations including UNICEF USA, PATH, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where she built cross-sector collaborations advancing global health, children's wellbeing, and humanitarian response.Today's conversation will also focus on the Building Better Futures ( https://www.unrefugees.org/building-better-futures/ ) initiative — a women-led philanthropic effort supporting higher-education scholarships for refugee women and girls — and the broader movement redefining who gives, who benefits, and how philanthropy can drive lasting systemic change.Lacey holds an M.A. in International Relations from Villanova University and dual B.A. degrees in International Relations and Rhetoric & Communication from the University of Pittsburgh.#LaceyStone #USAforUNHCR #UNHCR #BuildingBetterFutures#RefugeeEducation #WomenLed #InternationalWomensDay#GlobalHealth #Rwanda #HumanitarianLeadership #WomenSupportingWomen #Philanthropy #SystemsChange#RefugeeWomen #ProgressPotentialPossibilitiesSupport the show

Send a textDr. Tomasz Beer, MD is a nationally recognized medical oncologist and clinical research leader who serves as Chief Medical Officer for Multi-Cancer Early Detection at Exact Sciences Corporation ( https://www.exactsciences.com/ ), a molecular diagnostics company focused on the eradication of cancer by preventing it, detecting it earlier, and guiding personalized treatment.Before joining Exact Sciences, Dr. Beer spent decades at the forefront of academic oncology, including serving as Deputy Director of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute, where he helped build one of the country's leading precision cancer programs.A prostate cancer specialist by training, Dr. Beer has led numerous clinical trials, authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, and been a driving force in advancing biomarker-guided cancer therapy. His career has spanned the evolution of oncology—from empiric chemotherapy to precision medicine and now toward population-scale cancer detection.Today, Dr. Beer is helping lead one of the most ambitious shifts in cancer care: moving from late-stage treatment to early detection across multiple tumor types through advanced molecular diagnostics and blood-based screening technologies.#MultiCancerEarlyDetection #CancerInterception #LiquidBiopsy #PrecisionOncology #CancerPrevention #Immunotherapy #EarlyDetection #OncologyInnovation #CancerResearch #MCEDSupport the show

Send a textDr. Sharron Gargosky, Ph.D. is Chief Clinical Officer of Spinogenix, Inc. ( https://spinogenix.com/ ), a clinical-stage company pioneering a new class of therapeutics designed to reverse synaptic loss and dysfunction in the brain.Spinogenix is advancing two first-in-class oral small molecules. Tazbentetol is a synaptic regenerative therapy shown to regrow brain synapses — the vital connections between neurons. Clinical data have demonstrated rapid and significant improvements in memory and thinking in Alzheimer's disease, as well as clinically meaningful slowing of disease progression in ALS. The therapy is also being evaluated in schizophrenia, with a Phase 2 trial underway. Tazbentetol has received Orphan Drug Designation from both the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency for ALS, and the company has established an Expanded Access Program to provide investigational treatment options to eligible ALS patients.Spinogenix's second program, SPG601, is a synaptic corrective therapy for Fragile X Syndrome — the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability and a known genetic driver of autism. Clinical data have shown normalization of abnormal brain activity patterns and improvements in attention and focus. SPG601 has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations and is advancing toward late-stage development.Dr. Gargosky brings more than 25 years of global development leadership experience across small molecules, biologics, cell therapies, and diagnostics. She has overseen regulatory, CMC, non-clinical, clinical, and medical affairs programs across more than 15 countries, and has led multiple orphan and accelerated approval pathways.Previously, Dr. Gargosky held senior leadership roles at OncoSec Medical, Prima Biomed, Hyperion Therapeutics, Pfizer, and served in academia at Stanford University and Oregon Health & Science University.#Spinogenix #SynapticRegeneration #FragileX #AlzheimersResearch #ALSResearch #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #BiotechInnovation #Synaptopathy #ClinicalTrials #RegenerativeMedicine #Neurodevelopment #SharronGargoskySupport the show

Send a textPaul Woodward ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2813295/ ) is a filmmaker, storyteller, and advocate whose deeply personal work has touched audiences around the world.Paul is the producer of the feature documentary The Little Things ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZDDw4yYl_w ), a film that invites viewers behind the doors of Derian House Children's Hospice ( https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/ ) — not to witness sadness, but to witness love and the remarkable humanity that unfolds in the most challenging of circumstances.Inspired by his own experience as a parent, Paul began this project to say thank you to the hospice that cared for his son Kalel for seven years. What started as a personal tribute evolved into a powerful documentary that challenges common misconceptions about hospice care, celebrates the relationships between families and caregivers, and shows how places like Derian House become a bridge through grief — offering connection, compassion, and dignity when it's needed most.Since its release — including streaming on Amazon Prime — The Little Things ( https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Little-Things/0TOUFVXP6JTZZTM28LEA8TS19H ) has moved audiences with its honesty, heart, and belief that the smallest moments can reveal the deepest meaning.Paul now serves as a Patron of Derian House, continuing his mission to spark conversation, awareness, and empathy for families navigating the unthinkable.Paul holds an MA in Professional Acting from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA), has over ten years of work spanning TV, film, theatre, and UK tours, and co-owns Old Swan Films ( https://oldswanfilms.com/ ), a company that focuses on human stories with emotional honesty.We're honored to have Paul on the show to talk about the story behind the film, the lessons of love and presence he's learned along the way, and what it truly means to find light in life's hardest places.#TheLittleThings #ChildrensHospice #PaulWoodward#PediatricPalliativeCare #GriefAndLove #EndOfLifeCare#HospiceCare #Fatherhood #Bereavement #DocumentaryFilm #LifeAndLoss #CompassionSupport the show

Send a textDr. Allison Reiss, MD is an internal medicine physician, molecular biologist, and educator whose career sits at the critical intersection of inflammation, cardiometabolic disorders, and neurodegeneration.Dr. Reiss serves as Associate Professor of Medicine and Head of the Inflammation Laboratory at the NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine ( https://medli.nyu.edu/faculty/allison-b-reiss ).  She is also a Member of the Medical, Scientific & Memory Screening Advisory Board of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.For more than 25 years, Dr. Reiss' research has explored how immune and metabolic dysfunction contribute to neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease and accelerated atherosclerosis in conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes — helping illuminate the biological links between brain health, vascular disease, and aging.Clinically trained and board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Reiss brings a rare translational perspective, connecting bedside observations with molecular mechanisms. Beyond the lab, she is a dedicated mentor and educator, directing translational research training for medical students and actively inspiring the next generation of clinician-scientists.Dr. Reiss' work has been recognized by organizations including the American Heart Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and she serves in editorial leadership roles across several journals focused on cardiovascular disease, aging, and neurodegeneration.On this episode, we explore the evolving science of neuroinflammation, the metabolic roots of Alzheimer's disease, and how understanding immune-brain-vascular crosstalk may unlock entirely new therapeutic strategies for aging populations.#AlzheimersDisease #Neuroinflammation #BrainHealth#DementiaPrevention #MetabolicHealth #VascularHealth#LongevityScience #Neurodegeneration #MedicalResearch #PhysicianScientistSupport the show

Send a textDr. Kevin Rynearson, Ph.D. is a medicinal chemist and translational neuroscientist focused on developing disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease.Over more than a decade, Dr. Rynearson's work has centered on the design and optimization of gamma-secretase modulators, an approach aimed at altering amyloid biology in a safer and more physiologically balanced way than earlier generations of therapies.During his time at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Rynearson helped advance mechanistic understanding of gamma-secretase activity, tau phosphorylation, and structure-activity relationships guiding next-generation Alzheimer's drug design.Dr. Rynearson currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer of Acta Pharmaceuticals ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/acta-pharmaceuticals/ ), where he leads development of a clinical-stage gamma-secretase modulator emerging from decades of collaborative research, including work with renowned Alzheimer's researcher Rudy Tanzi.In parallel, Dr. Rynearson is Head of Research at CogniSHIELD Global ( https://cognishield.com/ ), exploring preventative strategies and interventions aimed at supporting brain resilience and healthy cognitive aging.Dr. Rynearson's work sits at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, neurobiology, and preventive neurology — with a focus on shifting Alzheimer's treatment from late-stage symptom management toward early intervention and disease prevention. #AlzheimersDisease  #BrainHealth #Neurodegeneration #LongevityScience #CognitiveHealth #PreventAlzheimers #Neuroscience #BiotechPodcast #GammaSecretase #AmyloidBeta #Neuroinflammation #BrainAging #DementiaResearch #HealthyAging #TranslationalMedicine #DrugDevelopment #PrecisionMedicine #MemoryLoss #BrainResilience #FutureOfMedicineSupport the show

Send a textDr. Ben Hwang, Ph.D. is Chairman and CEO of Profusa ( https://profusa.com/ ), a pioneering bioengineering company developing tissue-integrated biosensors designed to continuously measure key chemical markers within the body. Profusa's mission is to make our body's chemistry as accessible as heart rate or step count — transforming personal and societal health through real-time molecular insight.Dr. Hwang has spent his career at the frontier where life science tools, digital systems, and global markets intersect. As an undergraduate research fellow in the laboratory of systems biology pioneer Leroy Hood at California Institute of Technology, he witnessed firsthand how transformative technologies can redefine biology.Dr. Hwang later held multiple senior leadership roles at Life Technologies (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), including President of Asia Pacific and Head of the qPCR Division — helping scale molecular biology platforms globally during a pivotal period for genomics and diagnostics.Earlier in his career, Dr. Hwang worked at McKinsey & Company and even began in professional sports with the Los Angeles Dodgers — an unusual trajectory that informs his leadership perspective today.Dr. Hwang earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University.#DigitalHealth #Longevity #Biosensors #ContinuousMonitoring #FutureOfMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #WearableTech #Biotechnology#PrecisionMedicine #HumanOptimization #HealthTech #PreventiveMedicine#AgingResearch #Biohacking #MedicalInnovation #MetabolicHealth #Hypoxia #Mitochondria #ChronicDisease #FutureOfHealthcareSupport the show

Send a textThomas Hamilton is a Board Director Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance   ( FARA - https://www.curefa.org/ ), Co-Founder of the CureFA Foundation ( https://curefafoundation.org/ ), which supports diverse and innovative research strategies aimed at curing the disease, and the Founder of FA212, LLC, an organization pursuing a novel gene therapy strategy designed to address both central nervous system and systemic manifestations of FA.Thomas' journey into rare disease advocacy began not in a laboratory, but at home when in 2013, his nine-year-old daughter Annie was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia — a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder that affects balance and coordination and can lead to scoliosis, diabetes, sensory loss, and serious cardiac complications. Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a rare, inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the FXN gene, which leads to a deficiency of the frataxin protein.Like many families facing a rare diagnosis, the Hamilton family was suddenly thrust into a world of uncertainty, limited treatment options, and an urgent need for answers.Rather than accept the status quo, Thomas made the life-altering decision to step away from his professional career and dedicate himself fully to accelerating therapeutic progress for FA.Thomas joined the executive leadership of the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), where he remains an active board member, and co-founded the CureFA Foundation to support diverse and innovative research strategies aimed at curing the disease.In 2014, working alongside family members and clinical partners, Tom helped establish an FA Center of Excellence at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia  ( https://www.research.chop.edu/friedreichs-ataxia-center-of-excellence ) in collaboration with University of Pennsylvania — creating a dedicated clinical and research hub for patients and scientists focused exclusively on Friedreich's Ataxia. Driven by the belief that bold approaches were needed, Thomas also founded FA212, LLC to pursue a novel gene therapy strategy designed to address both central nervous system and systemic manifestations of FA. That program has evolved into SGT-212, now being advanced by Solid Biosciences ( https://www.solidbio.com/our-science/pipeline-programs/pipeline/ ).The therapy has entered human clinical evaluation through the FALCON study ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07180355 ), with the first participant recently dosed at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — marking a milestone not only for the Hamilton family but for the broader FA community.Today, Annie is 19 and a student at University of Notre Dame, living with FA while witnessing firsthand the progress her family helped catalyze.Thomas and Annie's story represents the growing power of parent-driven innovation in rare disease — where urgency, collaboration, and perseverance can reshape the therapeutic landscape.#FriedreichsAtaxia #RareDisease #GeneTherapy #SGT212 #FALCONTrial #RareDiseaseAdvocacy #PatientAdvocate #RareDiseaseResearch #BiotechInnovation #MitochondrialDisease #Ataxia#PrecisionMedicine #ClinicalTrials #HopeInScience #CureFA #FARA#NeurodegenerativeDisease #MedicalBreakthrough #ParentAdvocate#ProgressPotentialPossibilitiesSupport the show

Send a textDonna Letier is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gardenuity ( https://gardenuity.com/ ), a gardening and well-being company dedicated to helping people grow healthier lifestyles through accessible, personalized gardening experiences.An entrepreneur with a background spanning consumer brands, hospitality, and lifestyle innovation, Donna launched Gardenuity to bridge the gap between everyday wellness and nature — making gardening approachable even for people without outdoor space, time, or prior experience.Under her leadership, Gardenuity has pioneered customized container and desktop gardening systems designed to support mental health, stress reduction, nutrition, and meaningful daily rituals. Her work sits at the intersection of preventive health, behavioral wellness, and environmental connection, with growing recognition of gardening's role in cognitive health, emotional regulation, and caregiver resilience.Donna is also an advocate for using gardening as a tool for intergenerational connection and memory engagement, exploring how sensory interaction with plants — from scent and touch to nurturing routines — can support individuals living with memory loss while providing caregivers with moments of restoration and purpose.#Alzheimers #BrainHealth #CognitiveHealth #DementiaCare #CaregiverSupport #HealthyAging #Longevity #Neuroplasticity #MentalWellness #PreventiveHealth #Gardening #HorticulturalTherapy #MemoryCare #AgingWell #LifestyleMedicine #Wellness #BrainLongevity #Caregiving #NatureHeals #ProgressPotentialPossibilitiesSupport the show

Send a textDr. Karsten Eastman, Ph.D. is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sethera Therapeutics ( https://setheratx.com/ ), a company focused revolutionizing peptide-based drug development with a cutting-edge enzymatic cross-linking technology, and their platform enables the synthesis of highly stable, polymacrocyclic peptides designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously, offering unparalleled precision in therapeutic design.Trained as a chemist at the University of Utah, where he earned his PhD in 2023, Dr. Eastman has built his career at the intersection of peptide synthesis, protein engineering, and radical enzymology. His work focuses on understanding how enzymes choreograph complex molecular transformations — and then harnessing those principles to build programmable, drug-like molecules.In collaboration with researchers at the University of Utah, Dr. Eastman and his team recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a breakthrough discovery involving PapB, a radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzyme capable of installing precise, durable thioether “staples” into peptides in a single enzymatic step. This work opens vast new chemical space for macrocyclic peptide therapeutics and offers a powerful new approach to targeting diseases long considered “undruggable.”At Sethera Therapeutics, Dr. Eastman is translating this enzymatic platform into next-generation peptide medicines that aim to combine the selectivity of biologics with the drug-like properties of small molecules.#PeptideTherapeutics #DrugDiscovery #Biotechnology #Enzymology#RadicalSAM #PapB #SetheraTherapeutics #UndruggableDiseases#MacrocyclicPeptides #Bioengineering #Therapeutics #Innovation #ScienceBreakthrough #PeptideDrugs #EnzymeTechnologySupport the show

Send a textSusie Singer Carter ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susie_Singer_Carter ) is an award-winning filmmaker ( https://www.gogirlmedia.com/ ) and caregiver advocate with a powerful new docuseries, No Country For Old People ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r  ), a Gold Anthem Award-winning exposé on nursing home neglect and the systemic failures facing America's elderly. Through film, podcasting, and activism, she has become one of the most compelling creative voices in Alzheimer's awareness and elder care reform.Susie first captured international attention with her Oscar-qualified short film My Mom and The Girl, starring Valerie Harper in her final performance — a deeply personal story born from Susie's own caregiving journey. From writing and producing Bratz the Movie, to co-producing Soul Surfer, Susie has navigated Hollywood at every level — but it's her advocacy-driven work that has become her defining voice.Susie is also the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Love Conquers Alz ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-conquers-alz/id1492023291 ), and she serves as host of the 3rd & Fairfax for the Writers Guild of America West.Most recently, Susie wrote, directed, and produced the 3-part docuseries No Country For Old People ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loa4tGZ3GwI ), recipient of the 2024 Gold Anthem Award for Health Awareness. The film is a searing examination of nursing home neglect, systemic healthcare failures, and the human cost of institutional indifference — a subject she knows not just as a filmmaker, but as a daughter who lost her mother to Alzheimer's.Susie also leads Respect Oversight Advocacy Reform for Long Term Care ( https://www.roar4ltc.org/ ) a 501c3 nonprofit movement that is embracing the power of storytelling to engage and mobilize the public, with a strong focus on younger generations, to demand dignity,  accountability, and reform in long-term care.Susie Singer Carter doesn't just tell stories. She uses them to fight for change.Important Episode LinksNo Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé -https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r http://nocountryforoldpeople.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCZGC8Htb549M2TNVSR67FOw My Mom and the Girl - https://vimeo.com/266772460 Respect Oversight Advocacy Reform for Long Term Care - https://www.roar4ltc.org/#SusieSingerCarter #NoCountryForOldPeople #ElderCare #NursingHomeCrisis #CaregiverAdvocacy #AlzheimersAwareness#HealthcareReform #DementiaCare #PublicHealth #AgingPopulation#LongTermCare #HealthPolicy #CaregiverLife #ElderJustice #LongevitySupport the show

Send a textWhy do some scientific breakthroughs begin with ridicule?In this episode, we explore cancer research, serendipity, and the philosophy behind unconventional biomedical innovation.Dr. Alexander Shneider, Ph.D. is a biotech entrepreneur and scientist with more than three decades of experience spanning oncology, immunology, vaccines, and translational medicine. He is the Founder and CEO of CureLab Oncology ( https://www.curelaboncology.com/ ), where he is leading the development of a novel biological agent designed to fight cancer through a dual approach—stimulating anti-tumor immunity while also addressing the chronic inflammation that often underlies disease progression.CureLab's lead therapeutic, Elenagen, has demonstrated a strong safety profile and encouraging signals of clinical benefit in international Phase II studies, and is being explored both as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments and for its broader potential in inflammation-driven and age-associated diseases. The platform's reach may extend beyond human medicine, with ongoing interest in applications for oncology in companion animals.Over the course of his career, Dr. Shneider has advised biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and investment organizations across areas including R&D strategy, licensing, technology transfer, product development, and intellectual property. He previously founded CureLab, Inc., where he worked on tools for the rational design of DNA vaccines and the development of broad-spectrum influenza vaccine concepts.In academia, Dr. Shneider has held professor-level appointments and led the Genetic Vaccine Laboratory at Sechenov University, where he helped establish multicenter clinical research infrastructure focused on diseases involving chronic inflammation. His research has also explored evolutionarily conserved RNA structures as targets for antiviral therapies and next-generation vaccine design.In addition to his scientific and entrepreneurial work, he serves on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals in immunology and aging research, reflecting his long-standing engagement at the intersection of basic science, clinical translation, and biotechnology innovation.#CancerResearch #BiomedicalScience #CancerInnovation#ScientificDiscovery #PhilosophyOfScience #Biotech #MedicalInnovation#Oncology #BreakthroughScience #StartupScience #SciencePodcast #DrugDevelopment #Serendipity #Innovation  #FutureOfMedicineSupport the show

Send a textDr. Raza Bokhari, MD ( https://www.razabokhari.com/ ) is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicus Pharma Ltd. ( https://medicuspharma.com/ ), a precision-guided biotechnology company focused on accelerating the clinical development of novel and potentially disruptive therapeutic assets designed to transform the standard of care.A physician turned serial entrepreneur, Dr. Bokhari has built a distinguished career identifying, aggregating, and advancing life sciences, healthcare services, and pharmaceutical R&D companies. He is also the Managing Partner of RBx Capital, LP, an investment fund dedicated to biotech and life sciences innovation.Previously, Dr. Bokhari served as Executive Chairman and CEO of FSD Pharma, where he led a strategic transformation of the company from medicinal cannabis into a clinical-stage pharmaceutical R&D organization. Under his leadership, the company achieved a NASDAQ listing in January 2020 and raised nearly $100 million in institutional capital to support growth and expansion.Dr. Bokhari earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rawalpindi Medical College at the University of Punjab and holds an Executive MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business.Beyond his corporate leadership, Dr. Bokhari is Vice Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. He previously served on the Board of Temple University's Fox School of Business as Chairman of the Executive Advisory Committee, and as a Trustee of both The Franklin Institute and the Foreign Policy Research Institute.Through his family foundation, Dr. Bokhari is deeply committed to philanthropy and community engagement. In recognition of a $1 million gift to Temple University, the Fox School named its Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute Suite in his honor. In 2018, he was named a Centennial Honoree by the Fox School — recognized among a select group of entrepreneurs, visionaries, and disruptors who have shaped the institution and the broader business world since 1918.#Biotech  #Pharma #DrugDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #LifeSciences #MedicusPharma #Phase2Biotech #BiotechStrategy #DeRiskThenPartner #CapitalEfficient #Investing #PharmaInvesting #PrecisionBiotech #OncologyInnovation #DrugRepurposing #MedicalInnovation #HealthcareStrategy #ClinicalDevelopment #BiotechBusinessModelSupport the show

Send a textAntimicrobial resistance is a systems failure — not just a prescribing problem.  Olivier Niyonshima, Founder of ZeroX Intelligence and Medikal Africa, explains how NVIDIA-backed edge AI infrastructure is transforming healthcare across Africa.Olivier Niyonshima ( https://olivierniyonshima.com/ ) is the Founder and CEO of ZeroX Intelligence ( https://zeroxintelligence.com/ ), a Rwandan–Canadian AI company focused on building practical, production-grade technology for healthcare, agriculture, and education across Africa.He leads Medikal Africa ( https://www.medikalafrica.com/ ), an AI-powered clinical intelligence platform designed to combat antimicrobial resistance and strengthen digital health systems in real-world African healthcare environments. Rather than treating AMR as an awareness problem, Olivier approaches it as a systems failure—one driven by delayed diagnostics, fragmented data, and weak decision support—and is building infrastructure to fix that.Olivier's work has been recognized globally. Medikal Africa is an NVIDIA Inception Startup, selected after technical and product review for its work in GPU-accelerated, edge-first healthcare AI. He also serves as a Youth Digital Health Champion with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, contributing to continental digital health strategy, policy dialogue, and systems strengthening.Through ZeroX Intelligence, Olivier is also leading on-the-ground healthcare infrastructure initiatives, including the deployment of autonomous UV-C disinfection robotics to improve infection prevention in clinical settings. His work is grounded in a clear mission: ensuring Africa doesn't just host pilots or consume technology, but leads in building scalable systems that work in real conditions.#OlivierNiyonshima #ZeroXIntelligence #MedikalAfrica#AntimicrobialResistance #AMR #HealthAI #DigitalHealth #AfricaInnovation #NVIDIAInception #EdgeAI #ClinicalAI #HealthcareTechnology #AIinHealthcare #PublicHealth #SuperbugsSupport the show

Send a textNishant Rastogi is the inaugural Managing Director of Lupus Ventures ( https://www.lupusventures.org/ ), the venture investment fund of the Lupus Research Alliance ( LRA - https://www.lupusresearch.org/ ), where he serves on the Investment Committee. In this role, he leads all aspects of the fund — from sourcing and evaluating opportunities to structuring deals and managing the portfolio — while overseeing team recruitment, business development, and coordination with the fund's Investment Committee and Scientific Advisory Board.Lupus Ventures is the world's only venture fund dedicated to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related autoimmune conditions. It aims to accelerate the development of new therapies and diagnostics that improve care and deliver meaningful impact for the millions of people living with lupus worldwide.A seasoned life sciences investor with over a decade of experience in venture capital and private equity, Mr. Rastogi has served as a Board Director and operating partner for multiple biotech and medtech companies. Prior to Lupus Ventures, he was Vice President and Head of Transactions at New Rhein Healthcare Investors, where he helped establish the firm's U.S. office, executed transactions across diverse therapeutic areas, and managed a portfolio totaling over $200 million in direct investments. His work spanned financing, clinical development, regulatory strategy, manufacturing, and commercialization. Notable investments include Corsair, Theranica, Alveus, American Injectables, Butterfly Medical, Softhale, EirCor, and Neuraptive.Earlier in his career, Mr. Rastogi was a founding associate at Broadview Ventures, a Boston-based venture capital fund focused on cardiovascular innovation, and has advised multiple disease research foundations — including Beyond Celiac and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy — on venture fund formation and the intersection of philanthropy and private investment in advancing medicines and health equity. He began his career as an analyst at Fidelity Investments.Mr. Rastogi holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematical Finance from Dartmouth College, an MBA from Northwestern University (Kellogg), a Medical Science Certificate from Harvard, and a Certificate in Climate Change and Health from Yale.#Lupus #AutoimmuneDisease #LupusResearch #BiotechInnovation #Immunology #HealthcareInnovation #PrecisionMedicine #WomensHealth #HealthEquity #VentureCapital #Biotechnology #SystemicLupus #LupusAwareness #MedicalBreakthrough #LifeSciencesSupport the show

Send a textOver the past few years, artificial intelligence has rapidly entered drug discovery — but one of the true “holy grail” challenges inside pharma is no longer just predicting what proteins look like, but understanding how molecules actually interact: how proteins bind drugs, antibodies, RNA, and each other, and how those insights can guide better decisions long before anything reaches the lab.Early breakthroughs in structure prediction made protein models widely accessible, but real biology happens at interfaces, in motion, and often in fleeting conformations that determine whether a therapy ultimately succeeds or fails. Today's conversation explores what it means to move into this next chapter — where structural predictions are translated into actionable insight for real-world drug development.Joining us are two scientists from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany ( https://www.emdgroup.com/en ), working at the intersection of protein structure prediction, molecular dynamics, and generative design, helping to build internal platforms that turn computational models into practical decision tools for therapeutic discovery.Dr. Stephanie Linker, Ph.D. is a Senior Computational Biochemist in Merck's Group Digital Innovation unit, where she leads initiatives in generative antibody design, de novo protein binder development, and advanced structure prediction platforms. Her work focuses on how molecular shape, flexibility, and dynamics influence whether a designed molecule actually performs in biological systems.Dr. Philipp Schnee, Ph.D. is a Computational Protein Design expert at Merck KGaA, currently part of the GoGlobal Data & AI rotation program. His research bridges high-resolution molecular dynamics simulations with experimental biochemistry to understand protein function, mutation effects, and mechanisms that can be leveraged for enzyme engineering and inhibitor design.Together, their work reflects a broader shift happening across the pharmaceutical industry — away from static structures and standalone models, and toward integrated platforms that combine folding, binding, ranking, and experimental validation to guide smarter, faster therapeutic decisions.In this episode, we explore what these next-generation tools can do today, where their limitations remain, and why the ability to move from structure prediction to decision-ready insight may become one of the most important frontiers in modern drug discovery.AI drug discovery, protein structure prediction, computational biology, biologics design, pharmaceutical R&D#DrugDiscovery #ArtificialIntelligence #AlphaFold #ProteinFolding#Biotech #PharmaInnovation #ComputationalBiology #StructuralBiology #AIinHealthcare #AntibodyEngineering #MolecularDynamics #FutureOfMedicine #SystemsBiology #LifeSciences #ProgressPotentialPossibilities #MachineLearning #BioTechPodcastSupport the show

Send a textJoin us for a deep dive with Dr. Sonia Grego, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur at the forefront of redefining human health through everyday biological data.In this episode, we explore how Dr. Grego's groundbreaking work with Coprata's smart toilet platform is turning stool into actionable health insights — passively, seamlessly, and in the comfort of your own home. We discuss biomarkers, gut health monitoring, and how cutting-edge sensor and AI technologies are making preventive medicine more personalized and accessible.Dr. Grego is Co-Founder & CEO of Coprata and Director of the Duke Smart Toilet Lab, where she studies biochemical signals in everyday human waste to unlock early, equitable, and personalized health insights. With a PhD in Physics from the University of Copenhagen, dozens of peer-reviewed publications, and multiple U.S. patents, she bridges rigorous science, sensor technology, and real-world health impact.This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in digital health, preventive medicine, gut health, sensors, and the future of biomedical technology.Learn more about Coprata: https://www.coprata.comLearn more about the Duke Smart Toilet Lab: https://smarttoilet.pratt.duke.edu/peopleLearn more about the Nestlé Health Science FIBER-IMPACT study:  https://www.nestlehealthscience.us/stories/nestle-health-science-launches-landmark-study-uncover-impact-lifestyle-gut-healthFollow the show for more deep dives into health innovation and emerging biotech.#SmartToilet #Coprata #GutHealth #DigitalHealth #PreventiveMedicine #Biomarkers #HealthTech #StoolAnalysis #MedicalInnovation #FutureOfHealthcare  #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #PodcastSupport the show

Send a textMeduza documentary interview with director Roc Morin.A Ukrainian actor who once played a sniper on screen is recruited as one in real life—this conversation explores how war reshapes identity, memory, and meaning.Roc Morin is a filmmaker and journalist whose work explores the intersection of conflict, culture, and the inner lives of people living through historical rupture.He is the director of the documentary MEDUZA, which follows Ukrainian artist and actor Pavlo Aldoshyn, who became a sniper when the full-scale invasion began in 2022—drawing, uncannily, on skills he had previously learned playing a sniper in a film role. Shot over two years, MEDUZA traces Pavlo's psychological and spiritual transformation as war reshapes not only his life, but the framework he uses to understand himself and the world.Before turning to documentary filmmaking, Roc reported extensively on Ukraine beginning in 2014. Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, he entered the country in the earliest days of the war, crossing the border on foot and making his way to Lviv when no formal transportation was available.Roc previously directed the documentary You Are My Audience and served as a producer on Werner Herzog's Family Romance, LLC. MEDUZA was produced with his longtime collaborator Leïla Wolf, whose creative partnership deeply shaped the film.Filmed across Ukraine, the United States, Japan, India, and Ecuador, MEDUZA reflects Roc's distinctive approach to documentary filmmaking—one that resists spectacle in favor of intimacy, and asks not only what is happening in the world, but how people metabolize it internally.This episode features MEDUZA director Roc Morin discussing the story behind the documentary.Important Episode Links:https://www.rocmorin.com/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwcjBl2RayoIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9128669/#Meduza #UkraineWar #DocumentaryFilm #WarAndIdentity #Transformation #ImmortalJellyfish #HumanCondition #WarStories#Filmmaking #IndependentFilm #PsychologyOfWar#ArtAndWar #DocumentaryInterview #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #PodcastSupport the show

Send us a textBrandon Ganske is Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of LifeRx.md ( https://liferx.md/ ), a U.S.-based telehealth and wellness company providing clinically supervised programs for metabolic, hormonal, cellular, and performance health. Through its secure, customer-centric digital platform, LifeRx.md connects patients with licensed U.S. medical providers, streamlines treatment access, and delivers provider-reviewed therapies in a secure and private environment.LifeRx.md empowers individuals to take control of their health with confidence, clarity, and support. Brandon comes to healthcare from the front lines of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brand building, with more than a decade of experience scaling high-growth digital businesses. Before entering telehealth, he founded and operated multiple e-commerce ventures, overseeing everything from product development and sourcing to performance marketing and customer acquisition.Brandon is also the founder of Influenceish ( https://www.influenceish.com/ ), a marketing and growth consultancy focused on helping brands build authentic customer relationships in increasingly crowded digital marketplaces.Today, at LifeRx.md, Brandon sits at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and consumer behavior—working on how telehealth platforms earn trust, communicate clinical value, and adapt to rapidly changing expectations around weight loss, hormones, and performance-driven medicine.#FutureOfHealthcare #Telehealth #PrimaryCare #DigitalHealth #HealthInnovation #TrustInMedicine #ClinicalCare #MedicalEthics#ResponsibleInnovation #EvidenceBasedMedicine #HumanOptimization#PreventiveHealth #PerformanceHealth #Longevity #MetabolicHealth#HealthcareTransformation #CareDelivery #HealthSystems #BrandonGanske #PatientCentricCare #ValueBasedCare #HealthPodcast #SciencePodcast #MedTech #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textMohammed “Mo” Abouelsoud is a neuroscientist-entrepreneur whose career sits at the intersection of brain science, noninvasive neuromodulation, and precision healthcare. He is the CEO of U: The Mind Company ( https://uthemind.company ), where he leads the development of precision, noninvasive neuromodulation technologies aimed at restoring dysfunctional brain networks in Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. Mo's journey into neuroscience began long before the boardroom—rooted instead in hands-on clinical exposure and early immersion in brain imaging and data science. While training at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, he worked in a neuromodulation data analysis lab, learning to map structural and functional brain connectivity using DTI and fMRI, and gaining fluency in tools such as MATLAB and FSL. This early exposure shaped his enduring interest in the brain not as isolated regions, but as dynamic, networked systems that can be measured, modeled, and—critically—modulated.At OSU, Mo further expanded his technical foundation through research spanning nanotechnology, fluorescence imaging, and signal measurement, synthesizing DNA-gold nanoparticle conjugates for precision sensing. Across these experiences, a unifying question emerged: how can we quantify brain function objectively, and how can we intervene noninvasively to restore lost connectivity?That question became the backbone of his entrepreneurial work. Prior to founding U: The Mind Company, Mo co-founded Tremo, a quantitative tracking platform designed to objectively measure motor symptoms and treatment response in neurological disease—an early step toward personalized, data-driven neurology.At U: The Mind Company, Mo now leads a multidisciplinary effort combining transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), neuroimaging, advanced signal analytics, and AI-driven interpretation within the company's Compressive Healthcare Intelligence Platform (CHIP). His work has helped demonstrate that targeted frontal lobe stimulation can significantly enhance functional connectivity in Alzheimer's disease networks, with observed increases in local and interhemispheric coherence that suggest meaningful neuroplastic re-engagement of impaired circuits. In Parkinson's disease, his team has shown measurable reductions in tremor and dyskinesia using objective video analysis and motor tracking—bringing rigor and quantification to outcomes that have traditionally been subjective.Threaded throughout Mo's neuroscience journey is an unusually holistic worldview. Before entering research and medicine, he spent years working in permaculture and regenerative farming, an experience that deeply influenced his systems-level thinking. Just as ecosystems thrive through balance, feedback, and interdependence, Mo approaches the brain as a living network—one that can be guided back toward health through precise, adaptive intervention rather than blunt force. Today, Mo Abouelsoud is driven by a singular mission: to translate neuroscience into scalable, noninvasive technologies that restore brain function, dignity, and agency to patients, while redefining how neurological disease is measured, treated, and understood.Important Episode Link - Virtual tES Device Treatment for Parkinson's Disease Motor Symptoms -https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07182058 #MohammedAbouelsoud #UTheMindCompany #Noninvasive #Neurotechnology #Neuromodulation #Electroceuticals #TranscranialElectricalStimulation #TranscranialDirectCurrentStimulation #TranscranialAlternatingCurrentStimulation #AlzheimersDisease #ParkinsonsDisease #PsychiatricDisorders #DigitalTwinBrain #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ReSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Christopher Buck, Ph.D. ( https://cbuck.substack.com/ ) is Senior Investigator, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, And Head, Tumor Virus Molecular Biology Section, Center for Cancer Research, at the U.S. National Cancer Institute ( https://ccr.cancer.gov/staff-directory/christopher-b-buck ).Dr. Buck's lab focuses on the virion proteins of a family of viruses called polyomaviruses, and their research ranges from basic investigation of the mechanisms through which polyomaviruses infect cells to translational development of virus-like particle vaccines. They also maintain an active interest in discovering new virus species, with the goals of uncovering human disease associations and understanding the evolutionary history of cancer-causing viruses.Dr. Buck received a bachelor's degree in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  Dr. Buck's graduate research in Dr. Robert Siliciano's lab focused on the translation and immunogenicity of the HIV-1 capsid protein Gag. For his graduate work, Dr. Buck received the Alicia Showalter Reynolds Award. In 2001, Dr. Buck began post-doctoral training in the Lab of Cellular Oncology, where he developed systems for producing human papillomavirus (HPV)-based gene transfer vectors (pseudoviruses). His work using HPV vectors ranged from basic studies of HPV virion structure and morphogenesis to translational research identifying candidate topical microbicides for blocking HPV transmission. For his work in these areas, Dr. Buck, and his mentors, Drs. John Schiller and Doug Lowy, shared the 2006 Norman P. Salzman Award. In 2007, Dr. Buck joined the faculty of the NCI's Center for Cancer Research as an Investigator. In 2013, he shared a second Salzman Award in recognition of his mentoring of Dr. Rachel Schowalter.  Dr. Buck was awarded tenure in 2014.#ChristopherBuck #CellularOncology #TumorVirus #MolecularBiology #NationalCancerInstitute #Pseudovirus #Papillomavirus #Capsid #Polyomaviruses #OralVaccines #YeastProducedAntigens #MucosalImmunology #FermentedBeverages #BeerBasedVaccines #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Frederic Bertley, Ph.D. ( https://www.fredericbertley.com/ ) is President & CEO: Center of Science and Industry ( COSI - https://cosi.org/ ), as well as interim CEO or the National Veterans Memorial and Museum ( NVMM - https://nationalvmm.org/ ).Dr. Bertley is a renowned, civic-minded leader, strategist, innovator, scientist, educator, and communicator.In his role at COSI, Dr. Bertley works incessantly towards elevating science literacy globally, helping reimagine the STEM workforce development pipeline for the nation and creating engaging, empathetic and innovative citizens.As interim CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM), Dr. Bertley is leading the national museum through a transformational phase to continue to honor and celebrate the lives of Veterans, their families, and our community. Dr. Bertley's drive to innovate has elevated COSI's on-site science museum experience, as well as taken COSI beyond Central Ohio, with programming across the United States and around the world. His leadership has led to highly engaging experiences including the COSI Science Festival, The Color of Science TM and EiPIC TM programs, as well as the celebrated COSI Connects STEM Kit Learning Lunchboxes. Dr. Bertley co-created and hosted the prime-time television show QED with Dr. B ( https://www.pbs.org/show/qed-dr-b/ ), in partnership with PBS-WOSU Public Media. He also created the animated online series, Dr. B in 3.Prior to his leadership of COSI, Dr. Bertley served for 9 years as senior vice president for science and education at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Dr. Bertley has won numerous prestigious awards some of which include:• Three (3) Honorary Doctorates (McGill University, Otterbein University, Columbus State)• National Medal (IMLS-White House)• Eleven (11) EMMY® Awards.• Five-time #1 Science Museum in the nation (USA Today)• President's Medal (The Ohio State University)• Dell's 100 Most Innovative Individuals• Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer (UK)• CEO of The Year (Columbus CEO)• Four-time commencement speaker (McGill, OSU, Otterbein, Columbus State)• The Spirit of Columbus Award• George Washington Carver Award for Science Engagement (City of Philadelphia)Dr. Bertley earned a bachelor's in physiology, mathematics and the history of science, as well as a doctorate in immunology, both from McGill University. He completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and MIT, working on the development of DNA vaccinesfor HIV/AIDS. His global health work includes preventative medicine and basic vaccines in Haiti, Sudan and the Canadian Arctic. His international STEM education impact includes programs in Barbados, Dominica, Egypt, England, India, Italy, Japan, Malta, Paraguay, Senegal, and UAE.#FredericBertley #CenterOfScienceAndIndustry #COSI #TheFranklinInstitute #Measles #Immunopathogenesis #HIVVaccination #ScienceLeadershipAcademy #AntibioticResistance #CreativeAging #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfLearning #ImmersiveMedia #DataVisualization #ContextAwareEnvironments #BioInteractiveExperiences #NeuroResponsiveExperiences #SyntheticMedia #LivingArchives #CrossRealityContinuums #DigitalTwins#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Aaron Hartman, MD is a board-certified physician, clinical researcher, and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine ( https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ ). Trained in conventional family medicine, Dr. Hartman earned his MD from the Medical College of Virginia and served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, where he led medical clinics in both the United States and Europe and received additional training in cardiology, dermatology, and nuclear and biological warfare medicine.Over the course of his career, Dr. Hartman has participated in more than 70 clinical trials, published research including work in The Lancet, and cared for patients across four continents in more than 100,000 clinical encounters. He is triple board-certified, with advanced credentials in integrative, functional, metabolic, regenerative, and anti-aging medicine, and he previously served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University.Dr. Hartman's professional focus was profoundly reshaped by a deeply personal experience: adopting his daughter Anna, who was born with severe neurological injury and cerebral palsy and was labeled “incurable” by conventional standards. Her extraordinary progress—achieved through personalized, root-cause, and systems-based approaches to care—became the catalyst for Dr. Hartman's transition into functional and precision medicine.Dr. Hartman is the author of the 2025 book Uncurable ( https://www.amazon.com/UnCurable-Hopeless-Diagnosis-Defying-Odds-ebook/dp/B0FWQ21FDV ), which blends memoir, medical critique, and practical strategy to challenge how modern healthcare defines—and limits—healing. In the book, Dr. Hartman argues that many so-called incurable conditions reflect systemic blind spots rather than biological absolutes, and he calls on patients and clinicians alike to rethink personalized care, patient advocacy, and the foundations of health.Today, Dr. Hartman continues to practice, teach, and research while advocating for a more individualized, curiosity-driven, and human-centered model of medicine—one that treats patients not as protocols, but as complex, exceptional individuals.#AaronHartman #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #Uncurable #RootCauseMedicine #Nutrigenomics #Neuroplasticity #Rehabilitation #EnvironmentalMedicine #OffLabel #CerebralPalsy #BrainDamage #PersonalizedCare #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Chris Oswald, DC, CNS, is Head of Medical Affairs for Pure Encapsulations ( https://www.pureencapsulations.com/ ), part of Nestlé Health Science family. He is a chiropractor, certified nutrition specialist and certified functional medicine practitioner and has been treating patients since 2007. At Pure Encapsulations, Dr. Oswald leads medical education, scientific strategy, and innovation across well-known professional brands including Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Labs, Klean Athlete, Genestra, and others. In this role, he sits at the intersection of clinical science, practitioner education, and product innovation — translating complex evidence into practical tools that help healthcare professionals practice more confident, personalized nutritional medicine. Dr. Oswald's clinical work, in combination with his work in professional dietary supplement companies, gives him unique insight into the creation of clinically useful tools and education to support the unique needs of clinicians and patients in functional, integrative and natural health.Before joining Pure Encapsulations, Dr. Oswald held senior leadership roles across the nutraceutical and health tech landscape, including Chief Science Officer, Head of Product Innovation and R&D, Head of Operations, Interim Head of Sales, and VP of Nutraceuticals at companies like January AI and Further Food. Across those roles, he's led everything from supply chain and regulatory strategy to product development, claims substantiation, and national practitioner education.At the core of Dr. Oswald's work is a consistent theme: bridging rigorous science, real-world clinical practice, and responsible commercialization — all with the goal of improving patient outcomes and advancing the future of personalized, integrative healthcare.#ChrisOswald #PureEncapsulations #NestleHealthScience #FunctionalMedicine #Nutrition #DietarySupplements #Nutraceuticals #PureGenomics #DeniseFurness #Nutrigenomics #Genetics #Epigenetics #PersonalizedHealth #BiologicalAgeProtocol #BiologicalAging #Telomeres #Proteomics #Metabolomics #Biomarkers #Glycans#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Sheryl Genco, Ph.D. ( https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/contributors/q-t/dr-sheryl-genco ) is Chief Technology Officer of the Advanced Technology Group at Ericsson, one of the world's largest and oldest telecommunications infrastructure companies that is involved in building the equipment, software, and services that make mobile networks work.Dr. Genco has over 30 years of experience in engineering and management at organizations spanning industrial, entrepreneurial ventures and the public sector. At Ericsson, Dr. Genco spearheads activities with industry and the U.S. government to exploit 5G and 6G for increased security and economic benefits. Her career has focused on developing technologies with an emphasis on transforming state-of-the-possible ideas into commercial reality. Dr. Genco has also served as a senior advisor to the Defense Innovation Board ( https://stib.cto.mil/ ), a senior consultant to DARPA ( https://www.darpa.mil/ ) Commercialization Strategy, and on the Executive Board of CO-Labs ( https://www.co-labs.org/ ), a non-profit consortium of federal research laboratories & institutions, universities, colleges, businesses and economic development organizations that provide financial and in-kind support for programs that promote the retention and expansion of Colorado's scientific resources. Dr. Genco was previously a member of the Senior Executive Service for the Department of Commerce where she was laboratory director for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA - https://www.ntia.gov/ ) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences. Before NTIA, Dr. Genco was engineering director at Honeywell Quantum Solutions, where she led an organization developing trapped ion quantum computers. She also served at the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST - https://www.nist.gov/ ), where she led the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network, managing programs in wireless communications (LTE), 3.5GHz, GPS, and AWS-3. Dr. Genco is an IEEE Senior Member, IEEE MILCOM VIP Chair, and received a Ph.D. (University of Colorado at Boulder), M.S. (Syracuse), and B.S. (Northeastern) degrees in electrical engineering.  Dr. Genco is passionate about enabling socio-economic prosperity through STEM education. She founded a STEM-focused K-8 public school that has won multiple awards and has educated more than 20,000 students over two decades of operation. She was also one of the founders of NSC's Women in Spectrum Scholarship ( https://www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/women-in-spectrum-scholarship-winners ). Important Episode Link - FutureG for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026 - March 25-26, 2026 - Washington, DC - https://www.defenseadvancement.com/events/futureg-for-defense-summit/#SherylGenco #ChiefTechnologyOfficer #AdvancedTechnologyGroup #Ericsson #5G #6G #AI #Cybersecurity #QuantumComputers #SpectrumSharingSystems #LaserCommunications #Nanomaterials #DefenseModernization #SpectrumPolicy #CognitiveNetworks #JammingResistance #NetworkIntegratedSensing #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Ph.D. is one of the world's leading stewards of ancient heritage and the Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities ( https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en ), where he leads the organization responsible for Egypt's monuments, museums, and archaeological sites—from the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings to newly discovered sites that continue to reshape our understanding of human civilization.Dr. Khaled holds a Ph.D. in Ancient Egyptian Antiquities from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic and previously worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, University of Würzburg, Germany.Dr. Khaled received a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Henkel Foundation in Germany, in recognition of his collaborative efforts and his scientific research has been published in numerous prestigious, international peer-reviewed publications.Dr. Khaled has also worked as a visiting professor at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University, USA.Dr. Khaled devoted his early career to field research, excavation, and scholarly study of ancient Egyptian civilization.   He began his career as an antiquities inspector with the SCA in the Giza Pyramids area, ascending through various leadership roles within the council.Dr. Khaled was also Director of the Technical Office of the head of Central Administration of Cairo and Giza Antiquities, Scientific Research Department, and Foreign Mission Affairs. He also supervised the Development and Site Management Project of Pyramids at the Giza Plateau.Under Dr. Khaled's stewardship, Egyptian archaeology stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, embracing new technologies, confronting misinformation, and preparing for a future where heritage preservation is more critical than ever.#MohamedIsmailKhaled #SecretaryGeneral #Egypt #SupremeCouncilOfAntiquities #Pyramids #ValleyOfTheKings #CradleOfCivilization #ArchaeologicalMissions #MinistryOfTourismAndAntiquities #GreatPyramidOfGiza #SaqqaraNecropolis #AbuGhurabSunTemple #Archaeology #SatelliteImaging #GroundPenetratingRadar #Photogrammetry #PseudoArchaeology #Atlantis #LostCivilizations #AlienBuilders #ZahiHawass #WadiAlNasb #TellElFaraoon #SanElHagar #QubbetElHawa #Sphinx #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textLieutenant Colonel Erin Maurer is the CBRN Defense Lead, J3 Force Protection Directorate, at NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum, The Netherlands ( https://jfcbs.nato.int/ ), a position she has held since July 2024.LTC Maurer enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 2004, and upon graduating from Penn State University in 2008, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), branched Chemical Corps. Her assignments have included: - Brigade Chemical Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Forward Operating Base Operations Officer, for 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; - Headquarters Company Commander, Support Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne); - AFRICOM/EUCOM Desk Officer, United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); - Operations Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer, Special Troops Battalion, 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne); - U.S. Army Exchange Officer to the United Kingdom's Defence CBRN Centre, Winterbourne Gunner, United Kingdom.LTC Maurer holds a Master Degree in Strategic Security, from the Joint Special Operations program at the National Defense University, completed in 2019, with a defended thesis focused on military response to nuclear terrorism. She has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.The J3 Force Protection Directorate ( or J3 Operations - https://www.jcs.mil/directorates/j3-operations/ ) is a critical component within military joint staffs, responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing operational plans, security measures, and threat protection. J3 often integrates force protection (FP) to align security measures against all hazards and threats, ensuring effective command and control. #LieutenantColonelErinMaurer #CBRN #J3ForceProtectionDirectorate #NATOJointForceCommandBrunssum #ChemicalCorps #NuclearTerrorism #WeaponsOfMassDestruction #NationalDefenseUniversity #ArmyExchangeOfficer #UKDefenceCBRNCentre #MedicalCountermeasures #DecontaminationConcepts #ChemicalBiologicalRadiologicalAndNuclear #ImprovisedNuclearDevice #RadiologicalDispersalDevices #DirtyBombs #JointSpecialOperations#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Ellen de Brabander, Ph.D. is Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Regulatory Affairs at Elanco Animal Health ( https://www.elanco.com/us/leadership/executive-committee/ellen-de-brabander ), one of the world's largest animal pharmaceutical companys that develops, manufactures, and sells medicines, vaccines, and other health-care products for both pets (companion animals) and farm livestock (cattle, swine, poultry, etc.). Dr. de Brabander joined Elanco in October 2021 and is responsible for the global research and development organization and regulatory affairs. She is a highly experienced R&D leader with a proven background of accomplishments in animal health research and development.From March 2014 to October 2021, Dr. de Brabander served as Senior Vice President for Research and Development with PepsiCo, the global food and beverage company, most recently having company-wide responsibility for food safety, quality, regulatory and R&D digital transformation. Prior to PepsiCo, Dr. de Brabander led R&D organizations for Merial (now Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health), Intervet (now Merck Animal Health) and DSM.Dr. de Brabander earned her doctorate (cum laude) in bio-organic chemistry from Leiden University in the Netherlands and completed her post-doctoral work in molecular biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has lived in six different countries, is the co-author of more than 60 publications in scientific journals, holds 18 patents and has received multiple awards for her research, including the Golden Medal from the Royal Dutch Chemical Society in 2000 for Best Chemist Under 40.Important Episode Links -Investor Day Presentation - Defining Elanco's New Era of Growth - December 9, 2025https://s1.q4cdn.com/466533431/files/doc_events/2025/Dec/09/FINAL_ELAN-2025-Investor-Day-Presentation.pdf#EllenDeBrabander #ElancoAnimalHealth #Parasiticides #Therapeutics #Pharmaceuticals #Vaccines #PreventiveCare #Ruminants #Cattle #Swine #Poultry #Cats #Dogs #OneHealth #FutureProtein #Biologics #AdvancedTherapeutics #MonoclonalAntibodies #Zenrelia #CredelioQuattro #IntestinalIntegrity #Microbiome #Bovaer #MethaneReduction #CattleEmissions #AntimicrobialResistance #ChronicKidneyDisease #AtopicDermatitis #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, Ph.D. is Co-Founder and CEO of Minovia Therapeutics ( https://minoviatx.com/ ), a biotech company dedicated to rapidly advance life-changing therapies that address the unmet need of serious and complex mitochondrial diseases, and are the first clinical-stage company to develop a mitochondrial transplantation approach to treat a broad range of indications generated by a mitochondrial dysfunction which lead to rare-genetic or age-related diseases.Dr. Yivgi-Ohana has twenty years of experience in mitochondrial research and received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University, after which she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Yivgi-Ohana also has her B.Sc., Medical Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and her Master's Degree, Human Reproduction Bar-Ilan University. Dr. Yivgi-Ohana founded Minovia with a passion to help children and adults with mitochondrial diseases worldwide.#NatalieYivgiOhana #MinoviaTherapeutics #MitochondrialDysfunction #Mitochondria #ATPProduction #MetabolicRegulation #CalciumHandling #Redox #Balance #CellFateDecisions #Heteroplasmy #ThresholdEffect #MitochondrialAugmentationTechnology #PearsonSyndrome #KearnsSayreSyndrome #LowRiskMyelodysplasticSyndrome #SyngeneicMaternalMitochondria #AllogeneicMitochondria #Bioenergetics #Aging #Healthspan #Lifespan #Longevity #Israel #Geroscience #RareDiseases #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH ( https://drtomfrieden.net/ ) is the Founder and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives ( https://resolvetosavelives.org/ ), a global health organization that accelerates action against the world's deadliest health threats. The organization has partnered with countries around the world to support implementation of programs that will prevent more than 9 million deaths.Dr. Frieden is a physician who has specialized in internal medicine, infectious diseases, public health, and epidemiology. He has served a Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York City Health Commissioner, and helped start Mayor Michael Bloomberg's global health philanthropy, particularly the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.Dr. Frieden's work has appeared in medical journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and The Lancet as well as media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.Dr. Frieden's new book, The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own ( MIT Press, September 2025 - https://www.amazon.com/Formula-Better-Health-Millions-Lives-Including-ebook/dp/B0DVC5Y6JD ), distills four decades of public health leadership into a clear, actionable framework to extend healthy lives. Dr. Frieden completed his Doctor of Medicine - MD and Master of Public Health - MPH at Columbia University and did a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Yale University.#TomFrieden #ResolveToSaveLives #CentersforDiseaseControlAndPrevention #NewYorkCityHealthCommissioner #MayorMichaelBloomberg #TheFormulaForBetterHealth #HighBloodPressure #UnhealthyLipids #PhysicalActivity #HealthyNutrition #SufficientSleep #AvoidingToxins #TuberculosisControl #Hypertension #BloombergPhilanthropies #Obesity #HeartAttacks #Strokes #LipidLowering #CancerPrevention #Vaccines #OpioidAddictionEpidemic #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #OneHealth #Trust #Disinformation #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. James Mackay, Ph.D. is President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Crystalys Therapeutics Inc. ( https://crystalystx.com/ ), a development stage pharmaceutical company addressing the significant unmet medical needs of people living with gout and dedicated to developing new therapeutics and helping improve the lives of patients.Dr. Mackay has over 40 years of development and commercialization expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, including 6 drug product approvals across multiple therapeutic areas. Prior to founding Crystalys Therapeutics, he was CEO and co-founder of Aristea Therapeutics and President and CEO of Ardea Biosciences.  Prior to Ardea, Dr. Mackay held senior executive positions over a 30 year period at AstraZeneca where he led the development and commercialization of drugs across a range of therapy areas and managed significant global functional departments.Dr. Mackay plays a pivotal role in the San Diego innovation ecosystem and currently sits on the Board and Executive Committee of CONNECT and sits on the Board of Advisors of BIOCOM. He is a former Board member of the San Diego Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Dr. Mackay holds a BS in Genetics and Ph.D. in Medical Genetics from Aberdeen University, Scotland.Important Episode Link - JEWEL Program - https://jewelprogram.com/#JamesMackay #CrystalysTherapeutics #Gout #CrystalInducedArthritis #UricAcid #Hyperuricemia #GoutyArthritis #Allopurinol #UrateLoweringTherapy #XanthineOxidaseInhibitors #UricosuricAgents #Dotinurad #TophaceousGout #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textJoel Latham is the Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of Incannex Healthcare Inc. ( https://incannex.com/ ) a science-led combination medicines company leading the way in developing cannabinoid-based medicines and psychedelic-based regimens for people living with challenging chronic conditions.Incannex Healthcare's science-driven programs are exploring the therapeutic potential of oral synthetic cannabinoid and psilocybin drug candidates in sleep apnea, anxiety, and inflammatory diseases. Joel brings more than 20 years of senior management and operations experience in both public and private sectors, and under Joel's leadership, Incannex has advanced, and prioritized multiple therapeutic candidates into clinical-stage development. Previously, Joel was the CEO and Managing Director of Incannex Australia, where he played a key role in the company's growth and its successful transition to Nasdaq. Joel has also held senior leadership roles in corporate strategy and global market development at Mars Foods, Tabcorp, and Philip Morris International.#JoelLatham #IncannexHealthcare #CombinationMedicines #CannabinoidBasedMedicines #PsychedelicBasedRegimens #ObstructiveSleepApnea #RheumatoidArthritis #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Acetazolamide #Dronabinol #Cannabidiol #Hydroxychloroquine #Psilocybin #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textPeter Basica ( https://peterbasica.com/ ) is the Founder and Chairman of 360 Smarter Care ( https://360smartercare.com/ ), an independent, AI-driven healthcare company redefining how self-funded employers manage healthcare costs and population health. Under his leadership, 360 Smarter Care applies advanced behavioral science, proprietary artificial intelligence, and deep human empathy to deliver personalized, one-to-one engagement at scale — improving health outcomes while significantly reducing costs. Free from venture capital pressure and legacy healthcare conflicts, Peter built 360 to challenge a system he believes too often prioritizes profit over people.Before launching 360, Peter spent nearly three decades building and leading high-performance organizations across industries including insurance, automotive, marine, manufacturing, and financial services. He is the founder of Silver Bullet Partners, where for 18 years he served as President and Senior Educator, working directly with C-suite executives on sales performance, leadership development, executive coaching, and culture change. His proprietary methodologies helped clients dramatically increase revenue, reverse sales declines, and build durable performance cultures — including doubling sales at Fountain Powerboats, adding tens of millions in revenue at Monterey Boats, and restoring growth at ISG.Earlier in his career, Peter held senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, and operations, including transforming Pier 33 Marina from an underperforming two-location business into a five-location, multi-state powerhouse growing revenues from $8 million to $50 million. As Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Arrington Performance Industries, he led market expansion initiatives, operational turnarounds, and high-profile brand placements — blending strategic vision with hands-on execution.In parallel with his business ventures, Peter is also the Founder of Digital Consumerism ( https://digitalconsumerism.com/ ), a platform designed to help individuals maximize financial wellness, protect digital assets, and make smarter everyday decisions across banking, healthcare, travel, and cybersecurity.Deeply committed to service, Peter founded Remember Our Military ( https://www.rememberourmilitary.com/ ), a volunteer-driven nonprofit ensuring that no active-duty service member or veteran spends a holiday meal alone. He also serves on advisory boards including the Carle Illinois College of Medicine's Global Consortium for Innovation and Engineering in Medicine and Newark Youth Career Pathways, reflecting his dedication to education, innovation, and community impact.#PeterBasica #360SmarterCare #RuralHealthTransformationFund #OneBigBeautifulBillAct #ExpandingAccess #ImprovingHealthOutcomes #WorkforceDevelopment #InnovativeCareModels #Telehealth #RemoteCare #PrimaryCare #PrenatalCare #MaternalServices #ChronicDiseaseManagement #BehavioralHealthServices #CommunityHealthWorkers #DataSharing #Interoperability #ValueBasedCare #AlternativePaymentModels #AdvancedAI #RuralPatients #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Steven Quay, MD, Ph.D. ( https://drquay.com/ ) is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Atossa Therapeutics ( https://atossatherapeutics.com/ ), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.Dr. Quay is certified in Anatomic Pathology with the American Board of Pathology, completed both an internship and residency in anatomic pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, and is a former faculty member of the Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine.Dr. Quay is a named inventor on 87 U.S. patents, 130 pending U.S. patent applications, and is named inventor on patents covering five pharmaceutical products that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Quay received an MD and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He received his B.A. degree in biology, chemistry and mathematics from Western Michigan University. #StevenQuay #AtossaTherapeutics #BreastCancer #SelectiveEstrogenReceptorModulators #AromataseInhibitors #SelectiveEstrogenReceptorDegraders #Tamoxifen #Zendoxifen #MetastaticDisease #MammographicBreastDensity #GlioblastomaMultiforme #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textLewis Bender is CEO and Founder of Intensity Therapeutics ( https://intensitytherapeutics.com/ ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company whose mission is to help patients live longer, higher quality lives by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class cancer drugs that attenuate tumors with minimal side effects, while training the patient's own immune system to fight the cancer. Intensity's novel engineered chemistry (lead candidate INT230-6) enables aqueous cytotoxic-containing drug formulations to mix and saturate a tumor's dense, high-fat, pressurized environment following direct intra-tumoral injection. As a result of the saturation, Intensity's clinical trials have demonstrated the ability of INT230-6 to kill tumors and elicit an adaptive immune response within days of injection, representing a new approach to cancer cell death that holds the potential to shift the treatment paradigm and turn many deadly cancers into chronic diseases, even for malignancies that do not respond to conventional immunotherapy.Prior to founding Intensity Therapeutics, Mr. Bender was the CEO of Interleukin Genetics, a personalized medicine company. At Interleukin Mr. Bender successfully restructured the Company, increased sales eight-fold, developed a new genetic-based testing platform and partnered with a large insurance provider to initiate studies leading to reimbursement of the Company's lead product.Prior to joining Interleukin Genetics, Mr. Bender held numerous positions at Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a drug delivery company specializing in the oral delivery of poorly absorbed molecules. While at Emisphere Mr. Bender held positions as; Interim President & CEO, Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President of Business Development, and Vice President of Manufacturing and Process Development. During his career Mr. Bender has partnered with several major pharmaceutical and biotech companies using structures such as joint ventures, licensing and research collaboration agreements.Mr. Bender has over 25 years of biotech and pharmaceutical experience having led teams taking products from discovery to Phase III for compounds using novel drug delivery techniques. In addition, Mr. Bender has been successful in raising (or helping to raise) capital with institutional investors using several vehicles such as registered direct placements, PIPES, S-3 & S-1 filings, and convertible debt. For Intensity Therapeutics he has raised approximately $13,000,000 in capital with multiple types of investors.Mr. Bender has both a B.S and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, an MBA from UPenn's Wharton School, and an MA in International studies also from UPenn. He spent several years living in Switzerland and speaks French, German and Swiss-German dialect.#LewisBender #IntensityTherapeutics #Intratumoral #Immunotherapy #CellPenetrationAndDispersionEnhancer #AmphiphilicMolecule #CytotoxicChemotherapy #Cisplatin #Vinblastine #DfuseRx #DirectCytotoxicity #NeoantigenRelease #AdaptiveImmuneResponse #SoftTissueSarcoma #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #LocallyAdvancedBreastCancer #Metastatic #RefractorySolidTumors #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D., CMPC, is a clinical psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant known for his work with elite athletes, including members of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Dr. Jenkins also serves as Assistant Director of Psychology Training at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital ( https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/22465/jonathan-jenkins ) as well as in private practice, Mental Fitness and Psychotherapy ( https://www.mentalfitnesspsych.com/ ), where he integrates performance psychology into clinical care for youth and adults.With his Psy.D in Clinical Psychology from University of Denver, Dr. Jenkins multidisciplinary expertise in mental health, sport psychology, and resilience positions him as a leading voice on the intersection of mental health and elite performance. Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Unlimited Resilience, LLC ( https://unlimitedresiliencellc.com/ ), a group mental health practice designed for athletes by athletes, and co-founder and director of Athletes Better Together ( https://www.athletesbettertogether.com/ ), an athlete peer mentoring program. She is also a research and training consultant at the Behavioral Research & Training Institute at Rutgers University ( https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/education/brti-overview.xml ). Dr. O'Brien received her BA from Harvard University, where she was a four-year member and co-captain of the hockey team which won a National Championship in 1999. She obtained her MSW and PhD from Boston College and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University. Dr. O'Brien's research is focused on intervention development for suicidal adolescents and their families, with additional specializations in substance use, interventions which utilize technology, and athlete mental health and suicide prevention. Dr. O'Brien has co-authored over 75 articles and book chapters related to adolescent suicide, substance use, and mental health, and was awarded the Young Investigator Research Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2019. Together, Dr. Jenkins and Dr. O'Brien are co-authors of the upcoming book Mentality Wins: The Athlete's Playbook for Thriving in Sport and Life ( https://www.mentalitywins.com/ ), exploring the fascinating connections between athletic performance and mental health.Important Episode Links Mentality Wins Instagram Page -https://www.instagram.com/mentalitywinsbook/Dr. Jonathan Jenkins Instagram Page -https://www.instagram.com/dr.jonathanjenkins/?hl=enDr. Kimberly O'Brien Instagram Page -https://www.instagram.com/unlimited_resilience/Webinar: Thriving Under Pressure- Mental Fitness for Athletes - Feb 26, 2026 -https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/events/webinar-thriving-under-pressure-a-mental-fitness-guide-for-athletes/2nd Annual Coalition of Athletic Communities for Mental Health (COACMH) Conference - Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - https://calendar.cuanschutz.edu/event/2nd-annual-coalition-of-athletic-communities-for-mental-health-coacmh-conference#JonathanJenkins #KimberlyOBrien #NewEnglandPatriots #BostonRedSox #MassachusettsGeneralHospital #MentalFitnessAndPsychotherapy #ClinicalPsychology #UnlimitedResilience #AthletesBetterTogether #BehavioralResearchAndTrainingInstitute #RutgersUniversity #MentalityWins #Resilience #Flow #Play #EliteAthletes #SportPsychology #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #SubstanceUse #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textMarcel Ishimwe is a pharmacist and public health advocate based in Kigali, Rwanda who is also the Founder and CEO of AMR Initiative Rwanda ( https://amrinitiativerwanda.org/ ), an organization dedicated to tackling antimicrobial resistance through awareness, stewardship, and community-driven solutions.With a BS in Pharmacy from Unversity of Rwanda, certificates in organizational leadership from Harvard and in Advanced TB Research Training and Epidemiology from University of Washington, and a strong commitment to public health, Marcel works at the intersection of medicine, education, and policy to promote responsible antimicrobial use and strengthen health systems in Rwanda and beyond. Through AMR Initiative Rwanda, he has helped elevate the conversation around antimicrobial resistance—one of the most pressing and often overlooked global health threats of our time—by engaging healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public.On this episode, we discuss Marcel's journey into pharmacy, the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries, and how locally led initiatives like his are shaping the future of global health.Important Episode Link  - Medikal - Revolutionizing African Healthcare with AI - https://www.medikalafrica.com/#MarcelIshimwe #AMRInitiativeRwanda #AntimicrobialResistance #SilentPandemic #EColi #KlebsiellaPneumoniae #ThirdGenerationCephalosporins #Resistance #AntibioticStewardship #CommunityOutreach #DigitalCampaigns #ProfessionalTraining #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #ScientificIntegrity #SocialStability#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Tara Williams, Ph.D. is the owner and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants, Inc. ( https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com/ ), a consultancy that provides educational assistance and guides neurodivergent students to build academic confidence and independence through advocacy and personalized executive functioning support in their coursework and daily lives.Dr. Williams earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Sussex in Falmer, United Kingdom. Dr. Williams is currently a tenured professor at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California, and has been teaching for the last twenty years. She has been working with neurodivergent students across the U.S. since 2010, after noticing that these students were struggling with the transition from K-12 support in their Individualized Education Program to college, where self-advocacy and identification were required by a system built for the neurotypical. Dr. Williams and her team specialize in executive functioning coaching, with an emphasis on academics. Work with students includes accommodation management, email and Learning Management System support, course planning and registration, summer school transfer courses, housing, internship and job searching, and much more. This work also includes concepts of Universal Design which helps both neurodiverse and neurotypical students build confidence, advocate for themselves and thrive in school and college. Dr. Williams is currently writing a book about her own experiences and struggles in K-12 and higher education, and documenting several case studies working with neurodivergent college students. This book will be released early next year and is entitled "The Neurodivergent Student Journey: A Story of Hope and Breaking Out of the Box".#TaraWilliams #InnovativeCollegiateConsultants #Neurodivergent #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyscalculia #Autism #ExecutiveFunctioning #Education #AcademicConsultancy #AccommodationManagement #Advocacy#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Casey Perley, Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Army Applications Laboratory ( https://aal.mil/ ) where she leads the mission to reshape how the U.S. Army works with industry to provide the best tech in the world to the best Army in the world. Her vision is for AAL to work from problem inception to sustainment hand in glove with stakeholders across the Army and the Department of War to accelerate and assess the Army's ability to ingest innovation.Dr. Perley previously served most recently as the deputy director of AAL and before that as the first director of Insights and Analysis, where their scientists and entrepreneurs collaborate to bring the best companies and technologies into solving Army problems. Prior to AAL, Dr. Perley was a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), where she managed research projects across a range of topics and stakeholders. She designed DNA vaccines and worked in the lab with bio threats including Ebola. Dr. Perley holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from Duke University and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale.Dr. Perley's is also an accomplished harpist, and her orchestral harp work can be heard on more than 120 recordings, one of which was nominated for two Grammy awards.#CaseyPerley #ArmyApplicationsLaboratory #USArmyTransformationAndTrainingCommand #ArmyFuturesCommand #UnitedStatesArmyTrainingAndDoctrineCommand #DepartmentOfTheArmy #AutonomousBridgingKit #CasualtyCareTraining #QuantumHardening #ModularElectromagneticWarfarePayload #BroadAgencyAnnouncement #DisruptiveApplications #USAMRIID #USArmyMedicalResearchInstituteOfInfectiousDiseases #Hanta #Ebola #Tuberculosis #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show