Progress, Potential, and Possibilities

Send us a textJoel Krikston is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in venture investments and strategic innovation within the healthcare sector.Joel currently serves as Managing Director Venture Investments Merck Global Health Innovation Fund ( https://www.merckghifund.com/?profile=joel-krikston ) and Co-Founder of MSD Idea Studios ( https://www.msd.de/ideastudio/ ), a global innovation hub organization that is committing $38 million to scale high-impact health technologies that directly align with Merck's access and R&D priorities. They are strategically located in the innovation hubs of Singapore and Berlin. With a career spanning over two decades, Joel has held pivotal roles at renowned organizations like Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and JPMorgan, focusing on biotechnology, corporate development, and health equity. As the Managing Director of Venture Investments and Head of Strategic Innovation Alliances, Joel excels in bridging the gap between life sciences and digital health technology. He is a recognized advocate for diversity and inclusion, emphasizing health equity in his professional endeavors. Joel's board engagements extend to various innovative healthcare startups, showcasing his commitment to shaping the future of healthcare. Joel also contributes to academia as a venture mentor and guest lecturer at prestigious institutions, including NYU Stern and Princeton University. Joel has an MBA from the Stern School of Business at NYU, completed his Bachelor's degree in Finance and International Business at Fairfield University, and has specialized certifications from Harvard and MIT, underscoring his dedication to ongoing learning and leadership in healthcare innovation.#JoelKrikston #MSDIdeaStudios #MerckGlobalHealthInnovationFund #InvestmentBanking #CorporateVentureCapital #LifeSciences #DigitalHealth #NYUStern #BNPParibas #ABNAMRO #InnovationHubs #LungCancer #VentureMentor #JohnsonAndJohnson #JPMorgan #BillTaranto #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Théau Peronnin, Ph.D. is a physicist by training and a visionary leader in the field of quantum computing. After earning his master's degree from École Polytechnique in Paris and completing his PhD in quantum physics at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Dr. Peronnin embarked on a mission to tackle one of the greatest technological challenges of our time: building a truly fault-tolerant quantum computer. In 2020, Dr. Peronnin co-founded the quantum‐computing start-up Alice & Bob ( https://alice-bob.com/ - based in Paris with global ambitions) and took the helm as its CEO. Under his leadership, the company has focused on a novel architecture known as “cat qubits” — a design that embeds error correction directly into the qubits, aiming to significantly reduce the hardware complexity and error rates compared with more conventional quantum-computing approaches. Dr. Peronnin's work sits at the intersection of deep physics and engineering enterprise. He was part of academic research advancing superconducting qubit read-out and control techniques, and has since translated that research momentum into building infrastructure: labs, cleanrooms, cryogenic systems, and a growing team of quantum experts. Dr. Peronnin frequently speaks about how quantum computing will not simply accelerate existing algorithms, but unlock totally new classes of problems — in materials, chemistry, biology and beyond. Beyond technology, Dr. Peronnin emphasizes the importance of ecosystem, funding and audacity: he argues that Europe must pair deep science with industrial scale and ambition if it hopes to lead in the quantum race.Important Episode Link - Cat Qubits and LDPC Codes, a New Step Towards Quantum Error Correction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0Yg-QRAns#ThéauPeronnin #AliceAndBob #QuantumComputing #CatQubits #Superposition #Entanglement #QuantumInterference #Coherence #Decoherence #NISQ #NoisyIntermediateScaleQuantum #MicrowaveQuantumNode #SuperconductingQubits #MicrowaveSuperconducting #CryogenicEngineering #QuantumNode #QuantumCommunication #SchrödingersCat #SuperconductingMicrowaveCavities #BosonicQubit #TransmonQubit #TrappedIons #PhotonicQubits #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textXaque Gruber ( https://www.xaquegruber.com/ ) is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and artist.Xaque is the writer and director of the hit independent film Sallywood ( https://sallywoodmovie.com/ ) — a touching, funny and deeply insightful look at the career of actress Sally Kirkland ( https://www.sallykirkland.com/ ), as well as current trials and tribulations navigating life and identity in the film industry. The limited theatrical release for Sallywood debuted on November 8, 2024 and Buffalo 8 will release the film on digital platforms on November 14, 2025.Through Sallywood, Xaque explores themes of ageism, resilience, and the quiet struggles faced by Hollywood's “working class” — the actors, crew members, and creatives who live just outside the spotlight but keep the dream machine running.Xaque's first TV writing credit came with reuniting the cast of his favorite 80s soap “Dynasty” for the 2006 CBS special “Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar.” Since then, he's written “The Scream Awards (Spike),” “The World Music Awards (ABC),” “The Producer's Guild of America Awards,” and many others.Xaque has written for feature length films including "M.I.A." and "Broken Roads" and for the short films "The Pistol", "THE" and  "Laurel Casey: The Hurting Truth". Before his filmmaking career, Xaque wrote for outlets including The Huffington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Miami Herald, and worked in television, visual art, and education. His storytelling — across every medium — is known for its empathy, wit, and sharp social observation.Xaque is also the author/illustrator of the book "A Big Adventure In The Smallest State: A History of Rhode Island For All Ages" ( https://www.amazon.com/Big-Adventure-Smallest-State/dp/1403333262 ).Xaque has an MA in Education from Tufts University and an MS in Television Production & Writing from Boston University.Important Episode Link - Support Sally Kirkland's Urgent Medical Care -https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-sally-kirklands-urgent-medical-care#XaqueGruber #Sallywood #SallyKirkland #Ageism #Hollywood #Resilience #IntergenerationalFriendships #EricRoberts #JenniferTilly #KeithCarradine #MariaConchitaAlonso #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textKaren Mayer Cunningham is a nationally recognized leader in special education advocacy and the Founder and CEO of the Special Education Academy ( https://specialeducationacademy.com/ ), an organization dedicated to empowering parents to navigate the complex world of special education with clarity, confidence, and purpose.After confronting the challenges of the system firsthand as a parent, Karen transformed her experience into a mission — helping families across the country understand their rights, communicate effectively with schools, and ensure that every child receives the support and services they are entitled to under the law.Through the Special Education Academy, Karen has built a trusted community and a practical, education-based training model that bridges the gap between parents and educators. Her work emphasizes collaboration, knowledge, and empowerment — giving families the tools to become informed, effective advocates for their children.Known for her energy, honesty, and engaging communication style, Karen has become a leading voice for reform and accountability in special education, inspiring parents and professionals alike to work together toward a more equitable and inclusive educational system.Karen is also an accomplished stand-up comedian.Karen's new book, The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates Navigating the Special Education Process  ( https://theepiciep.com/ )  is available for pre-order and will be released January 27, 2026 ( https://www.amazon.com/Epic-IEP-Educators-Advocates-Navigating/dp/1637635125 ).:Links to Karen's Podcast -• Buzzsprout: https://specialeducationboss.buzzsprout.com• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w?si=53e4f3b73e514a06• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/271518986/• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d75378a3-0f8b-4fd1-989b-67a5723b5377/special-education-boss%C2%AE-with-karen-mayer-cunningham• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI3YgeQrpe51K4Ia4GWqS3fTnGj_DGLan#KarenMayerCunningham #SpecialEducationAcademy #IndividualizedEducationProgram #IndividualsWithDisabilitiesEducationAct #504Plan #RehabilitationActOf1973 #AutismSpectrumDisorder #EmotionalDisturbance #Deafness #Blindness #IntellectualDisability #OrthopedicImpairment #SpecificLearningDisability #LanguageImpairment #SpeechImpairment #TraumaticBrainInjury #PresentLevelsOfAcademicAchievementAndFunctionalPerformance #Comedy #Humor #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textEdward You is recently coming off an amazing career at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where most recently he served in roles as Supervisory Special Agent, National Counterintelligence Task Force, Counterintelligence Division, as well as a Supervisory Special Agent in the FBI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate.  He was also previously simultaneously detailed as a Liaison Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of National Security, and as a National Counterintelligence Officer for Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).Mr. You was responsible for creating programs and activities to coordinate and improve FBI and interagency activities to identify, assess, and respond to biological threats or incidents.  He supported FBI initiatives to build partnerships with the life sciences community, domestically and internationally, and lead efforts to identify and address potential security challenges in advanced biotechnology. His overall goal was to safeguard the scientific community, the life science research enterprise, and the U.S. bioeconomy.  Before being promoted to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Mr. You served as a member of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI Hazardous Evidence Response Team. Mr. You has also been directly involved in policy-making efforts with a focus on biosecurity.  He served as an active Working Group member of the White House National Security Council Policy Coordinating Committee on Countering Biological Threats and represented the FBI as an Ex Officio member of the National Institutes of Health National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity.  He also served on two National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committees, the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats and the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law's Forum on Synthetic Biology.  He is currently a Senior Fellow for the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. You had extensive experience in academic research having worked for three years in autoimmune disease research at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and six years in human gene therapy and retrovirology at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, where he received his Master of Science (M.S.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Just prior to joining the FBI, Mr. You worked for three years in the commercial biotechnology sector conducting cancer research and assay development at AMGEN, Inc.Mr. You recently set up EHY Consulting LLC, dedicated to consulting activities focused on safeguarding science and innovation at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and national security.#EdwardYou #FederalBureauOfInvestigation #WeaponsOfMassDestructionDirectorate #FBI #SupervisorySpecialAgent #Biosecurity #Bioeconomy #Biohackers #DualUse #Anthrax #Ricin #FBIHazardousEvidenceResponseTeam #JointTerrorismTaskForce #AutoimmuneDisease #MolecularBiology #GeneTherapy #Angiogenesis #WMDCoordinator #Chemical #Biological #CBRN #UnitedNationsInterregionalCrimeAndJusticeResearchInstitute #UNICRI #NationalAcademies #NationalCounterintelligenceAndSecurityCenter #OfficeOfTheDirectorOfNationalIntelligence #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textChristian Maugee is a PhD Candidate at the University of Florida, in Genetics and Genomics ( http://www.vulpelab.net/graduate-and-undergrad-students.html ), where his research explores how gene expression differs in the hearts of individuals with Friedrich's Ataxia (FA), a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease.  His work could lead to new insights into the cardiac complications that can be associated with FA and how to potential treat them better.Christian's dissertation work is focused on identifying gene modulators of the transcriptional phenotype of FA in human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). He accomplishes this through use of a novel method: Perturb-seq - a CRISPR screen coupled with single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) readout. Christian is driven by much more than academic curiosity, as he brings a unique and deeply human perspective to his work as someone living with FA. He doesn't just study the challenges faced by those with disabilities; he lives them. His work is not only informed by data and theory, but by resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to making research more inclusive and impactful.In the lab, Christian loves mentoring, and outside of the lab he loves fundraising and raising awareness for FA, mainly through FARA ( https://www.curefa.org/ ) and MDA ( https://www.mda.org/disease/friedreichs-ataxia ).Christian received a Bachelor's degree in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology, from the University of South Florida.Important Episode Link - The Science Guy: Back In The Lab For FAhttps://www.ataxia.org/billnye-for-fa/#ChristianMaugee #FriedreichsAtaxia #UniversityOfFlorida #Genetics #Genomics #MolecularBiology #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #Frataxin #MitochondrialDysfunction #OxidativeStress #Neurodegeneration #AmyotrophicLateralSclerosis #FrontotemporalDementia #Dystonia #HypertrophicCardiomyopathy #DilatedCardiomyopathy #Cardiomyocytes #InducedPluripotentStemCells #Epigenetic #BillNye #Mitochondria #RareDisease #Neurology #Biogen #Omaveloxolone #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textKenneth Russell DeGraff ( https://www.russelldegraff.com/ ) is a Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School ( https://shorensteincenter.org/person/k-russell-degraff/ ), where he focuses on the challenges American voters face in understanding how legislation in Congress affects them, and how they can engage with or benefit from these laws. He is also a Visiting Scholar Vanderbilt University Law School.Kenneth spent nearly two decades on Capitol Hill, culminating in 12 years as the chief climate and technology advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Kenneth played several key roles in helping Congress architect, enact, explain and enforce significant legislation as well as helping form coalitions and lead negotiations to enact policies and laws spanning administrations from different parties, reflecting his skill in bipartisan collaboration. Kenneth's work included pivotal contributions to President Biden's “Investing in America” jobs strategy, featuring landmark laws like the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS & Science Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.Before his advisory role to Speaker Pelosi, Kenneth served as the Legislative Director and Assistant to Congressman Mike Doyle, focusing on sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer protection. Prior to working on the Hill, Kenneth was a Policy Analyst at Consumer Union and was a Truman Scholar from Butler University where he received a B.A., Communications and Political Science.Important Episode Link - Truth in the Machine -https://www.truthinthemachine.com/#KennethRussellDeGraff #CapitolHill #HouseSpeakerNancyPelosi #Congress #Legislation #Policies #Laws #Bipartisan #Moonshots #ClimateChange #InvestingInAmerica #InflationReductionAct #CHIPSAndScienceAct #InfrastructureInvestmentAndJobsAct #CongressmanMikeDoyle #ConsumerUnion #RecursiveSelfImprovement #ArtificialIntelligence #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Douglas G. Adler, MD, F.A.C.G., A.G.A.F., F.A.S.G.E. ( https://douglasgadler.com/ ) is Director of the Center for Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy, AdventHealth Porter in Denver, Colorado ( https://www.adventhealth.com/find-doctor/doctor/douglas-adler-md-1891748687 ). Dr. Adler is also the Editor-in-Chief of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ( https://www.giejournal.org/ ). Prior to moving to Colorado, Dr. Adler was a tenured Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Adler was also the GI Fellowship Program Director at the University of Utah School of Medicine for seven years. Dr. Adler focuses his clinical, educational, and research efforts on the diagnosis and management of patients with gastrointestinal cancers and complex gastrointestinal disease, with an emphasis on therapeutic endoscopy. Dr. Adler is an internationally recognized expert on all facets of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), gastrointestinal stenting, Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (GPOEM), and other topics. He is the author of more than 600 scientific publications, articles, and book chapters and he has published 9 gastroenterology textbooks, including the first textbook on Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound. Dr. Adler has also published more than 70 articles on history, aviation, aerospace, and astronomy.Dr. Adler received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York, NY. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Dr. Adler completed both a general gastrointestinal fellowship and a therapeutic endoscopy/ERCP fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He then returned to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for a fellowship in endoscopic ultrasound.#DouglasAdler #TherapeuticEndoscopy #AdventHealthPorter #GastrointestinalEndoscopy #EndoscopicRetrogradeCholangiopancreatography #EndoscopicUltrasound #GastrointestinalStenting #GastricPeroralEndoscopicMyotomy #Transluminal #Lumen #Choledochoduodenostomy #MinimallyInvasive #GlucagonLikePeptide1Agonists #FecalMicrobiotaTransplantation #Colonoscopy #AdvancedPancreaticobiliaryEndoscopy #NeilArmstrong #BuzzAldrin #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Michael McCullar, PhD is Chief Executive Officer  of RegCell ( https://regcellbio.com/ ), a biotechnology company has developed a best-in-class proprietary platform that allows the generation of epigenetically reprogrammed antigen-specific regulatory T-cells (Tregs) that are stable in vivo and maintain a high degree of functionality (S/F-Epigen-Tregs) to restore immune tolerance and ultimately reverse autoimmune disorders as well as the limitations with transplantation.Dr. McCullar has a wealth of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, spanning more than two decades. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various aspects of drug development and played pivotal roles in the success of several pharmaceutical companies. Dr. McCullar formerly served as the CEO of OnQuality Pharmaceuticals, where he provided executive leadership to this targeted oncology supportive therapy company focused on developing pioneering medications tailored to address the intricacies of cancer treatment-related toxicities. Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer at Tolero Pharmaceuticals, where he had a prominent role in the company's acquisition by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and also served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Astex Pharmaceuticals, during it's acquisition by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Dr. McCullar has held several high-level executive positions at SuperGen, showcasing his commitment and upward career path within the company. His journey at SuperGen culminated in the role of Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations, where his expertise paved the way for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Dacogen as a treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes, and the acquisition of Astex Therapeutics, which resulted in the formation of Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Dr. McCullar holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of California, Riverside and an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.#MichaelMcCullar #RegCell #RegulatoryTCells #Tregs #AutoimmuneDisorders #Transplantation #ShimonSakaguchi #ImmuneSystem #SelfAntigens #Tolerance #AntiInflammatoryCytokines #AntigenPresentingCells #Thymus #BoneMarrow #Anergy #AntigenSpecificTregs #AntigenTargeting #Homing #EpigeneticEditing #Reprogramming #AutologousManufacturing #Japan #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Brian A. Grierson, Ph.D. is a leading physicist and engineer in magnetic fusion energy and is currently Director of Fusion Energy Technologies at General Atomics ( https://www.ga.com/ ) in San Diego. In this role, he leads the technical vision, design strategy, and integration of plasma physics, engineering, diagnostics, and tritium fuel‐cycle technologies for fusion pilot‐plants aimed at moving fusion from experimental facilities toward viable commercial power ( https://www.ga.com/magnetic-fusion/ ).Dr. Grierson's career bridges academic research and applied development. He earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2004, majoring in Applied Mathematics, Engineering & Physics, with emphases in nuclear engineering and plasma physics. He then pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, where he obtained his M.S. (2005), M.Phil. (2008), and Ph.D. in Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics in 2009, defending a dissertation titled “Interchange Turbulence in a Dipole‐Confined Plasma.” After his Ph.D., Dr. Grierson joined the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory ( PPPL - https://www.pppl.gov/ ), working on experimental diagnostics and plasma behavior at the DIII‐D National Fusion Facility ( operated by GA - https://d3dfusion.org/ ) and other tokamak projects. Over several years Dr. Grierson held roles including Associate Research Physicist, Staff Physicist, and Research Physicist within PPPL's ITER & Tokamaks Department, and led groups focused on the plasma edge (“pedestal”), ion transport, and diagnostics development. In 2014, Dr. Grierson was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Research Program grant to advance diagnostics of main‐ion behavior at the edge of fusion plasmas — work critical for understanding confinement, stability, and performance of devices like ITER and future tokamaks. In recognition of his research contributions, Dr. Grierson received the Kaul Foundation Prize for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research and Technology Development in 2017. In 2021, he joined General Atomics to direct the Fusion Pilot Plant Design Hub and served as Director of the Fusion Pilot Plant Design Hub for 4 years. Under his leadership, GA has put forth a concept for a compact advanced steady‐state tokamak Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP) that draws on innovations in plasma physics, simulation tools like the proprietary FUSE (Fusion Synthesis Engine), modular breeding blanket design, materials engineering, control, diagnostics, and systems integration ( https://www.ga.com/magnetic-fusion/promise-of-fusion ). Dr. Grierson has also played a major role in partnerships such as GA's collaboration with Savannah River National Laboratory ( https://www.srnl.gov/ ) to address tritium fuel handling — a critical component of making fusion power practical. General Atomics (GA) is an American energy and defense corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, that specializes in research and technology development. This includes physics research in support of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion energy. The company also provides research and manufacturing services for remotely operated surveillance aircraft, including its MQ-1 Predator drones, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies.#BrianGrierson #GeneralAtomics #FusionEnergy #Nuclear #ITER #Thermonuclear #Tokamak #ExperimentalPhysics #Energy #PlasmaPhysics #NuclearFusion #Tritium #Deuterium #CollisionlessTerrellaExperiment #InertialConfinementFusion #NationalIgnitionFacility #MagneticConfinementFusion #SustainedPlasmaBurns #FuelCycle #ElectricityGeneration #BurningPlasma #TritiumBreeding #BreedingBlankets #EdgePlasma #ProgressPotSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Aliza Apple, Ph.D. is a Vice President of Catalyze360 AI ( https://www.lilly.com/science/partners/catalyze-360 ) and Global Head of Lilly TuneLab ( https://tunelab.lilly.com/ ) at Eli Lilly where she leads the strategy, build and launch of Lilly's external-facing AI/ML efforts for drug discovery.Lilly Catalyze360 represents a comprehensive approach to enabling the early-stage biotech ecosystem, agnostic of the therapeutic area, designed to accelerate emerging and promising science, strategically removing barriers to support biotech innovation.In her previous role at Lilly, Dr. Apple served as the COO and head of Lilly Gateway Labs West Coast, where she supported the local biotech ecosystem through early engagement and providing tailored offerings to meet their needs. Prior to Lilly,  Dr. Apple served as a co-founder at Santa Ana Bio, a venture-backed precision biologics company focused on autoimmune disease, and as an advisor to the founders of Firefly Biologics. Prior to biotech, Dr. Apple was a partner in McKinsey & Co's life sciences practice. During her nine years at McKinsey in New York and San Francisco, she collaborated with leaders from over 20 biopharma companies to develop their corporate and portfolio strategies, evaluate business development opportunities and improve their organizational effectiveness. Dr. Apple completed her Ph.D. in bioengineering at UC Berkeley and UCSF, and holds a Bachelor of Science in physics from Georgetown University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell Medical College supported by the NIH Kirschtein National Research Service Award.#AlizaApple #Catalyze360 #TuneLab #EliLilly #LillyGatewayLabs #DrugDiscoveryModels #SmallMolecules #AntibodyTherapeutics #InSilicoPropertyPredictions #AI #ML #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #LillyVentures #InnovationHubs #Preclinical #DiscoveryChemistry #StructuralBiology #Toxicology #Immunogenicity #DrugMetabolism #Pharmacokinetics #Pharmacodynamics #ClinicalOperations #SmallMoleculeDrugDevelopment #LargeMoleculeDiscoveryProcess #CorporateVentureCapital #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Leonard Petrucelli, PhD ( https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/petrucelli-leonard-ph-d/bio-00027816 ), is a leading translational neuroscientist and Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic — Jacksonville, where he leads the Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory ( https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/neurodegenerative-diseases/overview ). Dr. Petrucelli's lab seeks to understand and prevent neuronal degeneration and death in diseases characterized by abnormal protein aggregation and defects in RNA metabolism. His team uses a combination of cell biology, induced pluripotent stem cell technology, transcriptomics and mouse modeling to gain insight into disease mechanisms. They then leverage their findings to develop new therapeutic strategies and clinical tools tailored for these complicated disorders. Their current work focuses on a range of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Dr. Petrucelli trained in molecular and cellular biochemistry (Ph.D., Loyola University & Stritch School of Medicine) after earning a B.S. in Biology from Barry University, and he joined Mayo Clinic as a research fellow before rising to professor and department chair. His group combines human neuropathology, cell and molecular biology, and animal models to connect disease-linked genes and protein misprocessing to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Scientifically, Dr. Petrucelli is best known for mechanistic work on aggregation-prone proteins and pathways that underlie neurodegeneration — including seminal contributions on TDP-43 biology, progranulin (GRN) dysfunction, and pathogenic mechanisms associated with C9orf72 repeat expansions — and for translating those findings toward biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. His lab's work appears in high-impact journals and has helped define key pathogenic cascades now pursued by academic and industry drug-development programs. Beyond his laboratory, Dr. Petrucelli serves in prominent advisory and leadership roles across the field: he is a voice on state and national Alzheimer's advisory efforts, has advised disease-focused nonprofits and consortia (including Target ALS and others), and participates on scientific advisory boards for translational ventures. He is also an R35 (Research Program Award) recipient and an investigator with an extensive record of NIH-supported projects investigating mechanisms and potential interventions for FTD/ALS and related dementias. #LeonardPetrucelli #Neuroscience #Neurodegenerative #MayoClinic #Proteinopathies #Tauopathies #AlzheimersDisease #ParkinsonsDisease #AmyotrophicLateralSclerosis #HuntingtonsDisease #PrionDiseases #CreutzfeldtJakobDisease #ProgressiveSupranuclearPalsy #CorticobasalDegeneration #FrontotemporalDementia #ChronicTraumaticEncephalopathy #RichardRainwater #BruceWillis #TauopathyChallenge #RainwaterFoundation #AgingMindFoundation #AlzheimersAssociation #CurePSP #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Robert Allen, PhD is Chief Scientific Officer of Invivyd ( https://www.invivyd.com/ ), a biopharmaceutical company devoted to delivering protection from serious viral infectious diseases, beginning with SARS-CoV-2, by deploying a proprietary integrated technology platform, to create best in class monoclonal antibodies.Dr. Allen brings over 30 years of experience across the infectious disease space, most recently as the Chief Scientific Officer of SmartPharm Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics. During that time, he led efforts to develop gene-encoded monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 that could be quickly adapted to respond to emerging variants of concern. He also served concurrently as Senior Vice President, Antiviral and Oncolytic Immunotherapy Development, at Sorrento Therapeutics. Prior to his time at SmartPharm Therapeutics, Dr. Allen held multiple senior scientific roles across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries including at Sorrento Therapeutics, SIGA Technologies, and the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute. Dr. Allen holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Columbia University, an M.S. in Applied Biology from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Biology from Rhodes College. He has published extensively in the field of virology and completed his postdoctoral training in virology at Washington University in St. Louis and Emory University.#RobertAllen #Invivyd #Biopharmaceuticals #InfectiousDiseases #SARSCoV2 #MonoclonalAntibodies #Immunocompromised #RareViralEpitopes #Pemivibart #PreExposureProphylaxis #Covid19 #EmergencyUseAuthorization #EUA #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Mark Lloyd Davies, Ph.D. is the Global Head for the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Group at Johnson & Johnson ( https://www.jnj.com/ ) where he leads a global team that forges novel strategic public-private partnerships to secure collaborations that accelerate groundbreaking R&D, advances strategies that widen access to care for patients and health systems worldwide, and ultimately unlocks possibilities that transform lives.Dr. Davies has built a distinguished career at the intersection of science, policy, and global health strategy.Before taking on his current global role, Dr. Davies held a number of senior leadership positions within Johnson & Johnson, where he was instrumental in shaping external engagement strategies and guiding policy development in areas ranging from pharmaceutical innovation to public health preparedness, leading strategic initiatives such as the Johnson & Johnson Lung Cancer Initiative.Dr. Davies was previously Chair of the Med Tech Europe Research & Innovation Committee, where he worked on the evolution of the EU funded Innovative Medicines Initiative, as well as at Sanofi, involved in various External Affairs initiatives.Dr. Davies holds a Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in Climate Change, Physical Geography and Geology, and a BSc, Biology and Geography, Earth Sciences, Climate Change, from the University of London, UK.#MarkLloydDavies #StrategicPartnershipsAndResourceGroup #JohnsonAndJohnson #PublicPrivatePartnerships #MedTechEurope #InnovativeMedicinesInitiative #InnovativeHealthInitiative #OperationWarpSpeed #LungCancerInitiative #GlobalNeurodegenerationProteomicsConsortium #Antarctica #ClimateChange #PhysicalGeography #Geology #CARBX #DrugsForNeglectedDiseasesInitiative #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textWade Demmer is Vice President of Research & Development at Medtronic where he is responsible for the development of new generations of pacemakers ( https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/l/patients/treatments-therapies/pacemakers.html ). With extensive expertise in medical technology and innovation, he leads the company's R&D efforts to develop cutting-edge healthcare solutions and is dedicated to advancing medical advancements that improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare delivery.Wade began his career at Intel, where he gained valuable experience in technology development and engineering. Building on his technical expertise, he transitioned into the medical device industry, bringing a strong innovation-driven mindset to healthcare solutions.Wade is best known for his pioneering work on pacemakers, where he contributed to the design and development of advanced cardiac pacing technologies. His innovative approaches have helped improve the reliability, longevity, and patient comfort of pacemaker devices, significantly impacting the field of cardiac care.Wade received his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), with a focus on Computer Engineering, from Iowa State University, and his MBA from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.#WadeDemmer #Medtronic #Pacemaker #MedicalDevice #Defibrillator #Bradycardia #CardiacResynchronization #RateAdaptivePacing #Micra #HeartRhythm #HeartFailure #Arrhythmias #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #Research #Podcast #PodcasterSupport the show

Send us a textProfessor Eyal Zimlichman, MD is an internal medicine physician, a health care executive and a researcher focused on assessing and improving health care quality and value, patient engagement and patient safety.Professor Zimlichman is currently Chief Transformation, Innovation and AI Officer at Sheba Medical Center ( https://www.shebaonline.org/ ), the largest hospital system in Israel and one that is routinely listed among the top 10 on Newsweek's list of best hospitals worldwide. Professor Zimlichman is also the Founder and Director of Sheba's ARC ( Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate - https://arcinnovation.org/ ) innovation program: an open global innovation ecosystem which aims to redesign healthcare through digital health solutions by 2030, focused on connecting entrepreneurs and clinicians, identifying needs, and advancing the development and deployment of new technologies from within hospital settings. Prior to these roles Professor Zimlichman has held the position of Lead Researcher at Partners Health Care Clinical Affairs Department in Boston where he was involved in the efforts to bring about a strategic care redesign initiative. Professor Zimlichman has served on several advisory committees commissioned by the Office of the National Coordinator for health information technology at the US Department of Health and Human Services and is chairing and sitting on several committees at the Israeli Health Ministry.  Professor Zimlichman is also founding member of the International Academy of Quality and Safety in Health Care ( https://isqua.org/networks/isqua-academy.html ).Professor Zimlichman is a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health Executive Health Care Management Master of Science program and earned his MD, specializing in internal medicine, at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.#EyalZimlichman #InternalMedicine #HealthcareExecutive #ShebaMedicalCenter #Israel #OpenInnovation #DigitalHealth #MedicalQualityManagement #Telemedicine #DisruptiveInnovation #TelAviv #ShebaLongevityCenter #ArtificialIntelligence #VirtualReality #Telepsychiatry #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Brigitte Robertson, MD ( https://www.adial.com/team/brigette-roberston-md/ ) is Chief Medical Officer of Adial Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing therapies for the treatment of addiction and related diseases, specifically Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). In the U.S. alone, an estimated 35 million people suffer from AUD, resulting in significant health, social and financial costs. Current treatment options present significant barriers to patient adoption including abstinence and side effects which can lead to social stigmatization.Dr. Robertson has nearly 20 years of academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical industry experience. She has managed global development portfolios across multiple CNS indications, mechanisms, and in biotech, small, and large pharma. Her experience spans all phases of development, from the bench to bedside, and she has actively engaged throughout her career in advancing biomarkers to improve translation and trial outcomes (leveraging precision approaches, omics, wearables and AI). She is a scientific advisor to biotech companies, has served on industry and academic consortia and authored numerous articles published in leading peer-reviewed journals.Dr. Robertson's industry career started at GlaxoSmithKline as a physician scientist in translational medicine for the Center for Excellence in Drug Discovery. She subsequently held senior roles in clinical development at Sepracor/Sunovion, Neurovance, Euthymics, and Shire/Takeda, where she served as VP and the Therapeutic Area Head of Neuroscience. In this last role, she led global clinical development and helped drive the disease area strategy for a large portfolio of early and late-stage assets in neurological, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders, resulting in successful approvals across several indications.Dr. Robertson then served as the Chief Medical Officer of Yumanity Therapeutics, and led development of novel small molecule treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. She comes to Adial from Delix Therapeutics, where she most recently served as CMO, setting the strategy and leading clinical development for their portfolio of psychedelic-related analogs targeting the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, and psychiatric illness including Depression, Anxiety/PTSD, and Substance use.Dr. Robertson completed residency training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, followed by a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry and a second post-doctoral research fellowship, sponsored by the NIH in neuroimaging and psychopharmacology at the University of California in San Diego (UCSD). In addition, she has held faculty positions at CCP Children's hospital in San Diego, USCD, and Duke University.#BrigitteRobertson #AdialPharmaceuticals #Addiction #AlcoholUseDisorder #Ondansetron #DrugRepurposing #5HT3Receptor #SingleNucleotidePolymorphisms  #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #Research #Podcast #PodcasterSupport the show

Send us a textBilu Huang ( https://biluhuang.com/ ) is a visionary scientist dedicated to finding solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. His interdisciplinary work spans multiple fields, including biological aging, dinosaur extinction theories, geoengineering for carbon removal, and controlled nuclear fusion technology.Born in Sanming City, Fujian Province, Huang is an independent researcher whose knowledge is entirely self-taught. Driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of scientific exploration, he has achieved numerous research results through his dedication and passion for science.As a talented theoretical gerontologist,  he proposed the Telomere DNA and ribosomal DNA co-regulation model for cell senescence (TRCS) and he is now using this latest theory to develop biotechnology to rejuvenate cells which will be used to completely cure various age-related degenerative diseases and greatly extend human life at Fuzhuang Therapeutics ( https://lab.fuzhuangtx.com/en/ ).#Aging #Longevity #BiluHuang #FuzhuangTherapeutics #TelomereDNAAndRibosomalDNACoRegulationModelForCell #Senescence #TRCS #DinosaurExtinctionResearch #CarbonRemovalTechnology #ControlledNuclearFusion #TelomereDNA #RibosomalDNA #CellularAging #GeneticProgram #Telomere #P53#ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy ( PICI - https://www.parkerici.org/ ), a 501c3 nonprofit organization driving the next generation of cancer treatment by accelerating the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases.Dr. Knudsen most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where she led both organizations through a period of transformative growth, significantly expanding research investments, advocacy reach, and direct patient support initiatives. Under her leadership, ACS evolved into a unified, high-performing enterprise, increasing revenue by more than 30 percent and broadening its impact to serve over 55 million lives annually. Moreover, Dr. Knudsen developed and scaled innovative programs that included joint ventures and an impact innovation arm to accelerate progress against cancer.Prior to ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as Executive Vice President of Oncology Services at Jefferson Health and Enterprise Director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, growing a multi-state oncology network and spearheading advancements in translational cancer research that increased early access to the most advanced cancer care. A globally recognized expert in prostate cancer, Dr. Knudsen has authored over 200 scientific publications and generated practice-changing discoveries. Dr. Knudsen held leadership roles with organizations including the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the American Association for Cancer Research. She currently serves on the boards of Exai Bio, Paradigm Health, and Research!America, and advises multiple biotech ventures including ArteraAI and Transcarent.Dr. Knudsen holds numerous awards for her scientific and healthcare accomplishments, and this year will be honored with the Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), recognizing her lifetime achievement of outstanding contributions to the field of oncology.Dr. Knudsen holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business. She has been recognized as one of Forbes' “50 Over 50: Women of Impact”, a CNBC Changemaker, and is a CEO Council Member for both the Wall Street Journal and CNBC.#Oncology #Immunooncology #Cancer #KarenKnudsen #ParkerInstituteForCancerImmunotherapy #AmericanCancerSociety #JeffersonHealth #UniversityOfCalifornia #LudwigInstituteForCancerResearch #UniversityOfCincinnati #ProstateCancer #CART #CellTherapy #CheckpointInhibitors #TumorAntigenDiscovery #TumorMicroenvironment #OncolyticViruses #Pluvicto #Philadelphia #CarlJune #JamesAllison #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textAyah Hamdan is the Head of Health, at Plug and Play Tech Center ( https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/ ), where she spearheads strategies that bring together startups, corporations, and investors to solve some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare. Plug and Play Tech Center is one of the world's largest innovation platforms and startup accelerators, headquartered in Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale, California), with innovation hubs across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and are best known for their model bringing together Startup Accelerator Programs, Corporate Innovation Partnerships and Venture Capital Investments under one roof.Ayah's role is pivotal in accelerating the development and scaling of health technologies with real-world impact. Before stepping into this leadership position, Ayah founded Fatima Connect, a digital health venture focused on serving refugee populations—a project that has been recognized in prestigious publications like the Harvard Medical Review. Ayah also has deep experience in research and public health, including roles in epidemiology, clinical studies, and community health initiatives. Ayah holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.#AyahHamdan #PlugAndPlayTechCenter #StartupAccelerator #CorporateInnovation #VentureCapitalInvestments #DigitalHealth #BigDataAnalytics #Diagnostics #HospitalWorkflow #MedicationAdherence #Sensors #Wearables #Telemedicine #AI #VR #AR #ArtificialIntelligence #Longevity #HealthyAging #ChronicDiseaseManagement #RegenerativeCare #Prevention #SaeedAmidi #PejmanNozad #PeterThiel #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Stephanie Psaki, Ph.D. is a public health leader with expertise at the intersection of national security, global health, and equity who is currently both a Senior Advisor, Global Health Policy Center, Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS - https://www.csis.org/people/stephanie-psaki ) and a distinguished senior fellow at Brown School of Public Health ( https://facultyaffairs.sph.brown.edu/people/stephanie-psaki ). Dr. Psaki has held leadership positions across government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and research institutions. She previously served as special assistant to the president and the inaugural U.S. coordinator for global health security at the White House, a role that included overseeing the federal government's response to emerging global health threats such as mpox, Ebola, and Marburg. While on staff at the National Security Council, Dr. Psaki also coordinated U.S. government engagement on issues ranging from ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat, investing in health workers, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, and protecting human rights. Dr. Psaki previously worked for twenty years at NGOs and research institutions, including Partners in Health, FHI 360, and the Population Council, where she led a research center focused on expanding opportunities for young people around the world. Dr. Psaki holds a PhD from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, an MS from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service.#StephaniePsaki #GlobalHealthSecurity #PandemicPreparedness #OutbreakResponse #HIV #AIDS #SexualAndReproductiveHealth #MaternalAndChildHealth #HumanRights #BrownUniversity #CenterForStrategicAndInternationalStudies #CSIS #USDevelopmentPolicy #HumanitarianAssistance #MultilateralHealthInstitutions #FamilyPlanning #Immunization #InfectiousDisease #PublicHealth #Biodefense #Countermeasures #Preparedness #Policy #Surveillance #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textAlex Haro is the Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Chairman of Hubble Network Inc. ( https://hubble.com/ ), a startup building the first global satellite network capable of communicating directly with standard Bluetooth devices—enabling connectivity anywhere on Earth, even without cellular coverage, creating a satellite-enabled IoT platform.Alex is also the Co-Founder of Life360 ( https://www.life360.com/ ), the information technology company that provides location-based services, including sharing and notifications, to consumers globally. He has served on the company's Board of Directors since 2010, and previously held several key leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer and President, where he helped scale the platform from startup to global category leader. Prior to Life360, Alex worked at Orbited, an open-source project enabling real-time browser communication.Alex studied Computer Science at Pomona College and Harvey Mudd College.#AlexHaro #HubbleNetwork #BluetoothToSpace #Life360 #GlobalCoverage #BatteryLife #BluetoothLowEnergy #SmartLuggageTrackers #PetCollars #WildlifeTags #Wearables #Logistics #SupplyChain #InternetOfThings #InternetOfMedicalThings #SatelliteConstellation #RemotePatientMonitoring #Telemedicine #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Adam Rogers, MD is Chief Executive Officer of NervGen Pharma Corp. ( https://nervgen.com/ ) a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to developing innovative treatments to enable nervous system repair in the settings of traumatic injury and disease. NervGen's lead drug candidate, NVG-291, is being evaluated in mid stage clinical trials in an initial target indication, spinal cord injury. NervGen has initiated preclinical evaluation of a new development candidate, NVG-300, in models of ischemic stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injury.Dr. Rogers is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, and previously co-founded and served as CEO of Hemera Biosciences, a clinical stage gene therapy biotech company targeting dry age-related macular degeneration where he oversaw all aspects of the company until the Hemera assets were acquired in December 2020 by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.From 2001 to 2020 Dr. Rogers served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the New England Eye Center of Tufts Medical Center (Boston, MA). Dr. Rogers has published 29 articles in peer reviewed journals and co-authored two textbooks and numerous chapters in major ophthalmic textbooks. Since 2007 he has served on the board of One Family Inc., an organization whose mission is to end homelessness in Massachusetts. He is a member of the Emory University Board of Trustees. Dr. Rogers has a MD from Emory College and Emory School of Medicine.#SpinalCordInjury #SCI #IschemicStroke #AmyotrophicLateralSclerosis #ALS #NervGen #Rehabilitation #RegenerativeMedicine #RegenerativeBiology #ChondroitinSulfateProteoglycans #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textProfessor Dragan Primorac, MD., PhD ( https://www.draganprimorac.com/ ) is a globally recognized physician-scientist whose work spans personalized medicine, regenerative therapies, and forensic genetics. From 2003 to 2009 Prof. Primorac served as the Minister of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.  The Ministry of Science and Education of Croatia is the ministry in the Government of Croatia which is in charge of primary, secondary and tertiary education, research institutions and sports ( https://mzom.gov.hr/en ).Prof. Primorac is the Founder of St. Catherine Specialty Hospital in Zagreb Croatia ( https://www.stcatherine.com/ ), the official hospital of the Croatian Olympic Committee as well as the official hospital of the Croatian Football Federation. St. Catherine Hospital is affiliated with four medical schools and the Ministry of Science and Education recently announced that the St. Catherine Hospital became “Scientific Center of Excellence for the Personalized Medicine" in the Republic of Croatia. Prof. Primorac is also Co-Founder of the International Society for Applied Biological Sciences ( ISABS https://isabs.hr/ ), a global scientific platform organized with Mayo Clinic that brings together Nobel laureates and researchers from over 75 countries. A pioneer in applying DNA technology to identify war victims, he helped establish international standards in clinical and forensic genetics. Prof. Primorac has authored nearly 300 scientific papers, received over 20 international honors including Croatia's highest state awards, and was recently named among the top 2% of global scientists by Elsevier for career impact. Prof. Primorac also serves as professor at Penn State, the University of New Haven, and several European medical schools.Prof. Primorac is an inductee of the Taekwondo Hall of Fame, based in the United States.Prof. Primorac received his medical degree and PhD at University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and did post-doctoral work in Molecular Medicine at The University of Connecticut Health Center.#DraganPrimorac #MinisterOfScienceEducationAndSports #Croatia #InternationalSocietyForAppliedBiologicalSciences #OsteogenesisImperfecta #AdministrationForDetainedAndMissingPersons #ForensicGenetics #RegenerativeMedicine #PrecisionMedicine #PersonalizedMedicine #Genomics #Glycome #CancersOfUnknownPrimary #StCatherineSpecialtyHospital #ClinicalDiagnostics #OncoOriginAI #LiquidBiopsy #MedicalTourism #Nutrigenomics #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Juho Jalkanen, M.D., Ph.D. is CEO and Founder of Faron Pharmaceuticals ( https://faron.com/ ), is a global, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on creating innovative cancer treatments that leverage the patient's own immune system. The Company's lead asset bexmarilimab is currently being investigated in clinical trials as a potential therapy for patients with hematological cancers, with an initial focus on higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR MDS), in combination with other standard treatments.Dr. Jalkanen an experienced biopharmaceutical industry executive with extensive leadership experience across key functional areas including operations, business development, clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs.   Dr. Jalkanen earned a Master´s degree in economics and business administration from the Turku School of Economics and both his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Turku. He is a fully licensed general practitioner and specialist in vascular surgery.#JuhoJalkanen #FaronPharmaceuticals #Bexmarilimab #MyelodysplasticSyndrome #HematologicalCancers #HematologicalMalignancies #BloodCancer #AcuteMyeloidLeukemia #Clever1 #Macrophages #Oncology #Immunooncology #Cancer #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Torkil Færø, MD ( https://thepulsecure.com/ ) is a Norwegian medical doctor, author, documentary filmmaker and photographer whose work sits at the intersection of frontline medicine and practical preventive health. As a clinician who received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from University of Oslo, he's served as both a general practitioner and emergency-room physician, and in 1996 was among the first Norwegian medics to work with Doctors Without Borders in Angola. Over more than two decades as a travelling, freelance physician around Norway, he has conducted tens of thousands of consultations — an experience that shaped his conviction that many modern diseases are rooted in chronic stress and lifestyle mismatches. His debut English-language book, The Pulse Cure ( https://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Cure-revolutionary-balance-optimise/dp/1529437334 - original Norwegian title Pulskuren ), became a national bestseller and has been published internationally. In the book Dr. Færø explains heart-rate variability (HRV) — the tiny variations in the time between heartbeats — and how readily available wearables (smartwatches, rings, chest straps) can give people a real-time window into their autonomic nervous system, sleep, recovery and inflammation. He combines clinical case stories, accessible physiology and hands-on protocols so readers can personalize sleep, exercise, alcohol and relaxation practices based on measurable feedback rather than guesswork. Beyond the book, Dr. Færø translates his ideas through podcasts, public talks and the online community pulskuren.no. His personal health work — applying the same monitoring and behavioral changes he recommends — has driven measurable results: significant weight loss, markedly improved sleep and dramatic reductions in alcohol and fatigue for himself and many of his clients and readers. He frames wearables and HRV as tools to catch problems early, prevent chronic disease and extend healthy, functional years of life.#TorkilFærø #ThePulseCure #HeartRateVariability #Wearables #AutonomicNervousSystem #ParasympatheticNervousSystem #SympatheticNervousSystem #Electrocardiogram #Longevity #Healthspan #Aging #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textAnnalee Kruger is the President of Care Right Inc. ( https://carerightinc.com/ ), a consultancy providing corporate training and consulting services for organizations wanting to learn more about aging, family caregiving, dementia, end-of-life, as well as direct to consumer family caregivers who are realizing caregiving without a plan is not safe, nor sustainable.Annalee has spent over 28 years helping more than 20,000 families navigate the emotional, financial, and logistical complexities of aging, caregiving, dementia, and long-term care planning. She is the founder of Care Right Inc., a global virtual consultancy that develops fully customized Aging Strategies for high-achieving, high-net-worth families. Her white-glove approach guides families through difficult transitions with clarity and compassion. To ensure accessibility, Care Right also offers scalable hybrid and DIY planning options for families with more modest means.In addition to her work with families, Annalee provides workforce solutions for employers who want to support employees dealing with aging loved ones. Options include white-glove Aging Strategy consulting for leadership, product bundles like the Grab and Go e-Binder and The Aging Guide, or the 8-week DIY Aging Plan Hybrid Program, complete with weekly office hours with Annalee to help employees complete their plans. These services help reduce absenteeism, stress, and turnover caused by caregiving crises—preserving employee well-being and workplace productivity. Annalee is also the co-founder of Plan4Life ( https://plan4lifenow.com/ ), home of the Certified Elder Planning Specialist Program, a training and credentialing program that equips financial advisors to better serve aging clients. It teaches advisors how to build deeper relationships and deliver more holistic, aging-informed guidance through a collaborative, team-based approach. She is also the creator of the Aging Strategy Coaching Academy ( ASCA - https://www.joinasca.com/ ), a 150-hour training and certification program for professionals entering the senior care consulting field. As a keynote speaker, Annalee has delivered more than 500 live events and 2,000 webinars on topics including aging planning, dementia care, family dynamics, and caregiver burnout. Her powerful personal stories—like surviving being hit by a bus—resonate deeply with audiences. Her clients include financial firms, healthcare systems, associations, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies seeking to humanize aging in the workplace and improve morale and retention.Annalee is the author of The Invisible Patient: The Emotional, Financial, and Physical Toll on Family Caregivers, a practical guide to navigating caregiving challenges with clarity and compassion ( https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Patient-Emotional-Financial-Caregivers-ebook/dp/B09J64RGJW ).Annalee has her Bachelor of Science in Social Work, from University of Northern Iowa, and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin.#AnnaleeKruger #CareRightInc #Aging #FamilyCaregiving #DementiaCare #EndOfLife #LongTermCare #Plan4Life #AgingStrategyCoachingAcademy #TheInvisiblePatient #SandwichGeneration #SilverTsunami #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Neal Baer, MD ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Baer ) is an award-winning showrunner, television writer/producer, physician, author, and a public health advocate and expert.Dr. Baer lectures on Global Health and Social Medicine and is the Co-Director of the master's degree program in Media, Medicine, and Health at Harvard Medical School ( https://ghsm.hms.harvard.edu/faculty-staff/neal-baer ). Previously, Dr. Baer was Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Community Health at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA where he established the Global Media Center for Social Impact using new media to promote global health.Dr. Baer  was an Executive Producer and showrunner for Designated Survivor, Under the Dome, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and a writer and producer on ER ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0046371/ ). Dr. Baer is an accomplished author with both fictional novels, including Kill Switch and Kill Again, and non-fiction titles, including The Promise and Peril of CRISPR ( https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Peril-CRISPR-Neal-Baer/dp/1421449307 ), a timely collection of essays on the pressing possibilities and risks of gene-editing technology, available at major booksellers.Dr. Baer graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his internship in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles. He received the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Scholarship from the American Medical Association as the most outstanding medical student who has contributed to promoting a better understanding of medicine in the media.  The American Association for the Advancement of Science selected him as a Mass Media Fellow.#NealBaer #HarvardMedicalSchool #CRISPR #GeneEditing #Pediatrics #DesignatedSurvivor #UnderTheDome #LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit #ER #SocialImpact #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #JenniferDoudna #EmmanuelleCharpentier #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Michael Lebenstein-Gumovski, Ph.D. is Senior Scientific Officer and Neurosurgeon, in the Neurosurgery Department, of the Sklifosovsky Clinical and Research Institute for Emergency Medicine, Moscow, Russian Federation ( https://sklif.mos.ru/ ), where his team is engaged in both neurosurgical and experimental practice, conducting advanced research in the field of spinal cord injury restoration, spinal cord transplantation and head transplantation.The Sklifosovsky Institute for Emergency Medicine is a large multidisciplinary scientific and practical center dealing with problems of emergency medical care, emergency surgery, resuscitation, combined and burn trauma, emergency cardiology and acute poisoning.Since 2013, Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski has been studying spinal cord injury, and also developing methods for restoring the full functional and morphological repair of the spinal cord.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski's work is aimed at studying the effect of fusogens on nervous tissue, developing new methods and techniques for treating spinal cord injury, developing methods for its resection and transplantation. The lab develops and studies various methods of neuroprotection, combining methods to achieve better results and the current focus is the study of combination fusogen-induced (PEG-chitosan, Neuro-PEG) axonal restoration of the spinal cord after its complete transection.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski did his doctoral studies in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Stavropol State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski is also a Scientific Advisor to Dowell Bio, Inc. ( https://dowell.bio/ ), a start-up company developing his various technologies.Andrei Panferov is the Chief Executive Officer of Dowell Bio, Inc.  Andrei is a deep-tech entrepreneur and does the Russian-English / English-Russian translations during this episode.#MichaelLebensteinGumovski #DowellBio #SklifosovskyClinicalAndResearchInstituteForEmergencyMedicine #Neurosurgery #SpinalCordInjuryRestoration #SpinalCordTransplantation #HeadTransplantation #EmergencyMedicalCare #EmergencySurgery #Resuscitation #Trauma #SpinalCordInjury #Fusogens #PEGChitosan #Neuroscience #SergioCanavero #Chitosan #PolyethyleneGlycol #EyeTransplant #BrainTransplant #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textCristina Durán is President of Evinova ( https://evinova.com/ ), a healthtech company empowering global life sciences organizations to accelerate better health outcomes with a suite of globally scaled digital health solutions, empowering sites, sponsors and contract research organizations to optimize the entire clinical development lifecycle.Prior to launching Evinova in November 2023, Cristina led AstraZeneca's Digital Health function in Research & Development (R&D) across key therapy areas: Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism; and Respiratory and Immunology.Cristina previously held senior leadership roles at AstraZeneca across global commercial, in-country commercial, finance and R&D, and led a global transformation in clinical development across R&D functions, focusing on patients' experiences and outcomes with benefits delivered globally.Before joining AstraZeneca, Cristina was a senior management consultant at Accenture, leading large transformation programs, including the set up, from scratch, of a new joint venture between two technology companies, which is now a major business for a top retailer, as well as guiding business transformation strategy reviews and implementing global change initiatives for large telecoms.Cristina is passionate about innovation and increasing enterprise value by inspiring organizations to change for the future and has spoken about using innovative technologies to transform patients' lives at conferences, including the Digital Health World Congress, HLTH EU, BiotechX EU, and the Financial Times Global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Conference. Cristina is a chartered accountant (CIMA) and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Leading Enterprise Transformation program.#CristinaDuran #Evinova #AstraZeneca #DigitalHealth #ClinicalTrials #PatientExperience #RemoteMonitoring #DecentralizedClinicalTrials #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textProfessor Dr. Anders Hviid ( https://en.ssi.dk/about-us/contact/employees/a/anders-peter-hviid-aii ) is Head of Department and Professor of Epidemiology at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark — one of the world's foremost public health and infectious disease research centers.Professor Dr. Hviid has dedicated his career to using large-scale population data to answer critical questions in medicine and public health. His expertise lies in pharmacoepidemiology, vaccine safety, and the long-term health outcomes of medical interventions. Over the years, he has become internationally recognized for his rigorous, evidence-based research that directly informs vaccine policy and clinical practice around the world.Perhaps most notably, Professor Dr. Hviid has led groundbreaking studies using Denmark's unique nationwide health registries to investigate the safety of childhood vaccines. His work has been pivotal in debunking claims of links between vaccines and autism, as well as reassuring the global public about the safety of vaccines against influenza, HPV, and COVID-19. These studies are widely cited and have influenced not only European but also global vaccination guidelines.In addition to his research, Professor Dr. Hviid is a frequent contributor to the scientific literature, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications in top journals, and he is often called upon to advise governments, health agencies, and international organizations on vaccine safety and public health monitoring.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Professor Dr. Hviid represents a new generation of epidemiologists who bridge data science, medicine, and public trust — ensuring that scientific evidence can serve as a guide for both policy and individual health decisions.Professor Dr. Hviid received his of Doctor of Medical Science in Epidemiology, from University of Copenhagen and his Master of Science (M.Sc.), in Mathematics and Statistics from Aalborg University.#AndersHviid #StatensSerumInstitut #Pharmacoepidemiology #VaccineSafety #ChildhoodVaccines #Debunking #RfkJr #Epidemiology #UniversityOfCopenhagen #ChildhoodVaccination #Thimerosal #AluminumAdsorbedVaccines #InfectiousDisease #PublicHealth #AntimicrobialResistance #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textCourtney Barriger ( https://www.courtneybarriger.com/ ) is a fashion expert, sustainability advocate, writer, and entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to reimagining the way we create and consume clothing. After building a successful career in the fashion world, Courtney shifted her focus to tackling the urgent environmental and ethical issues caused by fast fashion. She has since launched several sustainability-driven initiatives that combine style with conscious design, helping brands and consumers alike make choices that respect both people and the planet.Courtney's work spans across consulting, content creation, and advocacy, where she educates global audiences about the hidden costs of fashion and the innovations leading us toward a more sustainable future. Through her voice and vision, she has become a leading figure in the movement to transform fashion from one of the world's most polluting industries into one of its greatest opportunities for positive change.Courtney's apparel line Holding Court ( https://holdingcourtinc.com/ ) was featured in Vanity Fair and GQ and won the Sustainability Award at iHollywood Film Festival and the prize of Americas It Girl on the eponymous TV Show on Oprah's WE TV network.Courtney has written investigative pieces and deep dives into culture and power dynamics for the LA Times and has been honored as "The Future of Fashion" by United Nations non-profit, Fashion Fights Poverty.Courtney is also the producer and host of Environmental Style Now, a leading international information hub on sustainable and ethical fashion, where she and contributors explain the science and sustainability of fashion to shoppers and industry pros alike with prominent guests like Adrian Grenier and Fair Trade.Courtney frequently serves as a guest lecturer at universities in the United States and internationally and conducts art exhibitions, films and literature that push the conversation for sustainability in fashion.Courtney is an accomplished author with her book ReFashion Workshop: The Planet Healing Mindset ( https://www.amazon.com/ReFashion-Workshop-Planet-Healing-Courtney-Barriger/dp/1803414227 ) which just came out in April 2025.Courtney studied Communications, International Relations, Broadcasting and Broadcast Journalism at the University of North Florida.#CourtneyBarriger #Clothing #Fashion #Sustainability #FastFashion #HoldingCourt #FutureOfFashion #EnvironmentalStyle #ReFashionWorkshop #CircularManufacturing #SustainableDesign #CircularOffsets #OrganicTextiles #EthicalManufacturing #SustainableClothingCare #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textKurt Avery is the Founder and Owner of Sawyer Products  ( https://www.sawyer.com/) and currently serves as President. Sawyer is a leading provider of high-performance outdoor protection products, specializing in water filtration, insect repellents, sunscreens, and first aid solutions. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Safety Harbor, Florida, Sawyer is committed to safeguarding individuals from microscopic threats in both wilderness and everyday settings. Their innovative products utilize advanced technologies, such as time-released liposome insect repellents, to ensure effective and long-lasting protection. Beyond product development, Sawyer is deeply invested in social responsibility, partnering with over 140 nonprofits across more than 80 countries to provide clean water solutions to underserved communities.Kurt is also the founder of the Sawyer Foundation ( https://www.sawyerfoundation.org/ ) and through initiatives like the installation of Sawyer filters and wells, the company has positively impacted over 28 million lives globally.Before founding Sawyer, Kurt served as a marketer for several globally known brands. Kurt is passionate about and committed to creating disease-free water for life in communities throughout the world. He is a graduate of Hope College and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.Kurt is also an accomplished author with his book Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World ( https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Think-Company-Disrupts-Markets-ebook/dp/B0DNKDRYD5 ) available at all major book sellers.#KurtAvery #SawyerProducts #SawyerFoundation #OutdoorProtectionProducts #WaterFiltration #InsectRepellents #Sunscreens #FirstAidSolutions #GlobalWaterCrisis #WaterborneIllness #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textWarren Roberts is CEO and Founder of Living Legacy Forest ( https://livinglegacyforest.com/ ), an innovative profit-for-purpose company and leader in green memorialization reforestation, which is creating urban memorial forests by turning human (and pet) ashes into trees and living memorial forests, instead of cemeteries, with the ultimate goal of reforesting the planet.With the Living Legacy treatment protocols, the company is focusing on return human ashes to the earth without causing harm to the eco-system, and as human ashes have the same pH as bleach or oven cleaner, and contain 200-2,000 times the amount of salt normally used to fertilize most trees, their organic processes gradually detoxify ashes so they are not harmful to soil and tree health.Living Legacy Forest was founded in Melbourne, Australia and they have successfully created multiple dedicated Living memorial forests, including at sites in Altona, Lillydale and Fawkner. Warren has a Bachelor degree of business in Property from RMIT University. #WarrenRoberts #LivingLegacyForest #GreenMemorialization #Reforestation #UrbanMemorialForests #Cemeteries #Cremation #Burial #LivingLegacyTree #TreeBurial #Taphophile #Funerals #Tombstone  #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Jacob Lalezari, MD is the Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn ( https://www.cytodyn.com/ ), a biopharma company committed to enhancing the lives of patients through target specific medicine and a next generation of monoclonal antibody therapeutics. CytoDyn's team is focused on developing leronlimab, a monoclonal antibody CCR5 receptor antagonist, to be used as a platform drug for a variety of indications. Dr. Lalezari brings over 34 years of industry experience to CytoDyn, including nearly 20 years of experience with leronlimab, also known as PRO 140, and he previously served as interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer and has been a member of the Company's scientific advisory board for the past several years.  Dr. Lalezari has previously served as the CEO and Medical Director of Quest Clinical Research and served as the Chief Medical Officer of Virion Therapeutics. Dr. Lalezari has served as Principal Investigator for Phase I, II, and III clinical studies of new therapies for such viral diseases as HIV/AIDS, CMV, HPV, HSV, Hepatitis B and C, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, including clinical trials conducted by the Company. His work has been published extensively and he is a well-regarded international speaker and patient advocate. Dr. Lalezari received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, his M.A. from the University of Virginia, and his B.A. from the University of Rochester. He also holds a board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine.#JacobLalezari #Cytodyn #MonoclonalAntibody #Leronlimab #CCR5Receptor #CCR5Antagonist #ChemokineReceptor5 #HIV #AutoimmuneDisorders #HIVCoReceptor #Macrophages #DendriticCells #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #TLymphocytes #MetastaticColorectalCancer #PD1 #ProgrammedCellDeathProtein1 #Oncology #Immunooncology #Cancer #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Reynold A. Panettieri, Jr, MD ( https://ritms.rutgers.edu/faculty/reynold-panettieri/ ) is the inaugural Director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, and Vice Chancellor for Translational Medicine and Science, at Rutgers University, and previously served as the Director of the Airways Biology Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Panettieri's interests include the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate airway smooth muscle cell growth and the immunobiology of airway smooth muscle, which lead to the irreversible airflow obstruction and airway remodeling seen in patients with chronic severe asthma. Dr. Panettieri's lab also focuses on cytosolic signaling pathways that mediate gene expression and alter myocyte growth.Dr. Panettieri also served as the Deputy Director of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Pennsylvania. He directed the human exposure chamber that defines the molecular mechanisms regulating ozone- and particulate matter-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.In addition to his research and clinical interests, Dr. Panettieri served as chairperson of the NIH Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section, is a member of the NIH Distinguished Editorial Panel, and is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and Association of American Physicians.Dr. Panettieri has an M.D. from University of Pennsylvania, and completed hisResidency and Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.Important Episode Links - As-Needed Albuterol–Budesonide in Mild AsthmaPublished May 19, 2025New England Journal Of Medicine -https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2504544BATURA Study Press Release - https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/statistically-significant-clinically-meaningful-batura-phase-iii-trial-provide-evidence-airsupra-standard-care-as-needed-rescue-treatment-asthma.htmlAIRSUPRA (albuterol/budesonide) is a prescription medication used as a rescue inhaler for adults with asthma -https://www.airsupra.com/#ReynoldPanettieri #InstituteForTranslationalMedicineAndScience #RutgersUniversity #Asthma #COPD #ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease #AirwaysBiology #UniversityOfPennsylvania #Immunobiology #EnvironmentalHealth #Bronchiectasis #IdiopathicPulmonaryFibrosis #InterstitialLungDiseases #RescueInhalers #Albuterol #AIRSUPRA #Budesonide #Corticosteroid #BATURA #AstraZeneca #Exposome #RespiratoryDiseases #InflammatoryResponse   #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textAlex Reed is a Co-founder, President and CCO of Yokogawa Fluence Analytics ( https://www.fluenceanalytics.com/ ), a manufacturer of systems that produce continuous data streams enabling real-time optimization of manufacturing and R&D processes. The company, formerly known as Fluence Analytics, is a division of the Yokogawa Electric Corporation ( https://www.yokogawa.com/ ).Prior to founding Fluence Analytics, Alex worked as the Associate Director for Operations and Strategy at Tulane-PolyRMC (Center for Polymer Reaction Monitoring and Characterization), an R&D center which is active in fundamental and applied polymer research.​Alex co-founded Advanced Polymer Monitoring Technologies (APMT) in 2012 to commercialize technologies developed at Tulane-PolyRMC. His vision and leadership took the University spin-out from patented laboratory concepts to a company delivering innovative products for process monitoring and optimization for chemical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers.​In 2017 APMT became Fluence Analytics to emphasize its focus on continuous process analytics and better reflect the company's vision for the future of polymer and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As the CEO of Fluence Analytics, Alex works with customers, team members and other stakeholders to develop and execute the strategic vision of the company. Alex serves on the boards for the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition and the Applied Polymer Technology Extension Consortium. Alex holds a B.A. in Economics and Latin American Studies and a minor in Business Administration from Tulane University. In 2016 Forbes recognized Alex as a 30 under 30 recipient, and he has been recognized with several local entrepreneur and innovation awards.#AlexReed #YokogawaFluenceAnalytics #Polymers #Polymerization #Biophysics #Macromolecules #TechTransfer #SmartManufacturing #Biopharmaceuticals #Entrepreneurship #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Paul Jaffe, Ph.D. ( https://www.darpa.mil/about/people/paul-jaffe ) is a Program Manager in DARPA's Tactical Technology Office, where he oversees the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay ( POWER - https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/power ) project, which aims to revolutionize energy distribution through airborne wireless power transfer, enabling high power beaming, radically reshape society's relationship with energy, and unlocking power opportunities everywhere, from energy-starved communities to space colonies and everything in between.Prior to joining DARPA, Dr. Jaffe spent 30 years as an engineer and researcher at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). At the NRL, he led or held major roles on dozens of space missions and breakthrough technology development programs for NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the military services, and other sponsors. These include the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI), the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), TacSat-1, TacSat-4, Operationally Responsive Space (ORS), the Photovoltaic Radiofrequency Antenna Module (PRAM), the Microwave Imager/Sounder (MIS), CARINA, Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS), Power TRansmitted Over Laser (PTROL), Space Solar for Forward Operating Bases and Remote Installations (S2FOBs), the Light-Emitting Rectenna STEM demonstration on the International Space Station (LEctenna), and the Space Wireless Energy Laser Link (SWELL) which was the first demonstration of optical power beaming in space.Dr. Jaffe served as a coordinator of the NRL's seminal studies of the military applications of space solar, and as an editor of the study groups' acclaimed final reports. He was the principal investigator for a ground-breaking research effort involving the development and testing of modules for conversion of sunlight into microwaves. The modules have a number of potential applications, including satellites for space solar, and have been launched and tested in space via the Department of Defense's (DoD) Space Test Program (STP) and have returned valuable data to inform future efforts. He was also the champion for the first power beaming STEM demonstration in space, conducted on the International Space Station by Astronaut Jessica Meir. Dr. Jaffe is the lead author of a 2024 book, "Power Beaming: History, Theory, and Practice", a textbook covering various methods of power beaming, including both RF (microwave) and optical (laser) technologies.Dr. Jaffe received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, graduating with honors. He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.Important Episode Links - - DARPA Connect - https://www.darpa.mil/about/darpaconnect- DARPA breaks power beaming record - https://www.darpa.mil/news/2025/darpa-program-distance-record-power-beaming- Short video explaining the record-breaking effort - https://youtube.com/shorts/l94FsFATQZI?si=Vr29mNBYglP2GnIo- Dissertation on conversion modules for space solar - https://drum.lib.umd.edu/items/dcb3d60d-55bb-4044-9b41-edca792caa4c- How to build a LEctenna - https://www.nrl.navy.mil/STEM/LEctenna-Challenge/- Power beaming book - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Beaming-Scientific-Technologies-Bar-Cohen/dp/9811243107- 2016 space solar pitch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9dQsRv1XDg- More about SWELL - https://www.navy.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?PortalIdSupport the show

Send us a textMartin Burns is the CEO of Bruin Biometrics, a platform company focused on digital solutions for pressure injury prevention and management, where since 2012 he has designed and led the successful journey of Bruin Biometrics' Provizio SEM Scanner ( https://sem-scanner.com/) through the company's concept-to-commercialization “formulas strategy”. Significant milestones along the way that Martin has presided over include FDA de novo Marketing Authorization (2018), CE Marking (2013) and in 2020 he negotiated a global distribution arrangement and investment with Arjo. Martin also has extensive experience in management consulting with prominent firms such as Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In these roles, he led corporate strategy and business transformation projects for medical device and life sciences companies.Martin earned his MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management, where he is a guest speaker on healthcare strategy and medical device marketing courses, and his BA from the London School of Economics.#MartinBurns #BruinBiometrics #PressureInjury #Provizio #BedSores #PressureUlcers #SubEpidermalMoisture #Biocapacitance #MedicalTechnology#ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Ashwin Gopinath, Ph.D. ( https://ashwingopinath.com/ ) is Co-Founder and CTO of Biostate AI ( https://biostate.ai/ ), a startup building generative AI that predicts the evolution of human disease and drug response based on RNA sequencing data. Its patented wet lab technologies, including BIRT (Barcode-Integrated Reverse Transcription), allow affordable and scalable collection of massive amounts of transcriptomic and genomic data. With sites in Houston, TX, Palo Alto, CA, Bangalore, India, and Shanghai, China, Biostate AI is an international company with collaborations with top hospitals, academic researchers, and biotech/biopharma companies. Dr. Gopinath was an Assistant Professor at MIT, working at the intersection of CMOS nanofabrication, molecular self-assembly, biology, and machine learning.Dr. Gopinath earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University, and subsequently worked as a research scientist at Caltech and Google [X].Dr. Gopinath has co-authored over 21 papers in journals including Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).Dr. Gopinath was awarded the 2017 Robert Dirk Prize in Molecular programming for his contributions to merging DND nanotechnology with conventional semiconductor processing.#AshwinGopinath #BiostateAI #GenerativeAI #RNASequencing #OpticalPhysics #DNANanotechnology #DNAOrigami #MolecularDiagnostics #RNAseq #GenAI #Leukemia #MultipleSclerosis #Reactome #TranscriptomicAgePrediction #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Luis Pizarro, MD is Executive Director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative ( DNDi - https://dndi.org/ ), the international, not-for-profit research and development organization focused on discovering, developing, and delivering affordable and patient-friendly treatments for neglected patients around the world.Dr. Pizarro is a medical doctor and global health leader. He also serves as founder and member of the Global Health 2030 think tank ( https://santemondiale2030.fr/en/qui-sommes-nous-english/ ), as scientific advisor for Global Health at Sciences Po Paris, and as board member of Sidaction, a major French public event that started in 1994 in France for raising awareness and collecting charitable funds for AIDS. Having led medical projects for several years in West Africa, Dr. Pizarro became the first CEO of Solthis, from 2007 to 2019, successfully developing the international health and solidarity organization to become one of the leaders in health in West and Central Africa. In 2020, Dr. Pizarro joined Unitaid's leadership team during the COVID crisis to lead the international organization's HIV portfolio and related access programs. Born in Chile, and trained as a medical doctor at the University of Paris, Dr. Pizarro also holds a masters' degree in Political Sciences from Sciences Po and an executive health MBA from a joint program of EHESP School of Public Health, the London School of Economics, and the ESCP European Management School.#LuisPizarro #DNDi #DrugsForNeglectedDiseasesInitiative #GlobalHealth #HIV #ResourceLimitedSetting #PEPFAR #PandemicPreparedness #AntimicrobialResistance #Dengue #Chagas #Leischmaniasis #RiverBlindness #SleepingSickness #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textJason Matuszewski is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of BioStem Technologies ( https://biostemtechnologies.com/ ), a leading innovator focused on harnessing the natural properties of perinatal tissue in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of allografts for regenerative therapies. Jason brings a wealth of experience in strategic operations planning and technical projects management from his rigorous technical background. His diverse expertise includes continuous process improvement, training and development programs, regulatory compliance and best practices implementation, and advanced problem solving. Jason began his career as a technical engineer working for Adecco at SC Johnson in 2009, where he developed comprehensive maintenance plans to support manufacturing processes at scale. He then transitioned to manufacturing and quality engineering for major organizations, including ATI Ladish Forging, Nemak, and HUSCO International, where he spearheaded process design and implementation, solved complex supply-chain and manufacturing problems, and improved product sourcing and purchasing. Jason's philanthropic work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation sparked an interest in biotech, leading him to co-found Biostem Technologies in 2014. As CEO he has leveraged his expertise to optimize tissue sourcing, strategically build out a 6,000 square foot tissue processing facility that is fully compliant with FDA 210, 211, 1271, and AATB standards, and put together an expert team of professionals to support the company's continued growth. Jason holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a minor in Mathematics from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He also serves as a Processing and Distribution Council Member for the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), as well as serves as a member of the Government Affairs committee for BioFlorida.#JasonMatuszewski #BioStemTechnologies #PerinatalTissue #RegenerativeTherapies #ChronicWounds #DiabeticFootUlcers #VenousUlcers #PressureUlcers #AmnioticTissue #TissueAllografts #ExtracellularMatrix #ECM #GrowthFactors #Cytokines #Collagen  #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textBill Taranto is President of the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund ( MGHIF - https://www.msdghifund.com/ ).The Merck Global Health Innovation Fund was established in late 2010 as a strategic response to the challenges surrounding Merck's core business of discovering, developing and marketing innovative drugs and vaccines.Bill has more than three decades of experience in the healthcare industry. MGHIF is a $750m evergreen fund focused on identifying opportunities that are adjacent to Merck's core business of pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Under Bill's leadership, MGHIF has invested more than $1bn in 70 companies, with more than $7bn in exits.Prior to joining Merck, Bill spent 18 years at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in various roles. As VP of healthcare strategy and venture at J&J, he was responsible for evaluating and creating new healthcare business models through venture capital and acquisitions. Prior to joining J&J, Bill spent eight years in investment banking.#BillTaranto #MerckGlobalHealthInnovationFund #Scale #Impact #InvestmentBanking #DrugDiscovery #ClinicalDevelopment #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #RealWorldEvidence #CorporateVentureCapital #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. On-Yee (Amy) Lo, Ph.D. is Assistant Scientist II at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research ( https://www.marcusinstituteforaging.org/who-we-are/profiles/yee-amy-lo-phd ) and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ( https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/147630 ).Dr. Lo is a physical therapist and research scientist who aims to prevent functional decline and enhance functional independence for older adults with mobility impairments by conducting experimental and translational research. She has expertise and experience in physical therapy, biomechanics, neuroimaging, and neuromodulation.Dr. Lo has dedicated her career to enhancing functional independence and quality of life in older adults. Her specific research objectives are:  - To investigate connections between the brain and body that enable safe navigation throughout daily environments.- To innovate rehabilitative interventions that target these brain and body connections to preserve and restore the control of mobility.- To implement the experimental findings into the clinical setting.Dr. Lo's clinical and scientific training in physical therapy, biomechanics, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and gerontology have enabled her to cultivate her passions in conducting translational research to help older adults walk and move safely in real life. She incorporates cognitive, brain, and movement sciences to understand the complex control of gait and mobility, and develop individualized, multi-modal, and patient-centered interventions that can both stand alone and be combined with current evidence-based geriatric rehabilitation programming to improve mobility and mitigate fall risks in older adults. Dr. Lo has a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Pathokinesiology from New York University and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Human Physiology from University of Oregon.#PhysicalTherapy #Biomechanics #Neurophysiology #Neuroimaging #Neuromodulation #Gerontology #TranscranialDirectCurrentStimulation #Gait #Mobility #GeriatricRehabilitation #Cognition #Pathokinesiology #HumanPhysiology #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textGeorge Vradenburg is Founding Chairman of the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative ( DAC - https://www.davosalzheimerscollaborative.org/ ), a pioneering worldwide initiative to prevent Alzheimer's disease, seeking to mirror the success of global efforts against infectious diseases.DAC is extending global research beyond its current focus on traditional Western European ethnic populations into the highly diversified populations of the Global South, where the vast majority of those with Alzheimer's live. By introducing lower-cost screening and diagnostic tools as well as new treatment and prevention modalities in primary care and community health settings, DAC is driving implementation of health system solutions that are appropriate for worldwide application. DAC also promotes the vital importance of brain health throughout the lifespan by addressing cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors, especially in early and mid-life. Absent effective action at scale around the world, by 2050, more than 150 million families and half a billion people will be personally impacted by dementia, creating a social, financial, economic, and global security disaster of historic proportions. DAC was launched in Davos in 2021 by the World Economic Forum and the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease. Mr. Vradenburg is also Chairman and Co-Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer's ( https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/ ), which he co-founded in October 2010 with his late wife, Trish, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending Alzheimer's disease. The organization advocates for increased research funding, policy changes, and provides resources for individuals and families affected by the disease. The organization emphasizes the importance of prevention, early detection, and access to treatment. Mr. Vradenburg was named by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to serve as a founding member of the Advisory Council on Research, Care, and Services established by the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA Council) and has testified before Congress about the global Alzheimer's pandemic. Under Mr. Vradenburg's leadership, UsAgainstAlzheimer's co-convenes both the Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease ( LEAD - https://www.leadcoalition.org/ ) Coalition and the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease. Mr. Vradenburg is also a founding member of the World Dementia Council ( https://www.worlddementiacouncil.org/ ). Mr. Vradenburg has long been a dedicated member of Washington's civic and philanthropic community, serving as Chairman of the Phillips Collection for 13 years.Mr. Vradenburg is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Economic Club of Washington. He has served in senior executive and legal positions at CBS, FOX, and AOL/Time Warner.Important Episode Link - The Davos Brain House Video: A global call to prioritize brain health - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azKVS6SxBy4#GeorgeVradenburg #UsAgainstAlzheimers #AlzheimersDisease #Prevention #EarlyDetection #Brainspan #Healthspan #BrainHouse #BrainEconomy #BrainCapital #WorkplaceBrainHealth #MentalWealth #SocialProduction #Advocacy #Philanthropy #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Lara Nyman, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Research & Discovery at AG1 ( https://drinkag1.com/learn/research/scientific-research ), responsible for leading the company's innovative research efforts to develop cutting-edge nutritional products. In this role, she oversees the research and development of new formulations, ensures the scientific integrity of product claims, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive product innovation. Dr. Nyman previously served as the Chief Scientific Officer at Weo, a water augmentation company, providing strategic guidance and scientific oversight to the company's product development and research initiatives, working closely with their R&D team to identify emerging trends, evaluate new technologies, and translate scientific insights into compelling consumer offerings.Prior to Weo, Dr. Nyman served as Senior Principal Scientist in the Claims Center of Excellence for Consumer Health & Wellness at PepsiCo, leveraging her deep understanding of consumer needs and scientific principles to develop innovative, evidence-based claims for the company's health and wellness products. Dr. Nyman holds a Master of Science (MS) in Exercise Physiology from Southern Connecticut State University, a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from University of Alabama at Birmingham, and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.#LaraNyman #AG1 #AthleticGreens #ExercisePhysiology #Endocrinology #Metabolism #FoundationalNutrition #Wellness #NutrientGaps #NutrientSynergy #Nutrigenomics #Synbiotics #Microbiome #WholeFood #Superfoods #Probiotics #Adaptogens  #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textPedro Sanchez de Lozada is Co-Founder and CEO of Canid ( https://www.canid.io/ ), a company which is modernizing every aspect of providing vaccines in pediatrics, from operations, to finances, to maximizing care. Canid focuses the details of executing a vaccine program so that pediatricians can instead focus on the children. Pedro is a seasoned CEO with a background in early-stage startup development, operations, and marketing at prominent venture-backed companies, including roles as: Director Of Marketing at Merlin, Head of Launch in Washington DC at Rinse, Growth Engineer at Koding, Business Development and Marketing professional at Udemy, and Vice-president of Marketing at Road to Innovative Social Entrepreneurship.Pedro has also served as a Curator at TEDxUChicago, Founder of LogiMD, and was a Fellow at On Deck. Pedro has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago.#PedroSanchezDeLozada #Canid #Vaccines #Vaccination #Pediatrics #VaccineAcquisitionCosts #ReimbursementRates #Overhead #InventoryManagement #ImmunizationInformationSystems #StateImmunizationRegistries #AdvisoryCommitteeOnImmunizationPractices #ACIP #PatientEligibility #Procurement #Pediatricians #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Marc Salzberg, MD is President, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Medical Officer of Airway Therapeutics ( https://www.airwaytherapeutics.com/ ), a biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of biologics to break the cycle of injury and inflammation for patients with respiratory and inflammatory diseases.Dr. Salzberg has more than 25 years of academic and pharmaceutical experience in the management of drug development and clinical research, including medical management of anti-viral drugs clinical development and market introduction including saquinavir and ganciclovir. He spent several years at Roche's headquarters in Basel, Switzerland as well as its affiliate in Toronto, Canada. As Head of Clinical Cancer Research at the Basel University, he co-founded and managed a clinical research network in Switzerland (CCRC).During his career, Dr. Salzberg has successfully managed the growth and acquisition of two contract research organizations benefitting shareholders. He was a founder and President of Pharma Brains, a European boutique CRO, which has been acquired by Medpace, a US based global CRO, after 10 years of successful growth under his leadership. He then served as Vice President of Medical Affairs at Medpace.Dr. Salzberg earned his Medical Doctorate degree from the University of Basel, Switzerland. His medical training and practice include pediatrics/ neonatology and oncology.#MarcSalzberg #AirwayTherapeutics #HumanSurfactantProteinD #Collectin #PathogenRecognition #RespiratoryDiseases  #InflammatoryResponse #BronchopulmonaryDysplasia #ZelpultideAlfa #Covid #Asthma #COPD #Influenza #RSV #ARDS #AcuteRespiratoryDistressSyndrome #ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textPaul Keable is Chief Strategy Officer at Ashley Madison ( https://www.ashleymadison.com/ ) - the global online dating and social networking platform, specifically catering to individuals in committed relationships seeking discreet connections.As Chief Strategy Officer, Paul oversees the strategic direction of Ashley Madison, emphasizing discretion, authenticity, and innovation within the dating industry. Under his leadership, the platform has implemented initiatives such as user verification through government IDs to combat fraudulent activity and build trust among members. Paul has become a prominent figure at the intersection of technology, culture, and societal norms, offering insights on shifting dynamics in relationships and online dating.Prior to Ashley Madison, Paul spent the past two decades in communications, public relations and branding, at agencies including Ketchum and MSL, working with a lot of tier-one brands across both the technology and consumer goods sectors.Paul studied Corporate Communications at Centennial College and English at York University.Important Episode Links - Decoding Gen Z: A global report on non-monogamy, sex, and the desire for discretion - https://www.ashley.date/wp-content/uploads/Gen-Z-Report-USA.pdfYouGov Survey: Relationships, April 2025 - https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Relationships_poll_results.pdf#PaulKeable #AshleyMadison #OnlineDating #CommittedRelationships #DiscreetConnections  #SocietalNorms #DatingTrends #RelationshipNorms #MarriedDating #Discretion #Privacy #Authenticity #Trust #Culture #Polyamorous #Monogamy #MatchingAlgorithms #DigitalIntimacy #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textWilliam Ho is a Co-Founder, and has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of IN8bio ( https://in8bio.com/ ), a biotech company with a mission of developing next-generation therapies for treating cancer, with a focus on gamma-delta T cells, since its inception.  Mr. Ho has worked in the biotechnology industry for nearly 24 years. Prior to the founding of IN8bio, from 2014 to 2017, Mr. Ho was the Founder and Managing Partner at AlephPoint Capital, a private healthcare investment fund. Prior to that, Mr. Ho was at New Leaf Venture Partners, a leading healthcare venture capital firm, where he launched and managed the public investments and cross-over portfolio and served as its Public Investment Director from 2010 to 2014. Previously, Mr. Ho served as a Senior Equity Research Analyst at Bank of America from 2006 to 2009 and an Equity Research Analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co. from 2003 to 2006, covering the biotechnology and life-science tools sectors. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ho was responsible for FP&A and operational analysis at CuraGen Corporation and worked as an Associate on the Healthcare Investment Banking team at Cowen, Inc. Mr. Ho was an inductee into the McMaster University Alumni Gallery in 2020 and previously served as a member of their Dean's Advisory Board for the Faculty of Science. Mr. Ho received an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in Biochemistry from McMaster University.#WilliamHo #IN8bio #GammaDeltaTCells #ImmuneSystem #Glioblastoma #AcuteMyeloidLeukemia #NonSignalingCART #InducedPluripotentStemCells#Oncology #Immunooncology #Cancer #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Thomas Ehmer, Ph.D.  ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/tehmer/ ) is a seasoned technology strategist with over two decades of experience in IT innovation, business development, and R&D within the pharmaceutical industry, and co-founder of the Quantum Interest Group, at Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany ( https://www.emdgroup.com/en ). Dr. Ehmer currently is in the Sector Data Office - AI Governance and Innovation Incubator at Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, where he scouts emerging and disruptive technologies, demonstrating their potential value for R&D applications, with a focus on quantum technologies. Throughout his career at Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, Dr. Ehmer has played a pivotal role in shaping IT strategy, business process optimization, and digital transformation across the entire pharmaceutical value chain, currently focusing on transparent AI and how and where emerging technology can help patients live a better life. His expertise spans technology scouting, business analysis, and IT program leadership, having successfully driven major global projects. Beyond his corporate career, Dr. Ehmer is an active private seed investor and has contributed to quantum computing research and applications in drug discovery, authoring publications on the potential of quantum computing and machine learning in pharmaceutical R&D ( https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9783527840748.ch26 ). Dr. Ehmer holds a Ph.D. in Physics, Biophysics, and Physiology from Heidelberg University and continues to mentor within the German Physical Society / Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG). His forward-thinking approach, combined with deep technical expertise, has earned him multiple innovation awards, and he remains dedicated to bridging the gap between emerging technologies and real-world industry applications.Important Episode Link - Entangled Health Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entangled-health/id1819364423#ThomasEhmer #MerckKGaADarmstadt #Physics #Biophysics #Physiology #GermanPhysicalSociety #QuantumComputing #QuantumSensing #MolecularImaging #Spectroscopy #DrugScreening #Diagnostics #QuantumSensors #QuantumMagnetometers #QuantumGravimeters #Biomanufacturing #QualityControl #Neuroscience #BrainDrugInterface #ReservoirComputing #QuantumMachineLearning #Bioconvergence  #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show