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Science Talks: A conversation hosted by the University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute

Science Talks: A conversation hosted by the University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute

By BIO5 Institute

In our Science Talks podcast, we share the important research and innovation happening at the University of Arizona BIO5 Institute and how it impacts all of us, our state, and our world. BIO5 brings together hundreds of multifaceted experts that include world-class bioscientists, engineers, physicians, and computational researchers in a team science environment designed to creatively solve difficult problems.
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Episode 51: Pioneering technologies in nanoscience and medicine

Science Talks: A conversation hosted by the University of Arizona’s BIO5 InstituteFeb 28, 2024

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22:32
Episode 51: Pioneering technologies in nanoscience and medicine

Episode 51: Pioneering technologies in nanoscience and medicine

See how an interdisciplinary scientific approach shaped the future of molecular diagnostics and personalized healthcare on a global scale. Amy Randall-Barber from the BIO5 institute was joined on Science Talks by Dr. Frederic Zenhausern, director of the Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine (ANBM) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, among many other appointments in the college including in Basic Medical Science, Radiation Oncology, Biomedical Engineering, and Clinical Translational Science. Prior to coming to the university, Dr. Zenhausern co-founded and directed the Flexible Display Center at ASU MacroTechnology Works. He received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Geneva, an MBA in finance from Rutgers University, and his doctorate in applied physics from the Department of Condensed Physics Matters at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Dr. Zenhausern is an inventor, mastering interdisciplinary work in science, technology and healthcare, to drive clinical translation.

Feb 28, 202422:32
Episode 50: Bridging worlds to connect science and storytelling

Episode 50: Bridging worlds to connect science and storytelling

Science ignites curiosity about the natural world, leading people to explore and advocate for it. Amy Randall-Barber from the BIO5 Institute was joined on Science Talks by Caroline Mosley, the senior manager of communications and content at the BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona. Caroline's journey into science began with a fascination for ecosystems, studying invasive species in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later, she moved to Washington, DC, where she worked on protecting marine life and the environment. Now at the UArizona BIO5 Institute as the senior manager of communications and content, Caroline crafts compelling narratives that highlight the institute's groundbreaking research and innovations. She tirelessly bridges the gap between science and society, utilizing innovative communication channels to highlight the institute's pioneering work.

Feb 07, 202412:54
Episode 49: Growing “mini organs” to study the immune system and cancer

Episode 49: Growing “mini organs” to study the immune system and cancer

Cancer is an incredibly complex disease. To better understand how it interacts with the human body, researchers in the lab grow organoids, miniature three-dimensional tissue cultures derived from stem cells. Amy Randall-Barber from the BIO5 Institute was joined on Science Talks by Dr. Martha Dua-Awereh who uses organoids to study colorectal and pancreatic cancer with the Alfred Bothwell lab in the Department of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson. Dr. Dua-Awereh earned her PhD from the Department of Systems Biology and Physiology at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and was a 2023 BIO5 Postdoctoral fellow. She is the first in her family to live in Arizona, and additionally has several other firsts that are discussed in the interview.


*As of the publication of this podcast and interview, Dr. Martha Dua-Awereh has taken a position as researcher at Avery Therapeutics, Inc. and Dr. Alfred Bothwell has left the University of Arizona. 

Jan 17, 202429:38
Episode 48: Women's health, the microbiome and how bacteria can affect cancer
Jan 10, 202412:56
Episode 47: From wetlands to the desert, how can we make agriculture more climate-friendly?
Dec 12, 202326:45
Episode 46: Good mentorship, bad virus: A journey in molecular biology
Nov 07, 202317:01
 Episode 45: The road to discovery is winding

Episode 45: The road to discovery is winding

The field of public health has become even more critical in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health professionals must balance strategic thinking with compassionate thinking, and must truly be able to collaborate on the state, national, and global levels. Today, we are joined by physician and scientist Dr. Purnima Madhivanan. Dr. Madhivanan is an Associate Professor of Public Health, Medicine, Psychology, and Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona, as well as a member of the UA’s BIO5 Institute and  Cancer Center. She is currently the Director of the MCH program as well as the NIH funded Global Health Equity Scholars (or GHES) Training Program at UA, and she serves as a co-PI for the GHES consortium in collaboration with Stanford, Yale and the University of California at Berkeley. She completed her medical training in India, received a MPH/PhD in Epidemiology from the University of California Berkeley, and completed her postdoctoral training at San Francisco Department of Public Health on Clinical Trials Management. Dr. Madhivanan is an epidemiologist and biomedical researcher examining the intersection of infectious diseases and cancer using -omics technology. Her current work is examining the vaginal and gut microbiome and their role in women's reproductive health.

Dec 19, 202233:32
Episode 44: See one, do one, teach one: The importance of paying it forward as scientists

Episode 44: See one, do one, teach one: The importance of paying it forward as scientists

With metabolic processes being a complicated aspect of biology, it takes specially trained scientists with a respect for the multidisciplinary approaches to tackle the science and the innovation related to this area. Today, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Snider, an Associate Professor of Nutritional Science and Cancer Biology at the University of Arizona. Having received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dr. Snider aims to understand more about fatty acids and their effect on inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases including colorectal cancer. She is a member of the BIO5 Institute and most recently was selected a 2022 Women of Impact recipient for UArizona Research, Innovation & Impact based on her commitment to the university’s mission and values, an application of skills toward discovery and innovation, the enrichment of our community, and the empowerment of others to ensure lasting change.

Dec 05, 202233:35
 Episode 43: Epigenetics, asking questions, and why failure teaches us more than success

Episode 43: Epigenetics, asking questions, and why failure teaches us more than success

Epigenetics, or the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself, is a very important and complex research interest. Currently, we are just now starting to understand how and when epigenetic information is passed from generation to generation through work done at the Mosher lab. At the Mosher lab, plant sciences are utilized to their full potential so advancement in the study of genetics/epigenetics can occur. Today, we are joined by fellow scientist Dr. Rebecca Mosher. Dr. Mosher is the Associate Director at the School of Plant Sciences and Associate Professor of Genetics, Plant Sciences, and Applied Bioscience here at the University of Arizona. Dr. Mosher is also a collaborator and member of the BIO5 Institute.

Nov 21, 202233:60
Episode 42: Neurological research extending the frontiers of scientific knowledge
Nov 07, 202228:30
 Episode 41: Embracing the mind-body connection

Episode 41: Embracing the mind-body connection

Stress is a constant factor in the daily lives of many. BIO5 researchers are working to assess the risks affecting us when feeling overwhelmed and understand the connection between health and emotions. BIO5 member Dr. Esther Sternberg is a Professor of Medicine, Professor of Psychology, and the current Director of Research at the University of Arizona's center for integrative medicine. She is recognized by the national library of medicine as one of 339 influential women “who changed the face of medicine.  Dr. Sternberg's research investigates the interconnected aspects of health such as the mind, body, and environment.

Oct 22, 202247:35
Episode 40: Reducing costs and promoting health with smartphone microscopy
Oct 10, 202229:04
Episode 39: PHighting PHthalate exposure to improve PHertility
Aug 01, 202222:12
Episode 38: Deciphering mental illness and supporting women in medicine and science
Jul 19, 202227:36
 Episode 37: Tackling COVID-19 with research and science communication

Episode 37: Tackling COVID-19 with research and science communication

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in developing countries and ignite grand challenges like pandemics. BIO5 researchers are working to develop better prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies to decrease the global burden of these diseases. BIO5 member Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya is a professor of immunobiology, and associate professor of surgery, genetics, and cancer biology. Dr. Bhattacharya merges stem cell biology and immunology to understand the development of white blood cells and to devise novel strategies to fight illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and Dengue virus.

Jul 04, 202228:34
Episode 36: Outshining the sun to squash skin cancer
Jun 20, 202232:37
Episode 35: Big tools for big data
Jun 09, 202226:13
Episode 34: Regenerating hearts and overcoming failure
May 23, 202228:11
 Episode 33: Tackling traumatic brain injury head-on
May 09, 202225:17
Episode 32: Sleep, inflammation, and COVID-19
Apr 25, 202239:53
Episode 31: Vertical farming: a sustainable solution to feeding more with less
Apr 11, 202221:58
Episode 30: Where blood flow meets brain diseases

Episode 30: Where blood flow meets brain diseases

Certain diseases like Alzheimer’s and high blood pressure are known to alter the link between brain activity and blood flow changes in the brain, leading to improper blood flow delivery to brain cells. This eventually leads to the death of brain cells and cognitive decline. Dr. Paulo Pires, assistant professor of physiology and surgery and BIO5 member, studies how blood flow to the brain changes between healthy and disease states, with an eye on possible therapies that can improve blood flow to mitigate disease.

Mar 28, 202229:42
Episode 29: Bringing hope to pediatric transplant patients and their families
Mar 14, 202231:27
Title: Episode 28: Seamless wearable and implantable devices to support our lives
Feb 28, 202228:56
Episode 27: Little sensors solving big problems
Feb 14, 202227:04
Episode 26: Inspirational female leaders in STEM

Episode 26: Inspirational female leaders in STEM

Description: Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, but only 27% of the STEM workforce. The University of Arizona and the BIO5 Institute are working to combat this gender inequity, and Dr. Betsy Cantwell, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Dr. Jennifer Barton, BIO5's director, are leading the charge. Cantwell and Barton share tips for succeeding as a woman in STEM, particularly engineering, as well as how they navigate the intersection between STEM and business to bring valuable innovations to their stakeholders.

Jan 18, 202238:25
Episode 25: Increase your ZZZs with three simple tips

Episode 25: Increase your ZZZs with three simple tips

About one-third of Americans aren't getting the right amount of shut-eye on a daily basis - but how many hours should you really be getting? Can you make up for poor sleep with a nap? How can you fall asleep - and stay asleep? Dr. Michael Grandner, Director of the UArizona Sleep and Health Research Program and Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the Banner-University Medical Center, gives us the secrets to a better night's sleep. The professor of several disciplines also tells us why good sleep is not just important for our mood, but it's essential to promoting cardiovascular health, as well as preventing obesity and diabetes.

Jan 04, 202235:16
Episode 24: Female education and empowerment
Dec 06, 202135:07
Episode 23: Culture counts
Nov 22, 202129:34
Episode 22: Innovation happens one breath at a time

Episode 22: Innovation happens one breath at a time

One in every 13 Americans suffers from asthma. UArizona Regents’ Professor, Dr. Fernando Martinez, also a former director of the BIO5 Institute, describes how witnessing his mother’s asthma attack ignited his passion to research and treat patients with this condition. The Director of the Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center shares what the buzzwords “transdisciplinary” and “innovation” mean to him, and how he keeps both of these factors in mind when studying genetic and environmental interactions when thinking about potential treatments and a cure for asthma.

Nov 08, 202133:35
Episode 21: Racing cars, hunting microbes, and mentoring diverse scientists

Episode 21: Racing cars, hunting microbes, and mentoring diverse scientists

Microbes such as bacteria, plants and fungi far outnumber the human population on Earth. BIO5 member Dr. Paul Carini shares how these microscopic organisms are essential to our health, as well as how they support life on Earth through their roles in the carbon cycle and beyond. Carini, an assistant professor of soil/subsurface microbial ecology genetics and plant sciences  also discusses the importance of supporting diversity in STEM by not only providing opportunities for underrepresented groups, but by tailoring mentoring to each individual.

Oct 25, 202128:28
Episode 20: Tortoises, genetics, and core facilities

Episode 20: Tortoises, genetics, and core facilities

Transdisciplinary research unites researchers from different backgrounds to integrate and move beyond discipline-specific approaches to address today’s grand bioscience and biomedical challenges. Dr. Taylor Edwards, clinical manager and development scientist at the University of Arizona Genetics Core, shares how the UAGC core facility brings together researchers and samples across the university to tackle projects spanning COVID-19, environmental science, and more. Though the projects vary, Edwards says that a common theme of DNA unites them.

Oct 11, 202129:36
Episode 19: Drugging the “undruggable” targets in GI cancers
Sep 27, 202129:14
Episode 18: Pathogens of the female reproductive tract

Episode 18: Pathogens of the female reproductive tract

Bacteria were among the first forms of life on earth, and while some strains cause infection or spoil food, others are essential to providing nutrients to plants, fermenting foods, and supporting our gut and reproductive health. Dr. Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, associate professor of basic medical sciences, as well as obstetrics and gynecology at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, explains how the delicate balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria affect the health of the female reproductive tract. She shares how her research will ultimately help to develop better diagnostics, preventatives and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, gynecological cancer, and more.

Sep 13, 202129:09
Episode 17: From laboratory research to science communication

Episode 17: From laboratory research to science communication

Pursuing a doctorate in STEM doesn’t mean one is destined for a life at the lab bench. Dr. Brittany Uhlorn, coordinator of marketing and communications at the BIO5 Institute, shares why she transitioned to science communication after obtaining a doctorate in cancer biology. She also discusses how her training as a bench scientist benefits her new career writing stories for lay audiences and co-hosting Science Talks.

Aug 30, 202132:57
Episode 16: Predicting drug toxicity and flood risk with data science
Aug 16, 202132:20
Episode 15: Tackling neuro-infectious diseases as a physician-scientist
Aug 02, 202131:51
Episode 14: Transforming through BIO5 engagement

Episode 14: Transforming through BIO5 engagement

By engaging students in hands-on experiential learning and providing them with a world-class education, these budding young minds can blossom into productive members of the STEM workforce. Ryan Hunt has taken advantage of several opportunities provided by the BIO5 Institute, including the KEYS high school internship program, undergraduate research, and a student job with the public affairs team. Hunt shares how each role within BIO5 has impacted him both personally and professionally. He also talks about his love for art and science, and how the two can be combined to communicate science with researchers and the public alike.

Jul 19, 202121:19
Episode 13: Uncovering the role of soil microbes on climate change
Jul 06, 202125:45
Episode 12: Building self-confidence through near-peer mentorship

Episode 12: Building self-confidence through near-peer mentorship

High school and undergraduate students are tested academically and personally by lessons learned during these transformative years. While seasoned professionals can help to guide students by sharing their knowledge, near-peer mentors can often have a bigger impact through similar experiences. BIO5 Public Affairs Student Assistant Jordan Pilch discusses how her roles in the KEYS summer internship program - both as an intern and as a mentor - have not only shaped her career path but also taught her a lot about self-confidence and self-efficacy. She also shares how she imparts this wisdom as a facilitator and near-peer mentor for the BIO5 Ambassadors Internship.

Jun 21, 202131:54
Episode 11: Giving back through mentorship and opportunity
Jun 07, 202129:47
Episode 10: Transforming the textbook into a real-world experience

Episode 10: Transforming the textbook into a real-world experience

Most high school students - let alone college students - ever receive the opportunity to apply lessons learned in their STEM textbooks to solving real-world problems. Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) coordinators Brooke Moreno and Kelle Hyland discuss how the BIO5 Institute’s flagship high school research internship program solves this problem. They’re also joined by two KEYS Crew leaders - BIO5 Outreach and Engagement Specialist Marissa Romero and BIO5 Public Affairs Student Assistant Robyn Pratt - who share what makes this program so unique as they gear up for the launch of 2021 program on June 7.

May 25, 202132:51
Episode 9: Supporting the next generation of STEM professionals
May 10, 202132:41
Episode 8: Personalizing treatments with the power of computers

Episode 8: Personalizing treatments with the power of computers

In the era of precision medicine, scientists and physicians are constantly looking for ways to innovate and personalize disease treatment. Dr. Yves Lussier, former BIO5 Associate Director and Associate Vice President and Chief Knowledge Officer at UArizona Health Sciences, discusses how technology and a bioinformatics approach can help us better understand diseases like COVID-19 and tailor treatments to each individual.

Apr 26, 202125:11
Episode 7: The importance of storytelling and collaboration

Episode 7: The importance of storytelling and collaboration

Today’s biggest scientific questions cannot be conducted "in a vacuum.” Dr. Kate Rhodes, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Maggie So’s lab, shares how the BIO5 Institute fosters the cross-disciplinary work that is necessary to solve these problems. She also talks about her research on a bacterial strain that causes gonorrhea, a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Dr. Rhodes, a two-time recipient of the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship, discusses how she employs storytelling through grant writing and public communications.

Apr 07, 202124:37
Episode 6: Viruses, vaccines and advocacy
Mar 26, 202131:38
Episode 5: Infecting others with a love for science

Episode 5: Infecting others with a love for science

Human cytomegalovirus persists in the majority of the population worldwide and is the leading cause of infectious disease-related birth defects. Dr. Felicia Goodrum, a professor of cellular and molecular medicine, cancer biology, genetics, and molecular and cellular biology, discusses her work on this public health concern. She also shares how she “infects” others with a love for science through science communication and public outreach. The self-proclaimed lifelong learner also talks about the importance of a two-way mentorship relationship.

Mar 11, 202132:57
Episode 4: Finding our new normal

Episode 4: Finding our new normal

Now a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we're eager to return to life as it once was - but is that possible? If not, what does our "new normal" look like? Dr. Bonnie LaFleur, a BIO5 member and research professor of biostatistics, discusses how the different COVID-19 testing methods and vaccination efforts will enable us to one day go back to our old ways of lives. She also stresses that building "social contracts" with those in our inner circle are essential to keeping ourselves and others safe.

Feb 25, 202133:56
Episode 3: Pursing wellness amid COVID-19

Episode 3: Pursing wellness amid COVID-19

Over the past year, many have become more interested in ways to support their mental, physical and emotional well-bring. Dr. Floyd "Ski" Chilton, BIO5 member and Director of the Precision Nutrition and Wellness Initiative discusses the upcoming Precision Wellness in the Time of COVID-19 public series that aims to educate the public and help them pursue health, both during the pandemic and for years to come. Chilton also shares how he pursues mindfulness and well-being, and how he imparts these messages on others through his research, outreach and books.

Feb 10, 202127:23
Episode 2: Novel treatments for COVID-19

Episode 2: Novel treatments for COVID-19

Soon after the pandemic started, more than half a million dollars was rapidly reallocated to supply 13 interdisciplinary teams with immediate funding to pursue basic science, technology, clinical or population-based research projects that directly address COVID-19.

Dr. Jianqin Lu, BIO5 member and assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy, discusses his two BIO5 COVID-19 seed grant projects. The first focuses on the use of nanotechnology to improve efficacy and minimize toxicity of anti-malarial drugs against COVID-19, while the second project explores whether enhancing COVID-19 patients’ immune systems can treat their infections.

Feb 04, 202128:34