Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us a textDr. Marco de Baar, Ph.D. is a full professor and Chair of Plasma Fusion Operation and Control at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Eindhoven University of Technology ( TU/e - https://www.tue.nl/en/research/researchers/marco-de-baar ). In addition to his work at TU/e, Dr. de Baar is also head of fusion research at the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research ( DIFFER - https://www.differ.nl/ ) located on the TU/e campus. As member of DIFFER's management team, he has also served as the Dutch representative in the European fusion research consortium EUROfusion ( https://euro-fusion.org/ ). From 2004 to 2007, Dr. de Baar headed the operations department at JET (Joint European Torus), Europe's largest fusion experiment to date, where he was responsible for the successful operation and development of the reactor. From 2007, he was deputy project leader in the international consortium that develops the upper port launcher. He is program-leader for the Magnetohydrodynamics stabilization work package in ITER-NL ( International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor - https://www.iter.org/ ). Dr. de Baar’s main scientific interest is the control of nuclear fusion plasmas, with a focus on control of Magnetohydrodynamics modes (for plasma stability) and current density profile (for performance optimization). In his research program, all elements of the control loops are considered, including actuator and sensor design, and advanced control oriented modelling. He also has a keen interest in the operations and the remote maintainability of nuclear fusion reactors.Dr. de Baar's research largely focuses on understanding and controlling the turbulent plasma in a fusion reactor or tokamak: hot, charged and magnetised gas. Fusion could be a clean, safe, large-scale energy source, but the big challenge to realizing commercially attractive fusion energy is protecting the wall of the fusion reactor against the hot fusion exhaust.In the research program Dr. de Baar is carrying out with DIFFER, the aim is to start managing the heat load inside the plasma, and bring the energy to the wall in a controlled way. As a physicist, Dr. de Baar has a strong interest in control engineering, as the two fields make it possible to combine very different viewpoints.Dr. de Baar received his Ph.D. is physics from TU/e and also holds an MSc in experimental physics from the University of Utrecht. #MarcoDeBaar #EindhovenUniversityOfTechnology #PlasmaFusion #FusionResearch #DutchInstituteForFundamentalEnergyResearch #EUROfusion #DIFFER #JointEuropeanTorus #InternationalThermonuclearExperimentalReactor #Magnetohydrodynamics #PlasmaStability #ControlEngineering #Tokamak #ControlTheory #FusionEnergy #Nuclear #ITER #Thermonuclear #ExperimentalPhysics #Energy #PlasmaPhysics #NuclearFusion #Tritium #Deuterium  #InertialConfinementFusion #MagneticConfinementFusion #SustainedPlasmaBurns #FuelCycle #ElectricityGeneration #BurningPlasma #TritiumBreeding #BreedingBlankets #EdgePlasma #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities  #Science #Engineering #Technology #STEMSupport the show

Send us a textProfessor Dr. Afsaneh Rabiei, Ph.D. is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University ( https://mae.ncsu.edu/people/arabiei/ ) and a leading innovator in advanced materials engineering. She is also the founder and CEO of Advanced Materials Manufacturing ( https://advancemnm.com/ ).Prof. Rabiei is best known for inventing Composite Metal Foam, a novel class of lightweight, high-performance materials that combine exceptional strength, energy absorption, and multifunctional capabilities.Prof. Rabiei’s research sits at the intersection of materials science, mechanical engineering, and real-world application, with a particular focus on materials that can improve safety, resilience, and performance in extreme environments. Prof. Rabiei holds a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from the Sharif University of Technology, a Ph.D. in Advanced Materials from the University of Tokyo, and conducted her post-doctoral research at the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University in Boston. Over the course of her career, Professor Rabiei has led and collaborated on research supported by government agencies and industry partners, translating fundamental materials science into technologies with potential applications in defense, transportation, nuclear energy, space systems, and critical infrastructure. In addition to her research contributions, she is a dedicated educator and mentor, committed to training the next generation of engineers and materials scientists.Prof. Rabiei’s work exemplifies how innovative materials can redefine what’s possible—turning bold ideas from the laboratory into solutions for some of society’s most demanding engineering challenges.#AfsanehRabiei #NorthCarolinaStateUniversity #MechanicalEngineering #AerospaceEngineering #AdvancedMaterialsManufacturing #CompositeMetalFoam #BallisticResistance #ArmorSystems #BlastMitigation #RadiationShielding #NeutronShielding #ExtremeEnvironments #ThermalStress #AcousticPerformance #MaterialScience #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, MD, MPH is the Public Health Officer, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), County of San Diego ( https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/public-health-officer-.html ).Dr. Thihalolipavan is a board-certified physician in Public Health and Preventive Medicine with a distinguished public health career that started in New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Medical Director of Tobacco Control and Chronic Disease Prevention. He joined the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency 10 years ago as the County’s Deputy Public Health Officer in Public Health Services. Most recently Dr. Thihalolipavan worked as a Public Health Medical Officer within the Medical Care Services Department where he led HHSA’s justice-involved health efforts. He has served as a liaison with health and justice partners to improve care coordination for individuals before, at and after incarceration as well as collaborating with community, justice and other partners on various initiatives to prevent and reduce incarceration. He has helped lead the countywide Street Medicine Initiative (which facilitates and enhances the direct provision of health care to the unsheltered homeless where they live), bringing together lived experience voices, community street medicine providers, and Medi-Cal Managed Care plans to collaborate on how to expand the capacity of street medicine in San Diego County. He also supports the County’s response to the Tijuana River Valley transboundary sewage and pollution crisis.  Dr. Thihalolipavan has played a pivotal role in multiple County public health responses. These include the Covid-19 pandemic, Hepatitis A, meningococcal, Zika, and opioid epidemic among others. During the pandemic, he drafted and reviewed health alerts, public communications and health orders. He also led a team of medical experts to communicate with various communities and stakeholders.    Recently, Dr. Thihalolipavan worked with the Medical Examiner, Public Health Services , and others to conceptualize the idea of overdose fatality reviews, which was sponsored and passed as legislation (AB 2871) in California’s last legislative cycle . In 2021, he served as the Interim Tuberculosis Control and Refugee Health Medical Director while the position was being filled.      Throughout his career, Dr. Thihalolipavan has cherished direct clinical time with patients. Efforts include helping NYC government employees quit smoking at the City’s government smoking cessation clinic, working in San Diego County’s sexual health clinic for a year, providing medical oversight and consultations to nurses at isolation hotels and at the Convention Center’s homeless shelter during the pandemic. For many years and through spring 2025, he would take occasional shifts as a tuberculosis clinic physician.     Dr. Thihalolipavan holds a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and a Medical Degree from New York University School of Medicine. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the San Diego County Top Doctors award in 2022 and the Kresge Foundation Emerging Leaders in Public Health award in 2018, and has led or contributed to various peer-reviewed publications.#SayoneThihalolipavan #PublicHealthOfficer #HealthAndHumanServicesAgency #CountyOfSanDiego #JusticeInvolvedHealth #StreetMedicineInitiative #OpioidEpidemic #Ebola #Pertussis #HealthMisinformation #Trust #Vaccination #Aging#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Christie M. Ballantyne, MD is a Cardiologist and is one of the nation’s foremost experts on lipids, atherosclerosis and heart disease prevention. He holds many leadership positions at Baylor College of Medicine ( https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/christie-ballantyne-17846 ), including director of the Center for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention, co-director of the Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis Clinic, and chief of the Section of Cardiology. With over 1000 publications in the area of atherosclerosis, lipids, and inflammation, Dr. Ballantyne’s research on heart disease prevention has led him to become an established investigator for the American Heart Association and the recipient of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health with a core focus on in basic research of leukocyte–endothelial interactions, translational research in biomarkers, and clinical trials.Dr. Ballantyne’s many accomplishments have included being elected as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians. In 2012, he received the American College of Cardiology Distinguished Scientist Award (Basic Domain). In 2014 and 2015, Thomson Reuters recognized Dr. Ballantyne as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.” Clarivate Analytics, Web of Science, named Dr. Ballantyne as a “Highly Cited Researcher” 2017-2022 in the top 1% of researchers most cited. In 2019, Dr. Ballantyne was awarded the Baylor College of Medicine Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Excellence in Research Award. His research in biomarkers has led to the FDA approval of 2 biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction, and he has played a prominent role in the development and FDA approval of new therapies for treatment of lipids.Dr. Ballantyne also serves on the Editorial Board for Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine with internal medicine residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and cardiology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and an AHA fellowship at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Institute for Molecular Genetics at Baylor.Dr. Alexander Tal, MD is an accomplished and recently retired board-certified Endocrinologist ( https://www.doximity.com/pub/alexander-tal-md ) with extensive training from institutions like Baylor College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University/Quillen College of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center of Chicago and Tel Aviv University Sackler, where he specialized in Diabetes, Metabolism, and Geriatric Medicine, and held Fellow status with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, treating various hormonal conditions.Important Episode Link - Merck’s Enlicitide Decanoate, an Investigational Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor, Significantly Reduced LDL-C in Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids Trial - https://www.merck.com/news/mercks-enlicitide-decanoate-an-investigational-oral-pcsk9-inhibitor-significantly-reduced-ldl-c-in-phase-3-coralreef-lipids-trial/#ChristieBallantyne #Cardiologist #Lipids #Atherosclerosis #HeartDiseasePrevention #BaylorCollegeOfMedicine #CardiometabolicDisease #LipidMetabolism #Cardiology #AlexanderTal #Endocrinologist #Diabetes #Metabolism #GeriatricMedicine #Merck #Enlicitide #OralPCSK9Inhibitor #Statins #Ezetimibe #Hypercholesterolemia #apoB #Lpa #Lipoproteins #Healthspan #Longevity #Aging #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Philip Huang, MD, MPH is the Director of Dallas Health and Human Services ( https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/  ), which is a nationally accredited public health department responsible for providing health and social services that protect the health and well-being of over 2.6 million people that call Dallas County home. Dr. Huang previously served as the Medical Director and Health Authority for Austin Public Health for 11 years. Dr. Huang also formerly served as Medical Director for Chronic Disease Prevention at the Texas Department of State Health Services and Chief of the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Tobacco Prevention at the former Texas Department of Health (TDH). Dr. Huang received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Rice University, his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and his Master of Public Health degree from Harvard with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. Dr. Huang completed his residency training in Family Medicine at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, and served two years as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assigned to the Illinois Department of Public Health where he conducted epidemiologic studies in chronic disease and infectious disease outbreak investigations. Dr. Huang is an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the University of Texas School of Public Health and also with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health. He has served as Principal Investigator for numerous CDC and State-funded public health cooperative agreements. He recently received national recognition by Governing Magazine as one of six “Public Officials of the Year” for 2024.#PhilipHuang #DallasHealthAndHumanServices #PublicHealth #CDC #EpidemicIntelligenceService #Cyclospora #ChronicDiseasePrevention #TobaccoPrevention #CommunicableDisease #CancerControl #CardiovascularHealth #InfectiousDisease #PediatricAsthmaSurveillanceSystem #MentalAndBehavioralHealth #SexualHealth #HealthEquity #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #Vaccination #BigCitiesHealthCoalition #NationalAssociationOfCountyAndCityHealthOfficials #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textThomas Gaffney is the COO of OFA Group ( https://www.ofacorp.com/ ), which through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Office for Fine Architecture Limited, is a premier architectural firm that provides comprehensive architectural services, including design and fit out services for commercial and residential buildings. OFA’s mission is to leverage not just expertise in architectural design, but also tools like AI and digital assets, to maximize the potential of every property, ensuring that its unique attributes are highlighted and enhanced. The OFA Group is focused on innovation, efficiency, and scalability in it's business model and service offerings.Mr. Gaffney is a seasoned startup financing attorney with over a decade of experience representing and advising technology startups throughout their growth journey, from seed stage through to IPO or strategic acquisitions. His expertise encompasses venture capital financing, equity structuring, and navigating the complex legal landscape of the tech industry. Mr. Gaffney holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law.#ThomasGaffney #OFAGroup #OfficeForFineArchitectureLimited #ArchitecturalServices #AI #DigitalAssets #Architecture #Regulation #Compliance #Sustainability #RealEstate #ArtificialIntelligence #PlanAid #BuildingCodes #RealWorldAsset #Hearth #Tokenization #DigitalTokens #Blockchain #Web3 #QikBIM #SeniorHousing #SeniorCare #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Edward Holland is a world-renowned leader in corneal transplantation and severe ocular surface disease, and is the Co-Founder of the Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration ( HFSR - https://www.hollandfoundationforsight.org/ ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals affected by these conditions, including limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) – a rare and devastating condition that can result in chronic pain, profound vision loss, and blindness.Through this HFSR initiative, Centers of Excellence (COEs) focused on the advanced sight restoration procedures of Ocular Surface Stem Cell Transplantation (OSST) are being launched across the country. As part of its mission, the foundation is also committed to broadening education and training so that more physicians nationwide can learn and implement The Cincinnati ProtocolTM for the management of these patients.Dr. Holland is also the Director of Cornea Services at Cincinnati Eye Institute ( https://www.cincinnatieye.com/doctors/edward-j-holland-m-d/ ) and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati ( https://med.uc.edu/landing-pages/profile/Index/Pubs/hollanej ). Dr. Holland attended the Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago and trained in Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota.  He completed a fellowship in cornea and external disease at the University of Iowa and then completed a second fellowship in ocular immunology at the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Holland formerly served as the President for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and served as the Program Chair for 12 years.  Dr. Holland was a former member of the Board of Trustees for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and served as the Secretariat of the Annual Meeting.  Dr. Holland has served as the Chair of the Eye Bank Association and was the former Chair of the Medical Advisory Board as well as a longtime member of the Board of Directors.  Robert Dempsey, MBA is also a Co-Founder of the Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration.Mr. Dempsey brings more than two decades of domestic and global experience in the ophthalmic space driving successful drug development, business transactions and commercialization. His widespread experience in Ophthalmology stems from diverse Leadership roles across Commercial, Business Development, Medical Affairs and Venture Backed Startups. He brings deep relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and comprehensive knowledge of the ophthalmic ecosystem. Most recently, Mr. Dempsey served as the Chief Executive Officer for AsclepiX Therapeutics, following his CEO role at TearClear accelerating business and commercial strategies which led to several value inflection points and positive FDA engagements. Mr. Dempsey holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in healthcare marketing from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.Important Episode Link - Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration Launches Light After Darkness Fundraising Campaign - https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/22/3171067/0/en/Holland-Foundation-for-Sight-Restoration-Launches-Light-After-Darkness-Fundraising-Campaign.html#EdwardHolland #RobertDempsey #HollandFoundationForSightRestoration #OcularSurfaceStemCellTransplantation #Ophthalmology #LightAfterDarkness #Cornea #LimbalStemCell #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textMeghan Gutierrez is the Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation ( https://lymphoma.org/ ), the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to funding lymphoma research and education, advancing both the study of new cancer therapies and improved patient care.An expert in government relations and health care policy, Meghan has pursued an array of public policy issues during her career, ranging from mental health parity and rare disease awareness to medical technology and the treatment of chronic disease. Following her work as a Congressional staff member for Dr. Greg Ganske, one of the U.S. House of Representatives’ foremost leaders on health care policy, she served as a health policy and communications advisor for several national nonprofit and educational institutions, including Columbia University and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.Meghan joined the Lymphoma Research Foundation in 2008 as its chief program, policy and communications officer. She was a driving force behind programs such as the country’s only Adolescent and Young Adult Lymphoma Initiative and development of the first mobile app for people with lymphoma. She became Chief Executive Officer in 2014. In this role Meghan represents the Foundation before several audiences, including the U.S. Congress, Department of Defense, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health. She has written and lectured extensively about the needs of lymphoma patients and served on committees and panels of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Institute of Medicine, and National Cancer Institute, among others.Jennifer Branstetter is Executive Director, North America Corporate Affairs & Patient Advocacy Lead at BeOne Medicines USA ( https://beonemedicines.com/ ), a global oncology company that is discovering and developing innovative treatments that are more affordable and accessible to cancer patients worldwide. With a portfolio spanning hematology and solid tumors, BeOne is expediting development of its diverse pipeline of novel therapeutics through its internal capabilities and collaborations.Jennifer has a demonstrated 25+ year history of working with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, in government, and with nonprofits and the media, and has been a strategist for multi-faceted state and federal public affairs and patient advocacy campaigns.Previously, Jennifer was a Senior Director, Corporate Affairs (North America) at BeOne and also held positions at Cullari Communications Global, Branstetter Consulting, as Director of Policy and Planning in the Commonwealth of PA, Governor's Office, for Governor Tom Corbett, as Director of Education and Outreach for Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as Communications Manager for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and as Deputy Press Secretary in the Pennsylvania Office of the Lieutenant Governor during the administration of Governor Tom Ridge.#MeghanGutierrez #JenniferBranstetter #BeOneMedicines #LymphomaResearchFoundation #PatientAdvocacy #PatientCentricAI #PatientNavigation #ClinicalTrialEligibility #FinancialToxicityDetection #PatientDistress #AutomatedInsuranceNavigation #EquityRadar #RegulatoryAdvocacy  #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textTony Baldassarre is CEO, President and Director of UniDoc ( https://unidoctor.com/ ), an eHealth Innovator and creator of the H3 Health Cube ( https://unidochealth.com/h3-health-cube/ ), a self-contained virtual clinic that enables patients to have comprehensive medical appointments remotely, offering access to physicians and specialists in real-time, and opens the doors to a large segment of the population challenged by access, experience, or understanding of the evolving Internet Of Medical Things. Mr. Baldassarre has held senior management and director positions of new business start-ups and established multinational organizations with over 30 years of experience in the Security, Information Technology and Communications industries.Mr. Baldassarre is involved in all aspects of UniDoc’s business model from Operations, P&L oversight, product distribution, product promotions, sales and development activities and initiatives.Mr. Baldassare is also the President of LRG Security Canada Inc. and LRG Security Europe, companies involved in security and low-voltage products, distributing items like cameras, networking gear, and tools.#AntonioBaldassarre #TonyBaldassarre #UniDoc #InternetOfMedicalThings #DocInABox #UniDocHealthCorp #VerizonInnovationLabs #ClinicianAssistedExaminations #H3HealthCube #Telemedicine #Interoperability #HealthProfessionalShortage #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Claudia Mahler, Ph.D. is the United Nations Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons ( https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-older-persons/ms-claudia-mahler-independent-expert-enjoyment-all-human-rights-older-persons ). Dr. Mahler holds a law degree and a doctorate from Leopold‑Franzens‑Universität Innsbruck in Austria, and has spent over two decades researching and advocating for human rights. She has worked extensively on economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as minority rights, asylum law, and social protection, bringing a deep expertise in the legal and policy frameworks that protect vulnerable populations.Before joining the UNHRC, Dr. Mahler was a senior researcher at the German Institute for Human Rights, taught human rights law at several universities, and served as a consultant to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In her current role, Dr. Mahler focuses on advancing the rights of older persons globally, including promoting access to work, protecting older adults in conflict zones, and leading efforts to draft a legally binding international instrument on their rights. Her work combines rigorous research, international advocacy, and a passionate commitment to ensuring that older adults can live with dignity, security, and equality worldwide. Important Episode Links Report - Older persons in armed conflict and peacebuilding - https://docs.un.org/en/A/80/203Report - Intersection between older persons’ right to social protectionand their right to work -https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/60/24#ClaudiaMahler #UnitedNations #IndependentExpert #HumanRightsOfOlderPersons #MinorityRights #AsylumLaw #SocialProtection #UnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncil #OlderPersonsInArmedConflicts #AccessToWork #Ageism #AgeDiscrimination #AgeTech #Longevity #Lonliness #SocialIsolation #Aging #Ageing #HumanRights #OlderPersons#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show