Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us a textDr. Maximina Yun, Ph.D. (https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/crtd/forschungsgruppen/crtd-forschungsgruppen/yun/group-leader) is Research Group Leader at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technical University Dresden, jointly affiliated with Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG). Dr. Yun and her group (https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/crtd/forschungsgruppen/crtd-forschungsgruppen/yun) study the cellular and molecular basis of regeneration of complex structures with the help of salamanders (like newts and axolotls) and these vertebrates exceptional regenerative abilities, which in contrast to humans, are capable of regenerating complex tissues, and even entire organs, to a remarkable extent. Therefore, they offer unique insights into what molecular mechanisms must be in place for achieving quasi-perfect regeneration. Research in the Yun group focuses on three main areas: describing cellular and molecular mechanisms driving regeneration (Mechanisms underlying the plasticity of the differentiated state), their connection with cellular aging (Role and regulation of senescence in regeneration), and the role that the immune system plays in regenerative context. The research in the Yun group combines advanced molecular biology methods with state-of-the-art microscopy. Most recently the group has established Salamander-Eci, a novel method that enables the three-dimensional visualization of salamander tissues for a more comprehensive understanding of regenerative processes. Dr. Yun received her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Cambridge / Cambridge University, UK, and did her Postdoctoral Research at the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, UK; Dr. Yun also has a BSc in Biological Sciences from University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.Support the show

Send us a textDr. Steven Austad (https://www.stevenaustad.com/) is Distinguished Professor and Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging Research, Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and Scientific Director of the American Federation for Aging Research (https://www.uab.edu/cas/biology/people/faculty/steven-n-austad). In addition, Dr. Austad directs the NIH-supported UAB Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, one of only six such Centers in the United States, is the Co-Director of the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center, and serves on the Executive Committee of the National Institute on Aging’s Research Centers Collaborative Network. Dr. Austad is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Gerontological Society of America and has received multiple prestigious awards for his research work. Dr. Austad’s current research seeks to understand the underlying causes of aging with a long-term goal of developing medical interventions that slow the age-related decay in human health. Dr. Austad is the author of more than 200 scientific peer-reviewed publications covering nearly every aspect of aging from cells to societies, is the author of the book "Why We Age: What Science Is Discovering about the Body's Journey Through Life", and his new book on the natural history of exceptional longevity, "Methuselah's Zoo - What Nature Can Teach Us About Living Longer, Healthier Lives", will be coming out in April of 2022. Dr. Austad has a B.A. from UCLA in English Literature, a B.S. from California State University, Northridge in Biology, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, in Biological Sciences.Support the show

Send us a textDr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, is the Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH - https://ctph.org/), a 16-year old non-profit organization, based in Uganda, that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of people and wildlife to enable them to coexist in and around protected areas in Africa, and she has become one of the leading conservationists and scientists working to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas of East Africa. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka is also on the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) of the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/groups/scientific-advisory-group-on-the-origins-of-novel-pathogens-(sago)/about) Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka trained as a veterinarian at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College. Between 1996 and 2000, she set up the first Veterinary Unit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority. From 2000 to 2003, she completed a zoological medicine residency and masters in specialized veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka became an Ashoka Fellow in 2007 for merging Uganda’s wildlife management and rural public health programs to create common resources for both people and animals. Prior to setting up CTPH, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka also did a certificate in Non-profit management from Duke University. Most recently in 2016, she completed an MBA in Global Business and Sustainability – Social Entrepreneurship Track. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka's most recent awards include the 2017 World Wildlife Day Award from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) for outstanding contribution to conservation in Uganda and 2017 Golden Jubilee Award from the President of Uganda for distinguished service to the nation as a veterinarian and conservationist on International Women’s Day. Other awards include San Diego Zoo’s 2008 “Conservation in Action Award,” the 2009 Whitley Gold Award for outstanding leadership in grassroots nature conservation; 2011 Wings World Quest Women of Discovery Humanitarian Award, and 2014 CEO Communications Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Award in Medicine and Veterinary category. Under Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka's leadership, Conservation Through Public Health won the Global Development Network 2012 Japanese Most Innovative Development Project Award for scaling social service delivery. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka recently became a National Geographic Explorer and winner of the Sierra Club’s 2018 EarthCare Award, 2019 Finalist for the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, the 2020 Uganda Veterinary Association World Veterinary Day Award and the 2020 Aldo Leopold award. She is also on the leadership council of Women for the Environment in Africa.Support the show

Send us a textIris Van der Veken is Executive Director and Board Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (https://www.responsiblejewellery.com), the world’s leading standard setting organization for the jewellery industry, promoting standards that underpin people’s trust in the worldwide jewellery. Responsible Jewellery Council was founded in 2005 by 14 member organizations including: ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier, World Jewellery Confederation, Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers), Diarough, Jewelers of America, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corporation. With a University of Antwerp Bachelor of Law, Iris is a coalition-builder with over 20 years global experience of working in technology, diamonds and jewelry, fashion and government. Iris was actively involved in the development of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices, and managed the first global RJC pilot audit in partnership with SGS - the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. Iris is also a board member of Diamonds Do Good (https://www.diamondsdogood.com), a global nonprofit organization whose mission is supporting programs that develop and empower people in natural diamond communities and sharing these stories of positive impact. Iris established and chaired the Network of the United Nations Global Compact Belgium in partnership with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, chaired the consultative and advisory body to the Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner in Flanders, and was honored by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs of Belgium for initiating the Global Compact and for her work on promoting corporate social responsibility with a focus on human rights including children’s rights and the role of business.Support the show

Send us a textSaeed Al-Mubarak, is Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE - https://www.spe.org/en/), Digital Energy Technical Section (DETS), a member in the advisory Committee of SPE Data Science and Engineering Analytics (DSEA), and served as an industry advisor for Texas A&M University SPE student chapter. He has also served in numerous international technical steering, advisory board, program committees, and in the SPE International Management & Information awards advisory committee. Saeed has twenty-eight years of Petroleum Industry experience, and has served the industry in various capacities that span across local and international levels, involving technical, administrative, and leadership roles. Saeed is currently an intelligent fields and petroleum engineering consultant at Saudi Aramco (https://www.aramco.com/), based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He began his career in 1992 with Saudi Aramco where he worked as Reservoir, Production, Drilling & Completion, Facilities, Knowledge Management, and Intelligent Fields engineer and specialist. He has led several important teams including the strategic team managing the world’s largest intelligent fields in Saudi Aramco. Saeed is also CEO & Co-Founder of Monuments (https://www.monuments.io/) 3D printing company. Saeed's contributions to industry have been recognized by renowned technical, governmental and social authorities. He is recipient of several recognitions including the 2009 SPE Regional Management and Information award, 2012 World Oil Innovative Thinker award, 2013 Saudi King’s award for innovation, and the 2014 SPE international award for management and information. He also earned the 2011/2012 SPE Saudi Section "Community Service Award" for his contribution to Social programs. He was a finalist in the 2016 World Oil Lifetime Achievement award, the recipient of the international 2019 SPE Distinguished Service Award, and the 2019 SPE Distinguished member award. Saeed has been an SPE international distinguished lecturer, a panelist, keynote or invited speaker and discussion leader of in numerous events held in 20 counties including conferences, workshops, forums, symposia and social events. He has developed several technical courses and workshops, mostly about digital oil fields and challenging paradigms. He is also recognized as a thought provoking author who has published dozens of articles to promote innovation and challenge conventional wisdom, within & beyond the digital energy and intelligent fields domain, including a book entitled: “Any Version of History is just a Story”. Saeed holds a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering and a master degree in Petroleum Engineering, both from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), and he has graduated from the Saudi Aramco Support the show

Send us a textDr. Satchidananda ("Satchin") Panda, is Professor, Regulatory Biology Laboratory, and Rita and Richard Atkinson Chair, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California (https://www.salk.edu/scientist/satchidananda-panda/), where his research focuses on the circadian regulation of behavior, physiology and metabolism in model organisms and in humans. Dr. Panda is also a founding executive member of the Center for Circadian Biology at the University of California, San Diego (https://ccb.ucsd.edu/). With a PhD from The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, and his postdoctoral research at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, Dr. Panda’s laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of this biological clock (or circadian oscillator), which in most organisms coordinates behavior and physiology with the natural light-dark cycle. Among Dr. Panda's discoveries include a blue-light sensing cell type in the retina which entrains our master circadian clock, affects mood, and regulates the production of sleep hormone melatonin, as well as his discovery that maintaining a daily feeding-fasting cycle – popularly known as Time-restricted feeding (TRF) – can prevent and reverse metabolic diseases. Based on a feasibility study in humans, his lab is currently carrying out a smartphone based study (www.mycircadianclock.org) to assess the extent of circadian disruption among adults. Dr. Panda's laboratory uses genetic, genomics and biochemical approaches to identify genes under circadian regulation in different organs and to understand the mechanisms of such regulation. Dr. Panda is also a Pew Biomedical Scholar, a recipient of the Julie Martin Mid-Career Award in Aging Research, is extensively published in the scientific literature, and is also the author of the books: The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Transform Your Health from Morning to Midnight and The Circadian Diabetes Code: Discover the Right Time to Eat, Sleep, and Exercise to Prevent and Reverse Prediabetes and Diabetes.Support the show

Send us a textDr. Bryon Bhagwandin, PhD is Co-Founder and CEO at Recalibrate Solutions (https://www.recalibratesolutions.com/), a company that is focused on empowering physicians to eliminate toxic stress from the lives of children, by monitoring stress system development, with a novel 5-minute, disposable, saliva cortisol test. Dr. Bhagwandin has served as an executive for multiple start-up companies, has spent more than 20 years in medical product development, and possesses a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, and business acumen. Dr. Bhagwandin has as BS in Physics from Indiana University Bloomington, an MS in physics from Purdue University, and a PhD in biomedical engineering from University of Washington, and has led multiple product development teams, successfully creating diagnostic, therapeutic, and drug-device combination products. Dr. Bhagwandin has a complex understanding of the unique business challenges that must be navigated by medical device companies including experience in design-controls, quality-system compliance, internal review boards, clinical testing, regulatory submissions, insurance codes, reimbursement models, hospital purchasing-cycles, and marketing through scientific research and peer review publications – a truly unique skill set.Support the show

Send us a textDr. Harold 'Sonny' White, is Director, Advanced Research & Development, at the Limitless Space Institute (LSI - https://www.limitlessspace.org/), in Houston, Texas. Dr. White has over 25+ years of experience working in the aerospace industry with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, as well as at NASA, and in his current role at the Limitless Space Institute he leads all R&D work and establishes priorities for investigations and expenditures. Dr. White obtains grants and other resources in support of R&D efforts; markets LSI to major benefactors to increase resources and related R&D efforts; and arranges/schedules/conducts events ensuring appropriately related well-known individuals are involved. Dr. White holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Rice University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Alabama. Dr. White has been recognized many times over the span of his career for his excellent work ethic, exceptional technical skills, abilities as a project manager, and dedication to the pursuit of human space flight. He was awarded the NASA Medal for Excellence in Achievement by the Administrator for his role in getting the Thermal Protection System robotic inspection tools built, delivered and certified to support the STS-114 Space Shuttle mission. He was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by the crew office for his actions in the discovery and disposition of critical damage to the robotic arm prior to the STS-121 mission. He received the NASA Spaceflight Awareness Honoree award for the STS-122 mission, one of the highest, most prestigious awards available to employees of NASA. He was awarded the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal for his role in exploring and incorporating advanced power and propulsion concepts into human spaceflight architectures.Support the show

Send us a textJiren Parikh is the President & CEO of Ghost Robotics (https://www.ghostrobotics.io/), a Philadelphia-based company developing agile, all-weather, unstoppable, autonomous 4-leg robots (also known as Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicles, or Q-UGVs) which offer superior operability over wheeled and tracked devices on unstructured terrain in rough and demanding environments. Q-UGVs now have a place in a broad range of government and enterprise applications where mobile robots with four legs have inherent advantages over wheels, tracks and even bipedal systems. Q-UGVs can not only manage unstructured terrain well but are built for demanding customers in demanding environments including military, homeland, industrial, energy & mining markets, and as such have the ability to keep humans and K9s out of harm’s way. Jiren is an entrepreneurial leader with 25-years experience building, leading, and turning around technology businesses, and growth functions. Jiren has served a variety of roles during his career including as CEO, COO, CFO, Business Unit Head, and functional leader of business and corporate development, sales, marketing and product management, as well as in board, advisory, interim executive and consulting roles, primarily at early and growth companies, involved in marketing software, SaaS and platforms, mobile and IoT applications, subscription services, digital content, and now robotics.Support the show

Send us a textDr. Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, CNS (https://drmadelynfernstrom.com/) is a neuroscientist, clinician, health strategist, and NBC broadcast journalist, who serves as Professor of Psychiatry, Epidemiology and Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Founding Director of the UPMC Weight Management Center, Director of the Community Pediatric Weight Management Program for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Senior Advisor, Health Management, UPMC Health Plan. Dr. Fernstrom earned her B.A. in Biology from Boston University, her PhD. in nutritional biochemistry, metabolism and neuropharmacology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and did her Post-Doctoral Fellowship, in endocrinology, metabolism, and behavior at Harvard Medical School, and also is a board-certified nutrition specialist from the American College of Nutrition. Dr. Fernstrom is nationally known for the creation and implementation of scalable health initiatives supporting patients, providers, payors, and employers and her work has focused on developing impactful platforms supporting the physical and emotional needs of the healthy, acutely or chronically ill, and aging populations, as well as the needs of those who care for them. Dr. Fernstrom has published more than 100 original research articles, as well as three books, including The Real You Diet: Your Personal Program for Lasting Weight Loss, Don't Eat This If You're Taking That: The Hidden Risks of Mixing Food and Medicine, and Runner's World The Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter. In addition, Dr. Fernstrom is the on-air NBC News Health Editor, a contributor to several NBC News digital platforms, and serves as the Chief Clinical and Science Advisor for Philadelphia headquartered Quil (https://quilhealth.com/), the joint venture of Independence Health Group and Comcast, creating digital health platforms that offers personalized and interactive health journeys to consumers and their caregivers.Support the show