Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / 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