Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us a text The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) program office, under the Defense Innovation Unit, that seeks to create new communities of innovators to solve national security problems. NSIN partners with national research universities and the venture community to reinvigorate civil-military technology collaboration. As opposed to making investments in specific technologies, government R&D programs, or startups, NSIN focuses on human capital innovation, specifically developing and enabling innovators and human-centered networks. NSIN provides tools, training, and access to DoD assets that enable entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to develop and commercialize high potential products in the national interest. Morgan Plummer is the Managing Director of the National Security Innovation Network at the U.S. Department of Defense. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, Morgan served as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the NSIN and was a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining NSIN, Morgan served as a senior defense official in the Obama Administration, departing in April 2016 as the Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. As the senior public policy advisor and principal deputy to the Department’s chief human resources officer, Morgan helped oversee a bold set of sweeping and progressive reforms, including the full integration of women into ground combat units, the repeal of the ban against open transgender service and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s signature set of civilian, and military personnel policy reforms, collectively referred to as the “Force of the Future” initiative. Before his role at Personnel and Readiness, Morgan served as the Special Assistant and Deputy Chief of the Staff to the Under Secretary of the US Army. While there, he focused on strategic planning, improving the organizational design of the Army’s headquarters and refining its business processes. Morgan joined the Obama Administration after almost 12 years on active duty in the United States Army, where he served in a variety of command and staff assignments and completed multiple combat tours. Morgan has received numerous meritorious service and achievement medals, been decorated for valor and received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. In addition to his military and civilian awards, Morgan holds a BS degrees from Michigan State University (Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration) and a masters Georgetown University (Policy Management). He also serves as the Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF), a non-profit dedicated to enabling a culture of innovation in the US national security community. Support the show

Send us a text According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control (CDC), in 2018, over 36,000 people were killed, and over 2 million were injured, from motor vehicle crashes, costing the nation $44 billion in medical expenses and work loss. The American Automobile Association (pronounced "Triple A") is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America, and is a privately held, not-for-profit national member association and service organization, with over 60 million members in the United States and Canada, and provides a variety of services to its members, including roadside assistance and others. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit, publicly supported charitable research and education organization dedicated to saving lives by preventing traffic crashes and reducing injuries when crashes occur. Initially emphasizing projects related to safety patrols and driver education, today the Foundation has expanded its scope of work and has long been recognized as a leader in traffic safety, with a focus on four research priorities: Driver behavior and performance, Emerging technologies, Roadway systems and drivers, and Vulnerable road users. Dr. David Yang, is Executive Director at AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (and assumed this role in October 2016) Previously, Dr. Yang worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation and private consulting firms. Dr. Yang has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers and government reports on many transportation topics. He is an associate editor for the Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Technology, Planning, and Operations and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology. Previously, he served as the chair of Transportation Research Board’s Users Performance Section. Dr. Yang attended Purdue University and received his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in the field of civil engineering. Support the show

Send us a text Spider silk is a protein fiber spun by spiders, which they use to make webs or other structures, which function as sticky nets to catch other animals, or as nests or cocoons to protect their offspring, or to wrap up prey. They can also use their silk to suspend themselves, to float through the air, or to glide away from predators. Each spider and each type of silk has a set of mechanical properties optimized for their biological function, but in particular, their dragline silks, have exceptional mechanical properties. They exhibit a unique combination of high tensile strength and extensibility which enables a silk fiber to absorb a large amount of energy before breaking with this estimated tensile strength several times that of steel. Alex Greenhalgh, is the CEO, Spintex, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, pushing the boundaries of bio-inspired spinning and silk materials to provide much needed solution in sustainable and technical textiles. Alex is a biologist and programmer with a working background in microbiology, clinical trials with a focus on GCP compliance, and silk and protein science where he has been a research assistant in the Oxford Silk Group for the last three-years. His research experience includes characterization of liquid silks and fibres with techniques such as rheology, fluorimetry, calorimetry, electrophoresis and tensile testing. Support the show

Send us a text The Marcus Institute of Integrative Health was established in Philadelphia in 2017 by Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, and a multi-million $$$ grant from the Marcus Foundation (headed by it’s Chairman, Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of The Home Depot) to expand the research, education and clinical care profile of Jefferson’s integrative medicine program, and to set the international standard of excellence in evidence-based, patient-centered integrative care. The institute features a novel curriculum focusing on the clinical applications of integrative medicine with an emphasis on functional biochemistry, nutrient-based therapies, mind-body neuroscience, novel mechanisms of healing and emerging therapies. Dr. Daniel Monti, MD, MBA is the Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health - Jefferson Health. He is also Professor and Founding Chair of the historic, first-ever Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Monti received his MD from The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. His Postdoctoral work was in the Research Scholars Program, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, at Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Monti works closely with his colleagues in the institute and department to continuously expand, refine, and define Integrative Medicine at Jefferson, including innovative clinical programs of excellence, cutting edge medical education, and world-class research. Dr. Monti has dozens of journal publications, international presentations, and media appearances. He's also an accomplished author with books including: "Integrative Psychiatry and Brain Health" (Weil Integrative Medicine Library) and "The Great Life Makeover: Weight, Mood, and Sex". His newest book, "Tapestry of Health: Weaving Wellness into Your Life Through the New Science of Integrative Medicine", which was co-written with Dr. Anthony J. Bazzan, was just released in August 2020. Support the show

Send us a text Dr. Bruce Greyson is the Chester Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA), the Former Director of UVA's Division of Perceptual Studies, and has been widely acknowledged the father of research in the area of near-death experiences (NDE). He was previously on the medical faculty at the University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut, where he was Clinical Chief of Psychiatry. Dr. Greyson has consulted with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and has addressed symposia on NDE, and the broader theme of consciousness, at wide range of venues from the United Nations, to an audience with the Dalai Lama. He has earned awards for his medical research and was elected a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the highest honor bestowed by that organization. Dr. Greyson’s interest in near-death experiences began just a few months after graduating from medical school, with a fascinating case of an unconscious patient in the emergency room who stunned him the next morning with an account of leaving her body. That event challenged his beliefs about the mind and the brain, and ultimately led him on a journey to study near-death experiences scientifically, leading to more than a hundred publications in medical journals. Dr. Greyson co-founded the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), an organization to support and promote research into these experiences, and for 27 years edited the Journal of Near-Death Studies, the only scholarly journal dedicated to near-death research. Through his research, he has discovered common and universal themes in near-death experiences that go beyond neurophysiological or cultural interpretations, as well as patterns of consistent aftereffects on individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, values, and personalities. Dr. Greyson is the author of "After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal About Life and Beyond", as well as co-author of "Irreducible Mind", and co-editor of "The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences". Support the show

Send us a text Dr Yu Shrike Zhang PhD is Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Associate Bioengineer at Brigham and Women's Hospital Dr. Zhang's research interests include symbiotic tissue engineering, 3D bio-printing, organ-on-a-chip technology, biomaterials, regenerative engineering, bioanalysis, nanomedicine, and biology. His scientific contributions have been recognized by over 40 regional, national and international awards. He has been invited to deliver more than 110 lectures worldwide, and has served as reviewer for more than 500 manuscripts for as many as 50 journals. Dr. Zhang is serving as Editor-in-Chief for Microphysiological Systems, and is Associate Editor for Bio-Design and Manufacturing, Nano Select, Aggregate, and Essays in Biochemistry. He is also on the Editorial Board of Biofabrication, Bioprinting, Advanced Healthcare Materials, Discover Materials, BMC Biomedical Engineering, Materials Today Bio, and Chinese Chemical Letters, the Editorial Advisory Board of Heliyon and Biomicrofluidics, the International Advisory Board of Advanced NanoBiomed Research and Advanced Materials Technologies, and the Advisory Panel of Nanotechnology. Dr. Zhang has his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology / Emory, his M.S. in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and his B.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering Southeast University in China. Support the show

Send us a text Dr. Michael Levin is a Tufts University professor who holds the Vannevar Bush endowed Chair in the Biology department, and who serves as both the Director of the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology and Director, Allen Discovery Center at Tufts. Dr. Levin’s group's focus is on understanding the bio-physical mechanisms that implement decision-making during complex pattern regulation, and harnessing endogenous bio-electric dynamics toward rational control of growth and form. The lab's current main directions are: • Understanding how somatic cells form bio-electrical networks for storing and recalling pattern memories that guide morphogenesis; • Creating next-generation AI tools for helping scientists understand top-down control of pattern regulation (a new bioinformatics of shape); and • Using these insights to enable new capabilities in regenerative medicine and engineering. Dr. Levin he got dual B.S. degrees, in Computer Science and in Biology and then received a PhD from Harvard University. He did post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School, where he began to uncover a new bio-electric language by which cells coordinate their activity during embryogenesis. His independent laboratory (2000-2007 at Forsyth Institute, Harvard; 2008-present at Tufts University) develops new molecular-genetic and conceptual tools to probe large-scale information processing in regeneration, embryogenesis, and cancer suppression. Recent honors include the Scientist of Vision award and the Distinguished Scholar Award. Support the show

Send us a textCampbell Dwyer grew up in North Carolina before moving to Pennsylvania with Quincy, her four-legged sidekick. With Quincy by her side, Campbell enjoys exploring the outdoors and traveling as often as possible. Her knowledge and experience come from her personal journey and not through clinical training, which allows her to relate on a level most professionals cannot. Campbell’s life began with two colostomies, before transitioning to a permanent ileostomy. By the age of four, she had already gone through three major, open abdominal surgeries; the first of many throughout her life. After her tenth surgery, she felt compelled to inspire and encourage children through their personal ostomy journey. She has spent her life bravely battling an invisible disease and hopes to reassure others with a positive outlook. It takes guts for anyone to face life’s adventures, but with the support of an ostomy, we can conquer anything! Finding literary support when coping with an ileostomy can be challenging. As an adult, Campbell Dwyer discovered this firsthand and wanted to change that for children everywhere. Thus began the creation of her debut children's novel. My Silly Illy is a comical introduction to help children understand what is happening with their bodies and how to thrive with their new appendage. Every child is a superhero, and My Silly Illy makes sure they know it! Support the show

Send us a text Dr. Rachel Ramoni, is the Chief Research and Development Officer of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she oversees their nationwide research enterprise, encompassing some 2,000 active projects, at more than 100 sites, with a total budget of $2 billion in both direct VA support, and research funding from outside entities such as the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and nonprofit and private organizations. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal Cabinet-level agency that provides comprehensive healthcare services to military veterans at over 1,000 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the US – It also provides several non-healthcare benefits including disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance; and provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members. The VA serves over 9 million enrolled Veterans each year, employs over 377,000 people with an annual budget of $200 billion. Dr. Ramoni earned a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, as well as a Master of Science and Doctor of Science in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Ramoni was previously on the faculty at New York University College of Dentistry in the department of epidemiology and health promotion, and at Harvard Medical School in the department of biomedical informatics. While at Harvard, Dr. Ramoni founded and led the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Coordinating Center, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and brings together clinical and research experts from across the U.S. to solve challenging medical mysteries using advanced technologies. Among Dr. Ramoni's research interests are informatics, genomics, and precision medicine. Prior to her role with the UDN, she was executive director of the Substitutable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies project, or SMART. Initially launched with federal funding, SMART aims to make it easier for providers across different health systems to securely share information from electronic health records. The overarching goal is to improve the quality and continuity of care for patients. Dr. Ramoni has also led research projects aimed at improving dental care nationwide. She worked on implementing standardized diagnostic terms for dentistry, and developing a patient safety system that would help dentists identify and prevent adverse events. Dr. Ramoni is extensively published and her publications have appeared in Birth Defects Research, Epidemiology, Circulation, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Journal of Human Genetics, and numerous other journals. Support the show

Send us a text Dr. James Weinstein, is Senior Vice President, Microsoft Healthcare, where he is in charge of leading strategy, innovation and health equity functions. Prior to Microsoft, Dr. Weinstein was president and CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, a $2.0 billion academic medical center in Northern New England, where he led the organization to adopt a population health model, including the transition from fee-for-service toward global payments. Prior to becoming CEO, Dr. Weinstein served as president of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic and was director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (TDI), home of the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, which for decades has documented the ongoing variations in health care delivery across the United States. Dr. Weinstein is a founding member and the inaugural executive director of the National High Value Healthcare Collaborative, along with Mayo Clinic, Intermountain Healthcare, The Dartmouth Institute, and Denver Health. The Collaborative is a partnership of health systems that has taken on the challenge of improving the quality of care while lowering costs on a national scale. Dr. Weinstein is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and held the Peggy Y. Thomson Chair in the Evaluative Clinical Sciences at the Geisel School of Medicine while at Dartmouth; he’s a Senior Fellow, for the Healthcare Center and Clinical Professor Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a Clinical Professor at the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University. Dr. Weinstein is a member of Special Medical Advisory Group for the national Veteran’s Administration. He serves on the Boards of Trustees for the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Intermountain Health System, and IMAGINECARE, a company he started while CEO to use remote sensing to manage patients outside the traditional brick-and-mortar medical system and serves on several other boards. Throughout his career as a researcher and renowned spine surgeon, Dr. Weinstein has received more than $70 million in federal funding and published more than 325 peer-reviewed articles and continues as Editor in Chief, Spine. He also serves on the Board of Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI/BioFAB), a Department of Defense (DoD) program to bio-print artificial organs. He is also the author of "Unraveled: Prescriptions to Repair a Broken Health Care System". Support the show