Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us a textDr. Sean Tucker, Ph.D. is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Vaxart Inc. ( https://vaxart.com/ ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a range of oral recombinant pill vaccines based on their innovative Vector-Adjuvant-Antigen Standardized Technology (VAAST) platform.Dr. Tucker previously served as Vice President of Research and Director of Immunology for Vaxart and has held numerous scientific and engineering roles at various biotechnology companies including The Dow Chemical Co., Systemix, Inc. and Genteric, Inc. Dr. Tucker has published several papers in immunology and served as a grant reviewer for several vaccine related study sections at the NIH.  Dr. Tucker has a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, an MSc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Washington.#SeanTucker #ChiefScientificOfficer #Vaxart #Immunology #OralVaccines #Norovirus #Flu #Coronavirus #HPV #BARDA #ProjectNextGen #Adenovirus #Cancer #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textTaylor Justice is the Co-Founder & President of Unite Us ( https://uniteus.com/team/taylor-justice/ ), a technology company with a mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities by integrating all the social determinants of health. The Unite Us goal is to unlock the potential of every community by strategically partnering with government agencies, health systems, insurers, and community organizations, through their best-in-class technology, expansive network of resources and care options, and qualified team of experts.With Unite Us, providers across sectors can send and receive secure referrals, track every person’s total health journey, and report on tangible outcomes across a full range of services in a centralized, cohesive, and collaborative ecosystem. Taylor is a social entrepreneur, who previously co-founded HigherEchelon, Inc., a government consulting company. Taylor is passionate about solving significant problems in the health and human service sectors, and with an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S. from West Point leads a team of innovators at Unite Us who create accountable coordinated care networks that interconnect clinical and non-clinical social service providers and track the outcomes across the full range of services. #TaylorJustice #UniteUs #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #SocialCare #SDOH #ClosedLoopReferralPlatform #Veterans #Eldercare #HomeHealth #Medicaid #CostSavings #CommunityOrganizations #PredictiveAnalytics #ReEntry #JusticeInvolvedPopulations #Recidivism #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, is the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics ( https://www.aap.org/en/about-the-aap/aap-leadership/susan-kressly-md-faap/ ), an organization of 67,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.​Dr. Kressly is board certified in Pediatrics and Clinical Informatics, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Kressly has also been at the forefront of innovation, advocating for pediatric functionality in Health IT. Her expertise includes Quality Improvement, Healthcare Financing and Payment, Practice Management and Optimization of Clinical Workflows.Dr. Kressly received a Bachelor of Science (BS), in Biology, from Moravian University, her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and served her residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Dr. Kressly began practicing in the Doylestown area in 1990 and has been an involved member of the medical community since then. Her independent pediatric practice has been a recognized medical home since 2011, a model that Dr. Kressly strongly believes all children deserve access to, and that all pediatricians, including medical and surgical specialists, deserve sufficient resources, payment, and support to meet the needs of the patients and families they serve.#SusanKressly #Pediatrics #Pediatrician #ClinicalInformatics #AmericanAcademyOfPediatrics #MedicalHome #Advocacy #Telehealth #Vaccination #Vaccines #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Marianne Holm, MD, Ph.D. is Vice President of the Infectious Diseases Program area, at the Novo Nordisk Foundation ( https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/ ) where she is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of new strategic initiatives and research programs, and developing partnerships that contribute to the global visibility and impact of the foundation’s activities within Infectious Diseases, and this responsibility includes supporting multiple cross disciplinary initiatives in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).Dr. Holm is a medical doctor and epidemiologist, who previously led the department of epidemiology and public health research at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in Seoul, where she was responsible for the coordination and implementation of several large development programs funded by the Fleming Fund, working with local governments and healthcare institutions to build capacity in AMR surveillance in low- and middle- income countries in the Asian region. Prior to joining IVI in 2018, Dr. Holm worked for 4 years at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong working in the health services research unit coordinating the School's evidence based practice education program.Dr. Holm has been a member of the coordination group of the WHO Technical Advisory Group and Coordination Group on Vaccines and AMR. She is also a member of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Collaborator Network as well as the Surveillance and Epidemiology of Drug Resistant Infections Consortium (SEDRIC) network.Dr. Holm received her MD and Ph.D. from University of Copenhagen and Master of Science (MSc), Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London.IMPORTANT EPISODE LINK - Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) - https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innovations-gram-negative-antibiotic-discovery The Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI) is tripartite initiative of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust, that will focus on discovery of direct-acting small-molecule antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity against Enterobacteriaceae (a large family of Gram-negative bacteria that includes Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella and Klebsiella), with Klebsiella spp. selected as an initial targeted pathogen. Klebsiella organisms can lead to a wide range of disease states, notably pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, meningitis, diarrhea, peritonitis and soft tissue infections. The program aims to address the lack of novel antibiotics for gram-negative bacteria and the public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR).#NovoNordiskFoundation #GramNegativeAntibioticDiscoveryInnovator #BillAndMelindaGatesFoundation #WellcomeTrust #AMR #AntimicrobialResistance #Enterobacteriaceae #Klebsiella #Salmonella #EscherichiaColi #Shigella #InfectiousDiseases #MarianneHolm #Vaccines #MultidrugEffluxPumps #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Laura Aguilar, MD, Ph.D. is Chief Medical Officer at Diakonos Oncology ( https://www.diakonosoncology.com/ ), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company dedicated to revolutionizing cancer immunotherapy and focusing on difficult-to-treat indications, including glioblastoma. Dr. Aguilar, a physician-scientist and biotech entrepreneur, has over 20 years of experience in clinical and regulatory development of complex biologics for cancer with a focus on solid tumors including glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer.Dr. Aguilar was co-founder of Advantagene (now Candel Therapeutics) where she served as chief medical officer. She was a leader in the company’s strategic development from inception to successful IPO, and she oversaw the company’s clinical development portfolio of viral immuno-oncology products in four disease indications.Dr. Aguilar also was an attending physician at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital and associate director of the Harvard Gene Therapy Initiative at Harvard Medical School. She currently serves on several boards including the Board of the American Brain Tumor Association.Dr. Aguilar earned her MD and Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her clinical residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at Texas Children’s Hospital.#LauraAguilar #DiakonosOncology #ChiefMedicalOfficer #Glioblastoma #PancreaticAdenocarcinoma #Immunooncology #Immunotherapy #DendriticCells #MajorHistocompatibilityComplex #CrossPresentation #DoubleLoading #Interferon #Melanoma #Cancer #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textAgree to Agree (https://agreetoagree.org/) is an Ad Council ( https://www.adcouncil.org/ ) initiative focused on finding common ground to reduce the impact of gun violence on children and teens across all communities in the U.S. This new campaign launched in early 2025 and is focused on reaching distinct audiences, including parents and those with children in their lives who have a vested interest in protecting our youth and health care professionals who witness the impact of gun violence firsthand. Dr. Chethan Sathya, MD, MSc, is a pediatric trauma surgeon and National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded firearm injury prevention researcher (https://www.northwell.edu/chethan-sathya-md). He serves as director of Northwell Health's Center for Gun Violence Prevention and oversees the health system's expansive approach to firearm injury prevention.The largest health system in New York, Northwell has taken a public health approach to gun violence prevention, focusing on key areas such as research, medical education, clinical screening, advocacy and community engagement. Under Dr. Sathya's leadership, the center has leveraged the health system's diverse patient population and wide reach to implement ground breaking preventative strategies and perform high-level research.Furthermore, Dr. Sathya spearheaded the formation of the National Gun Violence Prevention Learning Collaborative for Hospitals and Health Systems. Dr. Sathya is a part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Action Collaborative for preventing firearm-related violence. He's also a consultant to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Ms. Rowena Patrick is a Senior Vice President and group campaign director at the Ad Council ( https://www.adcouncil.org/rowena-patrick ), a non-profit organization, that brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media and tech to address the most worthy causes. Since 1942, Ad Council icons and slogans have woven into the very fabric of American culture. From their earliest efforts including “Loose Lips Sink Ships,” Smokey Bear’s “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” to the recent groundbreaking Love Has No Labels, #EndFamilyFire and #SheCanSTEM, the Ad Council’s social good campaigns shift mindsets and spur movements. The Ad Council settles for nothing less than a lasting impact on American life.For the past two decades Ms. Patrick has collaborated with some of the best creative and marketing minds in the country to tackle critical issues like gun violence, the overdose crisis and empowering girls in STEM. Her current roster of clients includes AARP, Brady, and a consortium of leading tech companies: Google, Verizon, IBM, and Bloomberg.Prior to that, Ms. Patrick worked at various companies with roles such as Account Supervisor / Account Executive at FCB, Business Development Manager at Initiative, and Account Executive / Assistant Account Executive at Ogilvy & Mather. She also worked as a Marketing Consultant at The Nova Collective and as a Teaching Assistant at Columbia University. Ms. Patrick holds a MS in Strategic Communications from Columbia University and a BS in Marketing & Information Systems from New York University.#ChethanSathya #RowenaPatrick #AdCouncil #NorthwellHealth #AgreeToAgree #ViolencePrevention #FirearmInjuries #GunViolence #FirearmSafety #PublicServiceAdvertisement #PublicHealth #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Alycia Halladay, Ph.D. is Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation ( https://autismsciencefoundation.org/teams/dr-alycia-halladay/ ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with autism and their families by funding scientific research to understand the causes of autism and to develop better treatments, to enable individuals with autism to lead fulfilling lives with dignity.Dr. Halladay oversees the scientific activities, grants, and initiatives of ASF. She also produces a weekly podcast aimed specifically at explaining scientific information to the public. Prior to joining ASF in 2014, Dr. Halladay served as the Senior Director of Clinical and Environmental Sciences at Autism Speaks. Dr. Halladay has authored over two dozen peer reviewed papers in science journals. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation and on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.  Dr. Halladay received a Ph.D. in biopsychology from Rutgers in 2001 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ in 2004 and is on the editorial board of Neurotoxicology and Frontiers in Pediatrics.  She still holds a faculty appointment at Rutgers. Important Episode Link - Autism BrainNet - https://www.autismbrainnet.org/ #AutismScienceFoundation #AlyciaHalladay #ChiefScienceOfficer #AutismSpectrumDisorder #Genetics #Epigenetics #Exposome #Neurotoxicology #Biopsychology #Pharmacology #Toxicology #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Catharine Young, Ph.D. recently served as Assistant Director of Cancer Moonshot Policy and International Engagement at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ ) where she served at OSTP to advance the Cancer Moonshot ( https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative ), with a mission to decrease the number of cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. Dr. Young’s varied career has spanned a variety of sectors including academia, non-profit, biotech, and foreign government, all with a focus on advancing science. Dr. Young previously served as Executive Director of the SHEPHERD Foundation, where she championed rare cancer research and drove critical policy changes. Her work has also included fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and advancing the use of AI, data sharing, and clinical trial reform to accelerate cancer breakthroughs.Dr. Young's leadership in diplomacy and innovation includes roles such as Senior Director of Science Policy at the Biden Cancer Initiative and Senior Science and Innovation Policy Advisor at the British Embassy, where she facilitated international agreements to enhance research collaborations. A Presidential Leadership Scholar and TED Fellow, Dr. Young holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences and completed her post-doctorate work in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University and is recognized for her ability to bridge science, policy, and advocacy to build sustainable, impactful health ecosystems.#CatharineYoung #OSTP #WhiteHouseOfficeOfScienceAndTechnologyPolicy #CancerMoonshot #SHEPHERDFoundation #BidenCancerInitiative #DepartmentOfDefense #BritishEmbassy #Neurogenetics #AntimicrobialResistance #GlobalHealthSecurityAgenda #OneHealth #RareCancers #ChildhoodCancer #RareDisease #ForeignAndCommonwealthOffice #BiologicalThreats #MitigationStrategies #RiskMitigation #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Courtney Millar, Ph.D. ( https://www.marcusinstituteforaging.org/who-we-are/profiles/courtney-millar-phd ) is an Assistant Scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, and Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Dr. Millar is a research scientist devoted to improving health and well-being of older adults through dietary interventions and her current research aims to test the ability of anti-inflammatory dietary strategies that promote both physical and emotional well-being in older adults.Dr. Millar received her PhD in molecular nutrition at the University of Connecticut, where she developed a deep understanding of the relationship between dietary bioactive components and metabolic disease. Dr. Millar’s post-doctoral fellowship focused on training related to conducting both nutritional epidemiological analyses and clinical interventions. The Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research ( https://www.marcusinstituteforaging.org/ ) is focused on finding solutions to the most pressing challenges of aging, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, osteoporosis, falls, frailty, and more.Important Episode Link - Tart Cherry Research Study - https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs001399-hsl-millar-79#CourtneyMillar #MarcusInstitute #AgingResearch #HebrewSeniorLife #HarvardMedicalSchool #BethIsraelDeaconess #MolecularNutrition #BioactiveCompounds #Atherosclerosis #Frailty #Inflammation #Senolytics #Dasatinib #Quercetin #Microbiome #TartCherryJuice #Alzheimers #Dementia #Lipid654 #Healthspan #Geroscience #Longevity #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us a textDr. Rose Loughlin, Ph.D. is Executive Vice President, Research at Moderna ( https://www.modernatx.com/en-US ), a biotech company harnessing the power of mRNA technology to develop a new class of medicine for a range of unmet medical needs.Dr. Loughlin leads the company’s platform science and therapeutics research organization, focusing on pioneering scientific advancements and further strengthening the Moderna’s innovative pipeline.Dr. Loughlin previously served as Senior Vice President of Research and Early Development at Moderna, where she played a crucial role in advancing the Company's portfolio and platform strategy since joining in 2016. Before joining Moderna, Dr. Loughlin held roles at Biogen in business development and at L.E.K. Consulting, where she contributed to defining corporate and portfolio growth strategies for biopharmaceutical companies.Dr. Loughlin holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts in physics from Harvard University, and did post-doc work in Germany at European Molecular Biology Laboratory.#RoseLoughlin #Moderna #mRNA #MessengerRNA #CancerVaccines #NeoantigenTherapy #Melanoma #RareDisease #IntercellularTherapeutics #PropionicAcidemia #MethylmalonicAcidemia #CMV #Cytomegalovirus  #EpsteinBarrVirus #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show