Episodes

  • Episode 20 | The Science Of Microbes | Dr. David J. Gonzalez, Associate Professor Skaggs School of Pharmacy / Department of Pharmacology
    Dec 30 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, and Margaux Stack-Babich from the UCSD Moores Cancer Center sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF MICROBES with Dr. David Gonzalez, an Associate Professor in Pharmacology at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, as the Founder and Director for the Collaborative Center of Multiplexing Proteomics. Dr. Gonzalez was on this episode joined by his sons, David Jr. and Isaiah, and a lab researcher, Yesenia, an alumna of UC-Riverside. They discuss the importance of microbes, their roles in human health, and the impact of antibiotics on gut microbiomes. They highlight the potential of proteomics in understanding protein interactions and the need for alternative therapeutics. The conversation also touches on the personal and professional journeys of the participants, emphasizing the importance of education and perseverance in scientific careers.Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!! "Rapid Fire" Warm-Up Round and Personal IntroductionsThe guests participate in a rapid-fire warm-up round, answering questions about their first science experiments and favorite musicians.Dr. Gonzalez shares his first science experiment involving making plastic in a chemistry class, which sparked his interest in science.Isaiah, David Jr. and Yesenia share their first experiences with science projects The guests discuss their favorite musicians, with from Tame Impala to Kendrick LamarMicrobes and Their ImportanceDr. Gonzalez explains the role of microbes as the gatekeepers of the world, contributing to oxygen production and metabolism in the gut.The conversation touches on the balance between good and bad microbes, with Dr. Gonzalez emphasizing that microbes can be both beneficial and harmful depending on context.The guests discuss the importance of the gut microbiome and its impact on human health, including the role of stool samples in microbiome research.Dr. Gonzalez highlights the advancements in microbiome research at UCSD and the importance of understanding the microbiome for future medical treatments.Applications of Microbiome ResearchThe guests discuss the potential of the gut microbiome in treating diseases and the role of probiotics and antibiotics in maintaining gut health.Dr. Gonzalez mentions the impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome and the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.The conversation shifts to the role of the microbiome in cancer treatment and the potential of immunotherapies.Dr. Gonzalez shares insights on the use of checkpoint inhibitors and the microbiome's influence on treatment efficacy.Antibacterial and Antimicrobial IndustryThe guests address the challenges of antibacterial and antimicrobial products, emphasizing the need for awareness of antibiotic resistance.Dr. Gonzalez discusses the overuse of antibiotics and the importance of finding alternative therapeutic approaches, such as vaccines.The conversation highlights the role of proteomics in understanding the proteome and its applications in medical research.Dr. Gonzalez explains the power of proteomics in providing a comprehensive view of protein interactions and its potential in developing new drugs.Impact of COVID-19 on Scientific CareersThe guests share their personal experiences and the impact of COVID-19 on their scientific careers and educational paths.Isaiah discusses the challenges of gaining clinical experience during the pandemic and the importance of community outreach and education.David Jr. shares how COVID-19 led him to pursue a PhD in structural biology, focusing on emerging viruses.The guests emphasize the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating career challenges during the pandemic.Future of Microbiome Research and Personal ReflectionsThe guests discuss their hopes for the future of microbiome research, including the development of alternative therapeutics and the continued advancements in proteomics.Dr. Gonzalez envisions a future where real-time health monitoring is possible through stool analysis.The guests reflect on the importance of education and mentorship in fostering scientific careers and the impact of their work on future generations.The conversation concludes with the guests sharing their admiration for each other and their commitment to continuing their scientific pursuits.Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support."The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:...
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    53 mins
  • Episode 19 | The Science Of Stem Cells | Dr. Shiri Gur-Cohen, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, UCSD
    Dec 12 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, and Margaux Stack-Babich sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF STEM CELLS with Dr. Shiri Gur-Cohen, a stem cell biologist whose innovative work on lymphatic vascular niche for hair follicle stem cells opened the door to fundamental research areas to advance therapeutics for enhancing tissue regeneration. Dr. Gur-Cohen is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Regenerative Medicine at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Gur-Cohen’s work with Dr. Elaine Fuchs at The Rockefeller University in New York helped unearth the lymphatic capillary network as a novel stem cell niche component, and her multidisciplinary strategy has advanced our knowledge of how stem cells synchronize and coordinate tissue regeneration. Dr. Gur-Cohen earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Immunology in Dr. Tsvees Lapidot’s lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, and completed her B.A. in molecular biochemistry and M.Sc. in medical sciences at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Gur-Cohen discuss her research on stem cells and their role in tissue regeneration. Dr. Gur-Cohen explains the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells, emphasizing the potential of adult stem cells to rejuvenate and regenerate tissues. She highlights the importance of understanding the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in stem cells. Dr. Gur-Cohen also addresses the ethical considerations and challenges in stem cell therapies, advocating for careful consultation with physicians. She envisions future advancements in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, aiming to target cancer-initiating stem cells and rejuvenate old stem cells.Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!! EPISODE SUMMARY"Rapid Fire" Warm-Up Questions with Dr. Shiri Gur-CohenDr. Gur-Cohen shares her first science experiment involving collecting animals under rocks and observing their behavior in different light conditions.Dr. Gur-Cohen discusses her favorite musician, Taylor Swift, and her preference for dogs over cats, despite owning a cat due to lifestyle constraints in New York.Dr. Gur-Cohen expresses her desire to visit Antarctica for its extreme conditions and shares her favorite hiking experience in Patagonia.Dr. Gur-Cohen mentions her favorite place to eat in San Diego, highlighting the fresh seafood available in the area.Career Path and Passion for Stem Cell ResearchDr. Gur-Cohen recounts how her career in stem cell research was influenced by mentors who encouraged her to explore her true interests.Dr. Gur-Cohen explains her initial goal to cure cancer, which evolved into a fascination with stem cell biology during her PhD and postdoc years.Dr. Gur-Cohen discusses the importance of understanding how stem cells work in regenerating tissues and the impact of aging on this process.Dr. Gur-Cohen emphasizes the need to understand the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in stem cells to maintain tissue health.Types of Stem Cells and Their ApplicationsDr. Gur-Cohen explains the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells, noting that adult stem cells are already specialized and can only generate specific tissues.Dr. Gur-Cohen discusses her choice to study adult stem cells due to their visual and measurable properties, which are more applicable to human health.Dr. Gur-Cohen highlights the potential of adult stem cells to be taught to have a broader range of differentiation, similar to the regenerative abilities of amphibians like salamanders.Dr. Gur-Cohen elaborates on the importance of understanding the signals and cues that guide stem cells to change their fate during development.Challenges and Future of Stem Cell ResearchDr. Gur-Cohen discusses the challenges of stem cell transplantation, emphasizing the need to understand which stem cells are being used and their life cycle.Dr. Gur-Cohen advises caution when considering stem cell therapies, recommending consultation with physicians and thorough research on the safety and efficacy of treatments.Dr. Gur-Cohen shares her excitement about the potential of CRISPR technology to correct genetic diseases and the importance of understanding the signals that drive regeneration.Dr. Gur-Cohen expresses hope for the future of stem cell research, particularly in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, and the potential to rejuvenate old stem cells.Audience Questions and Final ThoughtsDr. Gur-Cohen responds to an audience question about the challenges of running her own lab, mentioning funding and the importance of having a supportive environment.Dr. Gur-Cohen shares her experience of starting her lab with ...
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    42 mins
  • Episode 18 | The Science Of Cancer Genomics and Precision Medicine | Dr. Jason Sicklick, Co-Leader, UCSD Structural & Functional Genomics
    Nov 14 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, and Margaux Stack-Babich sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF STEM CELLS with Dr. Jason Sicklick, MD, an internationally recognized surgical oncologist who specializes in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), abdominal/retroperitoneal sarcomas, and liver tumors (primary and metastatic). He is co-leader of the UCSD Structural and Functional Genomics Program, co-leader of the Sarcoma Disease Team at UC San Diego Health and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Committee and GIST Subcommittee, which develops best practices for treating these rare and often challenging-to-treat cancers. A professor of surgery and pharmacology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Sicklick conducts clinical research to improve our understanding of complex cancers, as well as enhance precision medicine approaches for treating metastatic cancers. His laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of GIST development and drug resistance in advanced GIST. Dr. Sicklick, who joined UC San Diego Health in 2010, has co-authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles. His research findings have appeared in prestigious journals such as Nature Medicine, Nature, Gastroenterology, Oncogene, Clinical Cancer Research, Annals of Surgery, JAMA Surgery, and Annals of Surgical Oncology. He is on the editorial boards of Cancer and Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.Dr. Sicklick has received many awards and honors for his contributions to advancing GIST treatments. In 2021, he earned a Rare Impact Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). He is also a 2018 recipient of the RARE Champion of Hope in Medical Care and Treatment Award from the Global Genes Allies in Rare Disease, the largest global advocacy organization for those fighting rare, genetic diseases. In 2016, he was named the GIST Clinician of the Year by The Life Raft Group, the largest GIST patient advocacy group in the world. He is an elected member of the American Surgical Association, the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary surgical society. Dr. Sicklick completed a surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He completed general surgery residency training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and translational research training at Duke University Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is board certified in general surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

    Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    03:15 | About Dr. Sicklick
    07:03 | Rapid Fire Questions
    10:25 | The destiny of his career choice
    12:15 | Cancer genomics
    14:04 | Genomics and precision medicine
    15:13 | Genetic typos...can we hit backspace?
    20:12 | Genetic sequencing
    21:37 | Are we getting better at sharing data?
    24:20 | Creating more precise medicines
    30:00 | Audience questions
    39:29 | Advice to young science students

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on a topic which is top of mind around the world.

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
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    44 mins
  • Episode 17 | The Science Of Cancer Cell Signaling | Dr. Matt Hangauer, UCSD Dept. of Dermatology; Principal Investigator, Hangauer Lab
    Nov 7 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, and Margaux Stack-Babich sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF CANCER CELL SIGNALING with Dr. Matt Hangauer, the Principal Investigator of the Hangauer Lab at UC San Diego as well as an Assistant Professor with the UCSD Department of Dermatology. The Hangauer Lab explores the biology of cancer persister cells, a prevalent yet poorly understood subpopulation of cancer cells that reversibly enter into a quiescent, pro-survival cell state to survive drug treatments. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms of key events such as drug stress-induced mutagenesis, survival of CD8 T cell attack, and suppression of apoptosis, the Hangauer Lab seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets to prevent acquired resistance.

    Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    02:48 | About Dr. Hangauer
    04:12 | Rapid Fire Questions
    10:35 | The destiny of his career choice
    15:34 | Cancer cell signaling
    18:00 | Disrupting cell signaling
    25:04 | Persister cells
    27:24 | What is it like running a lab?
    30:45 | Futuristic questions
    33:54 | AI Emperor for a day...what would he do?
    35:25 | Advice to young science students

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on a topic which is top of mind around the world.

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
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    38 mins
  • Episode 16 | The Science Of Artificial Intelligence & Biology | Dexter Pratt, Director of Software Development, Ideker Lab at UCSD
    Apr 11 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, and Jeremiah Bosley sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BIOLOGY with Dexter Pratt, a self-described "old school AI guy" who is now the Director of Software Development at the Ideker Lab at UCSD School of Medicine. The focus of the Ideker Lab is create artificially intelligent, mechanistic models of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases for translation of patient data to precision diagnosis and treatment. They seek to advance this goal by addressing fundamental questions in the field such as the genetic and molecular networks that promote disease, the charting of these networks, and how we use knowledge of these networks in intelligent systems for predicting the effects of genotype on phenotype. He is also a Director of the NDex Project, a public website where scientists and organizations can share, store, manipulate, and publish biological network knowledge.

    Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    03:30 | About Dexter Pratt
    04:25 | Rapid Fire Questions
    08:10 | The destiny of his career choice
    09:18 | What is AI?
    12:18 | His worries about AI
    13:35 | What excites him about AI
    21:40 | AI and healthcare
    24:50 | Ethical connundrums
    26:35 | AI and cancer drug discovery
    30:35 | Audience questions
    41:00 | Futuristic questions
    44:40 | AI Emperor for a day...what would he do?

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on a topic which is top of mind around the world.

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
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    49 mins
  • Episode 15 | The Science Of Emotions and Behavior | Dr. Jessica Carrasco, Advanced Postdoctoral Fellow, Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center
    Apr 3 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James, Haydee Arancibia-Hardwick, Jeremiah Bosley and Margaux Stack-Babich from the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR with Dr. Jessica Carrasco, the proud daughter of Mexican migrants, a first-generation college graduate, and a bilingual and bicultural neuropsychologist. She double majored in Psychology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico and completed a postbaccalaureate program at the National Institute of Mental Health before moving to San Diego for graduate school. Dr. Carrasco recently graduated from the SDSU/ UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology and is currently completing a post-doctorate program at the Jennifer Moreno VA. Her work largely aims at understanding brain-behavior mechanisms underlying serious mental illness in marginalized communities.


    Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    03:24 | About Dr. Jessica Carrasco
    05:15 | Rapid Fire Questions
    09:40 | The destiny of his career choice
    11:40 | Neuropschology and clinical psychology explained
    15:01 | Her work at the VA
    18:38 | First generation college graduate
    22:15 | Serving marginalized communities
    22:30 | Audience questions
    33:50 | A future prognosis
    34:40 | If I were healthcare emperor for a day...
    35:40 | Advice to young students...take risks!

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on an issue needing big attention!

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • Episode 14 | The Science Of Social Needs | Dr. Mateo Banegas, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, UCSD School of Medicine
    Mar 15 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James and Margaux Stack-Babich from the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, sit down to discuss THE SCIENCE OF SOCIAL NEEDS with Dr. Mateo Banegas, an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity Education and Research (CHEER) in the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences (RMAS) at the UCSD School of Medicine. Trained as a health services researcher, with an emphasis in cancer prevention and control, Dr. Banegas uses quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the intersection between health care delivery and costs, social determinants of health, and health outcomes for individuals diagnosed with cancer. He is co-Principal Investigator of “Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ): clinic-based intervention to address financial hardship for people with cancer, one of the first NCI-funded randomized controlled trials that aims to mitigate financial hardship from cancer.
    Dr. Banegas is a Member of the Cancer Control Program at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center and a Senior Affiliate Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research. He serves as Vice Chair of the Health Disparities Committee in the Cancer Control Program of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

    Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    02:21 | About Dr. Mateo Banegas
    03:10 | Rapid Fire Questions
    08:00 | The destiny of his career choice
    11:42 | What are social needs?
    13:09 | Why it's important to study social needs and healthcare outcomes
    16:38 | The importance of asking patients about the social questions
    18:48 | The patient information gap
    22:49 | The value of community health fairs (kudos to the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA)
    24:20 | Important research at the UCSD Moores Cancer Cener
    27:19 | The importance of great patient communication
    28:32 | A future prognosis
    30:20 | If I were healthcare emperor for a day...
    32:00 | Advice to young students...take risks!

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on an issue needing big attention!

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
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    36 mins
  • Episode 13 | The Science Of Third Hand Smoke | Dr. Georg Matt and Team | Third Hand Smoke Resource Center
    Mar 7 2024
    Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.

    In this episode, Riley James and Margaux Stack-Babich from the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, sit down to discuss a topic which many are not familiar with, yet is pervasive - THIRD HAND SMOKE. Listen to Dr. Georg Matt, the Director of the Third Hand Smoke Resource Center, joined by Dr. Lydia Greiner, Dr. Sarah Lavallee, and Christina Huerta, student scholar in the NextGen Smoke and Vape Free Latinx Program, discussing this very challenging health issue. Get your PODucation on!!

    TIME | DISCUSSION
    03:22 | About Dr. Georg Matt
    04:04 | Rapid Fire Questions (for the team)
    09:45 | The destiny of his career choice
    11:25 | The curiosity about smoke
    15:30 | The challenge of getting attention to the issue
    19:00 | The long known secret of Big Tobacco
    23:00 | The radius and pervasiveness of third hand smoke
    31:04 | Sampling and remediation
    33:40 | Looking ahead to the future
    39:00 | Emperor or Empress for life....what would they do?
    42:25 | Advice to young students

    Enjoy this excellent conversation, the "Rapid Fire" questions, and insights on an issue needing big attention!

    Be sure to subscribe to and share "The Science Of" with all of your friends. We appreciate your support.

    "The Science Of" podcast series is brought to you by the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, SchoolCAST, a division of Cloudcast Media, and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

    Please learn more about both of our sponsors by visiting:
    www.moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/
    www.cloudcastmedia.us
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    46 mins