Saturday Morning Lab

Jennifer Bezaire says actions must come from a place of kindness.

On this week's episode, I have the joy of chatting with Jennifer Bezaire, a talented and kind cardiovascular perfusionist and movement educator. We discuss her experiences in the performing arts, her transition to nursing and ultimately cardiovascular perfusion. In this thoughtful discussion, we reflect on themes of self-exploration, care, what it means to provide healing to oneself and others and the universal values that matter. 

Teresa Sellinger says you are more than what you think!

On this week's episode I have a deep and thoughtful conversation with Teresa Sellinger, a Physician's Weekly Editor for Formedics. We discuss her early life in the Midwest, her early passion for journalism, transition to communications and marketing, and her rich professional life that led her to a career in medical writing and editing. Teresa's wealth of life experience is inspiring and her personal story is one of fortitude, vulnerability, and just genuine kindness. I learned so much, but I also dug up some old feelings.

Dr. Mel Thacker says find compassion in everything you do!

On this week's episode I have the privilege of chatting with Dr. Mel Thacker, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, TED speaker, and founder and Master Coach at The Surgeon Coach. She is also one of the leading voices for reform in the field of surgery and medicine in general. We discuss how a childhood surgery set her on a path to the profession. We also delve into her experiences with the systemic challenges and pressures facing the surgeons and the profession. This was one of my favorite episodes as the topics are not only relevant to surgery but to system reform at large. 

Catharine Young says seek the truth in things!

On this week's episode, I speak to the visionary Dr. Catharine Young, Senior Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health and former Assistant Director of the Cancer Moonshot Program under former President Biden. We discuss her early beginnings in South Africa, and her incredible career path through biomedical research, scientific policy, fellowship at the National Academy of Sciences and current role at Harvard Public Health. We also reflect on health policy and what inspires her during these singular times. 

Kamil Gorecki says focus on what you care about and disregard the rest

This week, I speak to the thoughtful and passionate Kamil Gorecki, a biochemist/microbiologist at the University of California Irvine. We talk about his formative years in his native Poland and his passion for STEM. We also discuss his scientific training across Europe, completing his thesis work in the midst of his mentor's battle with cancer, and moving to Southern California to continue his investigation of microbial proteins. Throughout our conversation, Kamil reminds us of the importance of chasing after an interesting scientific question for its own sake and the innovations disruptive innovations that inevitably follow. 
 
 

Kristin says improve the world through what you do!

This week, I talk to my long time friend Kristin Luther an industry specialist in extracellular vesicles (EVs). We talk about her broad interest early in life, her foray into medical illustration, PhD years, and ultimate transition into industry. We also talk about the challenges facing EV biology (a topic near and dear to my own heart). Unexpectedly, we have a thoughtful conversation on the nature of vocation, facing challenges, and maintaining one's sense of curiosity-driven optimism. 

Emma Vidal says say yes to things and see where it takes you

On this episode, I have the sincere pleasure of speaking with the incredibly creative and talented Emma Vidal. Emma is a scientific illustrator, art director, and founder of Draw Impacts where she and her team help scientists from academia to industry effectively convey their message and brand through art. We talk about her early years in a small fishing village in France, her fateful entry into scientific illustration and her creative process!

International Women's Day: A salute to the Arabic Woman

Hey friends, on this special mini-episode, I celebrate International Women's Day by highlighting Arabic women who despite their historic and perhaps unparalleled heroism, service, scholarship, and preservation of culture and faith in this region are often overlooked, patronized and otherwise misrepresented by international media in general and Western media (and entertainment) in particular. I included a link here to the Arab Women's Organization to learn more about what Arab women are doing to empower one another in this truly singular part of the world. 

Gemma Alderton says follow your gut!

On this week's episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with the brilliant and effortlessly funny Dr. Gemma Alderton. Gemma is a consultant, editor and writer with nearly two decades of editorial experience in Nature and Science journals. We talk about her early passion for art and chemistry, and foray into research and scientific publishing. We also discuss at length the many challenges facing this prevailing but precarious model. 

Helen Collins says take the time to get to know yourself and what excites you!

On this week's episode, I chat with the brilliant and thoughtful Dr. Helen Collins, Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the University of Louisville. We talk about discovering her passion for research, the struggle to find a postdoc position at the height of the recession, moving to the US and establishing her research program exploring mechanisms that underlie female cardiovascular health and resilience.