Behind the Microscope

Latest Episodes:

Carol Aherne, PhD - You Only Regret the Things You Don't Do Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Aherne is an Assistant Professor at University College Dublin School of Medicine. She earned her PhD from University College Dublin followed by a post-doc and assistant professorship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. I caught up with Dr. Aherne at last years FASEB epithelial biology conference in steamboat springs and we discussed the challenges facing young faculty both in the US and Ireland.

This series is sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, or FASEB. Representing more than 110,000 researchers in the life sciences, FASEB is a federation of scientific societies that advances health and well-being by promoting research and education in the life sciences through collaborative advocacy and service to its societies and their members. To learn more about FASEB, go to www.faseb.org.

Dr. Aherne's faculty page:

https://people.ucd.ie/carol.aherne

Credits:

Executive Producers:

-       Bejan Saeedi

-       Joe Behnke

-       Michael Sayegh

-       Carey Jansen

-       Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors 

-       Brian Robinson

-       Mary Horton

-       Talia Swartz

-       Chris Williams

-       David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Michael Diamond, MD, PhD – Follow the Science Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Michael Diamond is an ID-trained physician scientist at Washington University of Saint Louis where he serves as the Herbert S. Gasser Professor within the Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology & Immunology.

Dr. Diamond runs a prolific basic science lab studying the molecular basis of disease of globally emerging RNA viruses and focuses on the interface between pathogenesis and host immunity. He is also actively involved in mentorship of physician-scientist trainees. He is also a recipient of Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award of the American Society of Clinical Investigation and currently an elected Councilor for the Association of American Physicians.

Dr. Diamond completed his MD/PhD training at Harvard University, after which he completed his postgraduate clinical training in medicine and infectious diseases at UCSF.

In today’s episode, Dr. Diamond discusses the importance of high-quality research and its role in defining one’s reputation. He also discusses the leaky pipeline and potential strategies to address the challenges associated with length of training and ways to improve mentorship including formal strategies to facilitate guided mentorship involving junior faculty.

 
Our thanks to Dr. Diamond for being on the podcast. 
 

Lab website:

https://profiles.wustl.edu/en/persons/michael-diamond

Executive Producers: 
-       Bejan Saeedi 
-       Joe Behnke 
-       Michael Sayegh 
-       Carey Jansen 
-       Nielsen Weng 
Faculty Advisors  
-       Brian Robinson 
-       Mary Horton 
-       Talia Swartz 
-       Chris Williams 
-       David Schwartz 
Twitter: @behindthescope_ 
Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod 
Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1 
Website: behindthemicroscope.com 

Sean Colgan, PhD - The Greatest Sense of Success Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Sean Colgan is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. He earned his Bachelor's, Masters, and PhD degrees from Colorado State University. He completed a post-doc at Brigham and Women's under the mentorship of one of our former guests - Dr. Jim Madara. He then spent 12 years on faculty at Harvard Medical School before being recruited to the University of Colorado. Today, Dr. Colgan shares his scientific philosophy and his optimistic outlook on the future of biomedical research.

Dr. Colgan's website:

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/gastroenterology/research/research-laboratories/sean-colgan-lab

Credits:

Executive Producers:

-       Bejan Saeedi

-       Joe Behnke

-       Michael Sayegh

-       Carey Jansen

-       Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors 

-       Brian Robinson

-       Mary Horton

-       Talia Swartz

-       Chris Williams

-       David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Steven Freedman, MD, PhD - Pay it Forward Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Steven Freedman is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School where he serves as the Director of the Pancreas Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as well as the Chief of the Division of Translational Research.

Prior to joining the faculty at BI, Dr. Freedman completed his PhD at Yale before pursuing his medical education at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He then pursued his remaining clinical training including GI fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Dr. Freeman maintains an active research group that studies basic and clinical aspects of pancreatitis. Not only does he balance his own research and clinical practice, but he is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists through several focused initiatives.

In today’s episode, Dr. Freedman discusses a sustainable approach to preparing trainees and junior faculty for success as independent investigators through a pay-it-forward approach. Throughout today’s episode, Dr. Freedman provides an important reminder for us all-to engage in something that is fun and that has the potential to help change patient’s lives.

Our thanks to Dr. Freedman for being on the podcast.

Lab website: https://www.bidmc.org/research/research-by-department/medicine/translational-research/people/steven-d-freedman-md-phd

Executive Producers:
-       Bejan Saeedi
-       Joe Behnke
-       Michael Sayegh
-       Carey Jansen
-       Nielsen Weng
Faculty Advisors 
-       Brian Robinson
-       Mary Horton
-       Talia Swartz
-       Chris Williams
-       David Schwartz
Twitter: @behindthescope_
Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod
Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1
Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Samuel David Burciaga - Represent Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Samuel David Burciaga, a first-generation Mexican American, earned his Biology degree from the University of Minnesota and is currently in the first year of his Immunology PhD at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Motivated by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he sees scientific research as a practical tool to unravel complex problems. His academic journey is fueled by a passion for groundbreaking research and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Samuel values collaboration and mentorship, understanding the importance of representation in the scientific community. Beyond academia, Samuel appreciates the collaborative culture at CU Anschutz, which has become home over the past year as his partner completes her medical residency. His aspiration to impact first-generation college students and the Latino community reflects a commitment to leaving a meaningful mark in the Immunology Program.

Credits:

Our thanks to Sam for coming on the show!

Executive Producers:

- Bejan Saeedi

- Joe Behnke

- Michael Sayegh

- Carey Jansen

- Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors

- Brian Robinson

- Mary Horton

- Talia Swartz

- Chris Williams

- David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Geoffrey Connors, MD - Run Differently Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Connors is the Program Director of the University of Colorado Internal Medicine Residency Program, the Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine, and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan, his MD from Tulane, did residency and a chief year at the University of Colorado, and fellowship in pulm/crit at Johns Hopkins before joining the faculty at Yale. He moved to the University of Colorado in 2017 and has led the internal medicine residency program since that time. It is apparent in speaking with Dr. Connors that for him, medical education is more of a calling than a career – and he has spearheaded progressive reforms at the residency level during his tenure. These include the formation of a 4+4 schedule, building in research time for residents, and doing away with 28-hour call and extended duration shifts. Today, we discuss the past, present, and future of medical education and our training infrastructure, how it can and should change, and how to continually find joy in academic medicine and education.

Dr. Connor's Faculty Page: https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/26859

Executive Producers:

- Bejan Saeedi

- Joe Behnke

- Michael Sayegh

- Carey Jansen

- Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors

- Brian Robinson

- Mary Horton

- Talia Swartz

- Chris Williams

- David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Marie Hollenhorst, MD, PhD - Find Your People Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Marie Hollenhorst is an Instructor of Medicine in Hematology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hollenhorst earned her MD and PhD from Harvard University followed by residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a fellowship in transfusion medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a fellowship in hematology at Stanford before ultimately joining faculty at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Today, Dr. Hollenhorst discusses her training journey, how it can be improved for future generations, and her recent transition to faculty

Credits:

Our thanks to Dr. Hollenhorst for coming on the show!

Twitter/x: @hollenhorstM

Faculty page: https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/details/16143/marie-hollenhorst-hematology-boston

Executive Producers:

- Bejan Saeedi

- Joe Behnke

- Michael Sayegh

- Carey Jansen

- Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors

- Brian Robinson

- Mary Horton

- Talia Swartz

- Chris Williams

- David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Olujimi Ajijola, MD, PhD - The Physician Scientist Highway Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Olujimi Ajijola is a leader in physician-scientist education and directs both the PSTP and MSTP at UCLA. He earned his BS from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, his MD from Duke, and his PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology from UCLA. He completed residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by fellowships in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at UCLA. Today, Dr. Ajijola shares his thoughts on how and why we train physician-scientists - and what needs to change to keep the workforce robust and relevant.

Dr. Ajijola's Faculty Page: https://mstp.healthsciences.ucla.edu/people/olujimi-ajijola-md-phd/

Credits:

Executive Producers:

- Bejan Saeedi

- Joe Behnke

- Michael Sayegh

- Carey Jansen

- Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors

- Brian Robinson

- Mary Horton

- Talia Swartz

- Chris Williams

- David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Jay Vyas, MD, PhD - Batting Three-Hundred Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Jay Vyas is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to joining the faculty at MGH, Dr. Vyas completed his MD/PhD training at the Baylor College of Medicine, where he conducted his Immunology PhD research within the lab of Dr. Robert Rich. He then completed his internal medicine residency followed by infectious disease fellowship training at MGH. He also conducted postdoctoral research within the Whitehead Institute. In addition to his clinical and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Vyas maintains an active NIH-funded research program dedicated to the study of the innate immune response towards invasive fungal infections.

In today’s episode, Dr. Vyas shares his philosophy on MD/PhD and physician-scientist training and discusses the importance of team-based practices within research, medicine, and administration.

Our thanks to Dr. Vyas for being on the podcast.

Lab website: https://www.massgeneral.org/medicine/infectious-diseases/research-and-

initiatives/vyas-laboratory

Executive Producers:

- Bejan Saeedi

- Joe Behnke

- Michael Sayegh

- Carey Jansen

- Nielsen Weng

Faculty Advisors

- Brian Robinson

- Mary Horton

- Talia Swartz

- Chris Williams

- David Schwartz

Twitter: @behindthescope_

Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod

Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Website: behindthemicroscope.com

Glenn Furuta, MD - In It for the Long Haul Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Furuta was among the first physician scientists I ever met and is a big reason why I decided to choose this career path. He is a dedicated mentor, exceptional clinician and researcher, and an incredible leader – most recently taking the helm of the pediatric division of gastroenterology at Colorado Children’s Hospital. Dr. Furuta earned his BA at the University of Texas in Austin, His MD at Baylor College of m=Medicine, where he also did his pediatrics residency and served as chief resident, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Children’s Hospital/Harvard medical school program. Dr. Furuta is the director of the GI eosinophilic diseases program, the la cache endowed chair for GI allergic and immunologic diseases, the director of research in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, as well as the section head of pediatric GI and hepatology. Today, Dr. Furuta shares his passion for this varied and exciting career, and how he mentors those of us who want to follow in his footsteps.

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