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In a special year-end episode of Science Changing Life, we’re revisiting five moments from 2025 that continue to shape how we think about science. Featuring insights from Scripps Research experts across genetics, infectious disease, public health surveillance and chronic illness, this episode features some of this year’s most memorable soundbites.    Keywords/topics: Scientific insights; 2025 year in review; genetics; infectious disease; public health surveillance; Long COVID; alcohol use disorder; immunology  Scripps Research Magazine: https://magazine.scripps.edu

The data is clear: inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s are on the rise worldwide. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Amy Lightner—VP of Clinical Development at Calibr-Skaggs and colorectal surgeon at Scripps Clinic—to explore what drives these diseases, an upcoming phase 2 clinical trial for a new regenerative medicine, and how she balances life between the operating room and the research lab.  // Keywords and topics: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; colon cancer; pouchitis; IBD phase 2 clinical trial; CLF065; colorectal surgery  Additional resources: About Amy Lightner⁠LinkedIn - Amy Lightner⁠Instagram - Lightner labFacebook - Lightner labScripps Research Magazine

This year on Science Changing Life, we’ve had some amazing scientists join us to share their work, their stories and what drives them. There’s one question we love to ask our guests: What advice would you give to scientists just starting out? We compiled their refreshingly honest answers into one episode—hear what they had to say.

Depression and alcohol dependence are often seen as personal struggles—but decades of study by Scripps Research professor Cindy Ehlers reveal a much bigger picture. In this episode of Science Changing Life, Ehlers breaks down how biology, culture and trauma interact to shape mental health outcomes. Learn how her work is paving the way for more effective interventions, and how new strategies—like culturally grounded prevention programs and digital tools—can reduce harm in high-risk communities. // Ehlers lab: https://www.scripps.edu/ehlers/index.html  Scripps Research Magazine: https://magazine.scripps.edu

What if the key to detecting the next pandemic was hidden in our wastewater? By analyzing pathogens found in sewage, scientists can track the spread of infections before they become widespread threats. In this episode of Science Changing Life, project scientist Josh Levy and PhD student Praneeth Gangavarapu explain how analyzing what goes down the drain can offer life-saving insights into the future of public health.    Learn more about the role of wastewater surveillance in tracking a range of viruses—including SARS-CoV-2, H5N1 and even seasonal influenza.  // Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/josh-levy.bsky.social, https://bsky.app/profile/praneethg.bsky.social   Andersen lab: https://andersen-lab.com/   Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Roughly two years ago, virology expert and Scripps Research professor Sumit Chanda sat down with Science Changing Life to discuss all things pandemic preparedness and COVID-19. But the world is in a very different place now, with infectious disease threats like H5N1, mpox and Dengue virus on the rise. Chanda joins us once again to share the latest in the virology space, how scientists can be better communicators, and his advice for making sure we’re as prepared for an uncertain future as we can be. Instagram: instagram.com/thechandalab/ Chanda lab: chandalab.org/ Twitter/X: x.com/thechandalab Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Long COVID affects millions of people worldwide, yet many questions about the condition remain unanswered. In this episode of Science Changing Life, Julia Moore Vogel, PhD, shares what it’s like to study—and live with—long COVID. As the senior director of the All of Us Research Program, Julia discusses how her experience has fueled innovative research to improve symptom management and health equity for patients with the condition. Listen in to learn how Julia transforms personal challenges into professional breakthroughs. Twitter: https://x.com/julialmv LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliamoorevogel All of Us Research Program: https://www.joinallofus.org/ Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Eric Topol, we explore how examining the past is necessary to ensure we’re more prepared for our future. From universal vaccines and advanced antiviral therapies to cutting-edge digital tools like wearable biosensors and genomic surveillance, Dr. Topol shares actionable insights on harnessing technology and data to revolutionize pandemic preparedness. Listen in as we discuss the path to a safer, healthier future. // Episode transcript: https://www.scripps.edu/_files/images/2024_images/topol-pandemic-prep-transcript.pdf Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTopol LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-topol-md-b83a7317/ Ground Truths podcast: erictopol.substack.com Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing what we once thought impossible. But how can we distinguish genuine breakthroughs from mere hype? In this episode of Science Changing Life, we welcome Eric Topol, MD—renowned physician, scientist, and author. As executive vice president at Scripps Research and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, Dr. Topol shares his thoughts on how AI is transforming science and medicine today and offers a glimpse into what the future may hold. His advice to listeners? 'Be open to change.' Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTopol LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-topol-md-b83a7317/ Ground Truths podcast: erictopol.substack.com Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Thanks to revolutionary technologies like CRISPR, we’re now living in an age where it’s becoming possible to rewrite the very building blocks of life itself—our DNA. We sit down with Scripps Research Fellow and CRISPR expert Shannon Miller, PhD, to discover how these gene editing technologies are poised to reverse a range of diseases. Listen in as we explore Shannon’s unique journey into science—beginning not with a single eureka moment, but instead with a passion for creativity and discovery. Twitter: https://twitter.com/_shannonmmiller Miller lab: https://www.millerlabresearch.com/team Scripps Research Magazine: https://magazine.scripps.edu/

Four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, another virus threatens to reach pandemic potential: the H5N1 bird flu. We sit down with Arnab Chatterjee, vice president of medicinal chemistry at Calibr-Skaggs, who explains the need to invest in the best science to make sure we’re more prepared than we were for the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Chatterjee breaks down how likely it is for H5N1 to become transmitted between humans, and the steps we can take now to better protect ourselves in the future. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnab-chatterjee-b024661/ Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Galileo’s telescope revolutionized our modern understanding of the universe. Assistant neuroscience professor Xin Jin, PhD, wants to do just that—except for the brain. By building new tools that enable her and other neuroscientists to peer into the inner workings of the mind, Jin is uncovering the cells, genes and other complex drivers behind neurological diseases. Listen in as we explore the galaxy of the brain. Twitter: https://x.com/xinjin Jin lab: https://www.jin.scripps.edu/ Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

More than 90% of drugs fail to make it from the lab bench to approval. How, then, has a physician-scientist like Hugh Rosen found so much success in developing medicines? Rosen, who’s the chair of molecular and cellular biology at Scripps Research, co-invented the drugs ozanimod (approved for multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis) and navacaprant (in Phase 3 trials for major depressive disorder). In this episode of Science Changing Life, listen in as Rosen unveils the success stories behind these groundbreaking treatments—shedding light on the challenges and triumphs shaping modern medicine. Rosen Lab: https://www.scripps.edu/rosen/index.html Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Donna Blackmond never thought her career would lead to solving how life first formed on the prebiotic Earth. But as she points out in this episode of Science Changing Life, does any scientist start out knowing where their research will take them? Blackmond, who is a professor and the John C. Martin Endowed Chair in Chemistry at Scripps Research, shares how her wide-ranging background across chemistry and chemical engineering is helping answer some of today’s biggest questions in science and medicine. Episode transcript: https://www.scripps.edu/_files/images/2024_images/donna-blackmond-podcast-episode-45-transcript.pdf Blackmond Lab: https://www.scripps.edu/blackmond/ Blackmond’s recent PNAS and Nature papers: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2024/20240228-blackmond-molecules.html Scripps Research centennial: 100.scripps.edu/ Scripps Research Magazine: magazine.scripps.edu/

Dr. Jay Pandit is a director of digital medicine at the Scripps Research Translational Institute and an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research, where he combines medicine and technology to improve patients’ clinical outcomes. Listen in as we explore how biosensors and wearable technologies are enabling users to take control of their own health data and usher in a new era of personalized medicine. Episode transcript: https://www.scripps.edu/_files/images/2024_images/jay-pandit-transcript.pdf X: https://twitter.com/JayPandit LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jay-pandit-9489008 Scripps Research centennial: https://100.scripps.edu/ Scripps Research Magazine: https://magazine.scripps.edu/