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Glioblastoma—it's a diagnosis no one wants to receive. A deadly cancer with few treatment options, GBM is also incredibly difficult to monitor. Doctors simply cannot 'see' if a treatment is working well or not at all and must rely on MRI scans to try to look at a patient's tumor.  Liquid biopsies have shown promise in this and other difficult cancers, and a recent paper by TGen researchers is shedding light on how to get more accurate information through cell-free DNA in a patient's blood. The Barthel Lab is continuing its research into this promising technique, and in this episode, we talk with Sharvari Mankame, a PhD candidate whose research in this field is not only the subject of her doctoral thesis, but likely also her life's work.

SuperAgers and Alzheimer’s The quest for a fountain of youth goes back thousands of years. Stories throughout history have hinted at a secret that could stop time, but no one’s ever found it.
While modern science keeps searching for ways to slow physical aging, many of us focus on something closer to home: keeping our brains sharp and healthy for as long as possible. That’s where SuperAgers come in, older adults in their 80s and 90s whose memory and cognitive abilities are just as vital as they were decades earlier. So what’s their secret? In this month’s episode, we meet Ignazio Piras, Ph.D., co-Author of a paper seeking to define what it is that these people have that makes them so unique. Dr. Piras explains what a "SuperAger" is, how his study looked at these individuals, their episodic memory performance, and whether their polygenic risk score (a number that estimates their personal genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease) factored into their prolonged high cognitive abilities.

In this episode of TGen Talks, we explore the art and responsibility of mentorship in biomedical research. Behind every breakthrough is not just data and experiments, but the guidance of seasoned scientists who shape the next generation. And while the results may not appear in a lab notebook, they’re just as important. TGen neuroscientist and educator, Dr. John Fryer, joins the podcast to share how mentorship transforms careers, fosters resilience, and sparks creativity. From the lessons learned in his own training to the values he instills in his lab today, Dr. Fryer reminds us that science is an apprenticeship at heart, and choosing the right mentor can make all the difference in the world. Because in the end, the breakthroughs we celebrate are powered not only by experiments, but by the people who take the time to guide others along the way.

For many Arizona students, the path into science begins with a single summer that reshapes their confidence and their future. Since 2007, the Helios Scholars Program at TGen has been that turning point. Each year, Helios Scholars spend eight weeks working directly with TGen researchers exploring cancer biology, neurological and infectious disease, diabetes, and the fast‑growing world of computational genomics. Some even step into administrative roles that keep scientific projects moving. The program began with a Helios Education Foundation grant in 2006. The pilot’s success led to a $6.5 million endowment and the official launch of Helios Scholars at TGen, a program built to educate, inspire, and strengthen Arizona’s STEM workforce. Now entering its 20th year, the impact is undeniable. Alumni have published research, earned national recognition, and joined top graduate and medical programs across the country. Helios alumna Saahithi Mallapragada joins TGen Talks to discuss how her Helios experience became a launchpad for her career in science. You’ll hear about her internship experience, her work in the lab, and why she would encourage anyone to apply to the Helios Scholar program to see if science might be a true passion.

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month. In this episode, meet two new TGen researchers whose shared love of science—and math—first brought them together in the lab and later in life. Drs. Simona Migliozzi and Luciano Garofano are married to each other and to their work. They discuss their education in Italy, their research journeys across institutions in the U.S., and the path that ultimately led them to TGen, where Dr. Garofano’s expertise in math and statistics pairs seamlessly with Dr. Migliozzi's passion for improving outcomes for patients with glioblastoma. You’ll also hear about their individual contributions to the growing body of GBM research and learn which partner believes the other is the true “smart one” in the partnership.

It’s well known that smoking is the number one factor that significantly increases your risk of developing cancer over a lifetime. But obesity also poses an increased risk. While the relationship is well known, the reasons behind the link between body weight and cancer were not … until now. In this episode of TGen Talks, Dr. Cristian Tomasetti, senior author on a recent study in Cancer Research, highlights why obesity and cancer are so closely connected. While the link between excess weight and cancer has long been observed, Tomasetti and colleagues are the first to mathematically explain why the risk rises. Their work revealed that obesity enlarges organs, increasing the total number of cells that could potentially become cancerous. This episode blends math and medicine for a compelling look at how understanding cancer at the cellular level can shape the future of risk assessment.

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. In this episode, we speak with TGen Associate Professor Jonathan Keats, Ph.D. Dr. Keats’ revisits the COMPASS study from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundationm a 12-year research project that examined the different forms of this blood cancer and revealed why some patients respond well to treatment while others face more aggressive disease. His work on the project led to the development of two advanced tests that can deliver results in days instead of weeks, helping doctors choose the most effective treatment for each patient. These tests can also show when some patient may no longer need therapy, sparing many people from years of difficult and costly treatments. Listen as Dr. Keats shares why he believes the future is becoming much brighter for patients with multiple myeloma and other forms of cancer.

Why do some people stay mentally sharp well into their seventies and eighties, while others begin to struggle with memory much earlier in life? MindCrowd, an ambitious online brain study created at TGen, set out to explore that question more than a decade ago. Instead of bringing small groups of volunteers into a lab, Matt Huentelman, Ph.D., and his team did something almost unheard of at the time: they opened the study to anyone with an internet connection. In just a few minutes, participants answered basic questions and completed simple tasks that measured memory and reaction time. 
 Over time, those millions of data points have revealed how thinking, learning, and remembering evolve across the human lifespan. Today, MindCrowd is nearing an extraordinary milestone: one million participants. That massive, global dataset representing people of all ages, backgrounds, and countries has made possible discoveries that simply couldn’t be captured in traditional studies. Researchers have seen clear patterns in how response time changes with age, consistent performance differences between men and women, and even surprising findings about participants with high blood pressure. And despite our widespread fears about Alzheimer’s and dementia, MindCrowd reinforces a hopeful truth: roughly 87 percent of us will not experience dementia in our lifetime.
 As the project approaches the one-million mark, Dr. Huentelman joins us to talk about what study’s already taught us, the outliers who intrigue him most, why identifying the factors that protect, or challenge, our brain health matters to every one of us, and how this work moves us closer to the goal of precision aging.

Episode 87 of TGen Talks features Dr. Haiyong Han, who dives into his latest work on one of the deadliest of cancers: pancreatic cancer. He breaks down why this disease is so hard to catch early, how it can grow silently for years before symptoms appear, and why identifying true positives in the general population is such a big challenge. Dr. Han also shares promising progress toward a new non-invasive screening test that could one day enable earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. The goal? To turn this deadly disease into a more manageable condition, and give patients real hope for the future. As we recognize Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, this episode emphasizes the urgent need for improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatments, and continued research to change the outcome for patients everywhere.

In this episode of TGen Talks, we sit down with three researchers who are working to make cancer care safer and more precise for some of the most vulnerable patients—children with rare brain tumors. Dr. Floris Barthel, Dr. Shea Gallus, and graduate student Sharvari Mankame are part of a team at TGen and Phoenix Children’s Hospital exploring liquid biopsies—a method that uses small samples of blood or spinal fluid to detect and monitor brain cancer. This approach could reduce the need for invasive surgeries, which are especially hard on young patients. Our guests explain how liquid biopsies work, what they’re learning from genetic markers called K-mers, and how artificial intelligence is helping them analyze tumor DNA in ways that weren’t possible before. Their goal is to find a better way to track cancer in real time—giving doctors more information while easing the burden on patients and families. While this science is still developing, it’s already showing real potential to shift how we approach diagnosis and treatment—not just in pediatrics, but across cancer care.

What connects a fashion show to biomedical research? More than you'd expect—especially in the fight against women’s cancers and the local support for TGen and City of Hope. 

TGen’s 5th annual Runway for Research takes place on Friday, October 17, in partnership with Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and City of Hope Phoenix. 
Runway for Research blends fashion and purpose, supporting advancements in women’s cancer research and treatment. Attendees will experience the season’s latest runway trends, connect with community leaders, and support groundbreaking local research. 

In this episode of TGen Talks, Runway co-chairs Lee Courtney and Amy Hair spotlight Runway for Research, and explain why it’s about more than style; it’s about saving lives. This year’s “Pink Elegance” theme continues the color tradition launched in 2023, encouraging guests to wear their favorite shades of pink in honor of cancer survivors and in support of future discoveries.
 Registration is now open at tgen.org/runway.

What if medicine worked to get you healthier overall—not just people like you or for one or another symptom? In the latest episode of TGen Talks, host Karie Dozer sits down with Nicholas Schork, Ph.D., and Laura Goetz, M.D., co-authors of a recent commentary published in Nature Communications, From Precision Interventions to Precision Health, to explore the promise—and complexity—of truly personalized healthcare. Traditional medicine treats symptoms. Precision healthcare, however, rethinks that model entirely. By tapping into genomics, environment, lifestyle, and even real-time data from wearable devices, Drs. Schork and Goetz discuss developing highly individualized approaches that don’t just treat illness—they aim to prevent it. Together, they unpack how this shift could redefine everything from how drugs are tested, to how diseases are managed, and even how we define “health.” They discuss cutting-edge innovations like anti-sense oligonucleotides—drugs custom-made for an individual’s genetic code—and the rise of geroprotectors, compounds designed to support whole-body wellness as we age. They discuss the difficulties of such specific treatments and the differences in the way different patients might metabolize and respond to the same medicine. The future of medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s N-of-1—and it might just be closer than you think.

Summers at TGen offer a unique opportunity for students to dive into the world of biomedical research. The Helios Scholars Program at TGen actively engages student interns in real-world science and administrative functions, as they gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing projects.
Join host Karie Dozer as Helios Scholar Audra Welch shares her unfiltered experience in the intensive eight-week program. Discover how this Northern Arizona University biology and Spanish major is diving headfirst into biomedical research, specifically exploring how age influences the brain's response to sepsis.
Audra candidly discusses the thrill and challenge of wet lab work, building on the extensive research of her Ph.D. mentor, and the unique experience of preparing for a research symposium presentation. She also reflects on her journey from environmental engineering to medical microbiology and shares the surprising inspiration she found in an American surgeon and medical researcher Dr. Charles Drew.
Whether you are an aspiring scientist, or simply curious about the next generation of researchers behind the biomedical advances of the future, Audra’s insights reveal the supportive and welcoming environment at TGen, where learning and discovery drive the science behind the breakthroughs.

In this episode of TGen Talks, we spotlight the Ivy Neurological Sciences Internship Program at TGen. This year-long program bridges the gap between undergraduate studies and medical school, providing aspiring physicians with direct laboratory experience. Interns actively participate in ongoing research, often leading independent projects. Joining our podcast is Ivy Intern, Megan Locklear, who’s completing a year-long internship working in the glioblastoma lab before entering medical school. Her work exemplifies how TGen empowers the next generation of medical researchers. Join us as we discuss her experiences and the impact of this unique internship. The year of lab work has taught Megan more about what type of medical field she might pursue, the importance of biomedical research when dealing face-to-face with patients and their families and why stepping outside your comfort zone can bring about the best possible learning experiences.

This month on TGen Talks, we get an insider’s perspective on how today’s biomedical research translates into tomorrow's treatments. We sit down with Stephanie Pond, Ph.D., Vice President of Emerging Opportunities at TGen. We’ll Learn about the crucial role of TGen’s START and EDP programs – the Scientific Technology Assessment Research Team and Enterprise Directed Programs – in accelerating this process. Dr. Pond explains how her team works to identify gaps in current research tools, partner with biotechnology companies to develop new technologies, and help commercialize TGen’s research discoveries. She highlights how advances in multiomics, single-cell sequencing, and spatial technologies are transforming biomedical research and enabling new diagnostic tests and treatments. Dr. Pond also discusses TGen's Enterprise Directed Programs, which focuses on taking research discoveries and developing scalable clinical tests and products. Join us to hear Dr. Pond’s passion for technology and science and her dedication to bringing personalized medicine to life, faster.