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Dr. Teodora Georgieva is the Director of the University of Arizona’s GEMM Core Facility, she will talk about Early influential mentors and projects that kept her wanting more  Advancing the discoveries of novel therapeutics through custom model design GEMM Core’s impact on cancer research Three things you will learn in this episode: What a University core facility is and how they are a helpful service  How designer models can impact with cancer research —-------------------------- The BIO5 Institute’s Amy Barber talks with member and one of the University’s experts in biomedical engineering, Dr. Teodora Georgieva. Dr. Gorgegieva’s lab focuses on providing state-of-the-art in-vivo and in vitro models to customers, offering many modification designs and utilizing cutting edge technologies. She is passionate about molecular biology and has been working to design models for scientists since 2007. Her work is integral to research because it advances the discoveries of novel therapeutics, the understanding of disease, and more.  —-------------------------- Check out some of our previous episodes that also share stories of important and influential mentorship! Episode 21: Racing cars, hunting microbes, and mentoring diverse scientists Episode 34: Regenerating hearts and overcoming failure Episode 46: Good mentorship, bad virus: A journey in molecular biology —-------------------------- Connect with us! Instagram: @uazbio5 LinkedIn: uaz-bio5-institute Facebook: @UAZBIO5 Website: BIO5.org

Shang Song is an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering and a BIO5 Researcher, she will talk about Research approach Biomaterials and their usage Her Research focus Recent Discoveries in the Lab Mentorship’s impact on Science Three things you will learn in this episode: What Biomaterials are Recent Discoveries in Cell Treatments Mentorship in Research Labs —-------------------------- The BIO5 Institute’s Amy Barber talks with member and one of the University’s experts in biomedical engineering, Dr. Shang Song. Dr. Song’s lab focuses on integrating advanced engineering design methods and cell therapies to create new microphysiological platforms and regenerative therapies. The lab is fundamentally interested in designing new “experiences” for cells to change their behavior, and use this knowledge to develop better therapeutics and treatment methods for future patient treatment. —-------------------------- Check out some of our previous episodes about biomedical engineering projects! Episode 33: Tackling traumatic brain injury head-on Episode 28: Seamless wearable and implantable devices to support our lives Episode 40: Reducing costs and supporting health with smartphone microscopy  —-------------------------- Connect with us! Instagram: @uazbio5 LinkedIn: uaz-bio5-institute Facebook: @UAZBIO5 Website: BIO5.org

Swarna Ganesh is an Assistant Professor and BIO5 Researcher. She will talk about: 3D bioprinting Cancer diagnostics Mentorship Lab experiences Potential future of cancer treatment  Three things you will learn about in this episode: Tumor Twins Bioprinting’s usage in medicine  How engineering can personalize cancer treatment  —-------------------------- The BIO5 Institute’s Amy Barber talks with member and one of the University’s experts on the tumor modeling, Dr. Swarna Ganesh. Dr. Ganesh’s expertise spans tissue engineering, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine. She is passionate about transforming scientific discoveries into tangible healthcare advancements that can significantly improve patient outcomes.  —-------------------------- Check out some of our previous episodes in relation to regenerative medicine! Episode: 57 Breaking the cycle of unhealing wounds Episode: 56 How regenerative medicine can aid lung disease in babies Episode: 52 Revolutionizing liver tissue engineering and transplants  —-------------------------- Connect with us! Instagram: @uazbio5 LinkedIn: uaz-bio5-institute Facebook: @UAZBIO5 Website: BIO5.org

Three things you will learn in this episode: What are NeuroPods? Gut response to real vs artificial sugar GASTRONAUTS: a scientific community  —-------------------------- The BIO5 Institute’s Amy Barber talks with member and one of the University’s experts on the gut biome Dr. Maya Kaelberer. Dr. Kaelberer is working to understand how the gut senses and responds to the complex composition of food, going beyond traditional calorie counting. The lab’s main goal is to “decipher the nutritional code" by which the gut identifies and reacts to various nutrients, shaping our food preferences and potentially influencing long-term health. —-------------------------- Check out some of our previous episodes in relation to gut : brain science! Episode 41: Embracing the mind-body connection Episode 19: Drugging the “undruggable” targets in GI cancers —-------------------------- Connect with us! Instagram: @uazbio5 LinkedIn: uaz-bio5-institute Facebook: @UAZBIO5 Website: BIO5.org

Three things you will learn in this episode: Drug Discovery and Machine Learning  AI usage in modern Computational Research Challenges in using AI for Precision Medicine and how to combat them —-------------------------- The BIO5 Institute’s Amy Barber talks with member and one of the University’s experts on AI, Dr. Travis Wheeler, Dr. Wheeler’s research group uses computational methods to advance genome research, drug discovery, and precision medicine. Listen in as they explore the rewarding aspects of his work, how computational tools are transforming drug discovery, and the future of machine learning and AI in biological research. Dr. Wheeler leads a research lab at the University of Arizona that focuses on algorithms and machine learning approaches for computational biology, emphasizing applications to genomics, drug discovery, and animal behavior classification.  —-------------------------- Check out some of our previous episodes in relation to AI and computational science! Episode 61: Taming technology, from stone tools to artificial intelligence with Ash Black Episode 60: Merging computer science and ecology to better understand infectious disease with Dr. Lilliana Salvador Episode 35: Big tools for big data with Nirav Merchant —-------------------------- Connect with us! Instagram: @uazbio5 LinkedIn: uaz-bio5-institute Facebook: @UAZBIO5 Website: BIO5.org

Amy Barber was joined by Dr. Alexander Bucksch, a plant phenomicist and associate professor in the School of Plant Sciences at the University of Arizona. He has over 10 years of experience in developing and applying mathematical and computational methods to study plant morphology and physiology across scales and domains, from the organismal to the ecosystem level, and from above to below-ground. His current research focuses on root phenomics, ranging from the population level to the molecular level. In doing so, he develops computational imaging and simulation techniques that can be applied in the lab and the field.

Amy Barber was joined by Dr. Pierce Longmire, a postdoctoral research assistant in the lab of BIO5 member Felicia Goodrum in the Department of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. The overarching goal of the Goodrum lab is to understand how viruses can asymptomatically coexist within a human host. They study the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), using it as a model for defining and understanding interactions between viruses and their hosts that allow for the entry into and exit from latent states. Dr. Longmire works on HCMV interactions with the host DNA damage response. This research may lead to the creation of novel antiviral therapies for at-risk individuals, such as stem cell and organ transplant recipients.

Today we are joined by Dr.  Vanessa Buzzard, a senior research specialist at the University of Arizona School of Environmental and Natural Resources. Dr. Buzzard received her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 2017 where she focused on plant functional trait distribution, but has transitioned her studies from natural systems to urban environments. Today, she is a part of BIO5 member Laura Meredith’s lab where she questions the drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem function in relation to the effects of green infrastructure water management on soils in urban environments. Her research aims to quantify shifts in soil health in response to green stormwater infrastructure in Tucson.

As we wrap up 2024, today’s special episode will be a reflection on the remarkable achievements of the University of Arizona researchers and the groundbreaking work at BIO5. Caroline Bartelme was joined by BIO5 Institute director Jennifer Barton to reflect on some highlights, exciting research updates, and what’s next on the horizon for this coming year.

Amy Barber was joined by Ash Black, the director of AI & industry at the University of Arizona Institute for Computation & Data-Enabled Insight, to discuss his role coordinating AI outreach and building internships, jobs, and economic opportunities across Arizona. This institute provides training, education, collaboration, software licenses, and data to our researchers here at BIO5 and the U of A. Black works as a creative technologist and educator with an impressive record of innovation from the early internet to advanced technology, including AI and XR. As a specialist in student engagement, he uses experiential learning and pushes to use practical learning methods.

Identifying and understanding zoonotic diseases—infections that are spread between people and animals—can help predict future emergence risks, particularly in vulnerable populations. Combined with computational and data-based models, this research allows us to study potential diseases in the hopes of preventing outbreaks. On this episode of Science Talks, Amy Barber is joined by Dr. Liliana Salvador, assistant professor of animal and comparative biomedical sciences, at the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Dr. Salvador combines ecological, genomic, epidemiological, and movement data with computational and mathematical models to understand zoonotic diseases in wildlife, livestock, and humans.

Students are an important part of the BIO5 Institute at the University of Arizona and share in the success we achieve here. The different administrative departments within BIO5 look for ways to engage with students and train them on the business side of science. One of those departments is the Public Affairs department where students assist with communications and marketing projects, community and faculty events, and other special projects. One such project is our undergraduate internship program, the BIO5 Ambassadors.   Amy Barber is joined on Science Talks by two of those BIO5 students(now University of Arizona alumni): Paulina Garza and Drew Seiser. They worked as Public Affairs student assistants and co-facilitated the BIO5 Ambassadors program. Garza graduated in May 2024 with a degree in management information systems and works in technology consulting. Seiser also graduated in May 2024 with her BS in cell and molecular biology and aims to pursue a PhD.

Air pollution, which has implications for human health particularly in urban areas, may be attributed to volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs in the atmosphere have various sources, but of rising concern are those originating from personal care items, cleaning products, and industrial solvents.  Amy Barber and Caroline Bartelme were joined by Dr. Gemma Purser a 2024 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Laura Meredith’s lab in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Specializing in atmospheric and analytical chemistry, Dr. Purser works to further understand VOCs so we better understand how they impact urban green spaces and air quality.  Dr. Gemma Purser left the University of Arizona at the end of June 2024.

A chronic wound does not heal in an orderly set of stages or predictable amount of time. These wounds often remain in the inflammatory stage for too long, taking years to heal, or never healing at all. Biomedical research uses regenerative medicine, tissue repair, nanotechnology, and various biomaterials to target chronic injuries like this. It’s important for researchers to focus on targeting an anti-inflammatory response within molecules, using regenerative techniques to combat oxidative and inflammatory stressors that would otherwise exacerbate the healing process.  For this episode of Science Talks, Amy Barber talks with Dr. Carlos Zgheib, an associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Dr. Zgheib leads the Laboratory for Fetal and Regenerative Biology with Ken Liechty and is the surgeon-in-chief at Diamond Children's Medical Center at Banner’s Children.

In many cases where babies are born prematurely, they often have underdeveloped lungs. This can cause breathing problems and neonatal lung diseases that require long-term treatment, or even lung transplantation. It’s critical for research to be done to provide treatments that can help these premature babies survive so they can grow up healthy.  Amy Barber is joined on Science Talks by Dr. Vlad Kalinichenko, an internationally renowned research scientist and director of the Phoenix Children’s Research Institute at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix. Kalinichenko was recently awarded a $3M grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new treatment methods for lung disease in premature infants.