Breakthroughs is a podcast about groundbreaking research and the scientists leading these discoveries at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We are driven by our mission to transform the practice of medicine and profoundly impact human health beyond the individual patient. We believe better answers only come from discovery.
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Host: Samir Kakodkar, MD - specialist in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis Medical School: Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency: Rush University Medical Center Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Advanced Fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Colitis): Northwestern Memorial Hospital Practice Location 7900 N Milwaukee Ave Suite 19, Niles, IL 60714 For appointments: 847-318-9595 Contact: samir3@g ...
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The Education Channel is a partner to educators, a resource for parents, and a way for students across the lifespan to continue learning and growing. Our evolving lineup of programs is designed to support educational goals and encourage creativity during the pandemic and beyond. Supported by the Department of Education and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Extension. Visit: uctv.tv/education.
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What Can a Digital Mental Health Tool Do for Teens? with Jessica Schleider, PhD
30:43
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30:43New evidence shows that a one-time intervention can lead to lasting improvement in the lives of young people struggling with mental health problems. In this episode, Jessica Schleider, PhD, associate professor of Medical Social Sciences, explains how she is using this approach to scale single-session interventions (SSIs) to reach more people in nee…
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The Science Behind Sleep Health with Minjee Kim, MD
29:20
29:20
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29:20In this episode, Minjee Kim, MD, shares results of recent studies she has conducted to better understand the role of inadequate sleep on long-term metabolic health in pregnant women and middle-aged adults. She also discusses a new AI-based intervention that could bring a better night of sleep to those who need it.…
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New Insights from Inside the Brain with Rodrigo Braga, PhD
20:39
20:39
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20:39In this episode, Rodrigo Braga, PhD, explains recent advances in his Human Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, using precision functional MRI technology, that is helping us better understand how the brain is working. He details recent findings published in Science Advances that provide new understanding of how the brain works during and after social intera…
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A Life Lesson in Climbing with Manley Feinberg
39:34
39:34
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39:34“When anchors fail, people die.” This line has many meanings for author, motivational speaker and expert mountain climber Manley Feinberg. In this Osher Author Talk interview, Feinberg describes a harrowing climb of Yosemite's El Capitan in 2022, where he and his son saved the life of their companion while suspended on the face of the mountain. He …
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Addressing Antisemitism on Campus: Lessons from History Challenges for Today
59:45
59:45
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59:45John A. Pérez, Regent Emeritus of the University of California, sits down with Robert Williams, Ph.D., CEO and Finci-Viterbi Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, for a critical conversation about the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. They explore how history shapes present-day challenges, the dangers of misinformation, and the ro…
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Inventing a Tiny Pacemaker with John Rogers, PhD
29:27
29:27
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29:27What could be the world's smallest pacemaker was recently developed at Northwestern University and details of the device were published in the journal Nature. This incredible innovation, about the size of a grain of rice, from the lab of John Rogers, PhD, is designed to be an alternative to bulky, wired temporary pacemakers. In this episode, Rogers…
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How Alzheimer’s Drugs Work with David Gate, PhD
14:44
14:44
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14:44A Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Medicine, used a new technique called spatial transcriptomics to examine the brain’s response to Alzheimer's therapies, revealing new molecular targets that could enhance the effectiveness of current therapies and not just slow the disease, but potentially improve patient outcomes. David Gate, PhD, …
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Intervening Earlier in Mental Healthcare for Kids with Lauren Wakschlag, PhD
24:49
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24:49A new $11.7 million award from the National Institute of Mental Health aims to help Northwestern Medicine investigators move the dial on the youth mental health crisis by targeting early warning signs of mental health risk in toddlers, rather than waiting until diagnosable and severe conditions are present later in childhood. In this episode, Laure…
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Advancing Ovarian Health from Fertility to Lifespan with Francesca Duncan, PhD
25:40
25:40
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25:40Women are living longer, healthier lives, but ovarian aging still impacts fertility and hormone production as it always has. In this episode, Francesca Duncan, PhD, discusses novel research into maintaining ovarian function, longer. This work could someday help prevent or slow down age-related changes to the ovaries, offering hope for better health…
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Pursuing Precision Medicine for Rare Diseases with Gemma Carvill, PhD
26:10
26:10
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26:10Scientists from Northwestern Medicine, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have uncovered the first rare genetic disorder linked to a long non-coding RNA gene. In this episode, Gemma Carvill, PhD, explains how this discovery, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, came to be and the critical roles non-coding regions of the genome may …
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Reinventing Lifelong Learning with Edward Abeyta
16:29
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16:29In this insightful conversation, Edward Abeyta, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Education and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, shares his passion for lifelong learning, community access, and innovation in education. Drawing on his personal journey, shaped by his family’s belief in hard work and continuous learning, Abeyta …
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Darlene Lopez shares her inspiring journey in the business world, offering valuable insights into career growth, mentorship, and navigating the corporate landscape. Drawing from her experiences at Apple and TikTok, she discusses how these roles shaped her leadership style, approach to self-promotion, and the importance of setting boundaries. A cent…
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Investigating the Health Impact of Incarceration with Linda Teplin, PhD
18:55
18:55
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18:55With a new $20 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, Northwestern investigator, Linda Teplin, PhD, is extending the work of the Northwestern Juvenile Project to study the long-term consequences of incarceration on age-related conditions, including Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases. This project is the only large-scale longitu…
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STEM Without Borders: The ENLACE Summer Research Program
8:56
8:56
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8:56The ENLACE Summer Research Experience at UC San Diego connects high school and college students from the U.S. and Mexico in hands-on lab work with real research impact. Led by Dr. Olivia Graeve, the program offers a chance to explore new fields, gain lab skills, and prepare for grad school, while building cross-border friendships and collaboration …
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Studying Social Networks to Address Health Inequities with Michelle Birkett, PhD
24:23
24:23
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24:23Understanding the systemic drivers of health disparities within marginalized populations is complex. In this episode, Michelle Birkett, PhD, explains how she uses network and quantitative methodologies to study the health of marginalized populations, particularly sexual and gender minority youth. She also discusses her new center, the Center for Co…
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Empowering the Future of Medicine: UniversityLink Medical Science Program
16:31
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16:31Through the UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP), college students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to become future health science professionals develop essential academic and professional skills, benefit from long-term mentoring, and build lasting social and professional networks. Dr. Ramón A. Hernandez hig…
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Emerging Drug Targets in Parkinson's Disease with Joe Mazzulli, PhD
28:08
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28:08Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease, a condition for which there is still no known cause or cure. Joseph Mazzulli, PhD, has led two recent studies published in Neuron and Nature Communications uncovering previously unknown cellular mechanisms driving the disease. These studies highlight the potential for new th…
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New Insights into Cellular Metabolism with Issam Ben-Sahra, PhD
18:14
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18:14New research from the lab of Issam Ben-Sahra, PhD, could rewrite textbooks on our understanding of cellular metabolism and potentially identify new targets for cancer and metabolic diseases such as obesity. The discovery, published in the journal Science, has been praised for its rigorous simplicity and underscores the importance of understanding t…
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Understanding Gut Microbiome Science with Jeffrey Gordon, MD
35:30
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35:30Jeffrey Gordon, MD, often called “the father of microbiome research,” is the 2024 recipient of the Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science. In this episode, Gordon discusses the impacts of his long career in gut microbiome research, which has profoundly transformed our understanding of human health. Specifically, he shares the evolution of…
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From Dreams to Degrees: How Reality Changers Transforms Lives
6:13
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6:13Discover the inspiring work of Reality Changers, an organization dedicated to empowering first-generation students and their families to achieve their dreams of higher education. Hear firsthand from students, volunteers, and staff as they share how Reality Changers provides critical support—from academic tutoring and mentorship to a safe, welcoming…
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Overcoming Hormone Therapy Resistance in Prostate Cancer with Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD
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23:03The MYC oncogene is notorious in the cancer research world because it is implicated in many advanced or aggressive cancers such as treatment-resistant prostate cancer. In this episode, Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD, shares how his team bucked the conventional notion that the MYC gene is “undruggable” and uncovered a handful of compounds that block MYC …
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From Resilience to Leadership: A Journey of Social Justice and Community Empowerment with Gloria Corral
31:27
31:27
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31:27Through her work with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), Gloria Corral empowers families and communities to nurture and support young children's brilliance, particularly in marginalized communities. Here, she shares her career journey as well as insights on the importance of kindness, valuing diverse identities, and finding joy and …
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How to Measure Biological Age with John Wilkins, MD
21:27
21:27
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21:27A team of Northwestern Medicine scientists are conducting a new longitudinal cross-sectional study to investigate why some people see to age faster than others. In this episode, John Wilkins, MD, associate director of the Human Longevity Laboratory at the Potocsnak Longevity Institute, shares details of the study, which will eventually include a va…
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A Compelling New Lupus Discovery with Jaehyuk Choi, MD, PhD
20:10
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20:10Northwestern Medicine physician-scientist Jaehyuk Choi, MD, PhD joins the show again to discuss another breakthrough. This time for lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition affecting 300,000 Americans that can cause inflammation in many body parts, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Findings by Choi and his lab membe…
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A Conversation with Ina Garten Michelle K. Hanabusa Margot Lee Shetterly and Lynn Sherr - Women in Leadership 2024
1:20:36
1:20:36
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1:20:36Cookbook author and television host Ina Garten, founder and creative director of UPRISERS and co-founder of Hate Is A Virus Michelle K. Hanabusa, and author of ”Hidden Figures" Margot Lee Shetterly sit down with Lynn Sherr for a wide-ranging discussion of women and society, personal journeys and hopes for the future. Series: "Education Channel" [Pu…
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Uncovering Insights into Cancer and Alzheimer's with Marcus Peter, PhD
27:36
27:36
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27:36For decades, Marcus Peter, PhD, has drilled into an area of research focused on cell death and the roles of toxic and protective short RNAs, with the goal of developing a novel form of cancer treatment. Now, this same line of research has led Peter’s team to uncover new insights into the cause of Alzheimer's disease. In this episode, Peter explains…
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The Evolution of Digital Pathology with Lee Cooper, PhD
20:11
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20:11New advances in digital pathology are revolutionizing the analysis of disease, paving the way for greater accuracy and efficiency when it comes to diagnostics, predicting outcomes and treatment. In this episode, Lee Cooper, PhD, discusses the future of digital and computational pathology and his research on machine learning and pathology, including…
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Driving Innovations in Biostatistics with Denise Scholtens, PhD
23:33
23:33
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23:33Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is home to a team of premier faculty and staff biostatisticians who are a driving force of data analytic innovation and excellence. In this episode, Denise Scholtens, PhD, a leader in biostatistics at Feinberg, discusses the growing importance of the field of biostatistics and how she leverages he…
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Leading Pediatric Obesity Research with Justin Ryder, PhD
22:32
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22:32Northwestern Medicine scientists are at the forefront of research investigating the most effective ways of treating obesity in children and teens and improving their access to care. In this episode, Justin Ryder, PhD, a clinical and translational obesity scientist at Feinberg, talks about the use of new GLP-1–based medications for childhood obesity…
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Cultural Connections: Latinx and Chicanx Student Associations - A Mesa Redonda Dialogue
26:46
26:46
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26:46Latinx and Chicanx student organizations are more than just clubs. They provide ways to find your cultural compass, foster lifelong friendships, and amplify your voice in a supportive, empowering space. These organizations explore traditions, navigate challenges, and help students flourish both socially and academically. Hear how these organization…
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Discovering New ALS Therapeutic Avenues with Evangelos Kiskinis, PhD
25:00
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25:00An estimated 32,000 Americans are currently living with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Northwestern investigators have uncovered novel cellular mechanisms involved in two types of genetic ALS that might lead to future targeted therapies. Evangel…
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Pursuing Deeper Understanding of Inflammation with Murali Prakriya, PhD
23:40
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23:40Inflammation is a common feature of many diseases and Northwestern Medicine investigators have identified how a calcium channel contributes to inflammation in the brain and lungs. This could aid in finding new types of therapeutics for inflammation-related diseases and conditions. In this episode, Murali Prakriya, PhD, discusses the evolution of th…
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Partnering with Libraries to Address Teen Mental Health with Ashley Knapp, PhD, and Robert Simmons, MA
21:31
21:31
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21:31Teens are reporting struggles with their mental health at unprecedented rates, but resources to help these young people deal with anxiety or depression can be difficult to access. In this episode, Ashley Knapp, PhD, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Robert Simmons, MA, director of social services and public safety at Oa…
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Engineering Bacteria to Monitor and Treat Disease with Arthur Prindle, PhD
24:49
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24:49Thanks to advancements in synthetic biology, scientists are now engineering bacterial communities with the goal of using these cells to monitor and treat diseases. In this episode, Arthur Prindle, PhD, explains how his lab is reprogramming bacteria that may be used in the future to detect disease and deliver therapeutics for many different conditio…
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Strengthening T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumor Cancers with Jaehyuk Choi, MD, PhD
19:37
19:37
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19:37A new study published in the journal Nature details breakthrough T-cell immunotherapy research from Northwestern Medicine. In this episode, Jaehyuk Choi, MD, PhD, senior author of the paper, explains how a gene mutation found in T-cells of patients with lymphoma could hold the key to a potent cancer-fighting immunotherapy for solid tumor cancers, w…
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From Adversity to Advocacy: Jorge Carrillo's Journey
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46:37In his compelling talk, Jorge Carrillo takes the audience on a journey through his life, from growing up in California to becoming a prominent figure in the legal field. Carrillo reflects on the challenges he faced, including personal struggles and societal issues, offering insights into his experiences as a farm worker and his pivotal role in the …
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New Insights into Dopamine with Raj Awatramani, PhD, and Daniel Dombeck, PhD
23:46
23:46
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23:46When most of us think about dopamine, we think about reward signals. But new research from Northwestern Medicine, published in Nature Neuroscience, has found a genetic subtype of dopamine neurons that do not respond to rewards at all, and instead, fire when the body moves. Rajeshwar Awatramani, PhD, and Daniel Dombeck, PhD led this work. In this ep…
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The Evolution of the NIH Toolbox with Richard Gershon, PhD
22:28
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22:28As the primary investigator of The NIH Toolbox®, Richard Gershon, PhD, has led a team of hundreds of scientists to develop and evolve state-of-the-art digital assessments of cognition, motor, sensation and emotion which has been used by clinicians, investigators and academics for nearly two decades. In this episode, Gershon explains how the third v…
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How Mitochondria Inform Disease Discoveries with Navdeep Chandel, PhD
25:06
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25:06Mitochondria are widely known as cellular “powerhouses” for their role in producing energy for cells. But pioneering research from Northwestern Medicine investigators over the last 20 years has proven mitochondria are also major players in lung disease, cancer, brain disease and immune-related diseases. Navdeep Chandel, PhD, a 2023 recipient of the…
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Advancing Transplant Science with Daniela Ladner, MD, MPH
15:08
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15:08Northwestern Medicine is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients who are in need of organ transplants. Daniela Ladner, MD, MPH, is leading research that sheds light on the barriers to transplantation as the founding director of the Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC). She discusses the groundbreaking res…
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Journaling: A Path Through Trauma with Irene Ekdahl - Creative Conversations
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23:08Discover the power of journaling. Join host Morgan Appel as he delves into the transformative world of journaling with guest Irene Ekdahl. Learn how journaling can help you express your thoughts, manage stress, and unlock your creativity. From structured journals to art journaling, explore the diverse benefits of this introspective practice. Series…
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How Drinking Alcohol Impacts Aging with Lifang Hou, MD, PhD
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18:19Both long-term alcohol consumption and binge drinking can speed up biological aging, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in the journal Aging. Lifang Hou, MD, PhD, chief of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention in the Department of Preventive Medicine led the study and discusses the link between genetics and lifestyle in the context o…
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How AI Can Improve Healthcare Delivery with Mozzi Etemadi, MD, PhD
22:44
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22:44Mozziyar “Mozzi” Etemadi, MD, PhD, is supporting the transformation of healthcare delivery and patient care at Northwestern Medicine by bringing engineers into direct contact with clinical providers. In this episode, he talks about the explosion of artificial intelligence in healthcare in recent years and how Northwestern Medicine is using this tec…
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Human Rights Defender: A Life in Education and Advocacy with Eva Pacheco
24:04
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24:04Eva Pacheco's journey as an advocate for quality bilingual education programs and parental engagement within school communities began with her experiences as a teacher in Mexico. When she moved to the US, she noticed the limitations of the American school system in supporting bilingual learners like her own children, who had limited resources.Deter…
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Voices of Dignity: Human Rights in Schools
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38:51What does "dignity at work" mean for educators and school staff? What are the primary challenges faced by school faculty and staff? How can administrators and decision-makers effectively address these issues? Join Jeffrey M. Siminoff from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, along with Guadalupe Carrasco Cardona from Roybal Learning Center and Timothy S…
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Did you know that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals directly reflect human rights standards? Dr. Leighangela Brady, superintendent of National School District, shares how her district brings these goals and human rights work into the classroom, addressing real world problems with engaging learning opportunities. Series: "Education Ch…
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Driven by Curiosity: A Career in Cancer Research with Elena Martinez
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25:10In this inspiring video, Elena Martinez, Ph.D., shares her journey as a first-generation student from Mexico who dedicated herself to a career in cancer epidemiology, prevention, and disparities. Dr. Martinez emphasizes the transformative power of education as a means of empowerment and opportunity. She candidly discusses the cultural and societal …
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Proposition 28: Painting the Future of Arts Education
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40:50Morgan Appel is joined by Pauline Crooks and Russell Sperling to explore the impact of California's Proposition 28 on arts education. They look back on Proposition 13's effects on education and then examine how Proposition 28 aims to revitalize arts education today and the creative economy of the future. Learn about the initiative's purpose, fundin…
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Finding a Path to Your Passions with Kaitlyn Avila
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30:56Kaityn Avila grew up in a small town in northern California. Her interest in music lead her to play in her high school band and think what life beyond high school could be. Encouraged by her older brother, she attended UC San Diego where she found community, supportive mentors, and a passion for writing. Avila shares what it is like to be a first g…
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Predicting Which Cancer Cells May Become Drug-Resistant with Yogesh Goyal, PhD
20:58
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20:58Treating cancer has become increasingly difficult as cells develop resistance. Northwestern investigators have sought to address this issue on the cellular level through the development of a novel FateMap tool, used to predict the future behavior of cancer cells before they are exposed to cancer-fighting drugs. In this episode, Yogesh Goyal, PhD, d…
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