Best Kris Zackowski Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 23 Season 7: Megaquake Tsunamis and Hungry Hungry Dog Breeds 25:03

1d ago25:03

25:03

Send us a text On this episode we look at the tsunamis that weren't from the Russian megaquake, and which dog breeds are super super hungry all the time. • Earthquake occurred in the Kural Kamchatka subduction zone where the Pacific plate slides under the Okhotsk plate at 75mm per year • Logarithmic earthquake scales mean each magnitude increase re…

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Episode 413: How AI Will Impact MS Patient Care with Dr. Brad Willingham 34:48

6d ago34:48

34:48

We're witnessing the early stages of a paradigm shift, as artificial intelligence is beginning to impact virtually every aspect of healthcare, from research to patient care. And there's much, much more to come. This week, Dr. Brad Willingham, the Director of MS Research at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, joins me to discuss how AI will impact MS patien…

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Pet Chat July 26th: Saving Wildlife - Inside a Small Sanctuary's Mission 1:08:34

4d ago1:08:34

1:08:34

Send us a text Pet Chat today has a special guest: Wildlife rehabilitator Janie Girardin who shares her experiences caring for orphaned and injured animals at Spicy Paws Wildlife Sanctuary, explaining the delicate process of rehabilitation and eventual release back to nature. • Specializes in rehabilitating squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, and fawns …

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Episode 22 Season 7: 10,000 steps, Same Sex Clusters, and Dogs Watching T.V. 26:10

7d ago26:10

26:10

Send us a text In this episode we explore scientific findings about optimal daily step counts, genetic predispositions for having children of the same sex, and how dogs perceive and interact with television. • Research shows 7,000 steps per day is the health "sweet spot," not the commonly cited 10,000 • At 7,000 steps, studies found 25% reduced car…

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Episode 412: Understanding Late-Onset MS with Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas 30:58

13d ago30:58

30:58

More people over the age of 50 are being diagnosed with MS than ever before. When you consider the other health conditions that often develop as we age, and you add the fact that our immune system changes with age, there's a lot to think about when it comes to diagnosing and treating late-onset MS. This week, Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas, the System Chi…

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Pet Chat July 20th: The Art of Johnny Heim Bringing Pet Stories to Life 1:00:19

14d ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Send us a text Johnny Heim, pet artist extraordinaire, shares his journey from childhood drawings of Snoopy to creating art that has raised thousands of dollars for animal rescues worldwide. • Started drawing as a child in Winnipeg, perfecting his Snoopy technique during long winters • Won a shrine circus poster contest in grade six, realizing art …

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Episode 411: An Encouraging Clinical Trial for Progressive MS with Jason Tardio 31:34

20d ago31:34

31:34

Back in Episode #401, we reported promising results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for vidofludimus calcium and its impact on progressive MS. This therapy is being developed by Immunic Therapeutics, and this week, Jason Tardio, Immunic's President and Chief Operating Officer, joins me to share some of the specifics of that clinical trial. Jason will…

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Episode 21 Season 7: The Environmental Price of A.I. and Touching Pets 32:46

22d ago32:46

32:46

Send us a text We dive into the environmental impact of AI technologies and explore the science behind how pet touch affects human well-being. • Generative AI consumes significant energy with a ChatGPT query using approximately 10 times more energy than a Google search • By 2028, data centers could account for 12% of US energy use, up from 4.4% cur…

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Episode 410: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop -- Part Two 44:53

27d ago44:53

44:53

Over the past few months, we've shared news about an algorithm that can accurately predict whether someone living with MS will experience worsening symptoms or a relapse in the weeks ahead. You've heard about a three-quarter-of-a-million-dollar investment by the International Progressive MS Alliance to support the development of an AI-based tool th…

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Episode 20 Season 7: Exoplanet Pics, Plastic to Painkillers, and Dogs Detecting Pregnancy 23:57

29d ago23:57

23:57

Send us a text We explore groundbreaking science developments from space discovery to environmental innovation and canine intuition. The James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged an exoplanet for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in our quest to understand distant worlds. • JWST captures first direct image of an exoplanet orbiting star …

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Episode 409: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop 39:11

1M ago39:11

39:11

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, attending the Digital Tools Workshop hosted by the International Progressive MS Alliance. Welcome to Part One of our coverage! As we look around us, it's hard to imagine a single aspect of our lives that hasn't been impacted by the constant and rapid evolution of technology. Just consider the capabilities of the de…

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Pet Chat Recording June 28th 35:09

1M ago35:09

35:09

Send us a text Jason an Kris share updates on their dogs Bunsen, Beaker, and Bernoulli, as well as cat Ginger, covering health updates, socialization progress, and hilarious escape stories. • Bunsen has recovered better than expected from his health issues but remains on-leash for safety • Ginger was a rescue whose name felt perfect without needing…

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Pet Chat Recording From June 22 36:26

1M ago36:26

36:26

Send us a text We celebrate a milestone of 200,000 Instagram followers, reflecting on how their platform has grown from a "ghost town" into a thriving community where cute dogs help deliver science education. • The hosts share updates about their dogs, including Bunsen's recovery progress • Jason shares exciting wildlife footage captured on their t…

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Episode 408: Explaining Your MS to All Those Well-Meaning Family Members and Friends Who Get It Wrong with Kris Inman 30:43

1M ago30:43

30:43

Have you experienced those familiar feelings of frustration when the people closest to you don't seem to get your MS? Do you find yourself explaining and re-explaining things to well-meaning friends, co-workers, and even family members? Kris Inman's wife, Mariah, was diagnosed with MS in 2020, and, since then, Kris has been Mariah's care partner an…

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Episode 19 Season 7: Cooling Paints, Anger Management, and Dr. Lori Palen with Data Soap Box 59:17

1M ago59:17

59:17

Send us a text Innovations in science are making daily life better through passive cooling paint and insights into pet interactions. In the Science News section we explore technologies that could transform how we maintain comfortable living spaces and manage our emotions at work. • Cement-based cooling paint from Nyang Technological University uses…

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Episode 407: Overcoming Sleep Issues When You're Living with MS with Dr. Katie Siengsukon 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

Getting a good night's sleep is something that benefits everyone. And if you're someone who's living with MS, it's perhaps even more important. But research suggests that more than half the people living with MS experience poor sleep. Dr. Katie Siengsukon, the Director of the Sleep, Health, and Wellness Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Cente…

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Episode 18 Season 7: Big Splash, Pain Meds, and Crappy Dogs 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

Send us a text We explore the physics behind making the biggest splash in pool jumping and examine a promising new non-opioid painkiller that could revolutionize pain management without addiction risks. Our investigation into canine health reveals which dog breeds are most prone to diarrhea—with some surprising findings for particular designer bree…

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Episode 406: From the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting: Part Two with Dr. John DeLuca, Dr. Brian Sandroff, and Kristine Werner Ozug 32:46

2M ago32:46

32:46

Welcome to Part Two of our coverage of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers annual meeting! In this week's episode, Dr. John DeLuca shares research that has identified an effective behavioral treatment for MS-related fatigue. Dr. Brian Sandroff discusses how MS rehabilitation has evolved and then answers some of your questions about exercis…

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Episode 17 Season 7: Bye Bye Earth, Singing to Babies, and Crafty Cockatoos 25:36

2M ago25:36

25:36

Send us a text The cosmic dance of our solar system is more precarious than we realize, with rogue stars potentially disrupting Earth's orbit and sending us hurling into space—though the probability is a reassuring 0.2% over 5 billion years. Recent research reveals singing to babies significantly improves their overall mood, highlighting the univer…

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Episode 405: From the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting -- Part One with Dr. Kathy Zackowski and Dr. Stephen Krieger 33:30

2M ago33:30

33:30

Last week in Phoenix, Arizona, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) held its annual meeting, and we had a chance to talk with some of the top MS experts in the world. Welcome to Part One of our coverage! First, you'll hear Dr. Kathy Zackowski, the National MS Society's Associate Vice-President of Research, share her overview of the s…

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Episode 16 Season 7: Giant Sloths, Swimming Robots, and Science Whiz Liz on Measles! 54:12

2M ago54:12

54:12

Send us a text We dive into the fascinating world of extinct giant sloths, explore how dogs are inspiring better swimming robots, and discuss the alarming resurgence of measles with immunologist Dr. Elisabeth Marnick. • Ancient sloths evolved wide body size diversity based primarily on their habitat preference • Tree-dwelling sloths evolved to be s…

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Episode 404: World MS Day 2025 with Meredith O'Brien 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

Every five minutes, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. But getting that diagnosis can be challenging. And the evidence is clear that early intervention makes a difference. The sooner someone can begin a disease-modifying therapy, the better their outcome is going to be. World MS Day is May 30th, and this year, World MS Day is focu…

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Episode 15 Season 7: Fungal Apocalypse, Dinosaur Digs, and The Orange Cat Gene! 33:38

2M ago33:38

33:38

Send us a text We explore the science behind HBO's "The Last of Us," investigating whether a fungal apocalypse could happen in real life and if a vaccine for fungal infections is possible. The Royal Tyrrell Museum's new "Breakthroughs" exhibit showcases five groundbreaking fossil discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life…

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Episode 403: Moving Toward a Biologically Based Description of MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kathy Smith 37:14

3M ago37:14

37:14

Last week, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis convened a meeting in Dublin, Ireland, to dive deeper into what a new framework for describing MS might look like. There's still a tremendous amount of work to be done here. But, considering that whatever language is eventu…

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Episode 14 Season 7: Chilly Dips, Flatfaced Pets, and Extending Dog Lifespan with Celine Halioua 56:21

3M ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text We explore the cutting-edge science of extending dog lifespan through innovative drug development with Loyal founder and CEO Celine Halioua, who shares the company's groundbreaking approach to canine longevity and health. In Science News: • Cold water immersion after exercise shows no benefits for women despite its popularity among f…

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Episode 402: The Importance of Asserting Your Personal Style When You're Living with MS with Jeri Zink Denz 31:00

3M ago31:00

31:00

If you're living with MS, you might experience days when it feels like you're losing your sense of who you are, as your sense of self gets redefined by your symptoms. Reasserting your personal style can be a powerful way to rediscover joy in who you are while reclaiming your identity. Jeri Zink Denz lives with MS and works in the luxury fashion ind…

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Episode 13 Season 7: The Science of Fluoride, Fancy Cats, and guest Dr. Katie Burnette 51:45

3M ago51:45

51:45

Send us a text On this show we explore the contentious debate around fluoride in municipal water, the science behind pedigree cat adoptions, and innovative approaches to teaching science to non-science majors. • Examination of the fluoride controversy using Calgary, Alberta as a case study • Discussion of how fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and p…

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Episode 401: The Things That (Should) Happen at Your Appointment With Your Neurologist with Dr. Barbara Giesser 32:09

3M ago32:09

32:09

Most people living with MS don't see their neurologist often. For many, it might be only once or twice a year. A lot of important things take place during that appointment. Symptoms are assessed. Decisions about disease-modifying therapies are made or, sometimes, changed. Questions get asked and, hopefully, answered. Dr. Barbara Giesser returns to …

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Episode 400: The President and CEO of the National MS Society Looks Back at the Past and Shares a Vision of the Future with Dr. Tim Coetzee 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

Welcome to the 400th episode of RealTalk MS! Over the past nearly eight years, it's been my absolute honor to bring you insights from leading experts, researchers, advocates, and, perhaps most importantly, from people living with MS themselves. And we have no intention of stopping here! We're excited to continue bringing you the information and con…

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Episode 12 Season 7: Autism Rates, Dire Wolves, and Puppy Training 29:58

3M ago29:58

29:58

Send us a text This week we look to deunk myths about rising autism rates and explain the genetic and environmental factors at play, while exploring the resurrection of dire wolves through genetic engineering and how puppy cognition predicts adult dog behavior. • CDC data shows autism diagnoses increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 in…

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Episode 399: How Spirituality Can Make a Difference If You're Living with MS with Dr. Mana Ali Carter 32:14

3M ago32:14

32:14

Research shows that spirituality can benefit mental health and improve overall well-being. And it can play a meaningful role in helping people cope with life’s challenges, like living with MS. This week, Dr. Mana Ali Carter, a rehabilitation psychologist at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C., joins me to discuss the positiv…

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Episode 11 Season 7: Alien Life, Sleep Deprivation, and Public Health with guest Sabina Vorah-Miller 1:01:12

4M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Send us a text In this episode we explore potential signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b and discuss how pets impact our sleep quality, while special guest Dr. Sabina Vorah-Miller provides expert insights on vaccine misinformation and avian flu safety. • Bunsen's recovery from a UTI and continued mobility improvements • Recent James Webb Space T…

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Episode 398: How Breakthrough Discoveries in MS Research Will Impact MS Care with Dr. Amit Bar-Or 24:05

4M ago24:05

24:05

Last week, at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, Dr. Amit Bar-Or received the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research for his multiple achievements that have advanced our knowledge of neuroimmunology, precision medicine, and biomarkers in MS. We talked with Dr. Bar-Or about how some of the latest discoveries in MS research …

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Episode 10 Season 7: Lightning Trees, Space Miso, and Fostering Cats 28:49

4M ago28:49

28:49

Send us a text On this week's episode we dive deep into nature's most shocking survival strategy exploring how the Alamendro tree has evolved to harness lightning strikes as a competitive advantage. We also examine the fascinating results of fermenting miso in space and discuss the challenges and rewards of cat fostering programs. • Lightning-resis…

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Episode 397: Managing Grief and MS with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor 35:34

4M ago35:34

35:34

For many people, it can be difficult to talk about the feelings of loss that can accompany MS. For some, it's the loss of the way they imagined their life would turn out. For others, it's the more specific loss of function. Perhaps the loss of their mobility. Or a decline in their cognitive skills. It's painful to imagine any of these scenarios, le…

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Episode 9 Season 7: Shingles, Dog Context, and The Immune System with Dr. Mohseni 1:07:08

4M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Send us a text On this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior. Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system. …

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Episode 396: The Importance of Cancer Screenings for People Living with MS With Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie 31:35

4M ago31:35

31:35

Managing MS means staying focused not only on your MS but also on your overall health. That includes getting routine health screenings to stay ahead of potential complications. Recent research has shown that, compared to healthy people, people with MS are more likely to develop some cancers. Clinician-scientist Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie joins me to discu…

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Episode 8 Season 7: The Perfect 13-Degree Angle, One Foot Jumps, and Pet Power 28:23

4M ago28:23

28:23

Send us a text This week on The Science Pawdcast: • MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes • Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces • UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot …

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Episode 395: Things You Need to Know When You're Managing MS While You're Managing Menopause with Dr. Riley Bove 34:28

4M ago34:28

34:28

When you look at a list of the typical symptoms associated with perimenopause, you'd think you were looking at a list of MS symptoms. And, for women living with MS, that's where the confusion begins. With an estimated 30% of the current MS population now in peri- or post-menopause, researchers are beginning to focus on how menopause and MS interact…

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Episode 7 Season 7: Seal Oxygen, ER Dogs and The Heart of Anesthesia with Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen 1:00:15

4M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Send us a text From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen. • Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive duratio…

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Episode 394: Probably The Most Important Conversation About MS Advocacy That We Will Ever Have with Steffany Stern 27:18

5M ago27:18

27:18

Next week, a couple of hundred MS activists will gather in Washington, D.C. for the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. As we're seeing devastating cuts in funding for MS research, layoffs in every major governmental agency that impacts our healthcare, including the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, CDC, Health and Human Services,…

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Episode 6 Season 7: E-taste, Moon Landing, and Snacky Labs 30:04

5M ago30:04

30:04

Send us a text The Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession. • New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to u…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Kristine Werner Ozug 18:36

5M ago18:36

18:36

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Kristine Werner Ozug lives with MS and, full disclosure, she's a member of the Real…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Emanuelle Waubant 9:26

5M ago9:26

9:26

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Emanuelle Waubant is a neurologist who specializes in treating patients with MS…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Mikael Simons 7:46

5M ago7:46

7:46

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Mikael Simons is a neurologist and researcher at Technical University Munich an…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Conversation with Dr. Daniel Reich 6:04

5M ago6:04

6:04

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Daniel Reich is a neurologist and neuroradiologist. He is the Director of the T…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Christina Azevedo 8:27

5M ago8:27

8:27

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Christina Azevedo is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of S…

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Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Peter Calabresi 6:22

5M ago6:22

6:22

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Peter Calabresi is the Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology and the Dire…

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Episode 393: MS Awareness Week with Case Jernigan and Suni Conway 37:43

5M ago37:43

37:43

It's MS Awareness Week, and the National MS Society is asking everyone in the MS community to tell MS exactly what they think of it. We're kicking off MS Awareness Week by introducing you to two difference-makers in the MS community who have each found their own way of talking back to MS. Case Jernigan is an experimental animator, narrative gamemak…

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An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Nara Michaelson 7:16

5M ago7:16

7:16

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Nara Michaelson is a Multiple Sclerosis Fellow at Harvard's Massachusetts Gener…

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