Science@UH: Recent Episodes
UH Research & Education Institute
The University Hospitals Research & Education Institute Science@UH podcast illuminates the latest research discovery, innovation and clinical advances that helps accelerate new ways to treat and care for patients and improve the lives within our community and beyond.
Adonis Hijaz, MD and Goutham Rao, MD discuss the reasons why urinary incontinence is underreported and actionable strategies clinicians can use to start the conversation in primary care. They outline the EMPOWER model, from large-scale screening to nurse navigators and pelvic floor physical therapy, and why that pathway increases treatment rates.
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Explore the rapidly evolving world of CAR T-cell therapy and how scientists are reengineering the immune system to fight disease. Drs. David Wald and Reshmi Parameswaran discuss breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, including faster manufacturing, next‑generation CAR T-cell design, and efforts to expand these therapies from blood cancers to solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. This conversation highlights the promise and challenges of bringing these innovative treatments to patients.
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The pace of change in cardiometabolic medicine is accelerating. Ian Neeland, MD, breaks down the latest innovations in incretin therapies, from oral medications to cutting-edge combinations, and what they mean for weight loss, heart health, and long-term patient care.
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Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD, and Tyler Miller, MD, PhD, discuss how immune biology is reshaping neuroscience - from autism and obesity to CAR T cell therapies for glioblastoma and the challenge of crossing the blood brain barrier.
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Jennifer Villwock, MD, explains the neurocircuitry of smell, her rapid essential-oil–based AROMA test, and how olfactory dysfunction can inform clinical care and research spanning sinonasal disease, post-viral loss, and cognitive health.
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Molly McVoy, MD, dives into the mental health crisis affecting teens, why anxiety and depression have risen dramatically, and shares breakthrough research using EEG biomarkers and self-management programs that help teens build resilience.
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Theodoros Teknos, MD, and Gary Schwartz, MD, discuss how the recent $25.5 million NCI grant renewal solidifies Case Comprehensive Cancer Center as a powerhouse consortium delivering cutting-edge clinical trials, early detection and community-focused cancer prevention across Northeast Ohio.
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Join Dr. Daniel Simon as he interviews Dr. Igho Ofotokun, Chair of the Department of Medicine at University Hospitals. Dr. Ofotokun shares his remarkable journey from Nigeria to becoming an expert in HIV research, revealing how passion and experiences shaped his career in infectious diseases. Discover the pivotal moments that guided him in the fight against not just HIV, but also the challenges posed by COVID-19.
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Stanley Bazarek, MD, and Jennifer Sweet, MD, discuss the latest advances in neuromodulation, peripheral nerve surgery, and neuroengineering, highlighting the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration between UH, Case Western Reserve University, and national research partners in translating these innovations from the lab to patient care.
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Varun Sundaram, MD, PhD, discusses how his experiences shaped his groundbreaking work in global heart failure research, from uncovering international differences in patient care to leading studies on GLP-1 therapies and advanced heart failure.
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Neuropsychiatrist Brian Appleby, MD, discusses prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and the groundbreaking research and clinical trials at University Hospitals aimed at better understanding these rare but fatal neurodegenerative conditions.
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Amanda Amin, MD, Janice Lyons, MD and Alberto Montero, MD, explore the evolution of breast cancer treatment. The discussion highlights how personalized care, clinical innovation and compassionate teamwork are transforming patient outcomes.
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Guilherme Attizzani, MD, shares his inspiring journey beginning as a research fellow in intravascular imaging and rising to become a national and international leader in structural heart disease interventions.
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Aasef Shaikh, MD, PhD, a leading neurologist at University Hospitals discusses his journey into neurology, his groundbreaking research in neuro-ophthalmology, movement disorders, and the application of AI-driven exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
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Elie Saade, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Infection Control at University Hospitals, explains the critical role of infection prevention in healthcare, discusses strategies for reducing hospital-acquired infections, and the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Professor Mahmoud Ghannoum, a leading expert in medical mycology and microbiome research, shares his pioneering work on the role of fungi in the microbiome and groundbreaking research on the mycobiome’s impact on health, including its role in gut disorders, autism, and cancer.
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James Voos, MD, and Jacob Calcei, MD explore the impact of osteoarthritis, highlighting their team's pioneering work in regenerative therapies to revolutionize musculoskeletal care, and how they collaborate with wearable technology experts to prevent sports injuries and optimize athletic performance.
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Jonathan Shoag, MD, discusses his innovative prostate cancer research aiming to better understand the impact of PSA screening and his groundbreaking work on the genetics of aging.
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David Sheyn, MD, shares his unique career journey to the field of urogynecology, where he now leads innovative research to advance women’s pelvic health through personalized care, AI and cutting-edge technology.
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Charles Macias, MD, MPH, discusses his work leading a $48 million grant to improve pediatric disaster readiness, emphasizing the importance of everyday preparedness, national investments in pediatric care, and the significant impact of quality improvement initiatives through structured interventions.
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Jonathan Lass, MD, an expert in corneal transplantation and imaging, shares insights into the groundbreaking work of the UH Eye Image Analysis Reading Centers, advancements in treating various eye conditions and the future of eye care.
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Chaitra Badve, MD and Dan Ma, PhD discuss the collaborative relationship aimed to develop and use MR fingerprinting to transform clinical care.
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Internationally renowned neurologist, Amrou Sarraj, MD, led an international study that is breaking new boundaries with stroke therapy. Listen to how the SELECT2 trial is paving the way for changing stroke therapy worldwide.
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Faruk Orge, MD, shares his remarkable journey from clinician to discovery innovator through groundbreaking innovations in pediatric ophthalmology, from AI-driven diagnostics to cutting-edge gene therapies and virtual reality training platforms, aimed at preventing childhood blindness and enhancing global eye care.
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Julia Blanchette, PhD, RN, discusses her research on empowering young adults with Type 1 diabetes. From navigating the complexities of health insurance to addressing financial stress, discover how her work is making a difference in diabetes management.
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Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD describes the evolution of female sexual health studies, today’s treatments for female sexual health disorders and a new and upcoming treatment for post-partum depression.
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Quintin Pan, PhD, explores the surge of HPV+ related head and neck cancers sparking the need for innovative treatment solutions.
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Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, PhD, explains how his team is developing preventative solutions to overcome chronic limb-threatening ischemia.
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Amitabh Chak, MD, Sanford Markowitz, MD, PhD, and Joseph Willis, MD, explain the journey of EsoCheck™ and EsoGuard™, an incredible bench to bedside diagnostic discovery to detect Barrett's esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer.
Francoise Adan, MD, and Samuel Rodgers-Melnick, MPH, MT-BC, discuss how Connor Whole Health’s research of how music therapy reduces pain, stress and anxiety and how these modalities can be implemented for patient care.
Cynthia Bearer, MD, explains how her groundbreaking research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, lipid rafts, and brain development in preterm babies aims to improve neonatal care.
Leonardo Kayat Bittencourt, MD, discusses how the University Hospitals Radiology AI and Diagnostic Innovation Collaborative, RadiCLE, is collaborating with innovative teams to use AI application to investigate clinical practices in hope of bringing new solutions to improve patient care and outcomes.
Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD discusses how historical government policies impact health outcomes more than 90 years later and the need to understand external and internal environments to transform the delivery of healthcare.
Jonathan Stamler, MD discusses what lead him to the discover of S-nitrosylation, the binding of nitric oxide to proteins works through allostery and how this all lead to the creation of an oxygen and nitric oxide tracking fitness monitor.
Martha Sajatovic, MD explains how her research has led to a self-management program for patients with epilepsy and science to service models for other neurological conditions.
Afshin Dowlait, MD describes how his team of researchers discovered a new non-small cell lung cancer subtype in the laboratory and brought a new treatment for this cancer subtype to patients in a clinical trial.
Endoscopic ear surgeon and pioneer, Alejandro Rivas, MD, discusses why he is driven to advance science for patients with hearing loss, the latest advances in cochlear implant surgery and his clinical trials aimed to prevent hearing loss in children and adults.
Cynthia Owusu, MD and Randy Vince, MD discuss how they were inspired through their medical and personal experiences to become physician-scientists who help to improve the social determinants of health and health disparities for African American men and women with prostate and breast cancers.
Fabio Cominelli, MD discusses how his team of researchers discovered the specific blockade of interleukin-18 can reduce disease severity in colitis and new personalized therapies to put IBD in permanent remission.
Sadeer Al-Kindi, MD and Ian Neeland, MD discuss CINEMA, a center of excellecence that advances clinical excellence, promotes team science, and impacts the standard of care for patients with cardiometabolic disease.
Grace McComsey, MD, Vice President of Research and Associate Chief Scientific Officer at University Hospitals discusses how University Hospitals acted fast and became a vital academic center during the pandemic to better understand the COVID-19 virus and treatments through a multitude of clinical and research studies.
Led by Michael DeGeorgia, MD and Kenneth Loparo, PhD, a $1.2 million JobsOhio grant will help establish the Center for Connected Health Innovation to enhance precision medicine in the ICU.
Rose Gubitosi-Klug, MD discusses pediatric type 1 diabetes and the evolution of standard care and daily management.
Jordan Winter, MD discusses his research breakthroughs to identify a metabolic enzyme, IHD1, in pancreatic cancer and how this led to finding a drug developed for other cancers that can also target this wild-type enzyme of pancreatic cancer.
Daniel Spratt, MD discusses the obstacles of prostate cancer and shares breakthroughs and achievements.