Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us Fan MailDr. Christopher Buck, Ph.D. ( https://cbuck.substack.com/ ) is Senior Investigator, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, And Head, Tumor Virus Molecular Biology Section, Center for Cancer Research, at the U.S. National Cancer Institute ( https://ccr.cancer.gov/staff-directory/christopher-b-buck ).Dr. Buck’s lab focuses on the virion proteins of a family of viruses called polyomaviruses, and their research ranges from basic investigation of the mechanisms through which polyomaviruses infect cells to translational development of virus-like particle vaccines. They also maintain an active interest in discovering new virus species, with the goals of uncovering human disease associations and understanding the evolutionary history of cancer-causing viruses.Dr. Buck received a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  Dr. Buck’s graduate research in Dr. Robert Siliciano's lab focused on the translation and immunogenicity of the HIV-1 capsid protein Gag. For his graduate work, Dr. Buck received the Alicia Showalter Reynolds Award. In 2001, Dr. Buck began post-doctoral training in the Lab of Cellular Oncology, where he developed systems for producing human papillomavirus (HPV)-based gene transfer vectors (pseudoviruses). His work using HPV vectors ranged from basic studies of HPV virion structure and morphogenesis to translational research identifying candidate topical microbicides for blocking HPV transmission. For his work in these areas, Dr. Buck, and his mentors, Drs. John Schiller and Doug Lowy, shared the 2006 Norman P. Salzman Award. In 2007, Dr. Buck joined the faculty of the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research as an Investigator. In 2013, he shared a second Salzman Award in recognition of his mentoring of Dr. Rachel Schowalter.  Dr. Buck was awarded tenure in 2014.#ChristopherBuck #CellularOncology #TumorVirus #MolecularBiology #NationalCancerInstitute #Pseudovirus #Papillomavirus #Capsid #Polyomaviruses #OralVaccines #YeastProducedAntigens #MucosalImmunology #FermentedBeverages #BeerBasedVaccines #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Frederic Bertley, Ph.D. ( https://www.fredericbertley.com/ ) is President & CEO: Center of Science and Industry ( COSI - https://cosi.org/ ), as well as interim CEO or the National Veterans Memorial and Museum ( NVMM - https://nationalvmm.org/ ).Dr. Bertley is a renowned, civic-minded leader, strategist, innovator, scientist, educator, and communicator.In his role at COSI, Dr. Bertley works incessantly towards elevating science literacy globally, helping reimagine the STEM workforce development pipeline for the nation and creating engaging, empathetic and innovative citizens.As interim CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM), Dr. Bertley is leading the national museum through a transformational phase to continue to honor and celebrate the lives of Veterans, their families, and our community. Dr. Bertley’s drive to innovate has elevated COSI’s on-site science museum experience, as well as taken COSI beyond Central Ohio, with programming across the United States and around the world. His leadership has led to highly engaging experiences including the COSI Science Festival, The Color of Science TM and EiPIC TM programs, as well as the celebrated COSI Connects STEM Kit Learning Lunchboxes. Dr. Bertley co-created and hosted the prime-time television show QED with Dr. B ( https://www.pbs.org/show/qed-dr-b/ ), in partnership with PBS-WOSU Public Media. He also created the animated online series, Dr. B in 3.Prior to his leadership of COSI, Dr. Bertley served for 9 years as senior vice president for science and education at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Dr. Bertley has won numerous prestigious awards some of which include:• Three (3) Honorary Doctorates (McGill University, Otterbein University, Columbus State)• National Medal (IMLS-White House)• Eleven (11) EMMY® Awards.• Five-time #1 Science Museum in the nation (USA Today)• President’s Medal (The Ohio State University)• Dell’s 100 Most Innovative Individuals• Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer (UK)• CEO of The Year (Columbus CEO)• Four-time commencement speaker (McGill, OSU, Otterbein, Columbus State)• The Spirit of Columbus Award• George Washington Carver Award for Science Engagement (City of Philadelphia)Dr. Bertley earned a bachelor’s in physiology, mathematics and the history of science, as well as a doctorate in immunology, both from McGill University. He completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and MIT, working on the development of DNA vaccinesfor HIV/AIDS. His global health work includes preventative medicine and basic vaccines in Haiti, Sudan and the Canadian Arctic. His international STEM education impact includes programs in Barbados, Dominica, Egypt, England, India, Italy, Japan, Malta, Paraguay, Senegal, and UAE.#FredericBertley #CenterOfScienceAndIndustry #COSI #TheFranklinInstitute #Measles #Immunopathogenesis #HIVVaccination #ScienceLeadershipAcademy #AntibioticResistance #CreativeAging #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfLearning #ImmersiveMedia #DataVisualization #ContextAwareEnvironments #BioInteractiveExperiences #NeuroResponsiveExperiences #SyntheticMedia #LivingArchives #CrossRealityContinuums #DigitalTwins#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Aaron Hartman, MD is a board-certified physician, clinical researcher, and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine ( https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ ). Trained in conventional family medicine, Dr. Hartman earned his MD from the Medical College of Virginia and served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, where he led medical clinics in both the United States and Europe and received additional training in cardiology, dermatology, and nuclear and biological warfare medicine.Over the course of his career, Dr. Hartman has participated in more than 70 clinical trials, published research including work in The Lancet, and cared for patients across four continents in more than 100,000 clinical encounters. He is triple board-certified, with advanced credentials in integrative, functional, metabolic, regenerative, and anti-aging medicine, and he previously served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University.Dr. Hartman’s professional focus was profoundly reshaped by a deeply personal experience: adopting his daughter Anna, who was born with severe neurological injury and cerebral palsy and was labeled “incurable” by conventional standards. Her extraordinary progress—achieved through personalized, root-cause, and systems-based approaches to care—became the catalyst for Dr. Hartman’s transition into functional and precision medicine.Dr. Hartman is the author of the 2025 book Uncurable ( https://www.amazon.com/UnCurable-Hopeless-Diagnosis-Defying-Odds-ebook/dp/B0FWQ21FDV ), which blends memoir, medical critique, and practical strategy to challenge how modern healthcare defines—and limits—healing. In the book, Dr. Hartman argues that many so-called incurable conditions reflect systemic blind spots rather than biological absolutes, and he calls on patients and clinicians alike to rethink personalized care, patient advocacy, and the foundations of health.Today, Dr. Hartman continues to practice, teach, and research while advocating for a more individualized, curiosity-driven, and human-centered model of medicine—one that treats patients not as protocols, but as complex, exceptional individuals.#AaronHartman #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #Uncurable #RootCauseMedicine #Nutrigenomics #Neuroplasticity #Rehabilitation #EnvironmentalMedicine #OffLabel #CerebralPalsy #BrainDamage #PersonalizedCare #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Chris Oswald, DC, CNS, is Head of Medical Affairs for Pure Encapsulations ( https://www.pureencapsulations.com/ ), part of Nestlé Health Science family. He is a chiropractor, certified nutrition specialist and certified functional medicine practitioner and has been treating patients since 2007. At Pure Encapsulations, Dr. Oswald leads medical education, scientific strategy, and innovation across well-known professional brands including Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Labs, Klean Athlete, Genestra, and others. In this role, he sits at the intersection of clinical science, practitioner education, and product innovation — translating complex evidence into practical tools that help healthcare professionals practice more confident, personalized nutritional medicine. Dr. Oswald’s clinical work, in combination with his work in professional dietary supplement companies, gives him unique insight into the creation of clinically useful tools and education to support the unique needs of clinicians and patients in functional, integrative and natural health.Before joining Pure Encapsulations, Dr. Oswald held senior leadership roles across the nutraceutical and health tech landscape, including Chief Science Officer, Head of Product Innovation and R&D, Head of Operations, Interim Head of Sales, and VP of Nutraceuticals at companies like January AI and Further Food. Across those roles, he’s led everything from supply chain and regulatory strategy to product development, claims substantiation, and national practitioner education.At the core of Dr. Oswald’s work is a consistent theme: bridging rigorous science, real-world clinical practice, and responsible commercialization — all with the goal of improving patient outcomes and advancing the future of personalized, integrative healthcare.#ChrisOswald #PureEncapsulations #NestleHealthScience #FunctionalMedicine #Nutrition #DietarySupplements #Nutraceuticals #PureGenomics #DeniseFurness #Nutrigenomics #Genetics #Epigenetics #PersonalizedHealth #BiologicalAgeProtocol #BiologicalAging #Telomeres #Proteomics #Metabolomics #Biomarkers #Glycans#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Sheryl Genco, Ph.D. ( https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/contributors/q-t/dr-sheryl-genco ) is Chief Technology Officer of the Advanced Technology Group at Ericsson, one of the world’s largest and oldest telecommunications infrastructure companies that is involved in building the equipment, software, and services that make mobile networks work.Dr. Genco has over 30 years of experience in engineering and management at organizations spanning industrial, entrepreneurial ventures and the public sector. At Ericsson, Dr. Genco spearheads activities with industry and the U.S. government to exploit 5G and 6G for increased security and economic benefits. Her career has focused on developing technologies with an emphasis on transforming state-of-the-possible ideas into commercial reality. Dr. Genco has also served as a senior advisor to the Defense Innovation Board ( https://stib.cto.mil/ ), a senior consultant to DARPA ( https://www.darpa.mil/ ) Commercialization Strategy, and on the Executive Board of CO-Labs ( https://www.co-labs.org/ ), a non-profit consortium of federal research laboratories & institutions, universities, colleges, businesses and economic development organizations that provide financial and in-kind support for programs that promote the retention and expansion of Colorado's scientific resources. Dr. Genco was previously a member of the Senior Executive Service for the Department of Commerce where she was laboratory director for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA - https://www.ntia.gov/ ) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences. Before NTIA, Dr. Genco was engineering director at Honeywell Quantum Solutions, where she led an organization developing trapped ion quantum computers. She also served at the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST - https://www.nist.gov/ ), where she led the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network, managing programs in wireless communications (LTE), 3.5GHz, GPS, and AWS-3. Dr. Genco is an IEEE Senior Member, IEEE MILCOM VIP Chair, and received a Ph.D. (University of Colorado at Boulder), M.S. (Syracuse), and B.S. (Northeastern) degrees in electrical engineering.  Dr. Genco is passionate about enabling socio-economic prosperity through STEM education. She founded a STEM-focused K-8 public school that has won multiple awards and has educated more than 20,000 students over two decades of operation. She was also one of the founders of NSC’s Women in Spectrum Scholarship ( https://www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/women-in-spectrum-scholarship-winners ). Important Episode Link - FutureG for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026 - March 25-26, 2026 - Washington, DC - https://www.defenseadvancement.com/events/futureg-for-defense-summit/#SherylGenco #ChiefTechnologyOfficer #AdvancedTechnologyGroup #Ericsson #5G #6G #AI #Cybersecurity #QuantumComputers #SpectrumSharingSystems #LaserCommunications #Nanomaterials #DefenseModernization #SpectrumPolicy #CognitiveNetworks #JammingResistance #NetworkIntegratedSensing #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailLieutenant Colonel Erin Maurer is the CBRN Defense Lead, J3 Force Protection Directorate, at NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum, The Netherlands ( https://jfcbs.nato.int/ ), a position she has held since July 2024.LTC Maurer enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 2004, and upon graduating from Penn State University in 2008, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), branched Chemical Corps. Her assignments have included: - Brigade Chemical Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Forward Operating Base Operations Officer, for 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; - Headquarters Company Commander, Support Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne); - AFRICOM/EUCOM Desk Officer, United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); - Operations Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer, Special Troops Battalion, 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne); - U.S. Army Exchange Officer to the United Kingdom’s Defence CBRN Centre, Winterbourne Gunner, United Kingdom.LTC Maurer holds a Master Degree in Strategic Security, from the Joint Special Operations program at the National Defense University, completed in 2019, with a defended thesis focused on military response to nuclear terrorism. She has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.The J3 Force Protection Directorate ( or J3 Operations - https://www.jcs.mil/directorates/j3-operations/ ) is a critical component within military joint staffs, responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing operational plans, security measures, and threat protection. J3 often integrates force protection (FP) to align security measures against all hazards and threats, ensuring effective command and control. #LieutenantColonelErinMaurer #CBRN #J3ForceProtectionDirectorate #NATOJointForceCommandBrunssum #ChemicalCorps #NuclearTerrorism #WeaponsOfMassDestruction #NationalDefenseUniversity #ArmyExchangeOfficer #UKDefenceCBRNCentre #MedicalCountermeasures #DecontaminationConcepts #ChemicalBiologicalRadiologicalAndNuclear #ImprovisedNuclearDevice #RadiologicalDispersalDevices #DirtyBombs #JointSpecialOperations#STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Ph.D. is one of the world’s leading stewards of ancient heritage and the Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities ( https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en ), where he leads the organization responsible for Egypt’s monuments, museums, and archaeological sites—from the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings to newly discovered sites that continue to reshape our understanding of human civilization.Dr. Khaled holds a Ph.D. in Ancient Egyptian Antiquities from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic and previously worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, University of Würzburg, Germany.Dr. Khaled received a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Henkel Foundation in Germany, in recognition of his collaborative efforts and his scientific research has been published in numerous prestigious, international peer-reviewed publications.Dr. Khaled has also worked as a visiting professor at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University, USA.Dr. Khaled devoted his early career to field research, excavation, and scholarly study of ancient Egyptian civilization.   He began his career as an antiquities inspector with the SCA in the Giza Pyramids area, ascending through various leadership roles within the council.Dr. Khaled was also Director of the Technical Office of the head of Central Administration of Cairo and Giza Antiquities, Scientific Research Department, and Foreign Mission Affairs. He also supervised the Development and Site Management Project of Pyramids at the Giza Plateau.Under Dr. Khaled's stewardship, Egyptian archaeology stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, embracing new technologies, confronting misinformation, and preparing for a future where heritage preservation is more critical than ever.#MohamedIsmailKhaled #SecretaryGeneral #Egypt #SupremeCouncilOfAntiquities #Pyramids #ValleyOfTheKings #CradleOfCivilization #ArchaeologicalMissions #MinistryOfTourismAndAntiquities #GreatPyramidOfGiza #SaqqaraNecropolis #AbuGhurabSunTemple #Archaeology #SatelliteImaging #GroundPenetratingRadar #Photogrammetry #PseudoArchaeology #Atlantis #LostCivilizations #AlienBuilders #ZahiHawass #WadiAlNasb #TellElFaraoon #SanElHagar #QubbetElHawa #Sphinx #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Ellen de Brabander, Ph.D. is Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Regulatory Affairs at Elanco Animal Health ( https://www.elanco.com/us/leadership/executive-committee/ellen-de-brabander ), one of the world’s largest animal pharmaceutical companys that develops, manufactures, and sells medicines, vaccines, and other health-care products for both pets (companion animals) and farm livestock (cattle, swine, poultry, etc.). Dr. de Brabander joined Elanco in October 2021 and is responsible for the global research and development organization and regulatory affairs. She is a highly experienced R&D leader with a proven background of accomplishments in animal health research and development.From March 2014 to October 2021, Dr. de Brabander served as Senior Vice President for Research and Development with PepsiCo, the global food and beverage company, most recently having company-wide responsibility for food safety, quality, regulatory and R&D digital transformation. Prior to PepsiCo, Dr. de Brabander led R&D organizations for Merial (now Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health), Intervet (now Merck Animal Health) and DSM.Dr. de Brabander earned her doctorate (cum laude) in bio-organic chemistry from Leiden University in the Netherlands and completed her post-doctoral work in molecular biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has lived in six different countries, is the co-author of more than 60 publications in scientific journals, holds 18 patents and has received multiple awards for her research, including the Golden Medal from the Royal Dutch Chemical Society in 2000 for Best Chemist Under 40.Important Episode Links -Investor Day Presentation - Defining Elanco’s New Era of Growth - December 9, 2025https://s1.q4cdn.com/466533431/files/doc_events/2025/Dec/09/FINAL_ELAN-2025-Investor-Day-Presentation.pdf#EllenDeBrabander #ElancoAnimalHealth #Parasiticides #Therapeutics #Pharmaceuticals #Vaccines #PreventiveCare #Ruminants #Cattle #Swine #Poultry #Cats #Dogs #OneHealth #FutureProtein #Biologics #AdvancedTherapeutics #MonoclonalAntibodies #Zenrelia #CredelioQuattro #IntestinalIntegrity #Microbiome #Bovaer #MethaneReduction #CattleEmissions #AntimicrobialResistance #ChronicKidneyDisease #AtopicDermatitis #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, Ph.D. is Co-Founder and CEO of Minovia Therapeutics ( https://minoviatx.com/ ), a biotech company dedicated to rapidly advance life-changing therapies that address the unmet need of serious and complex mitochondrial diseases, and are the first clinical-stage company to develop a mitochondrial transplantation approach to treat a broad range of indications generated by a mitochondrial dysfunction which lead to rare-genetic or age-related diseases.Dr. Yivgi-Ohana has twenty years of experience in mitochondrial research and received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University, after which she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Yivgi-Ohana also has her B.Sc., Medical Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and her Master’s Degree, Human Reproduction Bar-Ilan University. Dr. Yivgi-Ohana founded Minovia with a passion to help children and adults with mitochondrial diseases worldwide.#NatalieYivgiOhana #MinoviaTherapeutics #MitochondrialDysfunction #Mitochondria #ATPProduction #MetabolicRegulation #CalciumHandling #Redox #Balance #CellFateDecisions #Heteroplasmy #ThresholdEffect #MitochondrialAugmentationTechnology #PearsonSyndrome #KearnsSayreSyndrome #LowRiskMyelodysplasticSyndrome #SyngeneicMaternalMitochondria #AllogeneicMitochondria #Bioenergetics #Aging #Healthspan #Lifespan #Longevity #Israel #Geroscience #RareDiseases #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH ( https://drtomfrieden.net/ ) is the Founder and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives ( https://resolvetosavelives.org/ ), a global health organization that accelerates action against the world’s deadliest health threats. The organization has partnered with countries around the world to support implementation of programs that will prevent more than 9 million deaths.Dr. Frieden is a physician who has specialized in internal medicine, infectious diseases, public health, and epidemiology. He has served a Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York City Health Commissioner, and helped start Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s global health philanthropy, particularly the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.Dr. Frieden’s work has appeared in medical journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and The Lancet as well as media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.Dr. Frieden’s new book, The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own ( MIT Press, September 2025 - https://www.amazon.com/Formula-Better-Health-Millions-Lives-Including-ebook/dp/B0DVC5Y6JD ), distills four decades of public health leadership into a clear, actionable framework to extend healthy lives. Dr. Frieden completed his Doctor of Medicine - MD and Master of Public Health - MPH at Columbia University and did a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Yale University.#TomFrieden #ResolveToSaveLives #CentersforDiseaseControlAndPrevention #NewYorkCityHealthCommissioner #MayorMichaelBloomberg #TheFormulaForBetterHealth #HighBloodPressure #UnhealthyLipids #PhysicalActivity #HealthyNutrition #SufficientSleep #AvoidingToxins #TuberculosisControl #Hypertension #BloombergPhilanthropies #Obesity #HeartAttacks #Strokes #LipidLowering #CancerPrevention #Vaccines #OpioidAddictionEpidemic #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #OneHealth #Trust #Disinformation #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show