Salk Talk - Salk Institute For Biological Studies

Nicola Allen is an associate professor at Salk. On this episode of Where Cures Begin, Allen discusses her research investigating star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Once thought to be merely supportive cells in the brain, astrocytes have a much more important role in health and disease than previously thought. We also take an audio tour of her lab to learn about the process of scientific discovery.

Dannielle Engle is an assistant professor at Salk, with a personal and professional connection to pancreatic cancer. On this episode of Where Cures Begin, Engle tells us why pancreatic cancer is both hard to detect and hard to treat, as well as innovative approaches her lab is taking to tackle these deadly tumors.

Emily Manoogian is a postdoctoral fellow at Salk, where she studies the biological clock that affects every cell in our body. The lab she works in has made several discoveries showing that eating within a certain number of hours (dubbed the time-restricted diet) can have a host of health benefits. On this episode of Where Cures Begin, Manoogian shares insight about when is best to eat and workout among other tidbits to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Tony Hunter is an American Cancer Society Professor at Salk who has garnered many prestigious international awards for his work. On this episode of Where Cures Begin, Hunter shares highlights from his 50-year journey as a scientist, including how he made the critical discovery that launched an entirely new class of anti-cancer drugs.

Eiman Azim is an assistant professor at Salk. On this episode of Where Cures Begin, he speaks about how the brain controls skilled movements such as throwing a dart. Azim uses cutting-edge technologies to lay the groundwork for better treatment and recovery of motor function after injury and disease.Azim also shares about his life as a husband and dad, and the importance of training the next generation of scientists.

Where Cures Begin is the Salk Institute’s podcast that highlights cutting-edge science and the researchers making it all possible. On the podcast, hosts Allie Akmal and Brittany Fair interview Salk’s internationally renowned and award-winning scientists to explore the very foundations of life, and learn about new understandings in neuroscience, genetics, immunology, plant biology and more.

As the only electrophysiologist in the Gage lab, Shani Stern uses her engineering expertise to delve into the biological mysteries that most intrigue her, particularly bipolar disorder.

Why does the simple act of raising your coffee mug to take a sip involve more computation than a supercomputer can do? Why do robots move, well, robotically? Join neuroscientist Sam Pfaff as he explains the answers to the these questions as well as describing the flashy neurological circuits—called “circuitoids”—his lab builds from stem cells to study repetitive actions like walking—and how that work might provide insights into degenerative motor diseases like ALS. 

With two chemists for parents, the last thing Abby Buchwalter wanted to be when she grew up was a scientist. But in high school she became driven to uncover the fundamental scientific laws governing life. Now, in the lab, she weaves together clues about the structure of our cells while outside of lab she creates fabrics of her own. Podington Bear – Releasing the Sculpture Reinsamba – Street Accordionist Ars Sonor- After the Rain comes Rainbow Blue Dot Sessions – The Zeppelin Blue Dot Sessions – Spins and Never Falls

What do punk rock music, the martial art of muay thai and neuroscience have in common? They’re all passions of Salk Postdoctoral Scholar Elena Blanco. As a member of Nicola Allen’slab, Blanco studies cells called astrocytes, which she terms “the security guards of the brain.” We’ll hear about her childhood in Spain, California dreaming, and why she enjoys explaining science at schools, gyms and even at bars.

Primary season may be over, but Bernie Salamanders lives on! He’s the Dungeons & Dragons alter ego of Salk’s Chris Howard, a postdoctoral scholar in the lab of Xin Jin. When Howard is not playing D&D, he studies the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is implicated in diseases like Parkinson’s and drug addiction. He’ll tell us the bittersweet story of why he got interested in neuroscience and how music is a big part of his life.

An Ecuadorian child actor, Pablo Hollstein now resides at the Salk Institute in Reuben Shaw’s lab where he studies cancer. We will touch on his former acting career after we visit how he fosters community at the Salk, his adventurous eating, and why he is passionate about studying cancer.