The Science Bridge

In this episode, we sit down with physician-scientist Dr. Cailin Collins to explore how her work bridges the gap between the lab and the clinic. Dr. Collins shares her journey through MD-PhD training and how it shaped her passion for a career that combines patient care with scientific discovery. Focused on hematologic malignancies, she discusses the unique opportunity to treat patients in the clin...

In this special episode, Dr. Bruce Mandt, Associate Dean at CU Anschutz and our organization's faculty mentor, takes us through his exciting and, eventually non-traditional, journey in academia. His early interest in psychology and neuroscience led him to addiction studies and unpacking cocaine use in rodent models. While his interest in these science questions remained, Dr. Mandt discovered h...

In This Episode:   Can stem cells be used to repair and regenerate damaged retinas? And how close are we to restoring vision for those who have lost it?  Join hosts Jon Woodward and Preston Stafford for an engaging conversation with retinal organoid expert and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Dominic Shayler. Inspired by watching his father lose his sight to retinitis pigmentosa, Dr. Shayler shares his jou...

Hosts Jeremy Fleck and Lauren Dunn sit down and chat with Arjun Krishnan, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, about all things related to AI, computer science, and using large datasets to answer complex biological problems. In this episode, they learn about Arjun’s background and his journey through science, and how he landed at the Anschutz campus. They also chat a...

In This Episode:  Do your genetics change which foods you like and dislike? Is there a way we can make those unsatisfying, distasteful foods delicious for the masses? Join us on this episode of the Science Bridge with Dr. Joanne Cole as we dive into the genetics that drive our preferences for different types of food. Can broad population genetics be used to unlock why we all have such different pr...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Greenfield, a PhD candidate studying DNA replication in yeast, to explore what happens when cells copy their genetic “book” and certain sections are unexpectedly delayed. Sam uses creative analogies to break down complex molecular biology and explains how these rare replication events may connect to cancer, development, and aging. We also hear about his unconv...

In This Episode: Have you ever wondered what mysteries underlie one of the most recognizable organelles of the cell, the mitochondria? Ever wanted to know what it's like to apply for faculty leadership positions in academia? Join hosts Jon and Preston as we interview one of the leading faculty and chair of pharmaceutical sciences here at Anschutz, Dr. Blake Hill, as we dive into the cutting pr...

In This Episode:  In this episode of the Science Bridge podcast, hosts Lauren Dunn and Jeremy Fleck welcome Cassie Minne, a PhD candidate on the Anschutz campus studying craniofacial biology. Cassie shares insights into her research on how genetic and molecular factors shape the development of the human face, including discussions on conditions like cleft lip and palate. The conversation explores...

Welcome to season 2! What does it mean to taste something? How does our perception of taste even start? Come join us on a dive into the unexpected complexity in the structure of the taste bud!  In this episode, we follow Dr. Courtney Wilson’s non-traditional journey as she discusses her path to becoming an assistant research professor in the Cell & Developmental Biology program at CU Anschutz...

Let your interests take you where they may, despite the foreseeable challenges ahead.    In this episode, Dr. Edward (Ed) Evans discusses his path to becoming a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. James DiGregori’s lab. From roots in math and chemistry, Dr. Evans talks about how his passion in one field led him into disease prevention research where he had to become an expert in a whole new field. Dr. Evan...

In This Episode: We sit down with Dr. Tonya Brunetti to explore her path into science and how she uses computational tools to make sense of complex biological data, especially data revealing how the immune system works. She shares what first sparked her interest in bioinformatics, the methods she relies on to decode large datasets, and the ways she applies bioinformatic approaches to deepen our un...

In This Episode: Join us as we sit down with Dr. Deviyani Rao for her very own episode! Devi has been an instrumental part of Project Bridge CO for many years and the driving force behind this podcast. Hear about her passion for science communication, where her journey is taking her in her post doc, and her life beyond the bench. This isn’t farewell, it is see you later!   Recorded on: September 1...

In This Episode: In this episode we cover Breanna’s journey as a scientist thus far in her career. Breanna is a graduate student with a funded grant through the NIH. We talk about her interests as an Alzheimer's researcher and speculate on a few of the possible molecular underpinnings of the disease. Finally, we discuss her path in becoming a Medical Science Liaison.  Recorded: August 22nd  20...

In This Episode:  Bailey is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Molecular Biology program. She studies how primary cilia form and function.  A med school hopeful turned researcher. Outside of the lab she is a part of a band. Recorded on: August 5th 2025   🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  ✨ Connect With Us:  Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky    Project Bridge Colorado We...

In this episode: We are joined by post doctoral research Devin Effinger, Ph. D. Tune in and hear about the world of psychedelics, their therapeutic roles following traumatic brain injury, and his journey into science! Recorded on: July 23rd 2025 🛠 Resources & Links Mentioned: Follow Devin on Instagram & BlueSky National Institute on Drug Abuse ✨ Connect with us: Follow The Science Bridge...

In this episode: This week we sit down with Olivia Anthony, Ph. D., a former breast cancer researcher who now helps lead patient education at Susan G. Komen. She shares how her path from the lab bench to scientific communications allows her to translate complex science into resources that empower patients, inform communities, and shape global breast cancer initiatives. Recorded on: July 18th 2025...

In this episode: This week we sit down with Matt Sikora, Ph. D. , an associate professor of pathology at CU AMC who leads his own lab studying lobular breast cancer and serves as a program liaison for the Cancer Center. He shares how mentors and colleagues shaped his ability to communicate science, and how patients and advocates are the driving force of his research - guiding his lab's researc...

In this episode: Join us today and get to know Kyndal Schade, M.S., a senior professional research assistant whose love of animals and background in animal sciences led her to a career on a medical campus! Hear about what it is like to manage a lab's mouse colony, what mouse behavioral experiments are, and the vital role that this work plays in advancing our understanding of human health and d...

In this episode: Today we are joined by an amazing friend of the podcast, Erin Golden, Ph. D! Erin completed her post doctoral training her at CU AMC and during that time founded the CU Anschutz Chapter of Project Bridge. Now Dr. Golden helps current post docs navigate their career goals as the Assistant Director of the Postdoctoral Office here at CU AMC. Recorded on: May 2nd 2025 🛠 Resources &amp...

Recorded on: April 30th 2025 In this episode: Join us today as we hang out with Lacey Mesia, a Bioengineering PhD candidate here at CU AMC. Lacey studies bleeding disorders but has a secret passion for science communication and writing! Hear about why bubbles are bad, the methane momba, and a hate turned into love relationship with math. 🎧 Tune in if you're: wondering how you find the right c...

In this episode: Join us as we sit down with Curtis Coughlin, Ph. D. , an Associate Professor here at CU AMC in the Department of Pediatrics and The Center for Bioethics and Humanities. Hear about the amazing work his lab does on rare metabolic diseases in children, his service as a Pediatric Healthcare Ethics Consultant, and his journey into a career dedicated to helping patients from bench to be...

In this episode: Meet Dr. Meg Filbin, a Biochemistry professor at Metro State University who earned her Ph. D. in Molecular Biology at CU AMC. We chat about her surprising switch from art to science, how she juggles doing research while teaching and creating courses, and her reasoning on why she prefers RNA to proteins - definitely a hot take you don't want to miss! 🎧 Tune in if you're: I...

In this episode: Hear more about Kayla's journey to becoming the Director of the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair (DMRSEF)! We also discuss the importance of science fairs for the development of young scientists, as well as current challenges and opportunities of using AI in the classroom. 🎧 Tune in if you're: Interested in learning more about the science fair here in De...

In this episode: The Science Bridge is growing, and with that growth comes fresh energy and voices! We're excited to introduce our three new hosts - Jeremy, Preston, and Jon (aka The Boys )-PhD students from the Immunology, Stem Cell & Development, and Toxicology programs here at CU AMC. Tune in as they share their journeys into science and how they each found a passion for science communi...

In this episode: You may have heard about all the different bacteria that live in our guts and impact our health but, what about the fungi? Meet Kyla Ost, Ph. D., who is interested in understanding how the microscopic fungal species that reside in our gut interact with our immune system. Join us as we chat about shape shifting fungi, why fungal research is needed, and the importance of exposure to...