Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds

In this episode, Sam sits down with Shane Grey to explore how targeting the tissue involved in type 1 diabetes could help control inflammation, improve islet-cell transplantation and support the development of new gene therapies.  Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.  You can find out more about Shane’s work by visiting:  Shane’s UNSW Profile   The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecu...

In this episode Sam sits down with Michelle Farrar to explore the transformation of spinal muscular atrophy treatment. From a leading genetic cause of infant death, to a condition with effective therapies, newborn screening and dramatically improved survival.  Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.  You can find out more about Michelle’s work by visiting:  Michelle’s UNSW profile   Miche...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Fatemeh Vafaee to explore how AI and advanced biotechnology are reshaping precision medicine. From blood-based cancer detection to more personalised diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery.  Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.  You can find out more about Fatemeh's work by visiting:  Fatemeh’s UNSW research profile   The Vafaee Lab website   UNS...

In this episode, Sam sits down with David Jacques to explore how understanding the structure of viral capsids can reveal new opportunities for drug discovery. From HIV treatments to the search for new ways to prevent HTLV transmission.  Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.  You can find out more about David's work by visiting:  David’s UNSW Profile   The UNSW Structural Virology Re...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Kate Michie to explore how AI is transforming structural biology - making protein structure prediction more accessible while opening new possibilities for personalised medicine and drug design. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Kate's work by visiting:  The UNSW Structural Biology Facility   Kate’s UNSW Profile   Cr...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Adam Jaffe to explore the transformation of cystic fibrosis treatment - from managing symptoms to developing precision therapies that target the underlying genetic cause. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Adam's work by visiting:  The Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Laboratory Webpage   Adam’s UNS...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Sarah to explore how trauma can trigger surprising immune responses – revealing why not all lung injuries are the same, and why treatment might need to be just as tailored. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Sarah’s work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine &...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Alisa to explore how clinical care can drive discovery - a patient-first, precision-focused approach to research that starts at the bedside and builds outward. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can learn more about Alisa’s work HERE and if you’d like to get in touch with her or explore potential collaborations, feel free to reach out to me at...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Elissa to explore how rare, single-gene immune disorders are helping decode the broader puzzle of autoimmunity. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Elissa’s work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu....

In this episode, Sam sits down with Nicole to explore Acanthamoeba keratitis - a rare but serious eye infection that mostly affects contact lens wearers - and how her work bridges public health advocacy and molecular research. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Nicole’s work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or to connect with the U...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Alexandra to explore how we can plan smarter, more sustainable COVID-19 vaccination strategies - a deep dive into modelling disease transmission in a world where the virus is no longer new, but far from gone. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Alexandra’s work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Debbie to explore how foundational immunology can help us design better vaccines especially when the infectious agent looks a little too much like us. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Debbie's work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research c...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Martin to explore how breath can be used as a powerful window into the body’s inner workings, a deep dive into metabolism, inflammation, and real-time diagnostics. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Martin's work and how to get in touch HERE For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Heal...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Nusrat to explore how data-driven epidemiology can transform child health and why RSV is more than “just a virus.” Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Nusrat’s work and how to get in touch here For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.e...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Jake Baum to explore what he calls disruptive vaccinology - a bold, systems-level rethink of how we approach vaccines for complex diseases like malaria. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Jake’s work by visiting his lab’s website ⁠( https://www.baumlab.com )⁠ and the global health burden of malaria through the WHO world...

In this short teaser, host Dr Sam McAllery shares what Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds is all about - a podcast that brings the people, passion, and possibility behind health and medical research into the spotlight at UNSW Medicine & Health. You’ll get a taste of what’s to come in Season One, hear who the show is for, and why it’s designed to help curious minds connect, collaborate, and t...