Mary Ellen Wiltrout

Beyond Biology

Science EN ↓ 6 episodes

This MIT Learn podcast connects high-level research and the human heart with Mary Ellen Wiltrout as the host. The show features world-class experts with a unique dual perspective: a deep scientific understanding of a disease and a personal connection to the health topic. Listeners will gain a foundational understanding of the science underlying research of complex health subjects, from cancer to infection to personalized medicine while learning about the people behind scientific research. The Beyond Biology podcast offers inspirational lessons of perseverance, empathy, and the power of a growt...

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Author

Mary Ellen Wiltrout

Episodes

Personalized Medicine, Diabetes, and AI with Dimitris Bertsimas 02.10.2026 39:52

In this MIT Learn Beyond Biology episode, MIT professor Dimitris Bertsimas joins Mary Ellen Wiltrout to share how advances in data and AI are helping healthcare move beyond one-size-fits-all treatment. Dimitris discusses how operations research, AI, and patient data could help make medicine more personal with a focus on diabetes care. Dimitris shares how family experiences shaped his healthcare re...

The Heart of a Scientist with Alan D. Grossman 07.09.2026 47:00

MIT biology professor Alan D. Grossman shares the story of his medical crisis that began with unexpected lightheadedness on campus in 2002 and led to a heart in 2006. The conversation traces the medical details of sarcoidosis, heart failure, immunosuppression, and recovery, while also showing how Alan kept teaching, mentoring, and leading through it all. After listening, you will gain a broader ap...

How Parasites Are More Common Than You Think with Sebastian Lourido 03.08.2026 50:40

Description Discover the fascinating world of parasites and their complex relationships with humans through an insightful conversation with Sebastian Lourido, a molecular parasitologist at MIT. This MIT Learn Beyond Biology episode goes into the diversity of parasites and how they infect humans, with a focus on Toxoplasma gondii but not leaving out Cyclospora . The discussion includes insights on...

The Fundamentals of Understanding Cancer Genetics with Summer Morrill 06.07.2026 40:34

Description In this episode of the MIT Learn Beyond Biology podcast, Dr. Summer Morrill, a high school biology teacher with deep roots in cancer genetics from her PhD work at MIT, unpacks the complex topic of cancer. Summer shares how her personal family history shaped her interest in the field, why cancer is not one disease, and how fundamental biology research helps explain everything from DNA r...

Inside the Cell: Why Pathogens are the World’s Best Cell Biologists with Becky Lamason 01.06.2026 44:44

Description: Understanding how bacteria evade our immune systems and cause disease is vital for developing better treatments and diagnostics. In this MIT Learn Beyond Biology episode, MIT professor Becky Lamason shares her insights on bacterial pathogens, their interaction with human cells, and the future of infectious disease research. This discussion reveals not only the complexity of microbes b...

Unlocking Brain Plasticity: Treating Blindness in India with Pawan Sinha 04.05.2026 45:44

In this episode, MIT Professor Pawan Sinha delves into the science of vision, brain plasticity, and the transformative power of scientific innovation in addressing global health challenges. Discover how research on early visual deprivation has shaped our understanding of neural development, and explore the inspirational journey of his nonprofit, Project Prakash, transforming lives in India. In thi...