Mary Ellen Wiltrout

Beyond Biology

Science EN ↓ 3 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...

Author

Mary Ellen Wiltrout

Episodes

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...