Mind Over Molecules

In this episode of Mind Over Molecules , I sit down with Clara Figueras, a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge whose work focuses on cell signaling and kinase proteins. Together, we explore the science behind her research, what it is like to pursue a PhD at one of the world's leading universities, and the challenges that come with a career in STEM. Clara shares her experiences navig...

In this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with Professor Terry J. Hart—a former United States Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut, and current professor of mechanical engineering at Lehigh University—for a conversation about exploration, engineering, and the future of humanity in space. Selected by NASA in 1978, Professor Hart flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during mission STS-41C, w...

Cancer. It’s a word we all know, but few of us truly understand. Unlike viruses or bacteria, cancer doesn’t come from the outside; it’s a disease of self, where your own cells go rogue and break every rule of biology. In this episode, we dive deep into what cancer actually is, why it’s so hard to treat, and how it constantly evolves to outsmart our immune system and therapies. From the “brakes and...

In this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with John Hess, an Associate Project Manager working in the medical technology field. Behind every device used in healthcare is a massive team of engineers, researchers, and project managers working to bring innovations from concept to reality. In our conversation, John shares what it’s like to work in the med‑tech industry, how projects move from...

For years, one major question haunted biology: how do proteins fold? These tiny molecular machines run every part of life, from memory to immunity, but their shapes were a mystery locked away in complexity. Then, almost overnight, artificial intelligence cracked the code. In this episode, we’ll explore how AI like AlphaFold solved the protein puzzle, why it matters for medicine, and how algorithms...

What if life had evolved backwards? In this episode, we explore the frontier of mirror life, a version of biology built from molecules that are the exact opposite of ours. From drugs that could last forever in the body, to organisms resistant to every virus on Earth, to the mind-bending question of why life chose left-handed molecules in the first place, mirror biology pushes the limits of science...

Squishy, soft, and mostly made of water, hydrogels don’t sound like cutting-edge science, but beneath the jelly-like surface lies a powerful tool that’s changing medicine! In this episode, we uncover how hydrogels are being used to deliver drugs exactly where they’re needed, to rebuild damaged tissues, and even to model the hostile “neighborhood” of cancer in the lab. We learn about the science be...

Everyone talks about your GPA, test scores, and college apps—and while all of these things are essential, there is not enough focus on you . Who you’re becoming. What you’re learning about yourself. And how to actually use high school as a launchpad for success instead of a pressure cooker. In this episode, we’re shifting the focus from perfection to progress . I’m sharing the mindset shifts, stra...

Welcome to Mind Over Molecules ! In this introductory episode, I’m going to be sharing with you what this podcast is all about — from introducing some of the topics we’ll be discussing, to my motivations for starting this podcast in the first place. Mind Over Molecules is for student scientists and curious minds who want to dive into research, improve their academic outlook, and explore innovation...