Paul Talks Science

In this punchy Paul Talks Science episode, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya lays out a game-changing vision: shift the continent from donor dependence to home-grown prevention. Hear how “Made-in-Africa” vaccines, a new primary-health-care push, and community-powered disease surveillance are rewiring public health—and why partners must align with Africa’s roadmap or step aside. A quick bu...

When U.S. funds abruptly dried up, Nigerian virologist Prof. Oyewale Tomori saw an unlikely gift: proof that Africa can—and must—stand on its own. In this episode, he tells host Paul Adepoju why the continent is “ resource-wasteful, not resource-limited ,” skewering billion-naira motorcades and idle PCR labs while village health officers lack even a bicycle. Linking to Paul’s Global Health Now fea...

While roving the abstracts stand at the World Cancer Congress in Geneva (17‑19 September 2024) , Paul Adepoju bumps into Swiss TPH PhD researcher Peace Ayeni and ends up unpacking a jaw‑dropping data set of 4.1 million people living with HIV in South Africa . Her study shows that where you pick up your antiretrovirals—an affluent clinic or an under‑resourced township facility—can tilt the odds of...

On this World Malaria Day, host Paul Adepoju, PhD sits down with genomicist Dr Jane Carlton , Director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, for a candid look at how—and why—the global malaria map keeps shrinking even amid a sudden funding storm. From decoding Plasmodium genomes and deploying AI-powered diagnostics to rolling out the first WHO-approved vaccines and engineering “better”...

Recorded amid the buzz of the last World Cancer Congress in Geneva, this double‑feature episode of Paul Talks Science links global policy rooms to ground‑level clinic corridors—with one shared mission: stop cancer before it starts, and treat it smarter when it does. In the first half 🗣️ Yannick Romero – Senior Knowledge & Advocacy Manager, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Twenty y...

Africa has achieved a remarkable 40% reduction in maternal deaths since 2000—a significant milestone in global health. Yet paradoxically, the continent still accounts for a staggering 70% of maternal deaths worldwide. In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with Dr. Adeniyi Aderoba, WHO's lead on reproductive and maternal health for Africa, to unpack this complex paradox. They explore what's...

Obesity is often framed as a personal failure—but what if the real culprit lies beyond individual choices? In this eye-opening episode of Paul Talks Science, host Paul Adepoju speaks with Dr. Simon Barquera, President of the World Obesity Federation, about the deeper systems fueling the global obesity epidemic. Exploring insights from the latest World Obesity Atlas, they uncover how ultra-processe...

After a cancer diagnosis, many wonder: What can I do to improve my long-term health? In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I sit down with Dr. Helen Croker , Assistant Director of Research and Policy at the World Cancer Research Fund International , to explore the science behind lifestyle choices and cancer survival. We dive into the latest research on diet, physical activity, and weight managem...

In this episode, we explore Ireland's groundbreaking approach to cancer advocacy through two compelling conversations with leaders from the Irish Cancer Society. CEO Averil Power shares how relentless advocacy led to landmark legislation requiring cancer warnings on alcohol labels, changing Ireland's relationship with alcohol and health. Suzanne Dowd, Advocacy Officer, reveals another fron...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I speak with Prof. Christian Gilissen , Professor in Genome Bioinformatics and Head of Bioinformatics at Radboud University Medical Center , about the game-changing potential of long-read sequencing in rare disease diagnosis. We dive into: 🔬 How long-read sequencing works and why it matters 🧬 Its advantages over traditional short-read sequencing 💡 The imp...

In this insightful episode of Paul Talks Science , host Paul Adepoju, PhD explores the hidden dangers of PFAS chemicals with Hailey Hampson, PhD , a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of South Carolina and the University of Washington . Hailey, the lead author of a groundbreaking study on PFAS and kidney function, uncovers the complex relationship between these "forever chemicals," gut microbio...

PFAS – the so-called “forever chemicals” – have infiltrated our water, air, food, and even our bodies. But how did we get here, and what can be done? In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with Erik Olson , Senior Strategic Director for Health at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) , to unpack the science, politics, and industry influence behind PFAS pollution. From hidden studies and corpo...

Join host  Paul Adepoju  on  Paul Talks Science  as he sits down with  Dr. Jesse Mez , neurologist and associate professor at Boston University, to dive into the startling connections between ice hockey, repetitive head impacts, and  chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) . In this eye-opening conversation, they unpack groundbreaking research from BU’s UNITE Brain Bank, revealing how years of play...

How much does your environment influence your health? More than you might think. In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I sit down with Dr. Rumi Chunara , Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Health Data Science at NYU, to explore the fascinating intersection of AI, urban design, and public health . Dr. Chunara’s research leverages Google Street View data, machine learning, and publ...

Did you know that where you live could impact your cancer survival chances? Despite having a centralized healthcare system, the UK still faces stark inequalities in cancer care—and for many patients, their postcode can be a deciding factor in their prognosis. In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with Suping Ling, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropica...

Long COVID remains one of the biggest medical mysteries of our time, affecting millions worldwide—but how much do we really know about it? In this episode of Paul Talks Science , Dr. Igor J. Koralnik, Chief of Neuro-infectious Disease at Northwestern University, shares insights from his pioneering research on the neurological manifestations of long COVID. With over 2,800 patients seen at his clini...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I sit down with Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, on the sidelines of the World Cancer Congress 2024. We delve into Macmillan’s groundbreaking efforts to address inequities in cancer care, exploring how the organization is partnering with communities, fostering innovation, and ensuring that no one is left behind. From challenges in c...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , Dr. Paul Adepoju sits down with Dr. Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), to discuss the transformative role of the World Cancer Congress in global cancer control. They delve into the progress made in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment over the past decade and explore the challenges of addressing inequities in h...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , we dive into the insights and challenges presented in the 2024 World Malaria Report . Joining us is Prof. William Moss, Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, who sheds light on the progress made in malaria control over the past two decades, the advent of malaria vaccines, and the critical inequities that still need addressing. We d...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , we explore the transformative impact of Project ECHO, a global initiative that's bridging health inequities by democratizing expertise and empowering underserved communities. Dr. Sanjeev Arora, founder of Project ECHO, shares the powerful story of how a heartbreaking patient encounter inspired him to create this innovative hub-and-spoke model that’s now help...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I sit down with Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, the inspiring founder and CEO of Healthtracka. Driven by a deeply personal loss, Ifeoluwa shares her journey of transforming grief into action by founding a health tech startup that's revolutionizing diagnostics in Africa. We explore the challenges of tackling non-communicable diseases, the nuances of gender health disp...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , we delve into groundbreaking research led by Dr. Carl Chen, PhD, Medical Scientist and Researcher at the Strengthening Oncology Services Research Unit, Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of the Witwatersrand. Dr. Chen and his team recently published a landmark study in Nature Genetics titled “Genomic risk loci for prostate cancer i...

How is polarization shaping the way we approach healthcare? In this episode of Paul Talks Science , I sit down with Dr. Kai Ruggeri to explore how group affiliations and ideological divides are influencing decisions about vaccines, health guidelines, and public health strategies. Dr. Ruggeri shares fascinating insights into the role of trusted voices, the global patterns of healthcare mistrust, an...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , host Paul Adepoju sits down with Michael Moreland, founder of Field, to explore groundbreaking innovations in maternal, newborn, and child healthcare across Africa. They discuss how Field’s tech-driven solutions are helping save lives by optimizing health supply chains, supporting local pharmacies, and enhancing care at the grassroots level. With a recent $1...

In this episode of Paul Talks Science , host Paul Adepoju, PhD, sits down with Paul Cheruiyot, head of programs at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Together, they delve into the vital role the Red Cross plays in responding to global health emergencies. From navigating the complexities of COVID-19 vaccine distribution across continents to addressing emerg...