Research Forward Podcast

In this special and heartfelt episode of Research Forward, we honor the life and legacy of Pete Willan, a remarkable leader whose five decades of service transformed biomedical research facilities and advanced the standards of animal welfare across the UK. Host David Mayo and guest Alison Hopkins reflect on Pete’s extraordinary career—from his strategic leadership at the University of Leicester’s...

In this episode of Research Forward, we sit down with Tommy Jackson, CEO of Prelude, to explore how technology is transforming clinical research. Tommy shares his journey from finance and Silicon Valley startups to leading one of the most trusted eClinical platforms in animal health—and now expanding into human health trials. We discuss: How Prelude’s Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system accelerat...

In this episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David Mayo welcomes Dr. Michael Florea, co-founder and CEO of Olden Labs, a Harvard-trained synthetic biologist revolutionizing longevity research. Michael shares his journey from teenage lab work in Estonia to developing whole-body gene delivery systems at Harvard Medical School, and ultimately founding Olden Labs to tackle the bottlenecks of...

In this episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David sits down with Arantza Muriana, Chief Investigational Officer and CEO of Biobide’s American affiliate. Arantza shares her inspiring journey from clinical trials in Spain to pioneering preclinical research using zebrafish and other aquatic models. Together, they explore how Biobide is transforming drug discovery, toxicology, and environmen...

In this episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David Mayo sits down with Dr. Eleanor Raffan, veterinary surgeon and geneticist at the University of Cambridge, to explore the surprising genetic links between obesity in dogs and humans. Through her groundbreaking work with pet Labradors and other breeds, Dr. Raffan reveals how genes like POMC and D1B influence appetite, metabolism, and weight...

In this episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David Mayo welcomes Javier Guillén, Senior Director at AAALAC International, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of laboratory animal science and global accreditation. Javier shares his personal journey from a veterinary graduate in Spain to a global leader in animal welfare and research ethics. He reflects on the early challenges of en...

In this episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David Mayo sits down with Professor Paul Flecknell, a global authority on laboratory animal welfare, anesthesia, and pain management. With over four decades of experience, Professor Flecknell shares his journey from aspiring large-animal vet to pioneering researcher and educator in lab animal care. He discusses the critical importance of refini...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Professor Jan-Bas Prins, a prominent figure in lab animal science and an advocate for transitioning away from animal testing. Professor Prins shares his journey from zoology to becoming a leading voice in lab animal science, discussing his roles at the Leiden University Medical Center and the Francis Crick Institute. They...

In this powerful episode of the Research Forward Podcast, host David Mayo sits down with Dr. Dvir Mintz, Director of the Preclinical Research Authority at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, to explore what it means to lead a critical animal research facility during a time of war. While on vacation abroad, Dr. Mintz was thrust into crisis management as conflict erupted back home, forcin...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Dr. Lily Iskhakova, a leading neuroscientist from the Weizmann Institute. They delve into the intricate world of neuronal networks, exploring the mysteries of learning, memory, and neurological disorders. Dr. Iskhakova shares her innovative work on the rehabilitation of animals used in Parkinson's disease models, highlight...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Professor Livia D'Angelo, the driving force behind the MorphoPHEN program. MorphoPHEN is a collaborative master's program involving four leading European universities, aimed at training experts in mouse phenotyping to advance our understanding of human diseases. Professor D'Angelo discusses the interdisciplinary nature of...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Dr. Viola Galligioni, a veterinarian with extensive experience in laboratory animal science across four European countries. Dr. Galligioni shares her journey from aspiring equine surgeon to managing animal facilities in Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and the Netherlands. They discuss the unique challenges of leading t...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Mireia Cigarrán, CEO and founder of VRPharma, an innovative company using virtual reality to transform patient experiences, particularly for children and adults undergoing medical procedures. Mireia shares her journey from industrial and chemical engineering to founding VRPharma, driven by her personal experiences as a mot...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Professor Adriana Tavares, a leading expert in translational molecular imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Professor Tavares shares her extensive background in nuclear medicine, biomedical engineering, and radiotracer development, highlighting her journey from her academic beginnings to her current role...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Adrian Zeltner, a leading expert in mini pig care, handling, anesthesia, and surgery, with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biomedical research industries. Adrian shares his unique career journey, from his beginnings in Switzerland to his time in New Zealand and eventual move to Denmark, where he became deepl...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Dr. Diego Celdran-Bonafonte, an expert in surgical training and biomedical research, currently an associate veterinary specialist and research assistant professor at the University of Arizona. They explore Dr. Celdran-Bonafonte's innovative work in 3D printing surgical simulators, which provide an ethical and effective alt...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Professor Ralf Weiskirchen, a leading expert in liver diseases and head of the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry at RWTH University Hospital Aachen. They delve into the complexities of liver fibrosis, discussing its various causes, including alcohol, viral hepatitis, and genetic diseases. Professor Weiskirchen expla...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Alison Hopkins, a qualified registered animal technologist, to discuss the often overlooked but crucial topic of mental health in animal care professionals. Alison shares her journey from working in accounting to becoming an animal technologist, highlighting the emotional demands and challenges of the profession, including...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Dr. Ana Cristina Borges, Head of the Aquatic Platform at the Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine. Ana is a leading figure in zebrafish research, overseeing crucial initiatives related to zebrafish husbandry and its application in biomedical studies. With a PhD in molecular biology, Ana has become a pioneer in zebraf...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, we interview Sergio Salazar, a veterinarian, biomedical consultant and the co-founder of Ovum SPF, a startup revolutionizing vaccine production using specified pathogen-free (SPF) eggs. The discussion delves into Sergio's background, his journey from veterinary medicine to biomedical consulting, and his experiences working in various countries. The...

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Bella Lear, the Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research Oceania. Bella discusses her extensive career in science communication, which began in her teenage years with the British Science Association. She shares how her passion for science and communication led her to work on various projects, including the Concorda...

In this episode, Dr. Ana B. Marín-Arroyo, a researcher in human evolution, delves into her work on the resilience of past human groups, focusing on their subsistence strategies and climatic conditions in Eurasia from 200,000 to 3,000 years ago. Dr. Marín-Arroyo, a Professor of Prehistory, at the University of Cantabria, has worked at various institutions, including the University of Cambridge. Her...

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Brazzell, the Head of Anatomic Pathology at IDEXX BioAnalytics, shares her extensive experience and insights into the field of veterinary pathology. Jennifer is double board-certified in veterinary clinical and anatomic pathology and has been with IDEXX BioAnalytics since May 2021. Jennifer explains the roles of clinical and anatomic pathologists in veterinary medicin...

In this episode, Dr. Patxi Sarasola shares his extensive experience in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. He discusses his educational background, which includes a veterinary degree from Spain and a PhD in equine veterinary pharmacology from Scotland. Initially aiming to become an equine vet, Patxi transitioned into clinical research, working for Pfizer in England. In 2000, Patxi and his wife...

The Research Forward Podcast is dedicated to exploring the world of research and innovation. Hosted by David Mayo, each episode features conversations with individuals making significant contributions in various fields, including colleagues, customers, researchers, and industry leaders associated with IDEXX BioAnalytics. The podcast aims to highlight our mission to advance research and to improve...