Research Renaissance: Exploring the Future of Brain Science

In this fascinating episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Heather Brenhouse, professor of psychology and director of the Developmental Neuropsychobiology Lab at Northeastern University—and a 2024 Toffler Scholar. Together, they explore the deep connections between childhood adversity, brain development, and long-term mental health. Dr. Brenhouse discusses why e...

In this fascinating episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphall welcomes Dr. Alysson Muotri,  a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego., for a deep dive into what makes the human brain unique—and how understanding that uniqueness might unlock new treatments for neurological disorders. From stem cell b...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal welcomes Dr. Yvette Wong, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University and 2024 Toffler Scholar, for a deep dive into the dynamic inner world of cells—and how her lab is uncovering new clues about neurodegenerative diseases by studying the microscopic interactions between organelles. Dr. Wong discusses how organelles li...

In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, for a candid conversation about the intersection of science, policy, and aging. From Alzheimer’s drug coverage to the future of stem cell research, they unpack what it truly means to age with dignity—and how equity, access, and advocacy play a...

In this eye-opening episode of Research Renaissance , Dr. Rod Scott takes us on a journey through the emerging science of brain networks, complex adaptive systems, and why rethinking how we treat neurological conditions like epilepsy and autism might be the key to improving outcomes—especially in children. Dr. Scott explains why he views the brain not as a collection of isolated parts, but as a dy...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Frank Furnari, professor of medicine at UC San Diego and co-director of the Brain Tumor Program at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute. Together, they explore one of the most aggressive and complex cancers known to medicine—glioblastoma—and the innovative tools his team is developing to study and treat it. 🔬 Topics Cov...

In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Jackson Mace, a neuroscience PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University and 2023 Toffler Scholar, to explore the cutting-edge research driving our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases—particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). Drawing from personal experience—his father’s MS diagnosis—and a deep academic cur...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Alberto Serrano-Pozo, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a 2022 Toffler Scholar. Together, they explore Dr. Serrano-Pozo’s pioneering research into the role of glial cells—specifically astrocytes—and the APOE gene in the development an...

In this illuminating episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Ana Maiques, CEO and co-founder of Neuroelectrics, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of non-invasive brain stimulation technology. Together, they explore the intersection of neuroscience, entrepreneurship, and innovation, diving deep into how electrical brain stimulation is changing the future of tr...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal is joined by Meg Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. They dive deep into the innovative and high-impact research Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is supporting to prevent, slow, and ultimately cure Alzheimer’s disease. Meg shares her fascinating career journey from law and consulting to leading an organization that is re...

Can oxygen levels in the brain help explain Alzheimer’s disease? In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Nancy E. Ruiz, a Harvard Medical School research fellow and 2023 Toffler Scholar, to explore a powerful yet underexamined piece of the Alzheimer’s puzzle: vascular dysfunction. Dr. Ruiz shares how her background in physics and biology led her to cuttin...

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Catharine Smith, Executive Director of the Termeer Foundation, to explore innovation in the biotech industry and the evolving role of leadership. They dive into how biotech leaders are shaping the future of healthcare, supporting emerging companies, and addressing rare diseases. Key Topics Covered Catharine Smith’s Caree...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal welcomes Dr. Carrie Wolinetz, a leading science and health policy expert. With an extensive background, including roles at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Wolinetz shares her insights on the evolving landscape of medical research funding, the role of science poli...

Welcome to Research Renaissance , presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. In this episode, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Kasper Roet, CEO and co-founder of QurAlis, to explore the evolution of ALS drug development, the power of genetic insights, and the future of personalized medicine for neurodegenerative diseases. 🔬 Episode Highlights: ✔️ From Spinal Cord Injury to ALS – Dr....

In this thought-provoking episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal welcomes Dr. Melissa Flagg, an advisor for the Andrew W. Marshall Foundation and a research fellow at the Acquisition Innovation Research Center. Dr. Flagg has had an extensive career spanning government, academia, and the private sector, including her role as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research. Toget...

In this enlightening episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventative Medicine Research Institute and a pioneer in lifestyle medicine. Dr. Ornish shares groundbreaking research on how lifestyle changes—including diet, exercise, stress management, and social connection—can not only prevent but even reverse chronic diseases, includin...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal speaks with Katie Pizzone, Senior Director of Philanthropy at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). They discuss the critical role of philanthropy in advancing Alzheimer's research, the groundbreaking venture philanthropy model that ADDF employs, and the innovative treatments and diagnostics shaping the future of Alzh...

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Tamar Gefen, an Associate Professor at the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern University. Dr. Gefen, a 2023 Toffler Scholar, shares insights into her groundbreaking work on dementia syndromes and age-related cognitive disorders, including her fascinating research on cogniti...

Guests: Dr. Doug Robinson – Director of the Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Pamela Hamm – Director of the Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) Eleana Parajon – Graduate Student and former SARE Scholar Temitope Adenaike – Current SARE Scholar Aiden Houser – Current SARE Scholar Summary: In this episode, we dive into the transformative Summer Academic R...

In this enlightening episode of Research Renaissance, Deborah Westphal speaks with Dr. Robert Vassar, a renowned neuroscientist and Director of the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease at Northwestern University. Dr. Vassar shares his personal journey into the field of Alzheimer’s research, the evolution of diagnostic tools, and the latest technological breakthroughs...

 In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Afreen Allam, the CEO and founder of SiNON Nano Sciences and a 2023 Termeer Fellow. Afreen shares her journey from aspiring medical student to biotech entrepreneur, discussing her groundbreaking work in drug delivery for neurological diseases. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of devel...

Welcome to the latest episode of Research Renaissance, presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. I’m your host, Deborah Westphal, and today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Douglas Storace, a neuroscientist and assistant professor at Florida State University. Dr. Storace is also a 2022 Toffler Scholar. Our discussion will delve into his research on the olfactory bulb, a crucial br...

In this episode of Research Renaissance , host Deborah Westphal sits down with Anne Woodbury, the founder and CEO of Cura Strategies, a healthcare communication and public affairs agency. Together, they explore the crucial role of strategic communication in shaping healthcare policies and improving patient outcomes. Anne shares her journey from Capitol Hill to entrepreneurship, driven by a passion...

In this insightful episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Zhe Zhang, a research associate at Johns Hopkins and a 2021 Toffler Scholar. Dr. Zhang discusses her journey from aspiring to be a doctor to becoming a dedicated researcher focused on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS. She shares her innovative work on establishing...

In this enlightening episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Elisa Canepa, a neurobiologist and associate scientist from Temple University and a 2022 Toffler Scholar. Dr. Canepa shares her journey into neuroscience, driven by a fascination with the brain's complexity and its pivotal role in shaping our identity and cognitive functio...