Russo Edge Podcast

Biotechnology has helped transform what is possible in medicine, turning once-fatal diseases into manageable conditions and opening the door to treatments that would have seemed impossible a generation ago. But as science advances, the systems that support innovation are under pressure, from public trust and policy decisions to capital formation, regulation, and confidence in scientific institutio...

What if the systems that keep people alive, healthy, and productive were valued the same way elite organizations value performance? In this episode, Solomon Wilcots speaks with Dr. Michelle Williams , professor of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University School of Medicine , former dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , and author of The Cure for Everything . She...

What’s really putting pressure on hospitals today, and what does it mean for the companies working with them? In this episode of the Russo Edge, Scott Becker , founder and publisher of Becker’s Healthcare , joins host Solomon Wilcots to explore the new realities shaping hospitals and health systems across the country. Drawing from daily conversations with executives on the front lines, Scott offer...

What happens when a seasoned tech founder applies venture discipline to one of the toughest medical challenges: turning spinal cord injury research into real treatments? In this episode of the Russo Edge, Adrien Cohen , founder of SCI Ventures , joins host Solomon Wilcots for a conversation about building a global venture philanthropy fund designed to accelerate therapies for spinal cord injury. A...

What happens when a scientist, engineer, and VC see the same future — one where data and biology converge to change medicine? In this episode of The Russo Edge, Sahir Ali , Founder and General Partner of Modi Ventures, joins Solomon Wilcots to discuss how artificial intelligence and data are reshaping the business of biotech. Drawing on his background across programming, Wall Street, and cancer re...

In this episode of The Russo Edge, two leading journalists pull back the curtain on how science becomes a headline. Heather McKenzie , Senior Editor at BioSpace and Ben Glickman , Reporter at The Wall Street Journal , join host Solomon Wilcots to share what earns their attention, what builds trust, and what turns them off before a single question is asked. Together, they break down how biotech com...

What if the earliest chapters of lifelong health are written in the gut — before a child even reaches preschool? Modern babies are often born without key microbes that train the immune system, leaving them more vulnerable to chronic conditions like allergies, asthma, and eczema. This episode of The Russo Edge, Dr. Stephanie Culler , Co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences , explains what make...

What happens when a chart-topping songwriter is brought to her knees by a mysterious illness, and a healthcare system that refuses to believe her nearly costs her everything? In this episode of The Russo Edge Podcast, Dana Parish joins host Solomon Wilcots to share how her fight to survive became a mission to help others. Alongside Dr. Steven Phillips, she co-authored the bestselling book Chronic:...

What happens when an engineer from professional motorsports applies that same precision and drive to regenerative medicine? On this episode of the Russo Edge Podcast, Jason Matuszewski , CEO and Co-founder of BioStem Technologies , a company providing placental tissue products to heal chronic wounds that often defy standard treatment. Jason shares how BioStem’s proprietary BioREtain ® technology i...

What if hydration could be tracked as easily—and accurately—as your heart rate? On this episode of the Russo Edge Podcast, host Solomon Wilcots sits down with Professor Mark Kendall , CEO and founder of WearOptimo , to explore how hydration could become the sixth vital sign. Mark explains the science behind microwearables—tiny sensors designed to measure hydration in real time—and why elite athlet...

When memory fades and caregiving becomes a daily reality, how do we hold onto hope? In this episode of the Russo Edge Podcast, novelist and mental health advocate Muffy Walker shares how her experiences helped inspire her debut work of fiction, Memory Weavers . Set in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the novel follows two women navigating friendship, trauma, and early-onset memory loss. Drawing fro...

Sara Jane Demy , CEO and Founder of Demy-Colton , has spent more than two decades helping biotech CEOs get into the right rooms—and build the relationships that move their companies forward. In this episode of The Russo Edge Podcast, Sara joins host Solomon Wilcots for a candid conversation about what it takes to lead in today’s capital-constrained biotech environment. She shares why preparation—n...

Shaun O’Hara, Ed McCaffrey , and Alex Smith join host Solomon Wilcots from Radio Row for an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of sports medicine in professional football. These NFL veterans share their personal experiences with injuries, recovery, and the medical advancements that helped extend their careers. Alex Smith shares his journey back from a career-threatening leg injury, Ed McCa...

Dr. Shiran Zimri , Vice President of R&D at NeuroSense Therapeutics , joins the Russo Edge Podcast and shares her journey as a scientist tackling neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. In this episode, Dr. Zimri explains how NeuroSense’s innovative combination therapy, Prime C, could reshape ALS treatment by addressing multiple pathways involved in the disease. She provides a behind-the-scenes l...

Dr. Paul Wotton , Executive Director of the Rice Biotech Launchpad and Managing Partner of RBL LLC, joins host Solomon Wilcots on the Russo Edge Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Wotton shares how his leadership is transforming groundbreaking research into clinical applications. Discover the unique advantages of Houston's thriving biotech ecosystem, the challenges of translating research into treatmen...

Kevin Caldwell, CEO and co-founder of Ossium Health , joins the Russo Edge Podcast to share the groundbreaking work his company is doing to revolutionize bone marrow transplants. Learn how Ossium Health is leveraging innovation to store life-saving bone marrow from deceased organ donors and improve outcomes for patients with serious blood cancers. With host Solomon Wilcots, this episode covers the...

Gaylene Xanthopoulos , CEO and founder of The Leadership Edge , joins the Russo Edge Podcast to share her expertise on leading life science companies through growth, innovation, and investor engagement. As an advisor to biotech CEOs and board members, Gaylene delves into the unique challenges life science leaders face today, from building effective teams to establishing strategic clarity and foste...

Join Graig Suvannavejh, veteran biotech and biopharmaceutical analyst at Mizuho Securities , as he sits down with our host Solomon Wilcots, Sports-Health Alliance Team Leader at Russo Partners . In this episode, Graig discusses the evolving biotech landscape, upcoming market catalysts, and the key therapeutic areas poised for growth. We also dive into best practices for companies looking to streng...

Can cell therapy provide a real solution for spinal cord injuries, as well as vision and hearing loss? In this episode, Solomon Wilcots speaks with Brian Culley , CEO of Lineage Cell Therapeutics , about how their groundbreaking work is creating new possibilities for patients. Brian shares how replacing damaged cells with healthy ones is transforming the recovery process. Discover Lineage Cell The...

Join Dr. Scott Sigman, a renowned orthopedic surgeon with Spire Orthopedic Partners and host of The Ortho Show, as he sits down with our host Solomon Wilcots, Sports-Health Alliance Team Leader at Russo Partners . In this insightful episode, Dr. Sigman discusses his work with elite athletes like the LA Lakers and Dodgers, and how those experiences have shaped his approach to patient care. Learn ab...