Lasker Foundation

We Ask a Scientist

Science EN ↓ 12 episodes

Notable scientists discuss the roles of instinct, uncertainty, and inspiration on their road to success. They talk about their approaches to collaborations and how they handle road blocks. As you listen you will find there is no one path or general principle to follow when doing biomedical research. Rather, there is freedom to question existing solutions, and freedom to imagine new possibilities.

Author

Lasker Foundation

Episodes

Diane Mathis: It's All About Immunology 10.06.2026 23:20

Immunologist Diane Mathis discusses collaboration, how creativity is rooted in knowledge, and why uncertainty is simply part of the scientific process.

William Kaelin: On Scientific taste and the TV series "Mission: Impossible" 12.05.2026 29:27

Physician-scientist and Lasker Laureate William Kaelin reflects on why asking the right questions is essential, but discerning what not to pursue is even more critical to becoming a successful scientist.

Timothy Springer: From Anthropology to Drug Discovery 14.04.2026 30:10

He studied anthropology, sociology, and psychology, loved biochemistry, and ultimately became a biophysicist—Lasker Laureate Timothy Springer is always looking toward the future.

We Ask a Scientist Napoleone Ferrara 02.03.2026 12:42

We Ask a Scientist Napoleone Ferrarahttps://laskerfoundation.org/we-ask-a-scientist-napoleone-ferrara

Quarraisha Abdool Karim: Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships 03.02.2026 29:27

Lasker Laureate Quarraisha Abdool Karim reflects on a journey shaped by meaningful partnerships—with her mentors, the communities she is committed to helping, and the scientists who walk alongside her.

John Jumper: On working at the edge of knowledge 17.11.2025 26:54

A physicist by training, Lasker Laureate John Jumper explains how AI research enables prodigious creativity, with the aim of improving our understanding of the world.

On Sculpting Ideas, Classic Papers, and Churchill 15.10.2025 28:04

Developmental neuroscientist Jeremy Nathans tells us why "a good idea is a lot like a good joke" and why it is important to embrace uncertainty.

Paul Nurse on creativity, humor, and Karl Popper 09.08.2025 30:24

An interview with Paul Nurse An intuitive researcher, Lasker Laureate Paul Nurse is " less inclined to impose order on the living world and more inclined to try and interpret the order that is there."

The Modernist 09.06.2025 24:45

An interview with Leslie Vosshall From dishwasher in the lab as a teen to leading an international network of scientists, neurobiologist Leslie Vosshall does not shy away from challenges — she embraces them.

On Leadership,Technology, and Inventing a New Game 08.05.2025 17:38

An interview with Elias Zerhouni "Instinct does not come from a natural or preternatural ability, it comes from the interaction of learning, mentoring, and obviously your hunger for discovering things that no one else has."

A Calm Endeavour: Discovering TOR 08.04.2025 20:41

An Interview with Michael Hall "The beauty of research is that you don't have to plan far ahead, results lead you to the next question."

About Building Models 06.03.2025 25:22

An interview with Lauren Gardner How a systems engineer tries to understand disease spread and human movement.