Tgen Talks

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. In this episode, we speak with TGen Associate Professor Jonathan Keats, Ph.D. Dr. Keats’ revisits the COMPASS study from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundationm a 12-year research project that examined the different forms of this blood cancer and revealed why some patients respond well to treatment while others face more aggressive disease. His work on the project led to the development of two advanced tests that can deliver results in days instead of weeks, helping doctors choose the most effective treatment for each patient. These tests can also show when some patient may no longer need therapy, sparing many people from years of difficult and costly treatments. Listen as Dr. Keats shares why he believes the future is becoming much brighter for patients with multiple myeloma and other forms of cancer.

Why do some people stay mentally sharp well into their seventies and eighties, while others begin to struggle with memory much earlier in life? MindCrowd, an ambitious online brain study created at TGen, set out to explore that question more than a decade ago. Instead of bringing small groups of volunteers into a lab, Matt Huentelman, Ph.D., and his team did something almost unheard of at the time: they opened the study to anyone with an internet connection. In just a few minutes, participants answered basic questions and completed simple tasks that measured memory and reaction time. 
 Over time, those millions of data points have revealed how thinking, learning, and remembering evolve across the human lifespan. Today, MindCrowd is nearing an extraordinary milestone: one million participants. That massive, global dataset representing people of all ages, backgrounds, and countries has made possible discoveries that simply couldn’t be captured in traditional studies. Researchers have seen clear patterns in how

Episode 87 of TGen Talks features Dr. Haiyong Han, who dives into his latest work on one of the deadliest of cancers: pancreatic cancer. He breaks down why this disease is so hard to catch early, how it can grow silently for years before symptoms appear, and why identifying true positives in the general population is such a big challenge. Dr. Han also shares promising progress toward a new non-invasive screening test that could one day enable earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. The goal? To turn this deadly disease into a more manageable condition, and give patients real hope for the future. As we recognize Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, this episode emphasizes the urgent need for improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatments, and continued research to change the outcome for patients everywhere.

In this episode of TGen Talks, we sit down with three researchers who are working to make cancer care safer and more precise for some of the most vulnerable patients—children with rare brain tumors. Dr. Floris Barthel, Dr. Shea Gallus, and graduate student Sharvari Mankame are part of a team at TGen and Phoenix Children’s Hospital exploring liquid biopsies—a method that uses small samples of blood or spinal fluid to detect and monitor brain cancer. This approach could reduce the need for invasive surgeries, which are especially hard on young patients. Our guests explain how liquid biopsies work, what they’re learning from genetic markers called K-mers, and how artificial intelligence is helping them analyze tumor DNA in ways that weren’t possible before. Their goal is to find a better way to track cancer in real time—giving doctors more information while easing the burden on patients and families. While this science is still developing, it’s already showing real potential to shift how we approach diagnosis

What connects a fashion show to biomedical research? More than you'd expect—especially in the fight against women’s cancers and the local support for TGen and City of Hope. 

TGen’s 5th annual Runway for Research takes place on Friday, October 17, in partnership with Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and City of Hope Phoenix. 
Runway for Research blends fashion and purpose, supporting advancements in women’s cancer research and treatment. Attendees will experience the season’s latest runway trends, connect with community leaders, and support groundbreaking local research. 

In this episode of TGen Talks, Runway co-chairs Lee Courtney and Amy Hair spotlight Runway for Research, and explain why it’s about more than style; it’s about saving lives. This year’s “Pink Elegance” theme continues the color tradition launched in 2023, encouraging guests to wear their favorite shades of pink in honor of cancer survivors and in support of future discoveries.
 Registration is now open at tgen.org/runway.

What if medicine worked to get you healthier overall—not just people like you or for one or another symptom? In the latest episode of TGen Talks, host Karie Dozer sits down with Nicholas Schork, Ph.D., and Laura Goetz, M.D., co-authors of a recent commentary published in Nature Communications, From Precision Interventions to Precision Health, to explore the promise—and complexity—of truly personalized healthcare. Traditional medicine treats symptoms. Precision healthcare, however, rethinks that model entirely. By tapping into genomics, environment, lifestyle, and even real-time data from wearable devices, Drs. Schork and Goetz discuss developing highly individualized approaches that don’t just treat illness—they aim to prevent it. Together, they unpack how this shift could redefine everything from how drugs are tested, to how diseases are managed, and even how we define “health.” They discuss cutting-edge innovations like anti-sense oligonucleotides—drugs custom-made for an individual’s genetic code—and

Summers at TGen offer a unique opportunity for students to dive into the world of biomedical research. The Helios Scholars Program at TGen actively engages student interns in real-world science and administrative functions, as they gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing projects.
Join host Karie Dozer as Helios Scholar Audra Welch shares her unfiltered experience in the intensive eight-week program. Discover how this Northern Arizona University biology and Spanish major is diving headfirst into biomedical research, specifically exploring how age influences the brain's response to sepsis.
Audra candidly discusses the thrill and challenge of wet lab work, building on the extensive research of her Ph.D. mentor, and the unique experience of preparing for a research symposium presentation. She also reflects on her journey from environmental engineering to medical microbiology and shares the surprising inspiration she found in an American surgeon and medical researcher Dr. Charles Drew.
Whether you are

In this episode of TGen Talks, we spotlight the Ivy Neurological Sciences Internship Program at TGen. This year-long program bridges the gap between undergraduate studies and medical school, providing aspiring physicians with direct laboratory experience. Interns actively participate in ongoing research, often leading independent projects. Joining our podcast is Ivy Intern, Megan Locklear, who’s completing a year-long internship working in the glioblastoma lab before entering medical school. Her work exemplifies how TGen empowers the next generation of medical researchers. Join us as we discuss her experiences and the impact of this unique internship. The year of lab work has taught Megan more about what type of medical field she might pursue, the importance of biomedical research when dealing face-to-face with patients and their families and why stepping outside your comfort zone can bring about the best possible learning experiences.

This month on TGen Talks, we get an insider’s perspective on how today’s biomedical research translates into tomorrow's treatments. We sit down with Stephanie Pond, Ph.D., Vice President of Emerging Opportunities at TGen. We’ll Learn about the crucial role of TGen’s START and EDP programs – the Scientific Technology Assessment Research Team and Enterprise Directed Programs – in accelerating this process. Dr. Pond explains how her team works to identify gaps in current research tools, partner with biotechnology companies to develop new technologies, and help commercialize TGen’s research discoveries. She highlights how advances in multiomics, single-cell sequencing, and spatial technologies are transforming biomedical research and enabling new diagnostic tests and treatments. Dr. Pond also discusses TGen's Enterprise Directed Programs, which focuses on taking research discoveries and developing scalable clinical tests and products. Join us to hear Dr. Pond’s passion for technology and science and her dedica

Pulmonary Fibrosis. A debilitating disease that restricts a person’s lung capacity, controllable with drug therapies, but it’s only “cure” is a double lung transplant. Researchers at TGen have released the results of a study that investigated the disease on a cellular level. Using advanced spatial transcriptomics, they identified hidden disease markers in seemingly healthy lung tissue—offering hope for earlier, more personalized treatments. Targeting these early disruptions could improve lung function and outcomes. With current PF treatments only slowing decline, this discovery, published in Nature Genetics, marks a step toward preventing irreversible damage. In this episode of TGen Talks, Nicholas Banovich, Ph.D., discusses the Nature Genetics finding and the new spatial map of gene expression in lung cells. Instead of blending tissue together and analyzing it, scientists can now examine individual cells and pinpoint where molecular changes happen. We’ll break down what this means, how it’s done, and why it

In this episode of TGen Talks, which celebrates Women’s History Month (March), we’ll explore how women in science have shaped the world around us, and how their stories continue to inspire future generations of young women to become researchers, leaders, and trailblazers who continue to break barriers. Joining the podcast this month is Bethany Davis, Ph.D., an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and a Research Assistant Professor in TGen’s Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division. Davis specializes in studying the effects of environmental toxins, like heavy metals, and other conditions that affect the kidneys. She’s particularly focused on understanding the molecular characteristics behind kidney cancer in Native American communities. Beyond her research, however, Dr. Davis shares her personal journey into science. As a woman in a field traditionally dominated by men, she’ll highlight some of the unsung pioneers whose work laid the foundation for modern scienc

What if the cure for diseases like Alzheimer’s or cancer lay hidden inside the immune systems of llamas, cows, or even sharks? 
    On this episode of TGen Talks, TGen’s newest faculty member, Dr. John Fryer, introduces us to the world of nanotherapeutics—a new class of biologics derived from the unique immune systems of animals like camels and sharks. These ultra-small molecules, known as “nanobodies,” are revolutionizing the way we think about treating diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and even sepsis.
    Dr. Fryer explains how these tiny molecules—about 10 times smaller than traditional monoclonal antibodies—can target tough-to-reach areas like the brain, offering new hope for conditions once thought impossible to treat. He dives into his team’s work on neurodegenerative diseases, sepsis, and cancer, and shares how the collaboration between TGen and City of Hope is accelerating the development of these next-generation therapies.
    What’s even more fascinating? How creativity and curiosity drive sc

Scientists have long known that farm chemicals can be harmful to human health. Many lawn and garden products used by consumers carry warnings, so that users can protect themselves  when applying herbicides in their own yards.  
But which chemicals are the most dangerous? And how much exposure is too much to be considered safe? A new study from TGEN and Arizona State University is shedding light on glyphosate, a common chemical in many herbicides, and its findings indicate that not only does glyphosate cross the blood brain barrier, but its damaging effects on the brain can remain long after the exposure.  Patrick Pirrotte, Ph.D., and colleagues at Arizona State University have identified an association between glyphosate exposure and symptoms of neuroinflammation, as well as accelerated Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. The study tracks both the presence and impact of glyphosate’s byproducts in the brain long after exposure ends, showing an array of persistent, damaging effects on brain health.  Liste

On this month’s TGen Talks, our host sits down with Leigh Nicholson, Ph.D., who was recently named a research assistant professor in TGen’s Early Detection and Prevention Division. Nicholson studies neurological diseases of all kinds — from the rarest to the very common — including a childhood disorder called Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome, or OCNDS for short, and Alzheimer’s disease, which affects nearly 7 million Americans. The podcast covers her path to a career in science, her day-to-day research, and why she thinks mentoring young scientists and improving scientific literacy is so important. All this and more, in just under 15 minutes.

Every September, the scientific community recognizes postdoctoral researchers during Postdoc Appreciation Week. Postdocs bring new ideas and deep expertise as they tackle complex questions and expand knowledge through experiments.     In this month’s episode of TGen Talks, Aya Kamzina, Ph.D., one of TGen’s 11 postdoctoral researchers, shares her journey to becoming a postdoc and her experiences at TGen.     Dr. Kamzina’s educational path began in Kazakhstan and differs from many of her peers. She discusses her work with organoids and microglia in Dr. Huentelman’s neurogenomics lab, as well as her diverse background in biochemical engineering and molecular biology. Dr. Kamzina also explains why she finds TGen’s translational research meaningful and how it aligns with her goals in shaping the future of science.

Scientists at TGen have released the results of a more than decade-long study into multiple myeloma. Looking at more than 1100 patients from four different countries, scientists identified new genetic subtypes of the disease, providing insights that could transform how we approach treatment (see related story above). Listen as Jonathan Keats, Ph.D., the study's senior author discusses the findings, their impact on personalized medicine, and how TGen's advanced genomic sequencing is paving the way for more effective and individualized care. In particular, the study has identified a high-risk subgroup of patients with a distressingly short median survival, highlighting the urgent need for tailored therapies and innovative clinical trials.

Aging. It’s something we’d all like to do better. Americans spend an estimated $5 Billion on anti-aging products every year. But at TGen and City of Hope, scientists like TGen distinguished professor Nicholas Schork, Ph.D., are working to unlock the secrets to not just better ‘aging,’ but disease prevention alongside longevity, and are making promising progress toward medications and methods that will be tailored to each specific person, rather than those that promise longer healthier lives for all. In this episode of TGen Talks, our host Karie Dozer sits down with Schork to discuss the groundbreaking search for substances that can slow down aging. Imagine a daily pill that not only extends your lifespan but also your health span, delaying age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Schork, with his extensive background in quantitative genetics and translational biomedical science, explains the exciting potential of longevity and health promoting interventions, termed ‘geroprotectors,’

On this month’s TGen Talks, David Engelthaler, Ph.D., professor and director of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division, discusses the recent surge of bird flu, also known as H5N1. 
H5N1 has been in the news a lot lately, but what does it all mean? Engelthaler breaks down the science and talks about the effects this particular strain might have on humans. He also explains what constitutes an outbreak, how they fade over time, and why they start anew. 
Bird flu, like other influenza viruses, changes and mutates over time, and the H5N1 strain is particularly concerning. Although it is currently a low risk for human outbreak (there are only 3 known cases in the U.S. thus far), its impact on other animals, especially poultry and cattle, caught the attention of the CDC, USDA and other groups that monitor such outbreaks. 
Engelthaler notes that outbreaks are often first noticed by wildlife managers or at zoos, where bird die-offs prompt testing for influenza. Over the past two years, the current bird flu strain

This month, TGen Talks explores polygenic risk scores with Dr. David Duggan, an associate professor in the Quantitative Medicine and Systems Biology Division at TGen. A polygenic risk score is a number that indicates the combined effect of many genetic variants on a person's risk of developing a certain trait or disease. Each genetic variant adds a small amount to the overall risk. When these small effects are added together, they help predict the likelihood of developing the trait or disease.
     Think of the human genome as a deck of cards, where each card represents a different genetic variant. The value of each card represents the risk contribution of that variant. For example, an Ace might represent a high-risk variant (4 points), while a 2 might represent a low-risk variant (1 point). Let's assume all contributions are positive for simplicity, although in reality, some variants might reduce risk.
    Imagine drawing 10 cards from the deck randomly. These 10 cards represent the genetic variants you inh

Glioblastoma. It’s the most aggressive and least treatable type of brain cancer. Research into treatment has been slow, mostly because of the difficulty in accessing and treating a tumor that exists behind the blood-brain barrier.
 A new two year fellowship into Glioblastoma Multiforme, or GBM, aims to better drug therapies to fight the cancer while developing better tests to determine which drugs are working on an individual patient's tumor and which are not. 
 The fellowship, established by Shawn Lane and the Lori Lane Foundation together with Chris and Florence Spyrow, honors Lori Lane and Andrew Spyrow, whose lives were cut short by GBM.
 This month on TGen Talks, Valerie De Luca, Ph.D., the inaugural Lori Lane/Andrew Spyrow Fellow at TGen discusses her work toward improving our understanding of molecular markers associated with tumor vulnerability to specific drugs.