It’s widely recognized that many persistent chemicals pose risks to both environmental and human health. Addressing this significant global challenge requires innovative solutions. One of these is the groundbreaking concept of ‘Treatable by Design’.  

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chai and Micah sit down with Dr. Gabriel Sigmund, Associate Professor at Wageningen University & Research to discuss his approach for developing safer chemicals that are intentionally designed to degrade rapidly and exhibit low toxicity.  

His strategy targets substances such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are commonly used for their water- and oil-resistant properties but are, as a result, extremely hard to break down. Gabriel describes this as a cascade: if a chemical cannot be made safe by design, the first step is to look for a safer alternative. If no alternative exists, the chemical should be made treatable by design. Failing that, the search returns to finding an alternative that is treatable. This cycle repeats through several stages before arriving at the final case, one where the chemical simply cannot be dealt with. At that point, Gabriel argues, the real question becomes whether the chemical is necessary at all. More often than not, he suggests, the answer is no. 

A second line of defense for addressing toxic chemicals involves removing them from the environment through techniques such as water filtration and incineration. Although remediation efforts are underway, their pace remains insufficient. Gabriel emphasizes that even if affluent nations allocated all available resources, it would still be impossible to eliminate every hazardous chemical from the environment. 

Overall, Gabriel advocates for a pragmatic approach: reducing the production of harmful chemicals now will decrease the need for future remediation. 

LINKS: 

• Dr. Gabriel Sigmund Bio 
• METTLER TOLEDO Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

EPISODE SOURCES: 

A concept for the molecular design of readily treatable chemicals – Royal Society of Chemistry

With over 100 new alternatives to PFAS, ChemSec Marketplace becomes key industry resource – ChemSec 

Persistence Assessment of Chemicals: Trajectories toward New Approach Methodologies (P-NAMs) – ACS Publications 

Support for EU-wide PFAS restriction with targeted derogations: what happens next? – CMS Law 

Europe’s PFAS restriction proposal is moving forward – White and Case 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.  

 
We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.  

Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO 
Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 
METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

By 2026 80% of the 500 pharmaceutical and industrial crystals produced in space exhibited better structure, greater consistency, and fewer defects. So, what does that tell us about the rapidly growing space economy — and how far could microgravity take manufacturing? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah sits down with Mari Anne Snow, CEO and Co-Founder of Eascra Biotech. Eascra is a US-based company developing delivery technology for a wide range of therapeutic payloads — from mRNA and siRNA to proteins and peptides. Their technology is especially effective at penetrating very dense tissues such as cartilage, kidneys, and solid tumors. 

Mari Anne shares the story of how her co-founder was given the chance and the funding by NASA to turn their work into a so-called “space product.” After sending it to the International Space Station, they discovered that the microgravity environment boosted the product’s effectiveness by an impressive 40–50%. 

But that breakthrough also came with a new set of challenges. How do you build a supply chain that reaches 250 miles above Earth? How do you scale production in a place where creating new manufacturing space isn’t as simple as putting up a few extra walls? And what happens when regulations and governance on Earth collide with those in space? 

Mari Anne believes we’re only at the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to what can be invented and produced off planet. From colonizing the Moon to space tourism, she argues that manufacturing in space won’t just support those ambitions; it could become the slingshot that propels us to the stars. 

LINKS: 

• Eascra Biotech Website 
• Mari Anne Snow on LinkedIn 
• METTLER TOLEDO Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

EPISODE SOURCES: 

20 Inventions We Wouldn't Have Without Space Travel – The Jet Propulsion Laboratory at California Institute of Technology 

In Space for Earth: Breakthroughs from the ISS – The National Space Society (NSS) 

Optical Fiber Production – NASA 

NASA’s new superalloy – Aerospace America 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.  

We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.  

Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. 

 
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO 

Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 

METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Medical devices range from simple fillings to highly sophisticated robotics, with more than half a million available in the EU alone. However, regulations differ widely across regions and countries. What does this mean for medical device development around the world? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai interview Dr. Dominik Lysek, Executive Board Member and CEO of PharmaTrail, a software company that helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies manage clinical trial data with blockchain technology. Dominik has worked with medical devices throughout his career and has closely followed both the EU and US markets. 

Dominik explains how the EU and the US each regulate their medical device markets. One key difference is that the US provides clear timelines for approvals, while Europe does not set specific deadlines. In the EU, even a modified version of an already approved and safe product still needs to go through regulatory approval. However, new Medical Device Regulation 2.0 legislation now being considered by the EU parliament could change this by introducing clear deadlines and reducing bureaucracy. 

Even with these possible changes, both the EU and US still require strong and reliable data to approve new products. MDR 2.0 will allow different types of clinical data, like in vitro and model data, to be included in applications. Dominik emphasizes that a rigorous process is important so patients can trust and benefit from the medical devices they use. He believes the industry should always put patients first. 

LINKS: 

• PharmaTrail Website 
• Dominik Lysek on LinkedIn 
• METTLER TOLEDO Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

EPISODE SOURCES: 

• Premarket Review: Laboratory Developed Tests FAQs – U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
• Navigating the NMPA Registration Process: Timelines, Costs, and Considerations – Medtech Chopsticks 
• The EU’s 2025 proposal to simplify the Medical and In-Vitro-Diagnostic Devices Regulations (MDR/IVDR) - Healthcare & Life Sciences Blog 
• EU Device Reform Package: Fee Relief, Down-Classification, and More – Cacus Consulting 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

 Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.  

We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.  

 
Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO 
Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 

METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Around 2 billion people enjoy chocolate and coffee every single day. But growing enough of these crops uses a huge number of resources. For example, making just one cup of coffee takes about 140 litres of water. In West Africa, an estimated 70% of illegal deforestation is linked to cocoa farming. And with demand only expected to rise, the question is: what can we do to stop the environmental impact of these crops? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai talk to Dr. Steven Lang, Vice President of Science and Technology at California Cultured, a US startup that makes chocolate and coffee using bioreactors. 

Steven explains that the team starts by taking a small sample from a plant. They then grow this sample in a bioreactor to create a plant cell culture. Because they have more control over the plant’s genetics, they can make it healthier or give it new traits. Right now, Steven’s team is working on cocoa that’s rich in flavanols, powerful compounds that act as antioxidants. 

California Cultured has also developed a new plastic bioreactor that could bring costs down compared to the stainless-steel systems used for cultivated meat. Steven expects that by around 2028, their coffee and cocoa will cost roughly the same as conventional products. 

As with cultivated meat, though, these new products will need to win over consumers before they can really take off. To help with this, Steven’s team has worked with analytical chemists to fine-tune flavors, so they’re essentially interchangeable with traditional coffee and cocoa. 

Steven was the first-ever guest on Balancing the Future. Back then, he worked in cultivated meat, which remains one of the most visible -- and most debated -- areas of lab-grown food. Today, he believes cultivated plants may have greater potential for faster progress and easier consumer acceptance, especially in areas where cultivated meat still faces big hurdles. 

LINKS: 

• California Cultured Website 
• Steven Lang on LinkedIn 
• METTLER TOLEDO Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.  

We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.  

Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. 

 
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO 
Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 

METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Roughly 80% of funding, research, and equipment ends up in the 10 wealthiest countries. This means most people around the world have fewer opportunities to work on scientific problems. It affects which issues get attention and which don’t. So, how can we make access to science fairer? 

In the first episode of Season 3 of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah and Chai talk with Dr. Melissa Wu, CEO of Seeding Labs. This nonprofit works to close global gaps in science by donating extra lab equipment to institutions in developing countries. Melissa explains how the current imbalance affects which research gets priority, which diseases and problems are studied, and how it leads to workforce shortages, brain drain, and ongoing inequalities in science. 

 
They discuss how Seeding Labs tackles these challenges with a clear process. First, they find institutions that have the basics in place. Then, they collect extra equipment from companies and universities and match each partner with 100 to 200 key items that fit their needs. Seeding Labs also handles the complicated shipping process and makes sure the recipient institutions take full responsibility for the equipment and can use it in a lasting way. 

Melissa highlights real-world impact stories, including Malawi University of Science and Technology’s rapid cholera surveillance response following Cyclone Idai, and a Colombian university launching a nanotechnology program focused on energy storage using treated coffee-bag waste fibers. She also discusses the environmental benefits of equipment reuse, growing institutional funding opportunities, and plans to scale Seeding Labs’ model internationally, including expansion into the EU, alongside a call for greater awareness and support from people just like you! 

LINKS: 

Seeding Labs’ Website 

Seeing Labs’ Research 

Dr. Melissa Wu on LinkedIn 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Balancing The Future Podcast Website 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.  

We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.  

Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO:

Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 

METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Join Chai Nussbaumer and Micah Schweizer on June 16th for a brand-new season of Balancing the Future. This time, we’re exploring the science and technology innovations and solutions that are changing the world today.  

Everything from the global lab equipment program that's tackling scientific access disparity to lab-grown coffee and cocoa that could positively impact the environment. 

In every episode, you’ll hear inspiring conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a real difference. 

Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to never miss an episode. 

LINKS: 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Balancing The Future Podcast Website 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO: 

Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. 

METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Neuroscience and artificial intelligence were once distant disciplines that have been brought together in technological advancement and access to high-quality data. At Dementia Research Oxford, these worlds are coming together to accelerate discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

In the final episode of Season 2 of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alejo Nevado-Holgado, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and Head of the Computational and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory at Dementia Research Oxford. Together, they explore how advances in computing power and artificial neural networks are transforming our ability to understand, and may eventually help treat, neurodegenerative diseases. 

The conversation dives into how Dementia Research Oxford bridges wet-lab biology and computational modeling, integrating robotics, genomics, and artificial intelligence to find new drug targets and decode the complexities of the human brain. With access to massive datasets like the UK Biobank, his team can uncover hidden biological patterns and test potential therapies faster than ever before. 

Neural networks are now being used to predict how potential drugs will affect diseased cells, analyze millions of microscopic images for subtle biological changes, and even decode the human genome in ways like how language models understand text. These approaches are reshaping how scientists study disease at the cellular level and opening new possibilities for early intervention. 

Alejo also explains the challenges of this new frontier: from the “black box” problem of AI explainability to the ongoing need for high-quality data and research funding, and why collaboration between data scientists and biologists is essential for the future of medicine. 

LINKS 

• Alejo Nevado-Holgado Bio 
• Dementia Research Oxford Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

What is Alzheimer's Disease? – Alzheimer's Association 

What is Parkinson's? – Parkinson’s Foundation 

Dementia statistics – Alzheimer's Institute International 

Parkinson’s statistics – Parkinson’s Foundation 

UK Biobank Website 

How can digital health improve the signal-to-noise ratio in your clinical trials? – Cambridge Cognition 

Harnessing artificial intelligence for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological emergencies: a comprehensive review of recent advances and future directions – Frontiers 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. 

Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: 
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. 

From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.

Laboratories are the engines of scientific discovery, but they’re also a very resource-intensive workplace. In fact, the average lab produces around 20 tons of carbon emissions every year. Yet the same scientists driving innovation also hold the keys to making their work more sustainable. 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Raj Patey, Business Development Director at My Green Lab, an organization on a mission to turn laboratories worldwide into environmental leaders. Together, they unpack the hidden environmental cost of modern science and explore how labs across academia, pharma, and healthcare are working to reduce their footprint without compromising research quality or safety. 

The conversation dives into the three pillars of lab sustainability: energy, water, and waste, and reveals the surprising scale of lab-related emissions. Small tweaks, such as raising freezer temperatures from –80°C to –70°C (-159°F), can save the equivalent energy of an entire household. 

From major case studies like GSK’s pilot program saving 150 tons of CO₂ and $226,000 annually, to university initiatives achieving full sustainability accreditation, this episode highlights that going green isn’t just ethical, it’s economical. Raj also shares insights into how My Green Lab’s certification programs and ambassador training empower scientists to make tangible change, and how a new generation of researchers is rethinking everything from procurement to protocol design with sustainability in mind. 

LINKS 

• Raj Patey on LinkedIn 
• My Green Lab Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices – PubMed 

Re-use of laboratory utensils reduces CO2 equivalent footprint and running costs – PLOS One 

Greener and smarter: Positive post-pandemic effects in the laboratory sector – Starlab 

Act now to prevent uncontrolled rise in carbon footprint of computational science – University of Cambridge 

King's amongst first to achieve 100% lab sustainability accreditation – Kings College London 

Considering sustainability when purchasing for labs – University of Bristol 

The Great Laboratory Greenwash – The Pathologist 

The Cost of Greenwashing: Why Verified Transparency Is Your Best Investment – My Green Lab 

New Survey Assesses Attitudes and Actions toward Lab Sustainability – Lab Manager 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

 Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. 

Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: 
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. 

From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.

Rainwater around the world now contains detectable levels of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals.’ Found in everything from waterproof mascara to firefighting foam, PFAS now accumulates in our bodies, soils, and water systems. 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alissa Cordner, Professor of Sociology at Whitman College and Co-Director of the PFAS Project Lab, and Dr. Kimberly Garrett, Assistant Professor and Environmental Health Researcher at the City University of New York. Together, they unpack the science, policy, and human stories behind one of the world’s most persistent environmental crises.  

The conversation explores what PFAS are and why their carbon–fluorine bond makes them so resistant to breakdown, how exposure happens through drinking water, food, clothing, and cosmetics, and the health impacts linked to PFAS, including cancers, developmental issues, and immune system effects. They discuss what governments and communities are doing to regulate and reduce PFAS use and highlight promising alternatives like bioplastics and fluoride-free firefighting foams. 

Alissa and Kimberly also share how interdisciplinary collaboration between chemists, social scientists, policymakers, and local communities is reshaping how we study and respond to chemical contamination. From mapping contamination sites to building databases that empower citizens, their work at the PFAS Project Lab highlights a research model that is grounded in justice, accessibility, and collective action. They leave us with a powerful reminder: turning off the PFAS tap starts with informed choices, stronger regulations, and scientists who see themselves as part of the communities they serve. 

 LINKS 

• Dr. Alissa Cordner on LinkedIn 
• Dr. Kimberly Garrett on LinkedIn 
• PFAS Project Lab Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

PFAS Explained – United States Environmental Protection Agency 

New Chemicals Program Review of Alternatives for PFOA and Related Chemicals – United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Engineering a Future Without PFAS: The Path to Sustainable Alternatives – The Chemical Engineer 

Alternatives to PFAS are available for many applications – Food Packaging Forum 

Foam's Next Phase – National Fire Protection Association 

Global performance and trends of research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) between 2001 and 2018 using bibliometric analysis – PubMed 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. 

Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: 
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. 

From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.

What happens when you volunteer to be the first human injected with mRNA? For Dr. Steve Pascolo, it meant glowing skin, but it took many years for this technology to hit the mainstream. 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Steve Pascolo, a senior scientist in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Zurich and co-founder of CureVac, about his groundbreaking role in testing mRNA back in 2003. They explore why the scientific community was sceptical for so long, how COVID-19 changed everything, and why mRNA could hold the key to treating not just infectious diseases, but also cancer, autoimmune conditions, and even aging. 

They also dig into the technical and practical realities of working with mRNA: the challenges of stability, the role of lipid nanoparticles, and the lessons learned from scaling production during the pandemic. Steve shares how chemical synthesis, AI, and cross-disciplinary collaboration could accelerate the next wave of mRNA therapies. 

His advice for young scientists is simple but powerful: true breakthroughs require teamwork across fields, from chemistry and biology to medicine and computer science. The future of mRNA is not just vaccines; it is a platform for reimagining medicine itself. 

LINKS 

• Dr. Steve Pascolo on LinkedIn 
• CureVac Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

The tangled history of mRNA vaccines – Nature.com 

The Long History of mRNA Vaccines – Johns Hopkins: Bloomberg School of Public Health 

Webinar: PAT and Model-Based Approach to Accelerate Biopharma Process Development - Merck KGaA and METTLER TOLEDO 

Scaling Up the Global COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Production, Allocation, and Distribution with an Emphasis on Equity - PubMed Central 

ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: 

Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. 

Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. 

ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: 
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. 

From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.