Coffee Break Science

What does "normal" actually look like in a system as complex as the human endometrium? And why does it still take over eight years for so many to find answers for their pain?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Charlotte Cassie, a postdoctoral researcher in the Vento-Tormo lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Charlotte is at the forefront of efforts to map the endometrium at single-cell resolution, to build a cellular "atlas" that serves as the essential blueprint for understanding gynaecological health.

Complementing the science is the lived experience of Sahir Ahmed-Evans. Over the last 15 years, Sahir has navigated a grueling journey through endometriosis and chronic illness, eventually undergoing a hysterectomy and bowel surgery that led to surgical menopause. Sahir shares her story of resilience and her transition into systemic advocacy, community building, and education within the women’s health space.

Join us as we explore how this high-resolution science is finally shedding light on endometriosis, one of the most historically under-researched conditions in medicine.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Spatiotemporal cellular map of the developing human reproductive tract | Nature

• Gynaecology Information Zine: Created by Charlotte and her colleagues at the Vento-Tormo Lab: Outreach - VenTo Lab
• Follow Sahir’s Advocacy: SAHIR AHMED EVANS | LinkedIn(2)
• Instagram
• Sahir Ahmed-Evans | Menopause & Midlife Empowerment Coach for Women 40+

Dr Rouchelle Srinanjan-Rothwell, NIHR clinical lecturer at the University of Cambridge, talks about her recently published IVORY trial, in which the Cambridge team investigated anti-inflammatory therapy using repurposed IL-2 drug to treat acute coronary syndromes

You can find the study here: Anti-inflammatory therapy with low-dose IL-2 in acute coronary syndromes: a randomized phase 2 trial | Nature Medicine

In this episode, we also hear from Mark Andrews, recently treated at CUH for a heart attack, and who took part in the trial.

Let us know what you would like to hear from next by commenting!

Founder and CEO of Elcella, and lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, Dr Madusha Peiris, spills the tea on her team's discovery in human gut tissue which has resulted in an impactful, natural weight management treatment.

Could this be the new natural alternative to Ozempic? Tune in to find out!

Elcella: https://elcella.com

Madusha's research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zXeh8S4AAAAJ&hl=en

Want to share your story? Get in touch via the comments!

Founder and CEO of Elcella, and lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, Dr Madusha Peiris, spills the tea on her team's discovery in human gut tissue which has resulted in an impactful, natural weight management treatment.

Could this be the new natural alternative to Ozempic? Tune in to find out!

Elcella: https://elcella.com

Madusha's research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zXeh8S4AAAAJ&hl=en

The Times feature: https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/first-natural-ozempic-pill-weight-loss-elcella-tb25lnjgq?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGna-36ZeAqvomHmj4VVQSjh7PCh2QXZE77BgUvc1zZvV3vwnFDJdx2XyiD9WE_aem_lP19PUZubMclwqyHP4c-Lw

Want to share your story? Get in touch via the comments!

In Episode 3, I'm joined by award-winning science writer, public speaker and broadcaster, Dr Kat Arney. She takes us on the evolutionary journey of her career from being a geneticist in the lab, to becoming a bestselling author, while providing a new lens on cancer.

You can buy Rebel Cell wherever you source your books: Rebel Cell by Dr Kat Arney | Waterstones

Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions, or if you're interested in sharing your story, at [email protected] or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram

In this episode, I'm joined by Prof Serena Nik-Zainal, a legendary research group leader in genomic medicine. Join us for a deep dive into the cancer genome, and how we can harness it to better inform treatment for patients.

Serena's research: https://www.earlycancer.cam.ac.uk/professor-serena-nik-zainal

Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions, or if you're interested in sharing your story, at [email protected] or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram.

Welcome back to Coffee Break Science Season 2! In this episode I'm joined by Christen Williams, co-founder of cancer prevention charity BRCA Chat who support people navigating a germline genetic mutation that significantly increases risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

The expert scientific landscape is then beautifully set by Dr Siddhartha Kar, associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge.

You can find out more about BRCA chat on their website: https://brcachat.com/

Siddhartha's latest research: https://www.earlycancer.cam.ac.uk/dr-siddhartha-kar

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12916-025-04543-8

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-breast-cancer-symptoms-cause-b2884770.html

Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions or if you're interested in sharing your story, contact her at [email protected], or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram

It has been a while! Welcome back to Coffee Break Science. This season, we're brewing up something truly special.

This podcast is sponsored by NIHR Cambridge BRC Devices and Advanced Therapies Theme

In the final episode of Season 1, we are joined by the phenomenal Dr Amina Yonis, a research scientist by background who became a Youtuber with over 200K subscribers and set up her own academic consultancy business: ThePageDoctor

We discuss what Amina loved about academia, and what made her start her YouTube channel which has since grown into multiple other streams of income resulting in her eventually leaving academia to pursue her business and social media presence full time. Hope you enjoy our discussion!

(23) Dr Amina Yonis - YouTube

In this episode, Dr Carla Usai talks about her international career journey so far as a postdoctoral scientist in infectious disease. Carla has a science communication blog where she writes about viruses, immunology and more, in both English and Italian: Home – Virus&Co. (art.blog)

You can contact her on LinkedIn: (4) Carla Usai, PhD | LinkedIn