FNLM In Focus: Conversations in Health and Science

In the first episode of FNLM In Focus’s new “Hidden Work” series, host and Friends of the NLM vice president Gwen Evans speaks with cancer genetics expert Heather Hampel from City of Hope National Medical Center about the often-overlooked work behind scholarly publishing—from mentoring new authors and navigating authorship decisions to making the review process easier for everyone involved.

How does one of the world's most influential medical journals stay relevant in a rapidly changing world? 

In this episode of Friends of the NLM In Focus, Dr. George Lundberg sits down with Annette Flanagin and Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo of the JAMA Network to discuss the journal's remarkable history, the evolving role of peer review, and how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of scientific publishing. 

Not all biomedical research errors are corrected or retracted but some may persist even after retraction in the published literature, shaping research and practice long after concerns arise. In this episode, we speak with Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, about the most frequent sources of research irregularities and why flawed research can endure—and what it takes to bring those “sticking points” into view.

Join FNLM President Dr. Andrew Balas in a compelling conversation with Nobel laureate Dr. Robert Lefkowitz as they explore one of the most critical questions in modern research: how can we trust science? From the challenges of reproducibility to the standards that ensure reliability, they unpack how scientists—and society—can maintain confidence in research findings. Packed with insights, personal anecdotes, and thought-provoking reflections, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the foundations of scientific integrity.  

In our inaugural episode, FNLM’s Dr. George Lundberg is in conversation with journalist Gary Taubes, bestselling author of The Case Against Sugar and The Case for Keto and founder of the Substack newsletter Uncertainty Principles.

They explore the history of American dietary habits and how decades of nutrition science, public health policy, and messaging have shaped today’s national conversation — including the White House’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

For more from Gary Taubes, visit his Substack at: uncertaintyprinciples.substack.com