What if the future of healthcare isn't just about treating disease—but preventing it before it starts?

On this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with Erica Bender, Program Director for the Health Evaluation Research Services Unit at Texas A&M AgriLife's Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA).

Erica brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Before moving into clinical research, she spent more than a decade as a nurse practitioner and certified nurse-midwife. Now, she works at the intersection of clinical research, nutrition, agriculture, health, and innovation—helping researchers turn scientific questions into real-world health outcomes.

The IHA brings together experts in precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, healthy living, data science, engineering, economics, behavioral science, and public health to tackle complex health challenges.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• What the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture does and why Texas A&M created an institute connecting agriculture, food systems and human health.
• Why our food system could play a much larger role in addressing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
• Precision nutrition and why the same food can affect two people very differently.
• How researchers are working toward more personalized dietary recommendations based on a person's biology, lifestyle and stage of life.
• The IHA's mobile health assessment centers, which allow researchers to bring clinical research directly into communities—including rural areas that might otherwise be underrepresented in research.

The goal is to create an environment where ideas can move more quickly from research → collaboration → discovery → application, while creating new opportunities for researchers, businesses and the broader community.

If you're interested in Fort Worth innovation, Texas A&M Fort Worth, health research, precision nutrition, clinical research, entrepreneurship, or the future of healthcare, this is an episode worth listening to.

Fort Worth Innovates is supported by the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership, which is helping build an innovation district where technology and research come together to build the future of Fort Worth.

How can medicine move beyond treating diseases the same way for every patient?

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with Dr. Anke Hilse Maitland-van der Zee, Professor of Personalized Medicine and Head of the Department of Genetics at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands. Visiting Fort Worth through Texas A&M Fort Worth's speaker series, Dr. Maitland-van der Zee shares how precision medicine, biomarkers, artificial intelligence, and global research partnerships are reshaping the future of healthcare.

The conversation explores how advances in genetics, microbiome research, and AI are helping physicians move from one-size-fits-all treatments toward personalized care tailored to each patient's unique biology and environment. Dr. Maitland-van der Zee also discusses why collaboration between universities, healthcare systems, industry, and researchers across the globe is essential to bringing new diagnostics and therapies from the lab to patients.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What precision medicine really means—and why it's changing healthcare
• How biomarkers help physicians diagnose and treat disease more effectively
• The growing role of genetics, microbiome research, and environmental factors in personalized medicine
• How AI is accelerating medical research and clinical decision-making
• Why early disease detection could dramatically improve patient outcomes
• The importance of international collaboration between researchers, universities, and industry
• How Texas A&M Fort Worth is helping connect global experts to North Texas' growing innovation ecosystem
• What the future of healthcare could look like as precision medicine becomes part of everyday clinical practice

Whether you're interested in healthcare innovation, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, medical research, or the future of personalized care, this episode offers an inside look at one of the fastest-growing frontiers in medicine.

Listen now to discover how precision medicine is transforming healthcare—and why Fort Worth is becoming part of that global conversation.

How Texas A&M Fort Worth Plans to Transform the City's Innovation Economy

What does it take to build an innovation economy that benefits an entire region?

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Bobby Ahdieh, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief Operating Officer for Texas A&M University–Fort Worth and former Dean of Texas A&M School of Law, to discuss how higher education can serve as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and long-term economic growth.

Bobby shares the vision behind the emerging Texas A&M Fort Worth campus and explains why innovation districts are about much more than new buildings—they're about creating environments where universities, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders work together to solve real-world challenges.

The conversation explores why there isn't a single place you can point to and call "innovation," using Silicon Valley as an example of how thriving ecosystems emerge through collaboration across an entire region. Bobby also discusses how Texas A&M Fort Worth aims to become a hub that accelerates research, attracts investment, creates high-paying jobs, and expands economic opportunity throughout Fort Worth and North Texas.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, civic leader, student, researcher, or simply interested in the future of Fort Worth, this episode offers an inside look at one of the city's most ambitious economic development initiatives.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Texas A&M is investing in Fort Worth's innovation ecosystem
• The vision behind the Texas A&M Fort Worth campus
• How innovation districts fuel entrepreneurship and economic development
• Why collaboration between universities, industry, and government matters
• Lessons from Silicon Valley that can be applied to North Texas
• How research commercialization creates jobs and attracts investment
• What the future of innovation looks like in Fort Worth

If you enjoy conversations about innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and the future of Fort Worth, be sure to follow Fort Worth Innovates and share this episode with someone who's passionate about building the next generation of North Texas innovation.

What does it take to build an innovation economy that attracts talent, creates jobs, and transforms a city for generations to come?

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Dean Bobby Ahdieh to discuss the bold vision behind Texas A&M Fort Worth and its role in shaping the future of innovation, research, and economic development in Panther City.

As Texas A&M expands its presence in downtown Fort Worth and the Switchyard Innovation District begins to take shape, the city has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class ecosystem where higher education, industry, startups, and entrepreneurs converge.

This conversation explores why innovation districts matter, how universities serve as economic engines, and what it will take for Fort Worth to compete with leading innovation hubs across the country.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Texas A&M Fort Worth is investing in an innovation district
• How universities drive entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and economic growth
• The role of innovation districts in attracting talent and creating high-paying jobs
• Why collaboration between industry, academia, and government is essential to regional success
• What the future could look like for Fort Worth's innovation ecosystem

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, student, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of Fort Worth, this episode offers an inside look at the opportunities ahead and the vision that could reshape the city's economy for decades to come.

Learn more about Texas A&M Fort Worth here: https://fort-worth.tamus.edu/

Learn more about the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

What does it take to build an innovation district that transforms a city?

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with Michael Bennett and Alex Feldman to explore the vision behind the Switchyard Innovation District and what it could mean for Fort Worth's future. Drawing from decades of experience developing innovation districts across the country, they discuss how research institutions, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and community partners can come together to create places that drive economic growth, attract talent, and accelerate innovation.

The conversation explores the essential ingredients of successful innovation districts, including walkability, density, mixed-use development, talent pipelines, and strong connections between universities and industry. Michael and Alex share lessons learned from innovation ecosystems around the world and explain how Fort Worth is uniquely positioned to build an innovation district that reflects the city's culture, strengths, and long-term economic goals.

They also discuss the transformative role of the new Texas A&M Fort Worth campus, the importance of place-based innovation, and why creating opportunities for collaboration can lead to new businesses, groundbreaking research, and high-quality jobs.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, researcher, investor, student, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of Fort Worth, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovation districts are reshaping cities and why Switchyard could become a catalyst for the next generation of growth in North Texas.

How is one of the world’s busiest airports using AI, automation, and advanced mobility to shape the future of travel?

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Paul Puopolo, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, to explore how innovation is transforming the passenger experience at one of the largest and busiest airports on the planet.

From AI-powered congestion prediction and autonomous vehicles to biometric screening, smart parking systems, and the future of flying taxis, Paul shares how DFW Airport is leveraging emerging technologies to improve efficiency, reduce friction, and prepare for the next generation of mobility.

The conversation also dives into how airports collaborate with startups, why innovation requires dedicated leadership, and how North Texas is positioning itself as a global leader in aviation, aerospace, and advanced air mobility.

Whether you're interested in technology, entrepreneurship, smart cities, transportation, aviation, or the future of innovation in Texas, this episode offers an inside look at how one of the world's most complex transportation hubs is reinventing travel.

Learn more about DFW Airport: https://www.dfwairport.com/

Learn more about Fort Worth-Tarrant County Partnership: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

What does it actually take to build an innovation district that transforms a city?

In our newest episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with Dr. David Snow, Executive Director of Pegasus Park, to explore how innovation hubs drive entrepreneurship, attract talent, create jobs, and generate billions in economic impact.

From biotech startups and research commercialization to workforce development and place-based innovation, this conversation dives deep into how ecosystems like Pegasus Park are reshaping the future of North Texas — and what Fort Worth can learn as it builds its own innovation economy.

Some of the topics covered: ✈️ Why innovation districts matter for long-term economic growth 🧬 How biotech startups scale inside collaborative ecosystems 🏙️ The role of universities, investors, and entrepreneurs in creating “sticky” innovation communities 📈 Why science parks outperform traditional commercial development 🤝 How Fort Worth’s emerging innovation districts could shape the city’s future for decades

If you care about the future of Fort Worth, entrepreneurship, research, startups, biotech, aerospace, or economic development — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now, follow our page for more conversations on innovation in Fort Worth, and share this episode with someone building the future in North Texas.

Learn more about Pegasus Park here: https://pegasuspark.com/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Raanan Horowitz, former President and CEO of Elbit America, to explore how a small startup evolved into a $1.6 billion leader in aerospace and defense technology. With decades of experience in innovation, national security, and advanced engineering, Raanan shares how Elbit built cutting-edge solutions—from enhanced flight vision systems to mission-critical defense technologies—by focusing on the needs of the end user and embracing an iterative approach to innovation.

The conversation dives into what truly drives innovation inside high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense, including the shift from traditional “waterfall” development to faster, feedback-driven iteration. Raanan also highlights the importance of workforce development, emphasizing the need to not only train skilled engineers but to connect them directly to real-world problems and mission-driven work. His perspective sheds light on how companies can attract talent that is both technically capable and deeply motivated to make an impact.

Looking ahead, the episode explores the future of aviation and defense, including advancements in AI, digital twin technology, human-machine integration, and even urban air mobility. From autonomous systems to innovations happening at DFW Airport, Raanan offers a compelling vision of what’s next—and why the timing is right for Fort Worth to lead. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, emerging technology, or the future of aerospace, this episode offers valuable insights into how innovation is built, scaled, and sustained.

Learn more about Elbit America here: https://www.elbitamerica.com/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Rich Andreski, President & CEO of Trinity Metro, and Annette Landeros, Chief Strategy Officer, to discuss how public transportation is transforming mobility, economic development, tourism, and quality of life across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

From the $2 airport ride on TexRail to the expansion of color-coded bus lines like the Orange Line, Blue Line, and upcoming Pink Line (La Línea Rosa), this conversation explores how Trinity Metro is making public transit simpler, more accessible, and more innovative for residents and visitors alike.

The conversation also dives into exciting future projects, including:

• TexRail’s expansion to the Medical District
• TRE double-track improvements
• faster regional rail connectivity
• transit-oriented development around train stations
• a reimagined Central Station
• how transit supports Fort Worth’s Innovation District, tourism growth, and the 2026 World Cup

This episode offers a fascinating look at how transportation infrastructure is becoming a key driver of Fort Worth’s future as a world-class city.

If you enjoy stories about innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and the future of Fort Worth, be sure to follow, subscribe, and share this episode.

Every listen helps us continue telling the stories of the people and organizations building the future of Panther City.

Learn more about Trinity Metro here: https://ridetrinitymetro.org/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Dr. Chris Naler, COO and Vice President of Growth and EdTech at General Genomics, a Fort Worth–based AI and biotech company transforming healthcare, bioinformatics, and national security through predictive analytics and machine learning. A retired Marine Corps Colonel, Dr. Naler shares how General Genomics is using its proprietary AI platforms to analyze massive healthcare data sets, identify disease risk earlier, and support breakthroughs in areas like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The conversation explores the difference between AI and machine learning, how predictive models can move healthcare from reactive to proactive, and why Fort Worth is emerging as a major hub for innovation, research, and applied technology. Dr. Naler also discusses the company’s work with government, healthcare, and university partners, as well as its upcoming AI for Executives workshop designed to help leaders better understand and implement AI in their organizations.

Sign up for the AI for Executives workshop on May 29th, 2026: https://airtable.com/appHXOMocrWjKAb5P/pagc9KrNmwuxFWXQL/form

Learn more about General Genomics: https://ggenomics.com/

Learn more about Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership: https://fwtc-innovate.com/