InfoPoint

What if healthcare focused on keeping us healthy instead of waiting for us to become sick?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Leroy Hood—a pioneering biologist, co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology, and one of the visionaries behind modern genomics—to explore how science is transforming the future of medicine.

We discuss the origins of systems biology, the evolution of Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, and Participatory (P4) medicine, and why understanding the human phenome may be just as important as understanding the genome. Dr. Hood also shares his vision for Phenome Health, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, the future of aging, and how understanding our biology may reshape what it means to be human.

Whether you're interested in medicine, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, or the future of human health, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at where healthcare is headed next.

The future of medicine is arriving faster than most people realize. This season, InfoPoint explores what's coming: AI-driven diagnostics, biology we can engineer, and a shift from treating disease to catching it before it starts. Host Isha Joshi talks with the researchers pushing these fields forward, including genomics pioneer Dr. Leroy Hood and gut-brain scientist Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, among others working at the edges of healthcare and science. Each episode unpacks one scientific frontier — and the harder question sitting just behind it: how far should this go?

Dr. Anne Wylie never planned to fall in love with microbiology, but that unexpected passion led her to create SalivaDirect, the low-cost, saliva-based COVID-19 test that reshaped diagnostic testing during the pandemic. In this episode, she shares her winding path from New Zealand to Amsterdam to Yale, the frantic weekend SalivaDirect went live with the FDA, and what she's learned about mentorship, resilience, and following what gives you joy — even when it means changing course.

Today, I speak with Dr. Susan Weiss, the Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a renowned leading expert who has spent the past 40 years of her career studying coronaviruses long before they became widely recognized. Dr. Susan Weiss is also the co-director of the Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens at the Perelman School of Medicine. She completed her PhD in Microbiology from Harvard University and did her postdoc research at the University of California, San Francisco.

We discuss how these viruses work and what we can learn from past outbreaks to better prepare for the future. We also dive into the importance of basic science research and public misconceptions such as the human-made virus theory. Join us to explore the complexities of coronaviruses.

Today's guest is Dr. Liad Mudrik, a renowned neuroscientist and expert in the study of consciousness and perception. Dr. Mudrik holds two PhDs—one in cognitive neuroscience (TAU & HUJI), and another in philosophy (TAU). The latter was awarded the Robert J. Glushko Prize for outstanding dissertations in cognitive science. After completing her postdoctoral fellowship at Caltech, she now leads the High-Level Cognition Lab at Tel Aviv University, where her groundbreaking research explores the neural mechanisms underlying our conscious experience. In this episode, we’ll dive into the methodologies of her research and discuss the practical and ethical implications of consciousness and perception studies.

Today's guest is Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, a distinguished professor at Duke University with appointments in the departments of philosophy, practical ethics, and neuroscience. He has authored numerous books and research articles, including his most recent work, Moral AI: And How We Get There. In this episode, we will explore the intersections between morality and AI and dive into fascinating topics such as neuroethics, morality, and free will.

War creates countless devastating impacts on society, with the environment often being a major yet overlooked victim. Given the various conflicts worldwide, it's crucial to recognize the environmental consequences of armed conflict. Join my guest Jonathan Walsh, a remarkable researcher at The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), as he delves into the ecological toll of war and his role in assessing the damage.

Neonatologists play a crucial role in society, providing specialized care to premature babies. Join Patricia McMahon-Haxton, an outstanding neonatology physician assistant, to understand the wonders, hardships, and ethical concerns in the NICU. Let’s understand what the gift of humanity really means.

CRISPR, a gene editing tool, allows humanity to change the foundational chemical nature of who we are. It could threaten those judged by society to be biologically inferior, or it could fight disease and change lives. How should we utilize this powerful technology?

Grief is a tough and undeniable part of life, creating ripple effects on both individuals and society. Join Jessica Polugruto, a licensed social worker at Peters Place, as we explore how grieving centers help people navigate the journey after experiencing loss.