In this episode, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, speaks with Dr. Thomas Milner, PhD, director of the Biophotonics Program at Baylor College of Medicine. Together, they explore how nano-sized structures are being used to bioengineer light for innovative patient treatments. Their discussion highlights collaborative research across institutions and disciplines focused on advancing care for patients with lung disease. Dr. Milner also shares insights into his current work harnessing light-based technologies to address challenges in cardiology, ophthalmology, and dermatology.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

In this episode, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, sits down with Dr. Richard Gibbs, founding director of Baylor College of Medicine’s Human Genome Sequencing Program. Dr. Gibbs shares the story behind the creation of the program, its pivotal role in sequencing the human genome, and the exciting advancements shaping the future of genetic research.

Together, they explore how genomic science is transforming patient care—particularly in the treatment of rare lung diseases—and discuss innovative projects such as Baylor’s IMAGINE initiative, which is harnessing DNA sequencing for therapeutic applications. The conversation also touches on CRISPR technology, Dr. Gibbs’ collaboration with Dr. Ivan Rosas on COPD treatment, and the evolving value of genetic testing in modern medicine.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

In this episode, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, sits down with Dr. Zaid Ali Siddiqui to explore the evolving field of lung radiation oncology therapy. Dr. Siddiqui shares what drew him to radiation oncology and offers insight into how the treatment landscape for lung cancer continues to advance. The conversation covers key topics such as navigating clinical trials, selecting optimal treatment plans, and the nuances between stereotactic radiation approaches including Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), proton radiation, and photon radiation. They also discuss how chemotherapy and immunotherapy intersect with radiation therapy, the intriguing concept of the abscopal effect, and radiation’s important role in palliative care for lung cancer patients.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, and Dr. Nicola A. Hanania, a leading expert in adult-onset asthma and airway diseases, delve into the complexities of asthma in adults. They discuss how adult asthma differs from childhood asthma, covering treatment strategies, management plans, and the impact of comorbidities. 

Dr. Hanania shares insights on assessing asthma control—from evaluating symptoms and lung function testing to advanced methods for cases that are hard to manage with standard treatments. They explore cutting-edge approaches, including identifying asthma phenotypes through specialized tests and using targeted therapies like biologics for severe cases. 

Tune in to hear about his ongoing research and recent breakthroughs in the field, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of asthma care.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

In this episode, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, and Dr. Subhasis Chatterjee explore the critical role of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and advanced lung support in managing severe respiratory failure. They explain what ECMO is, how it works, and the clinical decision-making behind its use. The discussion covers how ECMO can give the lungs time to recover, serve as a bridge to lung transplantation, and when it may be contraindicated.

Dr. Chatterjee also shares insights into the challenges associated with ECMO, including patient selection, management complexities, and clinical outcomes. The conversation highlights Baylor College of Medicine’s increasing ECMO volume, improvements in survival rates, and innovations that have advanced program success. Additionally, they discuss ongoing research, findings from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the evolving future of advanced lung support therapies.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

In this episode, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, and Dr. Sunjay Devarajan explore bronchiectasis, a chronic and heterogeneous lung condition that often represents a common endpoint for many underlying diseases. They discuss how the disease develops, its varied clinical presentations, and the importance of identifying and treating underlying causes such as rheumatoid arthritis. 

The conversation highlights treatment strategies including airway clearance therapy, considerations for surgical intervention, and emerging approaches that target inflammation. The episode also examines promising research into pure anti–neutrophil elastase treatments and their potential role in the future of bronchiectasis care.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Lung Institute, introduces Dr. Taylor Ripley, a leading expert in thoracic surgery and lung cancer research. Dr. Ripley specializes in complex conditions such as mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, and mediastinal masses. In their discussion, they focus on mesothelioma, a rare cancer often caused by asbestos exposure, highlighting its causes, latency period, and diagnostic challenges. Dr. Ripley explains how mesothelioma typically affects the chest lining and shares insights into patient evaluation, including the importance of fluid analysis and surgical biopsy for accurate diagnosis. The conversation also touches on environmental risks and historical exposure, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of mesothelioma in clinical practice and research.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, interviews Dr. Philip Alapat. Dr. Alapat is an expert and leader within the Sleep Section of the Pulmonary Division at Baylor College of Medicine. Together, they explore how sleep affects daily life, memory, and health. They discuss how to optimize lung health and sleep. Dr. Alapat gives tips from his years of experience coaching patients to enhance their sleep. He discusses specific disorders of sleep and ways to medically treat diseases that affect sleep. Stay with us as we explore with a deep dive into sleep from the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute "On Air" Podcast.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Executive Director of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, interviews Dr. Julina Ongkasuwan about her work with restoring function to the vocal folds. Patients who suffer from loss of voice due to injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Dr. Ongkasuwan is one of only a few surgeons in the world who has extensive experience transferring nerves to the recurrent laryngeal nerve to restore voice, prevent aspiration and protect the lungs.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG

In this episode of the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute Podcast Series “On Air”, Executive Director Dr. Shanda Blackmon sits down with Dr. Gabriel Loor, Surgical Director of Baylor’s Lung Transplant Program, to explore the evolving world of lung transplantation.

They discuss patient selection criteria, the remarkable growth of the lung transplant program at Baylor, and the supportive measures available before transplant, including ECMO and ventilator assistance. Dr. Loor also explains the innovative use of ex-vivo lung perfusion, a transformative technology that allows assessment and optimization of donor lungs before transplantation—reshaping the future of lung transplant care.

Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute (713)798-LUNG