SHE LEADS SCIENCE

What does it take to move lifestyle medicine from good science to the way medicine is actually taught and practiced? In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy talks with Jennifer Trilk, PhD, FACSM, DipACLM, professor and Director of Lifestyle Medicine Programs at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. They explore how Trilk helped build a four-year lifestyle medicine curriculum, launch Exercise Is Medicine Greenville, and create a clinical-to-community pathway connecting Prisma Health patients with YMCA-based physical activity programs. The conversation also reaches from Greenville to Washington, including Trilk’s work connected to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and her NIH-funded research on scaling physical activity screening and referral. Along the way, they discuss leadership, implementation science, equity, mentorship, and a bigger question: what will it take for lifestyle medicine and prevention to simply become part of good medicine?

Six months into She Leads Science, the microphone turns toward host Dr. Liz Joy. In this special episode, Liz’s brother, Charlie Joy, steps in as interviewer to explore why she launched the podcast, what she has learned from conversations with accomplished women scientists, and how those conversations have shaped her thinking about science, leadership, mentorship, and communication. Across the first 12 episodes, recurring themes have emerged: careers are rarely linear, great science is collaborative, mentorship matters, and discovery has limited impact without effective translation and implementation. Liz also reflects on the challenges of learning to podcast, the importance of creating space for guests to shine, and the unexpected lessons that come from listening closely. Looking ahead, she shares her hopes for expanding the range of voices and disciplines featured on She Leads Science—while continuing to make science more human, relatable, and accessible.

How do we know we're making the right treatment decision for the right patient at the right time? In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy sits down with pioneering pharmacotherapy researcher Diana Brixner, RPh, PhD, to explore the science behind medication effectiveness, value, and real-world impact. Dr. Brixner reflects on a remarkable career spanning industry, academia, health systems, and policy, sharing how pharmacotherapy outcomes research has transformed the way clinicians, payers, and policymakers evaluate medications. Together, they discuss the promise and challenges of GLP-1 receptor agonists, the evolution of precision medicine, the future of pharmacogenomics, and whether science is approaching meaningful breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease. Beyond her research, Dr. Brixner shares lessons learned from building the Pharmacotherapy Outcomes Research Center, mentoring generations of scientists, and leading national organizations. This thoughtful conversation highlights how rigorous science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and visionary leadership can improve healthcare decisions - and ultimately improve patients' lives.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy sits down with Kismet Rasmusson, DNP, NP—a nationally recognized leader in heart failure, women’s cardiovascular health, patient education, and clinical innovation. Drawing on more than 26 years at Intermountain Health, Kismet reflects on her journey from nurse practitioner student to system-wide heart failure program leader, helping shape patient education, prevention strategies, and multidisciplinary care pathways. Together, Liz and Kismet explore the evolution of heart failure care—from advanced therapies to prevention—and the critical role of patient education, including Kismet’s creation of MAWDS (Medications, Activity, Weight, Diet, and Symptoms), now a cornerstone of heart failure self-care. They also discuss women’s heart health, cardio-obstetrics, mentorship, and the power of collaboration. This conversation highlights how clinical excellence, innovation, and relationships can transform care and improve lives.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy is joined by Dr. Bill Roberts and Dr. NiCole Keith for a deeply personal conversation about mentorship, science, leadership, and the relationships that shape careers. Dr. Roberts, a family and sports medicine physician and longtime leader in athlete health, endurance-event medicine, heat illness, and injury prevention, mentored both Dr. Joy and Dr. Keith. Dr. Keith, a nationally recognized scientist in physical activity, health equity, aging, and community health, reflects on how mentorship influenced her path and leadership. All three guests share a remarkable connection as past presidents of the American College of Sports Medicine. Together, they explore how mentoring opens doors, builds confidence, advances equity, and creates a professional legacy. The conversation also highlights the importance of science that is practical, trusted, community-centered, and passed forward to the next generation.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy talks with Dr. Kathryn “Katie” Schmitz, one of the world’s leading voices in exercise oncology. The conversation highlights Katie’s groundbreaking leadership in moving exercise from the margins of cancer care to an evidence-based component of survivorship. As a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine, founder of ACSM’s Moving Through Cancer initiative, and founding president of the International Society of Exercise Oncology, Katie has helped build the science, guidelines, programs, and global infrastructure needed to make exercise a standard part of oncology care. The discussion explores how physical activity during and after cancer treatment is associated with improved fatigue, function, strength, quality of life, mental health, and overall survivorship. Katie also reflects on implementation, referral systems, reimbursement, mentorship, and what it will take to ensure every person living with and beyond cancer has access to safe, effective movement support.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy talks with Dr. Christina “Christy” Porucznik, professor in the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah and Vice Dean for Faculty in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Dr. Porucznik reflects on her path as a doctorally trained epidemiologist whose career has crossed nonprofit, government, academic, and public health settings, including service as a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. The conversation explores the remarkable breadth of her research, from reproductive and environmental epidemiology to opioid-related research, infectious disease surveillance, COVID-19 household transmission, children’s environmental health, physical activity, and population health. She discusses how rigorous epidemiologic thinking can be applied to complex, real-world problems and how public health communication depends on trust, clarity, and humanity. The episode also highlights her leadership philosophy, mentorship of faculty, support for women in science, and ability to bring humor, generosity, and curiosity to serious work.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Rachele Pojednic joins Dr. Liz Joy for a compelling conversation on the evolving role of scientists across academia, industry, and public communication. Trained as an exercise physiologist, Dr. Pojednic grounds her work in the powerful idea that exercise—particularly strength training—is one of the most important levers we have for longevity, shaping muscle health, metabolism, and aging. A central theme is the importance of clear, credible scientific communication, using platforms like podcasts and social media to translate evidence without losing rigor. She also highlights her work at Restore Hyper Wellness, reflecting growing demand for accessible, science-informed health strategies. The discussion emphasizes that careers in industry are not only viable but essential for scientists seeking real-world impact. Ultimately, the episode challenges traditional career paths and underscores the importance of bridging science, communication, and innovation to improve health at scale.

In this episode of She Leads Science, Dr. Liz Joy sits down with Dr. Michelle Mottola, a globally recognized leader whose work has helped transform exercise during pregnancy from a source of caution and confusion into an evidence-based standard of care. Together, they explore Dr. Mottola’s scientific journey, her leadership in advancing maternal health research, and the growing global recognition that cardiometabolic health during pregnancy can shape a woman’s future risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The conversation highlights her groundbreaking work on gestational diabetes, exercise safety, and the long-term health implications of pregnancy, as well as her success translating research into practice through the NELIP program. Dr. Mottola also shares one of her most memorable and practical messages for pregnant women: don’t eat for two, eat twice as healthy. This episode is a compelling look at the science, leadership, and global impact of exercise during pregnancy.

In this episode of She Leads Science, host Dr. Liz Joy sits down with pioneers Drs. Mary Jane De Souza and Nancy Williams to explore the science and leadership behind the Female Athlete Triad. Together, they trace their paths into research, reflect on navigating male-dominated fields, and discuss how their work reshaped the understanding of energy deficiency, menstrual function, and bone health in physically active women. The conversation unpacks the physiology of energy deficiency and examines the long-term consequences for reproductive and skeletal health. They also address persistent misconceptions, gaps between science and clinical practice, and the importance of translating complex research into actionable care. Finally, they reflect on mentorship, leadership, and the power of collaboration between scientists and clinicians to drive meaningful change in women’s health. Highlighted below are recent publications on the expansion of our understanding of the Female Athlete Triad, and its translation into clinical care. 

De Souza MJ, Williams NI, Misra M, Nattiv A, Joy E, Barrack M, Ricker EA, Gorrell S, Koltun KJ, O'Donnell E, Mallinson RJ, Salamunes ACC, Woodruff K, Fredericson M, Plessow F. 2025 Update to the Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement Part 1: State of the Science and Introduction of a New Adolescent Model. Sports Med. 2026 Feb;56(2):327-373. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02333-z. Epub 2025 Dec 31. PMID: 41474493; PMCID: PMC12982264.

Williams NI, De Souza MJ, Misra M, Nattiv A, Joy E, Barrack M, Ricker EA, Gorrell S, Koltun KJ, O'Donnell E, Mallinson RJ, Salamunes ACC, Woodruff K, Fredericson M, Plessow F. 2025 Update to the Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement Part 2: Clinical Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Play for Adolescents and Adults. Sports Med. 2026 Feb;56(2):375-427. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02332-0. Epub 2025 Dec 31. PMID: 41474492; PMCID: PMC12982345.