Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds

In this episode, Sam sits down with Kate Poole to explore how cells sense mechanical forces, what happens to human physiology in microgravity and how studying biology in space could improve our understanding of ageing, disease and long-term human health. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about Kate’s work by visiting: 

• Kate’s UNSW Profile 

• The Poole Group Webpage at the UNSW School of Biomedical Science 

• Kate’s Presentation Entitled - How Can We Better Prepare Our Astronauts For Space Travel? 

Credits: 

Guest: Associate Professor Kate Poole 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V

In this episode, Sam sits down with Greg Redpath to explore why serotonin and psychedelic compounds can produce such different effects despite action on the same receptors, and how studying their activity inside cells could inform new treatments for mental health and neurodegenerative conditions. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about Greg’s work by visiting: 

• Greg’s UNSW Profile 

• The UNSW Department of Molecular Medicine Webpage 

Credits: 

Guest: Dr Greg Redpath 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with Shane Grey to explore how targeting the tissue involved in type 1 diabetes could help control inflammation, improve islet-cell transplantation and support the development of new gene therapies. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about Shane’s work by visiting: 

• Shane’s UNSW Profile 

• The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences Webpage 

Credits: 

Guest: Professor Shane Grey 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode Sam sits down with Michelle Farrar to explore the transformation of spinal muscular atrophy treatment. From a leading genetic cause of infant death, to a condition with effective therapies, newborn screening and dramatically improved survival. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about Michelle’s work by visiting: 

• Michelle’s UNSW profile 

• Michelle’s NeuRA Profile 

• Michelle’s webpage on the ANZ CNS website  

• The Paediatric Neurology Research Group’s webpage on the NSW Kids Research website 

Credits: 

Guest: Professor Michelle Farrar

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with Fatemeh Vafaee to explore how AI and advanced biotechnology are reshaping precision medicine. From blood-based cancer detection to more personalised diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about Fatemeh's work by visiting: 

• Fatemeh’s UNSW research profile 

• The Vafaee Lab website 

• UNSW AI Institute website 

• The OmniTx website 

• Fatemeh’s LinkedIn profile 

Credits: 

Guest: Professor Fatemeh Vafaee

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with David Jacques to explore how understanding the structure of viral capsids can reveal new opportunities for drug discovery. From HIV treatments to the search for new ways to prevent HTLV transmission. 

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. 

You can find out more about David's work by visiting: 

• David’s UNSW Profile 

• The UNSW Structural Virology Research Website 

• The UNSW Structural Biology Facility 

Credits: 

Guest: Associate Professor David Jacques 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits:  

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with Kate Michie to explore how AI is transforming structural biology - making protein structure prediction more accessible while opening new possibilities for personalised medicine and drug design.

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.

You can find out more about Kate's work by visiting: 

• The UNSW Structural Biology Facility 

• Kate’s UNSW Profile 

Credits: 

Guest: Associate Professor Kate Michie 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with Adam Jaffe to explore the transformation of cystic fibrosis treatment - from managing symptoms to developing precision therapies that target the underlying genetic cause.

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.

You can find out more about Adam's work by visiting: 

• The Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Laboratory Webpage 

• Adam’s UNSW Profile 

Credits: 

Guest: Professor Adam Jaffe 

Host: Dr Sam McAllery  

Executive Producer: Jacob Bird  

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen 

Audio Credits: 

Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights ⁠License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V 

In this episode, Sam sits down with Sarah to explore how trauma can trigger surprising immune responses – revealing why not all lung injuries are the same, and why treatment might need to be just as tailored.

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.

You can find out more about Sarah’s work and how to get in touch HERE

For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Dr Sarah Sasson, Program Head at the Kirby Institute at UNSW, and a clinical immunologist and immunopathologist at Westmead Hospital.

Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery

Producer: Jacob Bird

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen

Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights⁠

License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V

In this episode, Sam sits down with Alisa to explore how clinical care can drive discovery - a patient-first, precision-focused approach to research that starts at the bedside and builds outward.

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect.

You can learn more about Alisa’s work HERE and if you’d like to get in touch with her or explore potential collaborations, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: A/Prof Alisa Kane, Associate Professor at UNSW and clinical immunologist at St Vincent’s and Liverpool Hospitals

Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery

Producer: Jacob Bird

Audio Editor: Long Nguyen

Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights⁠

License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V