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On this episode of the Analytical Zen Podcast, we explore a critical and increasingly urgent issue of spiking. While far from new, incidents are rising and the response must evolve just as quickly.

We’re joined by Dawn Dines, Founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, a leading voice in the fight against this growing threat. With over two decades of frontline advocacy, Dawn brings a powerful blend of lived experience, policy influence and tireless campaigning.

From contributing to legislative change through the Police and Crime Bill in the UK to advising government bodies and collaborating with law enforcement, her work is helping to reshape how the UK and beyond responds to spiking.

This conversation goes beyond awareness. It’s about accountability, prevention and what meaningful progress really looks like in protecting people and driving systemic change across society.  It focuses on prevention, stronger accountability mechanisms and systemic change that meaningfully reduces risk and improves protection for individuals in nightlife and public spaces. 

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In this episode of The Analytical Zen Podcast, Dr. Simona Pichini guides us through the complex and fast-evolving world of synthetic cathinones. Dr. Pichini is an Italian pharmacotoxicologist and Acting Director of the National Centre on Addiction and Doping at the Italian National Institute of Health. She is a leading expert in the pharmacokinetics and toxicology of drugs of abuse, new psychoactive substances, doping agents and alcohol biomarkers across all age groups. With a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology and more than 400 scientific publications (H-index: 56) and her work bridges analytical science with clinical outcomes. Dr. Pichini also advises national helplines, contributes to Italy’s Early Warning System on NPS, and serves as a scientific expert for the EU Drugs Agency. She is a member of the editorial boards of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. An active member of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) since 2004, she received the TIAFT Achievement Award in 2010 becoming the first woman ever to do so and she currently serves as Secretary of the Association. She also co-organized the TIAFT 2023 meeting in Rome, Italy. 

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In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Luis Manuel Menéndez Quintanal joins us to explore the complex intersections between sexual health, substance use and forensic toxicology.

From the science of new psychoactive substances (NPS) to the social and health implications of chemsex, this conversation sheds light on an urgent and often misunderstood topic - blending scientific insight with compassionate harm reduction perspectives.

🔬 Listen now and join the conversation on how science and society can better understand and respond to emerging drug trends.

#Chemsex #NewPsychoactiveSubstances #DrugAwareness #SubstanceUse #SexualHealth #SocietyAndScience #HarmReduction #ForensicScience #Medicine #ForensicToxicology

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tania Delabarde, leading forensic anthropologist at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Paris, where she has been instrumental since 2013 in the identification of unidentified bodies and coordination of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols.

Dr. Delabarde’s career spans some of the world’s most complex humanitarian and post-conflict contexts, from her early work with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the UN Mission in Kosovo, to missions across South America and Africa. Since 2011, she has also worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Ivory Coast, Mali, Burundi, Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Congo and Central African Republic.

A long-time contributor to INTERPOL’s DVI Working Group, Dr. Delabarde brings a rare blend of field experience and scientific depth to the challenges of forensic identification.

We also explore her cutting-edge research with the CNRS BABEL UMR8045 team, where she investigates:
 🦴 Skeletal markers for identification
 🦴 Bone lesions through histological analysis
 🦴 Bone diagenesis and postmortem change

Join us for a conversation at the intersection of science, justice and humanity with one of the most respected voices in forensic anthropology today.

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In this compelling episode, Dr. Kayla Ellefsen—Deputy Chief Toxicologist at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas, United States-offers a rare look into the science of forensic toxicology and its critical role in death investigations. She dismantles Hollywood myths about quick test results and flashy labs, revealing the meticulous process toxicologists follow to identify substances in postmortem samples and determine their role in a person's death.

The conversation takes a deeper turn into one of the most urgent challenges facing toxicologists today: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These synthetic compounds are designed to imitate known illicit drugs while evading laws and standard detection methods. Dr. Ellefsen describes the evolving “cat-and-mouse” game between underground chemists and forensic labs, and how advanced tools like high-resolution mass spectrometry are crucial.

A particularly alarming trend she highlights is the rise of bromazolam, a designer benzodiazepine. Even more concerning is the emergence of “benzodope”—the deadly mix of benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids.

Dr. Ellefsen closes with a strong message: researchers must share data on NPS to build a clearer picture of the threat and support the development of harm reduction tools.

Whether you're curious about forensic science, concerned about public health, or trying to understand today’s shifting drug landscape, this episode delivers critical insight into a field on the front lines of modern substance misuse.

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In this episode, we explore the connection between zinc and diabetes, focusing on functions of zinc in the pancreas and for blood glucose control. Using animal models of obesity and prediabetes, researchers investigated how mild zinc deficiency—similar to levels potentially seen in humans—affects the pancreas and regulation of blood glucose. The study found that a 30% reduction in pancreatic zinc led to enlarged pancreatic islets and poorer blood glucose control, especially during glucose tolerance tests. These findings highlight the significant impact even marginal zinc deficiency can have on the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. However, zinc supplements are not warranted unless someone is deficient in zinc.

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In this episode, forensic toxicologist Dr. Karolina Nowak takes  us into the world of forensic toxicology, from the energy drinks we consume daily to the dangerous synthetic drugs on the streets.  Dr. Nowak discusses the growing issues surrounding stimulant use, including the rise of synthetic drugs and the overlooked dangers of legal substances like caffeine. With a unique perspective from her experience in Poland, she sheds light on how forensic toxicologists protect public health, track emerging threats and advance the science of substance analysis. Tune in if you're curious about the intersection of science, crime and public safety.

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Join us on the Analytical Zen Podcast  for an interview with Professor Christopher Milroy, a forensic pathologist and professor based in Ottawa, Canada.

Professor Milroy earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool and trained in pathology in Liverpool, Bristol and London before specializing in forensic pathology in Sheffield. From 1990 to 2008, he worked as a forensic pathologist and professor of forensic pathology in Sheffield, before moving to Ottawa in 2008.

In addition to his medical qualifications, Professor Milroy holds two law degrees from the University of London. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. Throughout his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and served as an expert witness in hundreds of murder trials across multiple countries. He has also provided expert testimony in public inquiries in both Canada and Ireland.

Professor Milroy's research interests include homicide, suicides, drug-related deaths, post-mortem toxicology, biochemistry and the history of forensic medicine. In 2023, he was honoured with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Join the conversation at The Analytical Zen Podcast! Reach out to us via email at [email protected].

The opinions expressed  by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Analytical Zen Podcast.

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What if you could transform the way we gather and interpret critical data in resource-limited settings? Join us on the Analytical Zen podcast as we chat with Professor Stefano Cinti, a trailblazer in the realm of sensors and biosensors. Stefano's journey from hesitant beginnings to becoming a passionate advocate for analytical chemistry is nothing short of inspiring. In this enlightening episode, we delve into the symbiotic relationship between traditional analytical methods and groundbreaking paper-based technologies. We unravel the world of paper-based electrochemical sensors, uncovering their unique properties—like porosity and adaptability—that lend themselves to innovative designs.
 
These sensors open up a new frontier of possibilities, promising enhanced portability and sustainability in scientific diagnostics.  Go to the website uninanobiosensors.com where people can read all the latest research.


Join the conversation at The Analytical Zen Podcast! Reach out to us via email at [email protected].

The opinions expressed  by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Analytical Zen Podcast.

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Can smartphones contribute to food safety risks in home kitchens? Join Dr. Mairead McCann from SafeFood as she examines the role of smart devices in household food safety. Drawing on research conducted by Queen's University Belfast and commissioned by SafeFood, Dr. McCann provides evidence-based insights into how technology, integral to modern cooking routines, may introduce foodborne hazards.

This study investigates the potential for smartphones and similar devices to act as vectors for pathogenic bacteria, particularly in light of increased home cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Incorporating data from the European Food Safety Authority and the Food Standards Agency UK, Dr. McCann highlights key findings that reveal discrepancies between perceived and actual food safety practices.

The discussion addresses the methodologies used in the study, identifies common risks associated with smart devices in food preparation and suggests strategies to mitigate these hazards. Learn how small changes in device hygiene and kitchen practices can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses in the digital age.