In this episode, hosts Lauren Dunn, Jeremy Fleck, Preston Stafford, Jon Woodward, and Bre Bishop sit down and give their advice to incoming graduate students! They discuss what to do the summer before starting grad school, how to pick rotations, how to excel in your classes, and perhaps most importantly, how to balance school and your personal life. As a group, they have experience with every stage of grad school, with Bre being a rising second year student, to Lauren being a postdoc, and the boys are in between. We really enjoyed recording this episode and passing on our wisdom, so we hope you enjoy it too! 

 Date Recorded: July 15th, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://visitdenver.com/

https://impostorsyndrome.com/articles/10-steps-overcome-impostor/

https://graduateschool.cuanschutz.edu/

https://graduateschool.cuanschutz.edu/forms-resources/access-and-belonging

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/psychiatry/programs/student-resident-mental-health

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Sam Greenfield: https://open.spotify.com/episode/11yUKklA4TZYCGdo4VpDRn?si=0f51RjQtS32fygH4_nPb5A 

Melly the Science Geek: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QIQHa9cui0Mt7Cc3cGGo0?si=Sna1uSeiSeOqizuSIMFiZw  

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Lauren Dunn, Jeremy Fleck, Preston Stafford, Jon Woodward, and Bre Bishop 

• Editor: Jon Woodward 

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

What happens after a patient survives a critical illness, and how can research improve their recovery? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joseph Hippensteel from CU Anschutz to explore his work on critical care, lung disease, sepsis, and the lasting effects of an ICU stay, including delirium and confusion. Dr. Hippensteel also shares how studying blood vessels and analyzing large patient populations helps uncover patterns that can improve treatment for critically ill patients. Along the way, he discusses his journey through medical school, residency, and fellowship, offering an inside look at the day-to-day life of a physician-scientist and the path to combining patient care with research. 

 Date Recorded:  July 10, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-hippensteel-022a818b/  

@joehippensteel.bsky.social 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Mouna Dardouri - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2P8DiTJ81DC8y9PUHL1UFE?si=7ca65b50e6294c13 

Cailin Collins - https://open.spotify.com/episode/11TSi2uCJheLgaMfYQWUSk?si=85d49a2c337849f7

✨ Connect With Us: 

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky  
• Visit our Linktree here 
• Project Bridge Colorado Website
• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky 
• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Preston Stafford and Jon Woodward
• Editor: Lauren Dunn
• Music By: Jeff Westcott 
• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

In this episode, we sit down with PhD candidate Megan Pearson to explore what it's like to bridge the worlds of clinical care and laboratory research. Megan studies Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a complex connective tissue disorder that affects each patient differently, and is working to uncover its genetic basis by identifying patient subgroups through symptom patterns, genetics, and lab-grown tissues. We discuss how her unique path, from working as a CNA and conducting research as an undergraduate to processing pharmacogenomic samples during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired her passion for translational science. Megan also shares how she reprograms patient cells to create skin organoids, providing a powerful model for studying disease mechanisms. Throughout the conversation, we explore both the challenges and the rewards of combining patient-facing research with cutting-edge bench science, and why bringing these two worlds together is essential for advancing personalized medicine.

 Date Recorded: 7.7.26 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

  https://tislab.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-kraus-a307941a8 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Rachel Kostelecky-https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BiUqMVRJOJjzlybkCkJb6?si=a6b0f168e7e94fcd

Dominic Shayler-https://open.spotify.com/episode/211aKD8sWnwKowzKHxZRkE?si=4f6ddca2a1404625

Breanna Dooling-https://open.spotify.com/episode/3rrD3M7oP4NDJ1dMFJYUVd?si=dc861f969dcc4f23

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts:  Preston Stafford and Grace Rodenberg

• Editor:  Grace Rodenberg

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance.  

On this episode, join your hosts Ginny Fogg and Preston Stafford as they chat with Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Berry, a current professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the New York Medical College. Hear about her journey to become a science communicator and professor, from her PhD training presenting her with opportunities to showcase her work leading to a love of science communication to the unique circumstances that lead to a professor position right out of her graduate studies. We dive into what makes a good science communicator, how one finds themselves in a science communicator role, and the benefits to academia that fresh perspectives and changes can have on the future of biological research. What does it take to build up a successful career in science comms? Find out here only on the Science Bridge!  

 Date Recorded: June 30, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://www.instagram.com/dr.lizberry

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:    

Melly the Science Geek- https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QIQHa9cui0Mt7Cc3cGGo0?si=b66b8b57e9d34e33 

Roberto Ogelmann- https://open.spotify.com/episode/06hge8K97F5CiWc3Qjc32k?si=c913f9642a0c460f 

✨ Connect With Us:  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

In this episode, join your hosts Lauren Dunn and Preston Stafford as they sit down with Abbigayl Burtis, a current graduate student, soon to be alumni, here at Anschutz from the Molecular Biology program. Hear about her journey to become a CD8+T cell researcher in fatty liver disease, what influenced her to pursue her graduate studies, and the challenges in studying the intersection of immunology and hepatology. We dive deep into the rewards of failure in science. Do you think you have what it takes to become a researcher? Only here on the Science Bridge.  

 Date Recorded: June 15, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

www.linkedin.com/in/abbigayl-burtis 

 https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/gastroenterology/research/research-laboratories/burchill-lab 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Racheal Kostelecky - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gczcHa3mwk9mjM9E0hpOD?si=bacce20f16c1459a 

Tonya Brunetti- https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KFaQ3y5LY3e1vz3aP5oFq?si=014f0ba34fd54599 

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Lauren Dunn and Preston Stafford 

• Editor:  Jon Woodward

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

What does it take to build meaningful connections between students and the life sciences industry? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Guney, Industry Navigator for Bioscience, Food and Agriculture in the Classroom to Career Hub at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Dr. Guney shares how she helps create partnerships with industry that open doors to internships, jobs, and hands-on experiences for students while fostering collaboration between academia and employers. She also reflects on her own unique career journey—from earning a PhD and completing a postdoctoral fellowship, to becoming an instructor, transitioning into industry, and ultimately returning to higher education. Whether you're a student exploring career options or a scientist curious about nontraditional career paths, this episode offers valuable advice and insights on building a fulfilling career in science. 

 Date Recorded: June 12, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-guney/

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Bruce Mandt- https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gczcHa3mwk9mjM9E0hpOD?si=bacce20f16c1459a 

Meg Filbin- https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PGuW7npCOqxi3ANnNQjhS?si=dffdfcc8464e4db7 

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Lauren Dunn and Preston Stafford 

• Editor: Lauren Dunn 

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance.  

In this episode, Samuel gives us an excellent introduction into the fascinating world of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. Samuel is a first-generation Mexican American PhD student at the Anschutz Campus. He takes us on his unconventional journey that led him to academia and tells us a few things he learned along the way. 

 Date Recorded:  May 29th, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdburciaga/  

Instagram - @sdburciaga 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/11TSi2uCJheLgaMfYQWUSk?si=d09a8c34fa134387

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Jeremy Fleck and Grace Rodenberg 

• Editor: Bre Bishop 

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance.  

In this episode, we sit down with PhD candidate Parker Hicks. Parker is a senior student in the Human Medical Genetics and Genomics program here on the Anschutz Medical Campus and has a background in computational biology. He shares his work surrounding mixed language models, compiling large sets of preexisting data to answer specific disease questions, and we hear his wisdom surrounding the world of AI. We chat about how AI has changed science and research and what that means for the future.  

 Date Recorded: May 6, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://www.thekrishnanlab.org/ 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Arjun Krishnan - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1asCEEPcL9mikhfkOHXtXh?si=QkyFQ9OqTSyfYz2bAaHhvw  

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts:  Jon Woodward & Grace Rodenberg 

• Editor:  Grace Rodenberg 

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

In this episode, we sit down with Mouna Dardouri, a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program here on the Anschutz Campus. We learn about Mouna’s upbringing in Tunisia and how her experiences there led her to become interested in health economics. She tells us about how she ended up in Colorado for her Master’s in Public Health degree, then her PhD training. She also tells us about her current research around the Accelerated Approval Pathway, an FDA drug approval process that allows for earlier approval of lifesaving drugs. We learn more about some of the drugs that have undergone this accelerated approval process and the economics behind these drugs. Mouna’s research is very different from the research of many of our past guests, so tune in for a fun and unique episode! 

 Date Recorded: May 1, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

 Mouna’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mouna-dardouri/ 

Pharmaceutical Outcomes PhD Program: 

https://pharmacy.cuanschutz.edu/degreesandprograms/phd-programs/pharmaceutical-outcomes-research 

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Rachael Kostelecky: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BiUqMVRJOJjzlybkCkJb6?si=143e7dcd0a964c80 

Bruce Mandt: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gczcHa3mwk9mjM9E0hpOD?si=1b90ed6319cd4373 

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Lauren Dunn and Jon Woodward 

• Editor:  Jon Woodward

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance. 

In this episode, we sit down with Melly the Science Geek, a science communicator with a cross-platform audience of over 600,000 followers. She shares with us how she got into science communication, and how she has been able to connect so strongly with her audience. She tells us about her favorite videos and the science behind them, and how she picks the topics she highlights in her content. She also shares great advice about how to improve our own science communication skills and the tips and tricks she uses in her own work. We were so honored to have Melly on the podcast! You can follow her on TikTok and Instagram at Melly the Science Geek! See those links below. 

 Date Recorded: May 1, 2026 

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:  

https://www.instagram.com/mellythesciencegeek 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mellythesciencegeek 

 https://www.mellythesciencegeek.com/

🎙️ Other episodes you may like:   

Aimee Bernard: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/7cNP46jgN2b  

✨ Connect With Us:  

• Follow The Science Bridge Podcast on Instagram & BlueSky   

• Visit our Linktree here  

• Project Bridge Colorado Website  

• Follow Project Bridge Colorado on Instagram & BlueSky  

• Email us at [email protected] if you have any inquiries  

🎵 Credits:  

• Hosts: Breanna Bishop and Lauren Dunn 

• Editor:  Jeremy Fleck

• Music By: Jeff Westcott  

• Cover Art By: Johnathan Biffar  

Disclaimer:  
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Science Bridge, Project Bridge Colorado, or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The information provided is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance.