Explore every episode of the podcast Inside U Miami Medicine

For patients with aggressive, treatment-resistant Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the disease can keep progressing even as therapies improve outcomes for others. On this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, MS expert Dr. Flavia Nelson takes us inside one of the field's most promising frontiers: regenerative stem cell therapy. She breaks down the science behind the groundbreaking BEAT MS clinical trial that explores whether stem cells can slow MS progression and repair damage to the central nervous system. It's a compelling look at how research is pushing the boundaries of what's possible for MS patients.

What if blocking a particular brain receptor could help combat treatment-resistant depression?

Dean Henri Ford sits down with Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., to learn about a previously unrecognized brain receptor that may hold the key to treating major depressive disorder, including the treatment-resistant cases that leave so many patients without relief.

The findings, recently published in Nature, point toward a bold new approach to treating these disorders, one that may lead to entirely new class of therapies called “nanobodies.”

The results are striking.

Tune in to hear Dr. Martemyanov share the science, the journey to the discovery, and what this could mean for the future of mental health treatment.

What does it take to lead and thrive in health care during one of the most transformative eras the field has ever experienced? In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dean Henri Ford sits down with Dr. Julie Freischlag, a pioneering vascular surgeon and one of the most influential leaders in medicine today.

A trailblazer who led some of the nation’s preeminent academic institutions, Dr. Freischlag as broken countless barriers and helped redefine what leadership looks like in health care. In this candid conversation, she speaks about building trust, leading with humility, knowing when to course-correct, and how to emerge stronger from moments of adversity. And yes, you'll also learn a few surprising things about her life outside the operating room.

What if patients trapped inside their own bodies could be brought back? In this groundbreaking episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, world-renowned stroke expert Dr. Dileep Yavagal reveals a medical first: using stem cells to restore function in patients with locked-in syndrome after catastrophic brainstem strokes. Hear how his team became the first in the world to deploy a clinical trial that delivered stem cells directly to injured brain regions within days, and how four patients treated under FDA compassionate use are already showing remarkable signs of recovery. Dr. Yavagal also shares his global work leading the expansion of mechanical thrombectomy through Mission Thrombectomy, transforming stroke care in more than 90 countries. Discover how cutting-edge science is rewriting what’s possible for some of the most devastating strokes.

Medical misinformation is now one of the most powerful forces shaping patient decisions and outcomes. In the latest Inside U Miami Medicine episode, Dr. Geeta Nayyar – author, chief medical officer and technologist – joins Dean Henri Ford to explore how misinformation spreads, why it’s costing health systems trust and credibility, and what leaders can do to fight back.

A must-listen for clinicians, executives, and anyone focused on the future of patient care.

What if a paralyzed person could send a text, play chess, or navigate a computer using only their thoughts?

In this episode, we dive into the clinical trial of Neuralink’s breakthrough investigational brain-computer interface, a wireless system designed to create a direct digital connection between the human brain and external devices.

Our guest is Dr. Allan Levi, one of the neurosurgeons and a principal investigator leading the Neuralink trial in South Florida. He shares insights from inside the study, the technology behind the implant, and what this could mean for the future of neurorehabilitation.

How does a young medical student from Bogotá, Colombia go on to co-invent a device that revolutionizes mitral valve repair, and then reshape an entire nation’s landscape of cardiac care? Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña shares the extraordinary journey that shaped his philosophy as a heart surgeon, innovator, and mentor.

For the first time in history, there will soon be more older adults than children in the U.S., and rates of dementia are climbing.

Neuropsychologist Dr. Rosie Curiel Cid has developed a groundbreaking cognitive test capable of detecting the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease, long before symptoms appear.

In this episode, she explains how early diagnosis can change everything, opening the door to new FDA-approved treatments that can slow the disease’s progression and transform how we approach brain health.

AI isn’t replacing doctors: It’s making them better. Find out why Microsoft's Dr. James Weinstein believes AI can empower both patients and physicians, while shaping a new era of smarter, more efficient care.

Firefighters sprint into dangerous situations to protect their communities. But what happens when the very act of helping others puts their own lives at risk?

Dr. Erin Kobetz and Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez - leaders of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center - pull back the curtain on a health crisis: the elevated cancer risk firefighters face because of toxic exposures on the job.

Neurologist Dr. Ihtsham ul Haq reveals how cutting-edge technology is reshaping diagnosis and why stem cell therapies may hold the power to slow, or even reverse, the disease. Discover the breakthroughs, the setbacks and the race to change the future of Parkinson’s.

Autoimmune diseases like lupus and Type 1 diabetes are notoriously difficult to treat, but what if we could reprogram the immune system instead of turning it off entirely?

Preeminent immunologist Dr. Thomas Malek dives into the science behind a lab-designed fusion protein that could offer a powerful new path to long-term remission.

In this critical moment for academic medicine and scientific discovery, how can we rebuild trust in our institutions and our work? Dr. Elena Fuentes-Afflick, chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and a leading voice in support of research, joined us to tackle challenging questions and provide insight for scientists at all stages of their academic career.   

Humans share 99% of their genes but, according to JacobMcCauley, Ph.D., “that one percent can tell us a lot.”  The “1%” in genetic studies refers to the miniscule fraction of DNA that differentiates any two individuals but may be the key for understanding disease susceptibility.

This small variation is leading to significant discoveries.

Step into the mind of one of neurosurgery’s most influentialvoices: Michael Wang, M.D., M.B.A., a globally recognized spine surgeon and leader of the largest spine fellowship program in the country.

Dr. Wang and Dean Henri Ford tackle some of the most pressing challenges for spine surgeons: society scrutiny, public perception, patient trust, work-life balance, spiritual weight of the job and more. And for future and current doctors, it’s a conversation worth hearing.

Microplastics and their synthetic byproducts pose a majorrisk to humans through inhalation and ingestion. Could these microscopic pollutants play a role in infertility or cancer? Dr. Raveen Syan and her team are determined to find out.

Dr. Raveen Syan, assistant professor of clinical urology at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, and Christina Yarborough, a medical student, joined the podcast to discuss a groundbreaking study that will examine how microplastics accumulate in female reproductive tissue and the potential health effects of these toxins.

In addition to the microplastics study, she shares insights from her research on Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFD), which impact nearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S., significantly affecting their quality of life.

Despite this prevalence, few studies have investigated the symptom burden among varying demographics and their perspectives on treatment options.

Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, sudden death and other health problems for millions worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of AFib care — from diagnosis to treatment — remain outdated.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he is improving decades-old models to save lives.

“I saw two patients in the office within one month of each other. They had no risk factors. They had no hypertension. They had no significant cardiac disease. And they both had strokes,” he said.

He knew the field needed to evolve.

Prostate cancer affects more than half of males by age 80. Yet, early intervention can lead to complications that profoundly reduce quality of life. In the latest episode of “Inside U Miami Medicine,” luminaries in the field of urology mull over the complex question: Does every prostate cancer diagnosis require immediate treatment?

Dr. Ian Thompson, professor emeritus at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, has spent his career studying this conundrum. During this episode, he discusses seminal findings in large-scale trials that showed invasive treatments are associated with substantial, potentially life threatening conditions.

“What took my breath away was the rate of bladder cancer after radiation,” Dr. Thompson said. “A threefold increased risk of bladder cancer…”

Dr. Dipen Parekh, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and chief operating officer for UHealth–University of Miami Health System, also joins the conversation.

The field of radiology is in flux, shifting with wave after wave of advanced technology.  While the public speculated whether artificial intelligence (AI) might render radiologists obsolete, the experts were already harnessing its power to optimize workflows, alleviate burnout, improve patient care, and redefine their role within the health care team.

At the forefront of this transformation is Dr. Alexander McKinney, Shapiro professor and chair of the Department of Radiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He joined us to share his excitement about the incredible potential of AI in radiology.

The world of migraine is complex and often misunderstood, even though it’s one the most disabling neurologic disorders in the world. Despite its prevalence, this common disease remains deeply stigmatized.

Teshamae Monteith, M.D., a nationally recognized headache expert, sheds light on groundbreaking research, pharmaceutical innovations and emerging treatments that aim to reshape the way we think about and treat migraine.

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in U.S. men. While initial treatments offer hope, many patients find that their cancer returns with often fatal outcomes. But what if the key to stopping this deadly progression lies in our genes?

Dr. Nima Sharifi, scientific director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, discovered a specific genetic variant that enables tumors to bypass treatments, effectively producing their own hormones to fuel cancer growth.

Tune in!

Dr. David Davis, is breaking new ground in understanding how toxins, especially microplastics, may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's.

In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Davis shares his journey and the groundbreaking methodologies he developed to detect and study these toxins. From cyanobacterial blooms to airborne plastic particles, he reveals the urgent need to address these environmental threats.

We’re exploring visionary breakthroughs in the field of ophthalmology with Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Alfonso has his sight set on an ambitious project - whole eye transplant. He and his team are currently exploring the use of an ECMO device to preserve a donated eye, enabling them to apply gene therapy and stem cells, replace specific parts of the organ, and enhance its functionality.

Tune in to hear more about this fascinating venture, as well as other breakthroughs and challenges in the field that are providing new avenues for disease modeling, drug screening and cellular therapies.

Dr. Helen Bermudez, a gastroenterology fellow, overcame immense challenges to pursue her dream. Born in Cuba, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 15. She spoke no English but carried an unwavering dedication to help others through medicine. Tune in as we explore Dr. Bermudez’s story of resilience and the advice she offers others facing similar paths.

Dr. Ashish Shah, a neurosurgeon and brain cancer researcher at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, is weaponizing viruses to make brain cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation. It’s a delicate process that involves delivering viral-based gene therapy directly into the tumor or tumor cavity to alter the fundamental genome of the cancer cells.

Tune in to learn how this treatment is offering new hope for glioblastoma patients.

When the very treatment keeping a patient alive also exacts a heavy toll on lives, researchers are compelled to ask, “Is there another way?”

Glioblastoma is a brutal brain cancer. It is aggressive, common and nearly always fatal. Standard treatments of radiation and chemotherapy often leave patients with cognitive problems and a diminished quality of life.

But Dr. Macarena de la Fuente, chief of the Neuro oncology Division at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, envisions a future that empowers patients to manage tumors with fewer compromises. She investigates new drugs that prolong progression-free survival and delay the need for toxic treatments.

In some of the clinical trials she and her team are advancing, the tumors even shrank in size.

In the vast landscape of medical research, few areas are as intricate and nuanced as traumatic brain injury. However, amidst these profound challenges lies the relentless pursuit of understanding and innovation spearheaded by pioneers like Dr. Dalton Dietrich.

Dr. Dietrich, scientific director of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, recently joined the Inside U Miami Medicine podcast to share the latest neuroscience discoveries and how novel therapies – like targeted hypothermia – may protect and enhance recovery of neurological function. He also addresses the question on many people's minds: "Does TBI lead to dementia?"

Tune in.

When disaster occurs, Dr. Elizabeth Greig runs toward the chaos. She and her team follow in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes and other hazardous events to help the world’s most vulnerable communities heal and rebuild. They provide medical care and essential resources, bolster infrastructure and strengthen the health sector. Sometimes, they construct buildings. As of April 2024, a hospital they helped erect in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is still functioning despite the current gang violence.

Tune in to hear her talk all things disaster response, crisis management, resilience, climate change and so much more.

Raymond Schinazi, Ph.D., a world-renowned scientist, knows that research requires resilience. “I have file cabinets full of rejections,” he said.

In the second part of our episode with Dr. Schinazi, we explore how he developed a life-saving cure for Hepatitis C, despite being denied funding from the NIH. Instead of giving up and focusing on other antivirals, he founded his own biotech company and set his sights on revolutionizing the treatment landscape for Hepatitis C.

We’re talking to one of the most remarkable scientists of our time, Raymond Schinazi, Ph.D. Dr. Schinazi is a visionary researcher whose contributions have revolutionized the landscape of antiviral therapy. More than 94% of HIV-infected individuals in the U.S. on combination therapy take at least one of the drugs he created. He also invented the cure for Hepatitis C.

But his story begins far from the laboratories and lecture halls of prestigious universities. Growing up in Egypt during the Nasser regime, young Raymond witnessed firsthand the devastation of disease when his mother fell critically ill. Determined to make a difference, he embarked on a mission to find cures for the most challenging medical conditions.

In the first part of this captivating episode, we’re delving into Dr. Schinazi’s remarkable life story, exploring the triumphs and challenges that shaped his extraordinary career.

“People who have done so much and given to their community for so long, why are they lonely at the end of their lives?”

It’s a question that Harsh Moolani, currently a third-year M.D./M.P.H. student, grappled with when volunteering at local hospices. The care industry didn't seem to have any long-term solutions for patients, so, as a junior in college, he developed one himself.

Harsh joins Inside U Miami Medicine to discuss how he founded a nonprofit that tackles some of the biggest challenges for adult populations like loneliness, cognitive decay and lack of purpose — all while pursuing his medical degree.

Latina immigrant, DACA recipient, first-generation physician. Pia Iribarren, M.P.H, a fourth year medical student, shares how her experiences, from how immigrating to the U.S. to navigating the healthcare system as an undocumented family, motivated her to become a physician. Tune in to hear how she is changing the future of medicine, especially for families like her own.

Can we prevent ALS before it starts? ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a profoundly complex and destructive disease, characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which enable muscle movement. It steals the body's strength and challenges nearly every aspect of life. There is currently no known cure, but groundbreaking research is offering hope.  

Dr. Michael Benatar, an internationally recognized ALS expert, is leading advances that are transforming how we study and treat this devastating disease. The core of Dr. Benatar's research lies in the quest for early intervention. By focusing on pre-symptomatic individuals, especially those genetically predisposed to ALS, he and his team are identifying markers that can predict disease onset. These insights could revolutionize the therapeutic landscape, allowing for preventative measures before symptoms manifest. 

Tune in to unravel the mysteries of ALS and hear about the resilience exhibited by scientists, clinicians and patients confronting this formidable disease.  

Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, an internationally recognized interventional cardiologist, was at a crossroads. Two of his patients presented with significant blockages in their left main coronary artery, the heart’s biggest artery that is essential to its function. Dr. Chatzizisis could opt for a conventional stenting approach that fails in 30% of patients. Or he could leverage computational technology to assess infinite scenarios and obtain detailed insights into stent performance and technique optimization – all before deployment in each patient.

Tune in to hear how Dr. Chatzizisis performed the world’s first simulation-guided left main stenting procedure using artificial intelligence, computational simulations and extended reality. And, how he and his team utilize these technologies to advance “virtual clinical trials” to test the efficacy and safety of new drugs, medical devices or procedures.

Because of complex genetic mutations, treating blood cancers is particularly challenging and requires specialized therapies. In the intricate world of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, each breakthrough achieved through clinical trials brings scientists and clinicians a step closer to transforming standards of care for patients around the world.

Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, chief of the Division of Hematology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides insight into these diseases and shares the current research landscape in the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine.

“You shouldn’t have to compromise any aspect of your humanity to be a physician.” Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, a world-renowned hematologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, is fighting for providers to preserve the vulnerability and humanity that initially inspired them to embark on their journey in medicine. Listen in as he and Dean Henri Ford explore important topics like physician burnout, patient communication and more on the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine.

Physician burnout has become an epidemic in the U.S., with nearly 63% of physicians reporting emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, according to the American Medical Association. This struggle often starts in medical school, where students experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and mental stress compared to peers in non-medical career paths.

In the latest Inside U Miami Medicine episode, Dean Henri Ford sits down with Dr. Jason Onugha, co-founder of Without The White Coat and chief psychiatry resident at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, for an important conversation about physician and medical student mental health and humanizing medicine. Tune in to hear how he is raising awareness and breaking the stigma.

When physicians haven’t be trained to tackle a disease, how do they provide the best care for patients? In the face of #LongCOVID, medical practitioners are finding themselves at a crossroads, grappling with how to effectively treat patients. In the absence of a defined roadmap, Dr. Ana Palacio, director of the University of Miami Program in Research Education and co-director of the Miami VA #LongCOVIDClinic, is drawing upon her own fascinating journey in medicine to formulate a #PatientCentric approach.

Cutting-edge capabilities are rapidly changing medical education. Students are no longer interested in absorbing endless hours of lectures in a classroom. They want to learn by doing.

At the helm of this new era of medical training is Dr. Barry Issenberg, director of the Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education. Raised in the world of technology and simulation, Dr. Issenberg is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application to prepare future health care professionals for real-world patient care.

The path to medicine is a remarkable journey, marked by challenges, triumphs and pivotal decision-making. In the latest edition of Inside U Miami Medicine, two chief residents, Dr. Sarah Sukkar and Dr. Josh Kronenfeld, open up about excelling in medical school, choosing a specialty, surviving the couples match, getting involved in community outreach and more. Guest hosted by Dr. Amar Deshpande, associate dean for medical education.

In part two of our episode exploring the latest HIV research, Dr. Mario Stevenson, an internationally recognized molecular virologist, shares why HIV remains dormant in cells, only to reemerge almost immediately when a patient stops taking antiretroviral therapy. HIV is a formidable pathogen that targets the immune system, particularly CD4 cells, and weakens the body's defense against infections. While CD4 cells have been the primary focus of HIV research, Dr. Stevenson's team is investigating a new victim – myeloid cells – which they believe may be the key to achieving a functional cure.

After more than four decades of investigation, scientists may be on the precipice of finding a cure for HIV, a virus that currently can be reduced to undetectable levels in the body but not completely eradicated.

Although HIV can be suppressed using antiretroviral therapy (ART), it cannot yet be cured. This is because the virus integrates itself into host cells and may become dormant but remains ready to emerge from the cell reservoirs when ART stops. Thus, individuals with HIV require lifelong adherence to medication.

Tune in to learn from Dr. Mario Stevenson, an internationally recognized molecular virologist, why the body doesn’t recognize the latent HIV cells and how the latest research and therapies are targeting the masked virus.

The culture of academia is dynamic and multifaceted tapestry, characterized by an intricate interplay of innovation, tradition and societal changes. In the latest edition of Inside U Miami Medicine, Alison Mincey, J.D., senior vice president and chief human resources officer for the University of Miami, explores this dynamic and the sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has long posed significant challenges for patients and researchers alike. But now, microscopic clusters of organisms are providing a glimmer of hope. Emerging as a new frontier in #T1D treatment, stem cell-derived islet cell therapy is a novel approach that may revolutionize the lives of patients with this chronic disease.

Stem cells, with their remarkable ability to transform into specialized cells, offer the potential to restore the function of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas.

In part two of Dr. Matthias von Herrath's episode on Inside U Miami Medicine, he delves into the mechanisms of protecting these islet cells from destruction by the immune system and the challenges associated with this treatment, including the high costs of conducting clinical trials.

Could insulin dependency be a burden of the past for patients with type 1 diabetes? Matthias von Herrath, M.D., scientific director of the Diabetes Research Institute, is hopeful.  Dr. von Herrath joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he and his teams are working on the ultimate T1D moonshot: To restore or preserve natural insulin production and normalize blood sugar levels without imposing other risks that accompany immune suppression.

In episode one of this two-part conversation, Dr. von Herrath reviews the current understandings of the pathogenesis of T1D and describes the mechanisms of the first FDA-approved treatment for delaying T1D for those at risk: Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv), an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.

For years, doctors have used a standard course of cancer treatment for patients with glioblastoma brain tumors – a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. But the survival rate is still a dismal 6.8%, and the average patient lives only eight months after diagnosis.

This issue is personal for Antonio Iavarone, M.D., deputy director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. With much of his career spent as a pediatric oncologist, he became discouraged that he could not offer more to young patients struggling with cancerous brain tumors.

“In children, brain tumors are the most frequent cause of death and there is very little you can do,” he said.

Until now.

Dr. Iavarone joined the latest episode of the Inside U Miami Medicine podcast to share how he and his team are using a suite of innovative tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) and tumor organoids (also known as patient avatars), to combat these tough-to-tackle tumors.

Tune in to hear how the team uses machine learning and precise tests on surgically resected tumors to target them for treatment.

How can we improve community wellness with big data and innovation? While data is ubiquitous, different formats are often funneled into their own silos in academic medicine -- rendering them less effective. In part two of Dean Henri Ford’s conversation with Dr. Azizi Seixas, they speak about how artificial intelligence and informatics can break down barriers to catalyze impact and improve health outcomes.

Can altered gut microbiota lead to tic exacerbation in Tourette Syndrome? On the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Barbara Coffey, an internationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist, talks about the potential link between altered bacteria in people’s digestive systems and and an increase of inflammation in the brain, possibly leading to various tic disorders. She also shares insight into the global phenomenon “TikTok tics,” and the effects of social media and the pandemic on children’s mental health.

What if doctors could mitigate the impact of strokes by regenerating neurological pathways? How about reducing the need for heart transplants, while simultaneously improving lung function? According to Dr. Joshua Hare, it all boils down to harnessing the amazing power of stem cells. On the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Hare – who is the director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine – shares groundbreaking discoveries in stem cell-based therapy. He and his team are dedicated to studying and leveraging the properties that allow stem cells not only to differentiate into any cell type in the body, but also to reprogram other cells and repair their damaged tissue.

While the study of sleep is a relatively new field, researchers over the past two decades have revealed the powerful effects of sleep — or the lack of it — on overall health and well-being. But who are these slumber scientists, who research a realm that begins when their patients slip into a dream state? Meet Azizi Seixas, Ph.D. Dr. Seixas dedicates his career to advancing our knowledge of sleep to improve the health of communities, particularly those that are underserved.