In this fascinating episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Heather Brenhouse, professor of psychology and director of the Developmental Neuropsychobiology Lab at Northeastern University—and a 2024 Toffler Scholar. Together, they explore the deep connections between childhood adversity, brain development, and long-term mental health.

Dr. Brenhouse discusses why early life stress impacts some individuals more than others, how adversity can alter the timing of puberty, and why understanding neurodevelopment is essential to preventing psychiatric disorders. They also delve into the biology of behavior, the role of immune cells in the brain, and how evolving tools in neuroscience are helping uncover hidden patterns that shape health outcomes later in life.

🔬 Topics include:

• What a neuropsychobiology lab really studies
• How early stress accelerates brain and body development
• The surprising link between early adversity and puberty
• Why male and female brains respond differently to early life challenges
• How microglia and inflammation relate to long-term brain health
• The future of neuroscience research—from metabolic studies to computational modeling
• How eastern and western medicine might converge around mind-body health
  
  
  

Whether you're a researcher, student, or curious lifelong learner, this episode sheds light on how early experiences shape us—and what that means for preventing disease and promoting wellness across a lifetime.

🧠 Guest: Dr. Heather Brenhouse
🔗 Learn more: brenhouselab.sites.northeastern.edu
📧 Contact: h.brenhouse@northeastern.edu

🌐 For more episodes and updates, visit: tofflertrust.org

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this fascinating episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphall welcomes Dr. Alysson Muotri, a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego., for a deep dive into what makes the human brain unique—and how understanding that uniqueness might unlock new treatments for neurological disorders. From stem cell brain models grown in the lab to sending "mini-brains" into space, Dr. Muotri shares his bold, unconventional path to advancing neuroscience and personalized medicine.

Dr. Muotri discusses his work creating 3D brain organoids to model human neurological development, including conditions like autism and epilepsy. He explains how modern humans evolved slower brain development than our ancestors, and how that developmental window leaves us vulnerable to mutation and disease—but also offers the complexity that makes human cognition and collaboration possible.

The conversation also touches on ethical frontiers, including the potential for lab-grown brains to develop consciousness, the future of neuroscience in space, and how traditional Amazonian medicine may offer clues to protecting the brain.

In This Episode:

• Why collaboration and sociality are key traits of the human brain
• How brain organoids help us study disorders like autism without invasive methods
• Using Neanderthal DNA to uncover what’s uniquely human
• Why space accelerates brain aging—and how that might fast-track drug discovery
• The ethical questions we must face as lab-grown brain tissues become more advanced
• How Dr. Muotri’s personal journey as a father shaped his scientific mission
• The need for alternative funding models to support bold, high-risk science

Quotes to Remember:
🧠 “We’re not just studying the brain. We’re building avatars of it.”
🚀 “Thirty days in space aged our brain organoids by ten years.”
🧬 “Autism may be the price we pay for having evolved a social brain.”
🌱 “Maybe the cure for Alzheimer’s is growing in the Amazon. We just have to look.”

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Muotri’s lab: [Search “Alysson Muotri UCSD”]
• Explore the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: https://tofflertrust.org
  
  
  

Connect with Us:
💬 Have feedback or want to get involved? Reach out via our website or social channels.
🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal welcomes Dr. Yvette Wong, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University and 2024 Toffler Scholar, for a deep dive into the dynamic inner world of cells—and how her lab is uncovering new clues about neurodegenerative diseases by studying the microscopic interactions between organelles.

Dr. Wong discusses how organelles like mitochondria and lysosomes don’t just function in isolation—they actually “talk” to each other at contact points within cells. These cellular conversations may hold the key to unlocking better understanding and treatments for conditions like ALS, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease.

Through vivid analogies (like buses exchanging cargo), Dr. Wong helps translate complex science into clear visuals, while also highlighting how advances in super-resolution live-cell microscopy and data analysis are transforming what’s possible in neuroscience.

🔬 Topics Covered:

• What organelles and organoids are—and why they matter
• The importance of mitochondrial-lysosomal contact sites in brain cells
• How defects in organelle crosstalk may contribute to diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s
• Why time-lapse microscopy is revolutionizing our understanding of disease mechanisms
• How Huntington’s disease mutations affect cellular cleanup systems
• The promise (and challenge) of modeling decades-long diseases in a lab
• Dr. Wong’s vision for the future of neuroscience—and the dream experiment she hopes technology will make possible

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Dr. Yvette Wong’s Lab: [Search “Yvette Wong Lab” or visit Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine]
• Learn more about the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: https://tofflertrust.org/
  📬 Contact Dr. Wong:
  Email: yvette.wong@northwestern.edu

🎧 Subscribe & Follow:
For more episodes and breakthroughs in brain science, subscribe to Research Renaissance and follow the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust on your favorite podcast platform.

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, for a candid conversation about the intersection of science, policy, and aging. From Alzheimer’s drug coverage to the future of stem cell research, they unpack what it truly means to age with dignity—and how equity, access, and advocacy play a critical role.

Sue shares her personal journey into aging research, her leadership transition at the Alliance, and the organization’s long-standing commitment to ensuring older adults receive fair and effective healthcare. They explore the challenges of Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) in Medicare, the rising need for culturally competent communication, and how the stigma around neuropsychiatric symptoms in aging can be addressed through education and empathy.

Key Topics Covered:

• The origins and mission of the Alliance for Aging Research
• Medicare’s use of “Coverage with Evidence Development” for Alzheimer’s therapies
• Challenges in equitable access to aging-related treatments
• The political and scientific landscape of stem cell research
• Outreach strategies for underserved and underrepresented aging populations
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and the importance of caregiver education
• Mental health trends in older adults and increasing substance use concerns
• The role of policy, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing healthy aging

Memorable Quote:
“Everybody deserves to age as healthy as they can.” – Sue Peschin

Resources & Links:
🔗 Alliance for Aging Research
📧 Contact Sue: speshin@agingresearch.org
📺 YouTube: Alliance for Aging Research Video Library
🔬 Learn more about our mission at TofflerTrust.org

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this eye-opening episode of Research Renaissance, Dr. Rod Scott takes us on a journey through the emerging science of brain networks, complex adaptive systems, and why rethinking how we treat neurological conditions like epilepsy and autism might be the key to improving outcomes—especially in children.

Dr. Scott explains why he views the brain not as a collection of isolated parts, but as a dynamic, self-organizing system. From his clinical experience to his cutting-edge lab work on neural firing patterns and cognitive behavior, he shares why focusing on repairing brain networks—rather than treating individual genes or symptoms—could reshape our entire approach to neurological care.

Key highlights include:

• 🧠 Why traditional “gene-to-cure” models often fall short in treating epilepsy and autism
• 🧬 How complex systems thinking offers a more holistic—and promising—framework for brain health
• ⚡ Dr. Scott’s experimental work with electrical brain stimulation to restore cognitive function in mouse models
• 🧒 Why he focuses more on quality of life than stopping every seizure in pediatric epilepsy treatment
• 💡 The surprising effects of environmental enrichment on malformed brain networks

Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or simply curious about the future of neuroscience, this episode offers a radically different perspective on what it means to heal the brain.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Nemours Children’s Hospital: nemours.org
• Contact Dr. Rod Scott: rodney.scott@nemours.org
• Explore the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: tofflertrust.org

Connect with Us: 💌 Subscribe to the show for more thought-provoking interviews
🌐 Visit our website: tofflertrust.org
📲 Follow us on LinkedIn

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Frank Furnari, professor of medicine at UC San Diego and co-director of the Brain Tumor Program at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute. Together, they explore one of the most aggressive and complex cancers known to medicine—glioblastoma—and the innovative tools his team is developing to study and treat it.

🔬 Topics Covered:

• Why glioblastoma is so resistant to treatment—and what makes it unique
• The role of tumor heterogeneity and how “chameleon-like” cancer cells adapt
• How Dr. Furnari’s lab uses CRISPR-edited stem cells and “cancer avatars” to model brain tumors in mice and organoids
• Promising breakthroughs in radiation sensitization and tumor state manipulation
• CAR-T cells therapies, BRD2 inhibitors, and the future of personalized brain cancer vaccines
• The emerging field of cancer neuroscience—and how neuron-tumor interactions may hold new clues to treatment
• The cost and complexity of running a modern lab and the growing need for diversified funding
• Why partnerships across disciplines (immunology, bioengineering, AI, bioinformatics) are essential for accelerating breakthroughs

💡 Dr. Furnari also reflects on his career beginnings, his leadership philosophy, and what excites him most about the future of brain cancer research.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Frank Furnari:

• Website: Search “Furnari Lab UCSD” (not a real link – adjust as needed)
• Email: ffan@ucsd.edu
• LinkedIn: Frank Furnari (link placeholder)
• Twitter/X: @FurnariLab

🧠 May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Join the conversation, share this episode, and help raise awareness about the urgent need for brain cancer research and funding.

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Jackson Mace, a neuroscience PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University and 2023 Toffler Scholar, to explore the cutting-edge research driving our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases—particularly multiple sclerosis (MS).

Drawing from personal experience—his father’s MS diagnosis—and a deep academic curiosity, Jackson shares the winding path that led him from undergraduate lab work to a promising career in neuroimmunology. Together, they discuss:

🧠 Why MS is more than just an autoimmune condition—and how it’s being reframed as a neurodegenerative disease
🧪 The experimental models Jackson uses to study gray matter lesions and cell death in the brain, spinal cord, and eyes
🧬 His work on a little-known but powerful cell death pathway known as Parthanatos, and how it could unlock new therapeutic strategies
💊 A behind-the-scenes look at how early research and seed funding (including support from the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust) fuels long-term breakthroughs
🌍 The critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience, immunology, and pharmacology
🗣️ Why scientific communication and mentorship matter just as much as lab results

Whether you're a fellow researcher, a curious patient advocate, or simply fascinated by the future of brain science, this episode sheds light on the personal and professional forces driving the next generation of neuroscience discovery.

👤 Guest:
Jackson Mace, Neuroscience PhD Candidate, Johns Hopkins University
📍LinkedIn: Jackson Mace
📧 Email: jackson.w.mace@gmail.com

🔗 Learn more about the show and the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust:

https://tofflertrust.org/

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Alberto Serrano-Pozo, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a 2022 Toffler Scholar. Together, they explore Dr. Serrano-Pozo’s pioneering research into the role of glial cells—specifically astrocytes—and the APOE gene in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Serrano-Pozo discusses how astrocytes, long overlooked in favor of neurons, are now recognized as key players in maintaining brain health—and how their dysfunction may contribute to Alzheimer's pathology. The conversation also covers the complexities of the APOE gene variants, how recent discoveries are reshaping our understanding of Alzheimer's across different populations, and promising advances in gene-editing research.

Dr. Serrano-Pozo also reflects on the dual role he plays as both a researcher and a clinician, how patient interactions inspire his lab work, and why cautious optimism is warranted as new therapies and technologies emerge.

What You'll Learn:

• Why astrocytes are crucial to brain function—and how they change in Alzheimer's
• The evolving understanding of the APOE gene’s role in Alzheimer's risk
• How glial cells interact with amyloid plaques and tau tangles
• Why certain APOE variants affect populations differently
• Advances in gene-editing that may offer future protection against Alzheimer's
• The real-world challenges and rewards of balancing clinical practice with research
• A hopeful look at the accelerating pace of Alzheimer's research and innovation

Key Quotes:
🧠 "If we can understand how astrocytes get sick, maybe we can fix them—and slow the progression of Alzheimer's."
🧬 "APOE is like a messenger between brain cells—and one small genetic variation can change everything."
🌎 "There's more collaboration, more knowledge-sharing, and more technological advancement than ever before. We should remain cautiously optimistic."

Learn More:
🔗 Visit tofflertrust.org to stay updated on future episodes and initiatives.

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.