TOP BIOLOGIST STOPS DISEASES BY REPROGRAMMING CELLS | Dr. Tara Deans
What if the next breakthrough medicine wasn't made in a factory, but inside your own body?
In the Season 2 premiere of Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Dr. Tara Deans, a leading stem cell engineer who is reprogramming the body's own cells to fight disease. From cancer and immune disorders to future cell-based therapies, Dr. Deans explains how scientists are turning living cells into powerful new medicines.
You'll discover how platelets can help cancer hide in plain sight, why stem cells may transform the future of healthcare, and the surprising moment that sparked an entirely new direction in Dr. Deans' research. Along the way, she shares the role of curiosity, collaboration, and hope in tackling some of medicine's toughest challenges.
You'll also get a glimpse of the person behind the science, from childhood dreams of becoming a veterinarian to a love of wildlife photography and rescuing orphaned possums. As a happy postscript to our conversation, the young possums Dr. Deans helped care for have now been successfully released back into the wild.
If you're fascinated by cancer research, stem cells, biotechnology, personalized medicine, biomedical engineering, and the future of healthcare, this episode is for you.
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is an engineer, entrepreneur, and podcast host dedicated to helping individuals build bold brands, transform organizational culture, and lead with courage. On Holy Shift!, Angela serves as the Host, guiding conversations during episodes, interviewing guests, and facilitating engaging discussions on the power of biomedical research to change lives.
Producer
Erin Buckley, Ph.D.
Dr. Erin Buckley is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Pediatrics at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Her research is focused on developing optical technologies that can non-invasively monitor oxygen and blood flow in the brain at the bedside. At Holy Shift!, Dr. Buckley serves as a Producer overseeing all aspects of the podcast, from episode development and recording to publication and marketing.
Designer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group. Katie specializes in bringing podcast episodes to life from concept to launch, while concurrently driving branding, social media, and strategic partnerships. At Holy Shift!, Katie contributes as a Designer, consulting on all aspects of production.
Designer
Rajashree Ramamoorthy
Rajashree Ramamoorthy is a biomedical engineer at Emory University, holding a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Rajashree’s research specializes in the intersection of engineering and neuroscience, focusing specifically on human movement and balance research. At Holy Shift!, Rajashree contributes as a Designer, creating marketing materials to drive audience engagement across all platforms.
Designer
Vani Sridhar
Vani Sridhar is a Biomedical Engineering PhD student at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Vani specializes in engineering sophisticated in vitro platforms to study ischemic cardiovascular disease, utilizing expertise in disease modeling, bioprinting, and stem cell technology. At Holy Shift!, Vani serves as a Designer, developing platform-specific strategies, creating engaging digital content, and fostering community growth to amplify each episode's reach.
Producer
Zachary Danziger
Dr. Zachary Danziger is as an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University whose research blends neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and mathematical biology to understand the nervous system and fluid movement. At Holy Shift! podcast, Dr. Danziger acts as a Producer, overseeing all aspects of the podcast, from episode development and recording to publication and marketing.