STEIN Fireside Podcast

steinfiresidepodcast

The STEIN Fireside Podcast is a series hosted by the Society for Technology, Engineering, and Innovation in Neurosurgery (STEIN). Its purpose is to create an informal yet deeply insightful platform for discussing cutting-edge topics in neuroscience, neurosurgery, and related technologies. Episodes feature conversations with leading experts who share their research, clinical experiences, and perspectives on the future of brain science and interventions.

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  1. 1. Apr.

    Waves of the Mind: Dr. Michael Breakspear on Brain Dynamics, Surfing & Science

    In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller and Bryan Klassen sits down with world‑renowned neuroscientist, psychiatrist, mathematician — and lifelong surfer — Dr. Michael Breakspear. They dive into Breakspear’s unconventional path through math, medicine, physics, and psychiatry, and how those experiences shaped his groundbreaking work on neural field theory, brain oscillations, and large‑scale brain dynamics. From his early days programming on 1980s Mac computers to surfing the powerful reefs of Newcastle, Breakspear shares how curiosity, creativity, and lifestyle balance fuel his scientific thinking. You’ll hear discussion on: How dynamical systems and wave equations reveal hidden structure in brain activity Why large‑scale brain modes may explain attention, cognition, and consciousness How hippocampal traveling waves shape memory, behavior, and epilepsy What theory of mind, autism, and interoception might look like through a dynamical-systems lens The parallels between neuroscience and AI, including latent manifolds and generative modeling The importance of pure mathematics in modern science The role of physical embodiment, stress regulation, and human connection in psychiatry Whether you’re into neuroscience, physics, AI, medicine, or just love a good story about surfing and science colliding, this episode is a deep, engaging ride through the brain’s most beautiful patterns.

    54 Min.
  2. 15. März

    STEIN Fireside Podcast: Microelectrode Recording in DBS Surgery

    In this episode, Dr. Kai Miller (Neurosurgery) and Dr. Bryan Klassen (Neurology) from Mayo Clinic dive into the fundamentals of microelectrode recording (MER) and its role in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. They break down: Why Microelectrode Recording Still Matters The ongoing debate of awake vs. asleep DBS Whether MER is “outdated” or still essential in the era of advanced imaging Their philosophy: MER is a critical adjunct, not a replacement for high‑resolution MRI How MER Works Using high‑impedance microelectrodes to detect single‑neuron activity Listening to real‑time firing patterns to confirm entry into specific brain structures Differentiating white matter vs. gray matter, nucleus boundaries, and disease‑related firing patterns Mapping the Brain During Surgery “Exploratory” vs. “confirmatory” MER approaches Using the Ben Gun device for multi‑trajectory mapping Understanding firing signatures of What Surgeons Listen For Voluntary movement‑related cell firing Passive movement sensory responses Tremor‑coherent neuronal firing Visual pathway confirmation using optic tract flashes Why This Matters for Patient Outcomes MER helps surgeons precisely place modern segmented DBS leads, which require millimeter‑level accuracy Ensures targeting of the most symptom‑relevant neural circuits Helps avoid complications by identifying sensitive regions (e.g., sensory thalamus, optic tract) The Human Element Importance of patient comfort and open interaction during awake DBS Real‑time teamwork between neurology, neurosurgery, and the OR staff

    23 Min.
  3. 1. März

    STEIN Fireside Podcast: When the Lab Meets the Clinic: Inside Mayo Clinic’s Neurology Innovation Engine

    Join us for an in‑depth fireside conversation with Dr. Sean Pittock, Chair of Neurology at Mayo Clinic and pioneer in neuroimmunology, and Dr. Nathan Staff, neuromuscular neurologist and Chair of the Mayo Neurology Research Committee. Hosted by Dr. Bryan Klassen and Dr. Kai Miller, this episode dives into the real stories, scientific breakthroughs, and future‑shaping ideas transforming neurology today. From life‑changing early discoveries to the frontier of neurotechnology, this episode offers a rare inside look at how innovation happens at a world‑leading institution. -What You’ll Hear in This Episode How career detours lead to medical breakthroughs Dr. Pittock recounts how one rotation changed his path from psychiatry to neurology — and how a simple knock on a lab door led him to help discover the first‑ever antibody biomarker for an MS‑like disease. The science behind EMG — and why experts still use their ears Dr. Staff and Dr. Klassen break down the difference between surface EMG, needle EMG, and how modern algorithms are augmenting (not replacing) clinical expertise. CAR‑T therapy and the future of treating autoimmune brain diseases Hear a clear, powerful explanation of how CAR‑T works — and how precision immune‑cell targeting may revolutionize care for rare neurological disorders. The “Power of Rare” Why rare diseases aren’t truly rare — and how solving one rare disorder accelerates treatments for many others. Team science, leadership, and accelerating discovery Our guests discuss how Mayo is shifting from siloed labs to collaborative, infrastructure‑driven innovation — and why patients can’t afford 25‑year timelines for cures. Funding realities & the future of biomedical research A candid discussion about NIH pressures, diversification of funding, and the growing role of industry and benefactors in powering medical breakthroughs.  Why This Episode Matters Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, engineer, student, or simply fascinated by the brain, this episode reveals the real mechanisms behind transformative discovery — not just in science, but in leadership, mentorship, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

    1 Std. 19 Min.

Info

The STEIN Fireside Podcast is a series hosted by the Society for Technology, Engineering, and Innovation in Neurosurgery (STEIN). Its purpose is to create an informal yet deeply insightful platform for discussing cutting-edge topics in neuroscience, neurosurgery, and related technologies. Episodes feature conversations with leading experts who share their research, clinical experiences, and perspectives on the future of brain science and interventions.

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