Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Ira Pastor
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Interviews and Discussions With Fascinating People Who are Creating A Better Tomorrow For All Of Us - Host - Ira S. Pastor

  1. 10H AGO

    From Farms to Frontlines: The Real Power of Modern Drone Tech - Bill Irby, CEO, EagleNXT

    Send us Fan Mail Whether it’s a battlefield, a construction site, or a farm, the challenge is the same: how do you turn massive amounts of visual data into fast, accurate decisions? Increasingly, the answer is autonomous systems. transforming how we see the world—turning raw imagery into decisions at unprecedented speed. Bill Irby is CEO and Board Member of EagleNXT ( https://eaglenxt.com/ ), a leading provider of full-stack drone, sensor, and software solutions serving both commercial and government customers worldwide. Bill brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across the unmanned systems and defense technology landscape, spanning ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) platforms, communications systems, and advanced autonomy.  Prior to EagleNXT, Bill held senior executive roles across some of the most important defense companies in the world, including serving as President of Reconnaissance Mission Systems at L3Harris Technologies, where he led a $1.5 billion portfolio supporting some of the U.S. military’s most critical airborne intelligence platforms. Bill also served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Unmanned Systems at Textron Systems, overseeing globally deployed UAV and unmanned maritime systems, and held multiple leadership roles at Northrop Grumman, focusing on C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and tactical communications. Earlier in his career, Bill served as a Combat Engineer in the United States Marine Corps, leading missions across the globe. In addition to his operational leadership, Bill has played a key role in shaping the unmanned systems ecosystem serving as Chairman of the Board of AUVSI ( Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International - https://www.auvsi.org/ ), advocating for the safe integration and advancement of autonomous technologies. Bill is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, and completed executive education at Harvard Business School. #DefenseTech #DroneWarfare #AutonomousSystems #MilitaryDrones #ISR #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWar #UncrewedSystems #Aerospace #NationalSecurity #Robotics #AI #MilitaryTechnology #Innovation #TechPodcast #EmergingTech #BattlefieldTechnology #Surveillance #Geopolitics #StartupDefense Support the show

    40 min

  2. 1D AGO

    The Future of Transplants: Stopping Rejection Before It Starts - Dr. Janine Gaiha-Rohrbach, Ph.D. - Head of Global Medical Immunology - Biogen

    Send us Fan Mail Preventing transplant loss doesn’t just save organs—it could eliminate hospitalizations, reduce lifelong medications, and transform millions of lives. Dr. Janine Gaiha-Rohrbach, Ph.D. is a globally recognized leader in immunology and medical strategy, currently serving as Head of Global Medical Immunology at Biogen ( https://www.biogen.com/ ).  With a PhD in Immunology and Virology from the University Hospital of Berne and extensive postdoctoral research at the Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard, Dr. Gaiha-Rohrbach has dedicated her career to translating complex scientific advances into high-impact patient care. Throughout her career, Dr. Gaiha-Rohrbach has driven innovation across diverse therapeutic areas, including HIV, hepatitis, NASH, and specialized immunology, leading multiple new product launches and shaping global strategies to expand patient access. At Biogen, Dr. Gaiha-Rohrbach now focuses on advancing therapies in immunology with an emphasis on areas of high unmet need, including the evolving field of kidney transplantation. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the future of kidney transplant care, the limitations of current treatments for antibody-mediated rejection, and how emerging therapies targeting the immune system are poised to transform patient outcomes. #KidneyTransplant #TransplantInnovation #Biogen #Immunology #AntibodyMediatedRejection #AMR #CD38 #Felzartamab #OrganTransplant #HealthcareInnovation #Biotech #DrugDevelopment #PrecisionMedicine #Nephrology #ChronicKidneyDisease #MedicalBreakthrough #FutureOfMedicine #Immunotherapy #TransplantMedicine #LifeSavingScience #Podcast #HealthcarePodcast #BiotechPodcast #SciencePodcast Support the show

    47 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Can AI Rescue Failed Drugs? The Hidden Patients Inside Clinical Trials | Vin Singh, CEO, BullFrog AI

    Send us Fan Mail Pharma has spent decades building a graveyard of failed drugs — but hidden inside that data may be treatments that actually worked… for someone. Vin Singh is Founder and CEO of BullFrog AI ( https://bullfrogai.com/ ), a company working at the intersection of machine learning, causal modeling, and drug development. BullFrog is focused on a fundamental problem in biopharma — not just how to analyze increasingly large datasets, but how to extract meaningful cause-and-effect relationships from them. Their platform integrates data preparation, analysis, and network-based modeling to help research teams better understand biological mechanisms, identify patient subgroups, and improve clinical trial design. Vin brings a deep mix of technical, operational, and entrepreneurial experience to this challenge. Prior to founding BullFrog, he held leadership roles across the life sciences ecosystem, including serving as Global Director of the Cell Therapy Business at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he oversaw services supporting clinical and commercial-stage therapies. He also founded and led Next Healthcare, a company focused on adult stem cell and skin cell banking, and was an early co-founder at MaxCyte, helping build foundational technologies in cell engineering. In addition to his operating roles, Vin has been active in the innovation ecosystem as a Mentor in Residence at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures. Vin holds an MBA in Finance from Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University — a background that spans engineering, biology, and business. #CausalAI #DrugDevelopment #Biotech #ClinicalTrials #PrecisionMedicine #AIinHealthcare #PharmaInnovation #FailedDrugs #OncologyResearch #PancreaticCancer #FutureOfMedicine #MachineLearning #Biopharma #TranslationalMedicine #DigitalHealth #MedicalInnovation #DataScience #ClinicalResearch #AIinBiotech #HealthcareInnovation Support the show

    43 min

  4. 5D AGO

    A World Where Anyone Who Needs a Bone Marrow Transplant Gets One - Kevin Caldwell - CEO - Ossium Health

    Send us Fan Mail Bone marrow transplants have always depended on finding the right donor at the right time. But what if bone marrow could be stored, shipped, and used on demand—just like a drug? That’s exactly what Ossium Health is now showing in human clinical data. Kevin Caldwell is the Co-Founder, CEO, and President of Ossium Health ( https://ossiumhealth.com/ ), a clinical-stage bioengineering company pioneering off-the-shelf, cryopreserved bone marrow therapies derived from deceased organ donors. Under Kevin’s leadership, Ossium has developed a novel platform designed to solve one of the most persistent challenges in transplantation medicine: timely access to compatible bone marrow for patients with life-threatening hematologic malignancies such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The company’s approach enables on-demand delivery of viable marrow cells, bypassing the logistical and biological constraints of traditional donor matching and scheduling. Since its founding, Kevin has scaled Ossium from an early-stage startup into a clinical-stage company with a robust network of over 50 strategic partnerships across supply, clinical development, and commercial channels. He has led multiple financings and secured a landmark contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, validating Ossium’s relevance to national health preparedness and biomanufacturing resilience. Most recently, Kevin has overseen the company’s transition into human clinical validation, including first-in-human data from the PRESERVE I trial, real-world use cases in transplant rescue scenarios, and peer-reviewed publication of its GMP-based manufacturing platform and early outcomes. Prior to founding Ossium, Kevin was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, advising biotech and healthcare companies on strategy, M&A, and restructuring. Earlier, he worked in quantitative research at Bridgewater Associates. He holds degrees in Physics and Economics from MIT and a JD from Harvard Law School. #Biotech #BoneMarrowTransplant #StemCells #CancerTreatment #Leukemia #AML #CellTherapy #RegenerativeMedicine #Biotechnology #FutureOfMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalBreakthrough #Immunotherapy #TransplantMedicine #Cryopreservation #LongevityScience #Bioengineering #StartupScience #OnDemandMedicine #PrecisionMedicine #ClinicalTrials #Biopharma #DeepTech #LifeSciences #HealthcareDisruption Support the show

    45 min

  5. 6D AGO

    Inside The Race To Build Better Lyme Disease Diagnostics and Treatments - David Walsey - Executive Director, Bay Area Lyme Foundation

    Send us Fan Mail Lyme disease affects hundreds of thousands of people every year—and yet we still struggle to diagnose it, treat it, and prevent it. David Walsey is a strategic biotech leader with more than two decades of experience helping public life sciences companies translate scientific innovation into market impact.  As Executive Director of the Bay Area Lyme Foundation ( https://www.bayarealyme.org/ ), David leads national efforts to accelerate research, improve diagnostics, and expand access to effective treatments for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses—an area of growing public health urgency. Prior to joining the Foundation, David served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at MEI Pharma, where he oversaw corporate strategy, investor relations, and communications during a critical period for the company. His career spans leadership roles across the biotech ecosystem, including Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Sarepta Therapeutics, Arena Pharmaceuticals, and Maxim Pharmaceuticals, as well as strategic communications roles at agencies such as Real Chemistry (formerly W2O Group), The Ruth Group, and Noonan Russo. David began his professional journey as a practicing attorney in New York City, bringing a legal and financial lens to his later work in biotech leadership. He holds an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College. #LymeDisease #LymeVaccine #Pfizer #Biotech #VaccineScience #PublicHealth #TickBorneDisease #MedicalInnovation #Biotechnology #Healthcare #InfectiousDisease #ClinicalTrials #VLA15 #Pharma #DrugDevelopment #SciencePodcast #Longevity #Diagnostics #VenturePhilanthropy #BayAreaLyme #FutureOfMedicine #BioInnovation #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalResearch Support the show

    39 min

  6. 6D AGO

    Restoring Function, Not Just Treating Disease - The Rise of Physiatry - Dr. Michael Yochelson, MD - Chief Medical Officer, Shepherd Center - Board of Governors, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    Send us Fan Mail There’s an entire medical specialty, Physiatry, dedicated not to treating disease - but to helping patients regain their lives. And most people have never heard of it. Dr. Michael Yochelson is a Physiatrist and a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation medicine and brain injury care ( https://shepherd.org/staff-directory/michael-yochelson/ ). Dr. Yochelson serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Shepherd Center, one of the top hospitals in the United States for spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Medicine ( https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=MYOCHEL ). Board-certified in both neurology and physical medicine & rehabilitation, Dr. Yochelson has spent decades at the forefront of helping patients recover from some of the most complex neurological injuries. Prior to Shepherd Center, he held major leadership roles at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network and Georgetown University, where he also founded and led a Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship program. Earlier in his career, Dr. Yochelson served for over a decade in the United States Navy, including leadership roles in neurology and rehabilitation medicine. In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Yochelson serves on the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ( https://www.aapmr.org/ ), where he chairs the Inclusion and Engagement Committee, helping shape the future of a specialty dedicated not just to treating disease—but restoring function, independence, and quality of life. Important Episode Link -  Understanding Spasticity: A Simple Guide to Symptoms, Treatment, and Getting Better -  https://www.aapmr.org/resources/AAPMR_Spasticity_Patient_Journey.html #Physiatry #RehabilitationMedicine #AAPMR #Neurorehabilitation #BrainInjury #StrokeRecovery #SpinalCordInjury #Mobility #Function #QualityOfLife #Neuroplasticity #RecoveryScience #FutureOfMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #PatientRecovery #DisabilityCare #HumanPerformance #Longevity #MedicinePodcast #HealthPodcast #SciencePodcast #ClinicalInnovation #MedicalEducation #RestoreFunction Support the show

    43 min

  7. MAR 24

    The First Male Birth Control Pill Is Finally Here | Akash Bakshi - CEO, YourChoice Therapeutics

    Send us Fan Mail For decades, male birth control has remained one of medicine’s most elusive goals. Now, a new non-hormonal pill is entering human trials—and could finally change the balance of reproductive responsibility Akash Bakshi is CEO and Co-Founder of YourChoice Therapeutics ( https://www.yourchoicetx.com/ ), a company working to develop the first hormone-free birth control pill for men. Akash’s work sits at the intersection of biotechnology innovation, reproductive health, and social change. His team is advancing YCT-529, a first-in-class non-hormonal contraceptive currently in human clinical trials, designed to safely and reversibly suppress sperm production by targeting retinoic acid signaling. Before founding YourChoice, Akash held leadership roles across biotech and drug development, including serving as CEO of ANA Therapeutics, where he rapidly advanced a COVID-19 therapeutic into clinical trials and led the company through acquisition, as well as COO of NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, Akash worked at University of California, Berkeley helping bridge early-stage science and commercialization—experience that clearly shaped his approach to translating breakthrough academic research into real-world therapies. At a time when contraceptive responsibility has largely fallen on women—and amid growing debates around reproductive rights—Akash and his team are trying to fundamentally reshape the landscape. #MaleBirthControl #BirthControlPillForMen #NonHormonalContraception #YCT529 #BiotechBreakthrough #FutureOfMedicine #ReproductiveHealth #MensHealth #WomensHealth #FertilityScience #PharmaInnovation #ClinicalTrials #BiotechStartups #HealthcareInnovation #EndUnintendedPregnancy #SciencePodcast #LongevityAndHealth #DrugDevelopment #MedicalBreakthrough #ContraceptionRevolution #FutureOfHealthcare #RARalpha #YourChoiceTherapeutics #BiotechCEO #HealthTech #PostRoeWorld Support the show

    46 min

  8. MAR 23

    Mineral Biology: What a Crayfish Can Teach Us About Human Health | Eden Ben - CEO, Amorphical

    Send us Fan Mail There’s an animal that can rebuild its entire body structure in just a few days—and it might hold clues to a new kind of medicine. Eden Ben is CEO of Amorphical ( https://www.amorphical.com/ ), a pioneering biotech company out of Israel that’s been quietly building a completely new approach to mineral-based therapeutics. Founded in 2004, Amorphical has developed a proprietary nano-formulation of amorphous calcium carbonate—what they call ACC—engineered using biomimicry principles inspired by how certain organisms naturally stabilize calcium in highly bioavailable forms. What makes this so interesting is that ACC behaves very differently from traditional crystalline calcium. It’s dramatically more soluble, significantly more bioavailable, and appears to act not just as a supplement, but as a functional, bioactive material that can influence cellular and tissue-level processes. The company is leveraging this platform across a range of indications—from bone and metabolic diseases to inflammatory conditions—aiming to move beyond symptom management and toward addressing underlying biological mechanisms. Eden himself has had a fascinating journey with the company—from early business development and global market expansion, to leading clinical and product strategy, and now stepping into the CEO role to scale both the science and the business globally. #Biotech #Longevity #Geroscience #Calcium #Nanotechnology #Biomimicry #ExtracellularMatrix #CancerResearch #Inflammation #Osteoporosis #BoneHealth #FutureOfMedicine #LifeSciences #Biology #RegenerativeMedicine #HealthInnovation #StartupScience #DeepTech #MedicalBreakthrough #Podcast #SciencePodcast #IsraeliInnovation #NanoMedicine #AgingResearch Support the show

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

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Interviews and Discussions With Fascinating People Who are Creating A Better Tomorrow For All Of Us - Host - Ira S. Pastor

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