Mind Over Molecules

In this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with John Hess, an Associate Project Manager at Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. Stryker develops innovative technologies used in hospitals and operating rooms around the world, from orthopedic implants and surgical equipment to robotics-assisted surgery and advanced patient care systems. But behind every device used in medicine is a massive team of engineers, researchers, and project managers working to bring...

For years, one major question haunted biology: how do proteins fold? These tiny molecular machines run every part of life, from memory to immunity, but their shapes were a mystery locked away in complexity. Then, almost overnight, artificial intelligence cracked the code. In this episode, we’ll explore how AI like AlphaFold solved the protein puzzle, why it matters for medicine, and how algorithms are now designing entirely new proteins that evolution never dreamed of. Enzymes that eat plasti...

What if life had evolved backwards? In this episode, we explore the frontier of mirror life, a version of biology built from molecules that are the exact opposite of ours. From drugs that could last forever in the body, to organisms resistant to every virus on Earth, to the mind-bending question of why life chose left-handed molecules in the first place, mirror biology pushes the limits of science and imagination!

Squishy, soft, and mostly made of water, hydrogels don’t sound like cutting-edge science, but beneath the jelly-like surface lies a powerful tool that’s changing medicine! In this episode, we uncover how hydrogels are being used to deliver drugs exactly where they’re needed, to rebuild damaged tissues, and even to model the hostile “neighborhood” of cancer in the lab. We learn about the science behind how hydrogels work, the challenges scientists face in making them stronger and smarter, and ...

Everyone talks about your GPA, test scores, and college apps—and while all of these things are essential, there is not enough focus on you. Who you’re becoming. What you’re learning about yourself. And how to actually use high school as a launchpad for success instead of a pressure cooker. In this episode, we’re shifting the focus from perfection to progress. I’m sharing the mindset shifts, strategies, and personal reflections that helped me stop just surviving high school and start growing t...

Welcome to Mind Over Molecules! In this introductory episode, I’m going to be sharing with you what this podcast is all about — from introducing some of the topics we’ll be discussing, to my motivations for starting this podcast in the first place. Mind Over Molecules is for student scientists and curious minds who want to dive into research, improve their academic outlook, and explore innovations in biotechnology, medicine, and more. Whether you're a student, future researcher, or just some...