The podcast that dives into groundbreaking research from the University of Cambridge and provides powerful stories from patients whose lives are forever changed by the diseases we receive funding to study.
Hosted by Dr Ahsen Ustaoglu, breast cancer survivor and postdoctoral researcher working on early detection of oesophageal cancer at the Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge
Mapping the diagnostic delay in endometriosis at single-cell resolution
What does "normal" actually look like in a system as complex as the human endometrium? And why does it still take over eight years for so many to find answers for their pain?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Charlotte Cassie, a postdoctoral researcher in the Vento-Tormo lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Charlotte is at the forefront of efforts to map the endometrium at single-cell resolution, to build a cellular "atlas" that serves as the essential blueprint for understanding gynaecological health.
Complementing the science is the lived experience of Sahir Ahmed-Evans. Over the last 15 years, Sahir has navigated a grueling journey through endometriosis and chronic illness, eventually undergoing a hysterectomy and bowel surgery that led to surgical menopause. Sahir shares her story of resilience and her transition into systemic advocacy, community building, and education within the women’s health space.
Join us as we explore how this high-resolution science is finally shedding light on endometriosis, one of the most historically under-researched conditions in medicine.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Spatiotemporal cellular map of the developing human reproductive tract | Nature (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09875-2)
Gynaecology Information Zine: Created by Charlotte and her colleagues at the Vento-Tormo Lab: Outreach - VenTo Lab (https://ventolab.org/pelvicmatters-outreach/)
Follow Sahir’s Advocacy: SAHIR AHMED EVANS | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahir-ahmed-evans-03a38193/)(2) (https://www.instagram.com/saeempowercoaching/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/saeempowercoaching/)
Sahir Ahmed-Evans | Menopause & Midlife Empowerment Coach for Women 40+ (https://sae-empower-coaching.newzenler.com/aboutme)
16 Feb 2026
Taming the inflamed heart using regulatory T cells
Dr Rouchelle Srinanjan-Rothwell, NIHR clinical lecturer at the University of Cambridge, talks about her recently published IVORY trial, in which the Cambridge team investigated anti-inflammatory therapy using repurposed IL-2 drug to treat acute coronary syndromes
You can find the study here: Anti-inflammatory therapy with low-dose IL-2 in acute coronary syndromes: a randomized phase 2 trial | Nature Medicine (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04090-y)
In this episode, we also hear from Mark Andrews, recently treated at CUH for a heart attack, and who took part in the trial.
Let us know what you would like to hear from next by commenting!
29 Oct 2025
Harnessing the gut for weight loss: natural antidote to obesity
Founder and CEO of Elcella, and lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, Dr Madusha Peiris, spills the tea on her team's discovery in human gut tissue which has resulted in an impactful, natural weight management treatment.
Could this be the new natural alternative to Ozempic? Tune in to find out!
Elcella: https://elcella.com
Madusha's research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zXeh8S4AAAAJ&hl=en
Want to share your story? Get in touch via the comments!
29 Sept 2025
Rethinking cancer from the Rebel Cell perspective
In Episode 3, I'm joined by award-winning science writer, public speaker and broadcaster, Dr Kat Arney. She takes us on the evolutionary journey of her career from being a geneticist in the lab, to becoming a bestselling author, while providing a new lens on cancer.
You can buy Rebel Cell wherever you source your books: Rebel Cell by Dr Kat Arney | Waterstones (https://www.waterstones.com/book/rebel-cell/dr-kat-arney//9781474609319?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=176013&awc=3787_1759137258_b7ee0d35a7c7bab9068e73a0aa6f0c7c&utm_source=176013&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Redbrain)
Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions, or if you're interested in sharing your story, at au280@cam.ac.uk or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram
31 Aug 2025
Decoding the cancer genome to personalise patient care
In this episode, I'm joined by Prof Serena Nik-Zainal, a legendary research group leader in genomic medicine. Join us for a deep dive into the cancer genome, and how we can harness it to better inform treatment for patients.
Serena's research: https://www.earlycancer.cam.ac.uk/professor-serena-nik-zainal
Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions, or if you're interested in sharing your story, at au280@cam.ac.uk or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram.
21 Jul 2025
Beyond the Statistics: Ovarian Cancer from Community to Clinic
Welcome back to Coffee Break Science Season 2! In this episode I'm joined by Christen Williams, co-founder of cancer prevention charity BRCA Chat who support people navigating a germline genetic mutation that significantly increases risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.
The expert scientific landscape is then beautifully set by Dr Siddhartha Kar, associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge.
You can find out more about BRCA chat on their website: https://brcachat.com/
Siddhartha's latest research: https://www.earlycancer.cam.ac.uk/dr-siddhartha-kar
Contact Ahsen with feedback, questions or if you're interested in sharing your story, contact her at au280@cam.ac.uk, or @ahsenonfilm on Instagram
26 May 2025
Welcome to Season 2
The hosts launch season two of Coffee Break Science, promising to explore new scientific topics and discoveries.
30 Dec 2022
Academia to YouTube & Entrepreneurship
Dr. Amina Yonis shares her journey from research scientist to successful YouTuber and academic consultant, highlighting her transition from academia to full-time entrepreneurship in an interview.
24 Dec 2022
Infectious Disease Research & Science Communication Across Europe
Dr. Carla Usai discusses her international career as an infectious disease postdoctoral scientist and science communicator, highlighting her work on viruses and immunology in both English and Italian in this interview.
11 Dec 2022
Dentistry, Head and Neck Cancer Research & Motherhood
Host interviews Dr. Elham Sahafi, a dentist and scientist, about her PhD research identifying EGFR as a biomarker for head and neck cancer prognosis and her experiences navigating pregnancy and motherhood during her studies.
2 Dec 2022
Clinical Research, Medical Education & Imposter Syndrome
Dr. Irem Ishlek discusses medical education, research during training, and challenges faced by doctors from minority backgrounds in this interview.
24 Nov 2022
Anthropology to Medical Imaging in Gastroenterology
Dr. Heather Fitzke discusses her career path from social anthropology to medical imaging in neurogastroenterology, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working in the public sector and academia in this interview.
17 Nov 2022
Molecular Oncology, Medical Writing and Data Science
Dr. Joe Worrall discusses his journey from a molecular oncology PhD to medical writing, including developing a flashcard generator for students, in this interview.
3 Nov 2022
Self-Exploration Experiments: Bench to Digital Nomad
Hannah Thompson, PhD, explores navigating diverse roles to understand job preferences and discusses digital nomadism for scientists turned product managers in an interview with the host.
27 Oct 2022
Accounting to Neuroscience: The Excitatory Road to Assistant Professorship
Dr. Kristen Smith-Edwards recounts her unique path from accounting to neuroscience, highlighting pivotal moments that led to her assistant professorship at the Mayo Clinic in this interview.
20 Oct 2022
Academia to Product Management
Dr. Atiya Sarmin shares her journey from a Bioengineering PhD to product management, highlighting challenges faced by women from BAME backgrounds in academia in this interview.
22 Sept 2022
Welcome to Coffee Break Science!
This trailer introduces "Coffee Break Science" and promises conversations with scientists, offering listeners a glimpse into upcoming episodes.
Who has been a guest on Coffee Break Science
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Dr Amina Yonis
Dr Carla Usai
Dr Elham Sahafi
Dr Irem Ishlek
Dr Heather Fitzke
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Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
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