About Science Behind Science with Dennis Grencewicz
We talk about science now more than ever, but what does it actually take to generate a drug, become a phenomenal scientist, or have a lab of your own? The Science Behind Science Podcast takes you backstage of research to show you how scientific discoveries really happen.
Hosted by Dennis Grencewicz, and cancer researcher and medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, he sits down with scientists to humanize the individuals behind groundbreaking discoveries and to gain perspective on ethical dilemmas in research and best practices in scientific education and business.
Emphasizing the Physician in Physician Scientist: Science + Education with Dr. Mary Beth Fontana
Dr. Fontana is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Emeritus in Cardiovascular Diseases at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. This interview took place during the American Physician Scientist Association Midwest Meeting on March 8th, 2025 in a session entitled "Interview with an Icon."
Dr. Fontana completed her BA, MD, Internal Medicine Residency, and Fellowship in Cardiology at The Ohio State University Hospital (she’s only spent one year away for her internship at UNC Chapel Hill).
After all of her training at OSU, she decided to stay. She became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in 1971 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1976. Although OSUCOM students know her primarily as an educator, she is also a clinician scientist, publishing many papers on valvular disease, ranging back to as early as 1970 with a paper entitled “The Varying Clinical Spectrum of the Systolic Click” in Circulation.
To speak to her background as an educator. She became the director of the ACLS program in 1991 until 2004. She also became the Director of the Independent Study Program in 1992, which was one of the educational paths for preclinical medical students at Ohio State at the time. Notably, she has been the Cardiopulmonary Block Co-Director for Preclinical Education since 2011.
She has won at least 35 Teaching Awards in the College of Medicine, including the Ohio State University Lifetime Teaching Award, and is deeply intertwined with this institution.
16 Feb 2025
High Stakes Exam Prep Done Right: Science + Education with Dr. Rahul Damania
Today's conversation is with Dr. Rahul Damania, a Pediatric Critical Care physician and founder of HyGuru, a fantastic platform structured to prepare medical students for high stakes exams. After completing his medical degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University and pediatrics residency at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Damania pursued his fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine while simultaneously earning a Masters in Medical Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Damania began his journey in medical education while still a medical student, teaching his first USMLE course and later developing HyGuru, an innovative approach to medical board exam preparation. His teaching methodology, which emphasizes the integration of basic sciences with clinical practice, has helped countless medical students navigate high-stakes exams.
In our conversation, we explore the changing landscape of medical education, including the recent transition of USMLE Step 1 to pass/fail, strategies for exam success, and the role of emerging technologies like AI in medical training. Dr. Damania shares insights from his unique perspective as both a practicing intensivist and medical educator, discussing how to balance clinical duties with educational innovation, and offering advice for aspiring medical entrepreneurs.
16 Nov 2024
Science Under Pressure - The High-Stakes World of Drug Discovery: Science + Industry with Dr. Derek Lowe
Dr. Derek Lowe is a highly respected figure in the pharmaceutical industry, known for his deep expertise in drug discovery and development. Derek got his BA from Hendrix College and his PhD in organic chemistry from Duke University on synthesis of natural products, before spending time in Germany on a Humboldt Fellowship. Dr. Lowe has made significant contributions to medicinal chemistry, working on various stages of drug research, from target identification to lead optimization. He has worked for both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech firms, providing him with a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the field. He is currently a Director at Novartis.
In addition to his professional work in the laboratory, Dr. Lowe is perhaps best known as the author of the popular blog In the Pipeline, which he has been writing since 2002. The blog offers insights into the world of drug discovery, covering scientific advances, industry trends, and the realities of pharmaceutical research. In the Pipeline has become a go-to resource for scientists, investors, and enthusiasts who seek to understand the complexities of drug development.
Dr. Lowe’s unique combination of hands-on experience in medicinal chemistry and his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience has made him a prominent voice in the scientific community. In our conversation, we discussed how he arrived at the position he currently holds, as well as how to think about academic science versus industry science. I continue to want to understand the similarities and differences between practicing these two types of science, and I believe Dr. Lowe gives a great pitch as to why one might want to become a scientist and how you can consider whether academics or industry may make more sense for you.
Useful Links:
In the Pipeline by Dr. Derek Lowe (https://www.science.org/blogs/pipeline)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.6 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
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Quality
66
Social presence
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YouTube
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Engagement
51
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