Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds
Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds
5.0from 7 ratings
- 17
- Episodes
- 7
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds
A podcast that brings the people, passion, and possibility behind health and medical research into the spotlight - at UNSW Medicine & Health. Hosted by Dr Sam McAllery, Talk Nerdy is a show for curious minds who are interested in big ideas, inspired by the people behind them, and keen to connect, collaborate, and think beyond their own field.
- Publisher
- Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds
- Category
- health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 6 Aug 2025
- Latest episode
- 7 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
17 episodes in the feed.
7 Oct 2026
S2:E7 - The Cellular Mystery of Psychedelics
In this episode, Sam sits down with Greg Redpath to explore why serotonin and psychedelic compounds can produce such different effects despite action on the same receptors, and how studying their activity inside cells could inform new treatments for mental health and neurodegenerative conditions. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Greg’s work by visiting: Greg’s UNSW Profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/gregory-redpath) The UNSW Department of Molecular Medicine Webpage (https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/our-schools/biomedical-sciences/about-us/our-people/our-departments/molecular-medicine) Credits: Guest: Dr Greg Redpath Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
30 Sept 2026
S2:E6 - Molecular Ibuprofen: Engineering Better Transplants
In this episode, Sam sits down with Shane Grey to explore how targeting the tissue involved in type 1 diabetes could help control inflammation, improve islet-cell transplantation and support the development of new gene therapies. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Shane’s work by visiting: Shane’s UNSW Profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/shane-grey) The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences Webpage (https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/babs) Credits: Guest: Professor Shane Grey Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
23 Sept 2026
S2:E5 - Scaling What We Learn from Rare Disease
In this episode Sam sits down with Michelle Farrar to explore the transformation of spinal muscular atrophy treatment. From a leading genetic cause of infant death, to a condition with effective therapies, newborn screening and dramatically improved survival. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Michelle’s work by visiting: Michelle’s UNSW profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/michelle-farrar) Michelle’s NeuRA Profile (https://neura.edu.au/researchers/michelle-farrar) Michelle’s webpage on the ANZ CNS website (https://www.anzcns.org.au/research/special-interest/michelle-farrar/) The Paediatric Neurology Research Group’s webpage on the NSW Kids Research website (https://kr.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/our-research/neuroscience/paediatric-neurology-research-group) Credits: Guest: Professor Michelle Farrar Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
16 Sept 2026
S2:E4 - Finding Cancer in the Biological Noise
In this episode, Sam sits down with Fatemeh Vafaee to explore how AI and advanced biotechnology are reshaping precision medicine. From blood-based cancer detection to more personalised diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Fatemeh's work by visiting: Fatemeh’s UNSW research profile (https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-fatemeh-vafaee) The Vafaee Lab website (https://vafaeelab.com/) UNSW AI Institute website (https://www.unsw.edu.au/unsw-ai) The OmniTx website (https://omnitx.ai/) Fatemeh’s LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatemeh-vafaee-22483733/) Credits: Guest: Associate Professor David Jacques Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
9 Sept 2026
S2:E3 - What HIV Taught Us About HTLV
In this episode, Sam sits down with David Jacques to explore how understanding the structure of viral capsids can reveal new opportunities for drug discovery. From HIV treatments to the search for new ways to prevent HTLV transmission. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about David's work by visiting: David’s UNSW Profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/david-jacques) The UNSW Structural Virology Research Website (https://www.sms.unsw.edu.au/our-research/structural-virology) The UNSW Structural Biology Facility (https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/facilities-and-infrastructure/find-a-facility/sbf) Credits: Guest: Associate Professor David Jacques Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
2 Sept 2026
S2:E2 - Rethinking Proteins with AI
In this episode, Sam sits down with Kate Michie to explore how AI is transforming structural biology - making protein structure prediction more accessible while opening new possibilities for personalised medicine and drug design. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Kate's work by visiting: The UNSW Structural Biology Facility (https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/facilities-and-infrastructure/find-a-facility/sbf) Kate’s UNSW Profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/kate-michie) Credits: Guest: Associate Professor Kate Michie Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
27 Aug 2026
S2:E1 - Treating Cystic Fibrosis, Precisely
In this episode, Sam sits down with Adam Jaffe to explore the transformation of cystic fibrosis treatment - from managing symptoms to developing precision therapies that target the underlying genetic cause. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Adam's work by visiting: The Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Laboratory Webpage (https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/our-schools/clinical-medicine/research-impact/research-groups/infectious-disease-immunity-inflammation/molecular-integrative-cystic-fibrosis-research-laboratory) Adam’s UNSW Profile (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/adam-jaffe) Credits: Guest: Professor Adam Jaffe Host: Dr Sam McAllery Executive Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
9 Oct 2025
S1:E9 - Immunity in Unexpected Places
In this episode, Sam sits down with Sarah to explore how trauma can trigger surprising immune responses – revealing why not all lung injuries are the same, and why treatment might need to be just as tailored. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Sarah’s work and how to get in touch HERE (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/sarah-sasson) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: Dr Sarah Sasson, Program Head at the Kirby Institute at UNSW, and a clinical immunologist and immunopathologist at Westmead Hospital. Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
2 Oct 2025
S1:E8 - Begin at the Bedside
In this episode, Sam sits down with Alisa to explore how clinical care can drive discovery - a patient-first, precision-focused approach to research that starts at the bedside and builds outward. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can learn more about Alisa’s work HERE (https://sydpath.com.au/sydpath-pathologists-dr-alisa-kane/)and if you’d like to get in touch with her or explore potential collaborations, feel free to reach out to me at s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: A/Prof Alisa Kane, Associate Professor at UNSW and clinical immunologist at St Vincent’s and Liverpool Hospitals Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
25 Sept 2025
S1:E7 - Rewriting Immunology, One Mutation at a Time
In this episode, Sam sits down with Elissa to explore how rare, single-gene immune disorders are helping decode the broader puzzle of autoimmunity. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Elissa’s work and how to get in touch HERE (https://www.garvan.org.au/people/researchers/elissa-deenick) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: Scientia A/Prof Elissa Deenick and co-Director of the Precision Immunology Program at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
18 Sept 2025
S1:E6 - What Lurks Beneath the Contact Lens
In this episode, Sam sits down with Nicole to explore Acanthamoeba keratitis - a rare but serious eye infection that mostly affects contact lens wearers - and how her work bridges public health advocacy and molecular research. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Nicole’s work and how to get in touch HERE (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/nicole-carnt) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Guest: Nicole Carnt, Associate Professor and the Director of Research at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, UNSW Medicine and Health Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
11 Sept 2025
S1:E5 - Endemic Thinking
In this episode, Sam sits down with Alexandra to explore how we can plan smarter, more sustainable COVID-19 vaccination strategies - a deep dive into modelling disease transmission in a world where the virus is no longer new, but far from gone. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Alexandra’s work and how to get in touch HERE (https://alexandrahogan.com/) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: Dr Alexandra Hogan, Scientia Senior Lecturer at the School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
4 Sept 2025
S1:E4 - Can a B cell be redeemed?
In this episode, Sam sits down with Debbie to explore how foundational immunology can help us design better vaccines especially when the infectious agent looks a little too much like us. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Debbie's work and how to get in touch HERE (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/deborah-burnett) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: Dr Deborah Burnett, Scientia Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences at UNSW Medicine & Health Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
28 Aug 2025
S1:E3 - Breathing into Discovery
In this episode, Sam sits down with Martin to explore how breath can be used as a powerful window into the body’s inner workings, a deep dive into metabolism, inflammation, and real-time diagnostics. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Martin's work and how to get in touch HERE (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/martin-lindley) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: : Dr Martin Lindley Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
21 Aug 2025
S1:E2 - It Takes a Village (to Tackle RSV)
In this episode, Sam sits down with Nusrat to explore how data-driven epidemiology can transform child health and why RSV is more than “just a virus.” Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Nusrat’s work and how to get in touch here (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/nusrat-homaira) For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Guest: A/Prof Nusrat Homaira Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights) License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
14 Aug 2025
S1:E1 - Disruptive Vaccinology
In this episode, Sam sits down with Jake Baum to explore what he calls disruptive vaccinology - a bold, systems-level rethink of how we approach vaccines for complex diseases like malaria. Inspired by this episode? Here’s how to connect. You can find out more about Jake’s work by visiting his lab’s website (https://www.baumlab.com (https://www.baumlab.com/)) and the global health burden of malaria through the WHO world malaria report (https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/reports/world-malaria-report-2024 (https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/reports/world-malaria-report-2024)).Speaking of which, after the recording, Jake let us know he made a small slip. A child dies from malaria every minute or so, not every second. Although, as he put it, we should work like it is every second! For feedback on this episode or to connect with the UNSW Medicine & Health research community, please email s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au (mailto:s.mcallery@unsw.edu.au) Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
6 Aug 2025
S1: Introducing Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds
In this short teaser, host Dr Sam McAllery shares what Talk Nerdy: Connecting Curious Minds is all about - a podcast that brings the people, passion, and possibility behind health and medical research into the spotlight at UNSW Medicine & Health. You’ll get a taste of what’s to come in Season One, hear who the show is for, and why it’s designed to help curious minds connect, collaborate, and think beyond their own field. Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Dr Sam McAllery Producer: Jacob Bird Audio Editor: Long Nguyen Audio Credits :Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights (https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/city-lights)License code: MA91CVI5KB9HED3V
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- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 6 ratings
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