In this conversation, Dr. Danillo Augusto shares his journey from Brazil to the US, detailing his experiences with the neglected autoimmune disease Pemphigus and his current research focus on genomic equity. He discusses the importance of studying underrepresented populations in genomics and the challenges faced in addressing health disparities.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Pemphigus is a neglected autoimmune disease endemic to Brazil.
• Health disparities are evident in the lack of research on diseases affecting poor populations.
• Most genomic studies focus on European ancestry, creating gaps in understanding.
• Danilo secured a significant NIH grant to study Pemphigus.
• Understanding limitations leads to better scientific partnerships.
• Team science is essential for addressing complex research questions.
• Genetic variation in immune regions is often overlooked.
• SARS-CoV-2 research revealed strong genetic associations.
• Environmental factors can trigger health issues in populations.
• Future research should focus on underrepresented genetic regions.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Abbe LaBella, Assistant professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte. She will take us along her journey from designing mailboxes to studying fungal genetics. Along the way, there will be deep sea adventures, genetic breakthroughs, and lessons for all stages of life.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Abby actively mentors students from high school to postdoctoral levels.
• Her deep-sea research involved collecting samples using the submersible Alvin.
• Abby's lab focuses on understanding the implications of genomic variation.
• Silent mutations, once thought inconsequential, can influence disease outcomes.
• The field of codon usage bias is relatively new and evolving.
• Machine learning can uncover patterns in genetic data without bias.
• The importance of tRNAs in protein synthesis is often overlooked.
• The NIH grant will focus on understanding silent synonymous data in yeast.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Alex Dornburg, Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Genomics, as he shares his journey from childhood passion for wildlife photography to groundbreaking research in evolutionary informatics. We explore the fascinating world of Antarctic fishes, the cutting-edge applications of generative AI in education, and the critical role of team science in solving complex problems. Whether you're curious about marine biology, AI, or the intersection of diverse scientific disciplines, this episode offers a unique perspective on discovery, resilience, and innovation.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

• Passion Leads to Discovery: Alex Dornburg's love for photographing animals as a child sparked his lifelong interest in science, eventually leading to a career in evolutionary informatics.

• Evolutionary Informatics: Alex's work focuses on using bioinformatics and evolutionary biology to address contemporary problems, such as forecasting biodiversity changes and understanding emergent diseases.

• Antarctic Fish Research: Alex studies unique Antarctic fish that lack hemoglobin and have adapted to extreme environments, using genetic traits that, in humans, would cause severe conditions like brittle bone disease.

• Adapting During the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic shifted Alex’s focus from fieldwork to computational research, highlighting the flexibility needed in science to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

• AI in Education: Alex uses generative AI in his teaching to help students explore bioinformatics tasks, making science education more engaging, individualized, and relevant to their interests.

• Team Science: Alex emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating diverse perspectives and expertise to tackle complex problems in biology and beyond.

• Revolutionizing Public Health: By applying evolutionary biology, Alex's team modeled antibody waning and reinfection risks for COVID-19, providing actionable insights during the pandemic and shaping future responses.

• Environmental DNA (eDNA): His lab uses eDNA technology to map biodiversity in marine environments, offering a non-invasive way to track species presence and ecological changes.

• Science Is a Journey of Learning: Alex believes science is a continuous conversation that demands curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to embrace failure as part of the process.

• Personal and Professional Legacy: Alex aspires to mentor successful, fulfilled students, contribute meaningfully to science, and maintain a lifelong love for learning and exploration, including his personal goal of becoming a polyglot.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast