The Fundamentals

Welcome to The Fundamentals, a podcast where we explore biomedical research here at Michigan Medicine–and meet the scientists behind it.

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts

The Fundamentals with hosts Kelly Malcom and Jordan Goebig sitting on a microscope stage under a spotlight from the objective lenses.

Research is fundamental to the University of Michigan’s mission to improve the world.

From basic science, which aims to answer fundamental questions about how life works and how disease takes hold. To translational research, which seeks to find ways to apply discoveries in the lab or the field to treat or prevent illness. To clinical research that tests potential life-changing interventions in people and looks for the best ways to deliver care for the benefit of all.

In The Fundamentals, we'll meet the people behind the research, learn more about their fields and the fundamental questions they are trying to answer – from how do we help relieve pain and stop the opioid epidemic, to how do we use data to personalize healthcare – and discover why the University of Michigan Medical School is such an amazing place for research.

The Fundamentals is part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Recent Podcasts

See all The Fundamentals podcasts

The Fundamentals

The Future of Cell and Gene Therapies

On this episode of The Fundamentals, we talked to physician scientist, Dr. Monalisa Ghosh, assistant professor of medical oncology and internal medicine, who is looking to expand CAR-T's application from cancer to autoimmune disorders and beyond.

The Fundamentals

The Bioethics of Data and A.I. in Healthcare

Season four of The Fundamentals is here, and we're celebrating by doing a special two-episode release to launch the season! On this episode of the Fundamentals, we talked to Professor Kayte Spector-Bagdady, the George E. Wantz Professor of Bioethics, about the use of massive amounts of data, artificial intelligence, and more. Be sure to check out our second launch episode and our entire back catalog on The Fundamentals website, or on your favorite podcast player.

The Fundamentals

The Race to Uncover the Hidden Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Season four of The Fundamentals is here, and we're celebrating by doing a special two-episode release to launch the season! On this episode of The Fundamentals, we talk to two clinician scientists determined to unlock the mysteries of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Dr. Marc Peters-Golden and his mentee, Dr. Sean Fortier, discuss their research and the race to uncover the hidden causes of IPF to offer new hope to patients. Be sure to check out our second launch episode and our entire back catalog on The Fundamentals website, or on your favorite podcast player.

The Fundamentals

How Can We Achieve Health Equity?

In today's episode of The Fundamentals, we talk with Dr. John Ayanian, director of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Dr. Ayanian's research explores underlying factors that contribute to persistent health disparities between minoritized groups and their white counterparts, as well as strategies for ending inequity in health care and improving overall health outcomes for everyone.

The Fundamentals

Researching Psychedelics for Potential Therapeutic Use

Recently, interest in psychedelic research has seen a resurgence, strengthened by better designed and controlled clinical trials and the use of neuroimaging, examining psychedelics' potential therapeutic use for PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and depression. On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. George Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology and founder of the Michigan Psychedelic Center about using rigorous scientific methods to unlock the mysteries of psychedelics and investigate their potential as therapeutics.

The Fundamentals

A.I. and Bioinformatics to Reveal Hidden Networks of the Brain

There are an estimated 86 billion neurons in the human brain. Neuroscientists are actively exploring the importance of single or small groups of neurons versus networks of billions of neurons in the processing of sensory information, storage of memories, generation of movement, and everything else the brain does. Until recently, it simply wasn't possible to study billions of neurons at once. In today's episode, we talk with U-M's Dr. Anne Draelos, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and assistant professor of computational medicine and bioinformatics, who is using A.I. and bioinformatics to reveal the hidden networks of the brain, and exploring how gaining this understanding could improve lives.

Connect with Michigan Medicine

Michigan Podcast Network

Try our Other Podcasts

The Michigan Medicine Podcast Network brings together a range of podcasts covering everything from health and wellness news and innovative research to how the field of medical education is changing.

Visit the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network

Health Lab Podcast

Health Lab Podcast is your destination for news and stories about the future of healthcare.

Health Lab Podcast

The Fundamentals

Welcome to The Fundamentals, a podcast where we explore biomedical research here at Michigan Medicine–and meet the scientists behind it.

The Fundamentals

Michigan (in blue) Answers (in yellow) on a white background

Michigan Answers Podcast

The Michigan Medicine Podcast Network brings together a range of podcasts covering everything from health and wellness news and innovative research to how the field of medical education is changing.

Michigan Answers Podcast

Breaking Down Mental Health

Breaking Down Mental Health focuses on educating medical professionals about various mental health topics.

Breaking Down Mental Health

Cancer Aware

Knowing and understanding your cancer risk is important. Whether it’s prevention, treatment options, the latest discoveries or news, we’ll help you get Cancer Aware.

Cancer Aware

Michigan Medicine Presents

Welcome to “Michigan Medicine Presents,” a wide-ranging exploration into topics spanning the field of medicine.

Michigan Medicine Presents

Michigan Surgery Sessions

Join hosts from the Michigan Medicine Department of Surgery as they bring you stories about the latest in surgical clinical care, education and more with faculty, residents and medical students.

Michigan Surgery Sessions

Minding Memory

In this podcast we discuss topics related to dementia research. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for dementia research, and we have topics for both those new to the space as well as old pros.

Minding Memory

UMich Med Mosaic

Stories and Insights for Future Medical Students and Anyone Interested in the Human Side of Medicine.

UMich Med Mosaic

Well-Being at Michigan Medicine