The Fundamentals of Understanding Cancer Genetics with Summer Morrill
In this episode of the MIT Learn Beyond Biology podcast, Dr. Summer Morrill, a high school biology teacher with deep roots in cancer genetics from her PhD work at MIT, unpacks the complex topic of cancer. Summer shares how her personal family history shaped her interest in the field, why cancer is not one disease, and how fundamental biology research helps explain everything from DNA repair to tumor suppression in humans.
This conversation is both scientifically rich and deeply human. This episode represents the reality that cancer research is not only about cells and mutations, but also about families, mentorship, resilience, and the ongoing search for answers. Learn more about biology and genetics at learn.mit.edu.
More from Beyond Biology Podcast (video)
39:51Personalized Medicine, Diabetes, and AI with Dimitris Bertsimas
In this MIT Learn Beyond Biology episode, MIT professor Dimitris Bertsimas joins Mary Ellen Wiltrout to share how advances in data and AI enable healthcare to move beyond one-size-fits-all treatment? Dimitris discusses how operations research, AI, and patient data could help make medicine more personal with a focus on diabetes care. Dimitris shares how family experiences shaped his healthcare research, including work using electronic medical records to help personalize diabetes treatment. He also explains how genomic data could support earlier intervention, why sharing anonymized health data matters, and how AI might help clinicians make decisions without replacing their judgment. The conversation ranges from optimizing Panama Canal operations to the future of personalized medicine and lifelong learning. Dimitris Bertsimas is the Vice Provost for Open Learning, the Associate Dean of Online Education and Artificial Intelligence, Sloan, and the Boeing Professor of Operations Research.
46:59The Heart of a Scientist with Alan D. Grossman
MIT biology professor Alan D. Grossman shares the story of his medical crisis that began with unexpected lightheadedness on campus in 2002 and led to a heart in 2006. The conversation traces the medical details of sarcoidosis, heart failure, immunosuppression, and recovery, while also showing how Alan kept teaching, mentoring, and leading through it all. After listening, you will gain a broader appreciation of resilience, rare disease research, and the life-saving impact of organ donation. Mary Ellen Wiltrout guides the story from diagnosis to transplant to leadership during the pandemic, with Alan reflecting on what changed in his work, priorities, and perspective.
50:39How Parasites Are More Common Than You Think with Sebastian Lourido
Discover the fascinating world of parasites and their complex relationships with humans through an insightful conversation with Sebastian Lourido, a molecular parasitologist at MIT. This MIT Learn Beyond Biology episode goes into the diversity of parasites and how they infect humans, with a focus on Toxoplasma gondii but not leaving out Cyclospora. The discussion includes insights on the cutting-edge tools that scientists use to understand parasites. Sebastian also shares the story of his own encounter with the parasite that he now studies and how he thinks about science from his artistic perspective.
44:43Inside the Cell: Why Pathogens are the World’s Best Cell Biologists with Becky Lamason
Understanding how bacteria evade our immune systems and cause disease is vital for developing better treatments and diagnostics. In this MIT Learn Beyond Biology podcast episode, MIT professor Becky Lamason shares her insights on bacterial pathogens, their interaction with human cells, and the future of infectious disease research. This discussion reveals not only the complexity of microbes but also how innovative science can uncover new paradigms in host-pathogen interactions. Stay to the end to learn more about Becky’s personal path to the lab.
45:44Unlocking Brain Plasticity: Treating Blindness in India with Pawan Sinha
MIT Professor Pawan Sinha delves into the science of vision, brain plasticity, and the transformative power of scientific innovation in addressing global health challenges in this MIT Learn Beyond Biology podcast episode. Discover how research on early visual deprivation has shaped our understanding of neural development, and explore the inspirational journey of his nonprofit, Project Prakash, transforming lives in India.
In this episode:
The historical context of the 1981 Nobel Prize on critical periods in vision development
The mechanisms of visual processing in the brain, as discovered by Hubel and Wiesel
The role and surprising findings from the monocular deprivation studies in kittens
How William James' description of a newborn's sensory experience relates to visual development
The personal story of Darius, Professor Sinha's son, and its impact on his research
The global challenge of childhood blindness, especially in India, and the potential for treatment
The surgical process and scientific opportunities provided by early intervention in cataract cases
The experimental insights into how dynamic perception plays a crucial role in visual development
The founding, achievements, and ongoing work of Project Prakash over the past 21 years
The educational impact of immersive global experiences for MIT students in India
A discussion on autism, sensory sensitivities, and the link with visual processing differences
The importance of challenging received wisdom and embracing scientific curiosity for advancing knowledge
MIT Learn (learn.mit.edu): MIT’s hub for a growing collection of lifelong learning experiences
Project Prakash (https://www.projectprakash.org/): To learn about Pawan Sinha's ongoing work in India
