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Lab to Lives

Ivanna Rosendal

A simple question started this show: How do we medicine from the lab to making a difference in people's lives as quickly as possible? 


The answers are complex. Actual solutions are hard to come by. We want to distill ideas until we see actual impact in the industry. 


Our three hosts all have backgrounds in life sciences and in improv comedy. Together, with their guests, they're on a mission to have conversations that can have an impact. And have some fun along the way.

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  • 28 episodes
  • Avg 39 min
  • English

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  • Nov 19, 2025 · 29 min

    From Grief To Global Advocacy For Clinical Research In Infectious Diseases with Christian John Lillis

    Send us Fan Mail A routine dental visit, a few days of diarrhea, and then the unthinkable: septic shock and a life lost within 24 hours. Our guest, Christian John Lillis, shares how losing his mother Peggy to a community-acquired C. diff infection exposed a silent public health crisis and led him to co-found the Peggy Lillis Foundation (https://cdiff.org/). From that moment, advocacy turned concrete: raising awareness, training volunteers to speak with lawmakers and media, and pushing for policies that reflect the true burden of C. diff and other infectious diseases. We dig into what a modern, patient-centred clinical trial should look like. Christian explains why initial cure is not the only outcome that matters; for C. diff, the recurrence rate can define whether someone can work, travel, or care for family. We unpack why decentralized trials, telehealth diagnostics, and home nursing can transform access, speed up recruitment, and improve diversity—critical for evidence that holds up in real life. We also examine antibiotic stewardship, exploring how pathogen-targeted therapies can reduce collateral damage and help fight antimicrobial resistance while maintaining or improving efficacy and tolerability. Policy and incentives are central. Christian outlines the limits of market-driven R&D for smaller but deadly pathogens like VRE and CRE, and why tools such as GAIN, LPAD, and potential subscription models are needed to fund anti-infectives society desperately requires. We talk global spread, declining vaccination, and the communications gap that leaves many people vulnerable to misinformation. On the personal level, he shares practical steps for self-advocacy: bring someone to urgent visits, prepare questions, be firm and respectful, and share your story to fuel change. If you care about patient advocacy, clinical trial innovation, C. diff awareness, antibiotic resistance, and public health, this conversation offers both a roadmap and a rallying cry. Subscribe, share with a friend who works in healthcare, and leave a review telling us one change you’d make to make trials truly patient centred. Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S7 · E4
    Sep 10, 2025 · 29 min

    Decoding Real-World Evidence: Beyond Clinical Trials with Manfred Stapff

    Send us Fan Mail What if millions of electronic health records could transform how we understand medicine? In this thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Manfred Stapff, physician and real-world evidence pioneer, we uncover how anonymized patient data is revolutionizing healthcare research. Dr. Stapff reveals how the 21st Century Cures Act dramatically accelerated electronic medical record adoption in the US, creating unprecedented opportunities for researchers. Today, with 90-95% of American hospitals digitized and similar progress across parts of Europe, we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how medical knowledge is generated. But this transformation comes with crucial questions about data quality, privacy, and interpretation. Fascinatingly, real-world evidence offers solutions to problems traditional clinical trials can't address. While trials remain essential for developing new treatments, aggregated real-world data can help identify unexpected disease patterns, like rising cancer rates in younger populations. The sheer scale of this information—potentially millions of patient experiences—creates statistical power that individual studies could never achieve. The conversation takes a particularly compelling turn when Dr. Stapff shares his vision for democratizing medical knowledge. "What did we do 40 years ago when we had a question? We asked our doctor," he explains. "If we had access to electronic medical records... we could have access to the experience of thousands of physicians who treat hundreds of thousands or even millions of patients." This democratization could fundamentally change how patients understand their conditions and treatment options. Explore the emerging world of federated data networks, statistical literacy challenges, and why Dr. Stapff believes pharmaceutical companies should measure success not just in dollars but in lives improved. Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this episode offers valuable insights into how data is reshaping healthcare as we know it. Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S7 · E2
    Aug 27, 2025 · 18 min

    Democratizing Drug Development Through AI-Native Platforms with Ilya Burkov

    Send us Fan Mail Cloud computing is transforming biotech by offering purpose-built infrastructure that supports AI-driven drug discovery and development while meeting strict regulatory requirements. Dr. Ilya Burkov explains how Nebius provides full-stack solutions that democratize access to powerful technology, enabling researchers to achieve breakthroughs that previously required generations. • Cloud computing market was built for general purpose workloads but biotech needs specialized infrastructure for sensitive data and AI models • GPUs enable parallel processing that accelerates AI applications—like "a whole classroom solving math problems at once" versus CPUs solving one at a time • Applications include drug discovery, genomics, protein structure modeling, quantum chemistry, and single-cell modeling for cancer treatment • Nebius provides full-stack solutions with hardware and software layers, working with NVIDIA to offer specialized packages • Democratizing access to AI infrastructure is leveling the playing field between small biotechs and large pharmaceutical companies • Scientists can now accomplish in their lifetime what previously would have taken multiple generations of researchers • Breaking down silos between data teams and institutions is crucial for accelerating healthcare innovation Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S7 · E2
    Aug 13, 2025 · 27 min

    Incorruptible Evidence: Blockchain's Promise for Faster Drug Approvals w. Dominik Lysek

    Send us Fan Mail Dominik Lysek, CEO of PharmaTrail, explains how blockchain technology can solve trust issues in clinical trials by providing an incorruptible audit trail that verifies data integrity. This solution could significantly accelerate the time required for regulatory approvals, partnerships, and acquisitions, ultimately getting treatments to patients faster. • Blockchain provides a complete, unchangeable audit trail where data can only be added, never deleted • Most clinical data (99.9%) has integrity, but proving this to outsiders is time-consuming and costly • PharmaTrail uses private blockchain technology alongside traditional databases for optimal security and functionality • Blockchain verification can maintain momentum through due diligence processes, preventing deals from stalling • The technology creates trust by enabling independent verification of data integrity • Current systems face challenges with data credibility that delay patient access to treatments • Private blockchains protect patient data while still providing the benefits of immutable record-keeping Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S6 · E12
    Jul 30, 2025 · 38 min

    Revolutionizing Dentistry: AI and Research Innovation with Dr. Shervin Molayem

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Shervin Molayem shares his journey of innovation in dentistry, starting with his discovery of a connection between periodontal disease and COVID-19 severity that became the world's most-read dental article of 2020. He discusses groundbreaking technologies including AI-powered diagnostic tools and a revolutionary non-surgical treatment that regenerates bone tissue around teeth. • Discovered connection between gum disease and COVID-19 severity through interleukin-6 levels • Developing Trust AI, a dental co-pilot that gives practitioners instant access to research, bridging the 17-year gap between research and practice • AI dental diagnostics can detect 37% more pathology than human eyes by distinguishing 250 shades of gray versus only 30 • Created non-surgical periodontal regeneration technology using piezoelectric nanoparticles that kill bacteria and stimulate bone growth • Oral infections affect overall health with links to heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease • Clinical research needs greater transparency to eliminate bias, potentially using blockchain technology to make science "fraud-proof" • The volume of research is doubling every three years, making AI essential for clinicians to keep pace You can find Dr. Shervin Molayem on LinkedIn or Instagram under "DentalSurgeon," or try his free dental chatbot at shervin@trustdentistryai.com. Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S6 · E11
    Jul 2, 2025 · 36 min

    How early diagnostics of lung cancer can lead to better survival rates with Chris Wood

    Send us Fan Mail Chris Wood discusses how early diagnostics of lung cancer through artificial intelligence and medical imaging can lead to better survival rates through early intervention. • Lung cancer takes more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined, with approximately 70% of cases caught at late stages • The National Lung Screening Trial showed that screening high-risk populations reduced mortality by 20% • I-ELCAP research demonstrated an 80% twenty-year survival rate for early-stage cancers detected with CT scans and treated surgically • Preventive healthcare is shifting from general advice to personalized screening protocols based on individual risk factors • AI applications in medical imaging now assist with detection, characterization, and triage of disease • Lung biopsies have a 22% complication rate, making non-invasive diagnostic methods particularly valuable • AI-powered imaging can provide additional information to help clinicians decide whether to perform biopsies • In clinical trials, AI imaging analysis could improve patient selection and help trials reach endpoints more efficiently • Medical imaging gives patients visual information about their bodies that can motivate healthier lifestyle changes • The future of healthcare will likely focus on improving quality of life rather than simply extending lifespan If you have a suggestion for a guest for our show, reach out to Sam Parnell or Ivanna Rosendal on LinkedIn. You can find more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or in any other player. Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S6 · E10
    Jun 18, 2025 · 53 min

    From Hopeless to High-Performing: Transforming Pharma Teams with Rajesh Anandan and Nechama Katan

    Send us Fan Mail Building high-performing teams in life sciences requires understanding how neurodiversity can be an advantage and designing work systems that enable different brain types to collaborate effectively. • A high-performing team continues to function when everything around it has fallen apart • Star players can become crutches that mask underlying team issues • Life sciences faces unique challenges: financial pressures, outdated technology, layoffs, and pervasive lack of trust • Teams often develop learned helplessness after years of having initiatives rejected • Only 10-15% of people are needed to drive revolutionary change in an organisation • Traditional management approaches fail because they don't account for individual differences • Standard practices like the "feedback sandwich" often backfire depending on neurotype • Creating concrete team habits that normalize desired behaviours works better than abstract training • Tracking waste can give teams agency and hope while improving processes • Many come to life sciences wanting to make a difference—reconnecting to this purpose is powerful If you'd like to learn more about building high-performing teams in life sciences, reach out to Nehama Katan at wickedproblemwizards.com or find Rajesh Anandan at team-x.ai. Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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  • S6 · E9
    Jun 4, 2025 · 37 min

    Data Governance in the Age of Generative AI with Sebastian Andruszczak

    Send us Fan Mail Sebastian Andruszczak, Chief Growth Officer at Holisticon (part of the Nexer Group), brings fresh perspective to the conversation around generative AI adoption in pharmaceutical companies. Drawing from his unique background in sales, marketing, and technology, Sebastian cuts through the hype to address fundamental challenges that prevent successful AI implementation in life sciences. The conversation reveals a critical insight often overlooked in the rush to adopt new technology: without proper data governance, organizations risk "scaling disaster." Sebastian walks us through the specific challenges pharmaceutical companies face - from ever-changing data sources creating inconsistent AI responses, to linguistic variations causing subtle differences in interpretation across global teams. These issues become magnified when implementing AI at enterprise scale, potentially undermining the very efficiencies these technologies promise. Sebastian outlines a methodical, four-part approach to building effective AI systems: starting with data governance fundamentals, then data engineering, followed by traditional machine learning, and finally generative AI applications. This structured approach has proven successful for companies like Beringer Ingelheim, whose ambitious knowledge management system has already saved one million working hours by processing over 800,000 documents across 200 departments in 70+ countries. What makes this episode particularly valuable is Sebastian's candid assessment of the industry's current state. While acknowledging the transformative potential of strategic AI initiatives in drug discovery and knowledge management, he challenges the fear-driven implementation happening in many organizations. His "magic wand" wish for the industry reflects this pragmatism: focus first on data quality - a decades-old challenge that finally has the perfect justification for investment. Whether you're directly involved in pharmaceutical technology implementation or interested in how AI adoption affects life sciences advancement, this episode provides practical insights on building systems that deliver genuine value rather than just following technological trends. Connect with Sebastian on LinkedIn to continue the conversation. Visit Labtolives.com Do you want to try the quiz from this episode? Find the link on our LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/labtolives/ Would you like to join the show as a guest or collaborator? Find out how on our website: https://www.labtolives.com/ Support the show ________ Reach out to Ivanna Rosendal Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page Visit www.labtolives.com Hosts Alexander Booth Chiara Chianese Ivanna Rosendal Oshida

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Showing 21–28 of 28 episodes