In this episode, we chat with Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA, Chair of the Department of Medicine and infectious disease researcher. Dr. del Rio describes how he got involved in research and some of his career highlights. Our discussion spotlights his national and global impact on HIV and other infectious diseases research. He also reflects on the meaningful relationships he’s built throughout his career and reveals his passion for classical music, including his special connection with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Please note that this episode was recorded in the fall of 2024.

In this episode, we welcome Professor Vibha Lama, Vice Chair of Research in the Emory DOM and the Augustus J. McKelvey Chair in Lung Transplantation Medicine at Emory, into the podcast studio. Dr. Lama describes her "path less traveled" from medical school to leading expert in lung transplant rejection and her research focused on the biology of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Dr. Lama also shares her love of gardening and the meaning of the songs that she contributes to the Research Ride playlist.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Inaki Sanz, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Emory and a world-renowned expert in the biology of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Sanz discusses the diverse manifestations of this disease and his research, focused on understanding why the immune systems of lupus patients attack their own tissues. Dr. Sanz also shares his insights into how to build a robust research program, as well as his memories of competing in the Olympic Games.

Welcome back for Episode 6 of the Research Ride Podcast! In this episode, Ride Leader, Charlie Searles, MD is joined by Jeanie Park, MD, translational scientist, nephrologist, and expert in hypertension. Dr. Park discusses her journey from poet/pianist to basic scientist to clinician to translational research investigator who conducts innovative studies of the "flight or fight" response in humans with kidney disease, hypertension, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Park also demonstrates her eclectic music tastes in the songs that she contributes to the Research Ride playlist, available on Spotify!

In this episode, Louise Hecker, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Investigator discusses her journey into understanding why the tissue injury repair process goes awry during aging, the development of drugs that can treat tissue fibrosis, and how she has spun her discoveries into companies. Dr. Hecker also reveals her "walk-out" songs during the podcast, which you can listen to on our Research Ride Spotify playlist HERE!

In this episode, Neal Dickert, MD, PhD, research ethicist and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, returns for part II to discuss his research on shared decision making between clinicians and their patients and how clinicians communicate out-of-pocket expenses (financial toxicity) of medicines to their patients. Dr. Dickert also shares the songs that he wants to contribute to the Research Ride playlist and how you can follow him on the Peloton leaderboard.

In this episode, Neal Dickert, MD, PhD, research ethicist and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology discusses his journey from philosophy major in college to physician-scientist who studies the process of informed consent for participation in clinical trials of emergency care and how clinical investigators should effectively and respectfully communicate with acutely ill patients. Dr. Dickert also provides advice on what other investigators should and should not do early in their research careers.

In this episode, Ted Johnson, MD, division director of the Division of General Internal Medicine and chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, discusses how he found his research niche in nocturia (i.e. urinating at night), lessons he has learned from both sides of the mentorship coin, how his childhood experiences inspired him to serve vulnerable human (and canine) populations, the origin of his Twitter handle (@BaldHeadTed), and the three songs he cannot live without.