Mind Over Molecules

Send us Fan MailHello guys! I'm starting a new series called Monthly Musings where I get to have an unedited chat with you guys about things going on in my life as an ambitious high school senior getting ready for college. This month we are talking about college admissions -- not from the POV of a college admissions advisor, which I am not, but from the POV of someone going through it alongside you  -- as well as the trials and tribulations of senior year, and some general advice I would have for you as your older sister in STEM. Thank you so much for your support, and I apologize for the long wait on this episode. I have been super busy, as I am sure you all are as well, but we are getting back on it! Enjoy!!!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Mind Over Molecules, we’re stepping into the fascinating world of lemurs with Sara Sorraia from the Duke Lemur Center. We’ll explore what makes these incredible primates so unique, from their behavior and evolution to the applications of lemur research in society and medicine. Join us as we uncover what lemurs can teach us about science, conservation, and the importance of protecting Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity! Donate to the lemurs at lemurs.duke/wishlist (https://lemur.duke.edu/get-involved/wishlist/)!!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we get real. I reflect on the journey that led to the publication of my research paper in the Journal of High School Science. I also talk about my experience as a student in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, working closely with my mentor, Clara Figueras, through the demanding process of researching, writing, revising, and ultimately publishing a scientific manuscript. I discuss how the skills I developed during that experience inspired my independent computational research project, which I presented at the Terra North Jersey Science Fair.My leading motivation for pursuing this dicey adventure: You are a woman with a brain, and reasonable ability, stop whining, and find something to do -- Violet Crawley (AKA the queen herself, Maggie Smith). P.S. You can conquer the world with Google Sheets. ;P Below are the links (as promised) to my official publication and my project poster! Enjoy the yap sesh!Coppo, Julia M. 2026. “Synthetic Antigen-Augmented SynNotch CAR T Cell Therapy for Glioblastoma: A Conceptual Design Review.” Journal of High School Science 10 (3): 26–55. https://doi.org/10.64336/001c.164664.Link to TNJSF project poster: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canva.com%2Fdesign%2FDAHD88ZwVoA%2FOheky5i6WQKUwNmTmU9TWQ%2Fview%3Futm_content%3DDAHD88ZwVoA%26utm_campaign%3Ddesignshare%26utm_medium%3Dlink2%26utm_source%3Duniquelinks%26utlId%3Dh4a4d3e884b&sa=D

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with Clara Figueras, a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge whose work focuses on cell signaling and kinase proteins. Together, we explore the science behind her research, what it is like to pursue a PhD at one of the world's leading universities, and the challenges that come with a career in STEM. Clara shares her experiences navigating imposter syndrome as a scientist and the lessons she has gained from working in research. We also discuss the experience of being a woman in STEM, how opportunities and representation have evolved, and what changes still need to be made to create a more inclusive scientific community. Whether you're interested in biomedical research, considering a future in science, or simply curious about the people behind groundbreaking discoveries, this conversation offers an honest and inspiring look at life in research!!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with Professor Terry J. Hart—a former United States Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut, and current professor of mechanical engineering at Lehigh University—for a conversation about exploration, engineering, and the future of humanity in space. Selected by NASA in 1978, Professor Hart flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during mission STS-41C, where he helped deploy and repair satellites in orbit during one of the most ambitious eras of human spaceflight. Beyond his work in orbit, he has spent decades contributing to engineering education and innovation. He mentors the next generation of scientists and engineers both through his Lehigh University courses and his TikTok account, @ihartaerospace. In this episode, we discuss his journey from engineering student to astronaut, the mindset required to work in high-pressure aerospace environments, and his perspectives on leadership, teamwork, and resilience in STEM. We also dive into the Artemis II mission and what humanity’s return to deep-space exploration means for the future. Most importantly, we reflect on the Challenger disaster and the lessons it continues to teach us about engineering ethics, organizational culture, communication, and the human cost of exploration. Professor Hart shares thoughtful insights on risk, innovation, and what young engineers and scientists must understand as they shape the future of technology and discovery!!

Send us Fan MailCancer. It’s a word we all know, but few of us truly understand. Unlike viruses or bacteria, cancer doesn’t come from the outside; it’s a disease of self, where your own cells go rogue and break every rule of biology. In this episode, we dive deep into what cancer actually is, why it’s so hard to treat, and how it constantly evolves to outsmart our immune system and therapies. From the “brakes and gas pedals” of your DNA, to the hostile tumor microenvironment that protects cancer like a fortress, to the incredible new treatments that reprogram the immune system itself--this is the story of one of biology’s toughest battles. By the end, you’ll see cancer not just as an illness, but as a high-stakes evolutionary game happening inside the body.PS: I was beyond exhausted while recording this, so you might hear a few mispronunciations. If something sounds like a “C” instead of a “T,” I meant “T”. Thanks for bearing with me!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Mind Over Molecules, I sit down with John Hess, an Associate Project Manager working in the medical technology field. Behind every device used in healthcare is a massive team of engineers, researchers, and project managers working to bring innovations from concept to reality. In our conversation, John shares what it’s like to work in the med‑tech industry, how projects move from early design to real clinical use, and the skills needed to coordinate large teams working on complex healthcare technologies. We also talk about the intersection of engineering, healthcare, and business, and how students interested in STEM can begin exploring careers in medical technology. If you’re curious about how medical devices are developed, what it’s like to work in the med‑tech industry, or how science turns into real‑world solutions that improve patient care, this episode is for you!!

Send us Fan MailFor years, one major question haunted biology: how do proteins fold? These tiny molecular machines run every part of life, from memory to immunity, but their shapes were a mystery locked away in complexity. Then, almost overnight, artificial intelligence cracked the code. In this episode, we’ll explore how AI like AlphaFold solved the protein puzzle, why it matters for medicine, and how algorithms are now designing entirely new proteins that evolution never dreamed of. Enzymes that eat plastic, drugs built in weeks instead of decades, even proteins tailored to your DNA! This isn’t science fiction, it’s happening right now. But what happens when machines become better than nature at writing the rules of life?

Send us Fan MailWhat if life had evolved backwards? In this episode, we explore the frontier of mirror life, a version of biology built from molecules that are the exact opposite of ours. From drugs that could last forever in the body, to organisms resistant to every virus on Earth, to the mind-bending question of why life chose left-handed molecules in the first place, mirror biology pushes the limits of science and imagination!

Send us Fan MailSquishy, soft, and mostly made of water, hydrogels don’t sound like cutting-edge science, but beneath the jelly-like surface lies a powerful tool that’s changing medicine! In this episode, we uncover how hydrogels are being used to deliver drugs exactly where they’re needed, to rebuild damaged tissues, and even to model the hostile “neighborhood” of cancer in the lab. We learn about the science behind how hydrogels work, the challenges scientists face in making them stronger and smarter, and the incredible future possibilities, from 3D-printed organs to injectable gels that heal from the inside out!