Getting Cultured on Viruses with Immunologist Dr. Azza Gadir
Manage episode 363138792 series 3291931
According to National Geographic, about ten nonillion (10 to the 31st power) individual viruses are said to exist on our planet Earth. Of these, biologists estimate that 380 trillion live on and in our bodies at a given moment. The common thought when it comes to viruses is disease and sickness. In fact, a recent pandemic owes its ravaging existence and plague to a virus. What exactly are viruses that they can uproot lives and nations? Are they dead or alive? What makes them different from bacteria? What enables a virus to cause pandemics (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) versus a common cold (i.e., rhinovirus)? How does our immune system protect us from these biological intruders? How do vaccines prevent the havoc that viruses seek to wreak?
We are joined today by immunologist Dr. Azza Gadir. She received her BSc in Biochemistry and Immunology from King's College London in 2006, MSc in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2007, PhD in Autoimmunity from University College of London in 2011, and a postdoctoral research fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital in 2018, where she delved into the role of the gut microbiome in disease protection conferment early in life. Dr. Gadir now stands as the Scientific Advisor and Director of Research and Development at microbial sciences company Seed and the Portfolio Manager at Orionis Biosciences. She was awarded the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Abstract Award in 2010 by University College London. She extends her immunologic expertise as an online science communicator, as seen in Digital Health Today, Women's Health Magazine, and Ember.
Livestream Air Date: August 29, 2022
Azza A. Gadir, PhD: IG @azzagadir
Friends of Franz: IG @friendsoffranzpod & FB @friendsoffranzpod
Christian Franz (Host): IG @chrsfranz & YT Christian Franz
Thankful to the season's brand partners: Clove, BETR Remedies, Eko, Lumify, RescueMD, Medical School for Kids, Your Skincare Expert, Twrl Milk Tea
78 episodes