Shows
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology027 Cancer Surges Among Young Patients - Time Bombs over “Turbo”Welcome to our most CONTROVERSIAL episode yet! We address “Turbo cancer” (idk what’s specifically meant by this still but I outline the likely/historical geneses behind these cases), inflammation issues, central dogma basics, mRNA vaccine tech, the rise of the microbiome and its importance for health, and the likely (yet boring) underlying sources of the rising cancer diagnoses among Millennials and younger Gen X patients. We’ll cover what stages and “bombs” were set decades ago. I wish that I had more time to keep going, so maybe we’ll do a part 2 since this is a big, complicated st...2025-07-1539 min
Degrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Study Effectively - Pre-dental Student and Professor DiscussWhat are some of the best approaches towards effective studying? My driven Pre-dental student Sean Erdahl covers what's worked for him. We dive into the challenges of post-grad preparation, maintain a good GPA, and how education is shifting. Sean also shares how to succeed after the college transfer process. We cover other keys like finding partners to study with alongside some funny stories from class, including how he would run a classroom if given the chance. Enjoy!0:00 Intro1:20 Exam Reflections1:51 Pre-dental Study Success3:08 DAT Studying5:48 Finding Community in College2025-05-1330 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to choose to right college - Student and Prof agree to seek ones with research opportunitiesHow important are research opportunities in college? Important enough for my excellent student Anna Wilcox to choose Minnesota State. We cover a ton of helpful topics, namely the process of choosing a college, the joy of being handed the keys to your own research project, and the realities of paying for school when you come from a small family. This one is rich with heart and motivation for making the journey. Enjoy!0:00 Intro0:53 Choosing a college2:02 Research Opportunities 3:31 Journey to school6:01 Becoming good at science8:58 Leading a research project11:43 Grad school plans14:44 PhD Plans16:30 Paying for College21:08 AI in...2025-04-2532 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Keep a 4.0 GPA in College - Student and Professor Agree that Drive is KeyHow do the top college students do it? I'm joined by my articulate and hilarious pre-dental student, Elle Nisbit to hear her secrets. The key isn't a single cognitive study hack; it's effort, motivation, and finding strategies that work through trial and error. We cover other keys like finding partners to study with alongside some funny stories from class. Elle also lays out how she came to love studying Biology and Dentistry, key points for any students in the same spot. Enjoy!0:00 Intro1:16 Choosing a college3:25 Why Pre-dental6:22 How to become an Academic Weapon8:30...2025-04-0833 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Pick a College Major that You Love - Student and Professor DiscussWhat are the best parts of college? Lily Flaherty shares how she chose a college as a high school student, chose her major, and advice she has for others. As a pre-science (MS, PhD) student, she shares how to find coveted undergraduate research opportunities and how to maximize your network. We also cover fun topics like overcoming indecision, the importance of communication and organization, and when to ask for help. Enjoy!🔴 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnwMyklYPGa-Q7rn4W73K_f5jk_szGFRf🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/44K6JyNN8mZzsvQtdiQ8d...2025-03-2521 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Balance College Sports and Biology – A Student Athlete’s Premed JourneyWhat's it like to be a full-time student athlete? NCAA Division II National Champion Basketball player Malcolm Jones shares how he balances athletics, school, and the extra effort required to succeed as a premed student. Listen to learn practical advice for navigating the daily life of a student athlete, which comes with its own challenges and benefits. More than anything, we've got a lot of positivity in this one - enjoy!🔴 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnwMyklYPGa-Q7rn4W73K_f5jk_szGFRf🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/44K6JyNN8mZzsvQ...2025-03-1127 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Survive College as a Premed While Working – A Student-Professor GuidePremed Biochemistry major Emma Sealey shares how she juggles academics, multiple jobs, clinical volunteering, and research - all while preparing for the MCAT and medical school. If you're a premed student working through college, this episode is packed with practical advice on time management, study strategies, and extracurriculars that matter.🎙️ Hosted by Biology Professor Keenan Hartert, Degrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEM explores the experiences and successes of today’s college students, infused with humor and straight talk.✅ What You’ll Learn:How to balance wor...2025-02-2737 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Succeed in STEM, The Arts, and AI – A Future Scientist’s Perspective with ProfessorWhat's the future of science? The arts? Artificial Intelligence? Sarah Oberstar discusses her take as a pre-science Biology major intent on pursuing a PhD in the biomedical sciences while maintaining her love of culture and art. We discuss the importance of college community, research opportunities, making the most out all of your classes (not just STEM ones), and how science connects to art. This is an episode full of laughs, insights, and advice for future STEM students!🎙️ Hosted by Biology Professor Keenan Hartert, Degrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEM explores the exper...2025-02-1842 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Make College Worth It – A Student & Professor on Creativity and Mad ScienceIs college worth it? How can students pay their own way in college? Biomedical major Ashton Erdmann shares his insights across a nontraditional path to college and what fosters his desire to learn more. We dive into "mad science" ideas, the future of human enhancement, funding questions, and where biotech might take us in the coming decades. If you’re navigating college finances as a first-gen, STEM careers, or just love futuristic science discussions, this episode is for you!🎙️ Hosted by Biology Professor Keenan Hartert, Degrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEM explore...2025-02-1835 minDegrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEMHow to Thrive as a First-Gen Premed – Success Insights from Student & ProfessorPremed Biology student Monica Montejo shares her story, noting the experience as a first-gen transfer student, now a Biomedical Sciences major. She works in the Mayo Clinic ER while balancing classes and MCAT studying. Monica shares her insights on academics and making the most of college resources. Listen for great insights about overcoming challenges in STEM to succeed!🎙️ Hosted by Biology Professor Keenan Hartert, Degrees Between Us: Student Success in College and STEM explores the experiences and successes of today’s college students, infused with humor and straight talk.✅ What You’...2025-02-1829 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology026 Tumors to Textbooks - My Cancer Biology Students Discuss the Science and FutureWelcome to a special episode where I'm joined by 11 of my Minnesota State students as we close out our Cancer Biology lecture! We weave through discussions surrounding generational causes of cancer, potential next-generation hallmarks, treatment & financial ethics, and what the future hold for this disease as a whole.
All said, this one is super fun because there are contributions from pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-STEM students in the room. These 11 wanted to be here, and their enthusiasm shows. I'm grateful for this group and the opportunity to teach. 2024-12-0838 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology025 Do CAR-T Cells Cause/Become Tumors?The basic answer is no. When faced with R-CHOP resistance, DLBCL patients now have the option to utilize genetically modified Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) designed to hunt tumors. This episode investigates the recent controversy into if these super-cells can transition into a villainous tumor themselves. We cover a paper by Garcia et. al. that showcases how much power we are adding to CAR-T, even activating oncogenes to do it. Next, we transition to a large analysis from Stanford where 724 patients are examined, with 1 developing a T-cell tumor. Sequencing this case reveals that no synthetic vector DNA integrations or...2024-09-2221 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology024 Resistance: How Healthy B-cells Fight Back Against Your TumorHello! I’m recently returned from my annual ASH meeting where I see all of the latest advances in blood cancers. This specific facet was my favorite: small, insurgent populations of healthy B-cells portend better survival because they prime your T-cells to keep fighting. Super cool! I also have some mother grey stories from the meeting to share that I’m hopeful to get out on another episode. Thank you as always for listening!2024-01-0313 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology023 Depleted: How we are Beginning to Visualize the Tumor MicroenvironmentWelcome back! It's been a while. I'm excited to get going again with an episode on the emerging science of "ecotyping" the cells around tumors - the microenvironment. Ecology and Evolution of lymphoma tumors is only half the story. We needed to know more about the state of cells around the tumor. How do they affect the surrounding immune cells? Do they support the tumor? We examine the worst possible scenario: when very little remains except for tumor and support cells. What are the consequences for immune-specific therapies like CAR-T cells? Hopefully this episode provides a good intro to...2023-02-2824 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology022 What if we DNA Sequenced Everybody?What do you think? Would the immensely powerful amount of data be a game-changer for medicine? Or does DNA sequencing miss too much of the picture to be worth the cost? This question is an example why we need leaders that understand Biology as genomics becomes hyper-accessible. I do my best to discuss the primary Pros and Cons of each side, along with possible modifications to the proposal. Enjoy!2021-10-1020 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology021 Can DNA Predict Who We Love? Part IICan your genome match you with a soulmate? Sort of, but we’d need more than just mammal genomes to know... I hope you enjoy, and collect your thoughts on the proposal at the end of the episode if you’re interested!2021-04-2511 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology020 Can DNA Predict Who We Love? Part IThe Netflix series The One is based on a book with a similar premise: via genome sequencing, we can match you with your best possible partner. The show is a great watch, and the science is not too far outside the possible. In fact, it’s far closer than the Sci-fi elements suggest, although this comes with some caveat changes. This is Part I of a set of episodes related to mass sequencing and how this could relate to medicine, cancer, the inner workings of the genome, and where the human mind falls within that. I hope you enjoy!2021-03-2410 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology019 Viral Gene Therapy: Augment Your DNAThis episode covers how gene therapy may emerge as a critical tool for medicine as we seek to treat the previously untreatable. Can we ADD genes to specific cells to help humans overcome fated genetic ailments? Why has this process challenged us in the past? And lastly, who is going to pay for all these expensive viral delivery systems? Join to take a first look at how medicine and genetics can change the future.2020-06-1618 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology018 BONUS: The Top 20 Insights for Students Interested in Medical or Healthcare Graduate ProgramsBONUS EPISODE - I collected the top 20 insights from my personal and professional colleagues that completed or are currently undertaking medical school or another healthcare program to share with my students. This episode is a recorded conversation with several of my students over video. I share what I can from my experiences, those of colleagues, and also address student questions. I hope it offers something new for those of you considering a career in healthcare! NOTE - the recording ends at the 60 minute limit sadly.2020-04-141h 00For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology017 Journeys Into Biology EducationJoin me and Gustavus Adolphus College colleague Katie Peterson to discuss our research, how we teach, our paths to becoming professors, and student questions! In this episode we address interdisciplinary connections between evolution, environmental change, and cellular biology. We hope you enjoy!2020-04-0253 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology016 Tumorigenesis: How Cancer Begins and How it Can EndThis episode covers the basics of how a cancer begins. Genetic mutations can often knock out genes responsible for keeping an eye on how many cell divisions are allowed. Once these are out of the way, aggressive growth genes can overcome them and cause initial tumor populations to form. After further successive survival advantages are gained, tumors eventually break free from their original organ/tissue and wreak havoc. Learning how to address the initial and final stages of cancer are key towards better clinical outcomes for all patients.2019-10-2627 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology015 CAR-T Cell Therapy: The Age of Living Cancer DrugsChimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) represent one of the most profound and exciting advances in modern medicine and science. Many lymphoma patients fail therapy after therapy with little recourse. CAR-T aimed to stop that. Taking immune T-cells from the patient, engineering them to target cancer cells, and re-releasing them into the patient would’ve sounded crazy 20 years ago. Thanks to modern technology, science, and clinical practice we’ve created something powerful. The CAR-T enter patients and attack the tumor, but a massive immune reaction can induce massive side effects. This episode explores some of the exciting news, future possibilities, and...2019-07-2132 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology014 Social Media, Medicine, and TrustWe live in an age where social media provides a platform for everything - good and bad. I wanted to summarize how ideas can be spread, weaponized, and distorted, much like a disease. We also briefly go over the differences between ideas and beliefs. The episode takes a look at how stem cell clinics offer hope through social media without a solid foundation of biology with which to apply their therapies (that nobody knows how to control or stop from hurting people). Cancer can be an unfortunate consequence of visiting one of these clinics. We can reflect on how...2019-07-1124 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology013 B-cell Biology, Rampant DNA, and LymphomasToday’s episode details my research area: B-cells and the resulting lymphomas. The journey of a B-cell is violent and chaotic. To produce the best possible antibody protein against pathogen, the body employs an all-or-nothing tool: DNA modification. Nowhere else in the body is the DNA in cells actively manipulated and changed, except in B-cells. It’s no wonder they result in so many lymphoma cases. Tune in to learn more about this tumultuous process!2019-05-2340 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology012 The Viruses Within Us and How They Help Treat Cancer via EpigeneticsThis is an exciting and quick episode that mainly covers the findings of a recent Daniel D. Carvalho paper in Nature Reviews called “Epigenetic therapy in immune oncology” where the authors elaborate on new mechanisms of cancer treatments. Essentially, the epigenetic Cancer therapies that cause genes to reprogram the “on/off” state also awaken ancient relic viruses that lie dormant in our DNA, which subsequently leads to a massive immune response against the tumor. These mechanisms may play a role in treating aggressive forms of the disease that usually evade the immune system. Enjoy!2019-03-1214 minFor Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology011 Domestication: Fear, Behavioral Genetics, and Why Your Dog Loves YouDomestication is a very interesting process and was first performed millions of years ago. The relationships between humans and dogs is of particular interest, as are the genetic and developmental changes that make them possible. We also delve into controversy and how the process of tameness selection brings along more than what’s expected. Enjoy, and go hug your dog or cat!2019-03-0127 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology010 Pandora’s Box Exists, and it’s Called CRISPR-Cas9Everything you’ve heard about CRISPR is likely closer to the truth than not. The possibilities are exiting, and the possibilities are terrifying. This episode dives into the logic and ethics behind CRISPR-Cas9’s DNA-changing capabilities and what it means for science, healthcare, and war. Now is a good time to start learning about this next step in technology and to form your thoughts, because since we’ve opened this box it will be impossible to close.2018-12-1420 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology009 Creators vs Created, Bioethics, and Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinToday’s episode is the first one that is primarily driven by literature and philosophy, namely borrowing themes explored in Frankenstein and Paradise Lost. Victor Frankenstein’s fraught relationship with his creature is a devastatingly emotional purview into what life is. The influence from Paradise Lost and our subsequent relationship with a creator initiates a powerful dialogue worth exploring. General aspects of being creative are also introduced, and human control of life and healthcare conclude the episode. Either way you look at it, advances are mounting without as much central appreciation or critique. It’s a discussion I’d encourag...2018-12-0618 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology008 Superpowers of Survival and EvolutionToday’s episode covers the basics of evolution so that we can address a case of extreme survival in some of the smallest organisms to exist: yeast! Cancer evolution makes appearances as well, including new mechanisms of tumor evasion that can develop when we treat cancer with different therapies. Stories of how organisms put everything on the line to defy their environment and survive are what Biology so fascinating. Plus, who doesn’t love using the word hypermutation repeatedly? Also, feel free to add any content you want to see covered or questions you want to explore. Engaging new idea...2018-11-2115 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology007 Cancer Therapy: 20 Traditional and Emerging DirectionsThe days of chemo-only cancer treatment ended years ago. This episode introduces 20 diverse therapies that scientists and clinicians are turning to in the face of ever-evolving tumors. This is an especially exiting episode, as I believe there is so much hope on the horizon for treating these diseases, and it’s exciting to share that feeling. Enjoy!2018-11-1526 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology006 The Arms Race: Our Immune System vs. PathogenThe power of immune system is on full display every day of our lives and has been throughout our history. As pathogens try to enter our bodies and hurt us, the immune system rises up to fight and counter new disease mechanisms that it encounters. This episode will touch on the debate over remaining smallpox samples, innate and adaptive immunity, and autoimmunity. I hope you enjoy, and please let me know if I need to clarify anything. As a B-Cell scientist I’m always a bit over-excited by these concepts. My students often need to slow me down. I ho...2018-11-0623 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology005 The Microbiome - How Human do You Feel?Internal human ecosystems? Transmissible personality traits? Tune in for the best episode yet where we get you up to speed on the human microbiome, a collection of thousands of partner bacterial species that live inside and on us. Our microbiome species have co-evolved to keep our gut, immune system, and even mind healthy. The emerging consequences of disrupting this ecosystem will also come up, along with ways to keep things good. This episode is highly inspired by Alanna Cole's 10% Human. Enjoy!2018-10-3131 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology004 The Wolf, His Brother, and Infinite GenesThis episode goes over why DNA and the information it encodes could be what defines life. Organisms are finite things, but the information coded by successful genes persists through generations, possibly indefinitely. We’ll also touch on instincts surrounding survival, family, and altruism. Enjoy!2018-10-2616 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology003 Welcome to the Jungle: Tumor EvolutionCancer is more than cells that proliferate and survive like mad; it's a lethal combination of Genetics and Evolution. They also rely on parasitizing resources and evading immune system predators. Cancer evolution represents the greatest challenge for scientists and clinicians, as tumors can do almost anything to survive. Listen to this episode for a glimpse inside the tumor microenvironment and how we have to combat Evolution itself to win.2018-10-2419 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology002 Goodbye Dinosaurs, Hello Mammals - and Fungi?This episode addresses further definitions of life, the end of the dinosaurs, and the emergence of the mammal, along with the partnership that they made with fungi to do it. This story is inspired by a seminar by Dr. Arturo Casadevall from John’s Hopkins.2018-10-2318 min
For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology001 For Whom the Cell Tolls - Intro and the Intersection of Philosophy and BiologyHello! My name is Keenan, and I’m a professor at Minnesota State University Mankato and a cancer scientist. I also love going over the amazing stories that Biology has to share, and hopefully these podcasts make it enjoyable to hear some of them on a time budget. Today’s episode is introductory, covering what I do, cancer, the definition of life, and how philosophy plays a huge role in science. Cancer and the definition of life can be heavy topics, but I hope that you enjoy it!2018-10-2114 min