Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow

What if we could watch the brain change in real time—and use that insight to personalize medicine?  In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms speaks with Dr. Shella Keilholz, professor of biomedical engineering at Emory University and Georgia Tech, about how advanced MRI imaging is reshaping our understanding of the brain. Dr. Keilholz explains how high-field MRI captures second-by-second brain activity, why brain variability matters, and how its not just location but also timing that could transform future brain-based therapies. The conversation highlights the power of basic science, public research funding, and the path toward personalized treatments for conditions like depression and Parkinson’s disease.Learn More About Dr. Shella Keilholz:Keilholz Mind Lab: https://sites.google.com/view/keilholz-lab/home LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shella-keilholz-5786491a/Support Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialAbout The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary DanzigerFilming & Editing: Jackie HamptonLogistics & Marketing Support: Rajashree Ramamoorthy, Katie Hart, The AGN Group

It sounds like science fiction, but brain-powered technology is already here. In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Dr. Chethan Pandarinath, a neuroscientist and engineer who studies how we can read brain signals and turn them into action. From helping people communicate and move after injury to building technology that listens to the brain in real time, Chethan breaks down how this science works, why it matters, and what the future of brain-computer interfaces could look like. Expect big ideas, clear explanations, and a fascinating look at how close we really are to mind-powered technology. Learn More About Chethan Pandarinath:Chethan Pandarinath’s LinkedinSystems Neural Engineering LabRecent interview with Dr. Pandarinath on Health WantedSupport Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788) Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialAbout The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary Danziger Filming & Editing: Jackie Hampton Logistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN Group

Some of the most exciting innovations in medicine today are almost too small to see. In this episode, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Professor David Myers, a biomedical engineer who loves building tiny technologies that tackle huge health problems. From microscopic sensors to real-world medical tools, Dr. Myers shares how curiosity, creativity, and a few unexpected twists led him to a career designing inventions that could make health care more accessible and convenient. Along the way, you’ll hear about hilarious lab moments, surprising science, and why the future of medicine might be smaller than you think.Learn More About David Myers:Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scieneersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescieneers/?hl=enLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-myers-123934b/Lab website: https://sensors.bme.gatech.edu/ Support Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialAbout The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary DanzigerFilming & Editing: Jackie HamptonLogistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN GroupSoftware Support: Mahima Patel, The AGN Group

What if doctors could design medical devices made just for you? In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms talks with Dr. Scott Hollister, a biomedical engineer at Georgia Tech and Emory, about how 3D printing is changing medicine in powerful ways. Dr. Hollister shares real stories of how custom-made, 3D-printed devices have helped children breathe, recover, and survive when no standard treatment existed. From life-saving airway supports for babies to personalized medical tools to a one-of-a-kind medical mission involving a world leader, this conversation shows how engineering, creativity, and care come together to improve human health.Learn More About Scott Hollister:https://hollisterlab.bme.gatech.edu/https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dmedicalfabricationcenterhttps://x.com/HollisterLabhttps://3dprint.com/312802/georgia-techs-3d-printed-splint-saves-another-child-with-windpipe-defects/http://www.today.com/video/today/52419754#52419754http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/news/10-innovators-who-changed-the-world-in-2013-8#slide-8Support Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialAbout The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary DanzigerFilming & Editing: Jackie HamptonLogistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN GroupSoftware Support: Mahima Patel, The AGN Group

On this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms talks with Dr. Anant Madabhushi, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory and director of the Empathetic AI for Health Institute. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping cancer diagnosis, identifying disease years before symptoms appear, and pushing personalized medicine from possibility to practice. Dr. Madabhushi explains how his team turns routine clinical data such as everyday eye images, pathology slides, and standard biopsies into powerful predictors that reveal hidden risk, tailor treatment decisions, and avoid unnecessary or harmful therapies. He also reflects on his journey from India to the United States, his passion for frugal and opportunistic science, the importance of diverse medical datasets, and how federal investments accelerate breakthroughs that land in clinics, communities, and countries around the world. Whether you care about the future of cancer care, global health equity, biomedical innovation, or the real-world impact of AI, this conversation offers clear insight into how science and compassion can work together to save lives.

Can flickering light and sound help fight Alzheimer’s disease?  On this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms chats with Dr. Annabelle Singer from Georgia Tech and Emory University, whose groundbreaking research explores how carefully timed lights and sounds may help “tune” the brain, boost memory, and change the course of Alzheimer’s disease.  From building theater lights as a kid to decoding how brain waves shape memory, Dr. Singer is proving that sometimes the brightest ideas come from unexpected places. Tune in to hear how groundbreaking science is lighting the way toward healthier brains and brighter futures.

What if the key to curing disease like Alzheimer’s lies in the tiny, invisible molecules inside our cells? In this episode of Holy Shift!: Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Dr. Felipe Quiroz, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Quiroz reveals how his lab engineers the invisible — proteins, cells, and genes — to understand and treat diseases like Alzheimer’s. From discovering how disordered proteins shape brain health to inspiring the next generation of scientists, Dr. Quiroz shares how foundational research today builds the breakthroughs of tomorrow that can transform healthcare for generations to come.  Tune in for a conversation that connects molecular science, mentorship, and hope for the future of medicine.

In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Zachary Danziger talks with Dr. Ming-fai Fong, a biomedical engineer at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Fong discusses her work on the brain’s amazing built-in power to change and adapt itself, a process called neuroplasticity. Her research team is exploring how to use this ability of the brain to help people with vision loss, including those with amblyopia, or “lazy eye.” By using techniques like light stimulation and machine learning, they’re finding new ways to help the brain see again. Beyond the lab, Dr. Fong also works with blind and visually impaired students to make science more accessible and inspiring for the next generation. Learn More About Ming-fai Fong: fong-lab.github.ioSupport Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialAbout The Host: Zachary Danziger is a biomedical engineer, educator, and science communicator passionate about making complex research accessible and inspiring to all audiences. As a co-host of Holy Shift!, he brings curiosity, humor, and insight to conversations with today’s leading scientists and innovators. Learn more at https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/danziger/.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary DanzigerFilming & Editing: Jackie HamptonLogistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN GroupSoftware Support: Mahima Patel, The AGN Group

In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms talks with Dr. Lena Ting, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Ting shares her work uncovering the connections between the brain and body that lead to movement — from walking and balance to dance and sports. She explains how understanding movement helps us tackle challenges like stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, and fall prevention in aging populations.The conversation also dives into the future of rehabilitation, wearable robotics, and how training programs like dance can reshape the way we move and heal. Dr. Ting’s insights highlight the power of engineering and neuroscience working together to improve quality of life.Listen now to explore how cutting-edge research in movement science will shape rehabilitation and mobility for the future.Learn More About Lena Ting:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb96XsZyuPmY8mZUM4TDV7Ahttps://scholarblogs.emory.edu/neuromechanicslab/Support Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)Connect!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.socialLearn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/About The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary Danziger Filming & Editing: Jackie Hampton Logistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN Group Software Support: Mahima Patel, The AGN Group

In this episode of Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, host Angela Gill Nelms talks with Dr. Mike Davis, a professor of Biomedical Engineering and Cardiology at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Davis shares his research journey from catching bees at the Fresh Kills landfill to pioneering stem cell therapies for congenital heart defects and heart failure. Together, they dive into breakthroughs in treating heart defects like hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), new pediatric and adult clinical trials for heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, and how regenerative medicine transforms outcomes for children born with severe congenital heart disease. From replacing invasive biopsies with AI-driven blood biomarkers to inspiring the next generation through community outreach, this episode highlights how biomedical engineering saves lives and reshapes the future of cardiac care.Learn More About Dr. Mike Davis: www.davislab.orgSupport Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations.https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/newSelect "Designation"Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)"In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)"Connect!Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-universityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBMETwitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBMEAbout The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.Meet The HolyShift! Team:Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary Danziger Filming & Editing: Jackie Hampton Logistics & Marketing Support: Katie Hart, The AGN Group Software Support: Mahima Patel, The AGN Group

Welcome to Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow —your inside look at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, one of the nation’s leading programs. What is biomedical engineering exactly? All you need to know is that it’s about engineering solutions that improve human health, from new medical imaging tools, better vaccines, to personalized cancer treatments. In short engaging conversations with the brilliant minds behind the research, you’ll hear how biomedical engineers are shifting the status quo to drive breakthroughs and improve lives. We’ll uncover not just what they’re working on, but why it matters. Holy Shift! reveals the people, passion, and purpose powering the future of biomedical research.