Welcome to episode 35 of the Performance Around the Clock podcast. We’re joined by Dr. Hemal Patel, a distinguished Professor and Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and a VA Research Career Scientist. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dr. Patel's extensive research career has focused on caveolin and mitochondrial biology. In this episode, he discusses the critical role of cell membranes and mitochondria in cellular energy and disease, highlighting how his lab developed a non-invasive blood-based assay for mitochondrial function. This innovative assay, developed through the NASA Twin Study, can assess overall energetic health and disease states without invasive biopsies. Dr. Patel also shares his work on the therapeutic potential of the protein caveolin in conditions like heart disease and neurodegeneration (ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), and how his recent research has expanded to explore the mind-body connection through the transformative work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. We also talk about how his longtime interest in philosophy and religion has influenced his life and career. Please join us for an wonderful conversion between Dr. Panda and Dr. Patel. If you like this episode, please like, comment or follow. Thanks for listening.

Guest:

Dr. Hemal Patel

Professor and Vice-Chair Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego School of Medicine

VA Research Career Scientist

Profile:https://clre.ucsd.edu/faculty/hemal-patel/

Instagram:@hemalpatelphd

https://www.instagram.com/@hemalpatelphd

Host:

Dr. Satchin Panda

X (Twitter): @SatchinPanda

https://x.com/SatchinPanda

Instagram: @satchin.panda

https://www.instagram.com/satchin.panda/

Links:

Donations: https://panda.salk.edu/giving/

Research: https://www.salk.edu/scientist/satchidananda-panda/

More science: https://mycircadianclock.org/