Visionary Voices

Whether you’re working in an agency, in a clinical role, or in academia, many healthcare professionals wonder what lies behind the doors of the pharmaceutical industry.

In this episode, Gina is joined by Sian Kneller, Director of Global Content Design at GSK and Founder of The Agency Advantage, to unpack exactly what it takes to make the leap. With over 20 years’ experience, from medical writer to leading global medical affairs strategy, Sian now helps others make a successful move into pharma. In this episode she shares what the transition really looks like, which transferable skills matter most...

In this episode, Nicky speaks with Prof. Georgina Ellison-Hughes from King’s College London about the groundbreaking field of senolytics and their potential to advance the treatment of age-related diseases. From understanding the science behind cellular senescence to how senolytic drugs work and what early clinical trials reveal, this episode explores an exciting frontier in longevity medicine.

In this episode we explore the concept of syndemics, where biology, society and the environment intersect to shape health outcomes. Joined by Dr Elena Nikiphorou and Dr Lisa Hamzah, we explore how applying this framework, first developed in HIV research, could revolutionise care for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and bring us closer to achieving global health equity.

We all know sleep is important, but what happens when physicians don’t get enough? In this episode of Visionary Voices, we’re joined by sleep expert Associate Professor Grace Vincent from CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute. Grace studies how sleep impacts the health, safety and performance of shift workers. We explore the effects of sleep on physicians, patient outcomes and practical strategies to manage sleep deprivation.

The patient voice has become a pillar of medical education. In this episode, Nicky speaks with Tammy Gibbs, Managing Director at touchIME, about how including patient stories and perspectives can impact clinical practice. From enhancing empathy to improving patient outcomes, Tammy shares how touchIME is putting patients at the heart of education and why true collaboration between HCPs and patients matters.

Why do some children develop food allergies, but others don’t?

Preventing childhood food allergies has become an urgent priority as rates continue to rise worldwide. Now affecting around 6–8% of children globally, childhood food allergies have tripled over the past decades in high-income countries, leaving families and healthcare professionals searching for answers.

In this episode, we speak with leading paediatric allergist Prof. Helen Brough to explore the key factors behind why some children develop allergies to foods such as peanuts, why others do not. We look at the latest evidence on preventing childhood food allergies, with...

Onychomycosis, also known as a fungal nail infection, is one of the most common nail conditions seen in clinical practice, yet diagnosis is often uncertain and treatment failures are frustratingly common. In this episode, Dr Shari Lipner shares practical updates on smarter diagnostics, existing & emerging therapies and what we need to know about how to manage this condition with more confidence today and in the future.

Physician burnout is at a critical point. In this episode, Nicky speaks with Dr Alfred Atanda about why so many doctors are burning out and what can be done to change the trend. From personal experience to system-wide solutions, Dr Atanda shares valuable insights on improving physician well-being and building a more supportive healthcare culture.

Did you know that the number of people aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease in the US is expected to double by 2050? In this episode of Visionary Voices, Dr Anthony Caggiano, Chief Medical Officer at Cognition Therapeutics, explores how biomarkers are transforming our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, from diagnosis and disease progression to drug development and the future of clinical care.

In this episode, we explore the future of continuing medical education (CME) with the team behind touchIME. Hannah Fisher and Matthew Goodwin share insights into global and US trends, the importance of patient inclusivity and how educational outcomes are evolving to better measure the direct impact of learning on clinical practice and patient care.

Could targeting hair follicle stem cells be the key to reversing, and even preventing, age-related hair loss? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jon Edelson to explore a novel approach that could address the root cause of age-related hair loss. 

Discover the extraordinary work of Orbis International, a global nonprofit working to prevent blindness and restore sight in underserved communities. In this episode, Dr Maria Berrocal, Associate Professor and Orbis Volunteer Faculty, shares her experience aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, a fully equipped surgical and teaching hospital on an aircraft, and highlights the power of global collaboration in advancing sustainable eye care.

In this episode, Prof. Irene Higginson, Director of Better Health and Care Futures at King’s College London, discusses the complex challenges of managing breathlessness. She explores non-pharmacological strategies, the value of multidisciplinary care, and how the Breathlessness Support Services at KCL are transforming patient support. Tune in for expert insights and a look at future directions in breathlessness research and care.

With a career that spans continents, Prof. Dedee Murrell stands out as a global leader in dermatology and a passionate advocate for women in medicine. In this episode, we sit down together to explore her inspiring journey—from her early years in the UK and medical training in the USA to pioneering therapies for some of dermatology’s rarest and underserved conditions in Australia. We also reflect on her recent MDS Lifetime Achievement Award and discuss the value of mentorship, strategies for advancing a career in dermatology and academic medicine, and how to stay at the cutting edge of medi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Bradley Love, Professor of Cognitive and Decision Sciences at UCL, ELLIS fellow, and creator of BrainGPT. We discuss how this large language model is poised to assist researchers in advancing their work. Prof. Love provides insights into BrainGPT’s creation, its practical applications in neuroscience, and his vision for AI’s evolving role in the field. Join us to uncover the potential of AI in shaping the future of neuroscientific research.

In this episode, we’re joined by Trudie Lobban, Founder and Trustee of Arrhythmia Alliance, to explore the life-saving work of their Pace4Life charity. This inspiring initiative repurposes cardiac electronic devices to provide essential heart care in low- and middle-income countries. Trudie shares the journey behind this sustainable mission, offering heartfelt stories from impactful trips to Bangalore and Nigeria, where recycled devices are restoring hope and saving lives.

In this episode, we explore how point-of-care testing is transforming the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Joined by Dr Libby van Gerwen, we discuss the rising global STI rates and the role these innovative tests play in addressing the issue. We also explore the challenges current point-of-care tests face and how next-generation advancements could further transform the future of STI diagnosis and treatment.

We caught up with two leading experts Prof. Barbara Yawn and Patient Advocate JoJo O’Neal to gain their perspectives on the importance of “the patient voice” in healthcare practices.

In our latest episode, we venture into the exciting world of space medicine to explore how drug crystallization in microgravity could revolutionize the way we administer biologic drugs. We dive deep into the science behind this groundbreaking opportunity with Dr Katie King, CEO of BioOrbit, a leading company in the field. Together, we discuss the timelines, challenges, and technological advancements that could make space-based drug production a reality.

Recent advancements made in understanding the pathology of inflammatory skin conditions have enabled JAK inhibitors, initially developed for haematology over 20 years ago, to be investigated for dermatological use. In this episode, Dr William (Bill) Damsky discusses JAK inhibitors' journey from proof-of-concept to treating a wide range of skin conditions, their future impact on rare diseases, the debate around safety and questions surrounding JAK selectivity.

Few alliances have impacted patient care like the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Consortium (MPN-RC). Founded in 2006, the MPN-RC is a global group focused on advancing research and innovative treatments for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In this episode, we speak with John Mascarenhas, MD, about the coalition's founding, operations and how their work has led to paradigm-shifting therapies in the field.

Closed-loop systems mark a major advancement for managing type 1 diabetes. These systems continuously monitor glucose levels and automatically deliver insulin through a pump, helping maintain optimal glucose levels. In this episode, we explore the progress, challenges and impact of these technologies with Endocrinology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Dr Diana Isaacs, and highlight their future potential.