What happens when a kid who sketches dinosaurs grows up to reimagine biology? In this episode, postdoctoral scholar Arvind Pillai traces his unexpected path from paleoart to designing proteins that change shape on command. Along the way, he reflects on the sting of academic rejection, the joy of discovery, and how online debates with creationists sharpened his view of evolution. Arvind’s story explores how complexity emerges — not just in molecules, but in the making of a scientist. // This podcast was produced at the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine by Ian Haydon, Roni Weissman, Enisha Sehgal, Nora McNamara-Bordewick, Riti Biswas, Joe Min, and Nathan Forest Greenwood. // Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Launching UW’s first iGEM team changed the course of Ingrid’s career. Her team built an enzyme to digest gluten that took first place in the biotech competition — and fueled a new company. Hear Ingrid explain what it takes to translate scientific breakthroughs into real products and companies. // This podcast was produced at the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine by Ian Haydon, Roni Weissman, Enisha Sehgal, Nora McNamara-Bordewick, Riti Biswas, Joe Min, and Nathan Forest Greenwood. // Music by Kevin MacLeod and Ingrid's college band, The Wild Types.

Yuliya Politanska’s path to science began with onion cells and a microscope in her hometown of Chernivtsi, Ukraine. As a teen, she moved to the U.S. and grew comfortable speaking English only after propping a dictionary right next to her textbooks. Now a third-year PhD student in the lab, Yuliya is designing custom proteins that bind to DNA to control how cells behave—work that could one day help repair diseased or damaged tissue. In this episode, Yuliya shares her story of resilience, curiosity, and reinvention: from working in an ambulance to finding confidence in a massive research lab. Along the way, we explore the concept of cellular plasticity—and how people, like cells, can totally transform when placed in new environments. // This podcast was produced at the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine by Ian Haydon, Roni Weissman, Enisha Sehgal, Nora McNamara-Bordewick, Riti Biswas, Joe Min, and Nathan Forest Greenwood. // Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Centuries ago, explorers set sail across vast oceans. Today, scientists like Alexis Courbet are navigating uncharted waters at the nanoscale. As a researcher at the Institute for Protein Design, Alexis is building molecular machines unlike any seen before—creating nanoscale sensors and protein-based rotors that move with atomic precision. Whether designing molecules or mapping out his next mountaineering adventure with David Baker, he approaches every frontier with the same curiosity and drive to understand the unknown. // This podcast was produced at the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine by Ian Haydon, Roni Weissman, Enisha Sehgal, Nora McNamara-Bordewick, Riti Biswas, Joe Min, and Nathan Forest Greenwood. // Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Winning a Nobel Prize is a rare and extraordinary achievement—but what happens behind the scenes? In this episode, David Baker takes us inside his journey to Stockholm, from preparing his Nobel lecture to delivering it on science’s biggest stage. Hear clips from practice talks, reflections from trainees who were there, and David’s thoughts on what the prize really means. But that’s only half the story. The second half of this episode follows a different kind of journey—one from the lab bench to the world of science communication. Podcast co-host Ian Haydon shares how he went from being a student in David’s lab to leading science communications at the Institute for Protein Design. What drives someone to step away from research and focus on sharing science with the world? And why does it matter? Join us for an episode about the people who power science, the impact of storytelling, and what it’s like to experience a Nobel moment up close. // This podcast was produced by the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine. // Music by Kevin MacLeod and Jon Woods.

Jeremiah Sims is trying to stop the next pandemic. As an MD/PhD trainee with a deep passion for public health, his research with David Baker focuses on outsmarting viruses. But there's more to Jeremy than lab work. When he's not creating new antivirals, he's making music and building up Black communities. In this episode, hear how Jeremy faced down racism in school, found his path into medical research, and enriched his life—and the lives of others—both inside and outside the lab. // Produced by the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Music by Kevin MacLeod and Jeremiah Sims.

Susana Vazquez Torres embodies courage. Born in Mexico, she moved to a big city to study science — and then crossed continents twice to advance her studies. Unfamiliar cultures, language barriers, and imposter syndrome were all part of her journey. But with support from labmates and others, Susana found her footing and joined the Baker Lab for her PhD studies. Here, she’s used AI to create antitoxins for snakebites. These pioneering treatments could one day save the lives and limbs of farmers just like her grandparents. Susana’s story shows that stepping far out of your comfort zone isn’t just brave — it’s often the first step toward changing the world. Join us as we explore how courage and innovation come together to make a life in science. // This podcast was produced by the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine. // Music by Kevin MacLeod and Taylor Lidsky.

Born a Palestinian refugee, Mohamad Abedi didn’t have the luxury of exploring science as a kid. But at 17, when he unexpectedly immigrated to the United States, he discovered that learning could be a creative and transformative process. This led him to pursue degrees in biomedical engineering and eventually to his current research on cellular communication and drug development as a postdoctoral scholar in the lab. In this episode, Mohamad shares his perspective on what it means to be a good scientist and how he found his way into science without it ever being one of his childhood dreams. Through his story, we explore how struggles — both inside and outside of science — can shape a journey and spark creativity in unexpected ways. // This podcast was produced by the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine. // Music by Kevin MacLeod.