Welcome to "The Science Of" Podcast, where students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA sit down with top scientists, doctors, and other leaders in the world of science from the globally renowned UCSD and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, CA.The "Science of" podcast episode features Dr. Sofia Cardenas-Alcoser from UCSD's Moores Cancer Center discussing her journey from chemistry to biomedical research, focusing on cell signaling and cancer. She explains the complexities of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their role in cancer. Dr. Cardenas-Alcoser highlights a significant discovery linking G protein alpha subunits to immune system infiltration in tumors, potentially leading to new cancer treatments. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and resilience in research and shares her passion for video games and Twitch streaming. The episode also includes a Q&A segment with young listeners.Enjoy this episode and get your PODucation on!! Introduction to the Science of PodcastDahlia Sandoval introduces the podcast, emphasizing curiosity and the exploration of various scientific topics.The podcast is hosted by students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and the Elementary Institute of Science.Partnerships include the UCSD Moores Cancer Center and the UCSD campus.Funding for the program is provided by Cloudcast Media.Welcome and Episode OverviewDahlia Sandoval welcomes listeners and introduces the episode's focus on cell signaling and circuitry, particularly in relation to cancer cells.August is introduced as the co-host, along with August, Kelsey, and Josue.August introduces Dr. Sofia Cardenas-Alcoser, the guest speaker for the episode.Dr. Sophia Cardenas-Alcoser’s BackgroundDr. Cardenas-Alcoser shares her journey from studying chemistry in Ecuador to pursuing biomedical research in Argentina.She discusses her acceptance into a master's program at the University of La Plata and her subsequent PhD at the University of Buenos Aires.Dr. Cardenas-Alcoser talks about her transition to the UCSD Moores Cancer Center and the challenges she faced as a first-generation researcher.Personal Insights and Game SegmentDr. Cardenas-Alcoser shares her experiences of overcoming language barriers and personal challenges in her research journey.A fun game segment involves questions about her first science experiment, favorite music, and preferences for pets and food.Dr. Cardenas-Alcoser reveals her love for video games and her Twitch channel, where she streams games and discusses science.Exploring Cell Signaling and Cancer ResearchDr. Cardenas-Alcoser explains the concept of cell signaling using the analogy of a cell as an industry with different components.She describes the role of receptors and ligands in cell signaling and the importance of understanding these pathways.The discussion includes the significance of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their role in cancer research.Discoveries and Implications in Cancer ResearchDr. Cardenas-Alcoser highlights a significant discovery about the role of G protein alpha subunits in cancer.She explains how the activation of specific G protein pathways can affect the immune system's response to tumors.The potential for using this discovery to develop new cancer treatments is discussed.Challenges and Progress in Cancer ResearchDr. Cardenas-Alcoser talks about the challenges of translating basic research into clinical applications.She shares a story about a dormant project that was revived due to new funding and its potential impact on treating fibrodysplasia.The discussion includes the importance of animal testing and the potential for using the same drug to treat certain cancers.Audience Questions and MentorshipAudience questions cover the importance of mentorship in research and how to seek it.Dr. Cardenas-Alcoser emphasizes the role of mentors in guiding researchers through failures and teaching them how to think critically.She advises young researchers to be persistent and to seek opportunities in labs that align with their interests.Managing Disappointment and Future of Cancer ResearchDr. Cardenas-Alcoser discusses how to manage disappointment in the lab and the importance of learning from failures.She shares her vision for the future of cancer research, predicting that cancer will become more manageable and less deadly.The discussion includes the need for patience and continued interest in finding new treatments.Final Thoughts and Contact InformationDr. Cardenas-Alcoser encourages young researchers to pursue their curiosity and not to be discouraged by a lack of background in research.She provides her contact information for those interested in reaching out to her for mentorship or further discussion.The episode concludes with thanks to the collaborators and listeners, and a teaser for the next episode's topic."The Science Of" is a student-produced podcast. The team members are Kelsey Lewis, Evan Sosa, Max Arola, August Ou, Danielle-Elizabeth Mensah-Baah, Zahraa Munaim, Josue Castillo, Sasha Goldschmied, and Noor Munaim. The students who appeared on this episode and/or produced the episode are Danielle-Elizabeth Mensah-Baah, Zahraa Munaim, Max Arola, Sasha Goldschmied, Josue Castillo, Evan Sosa, August Ou, and Kelsey Lewis. The episode was engineered / mixed / mastered by Christelle Auzas from Cloudcast Media. About Cloudcast MediaAs the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "The Science Of" throught its SchoolCAST platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations.  For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media.  About UCSD Moores Cancer CenterEstablished in 1978, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health is one of just 57 National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States, and the only one in the San Diego region. Such centers are prominent among the leading institutions in the nation dedicated to scientific innovation and clinical excellence. From research in molecular genetics to the most advanced treatments, Moores Cancer Center is at the forefront of the fight against cancer, developing promising new therapies and making them available to cancer patients throughout the region. Our cancer services were ranked #1 in San Diego, with 10 specialties ranking nationally by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023-2024 "Best Hospitals" survey. For more information, please visit https://moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/.About Jackie Robinson Family YMCAThe Jackie Robinson Family YMCA serves over 20,000 youth and families each year through a wide variety of educational, recreational and sports programs. In one of San Diego's most critical communities, we have a daily opportunity to make a significant impact on thousands of lives. YMCA programs teach kids character values and valuable skills that will help them grow into responsible, successful adults. For more information, please visit https://www.ymcasd.org/locations/jackie-robinson-family-ymca.About the Elementary Institute of ScienceThe Elementary Institute of Science (EIS) is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing lifelong opportunities for students of southeast San Diego through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Our after-school, weekend and school partnership programs broaden access to quality STEM experiences, foster critical thinking, expand technical skills and encourage students to pursue STEM careers. For more information, please visit https://eisca.org/.The episode was recorded by the students and engineered / mixed / mastered by Christelle Auzas.  

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