The CeMi Podcast

What makes a good research centre? Join us for a chat with two of the CeMi directors about the highlights of 2025 and their hopes for 2026, as we discuss how to make the research centre spanning two universities a place of collaboration, partnerships, collegiality and live music.Wishing everyone a great year ahead! Stay tuned for an exciting new CeMi Podcast format coming in 2026!

What makes the ideal researcher?In this episode Lorna chats to Professor David Weitz, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics & Applied Physics at Harvard University, encompassing discussions of research (on soft condensed matter, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and microfluidics), the struggle for funding in today's political climate, and the trials of running a spinout. Enjoy!

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Oana Dobre, a Lecturer in Biomedical engineering at the University of Glasgow. What is it like to be an early-career researcher today, and what are the challenges of securing funding in a competitive academic landscape? A really helpful discussion with Oana that shares personal experience that could relate to anyone starting out in research. Her honest and encouraging perspective offers practical advice and motivation for those working to navigate the early stages of their academic career. A must-listen for aspiring researchers — we hope you enjoy the conversation!

Could nanoclay gels be the future for delivering growth factors in spinal fusion surgery? This week we chat to Jon Dawson, Prof Fellow of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Southampton, about his work on developing clay nanoparticles. Alongside explaining why clay holds so much potential in the field of tissue regeneration, Jon discusses his background, the challenges of being involved in a spinout to bring this technology to patients, and the best way to communicate scientific ideas to different audiences. Hope you enjoy!

How can an English degree lead to a PhD in Biomedical Engineering? Why is it important to consider inclusivity and diversity in science? And just what is Tu-do-esday [sic]?In this episode, Emily chats to Lorna Merrett, George Dunn and Amy Carnegie, students at CeMi undertaking projects with Dr Kimia Witte. Along the way they discuss their backgrounds and experience in the PhD so far, what started the passion for science, as well as the benefits of actively fostering a multidisciplinary approach to research. As always, hope you enjoy and feel free to get in touch with us (about future episodes or guest suggestions) at [email protected]. Happy Easter!

What were the key breakthroughs in the field of mechanobiology? How do proteins act as mechanical switches? And what can be done to translate more research from the lab to the clinic?In this episode, Emily and Eonan chat with Viola Vogel, a Professor of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at the ETH Zürich, whose pioneering work in the field of mechanobiology has been key to show that proteins act as mechano-chemical switches and that this can be exploited in the treatment of various diseases. Along the way they chat about commercialisation, public engagement and some hopes for the future of the field of mechanobiology.As always, hope you enjoy the episode and we would love to hear your ideas and feedback for future episode!

In this episode, Emily enters an interesting discussion on the use of animals in research with Dr Kimia Witte. At a young age Kimia was fascinated by nature and observing animals which fueled their curiosity to stay in science and find ways to minimise the use of animals in research and everyday life.Hope you enjoy the episode and, as always, let us know your suggestions for future episodes!

How can research be communicated to the wider public? And why should scientists consider a career in marketing? In this episode, Julia and Finlay chat about important aspects of scientific life outside of the day to day labwork starting with a discussion of the recent Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement day hosted by lifETIME CDT. They then hear hear from Paul Wildoer, a Vice President of Commercial Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, who offers advice for anyone with a PhD who is considering a career outside of academia. Hope you enjoy the episode and, as always, let us know your suggestions for future episodes!

Join us as we chat to two final year PhD students, Estela Sánchez González and Irene Monleón Guinot, about their 3-month placements at CeMi, Estela has a Master's degree in Biomedical R&D and is undergoing a PhD at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) where she is exploring the design of 3D hydrogels as liver in vitro models for drug screening.Irene studied Biotechnology at UPV, completed a Master's degree in Regenerative Biomedicine at the University of Granada, and is currently undergoing a PhD focused on developing an in vitro model of lung cancer at the University of Valencia. Art by Chloe RodgersCeMi website: https://glasgow.thecemi.org/

In this episode of The CeMi Podcast, we welcome Dr Zara Gladman, a marine biologist turned comedian and writer. Zara shares her unique journey from studying the impact of invasive crayfish on Scotland's waterways to becoming a viral sensation in the comedy world. We delve into how her scientific background influences her comedic approach, her role as the Public & Community Engagement Manager at the University of Glasgow, and her insights on using humour in science communication.

Join us in this special bonus episode as CeMi directors Prof Matthew Dalby and Prof Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez take a look back at the milestones of 2024 to reveal their proudest moments and lessons learned from the past year. Looking ahead, they also discuss their hopes, goals, and visions for 2025. Wishing everyone all the best for the year ahead!

In this episode our hosts chat to Dr Juan González Valdivieso, a researcher at Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). A former colleague of CeMi, this year Juan received a Marie Curie postdoctoral grant for the development of a new project that aims to contribute to improving treatments for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We hope you are all having a lovely time over the holiday period and a happy new year when it comes!

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Amy Turner, our first guest working outside academia. Amy shares insights into her role at Proteintech and her journey transitioning from academia to industry. In this episode, we explore the parallels and contrasts between the two sectors and discuss the evolving opportunities for early career researchers (ECRs) navigating between academia and industry.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Rosalia Cuahtecontzi Delint and Dr Graham Day, who are Research Associates at CeMi and a married couple with a passion for science. Join us as we chat about their research interests, their journey to CeMi and some insights into their life outside of academia.

In this episode we are accompanied by Dr. Hannah Donnelly who has recently rejoined CeMi with a BBSRC Discovery Fellowship. After completing her PhD here in 2020, Hannah joined the CRUK Scotland Institute where she investigated lymphocyte migration.Join us for an insightful chat with Hannah about the process of applying for a Fellowship and the new adventure she is beginning to embark on as she returns to CeMi!

Join us for the latest episode featuring Dora Rogkoti, a PhD student at CeMi under the supervision of Prof. Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez. Dora is currently on placement at KU Leuven after entering the final year of her studies, and here discusses the rewards and challenges of undertaking a PhD, how she is preparing to start on the final write up, and what strategies she has for managing stress.Please feel free to get in touch about any future episode ideas or guest suggestions, and we appreciate all the support and feedback for the podcast so far. Happy listening!🎨 Episode art by the wonderful Dr Chloe Rodgers

In this episode, Emily and Euan are joined by Dr Lluís Oliver-Cervelló, a former research associate working alongside Dr Cristina Gonzalez Garcia. Lluís recently left CeMi to continue his career elsewhere, and here discusses the transition from PhD to postdoc, the opportunities that have shaped his career, and how he enjoyed his time at the lab. Te extrañamos Lluís!

Join us as we chat to two of our principal investigators, Prof Delphine Gourdon and Dr Catherine Berry, to discuss what got them interested in science, how their careers took shape and what research currently fascinates them.

Hope you enjoy this first episode from our new podcast series at CeMi. We'll chat about who we are and what we do, and what to look forward to over the series.