The Future Conceived

EP 63: Beyond Molecular Mechanisms with Dr. Rob Phillips

This is the final episode of our 2025-26 series on ‘mechanisms in reproductive biology’. Over the course of twelve fascinating conversations, I’ve spoken with researchers

EP 62: 2025 Repro BioArt Awards with Avery Hlavacek, and Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero

In this episode of The Future Conceived, hosts Pam Monahan and Ana Cheong sit down with the brilliant minds behind the stunning winning images of the 2025 SSR Repro BioAr

EP 61: How (And Why) To Think About Computation in Biology with Dr. Corey Maley

This season we’ve been exploring the concept of mechanism in reproductive biology. In a recent episode with Dr. Dan Nicholson we learned that scientists have historically

EP 60: How To Think About Biology with Dr. Dan Nicholson

This season we’ve been exploring the concept of mechanism in reproductive biology. We’ve chatted with scientists from across disciplines who are working to better underst

EP 59: Janice Bahr Junior Scientist Travel Award with Dr. Camilla Hughes

What does it take to transition from a curious undergraduate to an award-winning Assistant Professor? In this episode, host Dr. Pam Monahan (Northwestern University) sits

EP 58: Early Embryo Development: The Material Physics of Cell Division with Dr. Colm Kelleher

In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Colm Kelleher, a physicist in the Bioinspired Institute at Syracuse University.  During cell division, the

EP 57: Interview with RV Short Medal Recipient Dr. David Pepin

In this episode of the Future Conceived podcast, Dr. David Pepin, recipient of the Roger V. Short Medal, shares a candid and inspiring look at his non-linear path from a

EP 56: Embryo Development: Metabolism and the Uterine Microenvironment with Dr. Kosta Simintiras

In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Kosta Simintiras, Assistant Professor of Reproductive and Developmental Biology at Lousiana State University

EP 55: Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology: Dr. Jane Fenelon, Marsupial Assisted Reproduction Lead at Colossal Biosciences

In this episode of The Future Conceived we explore more Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology, through interviews with reproductive biologists who have jobs outside

EP 54: Embryo Development: Genetic Programs with Dr. Ramiro Alberio

Today is the first episode in a three-part miniseries focused on mechanisms of embryonic development. Our host, Cam Schmidt, of East Carolina University has the pleasure

EP 53: 2024 Repro BioArt Awards with Ingrid Carvacho, and Martin Estermann

What happens when you look at a scientific failure from a different angle? In this episode, we celebrate the intersection of aesthetic beauty and rigorous research as we

EP 52: Carl G. Hartman Award with Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff

It's a mini lab reunion! Yu-Ying Chen and Shuo Xiao interview their former mentor, Dr. Teresa Woodruff, at the SSR Annual Meeting. Dr. Woodruff, the recipient of the

EP 51: Egg Activation: Cell Regulatory Systems with Dr. Jim Ferrell

In this episode of The Future Conceived, host Cam Schmidt sits down with Dr. Jim Ferrell, Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology at Stanford University. Known for his

EP 50: Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Award with Dr. Diana Monsivais

In this episode of the Future Conceived podcast, we celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Diana Monsivais, this year's recipient of the prestigious SSR Virendr

EP 49: Egg Activation: Calcium Dynamics with Dr. Karl Swann

In this episode of The Future Conceived, we delve into the extraordinary moment life begins: egg activation, the precise signal that jolts the egg out of its arrested sta

EP 48: The Calcium Code—SSR Research Award Interview with Dr. Carmen Williams

In this highly insightful episode of The Future Conceived, host Cam Schmidt talks with Dr. Carmen Williams, Senior Investigator at the National Institute of Environmental

EP 47: Egg Activation: Molecular Mechanisms with Dr. Mariana Wolfner

Join host Cameron A. Schmidt, PhD, as he kicks off a new series celebrating the vital role of the egg in sexual reproduction. This episode features a conversation with pi

EP 46: Fuller W. Bazer Award with Marcella Pecora Milazzotto

In this episode of The Future Conceived, Dr. Fei Zhao, University of Wisconsin-Madison, sits down with Dr. Marcella Pecora Milazzotto, Federal University of ABC. Dr. Peco

EP 45: Sperm Capacitation: Intelligent Motion with Dr. Meisam Zaferani

This episode, the conclusion of our mini-series on sperm capacitation, features physicist Dr. Meisam Zaferani discussing sperm motility through the lens of search theory

EP 44: Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology: Dr. Eglė Ortega, Senior Embryologist at Fertility Institute of Hawaii

In this episode of The Future Conceived we begin a new series, Alternative Careers in Reproductive Biology, which explores jobs for reproductive biologist outside of acad