Over 100 community members received exclusive access to impactful research at the BIO5 Institute for the inaugural Behind BIO5: Meet the Scientists. 

From immersive research lab tours and research demonstration tables to engaging fireside chats and inspiring poster presentations, attendees learned about pioneering work driving progress in nutrition, cancer prevention, precision medicine, aging, and beyond.  

“This event gave us the opportunity to see labs, meet student scientists, and hear firsthand from the researchers about the many programs and groundbreaking research and development being accomplished at the University of Arizona,” said Bonnie Allin, Critical Path Institute board member. “BIO5 is a gem in which the community should take great pride." 

The goal of the evening was to provide a personalized journey through BIO5’s state-of-the-art facilities and allow guests to engage with BIO5 researchers directly. With 380 researchers from 18 colleges and over 70 departments across the university, the BIO5 Institute is a powerhouse of bioscience discovery and innovation. 

Meeting BIO5 scientists 

Attendees witnessed science in action with tours to over 18 labs and core facilities in the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch and Biosciences Laboratory Building. While training the next generation of scientists, BIO5 focuses on moving innovations that improve human and environmental health out of the lab and into the community. 

“As the voice of business leaders in the region, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) fully supports and appreciates the high-impact research and innovation occurring at the BIO5 Institute that contributes to a thriving knowledge-based economy,” said Allen Kinnison, SALC vice president. “BIO5’s contribution to scientific research is significant and can play an important role in the region’s economic development.” 

Fireside chats — including engineers, physician-scientists, and computational researchers — invited researchers from across the university campus. This series of focused conversations explored the people behind the core five disciplines represented by BIO5 — agriculture, engineering, medicine, pharmacy and science. 

“Our work not only pushes the boundaries of science but also fuels Arizona’s agriculture and healthcare sectors with improvements in crop resilience, disease treatment, and health monitoring,” said Jennifer Kehlet Barton, director of the BIO5 Institute. “Through events like Behind BIO5, we open our doors to the community and stakeholders, showcasing the groundbreaking research happening at the university.” 

Several research groups affiliated with BIO5 set up interactive tables to give one-on-one research demonstrations. For example, guests could better understand brain health from the Brain Imaging Center, learn about sequencing technology from the Arizona Genomics Institute, explore microbiology with Paul Carini, associate professor of environmental science, or see how plant root architecture can solve agricultural challenges with Alexander Bucksch, associate professor of plant science. 

Creating connection for researchers

Events like Behind BIO5 not only make research accessible to guests, but also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists.  

"Behind BIO5 was beneficial to me in that it quickly reacquainted me with both the richness and breadth of the tapestry of expertise at BIO5 that seamlessly interlinks what seem on the surface to be disparate disciplines,” said Joel Cuello, a fireside chat guest, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the College of Engineering, and member of the BIO5 Institute. “And, indeed, I just found and met through this notable event a future key collaborator for a timely area of research I am initiating.” 

Over 20 alumni from the BIO5 Institute’s Keep Youth Engaging in Science (KEYS) Research Internship presented posters that showed the culmination of their 7-week summer research experience under the mentorship of UArizona faculty, many of whom are BIO5 members. This opportunity allows the community to meet the next generation of innovators while encouraging these aspiring scientists to network. 

“As a KEYS Research Internship alum, the event provided an immense perspective,” said Moses Foiryolo, a UArizona physiology major pursuing his MD/PhD who was among 20 alumni from the KEYS Research Internship presenting a poster. “I saw how far I have come, not only as a researcher but as a person. It was amazing to see how resilient and hardworking my fellow alumni are. It couldn’t have been any more inspiring.” 

Upcoming public events include the BIO5 Inspiring Women in STEM event on July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Thomas W. Keating Building and the KEYS Research Internship Showcase from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 19 in the Health Sciences Innovation Building on the University of Arizona campus.  

To stay up to date on upcoming news and events, sign up for the monthly BIO5 Connection newsletter.  

ARB: Let’s start with a couple of ice-breaker questions. What’s your favorite snack?  

Chips and salsa. 
 

ARB: What is your go-to karaoke song? 

I want to lean towards Radiohead songs, but I’ll just do a classic: “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra. 

ARB: Do you have a bucket list? And if so, can you tell us about one or two items on it?  

I feel like I’m young and naive enough to still think I’ll live forever. I haven’t given it too much consideration. Maybe jump out of plane at some point in my life – skydiving.  

ARB: What brought you to University of Arizona and BIO5? 

I started at the University of Arizona in 2019 after my postdoc in Minnesota. I was drawn to the Department of Physiology for its well-rounded approach, focusing on multiple systems rather than one. It allowed each of us to have our own niche without overlapping, which complemented the ongoing research. It was a great opportunity for me. 

ARB: How did you decide on the research area you are focusing on? What motivated you to pursue it? 

Honestly, I stumbled into it. During my graduate studies, I focused on cardiovascular disease. However, within pregnancy research, I grew fond of the methodologies and models. Over time, I transitioned to broader areas like heart disease, cardiovascular, and renal diseases due to their significant impact. To this day, I still love that work.  

ARB: Can you share a recent revealing or exciting moment in your lab or research? 

So, we have been exploring the use of surgery to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, which shows promise. We are now aiming to apply this technique to address other cardiovascular and kidney diseases.  

Recently, we’ve found success in treating polycystic kidney disease with this neurosurgical treatment. And what that means is simply cutting the nervous system connection between the kidney and the brain, slowing down the progression of the disease. This novel application offers hope for patients with limited treatment options.  

Currently, there is only one FDA-approved drug on the market for this condition from 2018. Unfortunately, despite the effectiveness of the drug in slowing down disease progression, patients' lives are significantly impacted by constant thirst and frequent urination, making bathroom visits the center of their existence. Moreover, long-term use is associated with liver toxicity, further complicating their condition. This disruption to daily life can also affect sleep quality. We aim to provide these patients and their physicians with alternative treatment options.  

Exploring combinational therapies targeting different mechanisms could potentially yield better outcomes, which is the focus of our latest research endeavors, and it is incredibly exciting. 

ARB: So, I have one question on this. If you are disrupting the pathway, are there any other negative effects to it? 

At present, there are not any well-documented negative side effects of the renal denervation procedure. Although complications like renal artery stenosis were initially a concern, they haven't been shown to occur more frequently than they would naturally.   

The only potential drawback is the loss of vasoconstriction ability, which could affect blood flow regulation in cases of hemorrhage or blood loss. However, this is not a significant issue unless treating patients engaged in activities like professional knife fighting. 

ARB: What are some of your research goals, and why is it important to study the peripheral nervous system? Could you elaborate on the significance of understanding this aspect and discuss some of your laboratory's research objectives? 

We are really fascinated by the peripheral nervous system as opposed to the central nervous system, i.e., the brain.  

The brain is like this black box that is difficult to manipulate, but the peripheral nervous system offers more control with fewer side effects. We can achieve this by selectively cutting specific nerve populations to observe how it impacts disease progression. Another exciting area is electroceuticals or neuromodulation, where we can modulate nerve activity without disrupting it entirely. This involves changing the nerve's signature to signal to the body that certain pathological signals are unnecessary or no longer present, potentially halting the disease cycle.  

I believe the future lies in this field, moving towards neuromodulation rather than simply nerve cutting. Understanding the signals we are manipulating will be crucial for advancing the field towards more effective treatments. 

ARB: So, you could also target other areas, not just focus on the kidneys or cardiovascular system? 

That's correct. It doesn’t have to be kidney or heart centric. 

Neuromodulation therapies are emerging nationwide, beyond renal nerves. For instance, vagal nerve stimulation, which modulates ascending and descending signals to mitigate or even reverse disease progression. You’re taking advantage of the body’s electrical system like hacking a computer. 

ARB: We need more of this! So, you're at the intersection of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Can you talk more about the connection between the two, or is it primarily through the peripheral nervous system?    

Yes, and to add to that point, many perceive high blood pressure as primarily a heart disease. While the heart plays a role, the kidney is central to blood volume regulation, impacting overall blood pressure. So targeting the kidney in models of hypertension is crucial for long-term blood pressure regulation. 

ARB: Your lab website mentions the use of telemetry-based approaches and acute electrophysiological preparations to assess changes in nerve activity and their effects on cardiovascular and renal responses. Could you explain these methods in simpler terms?  

In simpler terms, the telemetry-based approach involves implanting a device in animals to monitor their blood pressure and nerve activity over extended periods, like several months. This helps us track how diseases progress over time.  

On the other hand, the acute electrophysiological approach is more short-term and involves a surgical procedure under anesthesia. We use it to carefully manipulate the nervous system to observe its effects on nerve activity, blood pressure, and cardiovascular responses. 

ARB: So, this is a fun question! I noticed your lab's website reflects a vibrant culture. Could you share how your team dynamics and culture influence the research environment and overall research experience? Additionally, I am curious to learn more about Bash. 

Sure, let’s start with Bash. He is a four-year-old Australian Shepherd and Catahoula Leopard mix, a breed I had not heard of until I got him during COVID. He has been my running partner and the lab mascot ever since! 

As for the team, I have been fortunate to have incredibly smart and awesome individuals in my lab, from the lab manager to postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates.  

What is unique about our department at the University of Arizona is the large undergraduate program. I enjoy bringing undergraduates into the lab. They are eager for knowledge and experience. I believe in fostering a team-based environment where everyone works together towards common goals because success in the lab is shared. Also, I'm passionate about involving undergraduates in research to encourage them to pursue academic and PhD training and equip those interested in medicine with analytical skills that will make them better physicians. Graduating my first PhD student last Tuesday was both exciting and bittersweet. 

ARB: What lesson did your mentor impart to you? As a mentor yourself, especially to undergraduates, what principles or insights do you hope to instill in your students, considering they are at various stages of their academic journey? 

I have been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career journey.   

One particularly influential figure was my postdoctoral advisor, John Osborn. He has been incredibly supportive of my career and development. One of the many lessons that I’ve taken from him is the team-based approach.  

It is crucial to constantly refocus on the hypothesis. How am I addressing the question? If I'm not, maybe I'm veering off into this little rabbit hole that I shouldn't be going down? Keeping it focused on the science and the underlying question is key to any research program and ensure that every experiment and analysis serve to address the central question at hand. We constantly talk about this in our lab meetings and daily discussions. This principle helps students maintain a perspective on broader scientific goals, even during the more mundane tasks like pipetting or sample collection.  

ARB: Another question we like to ask is what is your "why"? What motivates you and keeps you going in this line of work? 

If I had to do it alone, I'd be miserable. So, the "why" is science and the questions. But the "why" also includes the people. I love my lab and the people I work with.  

Do it for the people, do it for the science, do it for fun. It's fun to get up and answer some unknown questions. That's why we're academics in the first place. 

ARB: So, what’s next for you? 

What's next is that we're going to dive deeper into this polycystic kidney disease, or PKD. We just got a Research Project (R01) grant funded in December and it focuses directly on how the nervous system—peripheral nervous system, specifically the renal nerves—are contributing to the progression of this awful disease. 

We can try to mitigate either the early stages of it developing to change the disease's trajectory, or more clinically relevant, can we treat patients already presenting in the clinic with PKD. Can we offer them some sort of reversal? That would be the best-case scenario. But even if we can delay the progression or rapid progression of these cysts in the kidney, that will buy them time. 

ARB: How long does it typically take from having the idea to conduct human trials for a treatment like this? 

That is an area that we want to further develop within our research program. In my lab and here at the university, I want to see more of the basic science connection into more of a translational approach in the clinic. So, we are working on that right now.  

We have the chance to leverage this new technique that is freshly FDA approved and on the market for the treatment of hypertension. It is a catheter-based system. In essence, it is a tube that can access your kidneys' blood vessels, and from within that blood vessel, they can perform this nerve ablation. You do not feel it and the procedure is quick. It is like a light switch; you can turn it from on to off. You do not have to worry about taking a pill every morning.   

We want to translate that to other patients who may be hypertensive to move us towards clinical trials. We want to see if this is indeed efficacious for people that have limited options. 

ARB: Can you tell us what brought you onto your path to become a PhD? 

Early in my education, even as just a high schooler, I was mostly interested in writing. I love nonfiction, even to this day. I don't read much fiction; I don't have the capacity for it. So, when I went to college, I had the idea that I was going to go into journalism or become a writer. But I decided I did not like those classes. I found a lot of joy in my science classes instead and I changed my path into more science-based fields. I ended up with a triple major—it sounds like a lot, but there was a lot of overlap—biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and chemistry. 

The reason I got into research was because of my organic chemistry professor, Viktor Zhdankin. Despite being one of the harder classes, I found it fascinating. When I talked to him during office hours, he showed me some of the reactions they were doing in the lab, and I was hooked. I joined his lab, published two papers in organic chemistry, and then took a hard left turn in physiology. It all started when I saw surgery being done on a rat and was immediately fascinated. I followed that interest to the University of Oregon for my PhD, focusing on hypertension in pregnancy. During my PhD, I realized my passion for non-traditional treatments like exercise. This solidified my decision to pursue academia, as I love answering questions, conducting research, and working with students. The energy of young minds keeps me motivated, and I have not looked back since. 

It's funny how life works out—I originally thought I would become a writer but ended up in science. However, it has come full circle because writing is a huge part of my daily routine now. Despite mostly writing dry, nonfiction science articles, it has been an inadvertent success. I owe a lot to someone who gave me an opportunity during my undergraduate years, and that is why I find it so important to pay it forward and bring others into the field. 

ARB: That's phenomenal. I wish there were more people in this world like that. Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate learning about your work and your lab. And for you taking the time with us today. 

ARB: Let’s start with a couple of ice-breaker questions to lighten up the mood. What was your dream job as a kid? 

When I was a kid, I loved animals and I wanted to be a vet. 

ARB: What would you like to be known or remembered for? 

What I think is interesting is in my training and professional career, I call myself a true interdisciplinary scientist.  

I think I demonstrated how interdisciplinary science brings ideas across many different areas of scientific and engineering technologies. I developed some basic optical sciences while I was at IBM, a product platform at Motorola labs. Even now at the University of Arizona, we have developed a technology that goes through the FDA and brings practical solutions in life sciences, bio defense and healthcare. We have a very broad portfolio of technological impact. 
 

ARB: You started off in Switzerland, and you ended up in Arizona. Can you tell us how you ended up here?  

That’s a long story. When I was in Switzerland, I did my PhD thesis in partnership between the University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, but also IBM Research in Zurich. And after my PhD, I was looking for a postdoctoral position. I got a beautiful location at UC Santa Barbara with a nice beach and my wife was happy! We were ready to move to California, but IBM twisted my arm and said you should come and work for us at the IBM Research Lab, located in Bronx. And it was a difficult sell, but ultimately a great experience for us. 

In the years that the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab would develop different technology platforms, including DNA sequencing, I was the first to bring a real virus for IBM to look at using high resolution microscopy techniques. We made a lot of different discoveries which then led me to develop all kinds of technologies.  

In a move to Princeton, New Jersey, I was a part of a Swiss chemical company developing new technology mimicking the human nose and looking at electronic nose technology. I also joined a photonic center at Princeton University as an industry member, which led me to start a new startup company in Princeton that was a subsidiary of a French startup, commercializing electronic nose technology. At the time, we were also discussing with David Wald at Tufts University the technology that started Illumina, that we all now know in the field of DNA sequencing.  

Also, I was recruited as one of the advisory board members in the Motorola Company. They were establishing a new biosystem in Arizona to start DNA microarray technology, and I got recruited to come to Arizona. 

ARB: You were inducted into the National Academy of inventors as a fellow in 2013, for the invention of a rapid DNA processor. Since you mentioned working with the inventor of Illumina, can you explain how we use the DNA processor today and how it has evolved since then? 

The goal for us has always been to try to do molecular diagnostics. When we started the technology using microfluidic devices to automate and simplify the workflow processes for preparing a specimen, we realized that any application in medicine would be a long project for us since we needed to go to the FDA for regulatory compliance.  

We also looked at other applications, where there were some elements of regulations but not as stringent. At that time, there was a big backlog of DNA fingerprinting. It was taking years until a sample could be processed. So, the Department of Justice decided to promote a new technology to solve the backlog. We came up with that technology focused around reducing work through laboratory processes and put it into a small machine.   

And that’s what we did initially with our contract with the FBI. The FBI introduced us to other countries and police forces, including the UK Forensic Science Services, or FSS. They were the leading inventors of the technology with a group at a university in the UK. They had the vision of bringing technology closer to the crime scene. Initially, we developed a technology that would go into a police van. But that scenario changed and ultimately, that technology was deployed at a police station instead. That allowed the screening of potential offenders and finding a sample much easier.  

It was a complex regulatory validation. We were a part of a larger European program called MIDAS consortium, where we validated the technology between the police forces in the UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, which proved successful. In 2017, the DNA Act was modified to include rapid DNA Act to court proceedings. This marked the commercial development and widespread adoption of our technology within the Justice Department. 

ARB: Wow, I’m just blown away. You are currently the director of the Center for Applied Nano Bioscience here at the University of Arizona. Can you briefly tell us about the research there? 

We have a large portfolio of activities. The center consists of a group of 15 members, including mechanical engineers, physicists, MDs, PhDs, and molecular biologists. Our goal is to identify medical needs in healthcare delivery by applying engineering principles to find solutions. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, as we work with various agencies and industry partners including NASA, NIH, and DOD.   

Typically, our projects are early-stage discovery projects.  For example, we are exploring novel drug delivery systems, using plant-derived lipids, an intrinsic agent with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Loading these lipids with different drugs or utilizing these plants for gene delivery, represents a promising avenue for drug development. 

Furthermore, we have developed an invitro system that could potentially replace animal models for testing drugs. On this platform, we combine organic chips with organoids for 3D cell culture. Under a partnership with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical company in Japan, we are scaling up the production of this technology for commercialization as it holds potential for drug testing and personalized treatment.  

We are exploring personalized medicine using organoid-based techniques to analyze genomic signatures of tumors and adapting therapies. For example, if at a hospital consultation you extract tumor cells and treat that tumor in a model, you can look at different combination of therapies that might be more appropriate for that person. By integrating these technologies, we are trying to improve patient outcomes. 

ARB: How long does it take for something like this to come into use? 

So, it depends. For example, when we talk about rapid DNA testing, it took about 15 years from development to implementation. On the other hand, the COVID test we developed, approved by the FDA and available on Amazon, was developed in less than a year. Now, these kinds of platform technologies for organoids will take a few years, about five years, until they can be deployed in the marketplace, because they will still be in the research platform phase. 

ARB: Thank you. Just curious because this is such amazing technology, and it is needed. 

It is a good point. Sometimes we think about getting a grant for five years, but most of the time, it's not enough time to mature technology.  

So, what are the mechanisms in academia that allow us to keep going and be part of its development, until a new company can take it? There are a few mechanisms that the government is offering. And that is why I think getting to the university's vision and sustainability of developing those kinds of technology is crucial. 

ARB: Absolutely. Can you share what inspired you to pursue this interdisciplinary work? Was it something you always wanted to do, or did you find your way here unexpectedly? 

That's a good question. My journey began with a background in biochemistry during college. When I reached my senior year, I embarked on a research project. Coincidentally, IBM Research in Zurich had just seen two of their scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the scanning tunneling microscope. This device could profile surfaces and see atoms, which fascinated me. I saw the potential for its application in molecular studies.   

So, I reached out to those scientists at IBM for a summer internship. They said, ‘we don’t do biology, we do physics.”  However, I secured the internship and, although we didn’t know what to do, we started to look at molecules using the technology. I was so excited by the experience that I decided to pursue a PhD in physics. That's how I found my passion for interdisciplinary work and everything else fell into place. 

ARB: You have focused on various scientific arenas throughout your career. However, you also pursued an MBA in finance. How do you believe that has influenced your professional journey? 

Yes, indeed. Let me provide some context first. It was back in the year 2000 when I was residing in the bustling New York area amidst a booming economy. There was this prevailing notion that Wall Street held the promise of substantial wealth creation, attracting scientific talent like mathematicians and physicists from esteemed institutions such as Princeton into venture capitalist circles.  

I was influenced by this trend. However, I also recognized that one day I wanted to have a startup company, and adding financial and managerial skills would be helpful. That’s why I enrolled in a finance-focused MBA program. Finance, with its heavy emphasis on mathematics, seemed conducive to the scientific mindset.  

The program not only equipped me with financial acumen but also enhanced softer skills crucial for effective people management and interaction. In retrospect, it proved to be an asset, and I found myself applying those principles right from the outset of my career. 

ARB: What are you currently looking forward to in your academic or personal life?  

On a personal level, I feel incredibly privileged to have two outstanding adult children who are now embarking on exciting ventures in medicine and engineering. It is a great source of immense joy for me, especially as our family continues to grow, welcoming our first grandchild.  

Professionally and academically, my focus remains on serving the community and addressing some of the grand challenges in our society. I am deeply committed to continuing this work and exploring innovative solutions.  With the rapidly changing economy, we find ourselves at the intersection of cleantech, biotech, and space tech. This convergence presents exciting opportunities as we explore and venture into new frontiers. It’s a very exciting time for us. Oh, and on a different note I love mountain biking and would like to start a new club here in Phoenix for biking enthusiasts. 

ARB: That would be so cool. We thank you again for being here with us today and sharing about your journey, your inventions, and everything that you are doing now.