This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the role of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute—better known as Texas Biomed—in San Antonio’s scientific community, the rapidly changing landscape of research funding, and the challenges of combating misinformation in an era of political division.
Host Bob Rivard is joined by Dr. Larry Schlesinger, president and CEO of Texas Biomed, for a conversation that touches on Dr. Schlesinger’s personal background as the child of Holocaust survivors, his career as an infectious disease researcher, and his reasons for coming to San Antonio eight years ago. Together, they discuss how Texas Biomed has evolved during his tenure, including efforts to diversify funding, expand partnerships with the pharmaceutical sector, and increase the institute’s prominence amid public health crises.
They discuss:
- The critical importance of vaccines and ongoing education amid rising rates of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation
- How Texas Biomed contributed to the early research and validation of animal models for COVID-19 vaccines
- The impact of recent federal policy changes on international collaboration and research funding for U.S. institutions
- Efforts to modernize and expand the Texas Biomed campus, including the complexities around philanthropy and private sector engagement
- The relationship between infectious disease and chronic illness—and what chronic disease research could mean for the future of public health in San Antonio
The episode offers context on the state of science in Texas, the pressures facing research institutes in the current political climate, and the ways that local scientific leadership can shape the future of public and community health.
-- --
RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:
▶️ #106. Tom Slick’s Legacy: The San Antonio Institution Studying Consciousness – Discover the fascinating roots of Texas Biomed through the story of Tom Slick, the visionary entrepreneur behind San Antonio’s world-class science institutions. 🔗 Listen here.
-- --
CONNECT
SPONSORS
🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors
THANK YOU
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
⭐ Rate us on Spotify
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!