Flow Stars

Flow Stars

Candid conversations with the big hitters of flow cytometry presented by Dr Peter O'Toole. Brought to you by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Bitesize Bio. Flow Stars is a podcast from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Bitesize Bio that interviews some big hitters in the flow cytometry world. Your host is Dr Peter O'Toole (University of York), an engaging and energic personality who knows how to throw a few curveballs to keep his guest on their toes. This series takes us through the highs and lows of life in flow cytometry, looking back at guests' careers and forward to the future of this technology. Whether you already have your feet firmly in the field or are just cheering from the side lines, each episode entertains, informs, and inspires in equal measure. https://bitesizebio.com/flowstars

Episodes

July 17, 2026 67 mins

In this episode, Peter is joined by Joanne and Ray Lannigan, two much-loved figures in the flow cytometry community.

Joanne and Ray share how they found their way into flow from very different beginnings, from Joanne’s early dream of becoming a doctor to Ray’s route through electronics, the Navy, and field service engineering.

They also reflect on the risks, setbacks, and turning points that shaped their careers, includin...

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In this episode, Peter sits down with Ulf Landegren, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Uppsala University and a pioneer in DNA-based detection technologies.

Ulf shares the story behind one of his lab’s most important breakthroughs, rolling circle amplification, and how it almost didn’t happen when a student pushed ahead despite his doubts.

He also explores how this technology has evolved into powerful methods for detecti...

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In this episode, Peter O'Toole is joined by Virginia Litwin, the President-Elect of the International Society For Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC).

They discuss Virginia's journey from academia to industry and her pivotal role in the creation and development of CYTO Women, a committee that's having a genuine positive impact on the opportunities available for women in cytometry.

She also shares her experiences in translational science,...

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In this episode of Flow Stars, we're joined by Anis Larbi, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

Anis chats about his experience working at the prestigious A*STAR in Singapore, where he led a dual career as both a principal investigator and the head of a core flow cytometry facility.

He also shares his advocacy of networking, explains this inspired him to make the leap from academia to industry and di...

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May 2, 2025 53 mins

In this episode, Peter O'Toole welcomes Sofie Van Gassen, a Postdoctoral Researcher from VIB-UGent. Sofie explains how a computer scientist can end up working in flow cytometry and sets out her vision for the future of data science in flow.  She also sets out her twin passions for developing algorithms and pipelines for data analysis—and gardening.

Watch or listen to all episodes of Flow Stars: flowstars.bitesizebio.com

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April 18, 2025 66 mins

Today, Peter O'Toole chats with Dave Novo-Lake, founder of De Novo Research, a pioneering figure in flow cytometry data analysis, and the creator of FCS Express. Dave shares his journey from developing groundbreaking software in his spare time at a Boston lab to establishing a successful business that transformed clinical flow cytometry.

He also talks about keeping his passion for science alive with special projects, his extensive h...

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April 4, 2025 54 mins

Today, our host Peter O'Toole sits down with the distinguished Mario Roederer, ImmunoTechnology Section Chief and Acting Head of the Translational Research Program at the National Institutes of Health.

Mario shares some fascinating insights from his illustrious career, from demonstrating flow cytometry to Presidents Barack Obama and George Bush to developing the widely used FlowJo™ software.

He also shares his inspirations, starting...

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March 21, 2025 66 mins

Let's shift our focus from just the people behind the science to the technologies they're using.

In this special episode, we dive deep into spectral flow cytometry with a panel of leading experts, featuring:

Tamar Tak, Coordinator Flow Cytometry Facility, Leiden University Medical Center
Domenico Lo Tartaro, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
• Andrew Patentreger, Senior Team Lead, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
...

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July 10, 2024 34 mins

In this special episode of Flow Stars recorded live at CYTO 2024, our panel of esteemed guests, representing a cross-section of cytometry users, discuss the biggest matters in flow cytometry.

They explore the capabilities of current cytometers and what future developments should focus on. They also consider the importance of making cytometry equipment more affordable and the level of technical support provided by manufacturers.

Plu...

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#S4:E6 — Karen Hogg is a Technical Specialist at the University of York, and Margaret Mbuchi is a Principal Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

In this episode of Flow Stars, Karen and Margaret join Peter O’Toole to celebrate the achievements of flow cytometry initiatives across Africa and discuss some of the logistical challenges involved. Karen shares some of the logistical and technical hurdle...

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#S4:E5 — Alexis Perez Gonzalez is the Melbourne Cytometry Platform Manager at the University of Melbourne. In this episode of Flow Stars, Alexis joins Peter O’Toole to discuss how academic progression works in Cuba and how much fun he had working with Andy Riddell. They also chat about his magnificent collection of spices and cookbooks.

Watch or listen to all episodes of Flow Stars: flowstars.bitesizebio.com

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#S4:E4 — Ryan Brinkman is Professor Emeritus at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and Chair of the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry's (ISAC) Data Standards Task Force.

In this episode of Flow Stars, Ryan joins Peter O’Toole to discuss generating data without a wet lab. They also discuss bioinformatics' clinical and translational benefits and consider what motivates academics.

Watch or listen to all ep...

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October 4, 2023 64 mins

#S4:E3 — Jessica Back is Assistant Professor - Research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University. In this episode of Flow Stars, Jessica joins Peter O’Toole to discuss her difficulties getting through grad school. They also chat about places you can talk science without feeling like the odd one out and the time she had to process a spleen in front of a news crew.

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September 20, 2023 63 mins

#S4:E2 — Peter Lopez is Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at New York University and former Director of the Cytometry and Cell Sorting Laboratory. In this episode of Flow Stars, Peter joins Peter O’Toole to discuss the benefits of semi-retirement.

They also chat about his side hustle making pizza and maple syrup. Watch or listen to all episodes of Flow Stars: flowstars.bitesizebio.com

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#S4:E1 — In this special episode of Flow Stars recorded live at CYTO 2023, host Peter O'Toole welcomes a panel of distinguished experts, including Jessica Houston (New Mexico State University), Pratip Chattopadhyay (NYU Langone Health (PIL)), and Paul Wallace (Roswell Park Cancer Comprehensive Center).

Join them for an enlightening conversation as they dive into the future of flow cytometry and provide their unique perspective...

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#S3:E6 — Sara De Biasi and Andrea Cossarizza from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) chat with Peter O'Toole about how they were able to quickly respond to news of a novel coronavirus as early as January 2020, and how their work was crucial to understanding the effect of COVID-19 on the immune system.

They also discuss the pros and cons of moving abroad or staying where you are to pursue a career, as well as ...

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July 27, 2022 65 mins

#S3:E5 — Jessica Houston chats to Peter O'Toole about developing her own niche as a new PI, while balancing this with a busy family home life. She discusses her new appointment as president-elect for the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC), and the important role societies can play in science. She recalls her early career developing her research, and how she knew industry wasn't for her!

Jessica also chat...

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July 13, 2022 65 mins

#S3:E4 — Bill Telford is Head of the NCI Research Flow Facility at the NCI Center for Cancer Research.

In this episode of Flow Stars, Bill joins Peter O'Toole to discuss his early career inspirations, his passion for supporting international instrument donation and training initiatives, some of the challenges he's faced running a flow core facility, and being a bit of a science geek—he builds his own flow cytometers usin...

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June 29, 2022 62 mins

#S3:E3 — Andrea Holme is Head of the Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre at the University of Aberdeen.

In this episode of Flow Stars, Andrea joins Peter O'Toole to discuss how she was able to use her passion for traveling to her advantage during her varied scientific career. They also chat about the key differences between industry and academia, why she thinks it's important to be involved in different scientific societies, and abou...

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#S3:E2 — Grace Chojnowski is Flow Cytometry and Imaging Facility Manager at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

In this episode of Flow Stars, Grace joins Peter O'Toole to discuss why understanding the theory behind your experiment is key in flow cytometry, why she'd like a flow lab in the Alps, and her early career as an Australian living in London. We also hear about a funny interview story and talk candidly about ...

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