October 1, 2025 • 30 mins
Christy Kestner, PhD, joins Erich Schramm, MD to discuss her journey from bench scientist to medical communicator. She talks about the importantce of spreading knowledge far and wide, particularly in the current era of massive misinformation. The duo talk about the problem of keeping medical and scientific information in silos and how communicators like Christy Kestner can help other scientists and doctors communicate more effectively with the public and patients alike. Christy Kestner introduces her work at Endosymbiont and her platform at Brain and Beyond to help people understand the complex world of medicine. Dr. Schramm then asks about some of the upcoming neuroscience research, including with brain computer interfaces, ALS, and Alzheimer's treatments.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Announcer (00:00):
Welcome to MedEvidence!, where we help you
navigate the truth behindmedical research with unbiased,
evidence-proven facts, hosted bycardiologist and top medical
researcher, Dr.
Michael Koren.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:11):
Hello and welcome back to another episode
of the MedEvidence! Podcast.
I'm your host, Dr.
Eric Schram, sitting in forMichael Koren today.
For those who don't know me,I'm a board certified family
physician and long-term clinicalresearch investigator and have
been with the Encore ResearchGroup more than 20 years.
And I'm really excited today tobe sitting or talking to Dr.
Christy Kestner.
(00:33):
Now, Dr.
Kestner is an esteemedneuroscientist, science writer,
and science content creator.
Welcome to MedEvidence, Dr.
Christy Kessner.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (00:43):
Thank you for having me here.
It's an honor to be here today.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:47):
Well, thank you.
And is it okay if I call youChristy?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (00:50):
That is perfectly fine.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:53):
So a little bit about your background.
I read your um your bio andquite interesting.
You have a PhD inneuroimmunology.
You had 10 years uh experienceas a benchtop researcher, um,
and then more recently involvedin creating science content and
science writing.
So maybe you could tell us alittle bit about your
(01:14):
background, tell where you grewup and how you got interested
in into neuroscience.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (01:20):
Yeah, so um basically my path has
definitely not been a straightline and not linear, which has
made it all the more exciting.
Um actually, I grew up umplaying tennis my whole life and
like briefly at one point Iconsidered pursuing a career in
tennis.
Um, but since I was a kid, Ijust knew I always love science
(01:41):
more.
Um, and so in college, I wasyour traditional biology pre-med
major.
But during this time, mygrandmom had Parkinson's
disease.
So I felt like I was alwaysjust curious of, you know,
what's causing this?
Why is she stricken with thisdisease?
Um, so I feel like that'sreally what kind of like piqued
(02:04):
my interest in a neuroscience.
Um, so after I graduatedcollege at the University of
South Carolina, I moved back toAtlanta and pursued a master's
degree in cell biology.
And what was cool here is Ifeel like that's where I really
got a lot of exposure toneuroscience courses.
(02:26):
And I feel like there is whereI just fell in love with
neuroscience.
Um, and I just lived andbreathed it.
I just thought this was justsuch an interesting field.
Um, so after my master'sdegree, I ended up moving to
Charleston and pursuing my PhDin neuroimmunology.
(02:47):
So here I basically focused onit's called the complement
system, which is part of theimmune system.
So my overall goal was lookingof how this plays a role in
brain injury or stroke inpatients.
Um, and so what was cool is wedid a lot of complement um
(03:10):
directed therapy developmentduring my PhD.
So it really made me aware andrealize how you can really
modulate the immune system forbetter patient outcomes.
Um, so that's how I got intoneuroimmunology.
And then after that, I took ona brief postdoc role also at
(03:31):
MUSC, just focusing onpancreatic cancer um drug
targets.
So after all that, I reallythought, you know, I'm gonna be
a scientist in biotech.
Like this is my dream, youknow, to transition from
academia, being a bench topscientist for years into the
fast-paced world of tech.
And, you know, with the way themarket is, it's just tough to
(03:55):
get jobs.
Um, and also, you know, I myhusband is established here in
Charleston.
So I couldn't just take off andmove somewhere that was offered
a position.
Um, so it was definitelychallenging.
So during that process, I feltlike I started learning more
about scientific writing andmedical writing roles.
(04:16):
And I thought perk of that was,you know, it's remote.
I can work from home, I cantravel for conferences if
needed.
Um, so I got into that and tooka freelance scientific writing
role with a German biotech andconsultant company that I still
work for.
Um, and then from there, I justwas like, you know what?
I'm going to expand and buildmy scientific portfolio.
(04:39):
And that's kind of how I umtransitioned into creating Brain
and Beyond.
And so it's definitely beenlike an interesting path, but
it's been like really, reallyfun and enjoyable too.
Dr. Erich Schramm (04:53):
Wow, that's great.
Always great to hear anon-traditional route.
Had you always had, you know, askill and interest in writing,
or is that something that justyou kind of cultivated?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (05:04):
Yeah, I think honestly, when I
realized this is something I waspassionate about and really
enjoyed was during my PhD.
Um, I feel like one of myfavorite things during that time
was just researching newneurotopics, learning about
them, diving into the literatureon PubMed, um, and then writing
about it and just conveying itto, you know, not only
(05:28):
scientists and other students,but I feel like I had a chance
to just, you know, disseminatethis to the general public too.
Um, and I think that's where Ifigured out that, you know, like
doing the science is a lot offun.
But for me and my personality,I thought this was a bigger fit.
Dr. Erich Schramm (05:46):
Wow, that's that's really impressive.
Um, back to the time that youwere dealing uh and you were
doing your PhD and you'reworking with patients with
traumatic brain injury.
Were that were these athletesor were these people in like
accidents?
What what kind of patients wereyou dealing with at that point?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (06:04):
So actually I focused on animal
research.
So all of like the treatments Iwas focusing on were in mouse
models.
Um and so I definitely gotdesensitized to this because at
first, you know, you get alittle emotional about it.
Like I have pets, and you know,you want to get attached to
them, but you have to think,okay, like I'm helping the
greater good.
(06:24):
Um, but I feel like where I wasfortunate enough not just to
have the typical basic sciencetraining is um I got grant
funding in my um second andthird year a T32.
And part of that requirement iswe had to shadow a physician
that was related to your workthat you were doing.
(06:45):
And so what was cool in ourdepartment, we're very
collaborated with theneurosurgery department.
So for one whole summer, I didget to collaborate with a
pediatric neurosurgeon.
And I mean, it was amazing.
I got to scrub in it on a lotof rare cases.
And so I it was like it'sreally cool just seeing what
you're doing at the bench andhow you know that can translate
(07:08):
to the bedside.
Dr. Erich Schramm (07:09):
Wow.
That those sounds like alife-transforming experience.
Um, but it's it's interestingin your uh career at some point
you you made a decision topursue um the PhD rather than
the MD.
Um, what was in what wasinvolved in that decision
making?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (07:28):
You know, I always loved science.
I love medicine.
I think I kind of dabbled justas a kid, if you know, I would
be a physician or a scientist.
And I think just the older Igot, um, especially more like in
college and during a master's,I felt like the questions I was
(07:48):
gravitating more to is why isthis happening?
Why is this working?
What is it that's causing thisdisease rather than treating the
patient?
Um, I think that was like oneaspect.
And um, I think also just kindof growing up being an athlete.
I'm an only child, so I'm veryindependent and comfortable with
(08:09):
that.
And I feel like I'm anextroverted introvert, if that
makes sense.
So people can exhaust me aftera while.
So I thought it's probably bestto stick to the scientist route
instead of you know pursuingbecoming a physician and
interacting with, you know,dozens of patients every day.
Dr. Erich Schramm (08:26):
Yeah, I'm I'm sure the all that important
work that that you've done is ishelped thousands of patients.
And, you know, again, you'realso in uh dedicated and
committed to, you know, youknow, making uh science
accessible, right?
Not just to the generalpopulation, but to to the you
(08:49):
know, physicians and and uh youknow clinicians.
Um kind of tell me a little bitabout that and how how you do
that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (08:57):
Yeah, I feel like, you know, just
coming from academia, right?
It's such a differentexperience than, you know, being
in private practice or, youknow, just being a physician,
like working outside thehospital setting or even working
in tech.
It's just it's very, I don'twant to say siloed, but I I feel
(09:19):
like you're just kind of likestuck in this niche and you're
just you're kind of protectedfrom the outside world.
Um, and you know, there'speople love it.
That's great.
It wasn't for me.
Um, there's nothing wrong withit.
Like, you know, I think thatwe've done a lot of good
research that has come throughacademic science.
But one thing I really noticed,especially through my
(09:39):
experience being a PhD student,is I think there still is this
kind of like antiquated way ofthinking of becoming a
scientist.
And like some things I wish I'dlearned during my path was
alternate career paths insteadof just being, you know, a bench
top scientist.
Um, I wish there was more likementoring workshops or like, I
(10:02):
don't know, Zoom sessions todiscuss about this.
Um, and then also I feel likejust with the science I was
doing during my PhD, a lot ofthe work is just so cool and
exciting.
But, you know, most people arenever gonna hear about this,
right?
Unless, you know, you're aphysician or scientist and
you're reading academicjournals.
Um, so that was kind of mymission.
(10:23):
I was like, you know what,science shouldn't stay behind
academic institutions.
We should bring this to thepublic, especially, you know,
research or current technologythat's being used right now.
And let's, you know,disseminate this to the public
just in a storytelling manner.
And I feel like that's whatI've really tried to bring home
(10:46):
is to just tell the science in astorytelling way, just to
engage your audience where notonly are they learning from
this, but you know, you'rebuilding credibility with them
because you're an expert in thefield.
Um, then also like they'rebuilding trust.
And I feel like they're feelingempowered by learning more
(11:09):
about the science and what'sgoing on.
Dr. Erich Schramm (11:12):
Right.
And honestly, I was smiling asyou were talking about how
there's a lot of expectationsand being in silos, and oh, you
know, you're we tend to inmedical training be very
compartmentalized, and you know,um, you follow a lot of people
whose traditional path, at leastfor as being a physician, is
(11:32):
like, okay, well, you're justyou're you're down this path,
and and you know, we're we'renot really groomed to be
entrepreneurs or we're we'rewe're kind of worker bees, you
know, and and um so hearing yourstory about um you know looking
to in being able to make thispivot and uh seeing and opening
(11:53):
up and uh I've seen you makecomments say, look, you know,
we've got uh you don't have tohave this uh traditional path
that you can appeal to a widegroup of people and and you know
can see that yeah, this this isreally what we should be should
be uh nurturing, whether it'syou know in our med schools or
in our PhD programs, and um, youknow, because we all become,
(12:14):
you know, once once we expandour skill sets, I mean we're you
know, I think a lot of what youknow we were talking earlier
about one of the things um thatwe want to be able to create in
a space is you know, working andtrying to combat a lot of
misinformation anddisinformation out there.
Um maybe you could meant say alittle bit about that and what
(12:35):
your experience is with that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (12:36):
Yeah, I feel like that's honestly
another um huge driver of mecreating this platform um is
just the way the world is rightnow.
Everybody's basically gettingtheir information from social
media.
And although this is good, Ifeel like there's a lot of
information that is notaccurate.
And to combat that, I mean, wejust need more professionals
(12:59):
like physicians, trainedscientists, just to step up on
this platform.
Um, that way you're not onlybringing your credibility to the
platform, but you're alsobringing a unique skill set of
just having an evidence-basedperspective.
And just by having that, you'reable to like sift through a lot
(13:19):
of you know, the noise.
Um, and so by having a lot ofphysicians and scientists just
kind of like stepping up to theplate, I feel like again, this
way of being able to communicateeither whatever clinical
specialty that you'respecializing in, whatever
science interests you, if youcan just disseminate this to the
(13:41):
public in an engaging way.
Um, I feel like the key here istrust because there's just so
much mistrust with what's goingon in science.
Um, and I feel like kind of howI've been tackling this is, you
know, I always add referencesand sources to all my posts.
So that way, like my audienceknows, okay, this is credible.
(14:02):
I have um basically kind of um,I want to say like a little
mini library on like my link inmy bio where people can click
through and find the post whereI was talking about this source.
And if they're interested, theycan read more in depth about
like what I was discussing in abite-sized manner.
(14:23):
Um, so I feel like by justpushing, you know, references,
you're establishing yourcredibility.
That is huge.
Um, but then on the other hand,I feel like it's tricky too,
because sometimes you might haveto talk about topics that are
uncomfortable, like talkingabout psilioscibin with cancer
(14:43):
patients.
And I feel like a lot of thesetopics can get kind of
clickbaity in a way in a way.
And so, you know, I feel likepeople are naturally curious,
but without having like thebigger picture, I feel like
that's where misinformation cankind of creep in.
So I feel like it's our job tokind of like step in, talk about
(15:05):
this, show them the evidence,but also show them the
limitations, and that way peoplecan engage like in a
responsible manner.
Dr. Erich Schramm (15:13):
Right.
And we were we were talking alittle bit about uh earlier
about some of the challenges todo schedule one research.
So whatever people don't knowwhat scheduled one means, these
are uh typically types of drugsthat the government has assigned
to certain categories.
And here we go, yeah, you know,for controlled medications and
(15:34):
you know, psilocybin andcannabis.
We were talking about cannabis.
Um, but these are verydifficult to study uh compounds,
even though um you know they'vebeen they've been around for
centuries, and more recently inmedicine we've used them.
So we know the potentialtherapeutic value, but it can be
frustrating because we'rescientists.
We'd like to, okay, well, wereally like design a study, and
(15:56):
here's how we like to do that toprove that point.
But on the other hand, when weknow that something that may be
helpful for patients, you know,we want to put our patients'
interest first.
So I want to be true to myresearch self, but at the same
time, I want to do the best forthe patient.
So um, and I can I can hearthat's the kind of approach I
(16:17):
think you have.
I can hear that in you.
So I'm I applaud you for that.
And I hopefully one day we'llbe talking about doing schedule
one research on we'll come backand do a psilocybin or a
cannabis talk, something likethat would be fun because
everybody asks about it.
So I'd love to take a time todo it.
I mean, I with these, I feellike with the public, it's just
(16:38):
kind of breaking that stigmatoo, right?
Um, you know, a lot of peoplejust think of you know cannabis
research in one manner, and I'mlike, you know, it's not bad,
especially if you're monitoringthis appropriately.
Right.
And I am a cannabis certifyingphysician in the state of
Florida, so I am nodding my headin total agreement.
(17:01):
And uh I'm I'm ready to be uhtaking that the next step
forward.
So maybe may maybe soonerrather than later, but we'll
see.
Who knows?
Um I thought you've uh made agreat point about uh we're uh
kind of attackingdisinformation, uh putting
everything out there um anddoing it with integrity.
(17:22):
And honestly, I've I can saythat I've spent the last few
hours reviewing and looking atyour Instagram reels and uh in
the interest of research, right?
Not just scrolling onInstagram.
Um sometimes that happens, butyou know, it's Instagram, it's
it's what it's for.
But I'm so impressed with thethe the quality and the content,
(17:42):
you know, and you know, gettingback to being able, um, I know
part of what you do is to createthis visual impact for
learning.
And I was like, wow, you know,I wish I wish this was around
when I was in med school becauseyou know, then it all kind of
makes sense.
You're like, okay, you're notjust out there saying, okay,
here's you know, complement, youknow, C2 or C14, whatever, you
(18:04):
know, you're like, okay, youstill can really make this
connection.
Um, but I, you know, these uhfor these reels are short, but
they're they're very dense withscience.
And I'm like, wow, that'sthat's the real deal.
So uh hats off to be able tocreate such uh succinct and uh
(18:25):
effective content.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (18:27):
Yeah, I feel like that's a challenge
like a lot of scientists haveand struggle with.
And I feel like, you know, I'vepracticed this heavily, even
like with my dissertation, kindof, you know, I was always
taught, okay, you should be ableto break things down so your
grandmom can understand it,right?
Um so I felt like, you know, Iwould practice with like my
(18:48):
husband, my family.
Um, and it's just it's beenfun.
And like a lot of my friends, Imean, I have a lot of friends
that are in healthcare, but somearen't, and they're curious and
want to know.
So I mean, just even practicinghaving conversations with them,
and you know, they give goodfeedback of like, hey, you could
have explained this a littlebetter, you could have broken
(19:08):
this down, or no, this makessense.
I get this now.
Um, but it's been crazybecause, you know, like you
said, you're just used tolearning in a classroom setting.
And so I've kind of had to getlike more creative, more with
like the marketing side, I guessyou would say, of how to just
like hook people in so then theystay for the message.
(19:30):
Um, so it's really cool just tosee what all is out there.
Um, and you know, I haven'teven like utilized all these
different platforms, but I meanit's I there's just it's
untapped potential, and that'swhy I kind of got into it
because I saw, you know, there'sa lot of physicians and
scientists talking about themisinformation, what's going on
(19:51):
with like the current state ofour government, but I was like,
there's not much that'seducational out there for
people.
Um, so it's been fun.
Dr. Erich Schramm (20:00):
Well no, I'm great important work you're
doing.
Um, tell me a little bit aboutyou founded uh Brain and Beyond.
What's that all about?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (20:09):
Yeah, so um basically I this sounds so
cliche, but like in the middleof the night I was asleep and
just had some ideas of you know,how can I like start conveying
this just to general audiences?
So brain, because neuroscienceis my favorite subject.
And so I thought, you knowwhat, let me expand this into
(20:33):
three areas neuroscience,immunology, and oncology, just
kind of based off of myexperience.
And that way I have a lot morecontent to work with.
Um, and so I thought, you know,I'm just gonna like kind of
make a theme and rotate throughthis weekly.
Um, and then from there, Ithought, okay, I need to like
kind of mix it up day to day ifI'm posting weekly, just to hook
(20:56):
people to get them to stay.
Um, so that's where I startedthinking of, you know, different
themes like myth busters.
People love that.
It's clickbait, but I'm like tomake it in an educational way.
Um, you know, like fun factFriday, same thing.
It's a little clickbaity, butI'm like, no, I'm gonna use this
to hit them with the science.
(21:16):
Um, so I sprinkled that in, youknow, with some like tech for
Tuesdays, just to make peoplekind of like what's going on in
the world with advancements ineach one of those fields.
Um, and I thought throwbackscience, hey, this would be a
cool way to talk about historyin the field.
Um, so that's kind of how thatcame to be.
(21:37):
I mean, when I created it, Ithought, okay, my friends are
gonna be kind and supportive,and that's probably gonna be the
only people that are gonnafollow this.
And I'll just use this toexpand my portfolio.
But it's really taken off.
And I feel like what reallykind of got me to the next
level, um, Harvard has a freeeducational platform called Lab
(21:58):
Exchange that you can accessonline.
And so they have an Instagramaccount, and I reached out to
them because I saw that they dolike to collaborate with a lot
of scientists, and I just said,hey, would this be something you
would be interested incollaborating with?
And so they, you know, lookthrough a lot of my content,
loved it, and then I the rest ishistory.
(22:20):
I've had, you know, more andmore collaborations with
different people.
So it's been like a really coolum and fulfilling journey.
And I feel like really the mostfulfilling part of it is, you
know, I'll get like a lot ofpeople in my DMs that are like,
hey, I would love to like learnabout, you know, from your
experience what you did throughyour PhD.
(22:43):
I'm thinking of doing, youknow, this, or, you know, oh, I
had a family member who had astroke.
Um, these topics, this ismaking this like helping me
understand this process better.
Um, so I think that's like thehumanizing aspect of this is
that at the end of the day, likeI am helping people, which is
(23:04):
really, really cool.
Dr. Erich Schramm (23:06):
Very impactful work.
And congratulations on it.
Sounds like it just keepsscaling to to new heights and
and and and all thataccessibility and and reaching
all the physicians andclinicians.
Um it sounds like you're you'respot on with that.
So congratulations on that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (23:23):
Thank you.
Dr. Erich Schramm (23:24):
Um, you also have the your uh your writing uh
Endosymbiont, is that correct?
You've been part of thatplatform.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (23:32):
Yep.
So um that's the German biotechcompany that I was previously
mentioned.
Um, so they focused all oftheir writing onto a website
called Medium.
Um, and so all theirpublications go there.
And so what I do for them is umbasically there's probably like
(23:53):
four or five of us writers.
And so we just kind of likesplit the work evenly.
Um, but they assign us adifferent cell type in the body,
and some of it, you know, Ihave no knowledge about outside
of like my neurosciencewheelhouse.
And so here again, that's whereit's like so useful having a
PhD, right?
Because you're having a divedown in the literature.
(24:14):
Learn about this, where you'rekind of creating a literature
review.
Um, and what's cool there, andI feel like my language there
has translated nicely to mybrain and beyond, is their focus
too, is to make thiseducational um and very engaging
for their audiences.
Dr. Erich Schramm (24:34):
Well, what I've seen in in your content, I
think that's that's veryapproachable, very accessible.
Um, I can imagine just what agreat resource that that would
that is and and would be for forpeople.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (24:47):
Yeah, yeah.
I feel like the biggesttakeaway, right, is a lot of
people just kind of have thispreconcieved notion that science
is intimidating, and it doesn'tneed to be.
You know, it can be fun tolearn this.
Dr. Erich Schramm (24:58):
That's right.
I'm it it's I'm having a greattime, honestly.
I'm I'm gonna be looking atthose Instagram reels uh soon.
I like the one with the thepets, you know, how our pets
make us feel better.
I'm like, oh yeah, the it's allabout the oxytocin, right?
All those feel love uh and feelgood uh brain chemicals.
So um one last thing.
(25:20):
Tell me um a little bit, whatdo you see coming down the pike?
You know, what what what getsyou excited about the the future
of neuroscience right now?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (25:30):
Um, well, like the future, I think,
with like just the way like techis headed is just so cool, just
kind of seeing where we were,you know, like in the early
1900s, like with lobotomies,which were so barbaric.
And so all moving forward to2025.
I mean, uh brain computerinterfaces are like the big hit
(25:53):
right now.
Um, and I was actually readingthere's a publication in Nature
about a month ago.
Um, I can't remember what theclinical trial was.
I think I wrote it down.
The Brain Gate 2 trial,anyways.
But it was a patient who hadALS.
And so they implanted thisdevice in his brain.
Um, and just by using differentalgorithms, um, basically these
(26:19):
signals were interacting withhis neural activity and actually
allowed him to produce naturalsounding speech.
So I mean, we're we're livingin the future.
I think just with howneuroscience is evolving right
now, it's really, reallyfascinating.
Dr. Erich Schramm (26:36):
Wow.
One last question.
Um, the other day I was uhdoing a talk and we talked about
biomarkers and we were talkingabout um Alzheimer's, and
there's more recently somebiomarkers that have come out as
uh uh P Tau 217 and some otherthings that are look really good
for identifying uh maybeAlzheimer's patients at an
(27:00):
earlier stage of the disease.
Um and one person asked me andsaid, Okay, well, look, do you
think that there could be like avaccine out there on the
horizon that uh might bepossibility for people with
Alzheimer's?
And we're as a researchorganization, we have done all
kinds of vaccine studies, notjust infectious disease.
We've done acne, we've done allkinds of things.
(27:22):
And at first I was like, wow,that seems kind of like a long
shot.
But then thinking it through alittle bit, so I was said, well,
maybe I wouldn't rule anythingout.
So I didn't know if you had athought on that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (27:35):
No, I mean, that's a really
interesting point.
Um, I think we are closer tothat than we were, you know, 20,
30 years ago.
I think we still have a longways to go.
And then I think that's anotherreason why neuroscience is so
fun to work in the field becauseit's tricky.
There's a lot we still don'tknow.
(27:56):
Um, like in a case ofAlzheimer's, Parkinson's brain
injury, and it's just there's somany players to the puzzle.
And I think that's what makesit so tricky to treat.
You know, you think, okay, it'sjust this one part of the
immune system that's causing it.
Well, no, wait, let's stepback.
Okay, well, then the agingprocess is a part of this.
(28:19):
So it's very multifaceted, andI think that's I we're getting
there, but it's we still have aways to go.
Dr. Erich Schramm (28:28):
Yeah, I'm hoping they're gonna have it all
figured out by the time I getto that age where I may have
already gotten there, I'm notsure, but I don't know.
I'm hoping they're gonna figureuh figure it out sooner than
later.
Um, last thing, any question uhthat you wished I had asked you
or would you like to add to addto?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (28:45):
Um, well, I was just gonna say, you
know, just thank you for havingme and like kind of what you
were saying too of like myjourney.
I feel like what's been cool isthis has really led me to more
of like an entrepreneurshiprole, which are things that
scientists and physicians don'treally know unless you are kind
of like thrown into it.
Um, and one thing I did want tobring up that I'm like really
(29:08):
proud and excited of is I amlaunching my first mentorship
cohort this October, um, whichwill be focused more on PhD
students, like early sciencecommunicators in their career,
um, science writers, just togive them like more feedback and
personalize, like, you know,one-on-one, um, in-person
(29:30):
exercises, just stuff you don'tget in academia, right?
And so, you know, I feel likemy journey's been really
insightful.
And then a lot of the lessonsand failures I've made along the
way, that's how you grow.
And so if I can impart thisknowledge on someone else, then
I feel like, you know, I'm doingmy job.
Um, so we'll see.
(29:53):
I mean, still growing.
It's fun, it's a journey.
I mean, I love that I've likegotten to know Chase, Through
Med Evidence! I love what youguys are doing here.
I mean, it's really impressive.
Dr. Erich Schramm (30:05):
Well, you're welcome back anytime.
And I love to pick your brainmore on psilocybin and cannabis
and anything else you you wantto talk about.
We we're we'll be here for you.
So, but thank you so much foryour time today.
And best of luck.
I know you're gonna knock itout of the park with your
(30:25):
program.
So thank you.
Thank you again so much.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (30:29):
So nice meeting and talking with
you today.
Thank you.
Announcer (30:32):
Thanks for joining the MedEvidence! Podcast.
To learn more, head over toMedevidence.com or subscribe to
our podcast on your favoritepodcast platform.
Welcome to MedEvidence!, where we help you
navigate the truth behindmedical research with unbiased,
evidence-proven facts, hosted bycardiologist and top medical
researcher, Dr.
Michael Koren.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:11):
Hello and welcome back to another episode
of the MedEvidence! Podcast.
I'm your host, Dr.
Eric Schram, sitting in forMichael Koren today.
For those who don't know me,I'm a board certified family
physician and long-term clinicalresearch investigator and have
been with the Encore ResearchGroup more than 20 years.
And I'm really excited today tobe sitting or talking to Dr.
Christy Kestner.
(00:33):
Now, Dr.
Kestner is an esteemedneuroscientist, science writer,
and science content creator.
Welcome to MedEvidence, Dr.
Christy Kessner.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (00:43):
Thank you for having me here.
It's an honor to be here today.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:47):
Well, thank you.
And is it okay if I call youChristy?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (00:50):
That is perfectly fine.
Dr. Erich Schramm (00:53):
So a little bit about your background.
I read your um your bio andquite interesting.
You have a PhD inneuroimmunology.
You had 10 years uh experienceas a benchtop researcher, um,
and then more recently involvedin creating science content and
science writing.
So maybe you could tell us alittle bit about your
(01:14):
background, tell where you grewup and how you got interested
in into neuroscience.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (01:20):
Yeah, so um basically my path has
definitely not been a straightline and not linear, which has
made it all the more exciting.
Um actually, I grew up umplaying tennis my whole life and
like briefly at one point Iconsidered pursuing a career in
tennis.
Um, but since I was a kid, Ijust knew I always love science
(01:41):
more.
Um, and so in college, I wasyour traditional biology pre-med
major.
But during this time, mygrandmom had Parkinson's
disease.
So I felt like I was alwaysjust curious of, you know,
what's causing this?
Why is she stricken with thisdisease?
Um, so I feel like that'sreally what kind of like piqued
(02:04):
my interest in a neuroscience.
Um, so after I graduatedcollege at the University of
South Carolina, I moved back toAtlanta and pursued a master's
degree in cell biology.
And what was cool here is Ifeel like that's where I really
got a lot of exposure toneuroscience courses.
(02:26):
And I feel like there is whereI just fell in love with
neuroscience.
Um, and I just lived andbreathed it.
I just thought this was justsuch an interesting field.
Um, so after my master'sdegree, I ended up moving to
Charleston and pursuing my PhDin neuroimmunology.
(02:47):
So here I basically focused onit's called the complement
system, which is part of theimmune system.
So my overall goal was lookingof how this plays a role in
brain injury or stroke inpatients.
Um, and so what was cool is wedid a lot of complement um
(03:10):
directed therapy developmentduring my PhD.
So it really made me aware andrealize how you can really
modulate the immune system forbetter patient outcomes.
Um, so that's how I got intoneuroimmunology.
And then after that, I took ona brief postdoc role also at
(03:31):
MUSC, just focusing onpancreatic cancer um drug
targets.
So after all that, I reallythought, you know, I'm gonna be
a scientist in biotech.
Like this is my dream, youknow, to transition from
academia, being a bench topscientist for years into the
fast-paced world of tech.
And, you know, with the way themarket is, it's just tough to
(03:55):
get jobs.
Um, and also, you know, I myhusband is established here in
Charleston.
So I couldn't just take off andmove somewhere that was offered
a position.
Um, so it was definitelychallenging.
So during that process, I feltlike I started learning more
about scientific writing andmedical writing roles.
(04:16):
And I thought perk of that was,you know, it's remote.
I can work from home, I cantravel for conferences if
needed.
Um, so I got into that and tooka freelance scientific writing
role with a German biotech andconsultant company that I still
work for.
Um, and then from there, I justwas like, you know what?
I'm going to expand and buildmy scientific portfolio.
(04:39):
And that's kind of how I umtransitioned into creating Brain
and Beyond.
And so it's definitely beenlike an interesting path, but
it's been like really, reallyfun and enjoyable too.
Dr. Erich Schramm (04:53):
Wow, that's great.
Always great to hear anon-traditional route.
Had you always had, you know, askill and interest in writing,
or is that something that justyou kind of cultivated?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (05:04):
Yeah, I think honestly, when I
realized this is something I waspassionate about and really
enjoyed was during my PhD.
Um, I feel like one of myfavorite things during that time
was just researching newneurotopics, learning about
them, diving into the literatureon PubMed, um, and then writing
about it and just conveying itto, you know, not only
(05:28):
scientists and other students,but I feel like I had a chance
to just, you know, disseminatethis to the general public too.
Um, and I think that's where Ifigured out that, you know, like
doing the science is a lot offun.
But for me and my personality,I thought this was a bigger fit.
Dr. Erich Schramm (05:46):
Wow, that's that's really impressive.
Um, back to the time that youwere dealing uh and you were
doing your PhD and you'reworking with patients with
traumatic brain injury.
Were that were these athletesor were these people in like
accidents?
What what kind of patients wereyou dealing with at that point?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (06:04):
So actually I focused on animal
research.
So all of like the treatments Iwas focusing on were in mouse
models.
Um and so I definitely gotdesensitized to this because at
first, you know, you get alittle emotional about it.
Like I have pets, and you know,you want to get attached to
them, but you have to think,okay, like I'm helping the
greater good.
(06:24):
Um, but I feel like where I wasfortunate enough not just to
have the typical basic sciencetraining is um I got grant
funding in my um second andthird year a T32.
And part of that requirement iswe had to shadow a physician
that was related to your workthat you were doing.
(06:45):
And so what was cool in ourdepartment, we're very
collaborated with theneurosurgery department.
So for one whole summer, I didget to collaborate with a
pediatric neurosurgeon.
And I mean, it was amazing.
I got to scrub in it on a lotof rare cases.
And so I it was like it'sreally cool just seeing what
you're doing at the bench andhow you know that can translate
(07:08):
to the bedside.
Dr. Erich Schramm (07:09):
Wow.
That those sounds like alife-transforming experience.
Um, but it's it's interestingin your uh career at some point
you you made a decision topursue um the PhD rather than
the MD.
Um, what was in what wasinvolved in that decision
making?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (07:28):
You know, I always loved science.
I love medicine.
I think I kind of dabbled justas a kid, if you know, I would
be a physician or a scientist.
And I think just the older Igot, um, especially more like in
college and during a master's,I felt like the questions I was
(07:48):
gravitating more to is why isthis happening?
Why is this working?
What is it that's causing thisdisease rather than treating the
patient?
Um, I think that was like oneaspect.
And um, I think also just kindof growing up being an athlete.
I'm an only child, so I'm veryindependent and comfortable with
(08:09):
that.
And I feel like I'm anextroverted introvert, if that
makes sense.
So people can exhaust me aftera while.
So I thought it's probably bestto stick to the scientist route
instead of you know pursuingbecoming a physician and
interacting with, you know,dozens of patients every day.
Dr. Erich Schramm (08:26):
Yeah, I'm I'm sure the all that important
work that that you've done is ishelped thousands of patients.
And, you know, again, you'realso in uh dedicated and
committed to, you know, youknow, making uh science
accessible, right?
Not just to the generalpopulation, but to to the you
(08:49):
know, physicians and and uh youknow clinicians.
Um kind of tell me a little bitabout that and how how you do
that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (08:57):
Yeah, I feel like, you know, just
coming from academia, right?
It's such a differentexperience than, you know, being
in private practice or, youknow, just being a physician,
like working outside thehospital setting or even working
in tech.
It's just it's very, I don'twant to say siloed, but I I feel
(09:19):
like you're just kind of likestuck in this niche and you're
just you're kind of protectedfrom the outside world.
Um, and you know, there'speople love it.
That's great.
It wasn't for me.
Um, there's nothing wrong withit.
Like, you know, I think thatwe've done a lot of good
research that has come throughacademic science.
But one thing I really noticed,especially through my
(09:39):
experience being a PhD student,is I think there still is this
kind of like antiquated way ofthinking of becoming a
scientist.
And like some things I wish I'dlearned during my path was
alternate career paths insteadof just being, you know, a bench
top scientist.
Um, I wish there was more likementoring workshops or like, I
(10:02):
don't know, Zoom sessions todiscuss about this.
Um, and then also I feel likejust with the science I was
doing during my PhD, a lot ofthe work is just so cool and
exciting.
But, you know, most people arenever gonna hear about this,
right?
Unless, you know, you're aphysician or scientist and
you're reading academicjournals.
Um, so that was kind of mymission.
(10:23):
I was like, you know what,science shouldn't stay behind
academic institutions.
We should bring this to thepublic, especially, you know,
research or current technologythat's being used right now.
And let's, you know,disseminate this to the public
just in a storytelling manner.
And I feel like that's whatI've really tried to bring home
(10:46):
is to just tell the science in astorytelling way, just to
engage your audience where notonly are they learning from
this, but you know, you'rebuilding credibility with them
because you're an expert in thefield.
Um, then also like they'rebuilding trust.
And I feel like they're feelingempowered by learning more
(11:09):
about the science and what'sgoing on.
Dr. Erich Schramm (11:12):
Right.
And honestly, I was smiling asyou were talking about how
there's a lot of expectationsand being in silos, and oh, you
know, you're we tend to inmedical training be very
compartmentalized, and you know,um, you follow a lot of people
whose traditional path, at leastfor as being a physician, is
(11:32):
like, okay, well, you're justyou're you're down this path,
and and you know, we're we'renot really groomed to be
entrepreneurs or we're we'rewe're kind of worker bees, you
know, and and um so hearing yourstory about um you know looking
to in being able to make thispivot and uh seeing and opening
(11:53):
up and uh I've seen you makecomments say, look, you know,
we've got uh you don't have tohave this uh traditional path
that you can appeal to a widegroup of people and and you know
can see that yeah, this this isreally what we should be should
be uh nurturing, whether it'syou know in our med schools or
in our PhD programs, and um, youknow, because we all become,
(12:14):
you know, once once we expandour skill sets, I mean we're you
know, I think a lot of what youknow we were talking earlier
about one of the things um thatwe want to be able to create in
a space is you know, working andtrying to combat a lot of
misinformation anddisinformation out there.
Um maybe you could meant say alittle bit about that and what
(12:35):
your experience is with that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (12:36):
Yeah, I feel like that's honestly
another um huge driver of mecreating this platform um is
just the way the world is rightnow.
Everybody's basically gettingtheir information from social
media.
And although this is good, Ifeel like there's a lot of
information that is notaccurate.
And to combat that, I mean, wejust need more professionals
(12:59):
like physicians, trainedscientists, just to step up on
this platform.
Um, that way you're not onlybringing your credibility to the
platform, but you're alsobringing a unique skill set of
just having an evidence-basedperspective.
And just by having that, you'reable to like sift through a lot
(13:19):
of you know, the noise.
Um, and so by having a lot ofphysicians and scientists just
kind of like stepping up to theplate, I feel like again, this
way of being able to communicateeither whatever clinical
specialty that you'respecializing in, whatever
science interests you, if youcan just disseminate this to the
(13:41):
public in an engaging way.
Um, I feel like the key here istrust because there's just so
much mistrust with what's goingon in science.
Um, and I feel like kind of howI've been tackling this is, you
know, I always add referencesand sources to all my posts.
So that way, like my audienceknows, okay, this is credible.
(14:02):
I have um basically kind of um,I want to say like a little
mini library on like my link inmy bio where people can click
through and find the post whereI was talking about this source.
And if they're interested, theycan read more in depth about
like what I was discussing in abite-sized manner.
(14:23):
Um, so I feel like by justpushing, you know, references,
you're establishing yourcredibility.
That is huge.
Um, but then on the other hand,I feel like it's tricky too,
because sometimes you might haveto talk about topics that are
uncomfortable, like talkingabout psilioscibin with cancer
(14:43):
patients.
And I feel like a lot of thesetopics can get kind of
clickbaity in a way in a way.
And so, you know, I feel likepeople are naturally curious,
but without having like thebigger picture, I feel like
that's where misinformation cankind of creep in.
So I feel like it's our job tokind of like step in, talk about
(15:05):
this, show them the evidence,but also show them the
limitations, and that way peoplecan engage like in a
responsible manner.
Dr. Erich Schramm (15:13):
Right.
And we were we were talking alittle bit about uh earlier
about some of the challenges todo schedule one research.
So whatever people don't knowwhat scheduled one means, these
are uh typically types of drugsthat the government has assigned
to certain categories.
And here we go, yeah, you know,for controlled medications and
(15:34):
you know, psilocybin andcannabis.
We were talking about cannabis.
Um, but these are verydifficult to study uh compounds,
even though um you know they'vebeen they've been around for
centuries, and more recently inmedicine we've used them.
So we know the potentialtherapeutic value, but it can be
frustrating because we'rescientists.
We'd like to, okay, well, wereally like design a study, and
(15:56):
here's how we like to do that toprove that point.
But on the other hand, when weknow that something that may be
helpful for patients, you know,we want to put our patients'
interest first.
So I want to be true to myresearch self, but at the same
time, I want to do the best forthe patient.
So um, and I can I can hearthat's the kind of approach I
(16:17):
think you have.
I can hear that in you.
So I'm I applaud you for that.
And I hopefully one day we'llbe talking about doing schedule
one research on we'll come backand do a psilocybin or a
cannabis talk, something likethat would be fun because
everybody asks about it.
So I'd love to take a time todo it.
I mean, I with these, I feellike with the public, it's just
(16:38):
kind of breaking that stigmatoo, right?
Um, you know, a lot of peoplejust think of you know cannabis
research in one manner, and I'mlike, you know, it's not bad,
especially if you're monitoringthis appropriately.
Right.
And I am a cannabis certifyingphysician in the state of
Florida, so I am nodding my headin total agreement.
(17:01):
And uh I'm I'm ready to be uhtaking that the next step
forward.
So maybe may maybe soonerrather than later, but we'll
see.
Who knows?
Um I thought you've uh made agreat point about uh we're uh
kind of attackingdisinformation, uh putting
everything out there um anddoing it with integrity.
(17:22):
And honestly, I've I can saythat I've spent the last few
hours reviewing and looking atyour Instagram reels and uh in
the interest of research, right?
Not just scrolling onInstagram.
Um sometimes that happens, butyou know, it's Instagram, it's
it's what it's for.
But I'm so impressed with thethe the quality and the content,
(17:42):
you know, and you know, gettingback to being able, um, I know
part of what you do is to createthis visual impact for
learning.
And I was like, wow, you know,I wish I wish this was around
when I was in med school becauseyou know, then it all kind of
makes sense.
You're like, okay, you're notjust out there saying, okay,
here's you know, complement, youknow, C2 or C14, whatever, you
(18:04):
know, you're like, okay, youstill can really make this
connection.
Um, but I, you know, these uhfor these reels are short, but
they're they're very dense withscience.
And I'm like, wow, that'sthat's the real deal.
So uh hats off to be able tocreate such uh succinct and uh
(18:25):
effective content.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (18:27):
Yeah, I feel like that's a challenge
like a lot of scientists haveand struggle with.
And I feel like, you know, I'vepracticed this heavily, even
like with my dissertation, kindof, you know, I was always
taught, okay, you should be ableto break things down so your
grandmom can understand it,right?
Um so I felt like, you know, Iwould practice with like my
(18:48):
husband, my family.
Um, and it's just it's beenfun.
And like a lot of my friends, Imean, I have a lot of friends
that are in healthcare, but somearen't, and they're curious and
want to know.
So I mean, just even practicinghaving conversations with them,
and you know, they give goodfeedback of like, hey, you could
have explained this a littlebetter, you could have broken
(19:08):
this down, or no, this makessense.
I get this now.
Um, but it's been crazybecause, you know, like you
said, you're just used tolearning in a classroom setting.
And so I've kind of had to getlike more creative, more with
like the marketing side, I guessyou would say, of how to just
like hook people in so then theystay for the message.
(19:30):
Um, so it's really cool just tosee what all is out there.
Um, and you know, I haven'teven like utilized all these
different platforms, but I meanit's I there's just it's
untapped potential, and that'swhy I kind of got into it
because I saw, you know, there'sa lot of physicians and
scientists talking about themisinformation, what's going on
(19:51):
with like the current state ofour government, but I was like,
there's not much that'seducational out there for
people.
Um, so it's been fun.
Dr. Erich Schramm (20:00):
Well no, I'm great important work you're
doing.
Um, tell me a little bit aboutyou founded uh Brain and Beyond.
What's that all about?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (20:09):
Yeah, so um basically I this sounds so
cliche, but like in the middleof the night I was asleep and
just had some ideas of you know,how can I like start conveying
this just to general audiences?
So brain, because neuroscienceis my favorite subject.
And so I thought, you knowwhat, let me expand this into
(20:33):
three areas neuroscience,immunology, and oncology, just
kind of based off of myexperience.
And that way I have a lot morecontent to work with.
Um, and so I thought, you know,I'm just gonna like kind of
make a theme and rotate throughthis weekly.
Um, and then from there, Ithought, okay, I need to like
kind of mix it up day to day ifI'm posting weekly, just to hook
(20:56):
people to get them to stay.
Um, so that's where I startedthinking of, you know, different
themes like myth busters.
People love that.
It's clickbait, but I'm like tomake it in an educational way.
Um, you know, like fun factFriday, same thing.
It's a little clickbaity, butI'm like, no, I'm gonna use this
to hit them with the science.
(21:16):
Um, so I sprinkled that in, youknow, with some like tech for
Tuesdays, just to make peoplekind of like what's going on in
the world with advancements ineach one of those fields.
Um, and I thought throwbackscience, hey, this would be a
cool way to talk about historyin the field.
Um, so that's kind of how thatcame to be.
(21:37):
I mean, when I created it, Ithought, okay, my friends are
gonna be kind and supportive,and that's probably gonna be the
only people that are gonnafollow this.
And I'll just use this toexpand my portfolio.
But it's really taken off.
And I feel like what reallykind of got me to the next
level, um, Harvard has a freeeducational platform called Lab
(21:58):
Exchange that you can accessonline.
And so they have an Instagramaccount, and I reached out to
them because I saw that they dolike to collaborate with a lot
of scientists, and I just said,hey, would this be something you
would be interested incollaborating with?
And so they, you know, lookthrough a lot of my content,
loved it, and then I the rest ishistory.
(22:20):
I've had, you know, more andmore collaborations with
different people.
So it's been like a really coolum and fulfilling journey.
And I feel like really the mostfulfilling part of it is, you
know, I'll get like a lot ofpeople in my DMs that are like,
hey, I would love to like learnabout, you know, from your
experience what you did throughyour PhD.
(22:43):
I'm thinking of doing, youknow, this, or, you know, oh, I
had a family member who had astroke.
Um, these topics, this ismaking this like helping me
understand this process better.
Um, so I think that's like thehumanizing aspect of this is
that at the end of the day, likeI am helping people, which is
(23:04):
really, really cool.
Dr. Erich Schramm (23:06):
Very impactful work.
And congratulations on it.
Sounds like it just keepsscaling to to new heights and
and and and all thataccessibility and and reaching
all the physicians andclinicians.
Um it sounds like you're you'respot on with that.
So congratulations on that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (23:23):
Thank you.
Dr. Erich Schramm (23:24):
Um, you also have the your uh your writing uh
Endosymbiont, is that correct?
You've been part of thatplatform.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (23:32):
Yep.
So um that's the German biotechcompany that I was previously
mentioned.
Um, so they focused all oftheir writing onto a website
called Medium.
Um, and so all theirpublications go there.
And so what I do for them is umbasically there's probably like
(23:53):
four or five of us writers.
And so we just kind of likesplit the work evenly.
Um, but they assign us adifferent cell type in the body,
and some of it, you know, Ihave no knowledge about outside
of like my neurosciencewheelhouse.
And so here again, that's whereit's like so useful having a
PhD, right?
Because you're having a divedown in the literature.
(24:14):
Learn about this, where you'rekind of creating a literature
review.
Um, and what's cool there, andI feel like my language there
has translated nicely to mybrain and beyond, is their focus
too, is to make thiseducational um and very engaging
for their audiences.
Dr. Erich Schramm (24:34):
Well, what I've seen in in your content, I
think that's that's veryapproachable, very accessible.
Um, I can imagine just what agreat resource that that would
that is and and would be for forpeople.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (24:47):
Yeah, yeah.
I feel like the biggesttakeaway, right, is a lot of
people just kind of have thispreconcieved notion that science
is intimidating, and it doesn'tneed to be.
You know, it can be fun tolearn this.
Dr. Erich Schramm (24:58):
That's right.
I'm it it's I'm having a greattime, honestly.
I'm I'm gonna be looking atthose Instagram reels uh soon.
I like the one with the thepets, you know, how our pets
make us feel better.
I'm like, oh yeah, the it's allabout the oxytocin, right?
All those feel love uh and feelgood uh brain chemicals.
So um one last thing.
(25:20):
Tell me um a little bit, whatdo you see coming down the pike?
You know, what what what getsyou excited about the the future
of neuroscience right now?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (25:30):
Um, well, like the future, I think,
with like just the way like techis headed is just so cool, just
kind of seeing where we were,you know, like in the early
1900s, like with lobotomies,which were so barbaric.
And so all moving forward to2025.
I mean, uh brain computerinterfaces are like the big hit
(25:53):
right now.
Um, and I was actually readingthere's a publication in Nature
about a month ago.
Um, I can't remember what theclinical trial was.
I think I wrote it down.
The Brain Gate 2 trial,anyways.
But it was a patient who hadALS.
And so they implanted thisdevice in his brain.
Um, and just by using differentalgorithms, um, basically these
(26:19):
signals were interacting withhis neural activity and actually
allowed him to produce naturalsounding speech.
So I mean, we're we're livingin the future.
I think just with howneuroscience is evolving right
now, it's really, reallyfascinating.
Dr. Erich Schramm (26:36):
Wow.
One last question.
Um, the other day I was uhdoing a talk and we talked about
biomarkers and we were talkingabout um Alzheimer's, and
there's more recently somebiomarkers that have come out as
uh uh P Tau 217 and some otherthings that are look really good
for identifying uh maybeAlzheimer's patients at an
(27:00):
earlier stage of the disease.
Um and one person asked me andsaid, Okay, well, look, do you
think that there could be like avaccine out there on the
horizon that uh might bepossibility for people with
Alzheimer's?
And we're as a researchorganization, we have done all
kinds of vaccine studies, notjust infectious disease.
We've done acne, we've done allkinds of things.
(27:22):
And at first I was like, wow,that seems kind of like a long
shot.
But then thinking it through alittle bit, so I was said, well,
maybe I wouldn't rule anythingout.
So I didn't know if you had athought on that.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (27:35):
No, I mean, that's a really
interesting point.
Um, I think we are closer tothat than we were, you know, 20,
30 years ago.
I think we still have a longways to go.
And then I think that's anotherreason why neuroscience is so
fun to work in the field becauseit's tricky.
There's a lot we still don'tknow.
(27:56):
Um, like in a case ofAlzheimer's, Parkinson's brain
injury, and it's just there's somany players to the puzzle.
And I think that's what makesit so tricky to treat.
You know, you think, okay, it'sjust this one part of the
immune system that's causing it.
Well, no, wait, let's stepback.
Okay, well, then the agingprocess is a part of this.
(28:19):
So it's very multifaceted, andI think that's I we're getting
there, but it's we still have aways to go.
Dr. Erich Schramm (28:28):
Yeah, I'm hoping they're gonna have it all
figured out by the time I getto that age where I may have
already gotten there, I'm notsure, but I don't know.
I'm hoping they're gonna figureuh figure it out sooner than
later.
Um, last thing, any question uhthat you wished I had asked you
or would you like to add to addto?
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (28:45):
Um, well, I was just gonna say, you
know, just thank you for havingme and like kind of what you
were saying too of like myjourney.
I feel like what's been cool isthis has really led me to more
of like an entrepreneurshiprole, which are things that
scientists and physicians don'treally know unless you are kind
of like thrown into it.
Um, and one thing I did want tobring up that I'm like really
(29:08):
proud and excited of is I amlaunching my first mentorship
cohort this October, um, whichwill be focused more on PhD
students, like early sciencecommunicators in their career,
um, science writers, just togive them like more feedback and
personalize, like, you know,one-on-one, um, in-person
(29:30):
exercises, just stuff you don'tget in academia, right?
And so, you know, I feel likemy journey's been really
insightful.
And then a lot of the lessonsand failures I've made along the
way, that's how you grow.
And so if I can impart thisknowledge on someone else, then
I feel like, you know, I'm doingmy job.
Um, so we'll see.
(29:53):
I mean, still growing.
It's fun, it's a journey.
I mean, I love that I've likegotten to know Chase, Through
Med Evidence! I love what youguys are doing here.
I mean, it's really impressive.
Dr. Erich Schramm (30:05):
Well, you're welcome back anytime.
And I love to pick your brainmore on psilocybin and cannabis
and anything else you you wantto talk about.
We we're we'll be here for you.
So, but thank you so much foryour time today.
And best of luck.
I know you're gonna knock itout of the park with your
(30:25):
program.
So thank you.
Thank you again so much.
Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD (30:29):
So nice meeting and talking with
you today.
Thank you.
Announcer (30:32):
Thanks for joining the MedEvidence! Podcast.
To learn more, head over toMedevidence.com or subscribe to
our podcast on your favoritepodcast platform.
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