Season 2 Episode 2 | The Science Of Cancer Immunology | Dr. Asona Lui, assistant professor Radiation Oncology, Moores Cancer Center clinic

The Science of Podcast episode features Dr. Asona Lui, an assistant professor in radiation oncology at UCSD Moores Cancer Center, discussing breast cancer and immunology. Dr. Lui specializes in triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks hormone receptors and HER2, making it resistant to standard treatments. She develops mouse models to study the disease and its response to immunotherapy and radiation. Dr. Lui emphasizes the importance of understanding cancer-immune system interactions and the potential of AI and robotic surgery in future healthcare. She advises young scientists to embrace diverse interests and seize opportunities, even if they seem unrelated to their main field.

Outline Introduction to the Science of Podcast Series

• Speaker 1 introduces the podcast, emphasizing curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge in various scientific fields.
• The podcast is hosted by students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and the Elementary Institute of Science, in partnership with UCSD Moores Cancer Center.
• Funding for the program is provided by Cloudcast Media.
• Speaker 2 welcomes listeners to the series, highlighting the focus on different scientific topics in each episode.

Introduction to the Episode's Guests and Co-Hosts

• Speaker 2 introduces the episode's topic: radiation oncology, with a focus on breast cancer and immunology.
• Dr. Asona Lui is introduced as the guest, specializing in treating breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer.
• Co-hosts Kelsey, Zahraa, Danielle-Elizabeth Mensah-Baah, Max, August, and Jose Castillo introduce themselves as students from various schools.

Dr. Asona Lui's Background and Journey

• Dr. Lui shares her background, including her BA in African Studies and her interest in understanding her cultural roots.
• She discusses her family's background and how it influenced her academic and career choices.
• Dr. Lui explains her transition from African Studies to cancer research, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural influences on health.
• She mentions her involvement in acting and performing arts, which she believes has contributed to her success in science.

Balancing Science and the Arts

• One of the co-hosts asks Dr. Lui about balancing her interest in the arts with her scientific career.
• Dr. Lui shares her experience of participating in the arts during medical school and how it helped her mental health.
• She emphasizes the importance of finding time for hobbies and incorporating them into daily life.
• Dr. Lui discusses her involvement in singing with the La Jolla Symphony and how it feeds her soul.

Dr. Lui's Research and Discoveries

• Dr. Lui explains the basics of cancer and immunology, emphasizing the role of the immune system in recognizing and fighting cancer.
• She describes her research on triple-negative breast cancer and the challenges of treating it without specific targeted therapies.
• Dr. Lui shares a significant discovery in her research: the role of interferon in cancer cells, which was unexpected and changed their understanding of cancer immunology.
• She discusses the development of mouse models for triple-negative breast cancer to better understand and treat the disease.

Challenges and Future Directions in Cancer Research

• Dr. Lui talks about the challenges of treating triple-negative breast cancer and the importance of developing better mouse models.
• She explains the role of immunotherapy and radiation in treating cancer and the need for more effective treatments.
• Dr. Lui shares her vision for the future of cancer research, including the use of MRI scans to monitor cancer treatment more effectively.
• She discusses the potential role of AI and robots in healthcare, particular