IASP Pain Research Forum Podcasts
The IASP Pain Research Forum speaks with the world's leading investigators about hot topics in the pain field.
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PRF Spotlight (Episode 1)- Voices Shaping Pain with Dr. Michael Gold
02/10/2026
PRF Spotlight (Episode 1)- Voices Shaping Pain with Dr. Michael Gold
The first interview in the PRF Spotlight Series: Voices Shaping Pain Science features Dr. Michael Gold, PhD delving deep in to discussion of the history and future of sodium channels. From the identification of sodium channels as drivers of nociceptor excitability to the emergence of NaVs as therapeutic targets, this conversation bridges the history of pain research with the future of mechanism-based analgesia. Part 1 of our interviews on Sodium Channels and the Making of a Field. Michael Gold, PhD University of Pittsburgh Francisco Isaac Gomes-Aragão, DDS, MSC, PhD University of São Paulo, BR Beatriz Lima Adjafre, PhD University of São Paulo, Br Music by .
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Engaging Patient Partners as “Storytellers”: A Conversation with Alice Wagenaar-Tison
05/02/2025
Engaging Patient Partners as “Storytellers”: A Conversation with Alice Wagenaar-Tison
During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF correspondent Rima El-Sayed spoke with scientist and patient partner Alice Wagenaar-Tison, PhD candidate at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. During their wide-ranging conversation, Wagenaar detailed her experience with chronic pain, gave advice to any chronic pain patients interested in becoming a patient partner, and how you do not need to be a scientist to help design studies with patients in mind. Podcast participants include: Alice Wagenaar-Tison, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Canada Rima El-Sayed, University of Toronto, Canada
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Immersion and INOVATEion: A Conversation with Deirdre Logan and Sara Williams
04/30/2025
Immersion and INOVATEion: A Conversation with Deirdre Logan and Sara Williams
Editor’s note: This article is part of PRF’s featured content series “,” which has been made possible thanks to a generous grant from the . Over the past two decades, the technology supporting virtual reality (VR) has significantly advanced, and its utility in healthcare settings has advanced along with it. In January 2020, and 15 other academics and clinicians, as well as industry and philanthropy partners, formed the . This group aims to advance the field of VR for pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation. During this episode of the Pain Research Forum Podcast, IASP’s Publications Manager, Renee Chasse, speaks with Dr. Deirdre Logan and fellow INOVATE member about their background working together in pediatric pain research, their experience with the consortium over the past 5 years, and how they envision the future of the field specific to therapeutic advances made possible by Extended Reality (XR). Podcast participants include: Deirdre Logan, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Sara Williams, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA Renee Chasse, PhD, International Association for the Study of Pain (host)
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The Pain Beat (Episode 18) –The Immune System and Pain
04/14/2025
The Pain Beat (Episode 18) –The Immune System and Pain
On this episode of The Pain Beat, Adam Dourson moderates a discussion about the role of the immune system in pain – what we know currently and ideas about how the immune system can be a target for new strategies to treat chronic pain. Podcast participants include: Geffroy Laumet, PhD, Michigan State University, US Luda Diachenko, PhD, McGill University, CA Thiago Cunha, PhD, University of Sao Paolo, BR Temugin Berta, PhD, University of Cincinnati, US Adam Dourson, PhD, Washington University in Saint Louis, US PRF thanks Lite Yang and Adam Dourson for producing the podcast and Kevin Seal for creating the music.
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The Pain Beat (Episode 17) – Experience, Study and Treatment of Visceral Pain
11/22/2024
The Pain Beat (Episode 17) – Experience, Study and Treatment of Visceral Pain
On this episode of The Pain Beat, Ewan St John Smith hosted fellow scientists and clinicians with expertise in visceral pain, including Federica La Russa - a scientist who also brought the patient perspective. The participants belong to the ADVANTAGE Consortium led by Geoff Woods, University of Cambridge, UK. The discussion covered psychological and clinical perspectives on the experience of visceral pain and treatment as well as the in latest preclinical research and how visceral pain studies differ from other types of pain. Podcast participants include: Ewan St. John Smith, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK Franziska Denk, PhD, University College London, UK Federica La Russa, PhD, Freelance Science Writer Andrew Horne, University of Edinburgh, UK Amanda Williams, PhD, University College London, UK
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Unpacking the Drug Development Process: A Conversation with Frank Porreca
10/22/2024
Unpacking the Drug Development Process: A Conversation with Frank Porreca
Editor’s note: During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . As we hear from our 2024 NAPS Correspondents, we’re taking a look back at some highlights of NAPS 2023 and some of the people who made them possible. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF Correspondent Lindsay Ejoh spoke with – a dedicated pain researcher and one of top 10 most cited pharmacologists in the world. During their conversation, Porreca detailed the process of drug development, the importance of examining sex differences in drug development research, as well as his experience at the North American Pain School. Podcast participants include: Frank Porreca, PhD, University of Arizona, USA Lindsay Ejoh, PhD Candidate, University of Pennsylvania, USA, @neuro_melody
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“Running Towards the Fire”: A Conversation with Jessica Merlin
09/13/2024
“Running Towards the Fire”: A Conversation with Jessica Merlin
During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF Correspondent Jamie Moffa spoke with – a clinical pain researcher focusing on the intersection of chronic pain and opioid misuse/use disorder across populations and settings. During their wide-ranging conversation, Merlin detailed her nonlinear career path, her beginnings in research in chronic pain HIV patients, and her current passion of providing palliative care in addiction treatment settings. Podcast participants include: Jessica Merlin, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Jamie Moffa, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA You can also find Jamie on their science communication podcast,
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Lifting the Barriers in Pain Science: A Conversation with Melanie Noel
09/06/2024
Lifting the Barriers in Pain Science: A Conversation with Melanie Noel
During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF Correspondent Marimée Godbout-Parent spoke with – a child health and wellness researcher specializing in psychological mechanisms involved in pediatric pain. During their wide-ranging conversation, Noel discussed the inspiration behind her pioneering pediatric pain research, the development of her mentorship style based on her own mentors, and leading the way for other women in pain research. Podcast participants include: Melanie Noel, PhD, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Marimée Godbout-Parent, BS Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec, Canada
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Addressing Cultural Disparities and Inequities in Pain Research: A Conversation with Calia Torres
08/16/2024
Addressing Cultural Disparities and Inequities in Pain Research: A Conversation with Calia Torres
During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF Correspondent Madelene Ho spoke with – a passionate pain researcher and . In their thought-provoking conversation, Torres discussed her academic background, her transition from the role of trainee to mentor, and her current research about economic and cultural disparities in pain care – particularly psychosocial interventions for understudied and underserved populations, including sickle-cell patient populations. Podcast participants include: Calia Torres, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA Madelene Ho, University of Alberta, Canada
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The Keys to an Impactful Career in Pain Research: A Conversation with Elliot J. Krane
08/16/2024
The Keys to an Impactful Career in Pain Research: A Conversation with Elliot J. Krane
Editor’s note: During the (ISPP), five pain researchers participated in the PRF-ISPP 2023 Correspondents Program – made possible by generous contributions from and the . As we prepare for – we’re taking a look back at some highlights of ISPP 2023, and some of the people who made them possible. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF Correspondent Adewale Fadaka spoke with – a prolific pain researcher and co-founder of one of the first pain centers for children in North America. During their wide-ranging conversation, Krane discussed his background in pain research, how he felt to receive the Distinguished Career Award at ISPP 2023, and shared some advice for early-career researchers. Podcast participants include: Elliot J. Krane, PhD, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA Adewale Fadaka, PhD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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The Impact of Patient Voices in Pain Research: A Conversation with Keith Meldrum
07/26/2024
The Impact of Patient Voices in Pain Research: A Conversation with Keith Meldrum
Editor’s note: During the (NAPS), five pain researchers participated in the . As we prepare to hear from our 2024 NAPS Correspondents, we’re taking a look back at some highlights of NAPS 2023 and some of the people who made them possible. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, PRF correspondent Taylor Yeater spoke with Keith Meldrum – a dedicated pain advocate and one of two patient partners invited to attend NAPS 2023. In their wide-ranging conversation, Keith discussed living with persistent pain for over 30 years, his extensive advocacy efforts for people living with pain, and the special impact of his experience at NAPS. Be sure to check out Keith’s for more of his thoughts on advocacy and his experience of living with persistent pain. Podcast participants include: Keith Meldrum, British Columbia, Canada Taylor Yeater, PhD, University of Minnesota, USA
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IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with Fernando Cervero
07/19/2024
IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with Fernando Cervero
Editor’s note: In 2024, IASP is celebrating its , culminating at the . To highlight this milestone, IASP is reflecting on its history and the advances and contributions made by its members over the past 50 years. Throughout the remainder of 2024, Pain Research Forum will be providing a series of podcasts featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and management, including those with major roles at IASP. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, frequent PRF contributor Lincoln Tracy spoke with , who has been an IASP member for nearly 50 years and currently serves as co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Taskforce. As part of their wide-ranging conversation, Professor Cervero spoke about his path to becoming a neuroscientist researching pain, his longstanding involvement with the IASP, friendships with other founding members like , the challenges he faced during his time as IASP President, and the importance of supporting the next generation of early career researchers and clinicians. Podcast participants include: Fernando Cervero, MD, PhD, DSc, McGill University, Canada, and University of Bristol, UK Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Melbourne, Australia (host)
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IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with Louisa E. Jones
05/24/2024
IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with Louisa E. Jones
Editor’s note: In 2024, IASP is celebrating its , culminating at the . To highlight this milestone, IASP is reflecting on its history and the advances and contributions made by its members over the past 50 years. Throughout the remainder of 2024, Pain Research Forum will be providing a series of podcasts featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and management, including those with major roles at IASP. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, Lincoln Tracy spoke with Louisa E. Jones – who occupied a pivotal role in the foundation of IASP. During their chat (initially recorded in 2021), Louisa spoke about the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to pain research and management, some of the “underrecognized” contributors to IASP’s evolution, and the impact of IASP’s pain and on the development of more effective science communication. To learn more about Louisa and the beginnings of IASP, be sure to check out her book – Podcast participants include: Louisa E. Jones, Washington, USA Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with John D. Loeser
05/03/2024
IASP’s 50th Anniversary: A Podcast with John D. Loeser
Editor’s note: In 2024, IASP is celebrating its , culminating at the . To highlight this milestone, IASP is reflecting on its history and the advances and contributions made by its members over the past 50 years. Throughout the remainder of 2024, Pain Research Forum will be providing a series of podcasts featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and management, including those with major roles at IASP. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, frequent PRF contributor Fred Schwaller spoke with Dr. John D. Loeser – a founder of IASP during its formal incorporation in 1974. During their wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Loeser spoke about his introduction to the field of pain research and management after meeting and his role in the genesis of IASP during the (Washington, USA), the state of pain education in current medical school curricula, and policy barriers that impact advances in the field. To learn more about Dr. Loeser and his indelible mark on the field of pain research and management, be sure to check out his recently published biography – . Podcast participants include: John D. Loeser, MD, University of Washington, USA Fred Schwaller, PhD, Berlin, Germany (host)
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The Keystone Mechanism Theory of Pain
11/17/2023
The Keystone Mechanism Theory of Pain
On 23 August 2023, published the article, “.” In this article, researchers from the United Kingdom and Germany propose the keystone model of pain, which offers a practical balance between the expansive and other reductive approaches by providing advantages for the transition from treating at the population level to that of individual people. In this episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast, two of the article’s authors speak with PRF contributor, Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. They discuss how the group formulated this theory of pain and how it builds upon the successes of the biopsychosocial model to provide a theoretical foundation for basic and translational pain science to move forward with a strong emphasis on factors that shape an individual’s pain phenotype in a practical manner. Podcast participants include: Timothy Lawn, PhD, King’s College London, UK Jan Vollert, PhD, University of Exeter, UK Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (host)
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Power Over Pain
09/30/2023
Power Over Pain
This episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast highlights an emerging resource for adults and youths with the lived experience of pain called the . The Power Over Pain Portal works toward improving access to chronic pain care by providing access to free resources in a “one-stop shop,” including articles, videos, podcasts, courses, workshops, peer support, and even 24/7 one-on-one counseling – offered through . While initiated and designed by a consortium of researchers, clinicians, patient partners, hospitals, and institutions in Canada, the Power Over Pain Portal is freely available worldwide. In this episode, PRF spoke with developers of the Power Over Pain Portal to learn more about its initiation, resources, and plans for the future. Podcast participants include: Lynn Cooper, Director of Research & Education – Canadian Injured Workers Alliance Jennifer Stinson, RN-EC, PhD, CPNP, FAAN, SickKids, Toronto, Canada Yaad Shergill, DC, MSc, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and One Elephant Integrative Health Team Inc., Ontario, Canada Gregory Carbonetti, PhD, IASP Associate Director of Publications (host)
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The Pain Beat (Episode 16) – A2CPS: Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures
09/01/2023
The Pain Beat (Episode 16) – A2CPS: Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures
This 16th episode of The Pain Beat highlights the work of a vibrant consortium of pain researchers working on a project known as Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS). A2CPS is focused on the identification of biomarkers to predict which patients will transition from acute to chronic pain, and which patients living with chronic pain can improve their quality of life with management (). The Pain Beat invited several Primary Investigators from A2CPS to talk about the work of the consortium, and how listeners of The Pain Beat can get involved themselves! Podcast participants include: Kathleen Sluka, PT, PhD, FAPTA, A2CPS Principal Investigator; University of Iowa, USA John Burns, PhD, A2CPS Principal Investigator; Rush University Medical Center, Illinois, USA Chad Brummett, MD, A2CPS Principal Investigator; University of Michigan, USA Michael Olivier, PhD, A2CPS Principal Investigator; Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA. Stephani Sutherland, PhD, A2CPS Communications Director; Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, USA (moderator)
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A New Approach to an Old Target: A Podcast with Rajesh Khanna
12/09/2022
A New Approach to an Old Target: A Podcast with Rajesh Khanna
Editor’s note: The (NAPS) took place 19-24 June 2022, in Montebello, Québec City, Canada. NAPS – an educational initiative of the (IASP) and (ACTTION), and presented by the (QPRN) – brings together leading experts in pain research and management to provide trainees with scientific education, professional development, and networking experiences. This year’s theme was, “Controversies in Pain Research.” Five of the trainees were also selected to serve as , who provided firsthand reporting from the event, including interviews with NAPS’ Visiting Faculty members and Patient Partners, summaries of scientific sessions, and coverage on social media. In the podcast below, PRF-NAPS Correspondent Joseph Lesnak, a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa, US, spoke with NAPS Visiting Faculty member Rajesh Khanna. Rajesh is a Professor of Molecular Pathobiology and the Director of New York University’s Pain Research Center in the US. His research focuses on the functions of voltage-gated ion channels and the discovery of novel biologics and small molecules targeting pain and neurodegenerative diseases (). Joseph and Rajesh discussed targeting Nav1.7 for pain relief, the challenge of moving a pharmacologic through the regulatory process, and a serendipitous finding that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
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The Pain Beat (Episode 15) – Nobel Prize: Somatosensation and Stories
11/10/2022
The Pain Beat (Episode 15) – Nobel Prize: Somatosensation and Stories
This 15th episode of The Pain Beat is the third and final of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview , PRF related news story , part one of this series , and part two of this series ). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke with a group of collaborators and former mentees to discuss what the discoveries mean for the somatosensory field, as well as stories and insights about what it was like working with Drs. Julius and Patapoutian during that time. Podcast participants include: Allan Basbaum, PhD, FRS, University of California, San Francisco, USA Diana Bautista, PhD, University of California, Berkeley, USA Alexander Chesler, PhD, National Institutes of Health, Maryland, USA Ellen Lumpkin, PhD, University of California, Berkeley, USA Tayler Sheahan, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, USA (Host)
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From the Pipette to the Public: A Podcast with Staja “Star” Booker
10/07/2022
From the Pipette to the Public: A Podcast with Staja “Star” Booker
Editor’s note: For the past 21 years, September has been declared in the United States. During this time, we reflect on the global burden of pain and assess ways to increase engagement, awareness, and advocacy regarding this issue. While September has concluded, we should continue to engage in these vital practices! For a unique perspective on the challenges of raising pain awareness, PRF spoke with . Star is an Assistant Professor in the (PRICE Center) at the University of Florida, USA, and her recent work has contributed to our knowledge of osteoarthritis pain in older African Americans. She is active in several national pain, nursing, and gerontology organizations, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the (USASP). Additionally, Star serves as a member of the Pain Research Forum Editorial Board. In the podcast below, recorded on 21 September 2022, Star speaks with Paulina Scheuren, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. They discuss Star’s experience working at the PRICE Center, pain management hurdles for underrepresented minorities, and misinformation vs. missed information regarding chronic pain.
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The Pain Beat (Episode 14) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with Ardem Patapoutian and Bertrand Coste
09/14/2022
The Pain Beat (Episode 14) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with Ardem Patapoutian and Bertrand Coste
This 14th episode of The Pain Beat is the second of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview , PRF related news story , and part one of this series ). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke with Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapoutian and Bertrand Coste, Aix-Marseille University, France, to discuss their discovery of mechanically sensitive ion channels – Piezo1 and Piezo2. Podcast participants include: Ardem Patapoutian, PhD, Scripps Research, California, USA Bertrand Coste, PhD, Aix-Marseille University, France Tayler Sheahan, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, USA (Host)
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The Pain Beat (Episode 13) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with David Julius and Michael Caterina
08/19/2022
The Pain Beat (Episode 13) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with David Julius and Michael Caterina
This 13th episode of The Pain Beat is the first of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview , and PRF related news story ). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke with Nobel Prize laureate David Julius and Michael Caterina, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland, USA, to discuss their discovery of TRPV1. The conversation provides insight regarding their thought processes and problem solving, the enduring challenges of scientific discoveries, and the fun they had along the way. Podcast participants include: David Julius, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, USA Michael Caterina, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Maryland, USA Tayler Sheahan, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, USA (Host)
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Effect of Graded Sensorimotor Retraining in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
08/18/2022
Effect of Graded Sensorimotor Retraining in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Editor’s note: On 2 August 2022, JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) published the article, “.” This trial, which included 276 participants, sought to estimate the effect of a sensorimotor retraining intervention (RESOLVE) on pain intensity in people with chronic low back pain. In the podcast below, several of this study’s researchers speak with PRF contributor, Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. They discuss the trial’s design and setting, its main findings, and the future research resulting from this work. Podcast participants include: Matthew Bagg, PhD, , Sydney, Australia, and the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute at Curtin University, Perth, Australia Aidan Cashin, PhD, Centre for Pain IMPACT at NeuRA, Sydney, Australia, and the University of New South Wales Edel O’Hagan, PhD, Centre for Pain IMPACT at NeuRA, Sydney, Australia, and the Westmead Applied Research Centre at the University of Sydney, Australia James McAuley, PhD, Centre for Pain IMPACT at NeuRA, Sydney, Australia, and the University of New South Wales Lincoln Tracy, PhD, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Host)
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Engaging with Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 2: A Podcast with Sarah D’Angelo
06/17/2022
Engaging with Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 2: A Podcast with Sarah D’Angelo
Senior Manager’s note: Sarah D’Angelo is a passionate advocate for patient education and increasing empathy among caretakers, care providers, and the general public for chronic pain. She uses her skills as an artist, writer, and scientist as a way to bring visibility to the invisible and complex processes of pain. As a pain patient herself, she has first-hand experience with the difficulties of dealing with pain on a daily basis. She talks openly about some of her experiences and struggles in the hopes of reducing the stigmatization of pain. Sarah graduated with her B.S. degree in May 2021 from Rutgers University, New Jersey, US. She plans to apply to Neuroscience doctoral programs in the US to further her education and specialize in the field of pain neuroscience. She hopes to bridge some of the translational gaps within preclinical pain research by exploring the bidirectional relationships existing between chronic pain and other biological mechanisms and neuroethology. In the podcast below, recorded in September 2021, Sarah speaks with PRF Correspondent Bhushan Thakkar, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, US. They discuss Sarah’s lived experiences with pain, her role as a pain advocate and pain scientist, and how these two roles can co-exist amidst the challenges they present. Additionally, Sarah discusses her career goals and how she uses her art to talk about chronic pain.
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Engaging With Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 1: A Podcast with Emeralda Burke
04/29/2022
Engaging With Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 1: A Podcast with Emeralda Burke
Senior Manager’s note: Emeralda Burke is a health researcher, patient advocate, and a person with lived experience. In 2013, she moved from Ireland to Toronto, Canada, after completing a degree in medicinal chemistry. One year later, she was struck as a pedestrian by a stolen car and now lives with chronic pain. She quickly realized how prevalent, underfunded, and underserviced chronic pain can be in Canada. Emeralda shifted to pain research with a special interest in patient education, self-management, and program evaluation. Her advocacy work focuses on raising the public’s awareness of chronic pain, using her voice to illuminate gaps in health services. She shares her experience with healthcare providers in the hopes of improving the healthcare system. She is currently a researcher at the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute, and is completing her master’s degree in health evaluation. Here, Emeralda speaks with PRF Correspondent Bhushan Thakkar, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, US. They discuss Emeralda’s lived experiences with pain, her role as a pain researcher and patient partner, her motivations for working as a patient advocate, and how pain scientists and researchers can meaningfully engage with patient partners in research and academia. Additionally, Emeralda talks about the importance of using a non-stigmatizing and non-judgmental approach to talk about chronic pain.
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The Pain Beat (Episode 11) - Evolution of Nociceptors
04/14/2022
The Pain Beat (Episode 11) - Evolution of Nociceptors
For its eleventh episode, The Pain Beat brought together experts to discuss the biological evolution of nociceptors, their subtypes, and plasticity as part of the Gulf Coast Consortium’s #Pain2021 Webinar Series. These experts study nociceptors across a variety of animal models, including Drosophila, C. elegans, cephalopods, rodents, and humans. The discussion focused on how an evolutionary perspective brings novel insights into the role and function of nociceptors and if, why, and how organisms experience pain. Podcast participants include: Greg Neely, PhD, University of Sydney, Australia Edgar T. Walters, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA Robyn Crook, PhD, San Francisco State University, California, USA Ewan St. John Smith, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK Ted Price, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas, USA (Moderator) Peter Grace, PhD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA (Host)
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Defining Descending Control Pathways: A Podcast with Kirsty Bannister
03/17/2022
Defining Descending Control Pathways: A Podcast with Kirsty Bannister
Senior Manager’s note: Kirsty Bannister, PhD, is an Associate Professor at King’s College London, UK, and recently awarded the . This prize recognizes an individual who has achieved a high level of independence as an outstanding scholar in the field of pain in basic science. Bannister focuses on bench-to-bedside pain research by conducting exploratory experiments that seek to define descending control pathways molecularly, anatomically, and functionally in rodents and humans using electrophysiology and human psychophysics, respectively. Here, Bannister speaks with PRF Correspondent Bhushan Thakkar, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, US. They discuss Bannister’s recent funding from the Parkinson’s Foundation UK, the role of descending control in chronic pain focusing on the brainstem pathways, as well as its measurement using conditioned pain modulation and the challenges involved in this area. Additionally, Bannister discusses her research goals and focus in the areas of translational chronic pain research
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The Pain Beat (Episode 10) - Pain Research During the Pandemic and Beyond
03/10/2022
The Pain Beat (Episode 10) - Pain Research During the Pandemic and Beyond
For its tenth episode, The Pain Beat brought together guests from a variety of career stages to share their experiences conducting pain and pain-related research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their discussion highlighted unique and shared experiences, how research priorities and strategies shifted in response to the pandemic, as well as ways in which colleagues found and offered support. Podcast participants include: Theanne Griffith, PhD, University of California, Davis, US Kelly Smith, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, US Kara Marshall, PhD, Baylor University, Texas, US Lindsay Ejoh, PhD Candidate, University of Pennsylvania, US Tayler Sheahan, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, US (Moderator)
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The Pain Beat (Episode 9) – How is Pain Measured if it is Subjective?
10/21/2021
The Pain Beat (Episode 9) – How is Pain Measured if it is Subjective?
For its ninth episode, The Pain Beat brought together experts in how pain is measured clinically and experimentally. This group discussed what is the difference between pain and nociception, why organisms experience pain and whether pain can be objectively measured since it is a subjective experience. Additionally, the group explored why researchers have relied on the measurement of nociception for so long and offer paths forward for the research community including a discussion of new technologies.
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The Pain Beat (Episode 8) – Studying and Understanding Sex Differences in Pain: The How and the Why
10/21/2021
The Pain Beat (Episode 8) – Studying and Understanding Sex Differences in Pain: The How and the Why
For its eighth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers with expertise in the study of sex differences in pain. The group discussed their own discoveries of sex differences in pain in the course of their research, why pain investigators should pay attention to sex differences and how they should go about examining them, and much more.
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