Show Notes
What if we could simulate your cancer on a computer and predict which treatment will work before you ever receive it?
In this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms speaks with Dr. Melissa Kemp, a biomedical engineer and systems biologist using computational modeling to understand how cells behave and how diseases develop. By combining biology, engineering, and computer science, Dr. Kemp builds simulations that help researchers predict how cells respond to drugs, radiation, and other therapies. Dr. Kemp explains how computer models can reveal patterns that are nearly impossible to see in traditional experiments. Her work is helping move medicine toward a future where treatments can be tailored to each individual patient.
Dr. Kemp also shares how unexpected research challenges led to new scientific insights, why intellectual curiosity is essential in science, and how interdisciplinary collaboration is shaping the next generation of biomedical breakthroughs. If you have ever wondered how computers can help scientists understand disease or how personalized medicine may change the way we treat patients, this episode offers an accessible look at how computational biology is helping push healthcare beyond one size fits all.
Learn More About Dr. Melissa Kemp: Redox Systems Biology Lab: https://kemp.gatech.edu/pi-bio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-kemp-8156774/
Support Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs – Donate Today: If you want to support the research you heard about on today’s episode, consider a donation to the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Every contribution—big or small— supports ongoing work and fuels future innovations. https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/new Select "Designation" Choose "Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)" In the open field, write: "BME Fund for Excellence (555788)
Connect! Learn More: https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BMEGeorgiaTechEmory/podcasts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-wallace-h-coulter-department-of-biomedical-engineering-at-georgia-tech-and-emory-university Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoulterBME Twitter/X: https://x.com/CoulterBME Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holyshiftresearch.bsky.social About The Host: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in transforming bold ideas into impactful healthcare solutions. She serves as the Director of Biolocity, accelerating the commercialization of early-stage medical technologies developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech. She is also the Founder and CEO of The AGN Group, and the host of the Badass Leaders Podcast, where she champions courageous, compassionate leadership. Learn more at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.
Meet the HolyShift! Team: Produced by: Erin Buckley and Zachary Danziger Filming & Editing: Jackie Hampton & Zachary Winiecki Logistics & Marketing Support: Rajashree Ramamoorthy, Katie Hart, The AGN Group
More from Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow
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In this special Season 1 roundup of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms revisits standout moments from this season's conversations with researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Guests share their engineering solutions, the personal stories and unexpected paths that brought them to the lab, and why public funding for basic science and biomedical innovation is more critical than ever. This episode features clips from conversations with Melissa Kemp, Lena Ting, David Myers, Mike Davis, Scott Hollister, Zachary Danziger, Annabelle Singer, Shella Keilholz, Machelle Pardue, Anant Madhabushi, Chethan Pandarinath, Felipe Quiroz, and Ming Fong. As we look ahead to Season 2, we want to hear from you! Take a few minutes to fill out our listener survey and let us know what you loved, what you want more of, and what we can do better. One lucky respondent will receive a Holy Shift! listener swag package.
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