In this episode of “Back of the Napkin,” host Alex engages in a compelling conversation with Professor Kathryn (Katie) Whitehead, a renowned chemical engineer and Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. They explore Katie’s path to a career in science, her breakthroughs and innovative ideas in drug delivery, and her dedication to improving science communication.

Professor Kathryn Whitehead discusses the challenges in drug delivery, including in maternal health, an underserved area of research. In 2018 Katie received the NIH Directors New Innovator Award for an idea to use breastmilk cells for infant therapies and has since made some key discoveries towards this goal.

The episode also focuses on discussions on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and their emergence as vehicles for delivering RNA. Katie discusses how their use extends further than for mRNA vaccines and opens promising avenues for the treatment of chronic genetic conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Katie explains the process behind her innovative idea that was awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for a project titled “Fate, Function and Genetic Engineering of Breast Milk Cells for Infant Therapy”.
• Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) are poised to revolutionize drug delivery, showing promise far beyond their role in COVID-19 vaccines.
• Effective science communication, exemplified by Katie’s viral TED talk, is crucial in demystifying complex scientific concepts for the broader public.

Resources

• Professor Kathryn Whitehead’s lab website: Whitehead Lab - Carnegie Mellon (cmu.edu)
• TED Talk by Kathryn A. Whitehead on lipid nanoparticles: Kathryn A. Whitehead: The tiny balls of fat that could revolutionize medicine | TED Talk