Café Scientifique is an international network of informal groups that brings scientific debate into local communities.
Stanford Blood Center joined the Café Scientifique community in Fall 2007 with the goal of fostering medical and scientific learning, and raising awareness within our community about the blood center.
For more information about Café Scientifique or to add your e-mail address to our mailing list, please contact Victoria Somerville.
Please check back soon for details on our next Café Scientifique.
Questions? Please contact Victoria Somerville at vsomer@stanford.edu 650-725-2540.
On Wednesday, August 30, 2017, Farzad Azimpour, MD, clinical Director of Health at IDEO and physician specialized in cardiovascular medicine, clinical research, and biodesign, introduced the innovative process of Design Thinking as it applies to the discovery of unmet clinical needs and to the conceptualization and development of commercial medical technologies. There is no video recording of this event.
On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, Leah Foltz, PhD Candidate, Bimolecular Science and Engineering at UC Santa Barbara & Recent Grad Slam Contestant discussed her research using stem cells created from the skin or blood of a patient with an inherited blinding disease for delivering personalized treatment. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, February 23, 2017, Edgar Engleman, MD, Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine and former Medical Director, Stanford Blood Center, spoke about the barriers to effective tumor immunotherapy and new discoveries to overcome them. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, August 25, 2016, Steven Schroeder, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine UCSF, and Director of the UCSF Smoking Cessation Leadership Center discussed why and how smoking remains the number one killer of Americans. View a video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, May 26, 2016, Jennifer Andrews, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation/Cancer Biology) discussed the existence of invisible biases in today’s society, specifically related to academic medicine. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, February 25, 2016, Sharon J. Sha, MD, MS, discussed the distinguishing characteristics of age-related memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and what we can do to protect ourselves. View a video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, November 12, 2015, Ed Engleman, MD, discussed the new era in the treatment of cancer. He shared why this proved to be so difficult for so many years, and how we can now use immunotherapy to treat and potentially cure a wide range of cancers. A video recording of this event is coming soon. View the video recording of this event here.
On Tuesday, September 15, 2015, Paul Tang, MD, MS, discussed the important role adults play in our society and across the globe. He shared information on a new program called “linkAges” – connecting generations to create the communities we want to live in. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 23, 2015, Bernard Muir shared insights and anecdotes from his vantage point as director of Stanford Athletics. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, May 28, 2015, Michael Synder, PhD, shared promising new discoveries in autism research using advanced genomics and other “omics” technologies. View a video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, March 26, 2015, Carlos Esquivel, MD, PhD, reviewed the journey of his career and his work in pioneering the first liver transplants on babies. He also mentioned the importance of organ donation. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, January 29, 2015, Pegasus Physicians, composed of academic and private practice physicians in various stages of career development who also are creative writers, read their short stories and poems on the usage of blood products as life-saving interventions from the perspective of their various specialties. View the video recording of this event here.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, JD Schramm, MBA, EdD, discussed techniques for sharing stories with greater impact on listeners. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, September 25, 2014, Daryn Reicherter, MD, discussed war crimes stemming from political conflict and the devastating scars they leave upon victims, physically and psychologically. The talk addressed successful approaches to the healing of these wounds, including storytelling, and their incorporation into the international criminal justice process. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, July 22, 2014, Jennifer Brokaw, MD, discussed the process of Advance Care Planning; what it involves and what decisions you will need to make when you create your plan. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, June 5, 2014, Susan Swetter, MD, discussed the best protective practices for preventing sunburn, photo-aging, and skin cancer, including the deadliest type – melanoma. She also discussed the latest FDA regulations regarding sunscreens. View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, March 27, 2014, Jay Azarow, PhD, presented “Stress and Success: The Science of Stress, Energy, and Productivity on the Job.” View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, January 30, 2014, Lloyd Minor, MD, Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine, discussed how academic medical centers like Stanford Medicine are leading the biomedical revolution in this Century of Biology. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, November 21, 2013, Steven Adeslsheim, MD, discussed the international and national movement toward building early detection and intervention models for serious mental illness. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, September 26, 2013, Clete Kushida, MD, PhD, discussed sleep and sleepiness, how to recognize common sleep problems and disorders, and how to receive treatment for them. He also shared some do’s and don’ts for good sleep. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 25, 2013, Bob Jachens brought his therapy German Shepherd, Kobuk, for a demonstration, while Robert Higa discussed desirable dog and handler characteristics, the training process, and the ever-growing venues where therapy animals are being effectively utilized. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, May 30, 2013, Robert Higa provided an overview of current practices in animal therapy, and shared emerging trends for its use in modern healthcare facilities, mental health and education. He also shared research findings on the reciprocal health benefits which can accrue to the animals as well as patients engaged in therapy activities. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, March 28, 2013, Stephen Quake, PhD, MS, described the development of the first single molecule DNA sequencer. He then discussed several applications of high throughput DNA sequencing in medicine, ranging from non-invasive diagnostics to the first clinically annotated human genome. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, January 31, 2013, Judith Shizuru, MD, PhD, explained definitions of both tissue stem cells and pluripotent stem cells. She reviewed the work leading to the recent award of a Nobel Prize to a stem cell biologist, and concluded with an overview on near-term, promising therapies from the field of stem cell biology. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, November 15, 2012, Beth Kanter, well-known blogger and co-author of the highly acclaimed book The Networked Nonprofit, talked about her new book “Measuring the Networked Nonprofit,” co-authored with KD Paine. She discussed the two processes that nonprofits need for success in a networked age: To become networked and measurement.
On Thursday, September 27, 2012, Scott Johnson, CEO, President and Founder of the Myelin Repair Foundation, presented “Where are the Cures? Accelerating New Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis & All Diseases.” Johnson discussed how he, an entrepreneur and multiple sclerosis patient, became an unlikely revolutionary to transform the medical research system and accelerate new patient treatments for millions living with chronic and debilitating diseases. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 26, 2012, Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD, presented “Precision Medicine: Will Genomic Information Improve Healthcare?” Dr. Anderson discussed how molecular information may be used to improve the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, May 31, 2012, Allan Reiss, MD, presented “Deconstructing Autism.” Dr. Reiss discussed how a major shift in scientific perspectives is causing a reappraisal of the fundamental nature of autism – from a behaviorally defined syndrome to a plethora of specific brain diseases that can give rise to multiple outcomes in addition to autism. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, March 29, 2012, Mark Jacobson, PhD, presented “A Plan for Clean, Sustainable Energy Worldwide in 20-40 Years” where he discussed a plan to solve the problems of global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity by powering 100% of the world’s energy for all purposes, including electricity, transportation, industry, and heating/cooling, with wind, water, and sunlight (WWS) within 20-40 years. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, January 26, 2012, Sherry Wren, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Chief of General Surgery at Palo Alto Veterans Health Care System, presented “Humanitarian Surgery in the Heart of Darkness.” The event detailed Wren’s experience as a surgeon with Doctors Without Borders in African conflict zones. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, November 17, 2011, Robert Lustig, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, UCSF, presented “Darwin, Diet, Dollars, and Disease” about biochemistry and the obesity epidemic. Dr. Lustig is currently investigating the contribution of biochemical, neural, hormonal, and genetic influences in the expression of the current obesity epidemic both in children and adults. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, September 29, 2011, Marina Basina, MD, a diabetes expert and Clinical Assistant Professor, Medicine – Endocrinology, Gerontology, Metabolism at Stanford University and Jen Block, BSRN, CDE, a diabetes educator and research coordinator in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at Stanford University, presented “Triumphing Over Type 1 Diabetes: Tips & Tricks for Control & Freedom.” The event addressed various mechanisms that patients with T1 diabetes can use to make the daily burdens of insulin and glucose less of a hindrance, and ways in which they can add variety and healthy enjoyment to their lives without compromising diabetes care. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 28, 2011, Glenn Brassington, PhD, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the Prevention Research Center in the School of Medicine at Stanford University and Associate Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University presented “Excellence Is No Accident: Techniques to Enhance Successful Performance.” This highly practical workshop taught viewers to apply the mental training techniques used by the world’s greatest athletes, performing artists, and business professionals to enhance performance at work, in sport, and in life. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, May 26, 2011, William Dement, MD, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, and the Chief of the Stanford University Division of Sleep presented “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sleep but Were Afraid to Ask.” The author of “The Promise of Sleep”, Dr. Dement started the world’s first Sleep Disorders Clinic which introduced all-night polysomnographic examination of patients with sleep-related complaints, medical responsibility and management of the patient, and objective assessment of the relationship between nighttime sleep and daytime function. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, March 31, 2011, Lauren Ward Larsen, the President and Chief Ambassador of the Foundation for America’s Blood Centers, discussed her memoir, Zuzu’s Petals: A True Story of Second Chances (In The Telling Press, © 2011), which chronicles her experience with near-fatal preeclampsia and the unexpected life that unfolded as a result. After becoming a multi-gallon blood recipient, Lauren toured the U.S. meeting both the life-saving blood donors, and those whose lives were saved. She also shared the heartfelt stories encompassing the “ripple effect” inherent in every blood donation. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, February 17, 2011, Anne Findlay and Marina Basina, MD, presented “Triabetes Documentary: The Science of Inspiration.” Twelve people with type 1 diabetes set out to complete the 2008 Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon as part of a team called “Triabetes.” This and similar events have helped to shatter presumed limitations, thereby revolutionizing the way people approach diabetes management. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, January 27, 2011, Robert Sapolsky, PhD, presented “Stress, Coping and Health: Lessons from Wild Baboons.” Dr. Sapolsky is a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, November 18, 2010, Philip Pizzo, MD, Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, presented “What is the future of academic medicine at a time of change in the United States: Some Personal Reflections.” There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, November 4, 2010, David Miller, MA, presented “The College Admissions Process: Pyramids, Poker, Portals, Perspectives, and Possibilities.” Miller is Director of College Counseling at Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, CA. He earned his BA from Princeton University, and MA from Stanford University. He has served for 30+ years as an educator in both public and private schools. He currently teaches at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, and is its Director of College Counseling. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, October 14, 2010, Thea Cooper, MFA, and co-author of “Breakthrough: Elizabeth Hughes, the Discovery of Insulin, and the Making of a Medical Miracle” with Arthur Ainsberg presented their work.
On Thursday, September 30, 2010, John Watson-Williams, MD, past Professor of Medicine and Hematology on three continents, on Advisory Board for The Safe Blood Africa Project, presented “The Blood Banking Challenge in Africa: The ‘Safe Blood Africa Project’ Response.” There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 29, 2010, Edgar Engleman, MD, Professor of Pathology & Blood Center Director, Stanford University presented “Medicine’s First Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine: The Challenge, the Breakthrough, & the Future.” View the video recording of this event here.
On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Robert Norris, MD, Professor and Chief of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, discussed his team’s emergency medical relief effort in the wake of the Haitian earthquake in a presentation titled “The 2010 Haiti Earthquake: Stanford’s Initial Response.” There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, March 25, 2010, Daniel Bernstein, MD, a Professor of Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine a clinician at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Hospital & Clinics, shared the revolutionary improvements in care for newborns who are tragically born with devastating heart defects. His presentation was titled “Mending a Broken Heart: How a Collaboration of Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers Has Revolutionized the Care of Children with Congenital Heart Disease.” There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Terence Ketter, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science – Psychopharmacology at Stanford University, along with students from the Stanford Theatre Activist Mobilization Project (STAMP), presented monologues written anonymously by Stanford students living with depression, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health issues. There is no video recording of this event.
On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Ruthann Richter, Director of Media Relations at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Karen Ande, acclaimed photographer, offered a glimpse of their new book about their experiences in the bush of East Africa and slums of Nairobi. There is no video recording of this event.
On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, Arthur Reingold, MD, Professor and Head of the Division of Epidemiology at UC Berkeley, discussed the topic as an expert on the prevention of infectious diseases. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, July 30, 2009, Abraham Verghese, MD, MACP, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, and best-selling author of My Own Country and The Tennis Partner, gave a discussion titled: “Is Fiction a Higher Form of Truth?” and fielded questions on his books. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, May 28, 2009, Sonya Ruiz, RN, BSN, Chief Flight Nurse, and a Life Flight pilot shared their fascinating career stories, accounts of their life-saving service to the sick and injured, and the challenges and rewards involved. There is no video recording of this event.
On Thursday, March 26, 2009, Jack Lissauer, MD, discussed NASA’s first mission capable of finding Earth-size planets where liquid water and life might exist in a presentation titled “Planetary Science: Kepler Mission.” There is no video recording of this event.
On January 29, 2009, Anabel and Isabel Stenzel, authors, medical professionals, and identical twins, discussed their personal accounts of living with cystic fibrosis, a genetic lung disease as discussed in their book, The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis. There is no video recording of this event.
On November 25, 2008, Paul Ehrlich, PhD, discussed his new book (co-written with his wife, Anne Ehrlich) about human population, dominance, and the rapidly changing world we live in. There is no video recording of this event.
On September 25, 2008, Philippe Goldin, PhD, led a discussion about mindfulness-based meditation and new brain imaging data on the science of bringing yourself back to the here and now. There is no video recording of this event.
On July 31, 2008, Dr. Susan Galel, Stanford Blood Center’s former Director of Clinical Operations, discussed the rationale behind the FDA’s policy that restricts blood donations from men who have had sex with a man. There is no video recording of this event.
On May 29, 2008, Wes Alles, PhD, Director of the Stanford Health Improvement Program, discussed the health consequences of having a type-A personality. There is no video recording of this event.
On March 25, 2008, Dolly Tyan, MD, Medical Director of Stanford Blood Center’s HLA Lab, shared a little about her amazing research in the field of organ transplantation. There is no video recording of this event.
On January 29, 2008, Stephen Schneider, MD, shared his unique perspective as both a Climate Studies Expert and a cancer patient. His approach to both cancer and the climate is to manage risk and do preventative maintenance. There is no video recording of this event.
On November 13, 2007, Ed Englemman, MD, Stanford Blood Center’s former Medical Director, led a stimulating discussion about his research in the field of cancer treatment. There is no video recording of this event.