But Why?

Ben Fensterheim•soundcloud.com

Science

Podcast by Ben Fensterheim

Last refreshed: August 17th, 2025 at 7:26 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

MD/PhD Training: Life in The Graduate Phase

Today! I sit down with students from the Vanderbilt MSTP to discuss their training in the MD/PhD program (so far!). On the program: Rachel Brown, Maggie Axelrod, Lizzie Flook, Michael Raddatz, Abin Abraham, and Patrick Wu. If you're considering medical school, graduate school, or an MD/PhD program, or you're in the midst of one right now, you will really appreciate the words that these experienced students have to share.

Sep 16, 2018•42 min

Dr. James Crowe: Zika Virus and Emerging Pathogens

On this episode of But Why: Zika Virus and Emerging Pathogens. Dr. James Crowe, Director of the Vaccine Research Center and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Vanderbilt University, sat down with me to talk about emerging pathogens, such as Zika virus, which can cause disease that appears to come out of thin air. How do we identify the cause of new diseases? How do we treat these new diseases? and how do we prevent more individuals from getting sick? Tune in for the answers. Background ...

Nov 14, 2016•26 min

The Vanderbilt MSTP Part 4: Cody Stothers

In part four of this series, I sit down with Cody Stothers, an MD/PhD student in his second year of training. Cody has a really unique journey to the Vanderbilt MSTP, that all started with strong grade school science and an even better Vanderbilt summer research internship program for high school students called 'The Aspirnaut'. We discussed why Cody decided to join the MSTP, and how he his navigating his new career in science and medicine. The Aspirnaut: http://www.aspirnaut.org/ The Vanderbilt...

Aug 01, 2016•31 min

The Vanderbilt MSTP Part 3: Dr. Bruce Carter

In part three of this four part series, I sit down with Dr. Bruce Carter, Professor of Biochemistry and Neuroscience at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Carter is a faculty advisor for the Vanderbilt MSTP, which means he mentors students throughout all phases of the program, and has enormous insight into the MD/PhD training process. We discussed the experiences he has had mentoring MSTP students, with all the struggles and triumphs that an 8 year program can bring. Dr. Carter's lab: http://www.bruceca...

Jul 06, 2016•40 min

The Vanderbilt MSTP Part 2: Megan and Tanner Freeman

In part two of this four part series, I sit down with Megan and Tanner Freeman, M4 MSTP students in the Vanderbilt MD/PhD program (and just weeks away from graduation). We discuss their experience in the Vanderbilt MSTP over the past 8 years, and get a few insights from 24th grade.

Apr 19, 2016•28 min

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