Balancing The Future
METTLER TOLEDO
Recent Episodes
Neuroscience and artificial intelligence were once distant disciplines that have been brought together in technological advancement and access to high-quality data. At Dementia Research Oxford, these worlds are coming together to accelerate discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
In the final episode of Season 2 of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alejo Nevado-Holgado, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and Head of the Computational and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory at Dementia Research Oxford. Together, they explore how advances in computing power and artificial neural networks are transforming our ability to understand, and may eventually help treat, neurodegenerative diseases.
The conversation dives into how Dementia Research Oxford bridges wet-lab biology and computational modeling, integrating robotics, genomics, and artificial intelligence to find new drug targets and decode the complexities of the human brain. With access to massive datasets like the UK Biobank, his team can uncover hidden biological patterns and test potential therapies faster than ever before.
Neural networks are now being used to predict how potential drugs will affect diseased cells, analyze millions of microscopic images for subtle biological changes, and even decode the human genome in ways like how language models understand text. These approaches are reshaping how scientists study disease at the cellular level and opening new possibilities for early intervention.
Alejo also explains the challenges of this new frontier: from the “black box” problem of AI explainability to the ongoing need for high-quality data and research funding, and why collaboration between data scientists and biologists is essential for the future of medicine.
LINKS
- Alejo Nevado-Holgado Bio
- Dementia Research Oxford Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
- Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn
SOURCES
What is Alzheimer's Disease? – Alzheimer's Association
What is Parkinson's? – Parkinson’s Foundation
Dementia statistics – Alzheimer's Institute International
Parkinson’s statistics – Parkinson’s Foundation
How can digital health improve the signal-to-noise ratio in your clinical trials? – Cambridge Cognition
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS:
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories.
From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.
Laboratories are the engines of scientific discovery, but they’re also a very resource-intensive workplace. In fact, the average lab produces around 20 tons of carbon emissions every year. Yet the same scientists driving innovation also hold the keys to making their work more sustainable.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Raj Patey, Business Development Director at My Green Lab, an organization on a mission to turn laboratories worldwide into environmental leaders. Together, they unpack the hidden environmental cost of modern science and explore how labs across academia, pharma, and healthcare are working to reduce their footprint without compromising research quality or safety.
The conversation dives into the three pillars of lab sustainability: energy, water, and waste, and reveals the surprising scale of lab-related emissions. Small tweaks, such as raising freezer temperatures from –80°C to –70°C (-159°F), can save the equivalent energy of an entire household.
From major case studies like GSK’s pilot program saving 150 tons of CO₂ and $226,000 annually, to university initiatives achieving full sustainability accreditation, this episode highlights that going green isn’t just ethical, it’s economical. Raj also shares insights into how My Green Lab’s certification programs and ambassador training empower scientists to make tangible change, and how a new generation of researchers is rethinking everything from procurement to protocol design with sustainability in mind.
LINKS
- Raj Patey on LinkedIn
- My Green Lab Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
- Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn
SOURCES
The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices – PubMed
Re-use of laboratory utensils reduces CO2 equivalent footprint and running costs – PLOS One
Greener and smarter: Positive post-pandemic effects in the laboratory sector – Starlab
Act now to prevent uncontrolled rise in carbon footprint of computational science – University of Cambridge
King's amongst first to achieve 100% lab sustainability accreditation – Kings College London
Considering sustainability when purchasing for labs – University of Bristol
The Great Laboratory Greenwash – The Pathologist
The Cost of Greenwashing: Why Verified Transparency Is Your Best Investment – My Green Lab
New Survey Assesses Attitudes and Actions toward Lab Sustainability – Lab Manager
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS:
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories.
From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.
Rainwater around the world now contains detectable levels of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals.’ Found in everything from waterproof mascara to firefighting foam, PFAS now accumulates in our bodies, soils, and water systems.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alissa Cordner, Professor of Sociology at Whitman College and Co-Director of the PFAS Project Lab, and Dr. Kimberly Garrett, Assistant Professor and Environmental Health Researcher at the City University of New York. Together, they unpack the science, policy, and human stories behind one of the world’s most persistent environmental crises.
The conversation explores what PFAS are and why their carbon–fluorine bond makes them so resistant to breakdown, how exposure happens through drinking water, food, clothing, and cosmetics, and the health impacts linked to PFAS, including cancers, developmental issues, and immune system effects. They discuss what governments and communities are doing to regulate and reduce PFAS use and highlight promising alternatives like bioplastics and fluoride-free firefighting foams.
Alissa and Kimberly also share how interdisciplinary collaboration between chemists, social scientists, policymakers, and local communities is reshaping how we study and respond to chemical contamination. From mapping contamination sites to building databases that empower citizens, their work at the PFAS Project Lab highlights a research model that is grounded in justice, accessibility, and collective action. They leave us with a powerful reminder: turning off the PFAS tap starts with informed choices, stronger regulations, and scientists who see themselves as part of the communities they serve.
LINKS
- Dr. Alissa Cordner on LinkedIn
- Dr. Kimberly Garrett on LinkedIn
- PFAS Project Lab Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
- Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn
SOURCES
PFAS Explained – United States Environmental Protection Agency
New Chemicals Program Review of Alternatives for PFOA and Related Chemicals – United States Environmental Protection Agency
Engineering a Future Without PFAS: The Path to Sustainable Alternatives – The Chemical Engineer
Alternatives to PFAS are available for many applications – Food Packaging Forum
Foam's Next Phase – National Fire Protection Association
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS:
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories.
From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.
What happens when you volunteer to be the first human injected with mRNA? For Dr. Steve Pascolo, it meant glowing skin, but it took many years for this technology to hit the mainstream.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Steve Pascolo, a senior scientist in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Zurich and co-founder of CureVac, about his groundbreaking role in testing mRNA back in 2003. They explore why the scientific community was sceptical for so long, how COVID-19 changed everything, and why mRNA could hold the key to treating not just infectious diseases, but also cancer, autoimmune conditions, and even aging.
They also dig into the technical and practical realities of working with mRNA: the challenges of stability, the role of lipid nanoparticles, and the lessons learned from scaling production during the pandemic. Steve shares how chemical synthesis, AI, and cross-disciplinary collaboration could accelerate the next wave of mRNA therapies.
His advice for young scientists is simple but powerful: true breakthroughs require teamwork across fields, from chemistry and biology to medicine and computer science. The future of mRNA is not just vaccines; it is a platform for reimagining medicine itself.
LINKS
- Dr. Steve Pascolo on LinkedIn
- CureVac Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
- Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn
SOURCES
The tangled history of mRNA vaccines – Nature.com
The Long History of mRNA Vaccines – Johns Hopkins: Bloomberg School of Public Health
Webinar: PAT and Model-Based Approach to Accelerate Biopharma Process Development - Merck KGaA and METTLER TOLEDO
Scaling Up the Global COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Production, Allocation, and Distribution with an Emphasis on Equity - PubMed Central
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS:
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories.
From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.
What happens when you build sustainability into a business from day one? For Russ Wakeham, co-founder of Two Drifters Distillery, the answer is a rum that’s not just delicious but also carbon negative. His approach could help rewrite the rules for how companies think about profit, planet, and scale.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Russ about how his background in chemistry and carbon capture research led to a distillery powered by renewable energy. They explore how Two Drifters measures and reduces its emissions across every stage of the supply chain, from sugarcane fields to bottle packaging, and why Russ treats carbon removal costs like any other line item in the business.
They also dig into the practical realities of tackling Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, from shipping and distribution to the hidden carbon costs of glass bottles. Russ’s advice for other business owners is clear – if you implement sustainability right from the beginning, it becomes easier to maintain and grow that practice later on.
LINKS
- Russ Wakeham on LinkedIn
- Two Drifters Distillery Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
- Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn
SOURCES
Scope 1,2 and 3 Emissions Standards and Guidance: GHG Protocol
Climate impact of shipping: European Federation for Transport and Environment
2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships: IMO
The road to net zero – the emissions targets of the world’s drinks giants: Just Drinks
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS:
In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories.
From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.