A Talk with Dr. Emily Castro | Podcast #3: October 30th, 2025

In this episode of the Translational Addiction Podcast, hosts Michaela Sumortin and Tanvi Garneni sit down with Dr. Emily Castro from the Lotfipour Lab at UC Irvine, author of the article covered in Episode #2 of TAP. Together, they explore Dr. Castro’s scientific journey and passion for addiction research. Dr. Castro shares how her curiosity and drive to understand complex brain mechanisms connected her to neuroscience, with a particular focus on substance use disorders (SUDs). She discusses her current role in the lab, her work on neuroglia’s involvement in addiction, and the challenges and surprises that came with that line of investigation. The conversation touches on the unpredictability of scientific research, especially in the face of funding instability, and how she navigates moments of doubt and unexpected data. Dr. Castro also offers thoughtful advice for aspiring researchers and emphasizes the importance of shifting public understanding of addiction from moral judgment to a neurobiological perspective.

Glia, Substance Use, & the Adolescent Brain | Podcast #2: September 25th, 2025

In this episode of the Translational Addiction Podcast, hosts Michaela Sumortin and Tanvi Garneni unpack how glial cells—astrocytes and microglia—shape the brain’s response to drugs of abuse. Drawing on a 2025 Handbook of Clinical Neurology review by Drs. Emily Castro, Shahrdad Lotfipour, and Frances Leslie, the episode explores how opioids and nicotine alter neuroimmune signaling, why adolescents respond differently than adults, and how targeting glia may transform treatment strategies for substance use disorders. You’ll also hear how the gut microbiome intersects with brain inflammation, offering a novel therapeutic angle for addiction research.

Based on the manuscript by Drs. Emily Castro, Shahrdad Lotfipour, and Frances Leslie:
“Neuroglia in Substance Use Disorders”

🎙️ Podcast Credits
Co-host and Lead Producer: Michaela Sumortin
Writing | Recording | Editing | Direction

Co-host and Creative Producer: Tanvi Garneni
Writing | Music | Animation | Social Media | Creative Direction

Mentorship and Scientific Guidance: Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour

Links & Resources: translationaladdictionpodcast.carrd.co

Matthew Perry, Opioids, and the Gut-Brain Connection | Podcast #1: July 24th, 2025

In this first episode of the Translational Addiction Podcast, host Michaela Sumortin reflects on the life and legacy of Matthew Perry—best known for his role as Chandler on Friends—and his courageous advocacy for those battling addiction. Using Perry’s story as a springboard, the episode explores groundbreaking research from the Lotfipour Lab at UC Irvine on the gut-brain axis and its role in opioid addiction. Learn how disruptions in gut bacteria can affect mood, behavior, and the brain’s reward system—and why targeting the microbiome may offer a promising path toward more effective treatments for substance use disorders.

Based on the manuscript by Drs. Michelle Ren and Shahrdad Lotfipour:
“The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Opioid Use”

🎙️ Podcast Credits

Host and Lead Producer: Michaela Sumortin
Writing | Recording | Editing | Direction

Creative Producer: Tanvi Garneni
Editing | Music | Animation | Social Media | Creative Direction

Mentorship and Scientific Guidance: Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour

Links & Resources: translationaladdictionpodcast.carrd.co