The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer’s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we’d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren’t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now. 

Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children’s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer&rsquo;s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we&rsquo;d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren&rsquo;t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now.&nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children&rsquo;s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

One Big Idea program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if? 

Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea&nbsp;program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if?&nbsp;
Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

UNSW Centre for Ideas

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Idea…

UNSW Centre for Ideas | All Episodes

Unpicking the Lock to the Blood-Brain Barrier with Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta | One Big Idea

When Chanel Contos first hit post on an Instagram poll in 2021, she had no idea of the cultural reckoning she was about to unleash. She asked a simple question, “Have you or has anyone close to you ever been sexually assaulted by someone who went to an all-boys school in Sydney?”. But the responses were overwhelming. So much so, that she had to create a website to collect over 6,700 testimonies. This led to the founding of Teach Us Consent.

Now, five years on Chanel has spearheaded an organisation at the forefront of dismantling sexual violence. She sat down with host Justine Rogers to discuss her journey from UNSW commerce and arts student to tackling consent in Australia and founding a grassroots campaign that has grown into an international movement.

Please be aware that this episode discusses sexual abuse and trauma which may be distressing for some people. Resources and support can be found at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) .

For more episodes from We built this thing, visit unsw.to/wbtt.

When Chanel Contos first hit post on an Instagram poll in 2021, she had no idea of the cultural reckoning she was about to unleash. She asked a simple question, &ldquo;Have you or has anyone close to you ever been sexually assaulted by someone who went to an all-boys school in Sydney?&rdquo;. But the responses were overwhelming. So much so, that she had to create a website to collect over 6,700 testimonies. This led to the founding of Teach Us Consent.
Now, five years on Chanel has spearheaded an organisation at the forefront of dismantling sexual violence. She sat down with host Justine Rogers to discuss her journey from UNSW commerce and arts student to tackling consent in Australia and founding a grassroots campaign that has grown into an international movement.
Please be aware that this episode discusses sexual abuse and trauma which may be distressing for some people. Resources and support can be found at <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) </a>.
For more episodes from We built this thing, visit <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/article/wbtt">unsw.to/wbtt</a>.

We built this thing Ep5: The age of consent: When your social media post causes a national reckoning with Chanel Contos

Raji Ambikairajah has had a very successful career. She was awarded NSW Woman of the Year for her work with Room to Read, she has a PhD in electrical engineering from UNSW, she’s been the CEO of several start-ups, and she’s been on company boards since she was in her 20s. But if you asked her right after graduating what she wanted to do, she wouldn’t have been able to tell you. In fact, she was one of the few graduates in her year without a job lined up. What makes Raji stand out has been a clear moral compass that has guided her across careers, companies and boardrooms.

On this episode of We built this thing, Raji chats with host Justine Rogers about letting your moral compass guide your career decisions. Tune in to hear how she committed to donating her time, treasure or talent from the very beginning of her career. Don’t miss her advice for dealing with an uncertain future and building a career that may not be linear but makes sense to you.

For more episodes from We built this thing, visit unsw.to/wbtt.

Raji Ambikairajah has had a very successful career. She was awarded NSW Woman of the Year for her work with Room to Read, she has a PhD in electrical engineering from UNSW, she&rsquo;s been the CEO of several start-ups, and she&rsquo;s been on company boards since she was in her 20s. But if you asked her right after graduating what she wanted to do, she wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to tell you. In fact, she was one of the few graduates in her year without a job lined up. What makes Raji stand out has been a clear moral compass that has guided her across careers, companies and boardrooms.
On this episode of&nbsp;We built this thing, Raji chats with host Justine Rogers about letting your moral compass guide your career decisions. Tune in to hear how she committed to donating her time, treasure or talent from the very beginning of her career. Don&rsquo;t miss her advice for dealing with an uncertain future and building a career that may not be linear but makes sense to you.
For more episodes from We built this thing, visit <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/article/wbtt">unsw.to/wbtt</a>.

We built this thing Ep4: The ethical executive: when your moral compass guides your career decisions with Raji Ambikairajah

From a family story rooted in Yarrabah, to the lawns of the White House in Washington DC, hear the incredible story of Daniel Joinbee, a proud Gunggandji man, Royal Australian Air Force veteran, and founder of Australia’s first and only 100% Aboriginal-owned aerospace consultancy and Indigenous youth program. Daniel and host Jonathan Webb will also discuss enabling Indigenous communities to blaze their own trails through empowering programs like Raising Horizons. 

For more UNSW Centre for Ideas podcasts, visit unsw.to/cfi-podcast

From a family story rooted in&nbsp;Yarrabah,&nbsp;to the&nbsp;lawns&nbsp;of the White House in Washington DC,&nbsp;hear the incredible story of Daniel Joinbee, a proud&nbsp;Gunggandji&nbsp;man, Royal Australian Air Force veteran, and founder of Australia&rsquo;s first and only 100% Aboriginal-owned aerospace consultancy and Indigenous youth program.&nbsp;Daniel and host Jonathan Webb will also discuss enabling Indigenous communities to blaze their own trails through empowering programs like Raising Horizons.&nbsp;
For more UNSW Centre for Ideas podcasts, visit <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/podcasts">unsw.to/cfi-podcast</a>

Unpicking the Lock to the Blood-Brain Barrier with Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta | One Big Idea

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