In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Natasha Sheybani, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia (UVA) and research director of the UVA Focused Ultrasound Cancer Immunotherapy Center. Dr. Sheybani shares insights into her groundbreaking work using focused ultrasound–based immunotherapy approaches in patients with metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors.

She explains how precisely delivered sound waves can do more than destroy tumors—helping to reshape the tumor microenvironment, overcome immune evasion, and activate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The conversation also explores Dr. Sheybani’s strong commitment to mentorship and interdisciplinary training, as well as her efforts to integrate patient advocates directly into the research process.

Discussion Highlights:

• Sheybani Lab Research: The lab explores how focused ultrasound can help activate the immune system and improve the delivery of immunotherapy drugs to solid tumors, including brain cancers such as glioblastoma and metastatic breast cancer.
• Era of Hope Scholar Award: Learn about the prestigious $5.5 million Department of Defense grant awarded to Dr. Sheybani—the first ever at UVA—to accelerate the development of focused ultrasound technologies that improve the safety, effectiveness, and precision of immunotherapy for patients with breast cancer.
• Patient-Centered Science: Hear how Dr. Sheybani is redefining the research process by integrating breast cancer survivors directly into her grant writing and experimental design, fostering scientific innovation that is deeply informed by real-world patient experience.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Dr. Jean-François Aubry, Director of Research at France's National Center for Scientific Research and a leading expert in therapeutic ultrasound with over two decades of experience in the field. Dr. Aubry discusses transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), an emerging neuromodulation approach that enables precise targeting of deep brain structures without surgery, opening new avenues for treating some of the most challenging neurological and psychiatric disorders.

He also shares compelling findings from his recent clinical trial evaluating the safety of TUS for drug-resistant depression, in which 80% of patients responded to the treatment, highlighting the potential of ultrasound neuromodulation as a noninvasive therapeutic approach.

Discussion highlights:

• Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence: Dr. Aubry is the Scientific Director of the Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence at Physics for Medicine Paris. The laboratory’s mission is to invent innovative technologies for medical imaging and therapy, providing patients and clinicians with ultrasound-based therapies as a noninvasive alternative to surgical procedures.
• Depression Treatment Breakthrough: Dr. Aubry is a co-founder of Sonomind, a company dedicated to tackling drug-resistant depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. The company’s personalized transcranial neuromodulation system enables noninvasive targeting of deep brain regions with unprecedented precision.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/

Launched in 2024, the European Union Focused Ultrasound Foundation (EUFUSF) is the newest sister organization of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, established to build and strengthen partnerships that expand the reach and impact of focused ultrasound across Europe.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Pascale Broks, the Foundation’s Development Director for Europe, who is spearheading the expansion of this transformative technology across the European Union. With over 25 years of experience in development and relationship management, Pascale brings a global perspective and deep passion for connecting people with purpose, driving innovation, and making focused ultrasound accessible to patients from Finland to Greece.

Discussion highlights:

• European Foundation Launch and Strategy: Discover the mission and vision of the newly established EUFUSF, including its distinctive approach to donor engagement, its patient-centered guiding principle, and its goal of making focused ultrasound widely recognized and accessible across Europe.

EU FUSF Website

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

• LinkedIn
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• TikTok
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FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/