In this fascinating episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Dr. Dan Jaines, a professor of bioinformatics and genomics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and head of the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Environmental and Health Risks (CIPHER). From the picturesque setting in North Carolina, Dan shares his career journey—from a childhood fascination with animals, to studying starfish genomes in New York, to pioneering computational analysis at Ohio State Medical School, and now leading cutting-edge research on infectious diseases and AI-driven predictive models.

The conversation dives deeply into zoonotic diseases, the evolutionary pathways of viruses like coronaviruses and influenza, and why bats and birds serve as perfect reservoirs for these pathogens. Dan explains how computational biology and AI tools like AlphaFold are revolutionizing the speed at which researchers can predict viral structures and anticipate the impact of mutations on treatments and vaccines. They also explore the sobering realities of H5N1 avian influenza's growing "promiscuity," its increasing ability to infect diverse species—including humans—and the looming concern over drug resistance.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Jaines highlights a multi-layered approach to mitigating these threats: better biosecurity on farms, PPE for workers, vigilant computational tracking of mutations, and the push for improved vaccines. Through collaborative “team science,” state investment, and the new Research 1 designation at UNC Charlotte, his center is amplifying vital insights that not only shape academic research but also inform national preparedness against emerging biological risks.

• (01:33) How Dr. Jaines’ early love for animals evolved into tracking zoonotic diseases like coronaviruses and bird flu.
• (03:12) Why bats are uniquely suited to harbor viruses without getting sick, and how that spills over to humans.
• (16:15) The story of building a “mini-supercomputer” in New York to process massive genomic datasets and trace virus evolution.
• (28:00) How AI tools like AlphaFold helped predict why existing vaccines might struggle against Omicron, long before lab data caught up.
• (30:29) The concerning reality of H5N1: a bird flu virus now infecting over 250 species, getting better at entering mammalian cells—and what that means for humans.
• (46:40) The promise (and risks) of publishing preprint research fast during pandemics, and how UNC Charlotte’s new R1 status is accelerating high-impact discoveries.

• Daniel Marrujo
• Dan Jaines
• TSS Website

Learn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/

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As SkyWater Technology closes its acquisition of Infineon’s Fab 25 in Austin, Director and CEO Thomas Sonderman joins host Daniel Marrujo to discuss what this milestone means for the future of domestic semiconductor innovation. With facilities now operating in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, SkyWater is carving out a new model for microelectronics: one that centers on foundational semiconductors, advanced packaging, and long-term national impact. Sonderman lays out how SkyWater’s “Technology as a Service” model is redefining what a foundry can be.

In this episode, Sonderman explains how SkyWater balances commercial opportunity with national security by bringing critical manufacturing capabilities back onshore. From thermal imaging and superconducting films to MEMS-CMOS integration and quantum-ready fabrication, SkyWater’s U.S.-based model supports defense, automotive, and AI applications with speed, security, and scale. Daniel and Tom also explore how workforce development and public-private partnerships are creating long-term talent pipelines—starting as early as high school.

As demand for edge computing, AI, and quantum technologies explodes, SkyWater is positioning itself as a cornerstone of America’s tech ecosystem. With a CapEx-light model, multi-site redundancy, and a customer-funded innovation engine, the company is primed to lead the charge in secure, scalable, and sustainable semiconductor production.

• [00:22] SkyWater acquires Infineon’s Fab 25 to boost domestic 200mm foundry capacity
• [04:30] How SkyWater evolved from an IDM to a Technology-as-a-Service foundry
• [10:30] RAD-Hard innovation, CMOS and MEMS for defense, medical, and imaging applications
• [17:45] Public-private partnerships and workforce development in Florida’s NeoCity
• [23:00] $127M CHIPS Act modernization program and co-investment strategy
• [36:00] SkyWater’s roadmap: fan-out packaging, panel-based systems, and the future of 3D integration

• Daniel Marrujo
• Thomas Sonderman
• TSS Website

Learn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.