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/

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

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.

In this special minisode of Micro Journeys, Daniel Marrujo sits down with Lt. Gen. Mark Weatherington to explore the cutting-edge technology behind the recent Operation Midnight Hammer. From the pinpoint precision of the GBU-57 “bunker buster” to the evolving role of integrated defense systems like Golden Dome, Weatherington reveals how advanced platforms like the B-2 and custom-designed munitions give the United States a unique strategic advantage. This rapid-fire conversation uncovers the tech, training, and tactics that shaped one of the most significant missions in recent memory.

Key Topics Covered:

• The precision engineering of the GBU-57 MOP and how it bores through rock
• Integration of pilot training with advanced weapons systems
• Real-time tactical adjustments in modern military operations
• Why no other nation matches this depth of tech-enabled strike capability
• The evolution from Israel’s Iron Dome to the U.S. Golden Dome initiative

Let’s Connect:

Daniel Marrujo on LinkedIn

TSS Website

Mark Weatherington on LinkedIn

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

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

From cutting-edge defense systems to reshaping global energy infrastructure, Russ Garcia’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Russ, now CEO of Menlo Micro, to trace the arc of a career that began in laser labs and radar systems and now finds him leading innovations in microelectromechanical switch technology. With a personal history steeped in engineering and mentorship, Russ brings a unique perspective to building technologies that have moved from Cold War defense systems to powering the AI age.

Diving deeper, Russ unpacks the origin and potential of Menlo Micro’s "Ideal Switch"—a breakthrough in hardware miniaturization and energy efficiency originally developed within GE’s R&D labs. He explains how this micro switch, born from a desire to reinvent the 150-year-old circuit breaker, now sits at the intersection of defense, energy, and AI. With applications ranging from nuclear submarines to distributed data center grids, the Ideal Switch is shaping the physical backbone of the technologies transforming our world.

By championing dual-use technology and rethinking conventional approaches to manufacturing, Russ is helping to reshape how we think about scale, sustainability, and supply chains. His story isn’t just about one innovation—it’s about building a resilient future through strategic thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of how old systems can give way to new possibilities.

[03:24] The early laser lab job that sparked Russ’s passion for experimentation and hardware innovation

[08:21] From radar systems to GPS miniaturization—Russ’s pivotal moments in military-grade communications

[11:49] Why the "buy and build" strategy at Microsemi helped redefine the company and Russ’s role as an integrator

[22:03] The story behind Menlo Micro's Ideal Switch and how it reinvents the circuit breaker

[30:57] Menlo’s breakthrough with DIU and the future of energy-efficient defense technologies

[39:15] Menlo's expansion into AI, RF test and measurement, and why its innovations matter across industries

[50:05] How manufacturing simplicity and scalability position the Ideal Switch for global infrastructure impact

• Daniel Marrujo on LinkedIn
• Russ Garcia
• TSS Website

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

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

From combat flights over Afghanistan to overseeing two-thirds of the U.S. nuclear triad, retired Lt. Gen. Mark "WX" Weatherington has shaped some of the most critical defense strategies of our time. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Weatherington for a wide-ranging conversation on military innovation, deterrence theory, and the operational realities of running America’s bomber fleet. With firsthand experience across Air Force Global Strike Command, NORAD, and strategic cyber operations, Weatherington reflects on what it takes to defend a nation in the age of AI, hypersonics, and digital warfare.

Diving deeper into the nuances of military modernization, Weatherington explains the behind-the-scenes challenges of sustaining decades-old aircraft, advancing technologies like the B-21 Raider, and coordinating kinetic and non-kinetic strategies across a global battlefield. He also discusses the evolving landscape of unmanned systems, the increasing importance of microelectronics, and the overlooked role of sustainment in national security planning.

His message is clear: the mission can’t succeed without adaptability, anticipation, and collaboration between government, industry, and allies. Whether you’re flying a 36-hour bomber mission or securing satellite communications from a cyberattack, success depends on more than firepower—it depends on foresight.

01:12 – Why Weatherington believes in staying active for mental clarity and longevity

06:55 – How his Air Force journey began with a dream to fly and evolved into command leadership

10:20 – Weatherington on transitioning from piloting B-1 bombers to leading strategic cyber operations

13:35 – The growing importance of information warfare and non-kinetic threats

18:45 – What it’s like to fly a 36-hour mission—and the infrastructure it takes to support it

22:50 – Breaking down the U.S. nuclear triad and the modernization of aging missile systems

33:40 – The sustainment crisis: how a 30-cent part can ground a billion-dollar system

45:15 – Could AI and digital twinning revolutionize maintenance, readiness, and cost-efficiency?

51:05 – Weatherington's take on the rise of unmanned systems and future force structures

Let’s Connect:

Daniel Marrujo on LinkedIn

TSS Website

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

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

From aspiring Air Force Academy cadet to DARPA program manager and global public diplomacy speaker, Michael Hsieh’s journey is anything but conventional. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Hsieh to trace the unexpected path that led him from quantum computing labs to shaping innovation culture around the world. With stories that span from personal turning points to high-stakes national security programs, Hsieh unpacks the motivations, mentors, and missions that defined his career.

As a former DARPA program manager, Hsieh reflects on the agency’s culture of high-stakes innovation and its role in driving technologies that have changed the world. He shares insights into programs designed to detect social media manipulation, encrypt entire algorithms, and uncover signals of geopolitical unrest using open-source economic data. Now, as part of the U.S. State Department’s public diplomacy program, he brings those experiences to audiences worldwide—helping shape global conversations around science, trust, and innovation.

Ultimately, Hsieh believes the most powerful work happens when personal values align with national purpose. From AI matchmaking to international policy dialogue, he illustrates how seemingly unrelated experiences can build toward a legacy of service, discovery, and global impact.

• 00:54 – Michael discusses how AI is transforming relationship matchmaking and lowering divorce rates.
• 03:11 – Michael shares how his early goal of attending the Air Force Academy shifted after being medically disqualified.
• 11:37 – Michael recalls how 9/11 influenced his decision to pursue quantum computing for national security.
• 19:55 – Michael talks about joining DARPA and launching programs that used public data to detect terrorist activity.
• 27:26 – Michael explains the Social Media in Strategic Communication (SMISC) program for identifying bot activity.
• 33:47 – Michael outlines his work on encrypting entire programs using homomorphic encryption.

• Daniel Marrujo on LinkedIn
• Michael Hsieh
• TSS Website

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

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

In this compelling episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Greg Van Dyke—a visionary technologist, fusion energy entrepreneur, and retired Air Force leader—at the Hard Conference. From his early life on a Wisconsin dairy farm to directing billion-dollar defense acquisition programs and shaping the national conversation on microelectronics and fusion energy, Greg's career embodies the intersection of technical depth, public policy, and relentless innovation. The conversation explores the multi-decade journey that brought him to the forefront of energy and manufacturing transformation.

Greg shares the behind-the-scenes story of his pivotal role in the Department of Energy’s analysis of alternatives for onshore microelectronics production—a foundational study that helped pave the way for the CHIPS Act. He details the political and industrial inflection points that drove renewed domestic investment in semiconductors and why that effort mirrors the critical need for progress in the fusion energy space. With clarity and vision, Greg breaks down the promise of fusion, the enabling technologies making it viable today, and the scaling and supply chain hurdles yet to be solved.

As he embarks on his second 20-year career, Greg’s goal is bold: build the world’s largest fusion supply chain company, deliver carbon-free energy everywhere, and revitalize U.S. manufacturing at a scale not seen since World War II. Tune in to hear a rare blend of engineering insight, defense strategy, and entrepreneurial drive aimed at solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

• [01:50] How growing up on a dairy farm influenced Greg’s ethos of building and service
• [07:33] Why a nuclear engineering background led Greg into microelectronics policy and production
• [10:30] The fight to convince Congress and the Pentagon to invest in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing
• [17:54] How the CHIPS Act impacts not just fabs, but the entire American workforce and education system
• [27:31] Why fusion energy may be the global power solution for the next 200 years
• [40:46] The real fusion race: it's not just who builds first, but who can scale fastest globally
• [47:57] Greg’s next mission: building the largest fusion supply chain company in the world

Let’s Connect

• Daniel Marrujo on LinkedIn
• Greg Van Dyk
• TSS Website

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

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