Podcast Summary: "Why do some bodies respond differently to disease?" | Erika Moore
TED Talks Daily
Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of TED Talks Daily, host Elise Hu introduces Dr. Erica Moore, an equity bioengineer and 2024 TED Fellow. Dr. Moore delves into her pioneering research that investigates why diseases affect various populations differently, aiming to bridge the gap in health equity globally. The episode also features an in-depth conversation between Dr. Moore and Lily James Olds, the TED Fellows Program Director.

Dr. Erica Moore's Personal Journey and Motivation (00:38 - 03:06)

Dr. Moore begins by sharing her personal experiences with differing bodily responses to injuries and medications within her family. She recounts:

"When I was younger, I just did not heal the same way. I would see these scabs and like, I'd pick at them, they'd take forever to close. And my brother's skin would just close right up."
— Dr. Erica Moore [00:31]

This disparity in healing sparked her curiosity about the underlying biological reasons, leading her to pursue a career focused on health equity.

Understanding Macrophages and the Immune System (03:06 - 06:28)

Dr. Moore introduces macrophages, the immune cells that act as the body's "watchdogs." She personifies them to make the concept relatable:

"Imagine, like a squishy ball that's sometimes angry, sometimes happy. They're super cute."
— Dr. Erica Moore [04:15]

Her research focuses on how macrophages behave differently based on the environment and the individual's background, particularly in diseases that disproportionately affect certain populations.

Health Disparities in Lupus Research (06:28 - 12:37)

Dr. Moore highlights the significant health disparities in lupus, a disease predominantly affecting women of color:

"90% of lupus patients are women, and of that, about 70% are women of color. So we really have to consider that, right?"
— Dr. Erica Moore [05:10]

She explains her lab's approach using tissue models to study how macrophages from African American women interact differently with blood vessels compared to those from European women. This research aims to uncover why inflammation and autoimmune responses vary among different populations.

Innovative Initiatives: AI and Integrating Lived Experiences (07:31 - 11:15)

In her conversation with Lily James Olds, Dr. Moore discusses two groundbreaking initiatives:

1. AI Model for Cellular Background Analysis:

   "We developed an AI model that's going to help us understand what cells of different backgrounds have been used applied to any field at all."
   — Dr. Erica Moore [07:40]

   This tool scans decades of research to identify gaps in cellular studies related to diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusive research practices.

2. Incorporating Lived Experiences:

   "We're partnering with anthropologists and geneticists to help us integrate measures of lived experience, like, for example, if you experienced high stress or a stress event as a child, how that changes your immune cell function throughout the rest of your adult life."
   — Dr. Erica Moore [08:30]

   By surveying participants on their life experiences, the lab aims to correlate these factors with cellular responses, adding depth to their understanding of disease mechanisms.

Impact on Clinical Practice and Health Equity (12:37 - 15:57)

Dr. Moore emphasizes the real-world implications of her research:

"My goal with all of the work that we do is to try to educate people. So that way we have better resources to treat every single person."
— Dr. Erica Moore [14:58]

She advocates for a more nuanced approach in clinical settings, urging healthcare providers to consider factors beyond race and gender, such as stress and discrimination, to tailor treatments effectively.

Resources and Community Engagement (16:08 - 16:46)

For listeners interested in delving deeper into her work, Dr. Moore recommends:

• Social Media Platforms: Active presence on LinkedIn and Instagram to share research findings and lab activities.
• Science Communication Efforts: Engaging content like short videos to make complex research accessible to a broader audience.

Conclusion

Dr. Erica Moore's research offers a transformative perspective on health equity, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual and population-specific responses to diseases. Her innovative use of AI and incorporation of lived experiences into biomedical research pave the way for more personalized and equitable healthcare solutions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Personal Motivation:
  "When I was younger, I just did not heal the same way."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [00:31]

• Macrophages Personified:
  "Imagine, like a squishy ball that's sometimes angry, sometimes happy. They're super cute."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [04:15]

• Health Disparities in Lupus:
  "90% of lupus patients are women, and of that, about 70% are women of color."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [05:10]

• AI in Research:
  "We developed an AI model that's going to help us understand what cells of different backgrounds have been used applied to any field at all."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [07:40]

• Integrating Lived Experiences:
  "If you experienced high stress or a stress event as a child, how that changes your immune cell function throughout the rest of your adult life."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [08:30]

• Goal for Health Equity:
  "My goal with all of the work that we do is to try to educate people. So that way we have better resources to treat every single person."
  — Dr. Erica Moore [14:58]

Final Thoughts

Dr. Erica Moore's work underscores the critical need for inclusive research and personalized medicine. By understanding the diverse factors that influence disease responses, her efforts contribute significantly to building a more equitable healthcare system.

Additional Information:

• Learn More About TED Fellows: Visit fellows.ted.com.
• Follow Dr. Erica Moore: Accessible on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates on her research and lab activities.