Inside Biotech

Shaping Tomorrow's Researchers with Dr. Reginald Hill, Founder of Lab Lift-off

Episode Summary

What if we’ve been focusing on the wrong cells in cancer? In this episode, Dr. Reginald Hill explains how fibroblasts, inflammation, and tissue stiffness shape tumor behavior and chemoresistance—and how mouse models, organoids, and microfluidic devices can turn those insights into better diagnostics. We dig into his path from a Cell cover story to a patent on an exosome-based cancer detection platform, his work lobbying Congress for pancreatic cancer research, and his aviation-inspired approach to lab management and science career coaching. Perfect for anyone interested in cancer biology, translational tech, or building a scientific career beyond the “traditional” path.

Episode Notes

What if we’ve been focusing on the wrong cells in cancer? In this episode, Dr. Reginald Hill explains how fibroblasts, inflammation, and tissue stiffness shape tumor behavior and chemoresistance—and how mouse models, organoids, and microfluidic devices can turn those insights into better diagnostics. We dig into his path from a Cell cover story to a patent on an exosome-based cancer detection platform, his work lobbying Congress for pancreatic cancer research, and his aviation-inspired approach to lab management and science career coaching. Perfect for anyone interested in cancer biology, translational tech, or building a scientific career beyond the “traditional” path.