In a special year-end episode of Science Changing Life, we’re revisiting five moments from 2025 that continue to shape how we think about science. Featuring insights from Scripps Research experts across genetics, infectious disease, public health surveillance and chronic illness, this episode features some of this year’s most memorable soundbites.

Keywords/topics: Scientific insights; 2025 year in review; genetics; infectious disease; public health surveillance; Long COVID; alcohol use disorder; immunology

Scripps Research Magazine: https://magazine.scripps.edu

The data is clear: inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s are on the rise worldwide. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Amy Lightner—VP of Clinical Development at Calibr-Skaggs and colorectal surgeon at Scripps Clinic—to explore what drives these diseases, an upcoming phase 2 clinical trial for a new regenerative medicine, and how she balances life between the operating room and the research lab.

//

Keywords and topics: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; colon cancer; pouchitis; IBD phase 2 clinical trial; CLF065; colorectal surgery

Additional resources:

• About Amy Lightner
• ⁠LinkedIn - Amy Lightner⁠
• Instagram - Lightner lab
• Facebook - Lightner lab

• Scripps Research Magazine

This year on Science Changing Life, we’ve had some amazing scientists join us to share their work, their stories and what drives them. There’s one question we love to ask our guests: What advice would you give to scientists just starting out?

We compiled their refreshingly honest answers into one episode—hear what they had to say.