Episode 5 In this episode, we interview Dr. Denis Jacob Machado, a trailblazing phylogeneticist and bioinformaticist at UNC Charlotte. Denis shares his incredible journey from selling onions as a 12-year-old to studying poison dart frogs, sharks, and viruses. He reveals how he harnesses artificial intelligence and big data to predict pandemics and repurpose FDA-approved drugs, making groundbreaking strides in the intersection of biology and computer science. Tune in for a captivating conversation on the future of science and technology!   Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.   Key Takeaways Denis Jacob Machado combines biology and informatics in his work as a phylogeneticist and bioinformaticist. He fell in love with phylogenetic systematics and the challenges of working with large data sets. Denis processes public data and collaborates with other researchers to answer pressing questions in human health. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in drug discovery, helping to optimize the selection of potential compounds. The Phyloinformatics Lab focuses on studying the evolution and interaction of various organisms, including viruses, through the use of phylogenetics. Collaboration with diverse researchers and experts is essential for addressing complex scientific questions and finding innovative solutions. Research on SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens can provide insights into their evolution, spread, and potential treatments. Surprising research findings can challenge existing assumptions and lead to new discoveries. The lab's goals include contributing to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and creating solutions for better access to biological repositories. This podcast was produced and edited by Zack JacksonCIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast