Best Biostatistics Podcasts (2025)

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P-Values: Are we using a flawed statistical tool? 1:13:26

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1d ago1:13:26

1:13:26

P-values show up in almost every scientific paper, yet they’re one of the most misunderstood ideas in statistics. In this episode, we break from our usual journal-club format to unpack what a p-value really is, why researchers have fought about it for a century, and how that famous 0.05 cutoff became enshrined in science. Along the way, we share st…

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Top 8: The Single Arm Studies and What are the Alternatives? 45:32

13h ago45:32

45:32

Interview with Anja Schiel Why You Should Listen: f you’ve ever wondered whether single-arm studies are “good enough” for regulators or HTA bodies, this episode will challenge your assumptions. Anja Schiel, one of Europe’s leading voices at the regulator–HTA interface, explains why comparisons matter, where single-arm designs break down, and what s…

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EP 165: Maboang Matlou, The Miracle Tree: Transforming Agriculture with Moringa 30:55

5h ago30:55

30:55

Send us a text Maboang Matlou, founder of Lefakong Farm, shares her journey transforming a family farm into a thriving moringa enterprise that addresses nutrition, climate change and economic development simultaneously. Maboang's story is a masterclass in agricultural innovation and perseverance. Get started with moringa farming by listening to Mab…

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Top 7: How to work with a physician within Pharma to become a valuable partner 26:40

11d ago26:40

26:40

Discussion with Benjamin Piske and Alexander Schacht Why You Should Listen: Working with physicians isn’t always easy. Different mindsets, expectations, and communication styles can get in the way. In this episode, you’ll hear how to: ✔ Build trust and respect with physicians in pharma ✔ Communicate effectively across disciplines ✔ Know when to sup…

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Exercise and Cancer: Does physical activity improve colon cancer survival? 49:04

16d ago49:04

49:04

Exercise has long been hailed as cancer-fighting magic, but is there hard evidence behind the hype? In this episode, we tackle the CHALLENGE trial, a large phase III study of colon cancer patients that tested whether prescribed exercise could improve cancer-free survival. We translate clinical jargon into plain English, show why ratio statistics ma…

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Top 6: What is EU HTA and why should statisticians care? 36:08

8d ago36:08

36:08

Interview with Lara Wolfson and Anders Gorst-Rasmussen Why You Should Listen: ✔ EU HTA is becoming reality: Joint Clinical Assessments begin soon with oncology/ATMPs and will expand to all medicines over the next years. ✔ Statisticians are central: Re-analyses, indirect comparisons, RWE, and quality-of-life analyses will be required—often beyond wh…

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Top 5: The analysis of adverse events done right 52:45

26d ago52:45

52:45

Interview with Kaspar Rufibach & Jan Beyersmann What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why analyzing adverse events differently from efficacy endpoints creates problems. ✔ How differing follow-up times and censoring bias AE results. ✔ The role of the Aalen–Johansen estimator and why it should be standard practice. ✔ What the SAVVY collaboration achieved by uniting p…

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Age Gaps: How much does age matter in dating? 49:42

30d ago49:42

49:42

Are we all secretly ageist when it comes to dating? We put the stereotype that older men prefer younger women under the microscope using data from thousands of blind dates. What we found surprised us: the “age penalty” was real but microscopic, women wanted younger partners too, and hard age cutoffs weren’t so hard after all. Along the way, we unpa…

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EP 164: Dr. Keabetswe Ncube, Achieving Sustainability in Agriculture through Genetics 58:48

25d ago58:48

58:48

Send us a text What if the future of African agriculture lies not in expensive technology, but in understanding the hidden genetic code of livestock that have survived drought, disease, and harsh conditions for generations? Dr. Keabetswe Ncube takes us on a journey into agrigenomics - the science of using genetics to improve crops and livestock for…

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Replay: R vs SAS - which is the better tool in pharmaceutical research 42:29

1M ago42:29

42:29

Interview with Sam Gardner & Thomas Neitmann What You’ll Learn: ✔ How Thomas and Sam were first introduced to SAS and R — and how their early experiences shaped their preferences. ✔ Key differences in learning curves and the resources available for beginners. ✔ How each tool fares in day-to-day work and long-term maintainability. ✔ Strengths and we…

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Your Brain on AI: Is ChatGPT making us mentally lazy? 1:14:07

1M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

ChatGPT is melting our brainpower, killing creativity, and making us soulless — or so the headlines imply. We dig into the study behind the claims, starting with quirky bar charts and mysterious sample sizes, then winding through hairball-like brain diagrams and tens of thousands of statistical tests. Our statistical sleuthing leaves us with questi…

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Replay: The Chimp Paradox 41:35

1M ago41:35

41:35

Interview with Stuart McGuire What You’ll Learn: ✔ How to recognize when your “chimp” is in control — and what to do about it ✔ The difference between emotional, rational, and programmed brain responses ✔ How to manage anxiety and fear in high-stakes situations like meetings and presentations ✔ Why we often overwork out of tribal guilt — and how to…

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EP 163: How Aid Cuts Affect Patients, Research and Jobs in Africa 43:50

1M ago43:50

43:50

Send us a text What happens when life-saving funding disappears? How do healthcare systems adapt? Can domestic resources fill the gap? The sudden freeze of US aid disbursements in January sent shockwaves through healthcare systems across Africa. Six months later, what was once a policy announcement has turned into a devastating reality for millions…

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Replay: Is data science something for you? 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

Interview with Yannis Jemiai & Rajat Mukherjee What You’ll Learn: ✔ How two leading statisticians transitioned into data science ✔ The key differences (and overlaps) between data science, statistics, big data, and machine learning ✔ Why data science is more than hype—and why statisticians are needed more than ever ✔ The role of visualization and st…

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The Backfire Effect: Can fact-checking make false beliefs stronger? 58:26

2M ago58:26

58:26

Can correcting misinformation make it worse? The “backfire effect” claims that debunking myths can actually make false beliefs stronger. We dig into the evidence — from ghost studies to headline-making experiments — to see if this psychological plot twist really holds up. Along the way, we unpack interaction effects, randomization red flags, and wh…

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Replay: Things we would like to have known before we started with RWE 48:53

2M ago48:53

48:53

Interview with Rachel Tham What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why “index date” is more complicated than it sounds ✔ Common mistakes around exposure definitions ✔ The importance of understanding how RWE data is generated ✔ What programmers should know about timing, variables, and algorithms ✔ Why project management in RWE must be iterative and stakeholder-driven …

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Dating Wishlists: Are we happier when we get what we want in a mate? 1:05:31

2M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Loyal, funny, hot — you’ve probably got a wish list for your dream partner. But does checking all your boxes actually lead to happily ever after? In this episode, we dive into a massive global study that put the “ideal partner” hypothesis to the test. Do people really know what they want, and does getting it actually make them happier? We explore s…

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EP 162: Emmanuel Valentine, Making High-Tech Farming like Hydroponics Affordable for All 35:51

2M ago35:51

35:51

Send us a text With the continent's population projected to reach 2.6 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 70% amidst growing challenges from climate. Valentine Emmanuel, a Nigerian agricultural scientist, shares his innovative approach to solving Africa's food security challenges through sustainable farming techniques and entrepreneur…

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AI and Statistics Start-ups: Opportunities and Challenges 43:32

2M ago43:32

43:32

Keynote by Manjari Narayan | The Effective Statistician Conference 2024 What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why the 21st century is truly the "century of biology" and what that means for statisticians ✔ The untapped opportunity for statisticians to innovate before clinical trials begin ✔ How AI-guided experiments are changing drug discovery—and the statistical ch…

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Stats Reunion: What have we learned so far? 56:00

3M ago56:00

56:00

It’s our first stats reunion! In this special review episode, we revisit favorite concepts from past episodes—p-values, multiple testing, regression adjustment—and give them fresh personalities as characters. Meet the seductive false positive, the clingy post hoc ex, and Charlotte, the well-meaning but overfitting idealist. Statistical topics Bar c…

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EP 161: Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, From Soweto to National Geographic, Tracing Human Origins 42:03

3M ago42:03

42:03

Send us a text What if the ground beneath your feet could tell you exactly when our ancestors walked the Earth? Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, a geologist from Soweto and a recent National Geographic Wayfinder Award winner, followed his scientific passion and is now uncovering these ancient stories as a National Geographic Explorer. This conversation takes …

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Combining RCT and RWD – applications in rare diseases and practical recommendations 47:05

3M ago47:05

47:05

Keynote by Prof. Tim Friede | The Effective Statistician Conference 2024 What You’ll Learn: ✔ When and how to combine RCTs with real-world data (RWD) ✔ The CJD study: lessons from combining registry and trial data ✔ Hierarchical Bayesian meta-analysis and shrinkage estimators ✔ Robustness of these approaches in the face of heterogeneity ✔ Practical…

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Real-World Evidence vs. Randomized Trials: Can We Emulate Accuracy? 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

Keynote by Prof. Sebastian Schneeweiss | The Effective Statistician Conference 2024 What You’ll Learn: ✔ The motivation behind emulating randomized trials using real-world data ✔ How claims and EHR data can support regulatory-grade evidence ✔ What makes a trial emulation good vs. suboptimal ✔ The role of adherence, measurement limitations, and data…

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EP 160: Future Women Innovators, meet the Dream STEM Technovation Summit Winners 30:53

3M ago30:53

30:53

Send us a text When 50 girls from underprivileged communities gathered at the Dream Women in STEM Technovation Summit in Durban, something big happened. In just three days, these young innovators became creators, inventors and problem-solvers who dared to reimagine their worlds and their futures. The summit challenged participants to develop soluti…

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HPV Vaccine: How close are we to wiping out cervical cancer? 1:15:57

3M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Could a preteen vaccine wipe out a global cancer? In this episode, we examine the bold claim that cervical cancer could be eradicated in much of the world by the end of the century—thanks to the highly effective HPV vaccine. We unpack statistical modeling, microsimulations, and how Markov chains make good date-night conversation. We also explore wh…

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The Power of Networking 16:32

3M ago16:32

16:32

Discussion with Alun Bedding What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why networking is about curiosity—not small talk ✔ How to set clear intentions for networking at events ✔ The three biggest myths that hold people back from networking (and how to overcome them) ✔ Practical tips for PSI Conference attendees to network with confidence ✔ The real-world value of buildi…

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Inclusion for All: Rethinking Success, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility in the Workplace 36:46

4M ago36:46

36:46

Featuring Alun Bedding and Emma Crawford Learnings You’ll Gain From This Episode: ✔ Why inclusion is everyone’s responsibility—not just HR’s ✔ The difference between “reasonable adjustments” and “success enablers” ✔ How AI tools can support accessibility and productivity ✔ The hidden challenges behind late diagnoses of neurodivergence ✔ Why leaders…

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Equipment Size: What is average? 54:20

4M ago54:20

54:20

Today’s deep dive: the surprisingly serious science of penis size. Using self-report surveys, objective measurements, and a healthy dose of old-school statistics, we ask: How do you get clean data on gentlemen’s goods?Along the way, we explore social desirability bias, survey design tricks, and what happens when science meets insecurity. You’ll nev…

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EP 158: Dr Okechinyere Achilonu, Biostatistics as the Backbone of Health Research in Africa 38:01

4M ago38:01

38:01

Send us a text What happens when passion meets purpose in the world of medical data? Dr. Okechinyere Achilonu takes us through her journey in the evolving landscape of biostatistics in Africa. She reveals how this often-overlooked field serves as the backbone of health research across the continent. Born in Nigeria, Dr Okechi is currently a lecture…

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Daily updated systematic literature reviews - the future of oncology 22:57

4M ago22:57

22:57

Interview with Anna Forsythe Why You Should Listen: ✔ Discover how SLRs are evolving through automation and AI ✔ Learn how real-time data can improve cancer treatment decisions ✔ Understand the balance between innovation and clinical responsibility ✔ Hear about a tool that could change the way guidelines and clinical practice align ✔ Be inspired by…

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Sugar Sag: Is Your Diet Aging You? 1:08:27

4M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Wrinkles and sagging skin—just normal aging, or can you blame your sweet tooth? We dive into “sugar sag,” exploring how sugar, processed foods, and even your crispy breakfast toast might be making you look older than if you’d said no to chocolate cake and yes to broccoli. Along the way, we encounter statistical adjustment, training and test data se…

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May Root of Science News Roundup 15:11

4M ago15:11

15:11

Send us a text What happens when African scientists tackle our continent's most pressing challenges? The May 2025 edition of our News Roundup, the first release under this segment, majorly focuses on innovation in health. The first is an AI-powered, solar-powered device that diagnoses Malaria and dispenses medicine. We also talk about Ghana's Yamac…

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EP 158: The Role of African Podcasters in Science Communication 53:28

4M ago53:28

53:28

Send us a text On this Africa Day podcast, five African science communicators discuss their role in amplifying authentic African research voices. They explore how digital platforms are transforming science communication across the continent. From immunology and plant science to scholarly communication and mentorship platforms, these podcasters shar…

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A novel approach for finding predictive biomarkers 35:39

4M ago35:39

35:39

Interview with Julia Geronimi and Pavel Mozgunov Why You Should Listen: ✔ You’ll learn a new method that’s both statistically sound and easy to implement ✔ You’ll see how to pre-specify your analysis strategy for biomarker evaluation ✔ You’ll understand how to get more value out of small sample sizes ✔ And you’ll come away with a fresh appreciation…

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A Webinar Recording: Redefining the Role of Statisticians in a World of Real-World Data and AI 51:48

4M ago51:48

51:48

Webinar with Yannis Jemiai, Flaminia Chiesa, and Benjamin Piske ✔ Learn how statisticians can step into leadership roles as data science becomes more strategic. ✔ Understand the impact of AI, real-world evidence, and decentralized trials on clinical trial design. ✔ Hear practical advice for staying relevant in the age of reimagined RCTs. ✔ Get insi…

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Hookworms: Can parasites improve your health? 1:08:00

5M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

What if you could treat your prediabetes with . . . worms? Regina and Kristin dive into a surprising early-phase clinical trial on hookworm therapy—that’s right, intentionally infecting yourself with parasitic worms—to treat metabolic conditions. They dig into the biological rationale (inflammation, abdominal fat, and gut immunology), the clever st…

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RWE and JCA - how do they go together 20:21

5M ago20:21

20:21

Interview with Katrin Kupas What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ What the JCA is and why it changes how we plan evidence generation ✔ When and how RWE can help answer comparator questions in HTA ✔ The risks of non-randomized comparisons—and how to mitigate them ✔ Why we need an integrated evidence plan early in development ✔ How tools like ROBINS-I…

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EP 157: Bongiwe Mtshali, Turning Invasive Plant Species into Renewable Energy 33:20

4M ago33:20

33:20

Send us a text What if the invasive plants ravaging African agriculture could become part of the solution to our energy crisis? In this conversation, researcher Bongiwe Mtshali reveals her innovative work converting problematic alien plant species into valuable renewable energy resources. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod …

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Why and how you can promote more students become statisticians 29:32

5M ago29:32

29:32

Interview with Emma Crawford and Alex Spiers ✔ Why STEM outreach is so important for the future of our industry ✔ How your company, community, and even your own career can benefit from getting involved ✔ The challenges students face (especially girls and those from underserved areas) in seeing themselves in STEM ✔ How PSI’s Schools Outreach team ca…

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Alcohol: Are happy hours good for your heart? 1:05:31

5M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Does a daily glass of wine really keep the cardiologist away? It’s a claim we’ve all heard: light to moderate drinking is good for your heart. But is it science or just a convenient excuse for happy hour? In this episode, we dive into the history behind this claim, discuss the challenges of observational studies and statistical adjustment, and expl…

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Clarifying confusions around interim, primary, final, and other analyses in clinical trial 31:11

5M ago31:11

31:11

Interview with Kaspar Rufibach What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ The true definitions of interim, final, primary, confirmatory, and updated analyses ✔ Why a “final analysis” doesn’t always mean “last analysis” ✔ How language choice can impact stakeholder trust and regulatory interpretation ✔ The operational vs. statistical meaning of “stopping a…

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Reimagining Clinical Trials with Synthetic Data and Digital Twins 22:11

5M ago22:11

22:11

Interview with Holger Fröhlich What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ What synthetic data actually is – and what it isn’t ✔ The benefits and challenges of using synthetic data in clinical research ✔ Real-world use cases, from early dementia diagnosis to trial simulation ✔ How digital twins could help predict patient outcomes ✔ Why synthetic data migh…

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The Red Dress Effect: Are women in red sexier? 1:08:45

6M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Wear red and drive men wild with lust – or so says scientific research on color’s role in human mating. But can a simple color swap really boost a woman’s hotness score? In this episode, we delve into the evidence behind the Red Dress Effect, from a controversial first study in college men to what the latest research says about who this trick might…

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EP 156: Dr. Rachel Mkandawire, the Woman Agricultural Scientist Reshaping Policy in Africa 37:54

5M ago37:54

37:54

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Rachel Mkandawire shares her journey from plant pathology to agricultural policy. With degrees in crop science, plant nematology, and a PhD in plant pathology, Rachel brings unique scientific insights to her work at the Food Agriculture Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). She explains how her wor…

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Working in an english work environment as a non-native speaker 12:51

5M ago12:51

12:51

Friday Episode with Alexander 🧠 What You’ll Learn: ✔ How I improved my English on the job (despite not having great grades in school) ✔ Why consuming high-quality English content (like podcasts, TED Talks, and books) made a big difference ✔ Tips for writing regularly—even journaling—and using tools like ProWritingAid ✔ How slowing down when speakin…

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R-shiny - how to set it up effectively and avoid common mistakes 26:34

5M ago26:34

26:34

Interview with Daniel Sabanés Bové What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why interactive visualizations are such a game changer ✔ How R-Shiny makes scenario planning and data exploration easier ✔ What to consider before you even start coding ✔ Common mistakes to avoid with larger Shiny apps ✔ How to structure your code for long-term success and main…

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3 personal stories of how soft skills have helped me as a statistician 18:39

6M ago18:39

18:39

Friday Episode with Alexander Schacht 🧠 What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why I believe “soft skills” is the wrong term—and what we should call them instead ✔ How I built trust in just 15 minutes with someone I'd never met before ✔ The story behind a data visualization that got standing ovations ✔ A negotiation win that shifted how I think about value ✔ How the…

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R-packages - best practices and useful tools 20:55

6M ago20:55

20:55

Interview with Daniel Sabanés Bové What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔ Why creating R packages is a game-changer for code reuse and collaboration. ✔ The most common challenges we face when reusing code—and how packages help solve them. ✔ When it actually makes sense to start writing a package (spoiler: earlier than you think). ✔ Useful tools like u…

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Vitamin D Part 2: Good for more than just your bones? 1:09:19

6M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Can you really sit on your couch, pop vitamin D pills, and shave seconds off your 5k? Touted as a miracle cure-all, vitamin D is claimed to slash cancer and infection risks while boosting mood, cognition, and athletic performance. But does upping your vitamin D really make you healthier and happier? In this episode, we’ll follow the epidemiologic e…

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EP 155: Prof Lee Fairlie, M72 Vaccine Trial in South Africa: A New Era in TB Treatment 34:34

6M ago34:34

34:34

Send us a text Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, claiming approximately 3,400 lives daily. On this World TB Day episode, We speak with Professor Leigh Fairley, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Wits RHI and Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand, about groundbreaking research that could t…