Balancing The Future

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives over the past century. However, their widespread use has led to a crisis – the evolution of antimicrobial resistance or AMR. According to a 2024 study, over a million people have been killed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria since 1990. This number is only set to rise over the coming decades. 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Ana Almeida joins Dana and Micah to explore how pollution in the water supply has contributed to this environmental and global health emergency.  

Together they delve into how the prolific manufacture and use of antibiotics has accelerated the development of AMR and discover how there may already be scientists out there who can communicate the scale of this crisis to the public. 

Ana Almeida is an environmental and microbiology consultant with 20 years of experience in academia, regulation, and industry. 

LINKS: 

• Ana Almeida’s Website 
• Ana Almeida on LinkedIn 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 
• Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

• Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990–2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050 – The Lancet 
• Penicillin: The War-Time Miracle Drug That Saved Millions – Institute of Biomedical Research 
• Antibiotics: past, present and future – ScienceDirect 
• WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, 2024 - World Health Organization (WHO) 
• The Revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive – European Commission 
• New rules for more thorough and cost-effective urban wastewater management enter into force – European Commission 
• The Oil Pollution Act of 1990: A History of Spills and Legislation – The Office of Response and Restoration 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability. 

Experiments conducted in space challenge scientists to rethink processes in entirely new ways. But what insights can these experiments offer - not only about the unique environment of space but also about our future on Earth? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Magdalena Herová joins Dana and Micah to delve into the meticulous process of preparing experiments for the rigors of space. Together, they explore groundbreaking research happening above our planet and envision a future where humanity might establish a permanent residence among the stars. 

Dr. Magdalena Herová, is a scientist at BIOTESC, an organization that acts on behalf of the European Space Agency. She joined BIOTESC after earning her PhD in molecular biology from the University of Zurich. 

LINKS: 

Dr. Magdalena Herová on LinkedIn 

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

Image of Astronaut Michael Barrett Conducting an Experiment on the ISS – Universe Magazine 

Space Station 20th: First NASA Research on ISS – NASA.gov 

What Is Microgravity? - NASA.gov 

Groundbreaking Results from Space Station Science in 2023 – NASA.gov 

Crew Explores Satellites and Lunar Cement Mixing for Space Construction – NASA Blogs 

Growing Plants in Space – NASA.gov 

International Space Station Facts – NASA.gov 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability. 

On this special holiday episode of Balancing the Future, Dana and Micah revisit some of their favorite moments that didn’t make it into earlier episodes. They also offer an exciting glimpse into what’s ahead, previewing some of the engaging conversations coming in 2025. 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability. 

LINKS: 

Could Cultivated Meat Revolutionize Diets of the Future? 

Transforming Drug Discovery: The Power of 3D Cell Cultures 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

Why clothes are so hard to recycle – BBC Online 

Bioplastic technology has been around for decades, but how can it be effectively utilized and scaled to address the growing crisis of plastic waste we face today?
 
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Manfred Zinn joins Dana and Micah to explore the cutting-edge applications of bioplastics, the implications of enhanced biodegradability, and the challenges and opportunities of scaling these solutions. 

Manfred is a Professor at the Institute of Life Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Sion, Switzerland. He earned his degree in Biotechnology and PhD at ETH Zurich, where he conducted pioneering research on nutrient-limited growth conditions in continuous cultures. Manfred further honed his expertise during two postdoctoral fellowships in the United States, focusing on biofilm research at the University of Tennessee and Harvard University.

LINKS: 

Manfred Zinn on LinkedIn 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

SOURCES 

After bronze and iron, welcome to the plastic age, say scientists – The Guardian Online 

Microplastics: Are we facing a new health crisis – and what can be done about it? - The World Economic Forum 

Microplastics are in our bodies. How much do they harm us? - National Geographic 

EU Biorefinery Outlook to 2030 – The European Commission 

India's first bamboo-based biorefinery to start operations in March - Reuters 

CIB commits $277 million towards biorefinery and Canada’s largest electrolyzer - Canada Infrastructure Bank 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability.

Brewing beer is both an art and a science, a tradition that has connected people for millennia. But what lies ahead for this age-old craft? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chris Treanor sits down with Dana and Micah to delve into the science behind brewing, the intricate dance between innovation and business, and the pivotal role beer has played in shaping culture and community. 

Chris Treanor is the Head Brewer at Qrew Brew, a community-centric brewery in Switzerland. Qrew Brew is an initiative by QoQa, an innovative e-commerce platform. Before entering the industry, Chris trained as a biotechnologist at Dublin City University. He believes this education prepared him for a career in brewing, which combines elements of science, engineering, and business. 

LINKS: 

Chris Treanor on LinkedIn 

Qrew Brew Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability. 

Plant-based meat alternatives are having a moment, but do they represent a real shift towards a more sustainable diet? In this episode, Edwina Romanens dives into the technology that made the plant-based protein taste revolution possible, how consumer preference steers the industry, and what place plant-based meat alternatives might have in the diets of the future. 

Edwina is the former lead biotechnology scientist at Planted, a leading plant-based food company in Switzerland specializing in meat alternatives. She now works as a biotech research manager at Givaudan, a flavor and fragrance manufacturer. 

LINKS: 

Edwina Romanens on LinkedIn 

Givaudan Website 

Planted Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website  

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn  

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn  

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn  

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability. 

The use of 3D cell cultures is revolutionizing the drug testing industry, improving safety, accuracy and shaking up traditional methods. Could this technology take us into a future where we are able to fully personalize medicine, and maybe, even grow replacement organs? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Dr. Jan Lichtenberg joins Dana and Micah to explore how 3D cell cultures are changing the trajectory of the drug development and testing landscape, the ethical implications of this technology, and how all this fits into the context of personalized medicine.  

Dr. Jan Lichtenberg is CEO and co-founder of InSphero, a company that develops a wide range of 3D cell cultures and three-dimensional microtissues for drug development and screening.   

LINKS: 

Jan Lichtenberg on LinkedIn 

InSphero Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability.

As diets evolve and arable farmland becomes increasingly less viable, could cultivated or lab-grown meat provide a solution to the pressing challenges we face on Earth and beyond? 

In this episode of Balancing the Future, biotechnologist Steven Lang joins Dana and Micah to discuss the current landscape of cultivated meat. He delves into the significant environmental and social issues this technology aims to address and explores its potential future impacts. 

Steven Lang serves as the Vice President of Science and Technology at California Cultured, where he utilizes plant cell culture to create sustainable and ethical chocolate and coffee. Prior to this role, he was the Vice President of Bioprocess at Upside Foods, where he focused on developing cultured chicken products. 

LINKS: 

Steven Lang on LinkedIn 

California Cultured Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website 

METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn 

Dana Clémençon on LinkedIn 

Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer on Balancing the Future from METTLER TOLEDO, where they delve into the world of sustainable technology and its transformative impact on our lives.  

Each episode features stories from leading innovators, breaking down complex tech advancements into engaging narratives that reveal how these innovations shape our present and future.  

From the origins of new technologies to their individual and societal implications, this podcast offers a compelling look at the future of sustainability.

For hundreds of thousands of years, humans have pursued more effective, efficient ways of living and working. It’s our constant pursuit
of better ways to do things. Better ways to solve problems. Better ways to communicate. Better ways to live and thrive. Throughout history, we have made countless innovations that have propelled our society toward new horizons. Those innovations have adapted across eras, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, to now, where it's all about sustainability. 

Welcome to Balancing the Future, a show where we explore innovations in sustainable technology, and more importantly how they change our lives. In each episode, we bring you stories from the pioneers at the forefront of innovation—scientists, thinkers, and dreamers who are crafting our tomorrow. 

We’ll break down complex tech developments into engaging stories, understanding where these technologies came from, how they impact you as an individual, and how they will shape our future. From biopolymers to cultivated meat, to decarbonization, and more. 

Join hosts Dana Clémençon and Micah Schweizer as they decode the mechanisms behind the most groundbreaking innovations and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.  

Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app to join us on this journey. The future is waiting.