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Innovate and Elevate

Innovate and Elevate

By: Sharon Kedar MBA CFA
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Join Sharon Kedar, Co-Founder of Northpond Ventures, as she has candid, in-depth conversations with top doctors, scientists, and trailblazing innovators. Innovate and Elevate is the podcast where the pioneering ideas and leading-edge discoveries that redefine human health are explored. Behind every revolutionary method and device is a human, or humans, daring to make the impossible possible. Sharon, an investor at the forefront of science-driven venture capital, talks with these change agents about how they are rewriting the rules in their fields - from human health and longevity to breakthrough diagnostics and therapeutics. Featured by Harvard’s Wyss Institute, this podcast delivers the sophisticated, knowledgeable, and essential insights you need to understand how innovation impacts our lives. Because Humanity Deserves Better. Sharon Kedar is Co-Founder, Partner of Northpond Ventures. She is also a human health advocate and has been invited to and spoken at notable institutions and events nationwide, including The New York Stock Exchange, The White House, ARPA-H, and Harvard University. “This new podcast is just what I needed- a platform to learn about health and innovation. I just listened to the first episode hosted by Sharon Kedar, a true pioneer for women. The amazing thing is that this podcast delivered with such humanity. I was glad to hear women leaders talking about real world things like women helping women, balancing our lives, advancing our careers, and prioritizing our health. It was fascinating to learn from Dr. Rexrode that women’s healthcare is often just a trial for doctors (lack of women based tests) and how frustrating that is for doctors. I loved hearing from these two top experts and can’t wait to tune into more episodes. And I plan to recommend this show to women and men! Finally, the pregnancy example really hits home and was a perfect motivator.” “It’s hard to find helpful and insightful content that is easy to understand. This podcast does that and should be considered on a par with Dr Andrew Huberman’s podcast.” “The dialogue was engaging and informative without feeling overwhelming. Both Sharon and Dr Rexrode are so knowledgeable in their fields. I can’t wait to see who the other guests will be!”Copyright 2026 Sharon Kedar, MBA, CFA Biological Sciences Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Finance Physical Illness & Disease Science
Episodes
  • Preventing Hair Loss Before It Starts: The New Science of Hair Health & Healthy Aging with Dr. Doris Day, MD

    Preventing Hair Loss Before It Starts: The New Science of Hair Health & Healthy Aging with Dr. Doris Day, MD
    Jun 18 2026
    Hair loss affects millions of people, yet most conversations begin only after thinning becomes visible. In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with board-certified dermatologist and hair health expert Dr. Doris Day to explore why the future of hair health may depend on earlier intervention, better understanding, and new scientific breakthroughs. Together, they discuss the biology of hair loss, the role of scalp health, inflammation, hormones, and genetics, and the innovations that could transform how we prevent and treat hair loss in the years ahead. From today's most effective therapies to emerging technologies currently in development, this conversation offers a fascinating look at one of the fastest-evolving areas of healthy aging and human health innovation.This Episode Is For You If:- You’re interested in the latest science of healthy aging, including how hormones, inflammation, scalp health, and nutrition influence hair growth.- You want to learn about emerging innovations, treatments, and technologies that could change the future of hair loss prevention and hair health.- You’ve noticed hair thinning, increased shedding, or changes in your hair and want to understand what may be driving it.Connect with Dr. Doris Day, MD:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdorisday/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdorisday/Connect with Sharon:- Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/- Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com- Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/emailThe content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.Timestamps(00:00) Why Hair Loss Matters So Much(02:15) Scarring vs. Non-Scarring Hair Loss(04:44) The Importance of Early Intervention(07:57) Understanding Hair Growth Cycles(09:23) Stress, Hormones & Hair Shedding(11:18) Female Pattern Hair Loss Explained(12:26) Minoxidil, Supplements & Treatment Options(14:09) Lasers, PRP & Emerging Therapies(16:25) Why Scalp Health Matters(20:10) Protecting Hair Before It's GoneAdditional ResourcesHair Loss Treatments:Minoxidil (topical)Oral MinoxidilLow-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)Supplements:NutrafolCurcumin (ingredient)Ashwagandha (ingredient)Saw Palmetto (ingredient)Vitamin D3 + K2Hair Devices & Technologies:Fotona HairLaseCurrentBody Hair Growth DeviceREVIANKeraFactorLaserCapCompanies & Research:Veradermics (time-release oral minoxidil company)RLX201 (experimental molecule discussed by Dr. Day)Rebooting the Biome (Dr. Day's book)About Our Guest: Dr. Doris Day, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health, and founder of Day Dermatology and Aesthetics in New York City. A nationally recognized expert in skin, hair, scalp health, and healthy aging, she has been named one of Newsweek's Top Cosmetic Dermatologists in the United States and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for more than 20 consecutive years. Dr. Day is also a bestselling author, educator, researcher, and Co-Founder of Rapalogix Health, where she helps advance innovative approaches to skin longevity and regenerative health.About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.FAQsWhy am I losing hair in midlife even though I'm otherwise healthy?In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar speaks with dermatologist Dr. Doris Day about why hair loss is often more complex than people realize. Dr. Day explains that genetics are only one piece of the puzzle. Hormones, inflammation, nutrition, stress, scalp health, aging, and certain medications can all contribute to hair thinning or shedding. Together, Sharon and Dr. Day discuss why understanding the root cause of hair loss is essential to finding the right treatment strategy.Can hair loss be prevented before it becomes noticeable?According to Dr. Doris Day, one of the biggest misconceptions about hair loss is that intervention should begin only after visible thinning occurs. In this episode, Dr. Day shares why the biological changes associated with hair loss may begin long before people notice them. Sharon and Dr. Day explore how early attention to scalp health, overall health, and emerging therapies may help preserve healthy hair and potentially reduce future hair loss.What are the most effective treatments for hair loss today?In this conversation, Dr. Doris Day reviews the current landscape of hair loss treatments, including topical and oral...
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    28 mins
  • Decoding Sepsis: Rethinking How We Detect Critical Illness with Tim Sweeney, MD, PhD

    Decoding Sepsis: Rethinking How We Detect Critical Illness with Tim Sweeney, MD, PhD
    Jun 4 2026

    Sepsis remains one of medicine's most difficult diagnostic challenges, where every hour can impact patient outcomes. In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with Dr. Tim Sweeney, Co-Founder and CEO of Inflammatix, to explore how advances in artificial intelligence, host-response diagnostics, and precision medicine could transform the way clinicians detect infection and critical illness. Dr. Sweeney shares the personal experience that launched his two-decade mission to improve sepsis care, explains why traditional diagnostic approaches often fall short, and discusses how Inflammatix's TriVerity™ platform is helping physicians identify the right patients for the right treatment at the right time.

    This Episode Is For You If:

    - You want to understand why sepsis remains one of healthcare's most challenging diagnoses.

    - You're interested in how artificial intelligence is being applied to real-world clinical decision-making.

    - You want to learn how innovation can improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

    Connect with Dr. Tim Sweeney:

    - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-sweeney-a6589594/

    - X: https://x.com/timsweeney83

    - Inflammatix: https://inflammatix.com

    Connect with Sharon:

    - Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/

    - Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com

    - Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/email

    The content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.

    Timestamps

    (00:00) The Patient That Changed Everything

    (01:57) Why Sepsis Is So Difficult to Solve

    (03:10) What Sepsis Really Is

    (05:59) Why Early Diagnosis Matters

    (08:18) Introducing TriVerity

    (12:17) A Life Saved by Earlier Detection

    (17:10) The Science of Host Response

    (19:07) How AI Interprets the Immune System

    (25:22) The Future of Precision Critical Care

    (31:28) Improving Care Beyond Saving Lives

    About Our Guest: Tim Sweeney, MD, PhD, is co-founder and CEO of Inflammatix, a clinical-stage startup bringing precision medicine to hospital care. He led the company from its Stanford roots through product development, clinical validation, FDA clearance, and commercialization. His background spans clinical medicine (surgery), data science, and translational diagnostics, giving him a practical view of both clinical need and market adoption. Tim is named on more than a dozen patents, has published more than 100 manuscripts and abstracts, and has served as PI on multiple development contracts from DOD/DARPA, BARDA, and NIH. He lives with his wife and 3 boys in Northern California.

    About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

    This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.
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    35 mins
  • Sound, Brain and the Science of Hearing | Neuroscientist Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham

    Sound, Brain and the Science of Hearing | Neuroscientist Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham
    May 14 2026

    What if some forms of hearing loss do not appear on current hearing tests at all? In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with neuroscientist, engineer, musician, and Carnegie Mellon Dean Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham to explore how the brain processes sound and why hearing is far more complex than simply detecting noise. Together, they discuss hidden hearing loss, the “cocktail party effect,” ADHD and sound filtering, cognitive fatigue, aging, sensory processing, and the emerging science behind sound, music, and the brain.

    This Episode Is For You If:

    - You’re interested in ADHD, sensory processing, and cognitive load

    - You want to understand how the brain filters sound

    - You’re curious about the future of hearing diagnostics and neuroscience

    Connect with Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham:

    - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-shinn-cunningham-9705208/


    Connect with Sharon:

    1. Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/
    2. Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com
    3. Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWi1O9RBaPMYuCkKszPYVA
    4. Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/email


    The content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.


    Timestamps

    (00:00) Introduction to hearing and brain processing

    (03:12) Why identical twins can experience sound differently

    (06:25) Loud concerts, noise exposure, and hidden hearing loss

    (11:08) Why hearing tests may miss subtle hearing damage

    (16:10) Hypersensitivity, sound amplification, and aging

    (21:22) ADHD, focus, and filtering sound

    (27:40) The “cocktail party effect” explained

    (34:18) Why hearing loss can feel mentally exhausting

    (42:55) ADHD as a potential superpower

    (52:11) Sound baths, sleep, and the neuroscience of sound


    About Our Guest: Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham is a neuroscientist, engineer, musician, and Dean of the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on how the brain processes sound, attention, hearing, and sensory perception in complex environments.

    About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.


    This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts: https://www.bravemoonpodcasts.com/

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    30 mins
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