fAQ by SandboxAQ

by Tai-Danae Bradley

Season 3

From Particle Accelerators to Medical Devices with Christian Nguyen | fAQ podcast S3 E14

In our newest episode, Tai-Danae Bradley chats with Christian Nguyen about tackling one of global healthcare's toughest challenges: diagnosing heart attacks. As a Program Manager on the AQMed team at SandboxAQ, Christian has morphed from a research scientist to a software engineer and beyond, all to help his team get their revolutionary magnetic camera ready for its first major manufacturing and FDA milestones this year. Before diving into health tech, Christian spent his academic career deep in the world of quantum information science. We discuss his time at Cornell—where he jumped into the physics lab to help manufacture electron-generating targets for the university's linear particle accelerator—and his graduate work at Harvard, exploring how the unique optical properties of diamonds make them the perfect building blocks for a future quantum internet. From pivoting through five different roles on the AQMed team to leaning on large language models as a daily thought partner in the lab, Christian exemplifies what it means to be adaptable. CAUTION— CardiAQ is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/company/about-us Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byaffe/ About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E14

Oct 6, 2026

26:12

A Bias for Action: Medical Devices and Spoof-Proof Navigation with Ben Yaffe | fAQ podcast S3 E13

In this episode of the fAQ podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Ben Yaffe, Principal for Strategy and Operations at SandboxAQ, to explore his incredibly varied career. Ben describes his "delightfully nebulous" role as a multi-tool across the company, jumping into projects that range from securing flight testing for the AQNav team to executing manufacturing transfer plans for AQMed's cardiac diagnostic device. Ben breaks down how the AQNav team is building spoof-proof aircraft navigation using the Earth's magnetic crust, and why AQMed's washing-machine-sized magnetic sensor could revolutionize how emergency rooms diagnose heart attacks. We also dive into his work with the AI simulation team, which recently landed a $500 million CHIPS Act grant to accelerate domestic battery and silicon manufacturing. Beyond the tech, Ben shares his incredible background—from setting up California’s first drive-thru COVID test sites and leading search and rescue teams, to how growing up in New York City gave him an unstoppable bias for action. Tune in to hear about his "Snadbox" initiative that celebrates learning from failure, and why his ultimate dream is to open a coffee shop using a restored "trash espresso machine"! CAUTION— CardiAQ is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/company/about-us Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byaffe/

S3 · E13

Sep 22, 2026

38:19

Building Medical Moonshots with Kit Yee Au-Yeung | fAQ podcast S3 E12

Next up on the fAQ Podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Kit Yee Au-Yeung, General Manager of AQMed at SandboxAQ, for a fascinating conversation about medical devices, leadership, and startup culture. Kit breaks down her team's work on an AI-powered magnetocardiography (MCG) device that captures the heart's magnetic signals right at the bedside, bypassing the need for an unwieldy metal shield. But building groundbreaking tech requires an incredibly adaptable team. Kit shares why she thrives juggling multiple projects in fast-paced startup environments and discusses her favorite mantras from her time at Google X — like tackling the "monkey and the pedestal" and adopting the mindset of a "tiger beetle". Listeners will get great advice on navigating deep tech, including why past successes with vendors don't always predict future outcomes, how she empowers quantum physicists to embrace regulatory operations, and the importance of being comfortable in your own skin. CAUTION — CardiAQ is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. Links Learn more about the AQMed team at SandboxAQ here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/solutions/aqmed Connect with Kit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kityeeauyeung/ About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E12

Sep 9, 2026

29:15

The Human Side of Science: Chasing the Unknown with Joe Howlett | fAQ podcast S3 E11

In this episode of the fAQ podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Joe Howlett, a science journalist at Scientific American and former astroparticle physicist, to discuss his fascinating transition from experimental physics to science storytelling. Joe takes us inside his former life as a physicist, detailing his PhD research at Columbia University where he hunted for "WIMPs"—the elusive particles thought to make up dark matter. He breaks down the mind-boggling reality that all known matter accounts for only one-sixth of the universe, and openly shares the emotional toll of a 40-year global physics search that has yielded negative results. We discuss how these unanswered questions led him to pivot away from a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford to pursue a career in science journalism. Whether he is learning to make science "dance on the page" under the mentorship of legendary writers, uncovering historical math scandals, or preparing his latest essay on the universe's unanswerable questions, Joe's relentless curiosity is truly inspiring. Links Read Joe’s latest articles for Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/joseph-howlett/ Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-howlett-a180471b7/

S3 · E11

Aug 25, 2026

43:49

Navigating the Pivot: From Neuroscience to Deep Tech with Janet Faakye | fAQ podcast S3 E10

In this episode of the fAQ podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Janet Faakye, a neuroscientist and project manager at SandboxAQ, to explore the critical intersection of deep tech, project management, and science communication. Janet’s path is a masterclass in following your curiosity. She discusses her transition from studying psychology in Ghana to earning a PhD in neuroscience in the US. Listeners will get a crash course in her graduate research on vascular aging and how senescent cells behave like infectious "zombies" in the brain. Janet also discusses her experience of making the transition from academia to industry, the art of context-switching when talking to different stakeholders, and the valuable lesson of learning to boldly speak up for your own accomplishments. Whether she is translating complex concepts for the public, running global tech initiatives, or dreaming of a worldwide food tour, Janet's authentic approach to life and science is truly contagious. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ’s Scholarship Program here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/company/scholarships Connect with Janet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-faakye-ph-d-pmp About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E10

Aug 11, 2026

33:01

The Future of Cardiac Care with Ethan Pratt | fAQ podcast S3 E9

Ethan Pratt, Head of Engineering at SandboxAQ’s AQMed division, joins Tai-Danae Bradley for a conversation about building heart-health technology that can meet clinicians where they are: in the fast, messy reality of the emergency room. In this episode, Ethan explains AQMed’s work on magnetocardiography, a technique designed to capture the heart’s magnetic signals and help address one of medicine’s toughest everyday challenges: evaluating chest-pain patients in the ER’s diagnostic “gray zone.” He shares why the team has focused so intensely on real hospital workflows, how an “algorithmic shield” helps separate the heart’s signal from ambient magnetic noise, and why getting prototypes into real clinical settings matters more than waiting for perfection in the lab. The conversation also traces Ethan’s unconventional path into medtech, from rebuilding a 1967 Camaro and studying physics at Cal Poly to earning a PhD at Cornell and eventually discovering that his strengths lay not in abstract theory alone, but in building experiments, devices, and teams that work in the real world. Along the way, he reflects on math anxiety, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the guiding principle that has shaped both his career and his leadership style: start with what you know. CAUTION— CardiAQ is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ’s AQMed team here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/solutions/aqmed Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanpratt/ About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E9

Jul 28, 2026

45:53

From the Trading Floor to Deep Tech: Taking Career Leaps with Luca Ferrara | fAQ podcast S3 E8

In this episode of the fAQ Podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Luca Ferrara, the General Manager for the AQNav team at SandboxAQ, to discuss his inspiring career trajectory, which began with a childhood in Orlando, Florida, and an early interest for the sciences. After experiencing some academic burnout in high school, he pivoted to speech and debate, eventually studying international relations and economics at Boston College. We discuss his journey from the trading floor at UBS to earning his MBA at the University of Chicago, and how a 20% project at Google led him to the cutting edge of quantum technology. We also discuss the world of magnetic navigation, where Luca explains how GPS systems are increasingly vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, and how his team is building resilient infrastructure by using highly sensitive quantum sensors to navigate using the Earth's magnetic field. Tune in to hear Luca's insights on filtering out extreme electromagnetic noise on an aircraft, his advice on seizing high-leverage career opportunities, and why he dreams of touring the world's remote islands on a mega yacht. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ’s AQNav team here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/solutions/aqnav Connect with Luca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-andrea-ferrara-83a03b38/ About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E8

Jul 14, 2026

36:55

From Quantum Teleportation to Virtual Cells with Samantha Davis | fAQ podcast S3 E7

Next up on the fAQ Podcast, Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Samantha Davis, a postdoc resident on the AI Simulation team at SandboxAQ. Samantha shares her remarkable scientific journey, which spans from earning a PhD in physics at Caltech, where she built quantum teleportation networks, to her current work building virtual cell simulation engines for computational biology. But her path to these incredible achievements was wonderfully unconventional. Tune in to hear how Samantha transitioned her mindset from open-ended academic curiosity to product-driven industry deliverables, how she balances it all with adventurous travels like hiking the pristine lakes of the Andes, and why she believes the deepest scientific discoveries happen at the intersection of fields. Links Learn more about SandboxAQ’s AI Simulation team here: https://www.sandboxaq.com/solutions/drug-discovery Find Samantha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-isabel-davis-965a23144/ About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E7

Jun 23, 2026

37:16

A Glimpse into the AI Era of Math with Daniel Litt | fAQ podcast S3 E6

In this episode of the fAQ Podcast, host Tai-Danae Bradley sits down with Daniel Litt, an assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Toronto, to discuss the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and mathematics. Bypassing the public speculation and social media hype, this conversation provides a practical look at some ways large language models are actively being used in high-level mathematical research. Daniel shares his daily workflow, detailing his transition from testing early AI models in a Dungeons and Dragons game to currently utilizing advanced tools for literature search, "vibe coding," and finding counterexamples. The discussion also covers the new challenge of "proof abundance," practical tips for prompting AI effectively, and how these powerful tools might force a necessary restructuring of mathematical education and the academic publishing system. Links Learn more about Daniel here: https://www.daniellitt.com Follow Daniel on X: https://x.com/littmath About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E6

Jun 9, 2026

49:29

Can Visual Storytelling Bridge the Deep Tech Divide? Jonathon Corbiere | fAQ podcast S3 E5

In this episode of the fAQ podcast, Tai-Danae sits down with Jonathan Corbiere, the co-founder and CEO of Thought Cafe, an award-winning animation and design studio, to discuss the crucial role of visual storytelling in the age of deep tech. Jon shares his fascinating journey from being a kid with dreams of becoming an astronaut—a path unexpectedly changed by a colorblindness diagnosis—to becoming a master visual translator for complex scientific ideas. Tai-Danae and Jon dive into how his early love for Michael Crichton and Star Trek shaped his worldview, and why he believes that today's science fiction is rapidly becoming our science reality. They also discuss a profound realization Jon had after hearing a lecture by David Suzuki: why it shouldn't just be the scientist's job to communicate the reality of crises and technological breakthroughs to the public. Plus, Jon gives us a sneak peek into Amplified Intelligence, his highly creative new podcast that features a tuned AI agent as an active co-host! Tune in for an inspiring conversation about lifelong learning, the power of communication, and why we should start thinking of AI not as "artificial," but as an amplification of the human spirit. Links Follow Jon on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jonathoncorbiere Subscribe to Thought Cafe’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThoughtBubbler View Thought Cafe’s work for SandboxAQ: https://www.thoughtcafe.ca/sandboxaq About this podcast This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join! Want to get in touch? Write us at faq-podcast@sandboxaq.com For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq

S3 · E5

May 26, 2026

39:45

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