Скачать или смотреть Episode 554: How MIT Is Redefining Chronic Lyme Disease: Inside the MAESTRO Study with Yuri Kim

In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast (https://tickbootcamp.com/podcast/) , Matt Sabatello sits down with Yuri Kim (https://talresearchgroup.mit.edu/yuri) , the lead clinical research nurse for MIT’s MAESTRO study (https://talresearchgroup.mit.edu/mitm...) , described as one of the largest studies in MIT history focused on Lyme disease and Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI). Yuri explains how MAESTRO is collecting deep symptom histories and objective measurements—from eye tracking and EEG/P300 auditory testing to NASA Lean dysautonomia testing, capillaroscopy, and multi-sample biological collection—to identify patterns that validate patient experiences and accelerate real-world clinical understanding.



Yuri’s story is equally compelling: she began as an ER nurse in a Level 1 trauma center, transitioned into research nursing (including neurodegenerative and traumatic brain injury work), moved to South Korea during the pandemic, and ultimately joined MIT after a conversation with Dr. Mikki Tal (https://tickbootcamp.com/michal-mikki...) changed the course of her career. Throughout the conversation, Yuri shares what she’s learned from MAESTRO participants: a community often exhausted and dismissed, yet profoundly motivated to help others and drive scientific progress forward.

Key Takeaways (Fast Scan)




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MAESTRO is nearing ~200 participants enrolled, with the chronic Lyme cohort full and enrollment closing soon.




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The study aims to objectively measure symptoms often dismissed as “anxiety” or “depression,” especially brain fog and dysautonomia.




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MAESTRO uses multiple cognitive and neurologic measures, including RightEye eye tracking, EEG + P300 auditory “oddball” testing, and remote cognitive battery tests.




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The team added capillaroscopy (nailfold and toe microvascular imaging) to explore vascular patterns and hemorrhages in chronic illness cohorts.




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Dysautonomia testing includes NASA Lean Test plus an earpiece device to estimate proxy cerebral blood flow, sometimes showing abnormalities even when vitals look “normal.”




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Extensive biological sampling (oral, blood, vaginal/rectal) supports proteomics/immune profiling and deeper molecular analysis.




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Yuri emphasizes: patients’ willingness to participate—despite severe symptoms—is the engine of progress and future change.




Detailed Chapter-by-Chapter Show Notes

1) Meet Yuri Kim: The Human Side of Cutting-Edge Lyme Research



Matt introduces Yuri as the clinical research nurse leading day-to-day operations of MIT’s MAESTRO study—positioning her as a rare bridge between lab science, clinicians, and patients. Yuri shares that the study is approaching enrollment completion and that the team is eager to analyze a large dataset to “speak up” for participants who have suffered without clear explanations.



Highlights:




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MAESTRO is one of MIT’s largest studies, with enrollment nearing completion.




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The mission is to transform patient suffering into measurable signals, data, and insight.




2) Yuri’s Background: Pharma, ER Nursing, Research, and Why This Work Became Personal



Yuri explains her path: early work as a medical information specialist in pharma (including literature searches and clinician guidance, often involving off-label questions), then an intense period as a Level 1 ER nurse where she witnessed both acute crises and chronic illness desperation.



Key insight:Yuri notes that in pharma and ER settings, she repeatedly saw the same reality—patients searching for answers, clinicians constrained by time, and chronic illness voices falling through the cracks.

3) From the ER to Neuro Research: Brain Inflammation, TBI, and the Gap in Chronic Illness Care



Yuri left ER work largely due to the physical toll of night shifts and moved into academic research at Boston University. She worked on complex studies involving Alzheimer’s, amyloidosis, and traumatic brain injury.



Matt asks whether Lyme came up in those neuro settings. Yuri says no—but now she views neurodegenerative symptoms differently and believes clinicians should consider underlying root causes, including infection.



Listener connection:This segment reinforces how often Lyme-related cognitive decline can be misinterpreted or missed when viewed through siloed specialties.

4) Lyme Awareness Outside the U.S.: South Korea, Tick-Borne Illness, and Global Blind Spots



During the pandemic, Yuri relocated to South Korea. She shares that Lyme isn’t commonly discuss...