The Catalysts

From science fiction to reality: The next frontier of gene editing with David Edgell, PhD

Can a fascination with science fiction fuel life-changing research? If you've followed the career of David Edgell, PhD, then you'll know the answer is a resounding yes.

Engineering the future of neurosurgery with Dr. Victor Yang

The future of neurosurgery is bright. That's according to neurosurgeon Dr. Victor Yang, who is combining engineering and medicineto improve patients' lives. Fresh off 2

"It's not me, it's my brain." Unpacking PTSD with Dr. Ruth Lanius

There's power in shining a light on an invisible injury. That's what Dr. Ruth Lanius has heard from the patients she's treated for post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD). W

Indigenous knowledges and planetary health with Nicole Redvers, DPhil, ND

The health of our planet requires a solution that bridges perspectives, knowledges and people. It's a solution that Nicole Redvers, DPhil, ND, has promoted at regional,

Cracking the cholesterol code: Dr. Rob Hegele on the predictive power of genetics

When it comes to predicting your health, the answer often lies in your DNA. That's according to Dr. Rob Hegele, whose life's work has led to numerous breakthroughs for

IMMUNEQUITY: An equitable approach for curing HIV with Eric Arts, PhD

For Eric Arts, curing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is not a question of how, but when.   One of Canada's leading researchers in combatting HIV joins host Patrick

Living Drugs, CAR-T Cells & the Future of Cancer Treatment with Taylor Prize Laureate Dr. Carl June

What if we could teach the immune system to fight cancer? Dr. Carl H. June pioneered the bold ideas behind CAR T-cell therapy, a breakthrough that is transforming cancer

In the Blood: The Quest to Detect Cancer Before It Returns with Dr. Ana Lohmann

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women, with 1 in 8 women facing a diagnosis in their lifetime. It's a complex foe, shaped by biology and lifestyle, ma

Gut Feelings: Your Microbiome and the Future of Cancer Treatment with Saman Maleki, PhD

Can the trillions of microbes in our gut hold the key to transforming cancer treatment? Through relentless persistence, Saman Maleki, PhD, is pioneering research that use

Immunity's Hidden Warriors: Fighting Cancer with MAIT Cells with Mansour Haeryfar, PhD

 What if your body already held a secret weapon to beating cancer? Mansour Haeryfar, PhD, is tapping into MAIT cells — a rare type of immune cell that can be supercharged

Cancer in Motion: Tracking Cells Through the Body with John Ronald

Imagine if doctors could send tiny, living medicine straight to a tumor — and then watch it move through the body in real time. That's the work of imaging scientist John

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Treatment: The DNA Revolution in Medicine with Dr. Richard Kim

When it comes to cancer drug treatments, one size doesn't fit all. That's because our unique genetics determine how our body reacts to certain drugs, which can turn a lif

Reading Between the Pixels: Sarah Mattonen on the Future of Cancer Imaging

Every cancer journey begins with images—CT scans, MRIs, X-rays. For most of us, they're snapshots that confirm what's already there. But for Sarah Mattonen, PhD, at Schul

A Roadmap to Hope: Rewriting Cancer Care with Dr. David Palma

Cancer can feel like a battle fought in darkness - but what if you could turn on the lights? In this episode, Dr. David Palma, a radiation oncologist and clinician-scient

Ep. 6: Revitalizing the Aging Brain and Neurogenesis: An Exclusive Conversation with 2024 Taylor Prize Laureate Rusty Gage

Join us as we delve into the groundbreaking work of 2024 Taylor Prize Laureate Professor Rusty Gage, whose landmark discovery transformed our understanding of the brain b

Ep. 5: The SuperAgers with Angela Roberts

Why do some older adults in their 80s, 90s and even 100s age well? What's the secret to their excellent cognition? Is it genetics or environmental factors? Join us as we

Ep. 4: Real to surreal – a new aging experience with virtual reality with Paul Frewen

Tune in to learn how VR can transform the aging experience – from enhancing social connections to creating mystical experiences. In this episode, Western professor Paul

Ep. 3: Cannabis Use and Its Impact on the Aging Population with Jibran Khokhar

As Canada marks six years of cannabis legalization, we explore the shifting landscape of cannabis use among older adults, the fastest-growing group of consumers. In thi

Ep. 2: In synch: Balancing the aging body and mind with Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso

Tune in to explore the link between gait and cognition, and learn how the right dose of physical exercise and cognitive training can delay the onset of dementia. In thi

Ep. 1: Fast-tracking drug development with Lisa Saksida and Ravi Menon

Learn how the TRIDENT Platform is Revolutionizing Drug Discovery for Neurodegenerative Diseases Like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's In this debut episode of The Catalysts,