The Catalysts

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, national and international levels, working to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in both human and planetary health research and practice. In this episode of The Catalysts, we catch up with Redvers to learn about...

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 patients combatting cardiovascular disease. In this episode of The Catalysts, we catch up with the 2026 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductee to learn about reading DNA, treating high cholesterol, witnessing groundbreaking research...

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 Mor ley  to discuss  an equitable   approach to treating the  roughly 40  million people living with  the virus  around the world .    Arts also  chats about  his own in experience in treating HIV in Uganda, as well as the health...

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 treatment and holds the potential to reshape care for millions. In this episode, he reflects on a remarkable career that has spanned the Vietnam War, the HIV epidemic and the rise of modern immunotherapy. He shares how curiosity h...

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, made difficult by invasive treatments and cumbersome diagnostic techniques. In this episode, Dr. Ana Lohmann, a medical oncologist and scientist at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, discusses how this com...

Can the trillions of microbes in our gut hold the key to transforming cancer treatment? T hrough relentless persistence , Saman Maleki, PhD, is pioneering research that uses the gut microbiome and fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) to boost the power of cancer - fighting immunotherapy. In this episode, he shares the science, the challenges, and the hope driving a new frontier in cancer care.   Wit...

 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 with bacterial molecules to hunt down tumours. His research suggests these cells could form a basis for powerful, universal therapies that work across patients. In this episode, he'll reveal how this cutting-edge science could tr...

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 Ronald , PhD . From eureka moments, to using firefly genes to track cells, in this episode he tells us how curiosity and creativity are leading to cancer treatment breakthroughs, and opening new frontiers in cancer treatment — one...

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 life-saving treatment into a side-effect nightmare. This is the problem Dr. Richard Kim has spent his career solving. He's championed pharmacogenomics: using genetics to match the right drug to the right patient. His persistence help...

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 Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, those images hold untold stories. She's uncovering hidden patterns in scans—clues that can reveal if a tumor might come back, or if treatment could cause side effects before patients feel them....

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-scientist , explains how he's changing the way patients understand and fight their diagnosis . H e's transformed personal loss into a mission to empower patients to become the heroes of their own medical stories. As well, as a leading e...

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 by showing that humans continue to generate new neurons well into adulthood and even as we age. In this episode, we explore the latest research in the field of neurogenesis and learn how Professor Gage and his team are unlocking in...

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 take a sneak peek into the world of the SuperAgers. In this episode, Western Professor Angela Roberts flips the aging problem on its head and looks at why some age exceptionally well. Discover what makes the Canadian cohort of Sup...

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 Andrew Frewen shares insights from his research on virtual reality, psychiatry, and psychology. Discover how wearable VR technology is being harnessed to enhance mental well-being, promote social connection, revolutionize mental he...

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 this episode, Western professor Jibran Khokhar, PhD, delves into the latest research on edibles, oils, THC, CBD, and even psychedelics, examining their potential effects on the aging body and brain. Are older adults use cannabis for me...

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 this episode of The Catalysts , renowned Western University geriatrician Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso, discusses the connection between falls, frailty and mobility issues, and cognitive decline in older individuals. Dr. Montero-Odasso sha...

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 , we explore the cutting-edge, open-source TRIDENT research platform , that's revolutionizing and de-risking the drug discovery pipeline for neurodegenerative diseases by focusing on "failing faster" — a strategy designed to save t...

Here is your sneak peek to the Catalysts miniseries on the science of aging, featuring fascinating talks with top scientists and clinicians transforming the field, plus an exclusive conversation with the 2024 Taylor Prize laureate. This miniseries is in association with the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine — one of Canada's most prestigious medical research awards — awardded by the...