Ep. 2: In synch: Balancing the aging body and mind with Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso
Release Date: 10/08/2024
Living Drugs, CAR-T Cells & the Future of Cancer Treatment with Taylor Prize Laureate Dr. Carl June
The Catalysts
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 has driven his work, and why he remains a champion for science in an era when it is increasingly under threat. Dr. June is the 2025 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine laureate. With...
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In the Blood: The Quest to Detect Cancer Before It Returns with Dr. Ana Lohmann
The Catalysts
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 complexity is being met head-on. Her research explores how obesity and metabolism shape cancer diagnosis and recurrence, and how lifestyle,...
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Gut Feelings: Your Microbiome and the Future of Cancer Treatment with Saman Maleki, PhD
The Catalysts
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 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. With Saman Maleki, PhD Associate Professor, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oncology, and Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western...
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Immunity’s Hidden Warriors: Fighting Cancer with MAIT Cells with Mansour Haeryfar, PhD
The Catalysts
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 transform cancer treatment and how the inspiration to fight against malignancy came from an unexpected source. With Mansour Haeryfar, PhD Professor,...
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Cancer in Motion: Tracking Cells Through the Body with John Ronald
The Catalysts
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 where therapies can be monitored, adjusted, and optimized as scientists track their progress inside the body with unprecedented resolution. With John Ronald, PhD ...
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Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Treatment: The DNA Revolution in Medicine with Dr. Richard Kim
The Catalysts
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 helped make Ontario one of the first provinces to adopt genetic testing that prevents severe chemotherapy side effects, saving lives and reshaping cancer care. In this episode, Dr. Kim explains...
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Reading Between the Pixels: Sarah Mattonen on the Future of Cancer Imaging
The Catalysts
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. With the power of AI, she’s turning medical images into roadmaps for truly personalized cancer care. In this episode, we explore how her work is transforming cancer treatment today,...
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A Roadmap to Hope: Rewriting Cancer Care with Dr. David Palma
The Catalysts
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. He’s transformed personal loss into a mission to empower patients to become the heroes of their own medical stories. As well, as a leading expert in precision radiotherapy, he’ll discuss how he’s pushing the boundaries of how radiation can treat advanced cancers. With a bestselling book and decades of expertise, Dr. Palma will...
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Ep. 6: Revitalizing the Aging Brain and Neurogenesis: An Exclusive Conversation with 2024 Taylor Prize Laureate Rusty Gage
The Catalysts
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 innovative approaches to revitalizing the aging brain. We’ll also get a glimpse into the inspirations behind his work—from systems theory to intriguing concepts in astrophysics—revealing how these...
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Ep. 5: The SuperAgers with Angela Roberts
The Catalysts
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 SuperAgers extra special – a diverse group of older adults with exceptional cognition, an unquenchable thirst for life and adventure, and to top it all, resilience against time and adversity.
info_outlineTune 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 shares how his research using motor biomarkers, dual-task gait testing and innovative interventions, such as the SYNERGIC Trials, is proving effective in delaying dementia in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Tune in to learn about the vital role of mobility in aging and the promising strategies to maintain cognitive and physical health as we grow older.