Raw Talk Podcast

#17: Neuroimaging Chronic Pain

Episode 17 of Raw Talk focuses on chronic pain, and we are fortunate to have highly acclaimed researcher, Dr. Karen Davis, join us to share her expertise. We discuss the contribution of neuroimaging in understanding pain perception and pain mechanisms, in addition to some common misconceptions and advances in the field. This segment-packed episode brings research, patient and clinical perspectives together to let you hear the various voices that participate in the field of chronic pain. In "Ask a Student", PhD candidate Kasey Hemington talks about her experience as Dr. Davis' student and her motivations to pursue pain research. Complementing those insights, we sit down with a fellow graduate student living with chronic pain to uncover how their pain is perceived and managed, and why interprofessional care is the best way to go. Finally, we introduce a "Clinician's Corner" segment that explores chronic pain management from the lens of a physician, Dr. Najam Mian. Don't miss out! until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Swapna Mylabathula

 

#16: Restoring Sight with Stem Cells

We couldn't have chosen a better scientist to wrap up this month's theme of "Foundational Science" than Dr. Derek van der Kooy, Head of the Neurobiology Research Group at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. His team conducts basic science research in developmental and stem cell biology, as well as in understanding the neurobiology of motivation and uncovering learning and memory genes. We sit down with Dr. van der Kooy to discuss his own graduate school experience, his lab's groundbreaking discovery of the presence of stem cells in the adult mammalian eye, and the perks and challenges of overseeing such a diverse range of research projects. In our popular Ask a Student segment, Kat and Eryn chat with one of Dr. van der Kooy's PhD students, Samantha Yammine, about her research on neural stem cells, why it is vital for basic scientists to make their work accessible to the general public, and her amazing strides in promoting science communication through social media (check her out on Instagram & Facebook: @science.sam). We also travel back in time to meet "the father of modern neuroscience," Santiago Ramon y Cajal, in our Flashback Friday segment. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Ekaterina An and Eryn Tong

#15: From Cells to Tissues

This month, we're kicking off our theme of foundational research! On this episode, we hear from the amazing Dr. Helen McNeill, an expert in biology and molecular genetics. Dr. McNeil's passion and love for science are contagious as she discusses her current work involving cell organization and growth pathway models using drosophila (better known as fruit flies) and mice. You'll hear about her discovery of the Ft gene, the art of naming novel genes, emerging technologies in basic science, and her journey across a multitude of academic settings in the US, UK and Canada. This episode also features our first Journal Club segment, which discusses some of the translational aspects of this key work in cancer research, and a Word on the Street segment from our own Hillary Chan. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Grace Jacobs

#14: Living with Cystic Fibrosis

Every day, we take ~12-20 breaths per minute, that adds up to anywhere between 12,000-30,000 breaths per day! Now imagine if your lungs failed to function properly, what would happen to your quality of life? How long would you be able to live? What therapies are available to you? These are some of the questions patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) have to pose. On Episode 14 of Raw Talk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Felix Ratjen (Division Chief of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children, Senior Scientist at the Research Institute in the Translational Medicine research program, and co-lead of the CF Centre at SickKids) to discuss CF, from its cause to current treatments, and how his research has not only prolonged but improved quality of life in CF patients. We also feature our second "Classics" segment on this episode, highlighting Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui's remarkable research contributions to the field of CF, which was conducted right here at The Hospital for Sick Children! Finally, we unveil our first ever "Patient Perspective" segment as we sit down with the very awesome and humble, Jeremie Saunders, to discuss his experiences after being diagnosed with CF and how this inspired him to start the amazing SickBoy podcast! Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Romina Nejad

 

#13: Engineering Better Lungs

We can't live without air, but we also can't live with air if we can't breathe. Tune into this episode to hear Dr. Shaf Keshavjee (Surgeon-in-Chief at the University Health Network, Officer of Order of Canada, innovator of the ex-vivo lung perfusion system, and co-founder of the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories with Dr. Mingyao Liu) talk everything lung transplants, including his insights on the Toronto technique, and the future of patient outcomes. With regeneration and stem-cells being all the talk of the century, it's important to understand what this means for us when it comes to breathing, living better, and beyond. To add onto this theme, Word On The Street gives you coverage on what the public has to say about the idea of super organs as a developing result of regenerative medicine. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Hillary Chan

 

#12: Graduate Professional Development

Keeping with the theme of Student Engagement, we're ending the month with the woman who has figuratively (and nearly literally) done it all, Dr. Darlene Homonko! She's Director of the Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Liaison at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and, she took the time to share her incredibly winding journey with us. Dr. Homonko tells us why it's okay to switch fields once, twice, or maybe even five times, why failure is a boon to personal growth, and offers her advice to students who aren't sure what the heck they want to do after grad school. Finally, Melissa dishes the inside scoop on the Graduate Professional Skills (GPS) program by catching up with Liam O'Leary- Graduate Programming Coordinator for the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto - who discusses the nitty gritty of GPS, and gives his top picks from the program. If you're in need of a pep-talk, this is just the episode. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Melissa Galati

 

#11: Re-Imagining the PhD

Someone wise once said, "a great mentor does all the things a good mentor does, but also knows when to let go." On this month's theme of Student Engagement, we sit down with some people who've helped influence us along our paths, and talk all things inspiration, professional development and translational skills. We begin with the world's one and only Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, Special Advisor to the Dean of Graduate Studies on graduate professional and leadership development, and mentor extraordinaire. Dr. Reithmeier tells us about how his interest in science was piqued after going squirrel watching in the Ottawa Valley, recalls a few pivotal figures in his life who taught him to excel in academia, and details what he's doing to pass on his wisdom to the next generation of graduates- a must-listen for all students. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Richie Jeremian

#10: Undergrads Ask

We are wrapping up this month's theme of "Student Voices" by focusing on the perspectives of future graduate students. On this episode, Richie, Alex and Eryn team sit down to play our favourite game, "Kat Chats", to answer some of the most common questions from our undergrad listeners. We talk about applying to (and enduring) grad school, and what doors can open after graduation. We also hear from Dr. Vasu Venkateswaran, who tells us more about the application process to the IMS and what stands out in successful applicants, and touches upon the IMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). This episode is certainly not one to miss, especially if you are a current undergrad student who's curious about pursuing grad school! Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Alexandra Mogadam and Eryn Tong

 

#9: Grad Students Answer

February is the month to highlight Student Voices. To kick off our theme, we take a break from talking to established researchers and scientists to sit down with some current graduate students at the University of Toronto. Tune in to hear from PhD students, Kasey, Marmendia, Katie, and Beatrice; MD/PhD candidates Swapna and Robert; and MSc candidate Fadl, on perseverance, battling self-doubt, the importance of a strong community, and asking the right questions in graduate school.

Written by: Ekaterina An

#8: Marrying Art, Science & Design

Are you a visual learner? Do you have a passion for art and science? Are you curious about how augmented reality can help you learn? Tune in to this week's episode, featuring Dr. Jodie Jenkinson, a professor in the Biomedical Communications (BMC) program at the Institute of Medical Science. Dr. Jenkinson talks about how she was able to combine her two loves: science and art, the research going on in her lab on visualization strategies to improve life science education, and details the unique aspects of the BMC program. In this episode's #AskAStudent, Matan Berson, a MScBMC candidate and creator of the Raw Talk logo, shares his own experience in the BMC program. Until next time, keep it raw!

Written by: Ekaterina An