Raw Talk Podcast: Recent Episodes
Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Raw Talk is a graduate student-run podcast at the University of Toronto about medical science, and the people who make it happen. We focus on the journeys, perspectives, and expertise of health researchers, professionals, students, patients, and community members at the University of Toronto and beyond. Our mission is to promote the research culture within the Institute of Medical Science, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and broader life sciences community; provide guidance to current and prospective graduate students; and to engage the public in medical science innovations and translational research.
For patients facing life-threatening illness, distress can involve fear, grief, uncertainty, and questions of meaning. In Episode 136 Part 2, we speak with Dr. Emma Hapke from the Psychedelic Psychotherapy Research Group at UHN about psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life distress in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
We also hear from Daryna Skybina, who shares her perspective as a patient and reflects on the human side of navigating serious illness. Together, these conversations highlight both the promise and complexity of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Thank you to our production team: Avni Bhargava and Swapna Mylabathula (Show Hosts), Bellinda Yi (Content Creator), Tiffany Chien (Science Writer), Victoria Li (Audio Editing), Dana Huang (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).
Once dismissed as relics of counterculture, psychedelics are now being studied for their potential role in mental health care. In Part 1 of episode 136, Avni and Swapna speak with Dr. Jarrett Rose and Dr. Rotem Petranker about the history, science, and evolving clinical landscape of psychedelics, from the early research boom of the 1960s to today’s renewed interest in psilocybin- and LSD-assisted therapy.
Together, they unpack how these compounds may affect the brain, why they are being studied for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and why scientific rigour, regulation, and patient safety remain essential as the field moves from prohibition to protocol.
Thank you to our production team: Avni Bhargava and Swapna Mylabathula (Show Hosts), Bellinda Yi (Content Creator), Tiffany Chien (Science Writer), Victoria Li (Audio Editing), Dana Huang (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).
When cancer treatment puts a patient’s reproductive future at risk, fertility preservation offers options, but only if people are informed early enough and can access care equitably. In this episode, Sonika and Julia investigate the science and realities of fertility preservation with Dr. Jenna Michaeli, an oncofertility specialist and clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Fertility. She introduces the different preservation options available, including egg and embryo freezing, sperm banking, and a newer technique called ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Dr. Michaeli discusses some of the innovative models of care required for equitable access to OTC, such as transporting ovarian tissue to centralized cryobanks to expand access for patients in remote communities. Beyond the science, Dr. Michaeli emphasizes the emotional and ethical complexity of fertility preservation decisions, particularly for young patients and their families, and the importance of culturally sensitive counselling. She also addresses key barriers, including limited awareness, time-sensitive referrals, and gaps in funding for newer procedures like OTC. Tune in for an informative conversation about how fertility preservation needs to be better integrated into cancer treatment, and why equitable access remains a critical challenge.
Thank you to our production team: Sonika Kumari and Julia Wong (Show Hosts), Tesam Ahmed (Content Creator), Emily Forster (Science Writer), Nicole Chu (Audio Editing), Saleena Zedan (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).
Deciding if and when to have children can be a major challenge and is even more difficult when facing the unrelenting pace of medical training. Long hours, rigid schedules, financial strain, and unspoken expectations often push family planning to the sidelines. In this episode, Sonika and Julia explore the realities of family planning and fertility preservation for medical trainees at different career stages. For an early career perspective, Sonika and Julia talk with Dr. Lauren Pickel, a first-year urology resident, who reflects on how little formal education she received around fertility and family planning while in medical school. She discusses how this education gap can significantly shape both personal and professional decisions. Looking at a later career medical professional, Sonika and Julia interview Dr. Niro Sivachandra, a retinal surgeon and clinician-scientist, who shares her experience regarding having children during residency, and how supportive leadership can help improve quality of life for many physicians and their families. Together, our guests unpack their hidden barriers, from fears about burdening colleagues to discouragement from following certain medical specialties. They emphasize the importance of workplace culture and policies which are supportive to both career and family development. Tune in for a frank and thought-provoking conversation about why family planning needs a place in medical education.
Thank you to our production team: Sonika Kumari and Julia Wong (Show Hosts), Tesam Ahmed (Content Creator), Emily Forster (Science Writer), Angela Dela Cruz (Audio Editing), Saleena Zedan (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).
Thank you to the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto for the support in this episode production.
In this episode, we follow the story of Mr. Patel, who underwent life-changing surgery after an oral cancer diagnosis that affected his tongue. Mr. Patel offers an unfiltered look at his recovery and reflects on how stigma shaped his experience with diagnosis and healing. Alongside him, we hear from Dr. Christopher Yao, a head and neck reconstructive surgeon advancing innovations in cancer care and reconstruction, and Dr. Rosemary Martino, a speech-language pathologist and researcher leading new approaches to swallowing recovery and rehabilitation for patients like Mr. Patel.
Thank you to our production team: Vicky Li (Audio Engineer), Areej Mir (Social Media), and Noor Al Kaabi (Show Host and Executive Producer)
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network
UHN Otolaryngology Instagram
Swallowing Lab
In this episode, Noor sits down with Dr. Tony Eskander, head and neck surgeon and scientist at the University of Toronto, to unpack the evolving landscape of head and neck cancers. Once primarily associated with smoking and alcohol, these cancers are increasingly linked to HPV, particularly in younger patients, a shift that’s reshaping how we think about risk, equity, and prevention.
Dr. Eskander breaks down the various kinds of head and neck cancers, from oral cavity to nasopharyngeal cancers, and highlights how different populations are disproportionately affected. Tune in for the first episode of our Head & Neck Cancer series.
Production Team: Noor Al Kaabi (Show Host and Executive Producer), Vicky Li (Audio Engineer), Areej Mir (Promotions)
Eskander Lab
The idea of a vaccine against cancer may seem like science fiction, but in the case of HPV vaccines, it is a reality that has existed for over a decade. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection and can cause 6 different types of cancer, affecting people of all genders. HPV vaccination programs have been implemented in many countries worldwide in an effort to reduce cancer incidence, with some very newsworthy results. In this episode, hosts Braeden and Hannah describe a population study that made headlines in 2024 for reporting zero cases of cervical cancer in women vaccinated as part of Scotland's national vaccination program that began in 2008. To learn more about HPV vaccines in the Canadian context, Braeden and Hannah interview Dr. Nancy Durand, associate professor at the University of Toronto and specialist in HPV-related diseases. Dr. Durand reviews the link between HPV and cancer and the history of the HPV vaccine. She discusses HPV vaccination programs in Canada, barriers to vaccine uptake, and the strategies being implemented to increase vaccine coverage across the country. Tune in to hear about the remarkable impact of the HPV vaccine and the ongoing effort to eliminate HPV-related diseases.
The human microbiome has been a hot topic of discourse – but what do we really know about it? This diverse ecosystem of microbes can be thought of as its own organ, interacting and influencing many physiological processes. Understanding what contributes to its strong formation is a multi-disciplinary and growing field of research. To learn more about the human gut microbiome in its earliest stages of formation, we sought the expertise of Zahra Pakzad, PhD Candidate at the University of British Columbia; Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary; and Dr. Meghan Azad, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba. In this episode, they walk us through a series of early life milestones – starting as early as birth itself – that dictate the development of this complex and microscopic system of the body. They also discuss how the microbiome impacts the immune system and share their hopes for future research in this field. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how such tiny microbes can have a big impact on our health!
Are plant-based diets really healthier—or just another social media trend? Between #WhatIEatInADay videos and influencers pushing “miracle” supplements, it’s hard to separate the science from the marketing. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we sit down with three experts to cut through the hype. Dr. Zahra Kassam, a radiation oncologist and co-founder of Plant-Based Canada, reveals how plant-based nutrition can help prevent chronic diseases and improve cancer outcomes. Dr. Stephanie Nishi, a registered dietitian and Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Nutrition, breaks down the science behind plant-based dietary patterns and when to seek the help of a registered dietitian. Dr. Alistair Dias, an Associate Professor in the University of Toronto’s Human Biology Program, explains the role of essential trace elements like iron, copper, and zinc as well as the science behind antioxidants and supplement absorption. Packed with myth-busting insights and practical tips, this episode is your no-nonsense guide to navigating the world of plant-based nutrition - whether you’re a committed vegan, veg-curious, or just tired of diet culture whiplash.
In the words of Robert Mckee, our appetite for story is a reflection of the profound human need to grasp the patterns of living, not merely as an intellectual exercise, but within a very personal, emotional experience. Storytelling and narrative play a huge role in medicine. Many physicians are also artists, writers, actors, and musicians, and use their talents to advance healthcare. So how do theatre, film, and literature become powerful tools for advocacy, education, and healing? In this episode, we dive into the intersection of medicine and the arts through the lens of narrative medicine. We sit down with Autumn Rennie, an MD/PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, who shares how she uses film to amplify patient voices and advocate for change in healthcare. We also connect with Professor Hartley Jafine, a medical improv facilitator and lecturer, who shows us how applied theater can transform clinical practice. Through improv exercises, we learn how to strengthen communication, build empathy, and navigate power dynamics. Finally, we hear from our fellow medical students, Afreen and Rhea, as they share their creative passions in acting, writing, and their roles in U of T’s DAFI musical.
Male contraceptives are on the horizon, promising to revolutionize reproductive health, expand contraceptive options beyond condoms and vasectomies, and shift the burden of birth control. In this episode, we explore the current landscape and science behind male contraception, the challenges of bringing new methods to market, and what the future holds for reproductive responsibility. To guide us, we spoke to Dr. Logan Nickels, Chief Research Officer at Male Contraception Initiative, Dr. Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington involved in researching male birth control for 25 years, and Dr.Melanie Balbach, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, whose research focuses on non-hormonal contraceptive targets. They break down the latest advancements in male birth control, the scientific hurdles researchers face, and why funding remains one of the biggest obstacles to innovation in this field. Our guests also provide insight into the clinical trial process of drug-based methods and devices, the potential impact of male contraceptives on public health, and what it will take to adopt these methods and make them widely available. Join us in our discussion as we explore the cutting-edge science behind male contraception and the researchers working to turn it into a reality!
Physiotherapy plays a vital role in healthcare, blending science, movement, and patient-centered care. In this episode, we explore the journey of becoming a physiotherapist, the importance of evidence-based practice, and the evolving challenges within the field. To guide us, we spoke with Melanie MacKinnon, a physiotherapist, educator in the MScPT program at the University of Toronto, and a PhD candidate in health professional education. Joining her are MScPT trainees Alyssa Marino and Lisa Nham, along with recent graduates and PT residents Iman Yarow and Shaheer Khawar, who shared their experiences and insights from the program. Together, our guests reflect on their clinical experiences, the collaborative nature of PT in multidisciplinary settings, and the personal and professional growth that comes with the role. They also discuss key challenges and gaps in the field, the value of diversity, and advice for aspiring PTs. Tune in to learn more about the transformative field of physiotherapy and the dynamic individuals shaping its future!
In this episode, we dive into the world of surgical innovation—think lungs on ice, robots in the operating room, and AI transforming the way surgeries are performed. We hear from Dr. Aadil Ali, who shares his groundbreaking work in lung transplantation, highlighting challenges like organ preservation and the innovative solutions his team developed, including a life-changing preservation method now used worldwide. Next, Dr. Siba Haykal introduces us to the world of reconstructive surgery, discussing off-the-shelf tissues and the potential of using bioreactors to engineer transplants that mimic natural tissues more effectively. Finally, Dr. Amin Madani delves into the integration of artificial intelligence in surgery, revealing how computer vision and AI can revolutionize decision-making and surgical precision.
The episode was hosted by Prisca and Bellinda. The interviews were conducted by Noor, Prisca, and Bellinda. Tima served as the audio engineer, Selina assisted with episode promotions, and Noor was the executive producer.
Welcome to the Raw Talk Reunion mini series where we touch base with past team members! In the previous episode (#124), we spoke with our Co-Founders to hear all about how the podcast came about. In this episode (#125), we catch up with more Raw Talk Podcast alum who were integral members of the podcast during past seasons. We explore how their involvement with the podcast influenced their personal and professional lives, where their paths have led since their time with us, and the wisdom they offer to our listeners.
Welcome to the Raw Talk Reunion mini series where we touch base with past team members! In this first episode (#124), we sit down with our Co-Founders, Richie Jeremian and Jabir Mohamed, to delve into their founding visions for the podcast. They share insights into the evolution of the podcast and reflect on how the team and structure of Raw Talk has expanded over the past eight seasons. Keep an eye out for the next episode (#125), where we catch up with more Raw Talk Podcast alum!
Conversations around generational differences in the workplace are becoming increasingly common. Contentious issues around working expectations and treatment are happening across many fields, including healthcare. Nurses, in particular, have faced many challenges in recent years, particularly as a result of the pandemic and widespread employee shortages, and the field has become a hotbed for conversations around generational working styles. To better understand how generational dynamics are impacting the field and how the newer generation of nurses see their futures, we spoke to undergraduate nursing students Vivian Li and Avery Russell, and graduate nursing students Kimberly Villacorta and Ben Le, at the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. Each guest shared their path to nursing and reflected on their education and experience thus far. They also shed light on the biggest challenges facing the field right now, particularly those impacting nursing trainees. Finally, our guests shared key lessons they’ve learnt from senior colleagues as well as what they would like them to know about the new generation. Join us in hearing from the newer generation of nurses!
Trauma-related injuries are severe and can often lead to long-lasting adverse patient outcomes such as physical damage, mental health struggles, diminished quality of life, and even death. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death both nationwide and globally. In this episode, we sit down with three experts in trauma care: Dr. Homer Tien (Trauma Surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and President and CEO of Ornge), Dr. Suzanne Beno (Medical Co-Director of the Trauma Program at Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children), and Dr. Brodie Nolan (Emergency Physician and Trauma Team Leader at St. Michael’s Hospital). Each guest shed light on the current state of trauma care in different fields. Dr. Tien provides us with a comprehensive overview of the trauma systems and the intersection between civilian and military trauma care. Dr. Beno shares insight into pediatric trauma care and how it compares to adult trauma care. And finally, Dr. Brodie Nolan provides us with an overview of the current research in trauma care. Join us as we dive deep into the fascinating world of trauma systems and research.
What do you think when you hear the words “Bill 60”?
For years, public versus private healthcare has been a topic of debate. But how much do we really know? Tune in to hear Dr. Allin, Director of the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, and Dr. Danyaal Raza, health reformer and founding advisor of Progress Toronto answer our questions about healthcare privatization. In this episode of Raw Talk, we learned how different healthcare systems function, the economic (and political) sustainability of healthcare models, and how our own Canadian healthcare system compares to other international models. Our guests discuss both the pros and cons of certain healthcare models, as well as more nuanced topics like motivations behind how healthcare is provisioned, who is most greatly impacted by changes to the system, and their own opinions on how to most effectively treat patients.
Written by: Gil Angela Dela Cruz
In an era where medications like Ozempic are gaining popularity for their off-label use as weight loss drugs, the dialogue on societal perceptions of weight and health is increasingly relevant. Listen in on our thought-provoking discussions featuring Ali Eberhardt (registered dietician at the Provincial Adult Tertiary Specialized Eating Disorders Program) and Dr. Catherine Sabiston, (Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Mental Health) as we explore how societal structures, media, and body ideals intertwine to shape our understanding of weight loss.
Canadians in rural areas make up one-fifth of the population yet are served by only 8% of the physician population. With limited access to primary care, mental health care, and specialist care, rural Canadians experience worse health outcomes compared to the rest of the population. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we dive into the current state of rural health care in Canada. Our featured guests in this episode are Dr. Ojistoh Horn (Family Physician at Akwesasne Medical Clinic and Lecturer at McGill University) and Dr. Catherine Cervin (Retired Family Physician and former Vice Dean Academic at Northern Ontario School of Medicine). Our guests provide us with an overview of social, political, and environmental differences in rural settings and the challenges faced by these communities in accessing various health care resources. Dr. Horn speaks about her experience as a physician in a rural community and strategies for navigating various equity, cultural sensitivity, and accessibility issues. Dr. Cervin provides an outline of education, skills, and training requirements to train as a physician in a rural setting. Our guests end off with some advice to the next generation of medical students aspiring to care for Canadians in rural areas.
In this two-part episode, we discuss two very important topics related to Women’s Health; Endometriosis and Cervical Cancer. Please listen to Part 1 if you haven't already!
Cervical cancer is a very common cancer among young women. Early detection, primarily done via cervical screening (also known as a pap smear), greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and survival. In Part 2, we hear from Naomi Forward (Co-Founder of Thyia) and Beth Dobson (Senior Designer at Mettle Studio), who discuss the screening process behind cervical cancer and the importance of early detection of this condition. They also discuss accessibility of screening, cost of screening, screening inside and outside a healthcare setting, and many more important topics.
In this two-part episode, we discuss two very important topics related to Women’s Health; Endometriosis and Cervical Cancer.
Everyone wants to be seen and heard, especially in the context of their health and well-being. Unfortunately, this hasn’t always been the case for individuals with endometriosis. In Part 1, we take a deep dive into understanding endometriosis and gain some valuable insight into the journey of being diagnosed from our guests. We hear from Dr. Jamie Kroft (Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and Gynaecologist surgeon at Sunnybrook Hospital) and Amanda Weston (Research Quality Associate, University Health Network) who has lived experience with endometriosis.
Medical imaging, from the familiar X-rays to advanced MRI and CT scans, has revolutionized healthcare. These techniques allow us to glimpse inside, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. At the heart of these processes are radiologists, the medical detectives who decipher these images and translate them into diagnoses guiding patient care. Looking ahead, artificial intelligence (AI) looms large on the horizon. The potential for AI to enhance medical imaging has received increased interest. Imagine algorithms that can spot anomalies in seconds or even predict diseases before symptoms occur! In this episode, we hear from Dr. Michael McInnis (Thoracic Radiologist at JDMI; Radiology Quality Assurance Lead at UHN High Risk Lung Cancer Screening Program; Assistant Professor at UofT), Dr. April Khademi (Associate Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at TMU; Principal Investigator of the Image Analysis in Medicine Lab; Affiliate Scientist, St. Michael’s Hospital; Researcher at iBEST, TMU; Researcher at T-CAIREM, UofT), and Dr. Trevor McKee (CEO and Co-founder, Pathomics; Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, UofT). Join us as we explore the basics of medical imaging, the critical role of radiologists, the dynamic partnership of industry and academia, and the potential integration of AI in medical imaging. This episode will shine light on how medical imaging is shaping the present and the future of healthcare.
When 911 is called for medical assistance, paramedics are the personnel that are dispatched to provide transport and emergency medical care. Paramedics are generally known to play an essential role in our healthcare systems and are often regarded as the first-line of medical services in the community before reaching the hospital setting. However, paramedicine is more than just ambulatory and emergency care. In this episode, we hear from Cheryl Cameron (Paramedic from Alberta; Director of Operations of Canadian Virtual Hospice; PhD Student at Monash University; Senior Fellow with the NcNally Project for Paramedicine Research), Melissa Vose (Advanced Care Paramedic from British Columbia) and Amir Allana (Paramedic from Ontario and British Columbia; Masters Degree in the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto; Fellow at the McNally Project for Paramedicine Research) who provide us with a deep dive into the fascinating and dynamic discipline of paramedicine. Our guests share their experiences as paramedics, address systemic issues within paramedicine, and introduce us to the expansion of paramedicine outside of primary and emergency care.
The sports and fitness spaces play an important role in fostering communities – we can challenge our physical and mental capabilities, form ever-lasting bonds with teammates, find an avenue to relieve stress and find a sense of connectedness with other people. Our very own Braeden and Swapna sit down to talk about their love for sports and their journeys in this space. We hope their conversation inspires you to start your own journey in this space. In this episode, we listen to valuable insights about the different barriers Muslim women face when pursuing athletic activities in our conversation with Rishada, a program director at Hijabi Ballers, an organisation based in the Greater Toronto Area that aims to recognize and celebrate the athleticism of Muslim girls and women.
http://www.hijabiballers.com/
In this special episode, we reflect on our Raw Talk Live event, themed "Finding the Cutoff" - an interesting panel discussion on identifying and addressing social biases in healthcare data. Through a candid conversation between members of the Raw Talk Podcast team and data science and healthcare experts on this ever-evolving topic, we touch on what biases exist in healthcare data, how they affect clinical practice, and how they inform care of racially marginalized communities. We hear from Dr. Pascal Tyrell (Associate Professor, Medical Imaging & Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto), Sara Fung (Healthcare Advocate and Co-host of the "Gritty Nurse Podcast"), and Dr. Azadeh Yadollahi (Senior Scientist at the KITE Research Insitute, University Health Network), as they discuss these topics with our Events Coordinator and Show Host, Adrian Dychiao.
The spaces we live, work, play in shape our health and our psyche - and healthcare spaces are no different. In this episode, we take a deep, multifaceted look at the field of healthcare architecture. Our guests give us valuable insights into how hospitals are designed and how elements of clinical care, sound design, and innovative research combine to create spaces we all experience sickness and health in. We hear from "dochitect" Dr. Diana Anderson (board-certified healthcare architect and internist at VA Boston Health System), Dr. Michaela Cada (hematologist-oncologist and Chief Clinical Planning Officer of Project Horizon), and Dr. John Straube (registered professional engineer and Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo).
In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we dive into the big world of little humans as we explore the topic of neonatology. Our guests give us an overview of what neonatology as a field encompasses and the very special population that neonatologists serve. This episode also dives into the impacts of research and new medications in the NICU, challenges regarding disparities of care, and the real life experience of a NICU family. This episode features notable guests like Dr. Estelle Gauda (Division Head, Neonatology at SickKids and Professor of Pediatrics at University of Toronto), Dr. Pia Wintermark (Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics at McGill University), Dr. Tamorah Lewis (Division Head for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at SickKids), Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta (Director of Research at the Centre for Global Child Health, SickKids), and most especially, Kimberley and Christina Foreman, who kindly shared their personal experiences at the NICU with us.
Back to school season is in full force, and students ride the rollercoaster of academia for another year. This is where students face new joys, opportunities and challenges along the way. As technology and scientific advancements progress at a rate faster than we’ve ever seen before, graduate, post-graduate, medical and other professional students embark on a journey of research and of adulthood all at once. In today’s episode, we have a roundtable discussion to exchange views on our hopes and struggles as a graduate student. Our teams shared stories of our first research experiences, tips on finding balance between personal and academic life and keys to success learned along the way. Each of our stories are unique but common themes of resilience, collaborative work, networking with faculty and peers, coping with societal expectations and finding ways to balance a busy lifestyle can be seen. Things aren’t always easy, and they definitely aren’t pretty all the time, but through these experiences we gain knowledge that helps contribute to science, and changing the world. Although it’s a struggle, it is a collective one and we lean on one another to be the best version of ourselves. We have fun together, we support each other, and we grow stronger.
Written by Radha
[This episode was hosted by Angela and Noor. Hannah, Sonika, Braeden, Julia, and Belinda participated in our roundtable discussion. Alex and Junayd were our audio engineers. Noor was the executive producer]
Think back to the last time you fell ill or were having a bad day - you likely reached out to your loved ones for support to help you feel better and get through the day productively. Now, think of those with terminal illness or those from marginalized communities seeking care for a chronic condition - for many of them, the first point of contact is a caregiver, helping them with following treatment regimens to even daily activities of living, like eating or changing.
They are instrumental to the wellbeing of those who cannot care for themselves - but who cares for the caregivers?
This episode aims to explore the role of personal support workers and family caregivers in promoting health in families and communities, and the unique physical, cultural, and policy challenges they face, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We speak with Taylor Booroff (spokesperson of the Ontario PSW Association), Ron Beleno (family caregiver and advocate for caregivers of older adults with AGE-WELL), and Danielle Alcock (patient navigator for Indigenous communities in Southwestern Ontario).
Love is a complicated, painful, wonderful, and abstract thing we are all familiar with. From the fleeting moments of bliss to the deepest relationships, love has also been the subject of objective study, yielding some diverse yet incredible insights. In this episode, we are joined by Rebecca Horne (PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto), Carole Sandy (a couples and family therapist based in Toronto), and Dawn Maslar-Biggie (award-winning author and Adjunct Professor of Biology based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) as we explore the science behind love, attraction, and relationships. We hope this episode can highlight some interesting facts about the neuroscience and psychology of love, and how we can use that to create better relationships.
In 2021, Dr. David Julius and Dr. Ardem Patapoutian won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for their discoveries related to temperature and touch receptors. In this episode, Dr. Rose Hill and Dr. Robert Bonin introduce us to this topic of sensory perception, specifically touch and pain. Dr. Bonin describes how we experience pain, delving into acute vs chronic pain, thresholds to pain, and the distinction between nociception and pain. Dr. Hill also shares about her experience being in Dr. Patapoutian's Nobel winning lab, and her work on the perception of itch. Additionally, we get a deeper look into the inner workings of the Nobel Prize, as Dr. Abdel El Manira shares about his time on the Nobel Committee and the inner workings of the Nobel. Join us on this episode, as we unravel touch and the Nobel Prize.
Written by: Veena Sanmugananthan
Links
Discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch
Bonin Lab
UofT Centre for the Study of Pain
Dr. Hill profile
A trio of ion channels takes the heat
Profile of 2021 Nobel Prize winners
The field of forensics encompasses the intersection between law and science. This episode explores forensics in more detail. Our guests, Chief Coroner of Ontario, Dr. Dirk Huyer, and Deputy Chief Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Jayantha Herath, share the investigative perspective including behind the scenes of their professions, the intersection with the judicial system, and systemic social issues in forensics. Sheila Early, a forensic nurse and co-founder of the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association (CFNA), shares how healthcare contributes to this field, how it is to work with forensic patients, and her history with the CFNA. This episode takes a deep dive into the truth about forensics, its misconceptions, and how technology evolves alongside.
Written by: Gil Angela Dela Cruz (Content Creator) and Veena Sanmugananthan (Content Creator and Science Writer)
Clinical Examination and Reporting of a Victim of Torture
Lawyer’s Guide to the Forensic Sciences
Making Sense of a Global Pandemic: Relationship Violence & Working Together Towards a Violence Free Society
Episode Team:
Atefeh Mohammadi (Episode Lead and Show Host), Kayvan Alfaki (Show Host), Gil Angela Dela Cruz (Content Creator), Veena Sanmugananthan (Content Creator and Science Writer), Anukrati Nigam (Audio Engineer), Anam Islam (Promotions), Janine Truong (Graphic Design).
One of the most underappreciated inventions in history can be dated back to 15th century Europe when German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press which, for the first time ever, automated the book-printing process. This newfound ability to productively disseminate knowledge and ideas revolutionized society overnight. In fact, English intellectual Francis Bacon, who is known for popularizing the scientific method, famously wrote that the three inventions that forever changed the world were gunpowder, the nautical compass, and the printing press. Books and libraries opened science for citizens outside of the elite intellectual circle. And now, with the advent of computers and digitalization of information, we continue to see science become more accessible. On this episode, show hosts Zeynep and Sumi speak to Dr. Anthony Bonato, Mathematics professor at Ryerson University, Dr. Leslie Chan, principal investigator of the Open and Collaborative Science in Development Network, and Dr. Brian Baigrie, associate professor at University of Toronto’s Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. We hear about their thoughts on open access, how it is generally perceived in the scientific community, its importance and feasibility globally, and finally, how it helped shape scientific communication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by: Sumi
Links:
Unsettling Knowledge Inequities Podcast
Bioline International
Information on Open Access
Budapest Open Access Initiative
For more on Publishing: Episode #65 Investing in Knowledge: The Life Cycle of Research
Rachael Ainsworth TedTalk (TEDxMacclesfield): Research Culture is Broken; Open Science can Fix It
Should bad science be censored on social media? This complex ethical dilemma, stemming from the Information Age beginning in the mid 20th century, is proving to be a real challenge as we continue to navigate the unprecedented repercussions of widespread technology implementation in human life. With the advent of computers, we’ve seen exponential growth in the capacity to process, store, and communicate information. This epochal shift in knowledge transmission has undoubtedly catalyzed many scientific discoveries, improving the lives of millions. However, among this information explosion we also find false, fabricated, or misleading information which ultimately countervails the goals of science to pursue truth. On this episode, show hosts Dennis and Jason interview Dr. Anna Blakney, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, and Sandhya & Swapna Mylabathula (STEAM sisters), PhD students at U of T, to find out how they use TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms to communicate science responsibly and effectively. Additionally, Dr. Eric Merkley, assistant professor at U of T, shares his perspective on the political mechanisms of misinformation spread on mass media. Raw Talk members Jesse, Junayd, Jason & Sumi also contribute their thoughts on the potential for censorship as a means to regulate bad science.
Written by: Sumiha Karunagaran
How do I spot misinformation? University of Toronto Libraries
Birdwatch on Twitter: Twitter launched a pilot initiative called Birdwatch that allows users to write notes about Tweets that could be misleading.
ScienceUpFirst: A national initiative operated by the Canadian Association of Science Centres that works with a collective of independent scientists, researchers, healthcare experts and science communicators to share the best available science to stop the spread of misinformation.
Canada’s Digital Citizen Research Program
Students from underrrepresented groups in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields often experience a myriad of challenges due to a variety of systemic barriers such as lack of representation or diversity, appropriate financial support, and having a supportive learning environment. In this episode, our team and guests take a deep dive into the importance of representation, mentorship and community within STEM fields, as well as elaborate on how they feel these environments should be improved. We speak to Mohsen Poorganji, the co-founder of the Institute of Medical Science (IMS) International Student Group, Layan Elfaki, the president of the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) at the University of Toronto (UofT), and Dr. Andrea Boggild, the Medical Director of the Tropical Diseases Unit at University Health Network and an Associate Professor at UofT. Listen to these conversations along with our hosts, Daniel and Rachel, who chime in and reflect on their learnings throughout the episode.
Incorporating Indigenous Cultures and Realities in STEM
IMS International Student Group
Black Graduate Student Association
Community of Support
As a patient, you would want the best care to come to you. You would want to be able to access health services, empathetic staff, and any medications you need. As a citizen, you likely want that for others who are in need of healthcare assistance. So why is this not the case once people are behind bars?
"Imagine yourself in a box trying to reach out for help." That is what one of our guests, Lawrence Da Silva, host of Voices Inside and Out, described what it was like to be in need of healthcare services in prison.
In this episode, we dive deep into the reality that is healthcare in a prison setting. We are also joined by Catherine Latimer, the executive director of the John Howard Society, and Dr. Kiran Patel, a staff psychiatrist at CAMH's Forensic Division. They touch on topics like the accessibility of care as related to the Canada Health Act, specific challenges like mental health and the effect of prison transfers, and what is being done by organizations like the John Howard Society to help. We hope this episode can highlight some important aspects about the reality of life behind bars.
Written by: Angela Dela Cruz
Links
The Nelson Mandela Rules
The Ashley Smith Inquest
Elizabeth Fry Toronto
The John Howard Society
Voices Inside and Out Podcast
Canada Health Act
Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA)
Indigenous People in Federal Custody: Government of Canada
Race and Incarceration: The Representation and Characteristics of Black People in Provincial Correctional Facilities in Ontario, Canada
Houses of hate: How Canada's prison system is broken
How You Can Get Involved: John Howard Society of Canada
CAMH: Services and Support After Incarceration
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased use of the terms “healthcare provider burnout” and “healthcare heroes”. Within the media, we have seen these terms be trending hashtags, top news headlines, or may have heard them stated by government officials in their press releases...but what do they really mean? In this episode from Raw Talk you will hear from our guests - Dr. Kim McMillan a nurse-researcher and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa; Dr. Amit Arya a palliative care physician at North York General and Kensington Hospice; medical residents Dr. Simone Bernstein from Washington University and Dr. Yezarni Wynn from the University of Toronto; and a nurse and PhD candidate Emily Rowland from the University of Toronto - burnout affects each person differently and has a rippling effect for both the individual and the health system as a whole. Further, our guests share their perspectives of what a “healthcare hero” means to them; perspectives that may be different from how they were portrayed in the media. Finally, we conclude our episode with ideas to decrease provider burnout and advice for our medical learner listeners. Happy listening!
Article: Study exploring the impact of rural health system factors on physician burnout: a mixed-methods study in Northern Canada
In honour of our 100th episode here at Raw Talk Podcast, we are celebrating another anniversary this year: 100 years since the discovery of insulin, a life saving treatment for diabetes that happened here at the University of Toronto. This discovery earned the scientists behind it the 1923 Nobel Prize in Medicine, and was a pivotal moment in Canadian medical science research. In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Daniel Drucker, a senior scientist at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute who gave us a crash course on diabetes, insulin, and the research leading up to the discovery of insulin. Next, we spoke with Jennifer Da Cruz, a diabetes patient, educator and public health nurse at Unison Health and Community Services in Toronto. Finally, we met with Dr. Paraish Misra, a nephrologist, and a PhD candidate in the Nostro lab at the University of Toronto, who told us about some of the exciting new frontiers in stem cell research for diabetes treatment - or possibly even cure.
Dr. Daniel Drucker Diabetes Canada Dr. Paraish Misra Open Insulin Foundation Article - The absurdly high cost of insulin, explained Article - Why people with diabetes can't buy generic insulin Review Article - Stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells
Humanitarian crises from around the world, attributed to various causes such as war and climate change, have resulted in the displacement of millions of people worldwide. Some of these displaced individuals journey to other countries, such as Canada, to settle and start new lives. However, a refugee’s journey doesn’t end once they arrive in their new home, they must navigate a new system to access housing, healthcare, and education, while potentially facing numerous barriers along the way. In this episode of Raw Talk, we interview experts to gain a Canadian perspective on the unique health experience of refugees, and the resettlement process for refugees living in Canada. Steve Meagher discusses who refugees are and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare services in Canada. Dr. Praseedha Janakiram sheds light on the diversity of refugees and their journeys from leaving their homeland to settling into a new life. Dr. Meb Rashid speaks to the routine health issues that refugee families face and how primary and community healthcare is tailored to those needs.
Centre for Refugee Children Women’s College Hospital Crossroads Clinic The Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC) The Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference - Dr. Janakiram speaking Christie Refugee Welcome Centre Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
Have you ever wondered how the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decides what substances are banned in professional sport? Or what it’s like to get tested for prohibited substances? In this episode of Raw Talk, we interview experts on anti-doping and the use of performance enhancing drugs. James Fitzgerald explains the many tools that WADA uses to combat doping in sport, from dried blood spot analysis to machine learning. We also speak to two Canadian Olympic athletes, Evan Dunfee and Maddy Kelly, about their experiences getting tested, what kinds of pressures they felt to perform, and the tainted beef controversy. Lastly, Dr. Dean St. Mart tells us about the health risks of steroids - in the context of bodybuilding - from androgen receptors to “blasting and cruising”, and explores whether its possible to use such performance enhancing drugs safely. We hope you enjoy the expertise and diverse perspectives our fascinating guests shared with us on this week’s episode.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) Yes, Evan Dunfee is the Kraft Dinner guy Supplement Needs
Post-graduate education. This is where students learn the joy and importance of scientific discoveries and advancement firsthand. This is also where students face realities of research and of adulthood all at once. In today’s episode, we have a roundtable discussion to exchange views on our hopes and struggles as a graduate student. From sharing our unique stories, we see common themes such as building a healthy relationship with our supervisor, networking with peers, managing stress from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and coping with failure to prevent burnout. Our fellow graduate student Samantha Ing-Esteves, the founder of the Graduate Representation Committee (GRC) in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto, also joins us and speaks to the data collected by GRC representing our financial struggles. Sam also explains to us how GRC strives to advocate for domestic and international graduate students. From the good, the bad, and the ugly, we gain rich learning experiences as a graduate student and continue to contribute to science the best we can. The struggle is real, but so is the adventure. We have fun together, we support each other, and we grow stronger. And most importantly, we keep it raw.
GRC Student Finance and Living Survey 2021-2022 GRC Student Finance and Living Report 2019 U of T Community of Support Tips and Secrets to Choosing your IMS Courses 100 Reasons Not to Go to Graduate School
The Human Genome Project -- to sequence all genes in human DNA -- took over a decade and about $5 billion dollars to complete. Today, we can get the same results in 2 months for about $5000, or even over a weekend if we really need it. As a result, more and more people have access to genetic testing. For many families affected by inheritable conditions, these tests can be invaluable. But is this the precision medicine revolution we've been promised? In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we gather experts in genetic testing and genetic counselling to find out. We'll explore what genetic testing really looks like, what the results can mean for families, and learn about the growing field of genetic counselling. First, we spoke with Dr. Raymond Kim, medical geneticist at the University Health Network, who told us about the history and future trajectory of medical genetics. We also sat down with genetic counsellors Stacy Hewson and Laura Zahavich, who direct and lecture for the genetic counselling master's program here at the University of Toronto; they shared with us their challenging but rewarding experiences supporting families to order, interpret, and process genetic tests. Finally, we heard from Huntington's Disease researcher and carrier Dr. Jeff Carroll, who shared his story with genetic testing personally and while family planning. We hope to shed a light on the exciting fields of medical genetics and genetic counselling, and the growing number of genetic tools that might truly revolutionize healthcare as we know it.
Written by: Adrine de Souza
Dr. Raymond Kim - Webpage Stacy Hewson - Webpage Laura Zahavich - Webpage Dr. Jeff Carroll - Webpage University of Toronto MSc in Genetic Counselling Program Article - Prioritizing diversity in human genomics research gnomAD: Genome Aggregation Database Raw Talk Podcast - Season 5 Listener Survey
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016 under Bill C-14 after decades of public dialogue and debate. This episode takes a deep dive into MAiD, the death and dying experience, and what these mean to patients, families, care providers, and others involved in the health system. We had the pleasure to sit down with and learn from Sally Bean, Director of Policy and Ethics at Sunnybrook Hospital; Dr. Madeline Li, Psychiatrist and Lead of the Psychosocial Oncology Division, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Ahmed Al-Awamer, Palliative Care Physician and Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, University Health Network; and Steve Legere, a patient diagnosed with incurable cancer who has been approved for MAiD, and his partner, Christine Legere. Each of these individuals takes us through a different aspect of living and dying at the end of life and how MAiD has impacted their respective lives and professional roles.
Written by: Larkin Davenport Huyer
Canada's new medical assistance in dying (MAID) law Madeline Li's Maclean's article Article: Medical Assistance in Dying - Implementing a Hospital-Based Program in Canada
For many people, childhood memories hold a special place in our hearts. Childhood experiences also impact our journey through life, shaping our personality, relationships, and conceptions of right and wrong. But not all childhood memories are bright, and many children suffer significant trauma through maltreatment by family members or other trusted adults. In this episode, we explore the difficult topic of child maltreatment with the help of our esteemed guests. First, Dr. Tracie Afifi, a Professor in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, describes the scope of child maltreatment in Canada, and describes intervention and prevention strategies. Next, Dr. Robert T. Muller, a Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology at York University, and bestselling author on trauma therapy, tells us about the goals, pitfalls, and successful strategies in psychotherapy for patients with childhood trauma. Finally, Dr. Katreena Scott, an Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist at the University of Toronto, explores the complex familial contexts in which child maltreatment can arise, and describes the unique intervention program she and her team have pioneered to help break the cycle.
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Local Children's Aid Societies (Ontario) Profile - Dr. Tracie Afifi Profile - Dr. Robert T. Muller Profile - Dr. Katreena Scott Book - Trauma and the Struggle to Open Up: From Avoidance to Recovery and Growth Book - Trauma and the Avoidant Client: Attachment-Based Strategies for Healing Caring Dads Adverse Childhood Experiences Global look at Child Maltreatment (WHO) Child Maltreatment in Canada Indigenous people and Child Maltreatment
Since their discovery in the 1920's, antibiotics have allowed the field of medicine to make leaps and bounds in innovation. The ability to treat bacterial infections reliably and effectively have made transplant surgeries, cancer chemotherapy, and treating what were once considered deadly infections, like pneumonia, a routine part of our health care. However, antibiotic resistance can occur when the bacteria being targeted change in response and render the antibiotic ineffective. Antibiotic resistance is a global threat and there are concerns that by the year 2050, antibiotic resistant infections could cause more than 10 million deaths annually. In this episode, we explore the drivers of antibiotic resistance around the world and speak to researchers tackling this issue through their research on innovative therapies and solutions. First, Dr. Thomas Van Boeckel explains the major driving forces and global trends in development of antibiotic resistance and system wide policy level changes required to tackle the threat. Dr. Erin Duffy takes us through the innovative work being done at CARB-X, a non-profit initiative to accelerate research in the field globally. Finally, Chidozie Ojobor from the University of Toronto, talks to us about his research on tailocins, a promising new technology he is researching for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Written by: Anam Islam
CDC antibiotic resistance threat report, 2.8 million AR cases each year in the USA Global trends in antimicrobial resistance in animals in low- and middle-income countries Dr. Van Boeckel's university profile page Antimicrobial Resistance: Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nations CARB-X portfolio Davidson Lab at UofT
Pharmaceutical drugs are a pillar of modern healthcare - from preventative medicines to life-saving therapies. We therefore rely on pharmaceutical companies to discover, develop, and deliver new drugs to patients in need. We know that this process is both risky and expensive, but does that justify the drug prices we see in Canada today? Who decides what’s a fair drug price anyways? And what is the role of academic science in this whole operation? Join us as we answer these questions and more, with our expert guests: Dr Alison Symington, consultant with Life Sciences Ontario, describes the process of drug discovery and the relationships between academia and industry. Dr. Wong-Rieger, President and CEO of Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, describes the challenges faced by individuals with rare diseases. Dr. Nigel Rawson, Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute, introduces us to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and their upcoming changes. Finally, Dr. Joel Lexchin, Emergency physician at the University Health Network and Canadian drug policy expert, explains some of the challenges to setting fair drug prices in Canada.
Written by: Adrine de Souza
Profile - Dr. Alison Symington Profile - Dr. Durhane Wong-Rieger Profile - Dr. Nigel Rawson Profile - Dr. Joel Lexchin Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Proposed PMPRB changes Canada Pharmacare Act (Bill C-213) Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) Innovative Medicines Canada Article - academic vs industry for drug discovery Drug Discovery @ U of T
Many factors including income, food security, or housing can have a huge contribution to our health. These are known as the social determinants of health (SDoH). In this episode, we discuss some common SDoH, how they impact our health, and what some leading physicians are doing to tackle the issue. Our guests, Dr. Andrew Boozary, Dr. Andrew Pinto, and Dr. Kate Mulligan discuss topics such as, the teaching of SDoH in the medical curriculum, how the SDoH have been exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as current and future efforts to address the SDoH and decrease the associated health disparities. All of our guests are actively working to change our health system and the way we provide care to improve the health disparities we see in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and beyond.
Written by: Larkin Davenport Huyer
Dr. Andrew Boozary's Twitter Dr. Kate Mulligan's Twitter Dr. Andrew Pinto's Twitter Upstream Lab Social Medicine at UHN as reported by Toronto Star Public Health Ontario's report on SDoH in COVID19
Like so many institutions, anti-Black racism continues to pervade the healthcare system—rarely in overt, obvious ways, but in ways that undeniably lead to worse health outcomes for Black communities. In this episode, we discuss the uncomfortable truths of anti-Black racism in healthcare, and what we can do about it. We hear from Dr. Sean Wharton, Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, Internist, and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University and York University, about his experiences in the healthcare system, as a trainee, physician, and researcher. He discusses the roots of racist systems, and the impacts of subconscious biases on both the provision and receipt of patient care. As the founder of the Black Medical Students’ Association, he describes how the unique needs of different trainee and patient populations must be recognized and addressed if we hope to provide equitable care. We also spoke with Jessica Goncalves, a nursing student and the first Black President of the Nursing Undergraduate Society at the University of Toronto. She tells us about the labelling that begins long before members of the Black community enter health professions, and the importance of diverse representation within such professions. We hope that you are inspired—as we are—by our guests, to continue conversations, advocacy, and actions in the pursuit of health equity.
Written by: Rachel Dadouch
Dr. Wharton - Wharton Medical Clinic Dr. Wharton - Feature UofT Temerty Faculty of Medicine Dr. Wharton - Inaugural Lecture in Black Health for City-Wide Medical Grand Rounds Jessica Gonclaves - President of the Nursing Undergraduate Society Resource - The Implicit Project Article - The Effect of Race and Sex on Physicians' Recommendations for Cardiac Catheterization Resource - Anti-Racism Resources Article - For our White Friends Desiring to be Allies Book - So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo Book - How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi Book - Black and Blue: The Origins and Consequences of Medical Racism by John Hoberman Event - Black Physicians Association of Ontario Annual Health Symposium (Feb 27, 2021) Organization - Black Physicians of Canada Organization - U of T Black Medical Students Association
Vaccine technology has come a long way in terms of safety and understanding the underlying immunological principles. The first vaccine that was made was against smallpox in the late 18th century. Since then, vaccines have become the key tool in fighting against infectious diseases that have affected humans for centuries, including chickenpox, measles, and polio. But as the world prepares for the largest mass vaccination campaign in history with the COVID19 vaccines, there are many people that are somewhat hesitant about the vaccination process but are curious to learn more. The emergence of mRNA vaccines has allowed for the fastest development of a vaccine in history and could be a sign of what's to come in the future. In this episode, we talk about the COVID19 mRNA vaccine with the co-founder of Moderna, Dr. Derrick Rossi and about how mRNA can be used in personalized cancer vaccines with Providence Therapeutics' Chief Development officer, Dr. Natalia Martin Orozco. We look back at the history of vaccine development with Dr. Christopher Rutty. Finally, We also speak with Dr. Nicole Charles to explore the complexity of vaccine hesitancy in marginalized communities.
Written by: Yagnesh Ladumor
Connaught Labs at UofT History of Vaccination virtual exhibit Dr. Charles' book - Suspicion. Vaccines, Hesitancy, and the Affective Politics of Protection in Barbados Seminal paper from the Rossi Lab about Modified RNAs Providence Therapeutics
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infectious disease that affects millions of people globally every year. Despite being one of the oldest infectious diseases in humans, control of the epidemic through treatment and vaccination has remained out of reach. In today’s episode, we learned about what makes TB so difficult to control, from immunology to stigma. First, Dr. Jun Liu, a Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at University of Toronto, guides us through current knowledge on TB and discusses the difficulties and advances in developing TB vaccines. Next, Dr. Amrita Daftary, a Professor in the Department of Global Health at York University, explains the process of diagnosing and treating TB, and later highlights challenges that patients with TB may face while accessing care. Finally, Dr. Sarah Fortune, the Director of TB Research Program at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, helps us understand how TB drug resistance can arise, and why TB-HIV co-infection poses such a challenge. The fight against TB continues every day, by millions of patients, healthcare providers, and researchers alike. Join us as we learn about this forgotten pandemic.
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Dr. Jun Liu - profile Dr. Amrita Daftary - profile Dr. Sarah Fortune - profile What is DOTS? - report Paul Farmer on Partners in Health, Harvard-Haiti, and making the lives of the poor the fight of his life TB Personal Stories Vaccine Preventable Diseases
It's only natural to be curious about the most essential need for human health and survival: water. In this episode, we learn about clean water, recognizing the drastic difference in water security between communities and what can be done about it. We spoke with Dr. Jay Famiglietti, a hydrologist at the University of Saskatchewan, about water infrastructure in terms of freshwater availability, climate change, and the value of federal oversight and science communication. Dr. Madjid Mohseni, professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia and Scientific Director of RES'EAU, shares his expertise in water quality and technologies, and his efforts to facilitate safe drinking water access. He emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities and the importance of water operators, echoed by John Millar, the founder of Water First. John delves into the training and education for Indigenous community members, as an essential way to combat water challenges on the ground. Currently, boil water advisories disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. We discuss environmental racism with Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Associate Professor at Dalhousie University and author of "There's Something In The Water". Dr. Waldron draws upon intersectionality in the context of environmental health inequities, and shares the impact of policy changes.
Written by: Rachel Dadouch
Dr. Jay Famiglietti's website Dr. Famiglietti's podcast: Let's Talk About Water Dr. Madjid Mohseni's profile Dr. Ingrid Waldron's profile Emerging trends in global freshwater availability (Nature) RES'EAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation's (RES'EAU) 59 long-term drinking water advisories Water First The ENRICH Project Support Bill C-230
As we have learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, the health of communities around the world is connected through shared technologies, institutions, and values. In this episode, we explore these connections outside the context of a pandemic. We learn how issues in global health are prioritized, funded, and measured; about the roots of global health in imperialism, and what it means to decolonize global health; and about the importance of highlighting local expertise and youth perspectives to strive for equity and improve health outcomes. We spoke with several leaders in global health, including: Dr. Erica Di Ruggerio, Director of the Centre for Global Health and the Collaborative Specialization in Global Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health; Dr. Ngozi Erondu a Senior Research Fellow at the Chatham House Centre for Global Health Security and a Senior Public Health Advisor at Public Health England; Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and Colleen Dockerty, Registered Nurse and gender-based violence consultant, also with MSF; and Habon Ali, a Somali-Canadian community builder, who leads initiatives to improve health equity and remove systemic barriers to engaging youth in global health.
Written by: Stephanie Nishi
Dr. Erica Di Ruggiero - website Dr. Ngozi Erondu - website Dr. Jason Nickerson - website Apathy is Boring (Habon Ali) - website Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - website
There are things in life that people take for granted every day. For many of us, that is the privilege of moving about in a world that was designed for our bodies and our physical abilities. Imagine not being able to get to a meeting on time because the nearest subway isn’t accessible. Imagine not getting any matches on a dating profile because 2 years ago you got into a car accident and now you get from place to place in a wheelchair. Imagine what it feels like to have your body be looked at as a problem to be solved. In this episode, we are trying to address ableism by talking to people with lived experience about what having a disability means to them while living in our society and culture today. We talk to disability advocates about the important work they are doing to help challenge how we define disability. Is disability a design problem that we can solve? We also touch on topics that many of us think about on a daily basis: sex, dating. We hope that this episode will help you reflect on some biases you have about living with a disability and think about what you can do to make your world more accessible, because we all deserve the same opportunities in life regardless of our physical ability.
Written by: Claire Mazzia
The Disabled List Dr. Jeff Preston's website Centre for Independent Living in Toronto
As Canadians, we're usually quite proud of our excellent healthcare system. However, as we learned in Episodes 83 on organ donation, 82 on amputation, and others, gaps in public coverage and long wait times sometimes prevent Canadians from accessing the best care. Enter "medical tourism", or "medical travel". In this episode, we explored what it might be like for Canadians to access care abroad. We spoke with Adele Kulyk, the CEO of Global Healthcare Connections. Adele has worked for the last ten years as a coordinator to help facilitate Canadians traveling elsewhere for care. Adele explains what may drive people to leave and what sort of procedures are accessed abroad. As we explored this topic, we discovered another reason Canadians travel abroad related to healthcare: as medical students and other trainees to actually provide care, a practice colloquially known as "medical voluntourism". To understand this theme, we sat down with Dr. Noelle Sullivan, a professor in anthropology at Northwestern University, and Dr. Jessica Evert, Family Medicine Physician at UCSF. Both guests spoke to their extensive research and experience working with medical trainees travelling abroad to provide care, shared their concerns about the impacts of these experiences on host communities, and offered insights on how to approach these opportunities with humility and grace.
Written by: Larkin Davenport Huyer
Global Healthcare Connections 2017 Fraser Institute Report on Medical Travel by Canadians Birth Tourism in Canada - Article Dr. Noelle Sullivan - Website Dr. Jessica Evert - Profile Child Family Health International
About 90% of Canadians say they support organ and tissue donation but less than 20% have made plans to donate. To tackle this discrepancy, Nova Scotia is set to become the first province in the country to have presumed consent for organ and tissue donation beginning in 2021. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak to Jed Gross about the opt-in/opt-out systems, the ethical dilemmas of organ allocation and more. Next, we hear from Myles Lynch and Maariyah Rahman, who are alive today because of the organ donations they have received. We also had the opportunity to speak with Jillian Lynch, Myles' sister, who has been a huge advocate for organ donation, and a caregiver to her brother. Dr. Shafique Keshavjee, the Surgeon-in-Chief at University Health Network, discusses the science of organ transplant and cutting edge research that is causing the field to evolve very quickly, improving the life expectancy for many people like Myles who needed new lungs, and Maariyah who found out her heart suddenly began to fail when she was only 20 years old. Finally Dr. Istvan Mucsi, speaks to us about the important role of ethnicity, culture and religion in organ donation. We hope this episode exposes the remarkable feats and challenging realities of organ donation and transplantation today.
Written by: Claire Mazzia
The Organ Project Organ and Tissue Donation Canada Organ and Tissue Donation Ontario - Register to be a donor Trillium Gift of Life
On April 12, 1980, 22-year old Terry Fox dipped his toe into the icy Atlantic Ocean outside St John's, Newfoundland before setting out on one of the most inspiring athletic feats the world has ever seen. 40 years later, adaptive athletes continue to inspire movement and movements across the world. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we explore lower-limb amputation, the phenomenon of phantom limb, and modern prosthetics. First, we sat down with Aristotle Domingo, an adaptive athlete, bilateral amputee, actor, motivational speaker, and founder of the Amputee Coalition of Toronto. Aristotle shared with us his amputation journey, from the difficult decision to have the surgery, to his ongoing work building and supporting the amputee community here in the GTA. Next, Dr. Amanda Mayo, a physiatrist with St. John's Rehab at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explained the common reasons for amputation and considerations for surgical planning. Dr. Mayo also described the funding challenges experienced by amputees in Canada seeking to make the most of modern prosthetic technologies. Finally, Dr. Jan Andrysek, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at U of T and developer of the All-Terrain Knee, described the technical challenges in lower-limb prosthesis design, particularly to meet the rough-and-tumble needs of children. Dr. Andrysek also outlined his vision for the the future of prosthetics - it might not be what you'd think. Until next time, #keepitraw!
Written by: Jesse Knight
Aristotle Domingo Amputee Coalition of Toronto The AmpuTO Show Podcast Dr. Amanda Mayo Dr. Jan Andrysek's PROPEL Lab Legworks and the All Terrain Knee
Memory is essential for forming individual identity, as well as the process of learning. Yet, memory is not without its faults. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we try to understand what memory is, the processes that affect the quality of our memories and the implications of faulty memory on the validity of eyewitness testimonies in the legal system. First we hear from Joey DeGrandis who shares his unique ability to recall specific details of autobiographical events. This rare memory phenomenon, known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), provides an opportunity to investigate the brain systems underlying enhanced memory and conversely memory loss. We then hear from Dr. Amy Finn, an assistant professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and the principal investigator of the Learning and Neural Development Lab. Dr. Finn discusses memory formation and how the brain and cognitive development constrains and enables learning, using examples, such as the famous case of patient H.M. To better understand the 'faults in our memory', Dr. Daniel Schacter, a Harvard University Professor, discusses his work on how memory's malfunctions may be classified into seven fundamental transgressions or "sins" and describes the seven sins of memory errors. Finally, we hear from Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, who shares her experience on how memory may be manipulated and modified by messages, ideas, suggestions and other post-event information. Dr. Loftus' memory research has had significant applications to the legal field, given its reliance on memory. Join us as we put our own memories to the test and learn more about how we remember….and forget, on this week's episode of Raw Talk.
Written by: Stephanie Nishi
Raw Talk Podcast Friendraiser Joey DeGrandis, Time Magazine Article, 2017 Finn LAND Lab Dr. Daniel Schacter Dr. Elizabeth Loftus UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory Book "The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers" by Dr. Daniel Schacter Book "Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets" by Luke Dittrich
2020 has been a strange, unpredictable and challenging year, as the coronavirus has impacted our lives in countless ways. Here at Raw Talk, we found ourselves struggling to keep up with COVID-19 research and understand the impacts of the pandemic on our society. So, instead of our usual live event this year, we created COVIDecoded: a weekly YouTube live stream of discussions with experts on all things COVID, to help understand the emerging science and social shifts. In this episode, the hosts from the series came together (distanced and wearing masks, of course) to discuss what we learned from the series, key themes that emerged, and our personal reflections on living through the pandemic. We review the current state of testing in Canada, discuss the social determinants of COVID-19 risk and the importance of gathering race-based data, and reflect on the lessons we can learn going forward. We hope the episode, and the full discussions below, can help you make sense of the diverse and complex interactions between our world and the virus, or in other words, the "New Normal".
Written by: Claire Mazzia
U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA Raw Talk Podcast Friendraiser Raw Talk Podcast Code of Conduct Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Italian cats and dogs Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Spanish population COVIDecoded Series: Episode 1 - Coronaviruses 101 Episode 2 - Epidemiology and Modeling Episode 3 - Psychological Impact Episode 4 - Public Health and Policy Episode 5 - Intersections with Climate Change Episode 6 - Putting It to the test Episode 7 - Health Equity Episode 8 - Immunity in Canada
Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our 8th and final instalment focuses on immunity and SARS-CoV2. Controlling this novel pathogen will no doubt require immune systems to adapt, and supporting those changes will demand a significant shift in societal attitudes and policies. What does it mean to be an asymptomatic carrier? What is herd immunity? What might a vaccination strategy look like? Join our discussion to learn all this, and more! Dr. David Naylor is a physician, biomedical researcher and former President of the University of Toronto, who most recently served as the Interim President and CEO of the SickKids Hospital prior to the appointment of the current administration. Having chaired Canada’s National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health back in 2003, Dr. Naylor is more than well-equipped to Co-Chair the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, develop discourse on public health and safety, and help lead Canada into the ‘next normal’.
Guest - Dr David Naylor
Additional insights on COVID-19 and the Immune Response
Watch this stream on YouTube
U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA
COVID Decoded Feedback survey
Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our 7th instalment focuses on health equity – the historical context and impact of longstanding systemic inequities; how the pandemic has highlighted existing inequities for racialized, marginalized, and underrepresented groups; the importance of race-based and socioeconomic data; how they can inform an equitable public health response; and how we can ensure sustainable health and societal changes moving forward. Dr. Roberta K. Timothy is an Assistant Professor in the Teaching Stream, and is the new Director of Health Promotion at Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Specializing in the areas of intersectionality and ethics in health work; health and race; transnational Indigenous health; and anti-oppression/anti-colonial approaches to mental health. Dr. Timothy has worked for over 30 years in community health working on resisting anti-Black racism and intersectional violence strategies. Dr. Timothy is also co-founder and consultant at Continuing Healing Consultants where she implements and teaches her intersectional mental health model "Anti-Oppression Psychotherapy". She is an interdisciplinary scholar, health practitioner, and political scientist who examines global health and ethics from a critical trauma-informed decolonizing framework. Dr. Ceinwen Pope is a new family physician and current medical resident at the University of Toronto's Public Health and Preventive Medicine residency program. Her interest in health equity and population health led her to pursue an undergraduate degree specializing in Global Health at McMaster University, followed by a medical degree at the University of Ottawa. In the fall, she will begin a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the Dalla School of Public Health as part of her ongoing medical training. Her recent work has involved looking at equity-informed public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guest - Dr Roberta K Timothy
Guest - Dr Ceinwen Pope
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Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our 6th instalment focuses on COVID-19 testing – what the tests tell us and how they work, how testing has changed the course of the pandemic, and what we can expect from them in terms of epidemiological surveillance and recovery as we move forward. Dr. Adeli is a senior scientist and clinical biochemist with over 30 years of experience in clinical chemistry service, education, and research. He is currently the Head of Clinical Biochemistry at the Hospital for Sick Children and Full Professor in the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Biochemistry, and Physiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Adeli also serves as the President of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the current Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Mary Kathryn Bohn is a PhD candidate in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at McMaster University in 2018 and is now a trainee with the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Paediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) under the supervision of Dr. Khosrow Adeli at The Hospital for Sick Children.
Guest - Dr Khosrow Adeli
Guest - Mary Kathryn Bohn
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Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our 5th instalment focuses on the connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and Climate Change: similarities on both personal and structural levels, key differences, and lessons we can learn from each crisis for the other. We are grateful to be joined by two experts working at the intersections of health and environment: Chúk Odenigbo is Director of Ancestral Services at Future Ancestor Services and a PhD student at The University of Ottawa in Medical Geography. Proudly Franco-Albertan, Chúk is passionate about the interactions between culture, health and the environment. As a former ambassador for the outdoors with MEC, and alumni of the first Ocean Bridge cohort, Chúk was ranked among the top 25 environmentalists under 25 in Canada by the starfish for three years. Gideon Forman is a Climate Change Policy Analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation working to promote renewable energy projects and the expansion of active and public transportation. For over a decade he was Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, leading campaigns against lawn pesticides and coal-fired power. In recognition for his environmental work, Gideon was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013.
Guest - Chúk Odenigbo
Guest - Gideon Forman
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Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our fourth instalment features public health experts Dr. Jeff Kwong and Professor Vivek Goel in a discussion on the public health response to COVID-19 in Canada and Ontario. We also explore the role of public health interventions and the future of the COVID-19 public health response. Dr. Jeff Kwong is an epidemiologist, a specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and a family physician. He is the Program Leader of the Populations and Public Health Program at IC/ES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), a Scientist at Public Health Ontario, a Professor at the University of Toronto, and the Interim Director of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases. He has conducted a range of studies related to the epidemiology of influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Professor Vivek Goel is a member of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and the Governing Council for CanCOVID, the national research platform for COVID-19 research. He is also Special Advisor to the President and Provost at the University of Toronto and a Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He has previously served as the University’s Vice-Provost, Faculty and was subsequently Vice President and Provost from 2004 until 2008. He was a founding scientist at IC/ES, where he continues as an Adjunct Senior Scientist. He served as founding President and CEO of Public Health Ontario from 2008 until 2014, before returning to the University as Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives from 2015-2020.
Guest - Dr Vivek Goel
Guest - Dr Jeff Kwong
Dealing with COVID-19: A Balanced Response Letter
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Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our third instalment features Dr. Rima Styra, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and clinician-investigator at the University Health Network, and Donna Alexander, social worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, former Vice-President of the Black Health Alliance and Board Member of Black Mental Health Canada and the Community Advisory Committee for Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. We will discuss how our mental health is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the specific psychological effects experienced by healthcare workers and the Black community, and what changes should be made in our mental health systems in response to the “new normal.”
Guest - Dr Rima Styra
Guest - Donna Alexander
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Mental Health Resources:
The Star: Canada could face a mental health ‘echo pandemic’ in the aftermath of COVID-19
The Star: Here’s what you actually feel: Two Toronto doctors explain the psychology of pandemic
CTV News: Half of Canadians report worsening mental health, experts say woes just beginning
WNYC News: Advice on Getting Through COVID Isolation From Two Doctors Who Worked Through SARS
2004 SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine
COVID-19 Mental Health Services (City of Toronto)
Black Mental Health Resources/Services/Organizations:
Mental health resources for the Black community in Toronto
8 Mental Health Practices for People of African Descent while Isolated
Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY)
Black Health Alliance
Black Youth Helpline
Black Mental Health Canada
Black Mental Health Day
WellNest Psychotherapy Services
Mental Health Services for Healthcare Workers:
CAMH Resources for health care workers during COVID-19
St. Joe's COVID-19: Mental Health Services for HCW
Free Psychological Services for Frontline Workers (Canadian Psychological Association)
Mitigating the psychological effects of COVID-19 on health care workers
Impact on health care workers employed in high-risk areas during the Toronto SARS outbreak
Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our second instalment features Dr Sharmistha Mishra, infectious disease physician and mathematical modeler, and Linwei Wang, senior epidemiologist, both at St. Michael’s Hospital, to learn about the questions, data, and assumptions behind mathematical models of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Guest - Dr Sharmistha Mishra
Guest - Linwei Wang
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Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19.
Our first instalment features Dr. Karen Mossman, molecular virologist and Vice President of Research at McMaster University. Dr. Mossman discusses how coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, infect human cells and cause disease, and shares interesting insights from her current research.
Guest - Dr Karen Mossman
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In part two of our maternal health series, we explore the journey through pregnancy, birth, and the post-natal period – including the planning involved, the decisions made, and any healthcare a person may receive along the way. We started out our conversation with Madeleine Springate-Combs, a midwife in Ontario, who told us about why someone may choose to receive care from a midwife and the philosophy of midwifery. We also spoke to midwife Lauren Wattam, who has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and practiced midwifery in missions to Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Yemen. She told us about the important roles that midwives can play throughout pregnancy and childbirth around the world and the impacts of global health outreach. We also spoke to Dr. John Kingdom, the chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and professor of maternal-fetal medicine at the University of Toronto, and a clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital. He told us about some of the complications that can arise in pregnancy and the work he does to deal with them. Finally, we spoke to Jane Francis, a registered dietician and PhD candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. Her work focuses on providing accessible breastfeeding support to mothers from marginalized populations.
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
Canadian Association of Midwives Mount Sinai Ontario Fetal Centre Medecins Sans Frontieres Vulnerable mothers' experiences breastfeeding with an enhanced community lactation support program Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Parkdale Queen West Community Health Center – Pregnancy and Parenting Programs The danger of a single story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice by Terry Tempest Williams
Maternal health refers to the journey from pregnancy to child birth to the postnatal period. Every mother's experience is different and includes a continuum of scientific and medical, through to psychosocial and spiritual aspects. This episode is the first of a two-part series focused on this important topic. We spoke to Dr. Kaajal Abrol, a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist in Toronto, at Trio Fertility. In this wide-ranging discussion, she touches on causes of infertility and treatments, as well as when we should all start thinking about our own fertility, freezing eggs, embryo genetic screening, and much more. We also sat down with Amira Posner, a therapist with a private practice in Toronto, and someone with personal experience with infertility and in-vitro fertilization. She now helps many couples facing similar challenges by facilitating the Mind-Body Fertility Group and co-facilitating the Online Mindfulness Fertility Series. Finally, we also heard personal stories from four different mothers as they navigated deciding to get pregnant and the diverse paths that they took from there, including some difficult challenges they faced. Stay tuned for our second episode on maternal health, where we'll discuss being pregnant, childbirth, and the postnatal period! Until then, #keepitraw!
Written by: Grace Jacobs
Dr. Kaajal Abrol's website Amira Posner's website: Healing Infertility Dr. Jen Gunter's website Ontario funded fertility treatments
Acceptance of transgender and non-binary folks in Canada has come a long way in the last decade and arguably much of this progress was made in just the last few years. While many of us take for granted the ability to express our true selves, it was only in June of 2017 that gender identity and expression was officially recognized and protected from discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. This and many other policy changes, including those related to healthcare, stem from decades of effort and courage from the trans community. On this episode, you'll hear several perspectives on the past, present, and future of trans health. We spoke to Susan Gapka, a trans-rights advocate and Education and Training Program facilitator at The 519, who discussed her work at The 519, political activism, and lived experience as a trans individual. We also spoke with Sly Sarkisova, a psychotherapist and a registered clinical social worker specializing in trauma and LGBTQ+-related mental health, who walked us through the challenges faced by trans and non-binary folks and how they might interact with the healthcare system. Finally, Dr. Mitchell Brown, an Associate Professor in Department of Surgery at University of Toronto and plastic surgeon at Women's College Hospital, spoke to us about the Transition-Related Surgery Program, the first public hospital-based surgical program in Canada focused on providing safe and timely access to transition-related surgical care.
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Rainbow Health Ontario Sherbourne Health Women's College Hospital - Transition Related Surgeries Program The 519 Toronto Trans Coalition Project CAMH Gender Identity Clinic Glad Day Bookshop Flamingo Rampant - A micropress with a mission Sly Sarkisova
Sports play an important role in our culture, from the individual level where many participate in recreational activities for exercise and social benefits, to the national and international levels where professional sports are a huge industry worth billions. Sports can strongly unite people, but athletes of every level from the weekend warrior to the professional athlete can face challenges that remind us that there is a team behind the team - helping maintain their mental and physical health! In this episode we hear from inspiring speakers sharing their insights from the worlds of medicine, research and professional athlete development. Dr. Doug Richards kicks things off, he is the Medical Director and Staff Physician practicing sport and exercise medicine at the David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Chief Medical Officer at the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario, and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Next up to the plate is Dr. Gretchen Kerr, the Vice Dean of Programs at the School of Graduate Students and Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto specializing in athlete maltreatment. Karl Subban earns the hat trick with his inspirational personal experiences as an educator and in raising five elite children, including the development of 3 NHL Players. In the spirit of teamwork, this episode was created in collaboration with Medicine in Motion. Until next time, #keepitraw
Written by: Stephanie Nishi
Medicine and Motion Podcast Athlete Maltreatment Among National Athletes Prevalence Study Athlete Maltreatment Among National Athletes Prevalence Summary NCAA Athlete Mental Health
Music, we listen to it when waking up, while in transit, at work, and with friends. It is a form of entertainment, but also has the potential to provide so much more. Music is a universal language with the ability to connect and reach people on social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual levels. It can bring us joy and motivate us, accompany us through difficult times, evoke nostalgia, and alleviate our worries. These qualities allow music to be applied to improving physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this episode, we invite you to join us as we explore the science of music therapy. We hear from five music therapists working in various aspects of the field: Dr. Michael Thaut, Canada Research Chair in Music and Health Sciences; Dr. SarahRose Black, Music Therapist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Kensington Health; Priya Shah, Music Therapist at Journey Home Hospice, Fudger House, and the Music Therapy Centre; Dr. Corene Hurt-Thaut, Assistant Professor of Music and Health Sciences at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and Program Director of the Academy of Neurological Music Therapy; and Bernice Chu, Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow in the United Kingdom at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. In addition to our guests' insights, they also shared musical snippets of their work with their clients, which may tug at your heart strings and inspire. You'll want to stay tuned to the very end! We hope this episode opens your ears and heart to the role of music in health and wellbeing, and inspires you to listen and explore the power of music. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Stephanie Nishi
Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO) The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy UHN Music Therapy Inpatient Resource Certification Board for Music Therapists Canadian Association of Music Therapists Music Heals
While humans have struggled for millennia with the spread of contagious diseases, rapid global movement of people and food now magnifies the risks of outbreaks, requiring better monitoring and faster response than ever before. Completely by coincidence, during the making of this episode, the 2019 novel coronavirus spread from Wuhan to the rest of Asia, Europe, and North America. The World Health Organization has officially upgraded this outbreak to the status of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). While many infectious disease specialists were busy dealing with this outbreak, we were fortunate to speak with several key experts about outbreak science, monitoring, response, and prediction. First, we spoke with Dr. Kamran Khan, a physician, academic, and scientist at St. Micheal's Hospital and University of Toronto. Dr. Khan is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He also founded BlueDot, a company specializing in machine learning models to predict the timing and trajectory of infectious disease outbreaks. We also spoke with Dr. Ross Upshur, a professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Upshur is a specialist in public health medicine, and Head of the Clinical Public Health Division at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Join us as we discuss the pressing issues of outbreaks, and track one in real time, on this week's episode of Raw Talk.
Written by: Amber-Anne Mullin
JHU COVID-19 Dashboard BlueDot Naming New Viruses: Something Catchy? History of Outbreaks in Canada Public Health Agency of Canada CDC Outbreak Monitoring WHO Disease Outbreaks Monitoring WHO Handbook on Epidemics Dr Margaret Chan speaks at the 70th World Health Assembly MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Against Malaria Foundation Evidence Actions's Deworm the World
Our genetic information makes us who we are. "Hacking" into such an essential part of nature used to be something that happened only in science fiction. However, technology and scientific knowledge are evolving rapidly and "bio-hacking" has gone from sci-fi to reality. In fact, scientists and doctors around the world are conducting studies to see whether genetic engineering techniques could be used as interventions for various diseases like sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. On this week's episode, we explore what our future could look like if we start to modulate our own biology at the genetic level. Dr. Josiah Zayner, CEO of the ODIN and promoter of DIY biology, shared his passion for hands-on science, learning from self-experimentation and genetic engineering in his own home. The techniques and the potential of genetic engineering were further explained by Andrew Hessel, a "genomic futurist" and co-lead of the Genome Project-Write. We also spoke with Dr. Michael Szego, Clinical Ethicist and Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, to weigh in on the role of ethics in genetic engineering. Finally, our team reflected on how we envision "biohacking" in the future. Are you ready to biohack yourself? Tune in to find out!
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Raw Talk Listener Survey! Open Insulin NEO.LIFE: Online Magazine Josiah Zayner: STAT News Op-Ed The Odin Andrew Hessel's Website New York Times Op-doc: "Gut Hack" Genome Project-Write Humane Genomics Dr. Michael Szego Article: Gene therapy clinical trials worldwide to 2017: An update Article: CRISPR'd babies: human germline genome editing in the 'He Jiankui affair' Article: Where will we draw the line? Public opinions of human gene editing
Climate change has been called the defining issue of our time. Its scope, complexity, and impact pose an enormous challenge to humanity. Political, economic, ecological, agricultural, and health systems are already being affected in unprecedented ways. In this episode, we sat down with climate experts and activists to discuss these issues. First, we heard from George Kourounis, renowned global adventurer, storm chaser, and host of Angry Planet, who clarified the difference between climate and weather, and described the impacts of climate change we're already feeling. Next, we listened in on a talk by Gideon Forman, a Policy Analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation and former Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). He discussed the magnitude of climate change in the context of health. Dr. Chung-Wai Chow, a lung transplant physician and leading research scientist at the University Health Network, whom we heard from in episode 38, elaborated on the effects of wildfires and pollution on respiratory health, based on her research in Fort McMurray. You'll also hear from Dr. Edward Xie and learn more about how other vulnerable populations are being impacted by climate change, from Indigenous communities in Canada to climate refugees across the globe. Dr Xie helped us understand how increased flooding, droughts, and spread of infectious diseases are further stressing fragile health systems based on his work as an emergency and family physician at the University of Toronto and board member of CAPE. While the situation is serious, there's much we can do to help fight climate change, from personal lifestyle changes to community activism to international accountability. Along with our other guests, Carol Devine, Humanitarian Advisor for Doctors Without Borders and Community Scholar in the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University, shared her insights and recommendations on how we can tackle the climate challenge together.
Written by: Stephanie Nishi
Raw Talk Listener Survey! TEA: Toronto Environmental Alliance CAPE: Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment CAPE Toolkit for Health Professionals David Suzuki Foundation Angry Planet, with George Kourounis A crisis in the making: MSF and the global health impact of climate change (Article) Lancet Climate Change Countdown 2019 Report Meatless Mondays Climate-induced migration and displacement: closing the policy gap The UN Refugee Agency: The 1951 Convention
What does it mean to lead a meaningful life? How do we find meaning in a modern context? Are we in the midst of a "meaning crisis"? Answering such profound questions is no easy task, but in this episode, we speak to several guests who are diving into the deep end and trying to do just that. First, we speak with Dr. Fabienne Picard, a neurologist at the University Hospital of Geneva, about using ecstatic seizures to scientifically study the feeling of meaning and what occurs physiologically during these moments. Then, we hear Dr. Tayyab Rashid, a clinical psychologist at the Health and Wellness Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough, discuss how he uses positive psychology in his clinical practice to help people achieve a sense of well-being. Finally, we sat down with Dr. John Vervaeke, an associate professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto, to hear all about zombies, the "meaning crisis", and to get a more philosophical perspective on meaning and how to live a more meaningful life. So join us as we tackle these profound questions, and explore the science, psychology, and the philosophy of meaning and wellbeing. And hopefully you find something meaningful in our exploration!
Written by: Amber-Anne Mullin
Consciousness and Wisdom Lab Dr Tayyab Rashid's Website Awakening from the Meaning Crisis YouTube Series
Children have historically been excluded from medical research studies and clinical trials in order to protect them. While this exclusion is well intentioned, we need pediatric research to answer important clinical questions and improve clinical care for this patient population. On this episode of Raw Talk, we explored the nuances of pediatric health research and clinical practice. Our conversation started with Dr. Elizabeth Stephenson, Staff Cardiologist, researcher, and Chair of the Research Ethics Board at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), who shares why it's so important to include vulnerable populations, like children, in research and the ethical considerations that make this possible. Dr. Stephenson also discussed concepts including capacity, consent vs assent, and risk vs benefit in the pediatric setting. We also spoke with Nurse Practitioner Tara McKeown and Clinical Research Nurse Andrea Cote about their exciting and challenging roles in the New Agent and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) program, conducting early phase clinical trials at SickKids. Finally, Dr. Paul Nathan, Director of the AfterCare childhood cancer survivorship program at SickKids, shares how clinical care differs in childhood vs adult cancer survivors, the concept of "shared care" in this field, and both he and Dr. Stephenson discuss the importance of including children and adolescents in conversations about their health.
Written by: Melissa Galati
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario All Ontario AfterCare Programs - POGO SickKids AfterCare Program New Agent and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) Program Children's Oncology Group (COG) Ronald McDonald House Toronto
Homelessness remains a persistent, societal and human rights issue that affects over 250,000 Canadians. The challenges go beyond just finding a place to live – those who are homeless or vulnerably housed have higher incidences of chronic mental and physical health problems and often face stigma while navigating the healthcare system. On this episode, we heard from different voices at the intersection of homelessness and health. We started our conversation with Linda Bingham from Working for Change, who shared her lived experience with homelessness and addiction and how she has now found her voice to tell her story for the very first time. We also spoke to Daniela Mergarten, who told us about her struggles to find stable housing, her experiences with the healthcare system, and her advocacy work with the Lived Experience Caucus of the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness. Dr. Alissa Tedesco, a physician in the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) program and co-chair of Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP) Ontario, told us about the work being done on the frontline to address the healthcare needs of people who are homeless as well as some of the shortcomings of our healthcare and social service systems. Finally, Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos, a clinician-scientist and physician in chief at CAMH, told us about her work looking at the effectiveness of a Housing First approach to improve housing stability and health outcomes amongst people experiencing homelessness.
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
Linda Bingham's full interview Daniela Mergarten's full interview Voices on the Street, Working for Change Dr. Naheed Dosani TedX Talk Daniela's CBC article on losing home on Dovercourt PEACH Website Journey Home Hospice Paper by Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos: Key Ingredients of a Cross-Section Partnership Extension of At Home/Chez Soi Study by Vicky Stergiopoulos Upstream Lab Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP) A Housing First Success Story Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness Street Health Report Card Too Little Too Late: How we fail vulnerable Canadians as they die and what to do about it
Humans have been captivated by the power of psychedelics for millennia. Traditionally, natural psychedelics have been used in religious rituals to communicate with gods or in warfare to take courage. More casual use of synthetic psychedelics like LSD and DMT is often depicted in movies and songs as surreal and stimulating events. Despite being highly regulated and poorly studied, people continue to use psychedelics for the unique and impactful experiences. In today's episode, we want to learn what science says about these magic drugs. Dr. Edward Shorter, Professor of History of Medicine and an author of many books on medical drugs, talked to us about how psychedelics were discovered. We also spoke to scientists who explore the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics. Dr. Fred Barrett, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, gave us an overview of current understanding of psychedelics on brain function. Dr. Norm Farb, Professor of Psychology at University of Toronto Mississauga, explained to us his upcoming trial on psychedelic microdosing. Finally, one of our hosts Amber Mullin shared with us her personal experiences with and perspectives on psychedelics. Tune in to find out what psychedelics have to offer.
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Frederick Barrett Homepage Norman Farb Homepage Edward Shorter's Website Soma Elixir: Nectar of the Gods (Article) Tripping through Time: The Fascinating History of the Magic Mushroom (Article) Ayahuasca: Shamanism Shared Across Cultures (Article) Peyote Website
Fifty years after humans first set foot on the Moon, we're on the verge of a new era in space exploration. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA have upcoming plans to go back to the Moon and even the private sector is in on the action, with SpaceX aspiring to send a crew to Mars by 2024. Space exploration is exciting, but we are far from understanding all the effects of space travel on the human body. In today's episode, we spoke to Dr. Shane Journeay, a physician specializing in physical and rehabilitation medicine. He told us about the requirements for becoming an astronaut, the physical toll of space travel, and the rehabilitation required after returning to Earth. We also spoke to former CSA astronaut and physician Dr. Dave Williams, who told us all about his experience on the International Space Station - from eating and sleeping to running experiments in outer space. Scientists Dr. Laurence Harris and Marieke de Korte told us about the space health research they're involved with, and Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO of Hexoskin, told us about Astroskin, an intelligent textile that continuously monitors the vital signs of astronauts. You don't want to miss out on this stellar episode!
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
Astronaut Dave Williams' book Defying Limits NASA Twin Study Vection Project Immuno Profile: Staying Healthy in Space Canadian Space Agency: Life in Space
On October 21, we will be voting in an important federal election that will determine the next 4 years of Canadians' lives. While voters have many concerns they want addressed, one topic that does not often get the spotlight is science. In this week's episode, we turned to leading Canadian science advocates for advice on how we can speak up for science. Dr. David Naylor, former President of the University of Toronto and chair of the recent Fundamental Science Review (throwback to episode 65), spoke to us about the importance of fostering a science culture and the misuse of science by politicians. Dr. Molly Shoichet, University Professor at U of T and former Ontario Chief Scientist, shared with us her views on the politicization of science, the vitality of science evidence in providing policy solutions for the future, and the inclusion of scientists into the decision-making process. You'll also hear from Dr. Imogen Coe, Founding Dean of Science and Professor at Ryerson University, as well as a champion for equity, diversity and, inclusion programs in Canada. She further illustrated the importance of active science communication to improve contributions to science. We spoke to Farah Qaiser, President of the science advocacy organization Toronto Science Policy Network and Graduate Student at U of T, who provided us with a student's perspective on these vital issues in addition to discussing the ongoing Vote Science campaign - a great and easy way for everyone and anyone to get involved in the world of science policy. Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Amanda Veri, a Research associate at U of T shared her inspiring example of science advocacy we hope will light a fire in you as we approach election day.
Written by: Frank Telfer and Tsukiko Miyata
Vote Science Toronto Science Policy Network Evidence4democracy Canadian Science Policy Conference Science Outside the Lab North Canada's Fundamental Science Review Political Party Platforms
On this episode, we explore the life cycle of research: from seeking funding to sharing findings that inspire. Grace spoke to Dr. David Naylor about science culture in Canada and the Fundamental Science Review panel that he chaired. This review reported on the science funding ecosystem in Canada and was key to Federal research budget increases in 2018. Stephania also sat down with Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and former President of the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR). He shared what makes a grant application great and more likely to be awarded funds, as well as the collaborative research that CIFAR is leading. We also spoke with Dr. Orli Bahcall, a Senior Editor at Nature, who gave us her perspective on publishing, the value of preprints, and impact factor as a measure of publication success. Finally, we dived into what we can do to advocate for more research funding and engage with the public about science. From inspirational ideas to a published article, the research process is an extensive and expensive one.
Written by: Zeynep Kahramanoglu
Dr. Ben Mudrak on Preprints CIFAR Fundamental Science Review The Impact Factor Guide to Scholarly Metrics Illinois Library: Scholarly Metrics CIHR Grants and Award Expenditures CIHR In Numbers
Food is a part of our everyday lives and is essential for us to survive and thrive. For many of us, food is also a source of joy. We share stories, make memories, and plan our lives around meals. Photos and smells of food often bring nostalgic memories to mind and a smile to our faces. But what happens when your relationship with food impacts your life negatively? On this week's episode, we aimed to gain a greater perspective on Eating Disorders with the help of several guests. Tracie Burke and Holly Dickinson are two Registered Dietitians working with the Eating Disorders Program at Toronto General Hospital, who guide us through the steps their patients take in the program. You'll also hear from Candice Richardson who shares her lived experience with eating disorders. Candice and her colleague Ary Maharaj also work with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), conducting outreach and providing support to and information for patients and their families. Finally, we dive into the latest research on eating disorders with Dr. Allan Kaplan, Senior Scientist and Psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health who investigates the psychobiological factors of Eating Disorders and Shauna Solomon-Krakus, a PhD Candidate whose thesis focuses on the relationship between personality, emotions, and eating disorders. Tune in to hear our guests debunk myths and common misconceptions surrounding eating disorders and shed light on these poorly studied diseases.
Written by: Tsukiko Miyata
Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health The Eating Disorders Program at UHN The National Eating Disorder Information Centre Dr. Allan Kaplan's Website Article: Maladaptive perfectionism in eating disorders Article: Disordered eating and fitspiration on Instagram Article: High vs low calorie foods: food preference in anorexia nervosa Article: Genetics suggest metabo-psychiatric origins for anorexia nervosa
Where do you see medicine in 20 years? Does it involve Artificial Intelligence? We think it does, which is why this summer we hosted our second annual live event entitled Medicine Meets Machine: The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare! This episode is all about the future and ethical considerations of AI in medicine. Our panelists come from diverse backgrounds and share their unique opinions on what should be feared and what the public has wrong about AI. We will hear from Alison Paprica, Christopher Hammill, Sunit Das as well as moderator Allan Miranda about the path we must take to ensure a productive future with AI.
Written by: Nazanin Ijad
Raw Talk recently hosted their second annual live event, entitled Medicine Meets Machine: The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare. Today's episode with Grace and Stephania shares the discussion from our first panel of experts focusing on current applications and limitations of AI in medicine. Our speakers share perspectives from healthcare, academia, industry, and policy development. You'll hear from Dr. Oren Kraus, Dr. Jason Lerch, Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi and Dr. Joanna Yu, as well as moderator Dr. Shreejoy Tripathy about the realities of AI and the challenges involved, as well as the implications of AI for their own work.
Written by: Grace Jacobs
Within the last couple of years, the concept of "fake news" has generated much interest in mainstream media. Currently, our generation has access to more information than at any other time in human history. But what are we doing to stay critical of all the information we receive? How do we separate the fact from the fiction? On today's episode, our team explores the state of science literacy, current initiatives aimed at improving science literacy, and how medical practice has changed in this "information" era. Melissa and Anton took it to the streets of Toronto to get a sense of where the general public gets their science information and how they decide whether to believe what they hear. Next, Richie spoke with Dr. Vince Stendardo, a family doctor in Toronto, about how the abundance of information available to patients online has changed his practice. Melissa also spoke with Jesse Hildebrand, a University of Toronto alum and founder of Science Literacy Week, to discuss his work with science promotion and outreach. Lastly, Amber sat down with Dr. Roger Riendeau, professor in the writing and rhetoric program at the University of Toronto, to talk about the illusions and reality of evidence, and how people process evidence in order to reach conclusions. So before you fall prey to the next big "fake news" story, tune in to find out how you can be more science literate. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Anton Rogachov
Canada Most Science Literate Country in the World (CBC Article) Science Literacy Week Roger Reindeau's Teaching and Writing Site
Crime shows are ubiquitous these days. A common theme in the genre is violence committed by individuals who are mentally ill. These events are oftentimes sensationalized, drawing attention to the nature of the crime, and blurring the circumstances and neurobiology that played a role in setting the stage. Today's episode explores the intersection of violence and mental illness, and among other things, talks about how crime in this context could be interpreted as a symptom of inadequate care. To start, we sat down with Dr. Hy Bloom, a forensic psychiatrist and lawyer, and part-time staff member in the Complex Mental Illness/Forensic Services Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). With one foot in the medical world, and another in the legal realm, he talked about the legal nuances of forensic psychiatry. Next was Dr. Sandy Simpson, a clinician-scientist and the Chief of Forensic Psychiatry at CAMH. Dr. Simpson talked about his international research in the field, and emphasized the need for more community-based services. Finally, Dr. James Cantor, a clinical psychologist and Director of the Toronto Sexuality Centre, spoke to us about his practice and research in the field of pedophilia and paraphilias. Tune in for an episode as riveting as any true crime story you have listened to. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
Dr. Hy Bloom's Workplace.Calm Dr. Bloom's Department of Psychiatry profile Dr. Bloom's Faculty of Law profile Dr. James Cantor's website Toronto Sexuality Centre (Article) White Matter Deficiency in Men who are Pedocphilic. By Dr. Cantor (Documentary) I, Pedophile
Have you ever had a bad reaction to a medication? Or realized that it just wasn't helping at all? The way someone responds to a particular drug - how effective it is and whether they experience any side effects - can vary greatly between individuals, and it's becoming apparent that a personalized approach is needed when treating many conditions. This is especially true for several psychiatric conditions, where finding the right medication for someone has relied heavily on trial and error. In this episode, we talked to Dr. James Kennedy and Dr. Daniel Mueller, clinician scientists at CAMH and co-principal investigators of the IMPACT study, which aims to personalize the treatment of several psychiatric conditions. Catherine Virelli, a student in the Translational Research Program working with Dr. Kennedy, told us about the steps and challenges involved with bringing predictive tools produced by programs like IMPACT into clinical use. We also sat down with Dr. Christine Bear, senior scientist at Sick Kids and director of CFIT - the Program for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Therapy. She told us about why an individualized approach is necessary for treating CF and how the CFIT program can be useful for discovering new personalized therapies for patients.
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
The IMPACT Study Dr. Daniel Mueller's Pharmacogenetics Research Clinic SickKids Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Page MJ (A CF patient) visits Dr. Christine Bear's lab CFIT Register for our Live Podcast Event!
Aging is a biological process that acts on all of us, from the day we're born until the day we die. And for many people, it is a cause for concern. In fact, some scientists believe aging should be classified as a disease. Memory loss, aches and pains, wrinkles, loneliness - there are a lot of reasons for why one might fear getting old. On this episode of Raw Talk, we talk to memory expert Dr. Morris Moscovitch to unpack how and why our memory suffers as we age and discuss the ways in which memory loss can be delayed. Richie explains some of the molecular mechanisms surrounding aging. Finally, we spoke with Dr. Esme Fuller-Thomson, who shares why we may not need to be as worried about our aging population as we thought. She also voices her thoughts on creative considerations to improve healthcare for older adults as well as how to make our cities more age-friendly. Written by: Melissa Galati
Written by: Melissa Galati
In the past, the term autism was used to describe the symptoms of schizophrenia and was (incorrectly!) thought to have been caused by apathetic "refrigerator mothers". Today, we use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe developmental conditions that affect the communication and behaviour of individuals, with a wide range of symptoms and severities. Clearly, ASD is a complex condition and our understanding of it is constantly evolving. In this episode, you'll hear from two clinician-scientists at CAMH, Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai and Dr. Stephanie Ameis, who cover all the basics on ASD, and some newer research topics like sex and gender differences in autism. Dr. Stephen Scherer, a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children, told us about his work on MSSNG, an exciting collaboration with Google and Autism Speaks, to uncover the genetic basis of ASD. You'll also hear from Connie Putterman, telling the story of her son's ASD diagnosis and how she came to be an advocate for autism research, as well as Rouya Botlani, who shares what she's learned through her work with students who have autism, at U of T Accessibility Services.
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
MSSNG POND Network Connie Putterman's The Parent Link Connie Putterman's TedX Talk
Step 1, wash face. Step 2, tone. Step 3, apply serum. Step 4, hydrate. Sound familiar? Most of us have a facial routine that looks something like this. While the amount of steps may differ, most would agree that they follow a variation of the above regime. Today's episode questions where this and other daily hygiene/cleanliness routines come from, and explores the unique intersection at which dermatology lies - between medicine, and beauty. We talked to two dermatologists, medical professionals that specialize in the domain of skin, hair and nails for this purpose. Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, Founder of the Bay Dermatology Centre and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, told us about her new book Beyond Soap, exploring our culture's hygiene practices, and enlightening us on the sinister side of soap. Dr. Julia Carroll, Ontario Regional Director of the Canadian Dermatology Association, discussed the complex interplay between dermatological conditions and cosmetics, and how these things are hard to untangle. To wrap up, we asked the question we know you are perhaps most interested in: what are the most essential products for healthy and well-balanced skin? Tune in to find out! Until next time, keep it hygienic - not clean!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
Dr. Sandy Skotnicki's Website Beyond Soap by Dr. Sandy Skotnicki and Christopher Shulgan Dr. Skotnicki's Clinic The Product Elimination Diet Dr. Carroll's Clinic The Canadian Dermatology Association CDA Recommended Skincare Product List
What's the science behind the new and improved Canada Food Guide? Is the hype surrounding the keto diet and intermittent fasting supported by evidence? Can your genetic code tell you what diet is best for you? In this installment of Raw Talk, you'll find out! Dr. Carol Loffelmann shares how she leveraged her scientific and medical expertise as an anesthesiologist and Assistant Professor at U of T on her journey to becoming an advocate for evidence-based nutritional guidelines and the health benefits of a low-carb, high-fat diet. Expanding on this, you'll hear about the glycemic index from the man who created it, Dr. David Jenkins, a Scientist at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. Dr. Hoon-Ki Sung, Scientist at Sick Kids Hospital, also takes us through how intermittent fasting actually works and what happens in our fat cells. To learn about the future of food, we spoke with Dr. Daiva Nielsen, Assistant Professor at McGill University, about nutrigenomics and how genetic variation affects individuals' response to diet. Finally, we chowed down on the Beyond Meat Burger, made with 100% plant-based protein, with MD/PhD candidate Amy Khan. Your hunger for nutritional knowledge will be satisfied after this one!
Written by: James Saravanamuttu
Canada Food Guide Food Guides From Around the World Canadian Clinicians for Therapeutic Nutrition Dr. Jenkins' Top 10 Healthiest Foods Science of the Impossible Burger MacLean's Less Meat, More Choice Ultimate Veggie Burger Taste Test
Think back to your first sexual education experience. What did you learn? Who taught you? How has your understanding of sex, sexuality, and gender changed as you got older? In this episode of Raw Talk, we explored these questions and more. Toronto District School Board teacher, Laura Brown, shared her thoughts on changes to the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum. AIDS Committee Toronto worker, Alex Urquhart discusses PrEP as a revolutionary medication in the gay community. We also had some fun with Dr. Jessica Maxwell chatting about her PhD and current postdoctoral work on relationships and how to boost sexual well-being and satisfaction. Finally, we brought back Dr. Gillian Einstein, who walks us through the biology and neuroscience behind sexual differentiation, and what science says about both sex and sexuality existing on spectrums.
Written by: Melissa Galati
Episode #31: Sex, Gender and the Brain University of Toronto Sexual Education Centre Walt Disney - The Story of Menstruation (1946) Ontario's Health and Physical Education Curriculum (2015) Ontario's Health and Physical Education Curriculum (1998) Testosterone Rex by Cordelia Fine Closer by Sarah Barmak AIDS Committee Toronto The Lived Experience of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in Somali-Canadian Women's Daily Lives (article) Sex Beyond the Genitalia: the human brain mosaic (article) Male or Female? Brains are Intersex (article)
Everyone has their own perspective through which they view the world. But an integral part of science is questioning - questioning our assumptions and reflecting on how they may be impacted by the academic and medical systems within which we find ourselves. With this episode, we aim to do just that by learning about a different approach to health and wellness, one rooted in Indigenous knowledge. We spoke with Lee Maracle, Traditional Teacher at First Nations House about Indigenous perspectives on health. Next, Julie Bull, Research Methods Specialist at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Dr. Michael Anderson, physician and researcher at the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, and Dr. Raglan Maddox, post-doctoral fellow and researcher at the Well Living House, all shared their experiences in conducting research in partnership with Indigenous communities. Finally, Drs. Lisa Richardson and Jason Pennington talk about their efforts as curricular co-leads of Indigenous Health Education in the Faculty of Medicine to improve Indigenous health education for the next generation of clinicians. We hope this episode prompts you to appreciate the multitude of ways of knowing the world and inspires you to disrupt cultures that do not allow for these ways to co-exist. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Ekaterina An
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program by the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report Workshops and Courses through the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres First Nations House, University of Toronto Cancer Care Ontario Cultural Safety Courses Julie Bull's full spoken word poem, "Collective Responsibility"
There is no shortage of phrases related to time - and for good reason! Nearly all biological processes have evolved to follow a day-night cycle every 24 hours. In our fifty-second episode, Max and Richie talk all things circadian rhythm, and discuss how this phenomenon can also impact day-to-day things like wellbeing, illness and even jet-lag. To supplement their discussion, Richie sits down with U of T Professor and circadian expert, Dr. Martin Ralph, who sheds light on how these cycles are intimately-linked to just about every complex disease you can name, and provides some much-needed advice to keep our internal clocks synchronized. Although the exact mechanisms of circadian control are still a topic of active research (not to mention the highlight of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Medicine), this is an episode to stay awake for... unless it's past your bedtime. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Richie Jeremian
Open any newspaper and you'll stumble across an article on the opioid crisis. While some mention illicit fentanyl, other pieces talk about doctor-prescribed substances. What is actually going on? On this episode we'll be exploring the basics of this multi-faceted topic: how did this crisis start, and why? To answer this question, we spoke to a variety of stakeholders and did some sleuthing of our own. You'll be hearing from two clinician scientists, both experts in pain management and research: Drs. Andrea Furlan and Hance Clarke. Together, they provided us a historical perspective on the crisis, and its current transcendence beyond the prescription pad. Matt Johnson, a harm reduction coordinator at Queen West Community Health Centre, shared his frontline perspective on the crisis. Finally, we had the opportunity to talk to City Councillor Joe Mihevc, the Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, the body that recently called upon the federal government to decriminalize all drugs. As they are in society, the perspectives we gathered here are diverse, yet telling of the complexity of this issue. We wrapped up the show with ideas on what needs to happen next, and hopes for the future. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
Dr. Andrea Furlan's profile Dr. Hance Clarke's profile City Councillor Joe Mihevc's website Toronto Harm Reduction Alliance Harm reduction at Queen West Community Health Centre Toronto Overdose Prevention Society's Go Fund Me page CAMH's fact sheet on street fentanyl Ontario's new Consumption and Treatment Services model Toronto Overdose Prevention Society's response to Ontario's new Consumption and Treatment Services model Globe and Mail article on Toronto Board of Health's call for decriminalization of all drugs
Is it possible to move a wheelchair simply by thinking about it? Surprisingly, the answer is yes! Medical devices, such as brain-computer interfaces and insulin pumps, have dramatically changed the landscape of the medical field. They have enabled clinicians and patients to manage a range of diseases which were impossible to cope with or cure prior to the invention of these devices. Tune in to this week's episode as we sit down with Dr. David Urbach, Surgeon-in-Chief at the Women's College Hospital, to discuss the invention, regulation of, and controversy surrounding medical devices. We also spoke to two students - George Hanna, a Master of Applied Science and Engineering student at the Holland Bloorview Research Institute, and Amy Khan, an MD/PhD student at U of T - who are in the process of designing novel devices to help mobilize people with disabilities and make laparoscopic surgery safer, respectively. Lastly, we reached out to two patients - Doug Oliver (and his wife Diane), whose life was transformed by deep brain stimulation, as well as Lindsay Oliver, whose insulin pump is a fundamental part of her daily life. Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Aditi Desai
The day has arrived. After being prohibited in Canada for over 90 years, cannabis has been legalized for recreational use across the country. Just about everybody has an opinion on cannabis legalization. Throughout this episode, you'll hear from people around downtown Toronto, sharing their views on legalization and some interesting personal experiences. There are also many misconceptions out there. We sat down with some researchers who study cannabis at the University of Toronto to learn about the science behind cannabis. The conversation starts with Lauren DeFreitas, a graduate student at CAMH whose research focuses on the THC and CBD content of different products and how these active chemical compounds in cannabis impact health outcomes. Dr. Ruth Ross is a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto. She talks about how THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system at the molecular level, and the potential to target this complex system for therapeutic purposes. Karolina Kozak is a PhD candidate from Dr. Tony George's lab at CAMH. Her work focuses on cannabis use disorder in schizophrenia and she tells us about what exactly happens with the brain in addiction. We also delve into some of the societal impacts of cannabis legalization in this episode. We talked to Dr. Pat Erickson, a professor emerita at the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto. Her work looked at some of the personal and societal impacts of criminalization. We'll hear from her about the normalization of cannabis use over time, and the importance of having engaging and accurate educational material, especially for youth, now that it has been legalized. Sudha Sabanadesan is a policy development officer at Toronto Public Health. She tells us about some of the concerns they have going forward, including cannabis use by adolescents and driving while impaired, and the public health perspective on harm reduction. There's a lot to learn about cannabis legalization and this episode is a great place to start! If you haven't already, let us know what you think of the show! It's an important way for us to create the content you want to hear. Please complete this survey (https://rawtalkpodcast.typeform.com/to/PH50b2?name=RawTalk&source=Shownotes) - it'll only take you 5 minutes!
Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar
Inflammation, the gut, microbes, cortisol, and sore joints... what do these things have in common? Tune in to this week's episode as we explore what it's like living with an autoimmune condition. You'll hear the perspectives of four individuals - Vanessa, Bonnie, Yohanna, and Megan - as they reflect on their journeys to receiving their diagnoses. They share their thoughts on navigating the Canadian Healthcare System and give advice for those newly diagnosed. You'll also hear from Dr. Kenneth Croitoru - gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and Professor in the Department of Immunology at U of T - as well as Dr. Jayne Danska - Senior Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Professor in Medical Biophysics and Immunology at U of T - who breakdown autoimmunity, debunk some common myths associated with autoimmune diseases, and discuss some of their exciting work in identifying factors causing susceptibility to Crohn's and Type I Diabetes respectively. Until next time, #KeepItRaw!
Written by: Aditi Desai
University of Toronto Sports Medicine Clinic University Health Network Arthritis Program Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Danska Lab Article: Host lifestyle affects human microbiota on daily timescales Crohn's and Colitis Canada The GEM Project Croitoru Lab
One in four people will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. This is particularly true among graduate students, who recent studies suggest, are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety. In this episode, you'll hear the voices of a group of graduate students across Toronto as they share their stories and struggles with mental illness. Alongside each story, you'll hear about the resources and coping strategies that allowed them to better manage their mental health. Check out our website for featured guest names and all the great resources they share in the episode!
Written by: Melissa Galati and Vanessa Cservid
Event: The Art of Mindfulness @ RYU Apparel Janine: Student Health & Wellness Centre Website Janine: "How are you feeling today?" Mental Health Resources Directory Jacalyn: Grad Minds Jacalyn: Elemental Magazine Jacalyn: Counselling at OISE Jacalyn: CBT workshops Anjali: Toronto Distress Centre Geith: Health & Wellness Appointment Booking Website Geith: UofT Gyms Geith: Fitness Classes Alena: Hard Feelings Counselling Lisa: Good2Talk Helpline Lisa: BetterHelp Jarrett: "I Don't Want to Talk About It": Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression (Book) Liam: Safetalk Training Conflict Resolution Centre Conflict Resolution Centre Workshops Denise: Mental Health Commision of Canada Website Denise: Mental Health First Aid Training Courses in Toronto Directory of Services for Graduate Students
We're back! Join Mel & Grace for a quick reflection of some season 2 highlights and a preview of the upcoming season 3 of Raw Talk. What's in store? We'll discuss emerging medical devices, the legalization of marijuana in Canada, indigenous health, and to start us off - graduate student mental health. These topics, plus many more as we dive into sharing the diverse stories and perspectives behind medical science issues and discoveries. See you in a couple of weeks... and until then, keep it raw!
Written by: Grace Jacobs and Melissa Galati
For our season finale, we pick up from last episode to bring you the second instalment of our Raw Talk Live event, a panel discussion focusing on new methods of science communication. Our panelists provide their unique perspectives on how we can (and why we should!) use new media and technologies to make science more accessible to the public. You'll hear from Dr. Vicky Forster, a Postdoc at SickKids Hospital and Science Communicator; Kevin Millar, Senior VP of Creative and Medical Science at INVIVO Communications; Elah Feder, Co-Host and Producer of the Undiscovered Podcast; Helen Kontozopoulos, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab, University of Toronto; and our moderator, Eryn Tong, Raw Talk Podcaster and MSc Candidate. To reflect further on the rich discussion and insights from the panel, you'll hear from Richie and Eryn throughout this episode as well. We'll be back shortly for the debut of Season 3, but until then, keep it raw!
Written by: Eryn Tong
August is flashback month, as we move back in time to present you recordings from the event we hosted back in May, Raw Talk Live. This week's instalment presents the first of two panel discussions, and explores public engagement in science. We hear from an array of speakers, diving into the personal and the political dimensions of this theme. Joining us is Dr. Mehrdad Hariri, CEO and Founder of the Canadian Science Policy Centre; Doina Oncel, the CEO and Founder of hEr VOLUTION; Dan Weaver, PhD Candidate at the Department of Physics, University of Toronto; Connie Putterman, a long-time parent advocate in the autism research world, and now a Masters candidate in the Translational Research Program, University of Toronto; and our moderator Tetyana Pekar, Founder and Academic Editor at Pekar Editing. Of course, you will also be hearing from your trusty hosts Jabir and Alex, as they reflect on the discussion, and the experience of organizing a live-podcasting event. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
Did you know that nearly 500 million people globally suffer from some form of irreversible kidney-related disease? These individuals may wait years before receiving a transplant! In this installment of Raw Talk, Dr. Lisa Robinson, Paediatric Nephrologist and Senior Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children chats with Melissa about the forefront of kidney disease research. James and Anton also pay a visit to Dr. Markus Selzner, transplant surgeon and collaborator of Dr. Robinson's, to learn about new breakthroughs in kidney transplantation. Moreover, as Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Robinson discusses initiatives currently being implemented to tackle inequality at the University. James and Anton are then fortunate enough to sit down with Anita Balakrishna, Diversity Strategist at the Faculty of Medicine, and delve deeper into the proactive work being done to curb discrimination at different stages of the student experience. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: James Saravanamuttu and Anton Rogachov
Mindfulness is becoming increasingly integrated in mainstream society, but is this new wave of wisdom effective or just the latest trend? How does mindfulness impact our view of ourselves and our view of the world? In this episode, Marija and Grace sit down with Dr. Agnes Wong, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, Ophthalmologist at the Hospital for Sick Children, and recent mindfulness advocate. They delve into the core foundation of mindfulness practice, and its potential for positive and lasting change. Grace then chats with Elli Weisbaum, a long-time mindfulness expert and instructor. Elli discusses the diversity of mindfulness techniques and shares a short practice that you can try yourself! On this special episode we are also running an exciting challenge called "5 for 5". Take 5 minutes of your day to do any form of mindfulness practice for 5 days in a row and share your experience with us on social media by tagging @rawtalkpodcast or using the hashtag #RawTalk5for5. In doing so, you'll be entered to win exciting prizes! Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Marija Zivcevska
Elli's Blog Mindfulness Research Synposium
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating and misunderstood disease that affects 20 million people globally. Raw Talk had the chance to attend a screening of the award-winning documentary, Unrest. Unrest explores the personal journey of Jennifer Brea from ME/CFS patient to advocate to storyteller. Join Grace and Melissa as they reflect on the compelling documentary and share the unique perspectives of the event moderator, Scott Simpson, co-founder of Millions Missing Canada; as well as panelists Dr. Wilfred de Vega, ME/CFS scientist; Larissa Fan and Kirsten Dahlin Nolan, ME/CFS patients and advocates; and Dr. Sarah Selke, physician specializing in ME/CFS. We explored everything from proposed causes of ME/CFS, to diagnostic criteria, to treatments and coping mechanisms. Press play to learn more about the millions that medicine left behind. A big thank-you to Laura Best and SciComm Toronto for bringing this topic to our attention.
Written by: Melissa Galati
Unrest (film) Canadian Consensus Criteria Science for ME MEpedia CFIDS & Fibromyalgia Self-Help ME & CFS Canada Millions Missing Canada Naviaux et al. PNAS, 2016
While cancer is still a scary word, roughly 75% of people diagnosed with cancer will survive long-term. But how are these patients supported in the long term, as they deal with late side effects from their treatments? Join Kat and Melissa as they sit down with Dr. Jennifer Jones, Director of the Cancer Rehabilitation & Survivorship Program and Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, to discuss the importance of caring for patients throughout the entire disease process, how she developed an integrated clinical and research survivorship program, and the 3 focus areas of her research (i.e., descriptive, intervention development, knowledge translation). Eryn chats with Lloyd Davidson, a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, who chronicles his cancer journey and his experience with the survivorship program. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Eryn Tong
The focus in childhood cancer is often solely on treating the disease, but what about the costs - both health and financial - that patients and their families must bear? Join Melissa as she sits down with Dr. Sumit Gupta, Paediatric Oncologist in the Division of Haematology/Oncology at SickKids, Chair of the Unit for Policy and Economics Research in Childhood Cancer (PERCC), Associate Chair of the Lancet Oncology Commission on sustainable pediatric cancer care and a member of the Children's Oncology Group acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) committee, to talk about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and its treatment, and his work on building an investment case for childhood cancer treatment in low and middle-income countries. Dr. Vicky Forster, a cancer researcher and survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chats with Kat about her experience as a cancer survivor and the need to involve patients and families in cancer research. Kat also breaks down the cost, and cost effectiveness of running a childhood cancer treatment centre in our Journal Club segment. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Kat An
Living in a dense urban jungle is not without its risks, and cities in Canada are no exception. Toronto is regarded as the most polluted city in Canada, but what could this be attributed to? How do global events shape the quality of the air we breathe? In this episode, Kat sits down with Dr. Chung-Wai Chow, a lung transplant physician and leading researcher at UHN, to discuss the effects of environmental air pollution on respiratory health, techniques to assess pollution levels and Dr. Chow's journey as a clinician scientist. We also hear from Marija and students across campus who delve deeper into perceptions on exposure, ways to increase awareness and how to minimize our ecological footprint. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: By Marija Zivcevska
You've spent your entire life wiring your brain to make you ... you! So, if your brain changes, you change - right? On this episode, Melissa and Swapna chat with Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, a Clinician-Investigator at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at Toronto Western Hospital, to shed light on a form of early onset dementia - frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Dr. Tartaglia is also the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research and she brings to light some common misconceptions about the diagnosis, prevalence, and treatment of concussion. In hopes of understanding how exercise can benefit those with neurodegenerative disease, James sits down with Dennis Hunkin, and learns how he has taken up boxing to fight back in his battle against Parkinson's. Finally, Anton explores a taboo, yet prevalent societal issue of intimate partner violence induced concussions, with leading expert Dr. Eve Valera from Harvard Medical School. Definitely one you won't want to miss! Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Anton Rogachov and James Saravanamuttu
Repairing the damaged brain is the one of the holy grails of neuroscience. On this episode, Grace and Melissa sit down with Dr. Freda Miller, a Senior Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children, who firmly believes that studying the developing brain can give us insights into how to rebuild it in circumstances of damage or degeneration. Dr. Miller is a Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neurobiology, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Research Scholar. She discusses her transition from biochemistry to neuroscience, gives advice to budding scientists, and explains why she engages in science communication. She also talks about how her research has finally led her to several clinical trials in children with brain injury. Our hosts also catch up with Dr. Donald Mabbott, Clinical Psychologist and Neuroscientist, to discuss how some of Dr. Miller's findings with a drug called metformin resulted in a pilot clinical trial for children with acquired brain injury after cancer treatment.
Written by: Melissa Galati
What do comics and medicine have in common? A lot more than you may think! In this episode, Dr. Shelley Wall, Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Communications program, chats with Jabir about the power of the visual narrative, how graphic medicine contributes to the generation of knowledge, and traces her own journey from a PhD in romantic literature to becoming a biomedical communicator. Swapna and Kat visit the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library to sit down with Alexandra Carter, the librarian of the history of science and medicine, to trace the evolution of medical illustration. The gals also chat with Teva Harrison, award-winning writer and visual artist, about her graphic memoir chronicling her experience with being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Written by: Kat An and Swapna Mylabathula
If there's one aspect of your learning you could simulate, what would that be? In this episode, Jabir sits down with Dr. Ryan Brydges, Director of Research at the Allan Waters Family Simulation Centre, and health professions education scientist at the Wilson Centre, to explore how simulation can impact health policy and patient care. Dr. Brydges also talks about his journey into simulation research, the meaning behind health professions education, and what it takes to build a successful research program. Plus, Eryn meets the simulation team at the Alan Waters Family Simulation Centre to debunk common misconceptions, highlight recent case scenarios, and predict the future state of the field. They also surprise Eryn and Jabir with a simulation experience during their visit. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Jabir Mohamed and Eryn Tong
On this episode of Raw Talk, we focus on a topic that affects us so intimately: sleep. Join Jabir as he sits down with sleep physiologist and author, Dr. Richard Horner, to discuss why we and other living things sleep, how the brain changes during sleep, and what makes sleep different from anesthesia. The two also speak in great detail about Dr. Horner's book, The Universal Pastime: Sleep & Rest Explained, and his thoughts on a second project. Finally, Swapna and Anton draw our attention to the consequences of sleep deprivation and the impact of general anesthesia on patients and medical care, with the help U of T students and faculty. Special thanks to Dr. Beverly Orser, a clinician-scientist and long-time collaborator of Dr. Horner, for her valuable insights. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Jabir Mohamed
Although the relief of pain and suffering is inherent in all fields of medicine, there's one specialty in particular where this aspect of care is truly the focus. While you may be unfamiliar with the field of palliative care, which aims to improve quality of life and provide comfort to patients and loved ones, it has made great strides in the last few decades. In this episode, Eryn and Kat sit down with Dr. Camilla Zimmermann, Head of the Division of Palliative Care at the University Health Network. Dr. Zimmermann debunks some of the myths surrounding palliative care and discusses its past and current clinical and research landscape. She also shares her personal training journey and details the recent development of the new Royal College subspecialty training program in palliative medicine. Eryn also met with Dr. Mitali Vatsraj, one of the program's first residents, who shares the story of how she became inspired to work in this field. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Eryn Tong
What do sex and gender have to do with neuroscience? Join Jabir as he sits down with Dr. Gillian Einstein, neuroscientist in the Department of Psychology and the Wilfred and Joyce Posluns Chair of Women's Brain Health and Aging, to find out! Hear about her transition from studying art history to systems neuroscience, how the fields of sex/gender research and neuroscience intersect, the importance of a "situated" approach to neuroscience, and get a taste of the diverse research going on in Dr. Einstein's lab, from exploring sex differences in dementia to untangling the interactions between estrogen, cognition, and aging in women. Tune in to hear about the groundbreaking study that found the link between hormones, brain development, and behaviour, in our "Journal Club" segment. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Kat An
What structure holds the three smallest bones in the body? If you guessed the ears, you're right! Kicking off 2018, the first episode of this year is all about our auditory system, and its influence on brain development. In this episode, Jabir sits down with Dr. Karen Gordon, a scientist, audiologist, and Director of Research in Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory at Sick Kids Hospital. They discuss the different types and causes of hearing loss, the consequences of hearing loss on language and learning and how the brain adapts when hearing is restored. We also hear from Marija, who speaks with Noah, one of Dr. Gordon's patients. Noah shares his incredible story of what every day is like living with two cochlear implants and how devices have changed over the years. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Marija Zivcevska
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, but what makes it so difficult to treat? What is tumor hypoxia and how can it influence biology to drive a poor prognosis? In this episode, Richie sits down with Dr. Brad Wouters, the Executive Vice President of Science and Research at UHN to discuss the vast advancement in the field and the need for collaborative integration between basic and clinical research in order to drive treatment and improve outcomes. In this episode we get to see an interesting perspective from both a researcher and a policy maker. Then we hear from Marija who delves deeper into what personalized medicine is, and how it fits into our current healthcare system. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Marija Zivcevska
Over the past decade, academics and media outlets alike have been telling us that stem cells are going to revolutionize regenerative medicine. But what does this really mean? What are stem cells, how do they work and why have they been generating so much public interest? On this episode, Richie sits down with Dr. Andras Nagy, world-renowned Senior Scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, to discuss his breakthroughs in stem cell research and the ethical challenges facing the field. We also hear from Anton and James, as they break down the history of stem cell research and where we stand today. They also speak on how stem cell hype can be harmful to patients.
Written by: James Saravanamuttu and Anton Rogachov
Throughout their many years of training, medical students will learn everything they need to know to provide adequate medical care. This curriculum includes specialized medical knowledge and skills, but also encompasses all the specific behaviours we consider to be "professional". On this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Shiphra Ginsburg, a clinician-educator at the Wilson Centre for Research in Education. Dr. Ginsburg is a staff respirologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, and Director of both the Eliot Phillipson Clinician-Educator Training Program as well as Education Research and Scholarship in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. On this episode we explore what Dr. Ginsburg refers to as a series of "happy accidents" that led her to study the understanding and assessment of professionalism in medical learners. She subsequently completed her PhD in medical education and discusses how this process led her to focus on the language used by clinical supervisors to assess medical learners in the workplace. You'll also hear James and Eryn chat with one of Dr. Ginsburg's mentees, Dr. Lindsay Melvin, who discusses her work assessing the efficacy and role of podcasts and other technologies in medical education. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Melissa Galati
By the time you are finished reading this, one person somewhere in world will take their own life - suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people, aged 15-29. This week, join Richie as he sits down with Dr. Sakina Rizvi, a neuroscientist in the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg (ASR) Suicide and Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital. In this episode, Dr. Rizvi outlines the complex relationship between suicide and depression, and how her team uses imaging to study brain biomarkers that put some individuals at higher clinical risk. Anton and Kat chat with Robb Johannes, who details his lived experiences with suicide, commitment to social activism, and how the two have shaped his perspective. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Anton Rogachov
Have you ever wondered what mathematical modelling can teach us about how and why HIV and sexually transmitted infections spread in various geographical areas? Or why it's important to engage the public when discussing research priorities? What about the serious implications of stigma and the language associated with it? In this episode of Raw Talk, Alex sits down with infectious disease clinician and scientist, Dr. Sharmistha Mishra to discuss the magic of mathematics, vulnerability and stigma, and what it really means to do community-centered research. We also hear from Steven Tingley, who talks openly with Jabir about living with HIV, managing his health, and trying to break the stigma. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Jabir Mohamed
Many of us have experienced depression or have loved ones who have. Reaching out for help is never easy, and when frontline treatments don't work, the effect on quality of life can be devastating. On this week's episode, Kat sits down with MRI-Guided rTMS Clinic Co-Director Dr. Jonathan Downar from the Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Downar shares his insights on rTMS as an intervention for treatment-resistant depression and other mental illnesses, and discusses recent transformative developments in rTMS procedures that could greatly increase accessibility to those who need it most. Kat and Grace poll the public about their knowledge of alternative treatments for depression and the challenges faced by those who suffer from it. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Grace Jacobs
Hey Raw Talk listeners! The start of October also marks the start of Mental Illness Awareness Week, so we sat down with Dr. Robert Levitan, a clinician-scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. In this episode, Dr. Levitan talks about how his patients inspired him to pursue research on seasonal mood disorders, the role of both genetics and the social environment in causing mood disregulation, and what physicians and researchers can do to battle stigma around mental illness. Tune in to hear from Craig & Kat as they take to the streets of Toronto to find out what people think about the influence of technology on mental health.
Written by: Kat An
Your favourite grad student science podcast is back for a second season! The crew welcomes its newest members, reflects on their journey in bringing the show to existence and the role social media has played in connecting with listeners. We also look ahead to what's in store for the upcoming season, including new topics, new segments and more stories from the biomedical research community at the University of Toronto. The episode concludes with previous guests sharing their feedback and words of wisdom. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Richie Jeremian
For our 21st and final episode of Raw Talk Season 1, we decided to share something a little different with you guys. We've spent the last year talking to incredible scientists here at the University of Toronto; but we usually get them to discuss their research and personal journeys. Today's episode features discussion on an issue that has recently attracted a lot of media attention - namely, the gender and diversity gap in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). The discussion is an excerpt from a panel event called It was never a dress, hosted by several members of the Raw Talk team. You'll hear from several incredible clinicians and scientists at U of T including Dr. Renée Hložek, Dr. Gillian Einstein, Dr. Sharmistha Mishra, Dr. Molly Shoichet (who you may remember from Episode 2 of Raw Talk), and Dr. Kona Williams. We hope you enjoy their stories, candidness, and clear passion for their work. Until next Season, keep it raw!
Written by: Melissa Galati
Keynote by Dr. Renée Hložek
Moving forward with this month's theme of Our PIs, we sit down with behavioural pharmacologist and epilepsy research champion, Dr. McIntyre Burnham. Dr. Burnham is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and currently co-directs a province-wide epilepsy research program called EpLink. In this episode, we explore longevity in science, advances in epilepsy care, and training students as thinkers. We also hear from former student Dr. Melanie Jeffrey in "Patient Perspective", where she opens up about her experience living with epilepsy and journey becoming a scientist. Please enjoy this special conversation with our oldest and kindest guest to date. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Jabir Mohamed
With July finally here, we embrace the warm weather and our new theme for the month, "Our PIs", featuring some of our own supervisors on the podcast. For this episode, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Pang, a Neurophysiologist and Senior Associate Scientist at SickKids. Dr. Pang is a specialist in MEG, a relatively new functional neuroimaging technique, which can record brain activity in real-time. Dr. Pang muses on her research in various developmental populations, and the unique abilities of MEG in enlightening our understanding of brain function. Peppered into the conversation, we have our exhilarating new segment "Meet the Inventor", where we have the honour of talking to Dr. David Cohen, the inventor of MEG. Dr. Cohen takes us back to the late 1960's and early 70's where he stood at the forefront of the field of biomagnetism, bridging the gap between physics and human biological research. Don't miss out on this stellar episode; until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
Even the simplest movements, like picking up your coffee cup, are actually the result of very complex processes and signalling in your nervous system. While we might not put too much thought into the mechanisms that underlie how we move, this week's guest is interested in just that. Dr. Robert Chen, neurologist and scientist, is working to understand how our brain controls our movements, and how this process is impaired in patients with movement disorders, like Parkinson's Disease (PD). Tune in to the second episode under the theme of Neuroimaging to hear all about cutting-edge imaging techniques, learn about the plastic brain, and get a taste of the complexity of movement disorders. In "Ask a Student", we also hear from James Saravanamuttu, a student in Dr. Chen's lab, about his work using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to study PD and get his advice on what students should know before applying to grad school. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Ekaterina An
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Welcome to episode seven of the Raw Talk podcast! We're excited to introduce this month's theme of "IMS Professional Programs" with a special focus on translational research. This week's episode features Mr. Richard Foty, the Network and Community Coordinator of the Translational Research Program (TRP), a new master's degree for health research translators. Rich talks about he got involved in the program, the tools students of the TRP learn to make an impact on the healthcare delivery system, and where he sees himself after the completion of his graduate studies. To top it off, we have some excellent segments in store, including a sit-down with Director Dr. Joseph Ferenbok in "Mentor's Corner" and this week's "Ask A Student" features members of Timely, a student-led initiative out of the TRP. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Alexandra Mogadam
When you're watching a hockey game or even playing sports yourself, do you ever think about concussions? What do athletes or the public think know about concussions? What do our experts at U of T say? In the sixth episode, we continue the theme of "Neurotrauma" with a special focus on sport concussions. Tune in as we hear Jabir & Richie interview Dr. Andrew Baker, Hillary ask U of T-ers what they know about concussions, and Dr. Michael Hutchison of U of T's Concussion Program emphasize what we need to be cautious about when dealing with a potential concussion on our new segment, Life Supply. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Hillary Chan
Welcome to the fifth episode of the Raw Talk Podcast! We are excited to reveal this month's theme: "Neurotrauma". In our first instalment, surgeon-scientist Dr. Michael Fehlings joins us to speak about his early training, translatable research focus, and his experience as one of the Institute of Medical Sciences' first MSc-to-PhD transfer students. We cover the impact of his thesis work in our very first "Classics" segment and in "Mentor's Corner", we sit down with Dr. Fehlings' former supervisor and long-standing collaborator, Dr. Charles Tator. Here, Dr. Tator describes his personal and professional relationship with Dr. Fehlings over the years and gives his advice to those interested in pursuing concussion and spinal cord research. Be sure to tune in! Until next time, keep it raw.
Written by: Romina Nejad
To continue this month's theme of "The Physician-Scientist", we are thrilled to bring you an episode featuring the incredible Dr. Albert Wong, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the Institute of Medical Sciences, and Research Scientist & Staff Psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. In this episode, Dr. Wong discusses the importance of conducting research in psychiatry, as well as sharing his insights from his research on the molecular and genetic aspects of schizophrenia. This dose of Raw Talk also features two brand-new segments, hosted by Eryn and Kat! In "Myth busters", they take a few minutes to debunk some of the most common misconceptions surrounding schizophrenia. Then they take to the streets of the University of Toronto campus to find out the "Word on the Street" is about mental health and what it means to students! Be sure to tune in and until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Ekaterina An and Eryn Tong
We're excited to introduce October's theme of "The Physician-Scientist" with a man whose talents go beyond the bench and bedside: Dr. Norman Rosenblum. In this episode, you'll hear what led Dr. Rosenblum to combine clinical practice with research, his opinion on the physician-scientist being an "endangered species", and the emerging technologies that have, and continue to shape the future of pediatric nephrology research - a topic further explored in our very first "Flashback Friday" segment. "Ask a Student" is back, and this time, MD-PhD candidate Swapna Mylabathula joins us to talk about her motivations and the work she has been involved with so far. Be sure to tune in. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Ekaterina An and Eryn Tong
In this session of the Raw Talk Podcast, we are happy to welcome the incredibly accomplished Dr. Molly Shoichet to the show! Dr. Shoichet shares her love for collaboration, working at the interface of different fields, and engaging the public in science. You'll also learn how she found her way back to academia after a successful industry career and what she looks for in potential trainees. We're also excited to introduce our very first "Ask a Student" segment with PhD Candidate, Nick Mitrousis. Nick provides insight into being a student in the Shoichet lab and what he sees as the future of polymer science and regenerative medicine. This one is not to miss. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Melissa Galati
On the first episode of the podcast, the Raw Talk team discusses all you need to know about the show, from inspiration to implementation, and everything in between. You'll learn why a podcast and video series make a winning combination, and how we're using themes, to provide more engaging content. We also spend a good portion introducing ourselves - sometimes revealing a little too much - while playing a game of "Kat Chats." We've got big plans for Season 1, and we can't wait for you to hear what's in store. Until next time, keep it raw!
Written by: Jabir Mohamed