BEaTS Research Radio's Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Bryce, a clinical psychologist and musician whose work crosses the borders of mind and body, science and art, structure and improvisation. From assessing cognitive function in the Epilepsy unit to composing and performing folk-rock and psychedelic music, he explores how perception, embodiment, and shared experience shape both therapy and music. Join us as we dive into Bryce’s reflections on the parallels between music and psychology.0:00:20 | Welcome to the Podcast0:01:35 | Can you tell us about your journey? 0:05:59 | Where does that instinctive ability for music come from? 0:07:09 | How do you incorporate these arts into your work/patient care?0:09:35 | How do you feel AI is shaping psychology? What are your concerns? 0:17:35 | Do you have advice for health professionals who are starting their journey and feeling like they have to leave their art behind? 0:20:02 | Thank you

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Madhukar Pai, a physician, researcher, and global health leader whose work has consistently crossed borders of geography, disciplines, and institutions to shape medical education and health equity globally. From his leadership at McGill International TB Centre to his widely read editorials on decolonizing global health, Dr. Pai has pushed the field to rethink how knowledge is shared, who gets to produce it, and how medical education can better serve people everywhere. His work has been widely recognized and his leadership valued in many global spaces. Join us as we explore Dr. Pai’s reflections on the challenges and opportunities of transforming medical education acrosscountries, fields, and organizations.0:00:20 | Welcome to the Podcast0:01:44 | Can you tell us about your journey? 0:06:45 | How is global epistemic violence having an impact on young scholars? 0:10:27 | How would you highlight the inequitities in global medical education? 0:14:34 | Can you talk to us about

In this episode, we explore the work of Dr. Vishna Devi V Nadarajah, a global leader in health professions education whose career crosses borders of science, pedagogy, and geography. From biomedical research to institutional leadership, her work bridges disciplines, nations, and communities of practice. Prof. Vishna Devi V Nadarajah has transitioned to the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at IMU University in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. She was formerly CEO , Provost and Professor at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia.

In this episode, we’ll be exploring the work of Dr. Saleem Razack, an innovator in changing discriminatory practices and systems in health education and healthcare. His work exists at the intersection of academic and clinical work - from leadership roles as well as research through/in residency programs to faculty advising. He also strives to bridge the gap between research and the application of research to educational policies in order to achieve social justice.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lorenzo Madrazo, a General Internist and Clinical Scholar whose journey to medicine was shaped by his deep roots in music and education. We explore his research on resident leadership, physician wellness, and the formation of professional identity in healthcare, as well as how his relationship with the arts shapes his perspective. 

In this episode, we’ll be exploring the work of Dr. Foluso Ishola, an internationally trained physician helping to transform global health and health systems through education, research, and policy. She has unique insights into how systems at various levels, from the local to international, shape health as well as how to navigate these spaces in a way that achieves the intended goals while maintaining stakeholder satisfaction.

In this episode, we speak with Sheena Doyle, a Master of Science in Nursing student at McGill University and a Labor and Delivery Nurse Clinician. We explore how she uses the arts as a powerful tool for critical reflection and health advocacy. Join us as we discuss her commitment to decolonizing healthcare and advancing ethical, relational models of care through research and community engagement.

Global challenges like climate change demand urgent action, and chemistry is at the center of these emerging solutions. However, graduates starting chemistry-based careers often leave the classroom unprepared to tackle complex global issues. In this podcast, we speak with Dr. Alison Flynn, Principal Investigator of the Flynn Research Group, about how her team is developing strategies to create more engaging and effective learning experiences for students, including the integration of systems thinking into the curriculum. We explore her educational journey, what inspired her to focus on chemistry education, how systems thinking can be applied in classrooms, her thoughts on AI as an emerging educational tool, and more. We also share insights from Dr. Peter Mahaffy on educational resources available to support instructors. Learn more: https://www.flynnresearchgroup.com/00:11 | Introduction01:23- Dr. Flynn's education background02:49| Challenges and highlights of researching chemistry education03:40| What is

In this episode of the BEaTS Research Radio, Annie Xiang from the University of Ottawa sits down with Dr. Marcelo Vazquez, radiobiology section head at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Together, they explore how cosmic and proton radiation affects the human body as astronauts prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Dr. Vazquez shares his journey from aspiring astronaut to NASA researcher, explains the power of human brain organoids as cutting-edge research models, and highlights how this work will help protect future astronauts.            Learn more: https://space.uwo.ca/people/our-members/vazquez-marcelo/index.html0:01 | BEaTs and host introduction0:50 | Introduction by Dr. Vazquez and his scientific journey4:18 | Overview of Dr. Vazquez's research on radiation biology5:58 | Summary of a paper published by Dr. Vazquez regarding radiation on brain organoids6:54 | Reasons for using human brain organoid models8:57 | Challenges encountered during the research process11:30 | How Dr. Vazquez&ap

Ananya Jain from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr Adam Rudner about advances in temperate bacteriophage research. Dr. Rudner is a researcher and associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. He also co-leads the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) associated bacteriophage discovery lab for students in the Translational and Molecular Medicine Program at the University of Ottawa. In this episode, Dr. Rudner discusses bacteriophage basics, the current state of bacteriophage therapy, and how temperate bacteriophages could be harnessed in the future of bacteriophage therapy. Dr Rudner also highlights novel discoveries in the field of temperate bacteriophage biology by discussing his own lab's discovery of a new lysogeny mechanism and discussing the work of Dr. Alex Hynes, a researcher and associate professor at McMaster University, who dis

Jack Cowan from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Morgan Fullerton, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, on behalf of his team in the TMM4950 Science Communication course. Dr. Fullerton discusses dysregulated cholesterol metabolism, a hallmark of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. He delves into his lab’s recent study examining whether AMPK, the cell’s energy sensor, truly protects against atherosclerosis by limiting cholesterol production, where his team made an unexpected discovery that challenged long-standing assumptions in cardiovascular research.Learn more: https://www.fullertonlab.com/0:00 | Introduction1:34 | Introduction of guest (Dr. Morgan Fullerton)2:35 | What is atherosclerosis?4:05 | The cell's energy sensor (AMPK)5:25 | Targeting AMPK|HMGCR to protect against atherosclerosis7:42 | What was expected when AMPK's control was removed?8:32 | Importance of validating a disease model10:25 | Does removing AMPK change atherosclerosis?12:53 | F

In this episode, TMM students discuss the hidden declines in long-term care, drawing on insights from Dr. Daniel Kobewka, Dr. Sandy Shamon, and Dr. Susan Mitchell. Through examining changes in mental and physical function, the study highlights how this knowledge can guide more informed, dignity-focused decisions for residents and their families. Learn more: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.5635 Soundtrack by The Underground Drive. All rights reserved. Listen more: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/the-underground-drive/1571062779  https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sCJG8TMQyTZ9FDd1JjJmRKatie Klein (Producer), Sarah Rehmani (Show Host), Paniz Akbari (Social Media Editor), Charlie Levine (Writer Editor)

In this episode, James Humber, a Translational and Molecular Medicine student from the University of Ottawa, interviews Dr. Simon Hatcher on behalf of his team for the TMM 4950 Science Communication course. Dr. Hatcher is a psychiatrist at the Ottawa Hospital and Medical Director of Psychiatry at Ottawa Inner City Health. He’s also a scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on suicide prevention and managing the effects of trauma. Together, they address the factors surrounding public safety personnel suicides in Ontario, the contributing stressors, and how policies can change to ensure better mental health care. Special thanks to Dr. Nicholas Carleton, a professor of clinical psychology and registered clinical psychologist in Saskatchewan, who contributed to the making of this episode.Learn more: https://hatchingideaslab.com/researchhttps://ptsslab.ca/2:18 | Introducing our guest: Dr. Simon H

Mattea Abou Faiçal from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Marisa Azad. Dr. Marisa Azad is an Associate Clinical Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and a Mayo Clinic Research Collaborator. She is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Ottawa Hospital. In this episode, Dr. Marisa Azad shares her research on phage therapy and how her team delivered Canada’s first treatment for a multidrug-resistant joint infection.Learn more: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/directory/dr-marisa-azad0:04 | BEaTS and host introduction.1:11 | Introduction to Dr. Azad.1:45 | Why are periprosthetic joint infections so difficult to treat?3:30 | Introduction to phages, phage therapy, and a landmark Canadian case study6:26 | Finding the right phage: collaboration between Cytophage Technologies and The Ottawa Hospital9:45 | Ethical and regulatory hurdles12:00 | The growing potential of phage therapy and its current limitations14:15 | Closing remarks and credits

Katya Krykunova from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Marisa Azad from The Ottawa Hospital about the first use of phage therapy in Canada. Dr. Azad's patient developed a life-threatening periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of her hip implant. She was allergic to most major antibiotics; the culprit bacteria were resistant to all others, and further surgery would risk her life. All conventional treatments were exhausted. With the patient’s condition declining, Dr. Azad decided to team up with Cytophage Technologies and pursue phage therapy as a last resort. In this episode, Dr. Azad walks us through this clinical case and highlights how phage therapy offers an alternative approach for targeting infections when antibiotics and surgery fail. Learn more: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/8/11180:04 | BEaTS and host introduction0:20 | What is phage therapy?0:56 | Introduction to Dr. Marisa Azad2:52 | What are PJIs?4:26 | Using phage therapy for a severe case of PJI7:29 | Making phage therapy possible f

In this episode, co-hosts Sam and Ammi from the University of Ottawa’s TMM program are in conversation with Dr. Kevin Smit, a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and Clinical Researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The conversation centers around Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), which is an abnormal curvature of the spine with no known cause, and can have a significant impact on the lives of its young patients. Dr. Smit is a part of inspiring new research on a developing treatment that could help preserve patient mobility while correcting the curve, called Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). Here, we discuss AIS and its impact, as well as what makes VBT a unique and promising treatment. To read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-022-00578-6Maksimovic, M. et al. The effect of vertebral body tethering on spine range of motion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A pilot study. Spine Deformity 11, 123–131 (2022).00:04 Introduction01:11 | As a clinician and researcher, how do you ba

Chris Kachi from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. May Griffith and Andrés Mercado as part of the TMM4950 Science Communication course, exploring cutting-edge advances in bioengineered corneal regeneration.  Dr. Griffith is a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a professor in the Faculty of Medicine whose work focuses on regenerative biomaterials and translational ophthalmology. Andrés Mercado is a PhD student in Dr. Emilio Alarcón’s laboratory at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, developing tunable photo-sealants and customized biomaterials for ocular and soft-tissue repair.In this episode, they discuss the development of the Cornea-in-a-Syringe (CIS) hydrogel, how regenerative biomaterials such as GF19-functionalized matrices can be tailored to promote ocular healing, and the future of minimally invasive technologies for corneal repair and vision restoration.Learn more:Dr. May Griffith - https://www.griffithresearch.ca/may-griffith-2Andrés Mercado (Alarcón Lab) - htt

Ryan Tu from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Sangeeta Murugkar. Dr. Murugkar is an associate professor in the department of medical physics at Carleton University, where she established the Laboratory for Laser-Assisted Medical Physics and Engineering (LLAMPE). In this episode, Dr. Murugkar discusses her recent research in using the non-invasive imaging technique of Raman scattering microscopy to better understand the chemical changes that occur in breast cancer cells.Learn more: https://lampe.physics.carleton.ca/people/00:07 | BEaTS and host introduction00:30 | Introduction to Dr. Murugkar01:01 | Optical imaging techniques and ongoing research in this field04:33 | Using Raman scattering microscopy to observe chemical changes in breast cancer08:48 | Clinical applications of Raman scattering microscopy14:08 | ConclusionSoundtrack by The Underground Drive. All rights reserved. Listen more:https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/the-underground-drive/1571062779https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sCJG8TMQyTZ9FDd1J

As part of the TMM4950 Sci-Comm special episode, J.P. Doyle from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Alexandre Stewart, a distinguished scientist from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and a director of the Laboratory of Translational Genomics. In this episode, Dr. Stewart and J.P. discuss the viral origins of breast cancer, specifically the hypothesis that the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) may cause breast cancer in humans. They explored the "second hit" hypothesis, geographic variations in cancer incidence between Western and Eastern Europe, and the potential for future vaccines and anti-retroviral therapies to prevent and treat the disease.Learn more about Dr. Stewart: https://www.ottawaheart.ca/profile/stewart-alexandreRead more about the paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/v140305590:10 - Introduction to Dr. Alexandre Stewart and Breast Cancer1:04 - Inspiration: The Biology of Breast Cancer and Immunosuppression2:48 - Geographic Variation and the Migrant Effect4:25 - Mechanisms: How MM

Emily Wu from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. Emilio Alarcón on the significance of sex differences in cardiovascular research. Dr. Alarcón is a professor at the University of Ottawa and a scientist at the Heart Institute whose research focuses on developing biomaterials for the regeneration of damaged tissues. In this episode, Dr. Alarcón comments on segments from a previous BEaTS interview between University of Ottawa student Deyanira Hernandez and Dr. Brian Aguado. Dr. Aguado is a professor at the University of California, San Diego, whose research focuses on using biomaterials to determine sex-specific mechanisms of heart diseases, namely aortic valve stenosis (AVS). This episode discusses the effects and significance of including sex differences in disease and biomaterial research.Learn more: Dr. Emilio Alarcón - https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/dr-emilio-alarcon                             Dr. Brian Aguado - https://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/people/profile/brian-aguado 0:03 | Topic introducti