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.

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 introduction
00:30 | Introduction to Dr. Murugkar
01:01 | Optical imaging techniques and ongoing research in this field
04:33 | Using Raman scattering microscopy to observe chemical changes in breast cancer
08:48 | Clinical applications of Raman scattering microscopy
14:08 | Conclusion

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/4sCJG8TMQyTZ9FDd1JjJmR

Ryan Tu (voice), Abdelrahman Fahmy, Mason Gillick, Raghav Bhargava (post-production, content generation, producers)

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-2
Andrés Mercado (Alarcón Lab) - https://www.beatsresearch.com/Alarcon.php

0:00 | BEaTS and host introduction.
0:27 | Introduction to Dr. Griffith.
1:11 | Childhood encounter in Malaysia that inspired Dr. Griffith’s mission.
2:57 | Main obstacles to corneal care in low-resource countries.
4:15 | Donor shortages and compatibility challenges in corneal transplants.
5:08 | Why donor compatibility matters and why people hesitate to donate.
5:44 | How artificial/cell-free corneas work - “Field of Dreams” analogy.
7:35 | What is Cornea-in-a-Syringe and how does it expand access?
9:10 | Why combine Cornea-in-a-Syringe with antiviral GF19 instead of just eye drops?
11:44 | Future of corneal treatments and a “vaccine-like” vision restoration.
13:10 | Comments from Andrés Mercado on Dr. Griffith’s work.
14:01 | Podcast conclusion.

Background music: “Podcast Background Music While Talking Interviews - Free Music to use, No Copyright” by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0).
Watch/listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFqvdekuvI
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Alyssa Thomas (Content Generation), Michael Wossen (Producer), Chris Kachi (Voice), and Salah Hussein Aly (Post-Production)