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
Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@podcastbackgroundmusic
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos - https://www.youtube.com/@podcastbackgroundmusic

Alyssa Thomas (Content Generation), Michael Wossen (Producer), Chris Kachi (Voice), and Salah Hussein Aly (Post-Production)

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/s43390-022-00578-6
Maksimovic, 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 Introduction

01:11 | As a clinician and researcher, how do you balance these 2 aspects of your life?

02:20 | How do you explain treatment options to your young patients?

04:49 | How do patient impacts inform your research?

09:44 | Are there risks/complications associated with that surgery and recovery?

11:32 | Does having that shoelace allow the patients more motion?

13:36 | Where do you see this research leading?

14:37 | Thank you!

14:47 Outro & Credits

Music: “Lounging Lads” from the Lofi Phantasy album by DanAndPhilBEATS and Lowave.

Saeid Kholgi (producer), Samantha Kiraly (co-host & writing), Ammi Paul (co-host & post-production), Moumita Dutta (writing & social media production)

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/1999-4915/17/8/1118

0:04 | BEaTS and host introduction
0:20 | What is phage therapy?
0:56 | Introduction to Dr. Marisa Azad
2:52 | What are PJIs?
4:26 | Using phage therapy for a severe case of PJI
7:29 | Making phage therapy possible for this patient in collaboration with Cytophage Technologies
9:26 | Ensuring the safety and efficacy of phage therapy
11:22 | Insights from Dr. Brad Cook from Cytophage Technologies
11:55 | What Dr. Azad has learned throughout the process
13:27 | Science, medicine, and art
14:32 | Concluding remarks

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

Show Host: Katya Krykunova
Producer: Meghan Walsh
Writer: Sydney Brown, Katya Krykunova
Content generation: Talia LoFaro, Meghan Walsh, Katya Krykunova
Editor: Meghan Walsh, Katya Krykunova, Sydney Brown, Talia LoFaro
Audio post-production: Sydney Brown
Social media coordinator: Talia LoFaro

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-azad

0:04 | 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 study
6:26 | Finding the right phage: collaboration between Cytophage Technologies and The Ottawa Hospital
9:45 | Ethical and regulatory hurdles
12:00 | The growing potential of phage therapy and its current limitations
14:15 | Closing remarks and credits

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

Abhijit Sinha (Content Generation), Mattheo Fakhouri (Producer), Mattea Abou Faiçal (Voice) and Jean-Paul Azzi (Post-production)

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/research
https://ptsslab.ca/

2:18 | Introducing our guest: Dr. Simon Hatcher
4:22 | Rethinking resilience in public safety personnel (PSP)
5:12 | Discussion of findings from his recent (2024) paper
7:40 | Exploring Dr. Nick Carleton’s insights
14:28 | Looking ahead: A message of hope
15:24 | Closing remarks

Perfect Storm - Kara Square and Piero Peluche by Piero Peluche (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. https://dig.ccmixter.org/files/pieropeluche/61852 Ft: Kara Square

James Humber (Host), Angélique Cayer (Producer), and Mélodie Bellefleur (Writer)

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/4sCJG8TMQyTZ9FDd1JjJmR

Katie Klein (Producer), Sarah Rehmani (Show Host), Paniz Akbari (Social Media Editor), Charlie Levine (Writer Editor)