The Catalysts

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Western University)
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The Catalysts is a medical science and discovery podcast produced by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, Canada. The show blends expert insight with engaging stories, and connects world-class research with the people who benefit most from scientific advancement. Season 2 of the Catalysts picks up where Season 1 left off: expert insight from researchers at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, with a focus on the Science of Cancer. Listen for diverse perspectives on the breakthroughs, challenges, and evolving questions shaping today's cancer science. Produced by: Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada Hosts: Patrick Morley, Prabhjot Sohal Technical Producer: David Creces Producers: Allan Lewis, Megan Morris Voice Over: Julie Simpson The Catalysts is produced by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in association with the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine — one of Canada's most prestigious medical research prizes.

  1. MAY 13

    Cracking the cholesterol code: Dr. Rob Hegele on the predictive power of genetics

    When it comes to predicting your health, the answer often lies in your DNA. That's according to Dr. Rob Hegele, whose life's work has led to numerous breakthroughs for patients combatting cardiovascular disease. In this episode of The Catalysts, we catch up with the 2026 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductee to learn about reading DNA, treating high cholesterol, witnessing groundbreaking research and the art of curiosity and discovery. Dr. Rob Hegele is a Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology) and Biochemistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. He is a Scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, where he serves as Director of the London Regional Genomics Centre. He is also the holder of the Edith Schulich Vinet Chair in Human Genetics, the Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair in Human Gene Function and the Martha G. Blackburn Chair in Cardiovascular Research. Related links: The London Regional Genomics Centre The Lipid Genetics Clinic Dr. Robert Hegele inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Episode Chapters 0:00 – Intro 0:37 – Predicting health with genes 9:19 – On treating high cholesterol 14:59 – The power of genetic diagnoses 17:23 – The birth of statins 21:12 – Theories on cholesterol 26:45 – Dr. Hegele's musical origins 30:12 – The art of discovery 35:50 – The future of cardiovascular disease

    40 min

  2. APR 15

    IMMUNEQUITY: An equitable approach for curing HIV with Eric Arts, PhD

    For Eric Arts, curing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is not a question of how, but when.   One of Canada's leading researchers in combatting HIV joins host Patrick Morley to discuss an equitable approach to treating the roughly 40 million people living with the virus around the world.   Arts also chats about his own in experience in treating HIV in Uganda, as well as the healthy future being promised by Western University's upcoming Pathogen Research Centre.  Eric Arts, PhD, is the Canada Research Chair in HIV Pathogenesis and Viral Control and a Professor in Microbiology & Immunology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.  Related resources:   Western leads new international, public-private initiative for equitable access to HIV cure  Western University building one-of-a-kind facility to test how infectious diseases spread  The Arts Lab  Frugal Biomedical Innovations  Listen to The Catalysts on Spotify Listen to The Catalysts on Apple Podcasts Learn more about The Catalysts The Catalysts is produced by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in association with the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine — one of Canada's most prestigious medical research prizes.

    41 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    Living Drugs, CAR-T Cells & the Future of Cancer Treatment with Taylor Prize Laureate Dr. Carl June

    What if we could teach the immune system to fight cancer? Dr. Carl H. June pioneered the bold ideas behind CAR T-cell therapy, a breakthrough that is transforming cancer treatment and holds the potential to reshape care for millions. In this episode, he reflects on a remarkable career that has spanned the Vietnam War, the HIV epidemic and the rise of modern immunotherapy. He shares how curiosity has driven his work, and why he remains a champion for science in an era when it is increasingly under threat. Dr. June is the 2025 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine laureate. With Dr. Carl H. June  Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine  Director, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at The University of Pennsylvania  Director, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania   Links:  Dr. June: A Global Titan of Cancer Research  Emily Whitehead Foundation  Official Film Trailer: Of Medicine and Miracles

    52 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    In the Blood: The Quest to Detect Cancer Before It Returns with Dr. Ana Lohmann

    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women, with 1 in 8 women facing a diagnosis in their lifetime. It's a complex foe, shaped by biology and lifestyle, made difficult by invasive treatments and cumbersome diagnostic techniques. In this episode, Dr. Ana Lohmann, a medical oncologist and scientist at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, discusses how this complexity is being met head-on. Her research explores how obesity and metabolism shape cancer diagnosis and recurrence, and how lifestyle, access to care and social inequities influence outcomes. She also discusses emerging tools like liquid biopsies and the growing focus on survivorship and quality of life.    With Dr. Ana Lohmann, MD PhD  Medical Oncologist, Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre Associate Scientist, London Health Sciences Research Institute Assistant Professor, Western University Dept. of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Dept. of Oncology    Breast Cancer and Obesity Bio Breast Cancer and Diabetes Drugs

    46 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    Gut Feelings: Your Microbiome and the Future of Cancer Treatment with Saman Maleki, PhD

    Can the trillions of microbes in our gut hold the key to transforming cancer treatment? Through relentless persistence, Saman Maleki, PhD, is pioneering research that uses the gut microbiome and fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) to boost the power of cancer-fighting immunotherapy. In this episode, he shares the science, the challenges, and the hope driving a new frontier in cancer care.  With Saman Maleki, PhD  Associate Professor, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oncology, and Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University  Scientist, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)  Scientist, Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute  Saman Maleki's Poop Pills   FMT Phase 1 Trials  FMT at Work

    50 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    Immunity's Hidden Warriors: Fighting Cancer with MAIT Cells with Mansour Haeryfar, PhD

    What if your body already held a secret weapon to beating cancer? Mansour Haeryfar, PhD, is tapping into MAIT cells — a rare type of immune cell that can be supercharged with bacterial molecules to hunt down tumours. His research suggests these cells could form a basis for powerful, universal therapies that work across patients. In this episode, he'll reveal how this cutting-edge science could transform cancer treatment and how the inspiration to fight against malignancy came from an unexpected source.    With Mansour Haeryfar, PhD   Professor, Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Medicine, Surgery, and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University  Scientist, Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Health Care London Past President, Canadian Society for Immunology    Robert Pope: the Artist  MAIT Cells Fighting Cancer Tumors  The Haeryfar Laboratory

    44 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Cancer in Motion: Tracking Cells Through the Body with John Ronald

    Imagine if doctors could send tiny, living medicine straight to a tumor — and then watch it move through the body in real time. That's the work of imaging scientist John Ronald, PhD. From eureka moments, to using firefly genes to track cells, in this episode he tells us how curiosity and creativity are leading to cancer treatment breakthroughs, and opening new frontiers in cancer treatment — one where therapies can be monitored, adjusted, and optimized as scientists track their progress inside the body with unprecedented resolution.     With John Ronald, PhD  Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics Director, Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University     John Ronald's Lab Cell Tracking Research Imaging Reporter Genes Monitoring Cell Therapies

    41 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Treatment: The DNA Revolution in Medicine with Dr. Richard Kim

    When it comes to cancer drug treatments, one size doesn't fit all. That's because our unique genetics determine how our body reacts to certain drugs, which can turn a life-saving treatment into a side-effect nightmare. This is the problem Dr. Richard Kim has spent his career solving. He's championed pharmacogenomics: using genetics to match the right drug to the right patient. His persistence helped make Ontario one of the first provinces to adopt genetic testing that prevents severe chemotherapy side effects, saving lives and reshaping cancer care. In this episode, Dr. Kim explains why "one-size-fits-all" medicine is outdated and how innovations in technology are turbocharging genomics and precision medicine.    With Richard B. Kim MD, FRCPC, FCAHS, FRSC Wolfe Medical Research Chair in Pharmacogenomics Professor of Medicine, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Oncology  Chair, Division of Clinical Pharmacology Department of Medicine Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University  Attending Physician, London Health Sciences Centre Scientist, London Health Sciences Research Institute   Personalized Medicine at Schulich  Groundbreaking Drug Testing  Wolfe Medical Research Chair in Pharmacogenomics  Pharmacogenomics in the Clinic

    52 min
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About

The Catalysts is a medical science and discovery podcast produced by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, Canada. The show blends expert insight with engaging stories, and connects world-class research with the people who benefit most from scientific advancement. Season 2 of the Catalysts picks up where Season 1 left off: expert insight from researchers at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, with a focus on the Science of Cancer. Listen for diverse perspectives on the breakthroughs, challenges, and evolving questions shaping today's cancer science. Produced by: Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada Hosts: Patrick Morley, Prabhjot Sohal Technical Producer: David Creces Producers: Allan Lewis, Megan Morris Voice Over: Julie Simpson The Catalysts is produced by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in association with the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine — one of Canada's most prestigious medical research prizes.

Information

  • Creator
    Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Western University)
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Catalysts

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