The Catalysts – Details, episodes & analysis

 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 

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 

Learn how the TRIDENT Platform is Revolutionizing Drug Discovery for Neurodegenerative Diseases Like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

In this debut episode of The Catalysts, we explore the cutting-edge, open-source TRIDENT research platform, that's revolutionizing and de-risking the drug discovery pipeline for neurodegenerative diseases by focusing on "failing faster" — a strategy designed to save time and money, and ultimately lives.

Join Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Robarts Research Institute scientists Dr. Lisa Saksida and Dr. Ravi Menon as they discuss how this innovative approach led by an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Western University is key to finding the most promising drugs and therapies for age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia while sparing patients from false hope.

Here is your sneak peek to the Catalysts miniseries on the science of aging, featuring fascinating talks with top scientists and clinicians transforming the field, plus an exclusive conversation with the 2024 Taylor Prize laureate.

This miniseries is in association with the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine — one of Canada's most prestigious medical research awards — awardded by the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Robarts Research Institute, Western University. 

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 

Every cancer journey begins with images—CT scans, MRIs, X-rays. For most of us, they're snapshots that confirm what's already there. But for Sarah Mattonen, PhD, at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, those images hold untold stories. She's uncovering hidden patterns in scans—clues that can reveal if a tumor might come back, or if treatment could cause side effects before patients feel them. With the power of AI, she's turning medical images into roadmaps for truly personalized cancer care. In this episode, we explore how her work is transforming cancer treatment today, and what it means for the future of oncology. 

With Sarah Mattonen, PhD  

Assistant Professor of Medical Biophysics and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University 

Scientist, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute 

Cancer Imaging at the Baines Centre 

Alumni profile  

Paper in International journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics 

Paper in the Journal of Thoracic Disease 

Paper in the International Journal of Medical Physics Research and Practice 

Cancer can feel like a battle fought in darkness - but what if you could turn on the lights? In this episode, Dr. David Palma, a radiation oncologist and clinician-scientist, explains how he's changing the way patients understand and fight their diagnosis. He's transformed personal loss into a mission to empower patients to become the heroes of their own medical stories. As well, as a leading expert in precision radiotherapy, he'll discuss how he's pushing  the boundaries of how radiation can treat advanced cancers. With a bestselling book and decades of expertise, Dr. Palma will reveal how every patient can turn their cancer diagnoses into a roadmap to hope. 

With Dr. David Palma  

Professor, Department of Oncology , Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University 

Radiation Oncologist, Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, London Health Sciences Centre

Taking Charge of Cancer, by David Palma 

Sapiens, by Yuval Noha Harari 

Precision Radiation 

Bio 

Join us as we delve into the groundbreaking work of 2024 Taylor Prize Laureate Professor Rusty Gage, whose landmark discovery transformed our understanding of the brain by showing that humans continue to generate new neurons well into adulthood and even as we age.

In this episode, we explore the latest research in the field of neurogenesis and learn how Professor Gage and his team are unlocking innovative approaches to revitalizing the aging brain. We'll also get a glimpse into the inspirations behind his work—from systems theory to intriguing concepts in astrophysics—revealing how these ideas drive his pioneering research in neuroscience.

Why do some older adults in their 80s, 90s and even 100s age well? What's the secret to their excellent cognition? Is it genetics or environmental factors? Join us as we take a sneak peek into the world of the SuperAgers.

In this episode, Western Professor Angela Roberts flips the aging problem on its head and looks at why some age exceptionally well. Discover what makes the Canadian cohort of SuperAgers extra special – a diverse group of older adults with exceptional cognition, an unquenchable thirst for life and adventure, and to top it all, resilience against time and adversity.

Tune in to learn how VR can transform the aging experience – from enhancing social connections to creating mystical experiences.

In this episode, Western professor Paul Andrew Frewen shares insights from his research on virtual reality, psychiatry, and psychology. Discover how wearable VR technology is being harnessed to enhance mental well-being, promote social connection, revolutionize mental health interventions and create profound experiences for the aging population.