The Catalysts
Catalysts
The Catalysts is a medical science and discovery podcast that translates advanced research into accessible conversations for curious minds. The show blends expert insight with engaging stories, and connects world-class research with the people who benefit most from scientific advancement.
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
Scientist, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)
Scientist, Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute
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
Scientist, Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Past President, Canadian Society for Immunology
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
Director, Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University
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
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
Reading Between the Pixels: Sarah Mattonen on the Future of Cancer Imaging
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
Scientist, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute
A Roadmap to Hope: Rewriting Cancer Care with Dr. David Palma
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
Radiation Oncologist, Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, London Health Sciences Centre
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.
