We are honoured to welcome Dr. Michele Ardolino as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast! Dr. Ardolino is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. His work explores the frontiers of tumor immunology and immune regulation.

Dr. Ardolino’s research investigates why natural killer (NK) cells often fail to eliminate cancer cells and how we can enhance their anti-tumor activity. His lab also studies the signaling functions of PD-L1 beyond immune checkpoint inhibition, as well as the role of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in ovarian health and inflammation control. His discoveries are shaping new directions in cancer immunotherapy and reproductive immunology.

Join us as we dive into his research journey and the breakthroughs emerging from his lab.

Learn more about Dr. Ardolino’s research and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

We’re thrilled to feature Dr. Robert Myette as our guest on this episode of The Dendrite Podcast! A pediatric nephrologist at CHEO and PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Myette is part of the Kidney Research Center and is advancing research in pediatric kidney disease through both clinical and molecular lenses.

Dr. Myette’s work focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind pediatric nephrotic syndrome, particularly steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). His research aims to reduce the burden of steroid treatments in children and discover biomarkers to better predict relapse and treatment responsiveness. His dual role as a clinician and researcher positions him to translate discoveries from the lab to the bedside.

Tune in to hear more about his career path, his ongoing research at uOttawa and CHEO, and how he’s helping shape the future of pediatric nephrology.

Learn more about his work with the Kidney Research Centre and CHEO.

We are honoured to welcome Dr. Jonathan Lee as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast! A leader in molecular and cellular biology, Dr. Lee is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa and the Director of the Translational Molecular Medicine (TMM) program. His research bridges cell biology, imaging technologies, and genetic data analysis to uncover fundamental mechanisms of cellular dynamics and disease.

Dr. Lee’s work focuses on actin cytoskeleton remodeling, advanced biochemical imaging, and novel approaches to genetic noise analysis. His lab uses bioinformatics, proteomics, and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy to study how cells move, interact, and function at the molecular level. His contributions are shaping the future of biomedical research and training the next generation of scientists.

Join us as we explore his inspiring career and groundbreaking work in cellular biology!

Learn more about his research & the TMM Program.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Vanessa Taler as our guest for Episode 5 of The Dendrite Podcast! A trailblazer in neuropsychology and cognitive aging, Dr. Taler is a Full Professor in the School of Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of Ottawa and the Principal Investigator for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Her work bridges neuropsychology, linguistics, and cognitive science to advance early dementia detection and improve brain health across the lifespan.

Dr. Taler’s research focuses on understanding the neurocognitive processes of aging, how bilingualism influences cognition, and the development of innovative neuropsychological tools to support early dementia diagnosis. Her contributions are shaping the future of aging research and cognitive health.

Join us as we explore her inspiring career and groundbreaking work in cognitive aging!

Learn more about her research: CLSA 

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Richard Naud as our guest for Episode 3 of The Dendrite Podcast! A leading expert in computational neuroscience, Dr. Naud is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa and a scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. With a background in physics from McGill University and a Ph.D. from EPFL, he has revolutionized our understanding of neuronal dynamics through advanced statistical methods and the development of quasi-renewal theory, enabling the decoding of neural responses in the presence of adaptation.

Dr. Naud’s groundbreaking work extends across prestigious institutions, including post-doctoral roles at Cambridge University, uOttawa, and the Technical University of Berlin, where he explored the computational roles of active dendrites and inhibition in sensory systems. Beyond his research, he co-organized the Spike-Timing Prediction Challenge, advancing the benchmarking of mathematical neuron models. Join us as we dive into his fascinating journey and the innovations shaping the future of neuroscience!

Dr. Richard Naud's website

Today, we’re honored to have Dr. Baptiste Lacoste as our guest. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine and a Principal Investigator at the Brain and Mind Research Institute. His work centers around neurovascular biology, examining how the brain’s blood vessels support brain function and what happens when they are compromised from an early age. His lab explores neurovascular development, neurovascular injuries, and how neurovascular interactions play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism.

Lacoste Lab: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculte-medecine/dr-baptiste-lacoste