The Dendrite podcast is part of the Dendrite Club at the University of Ottawa, where we focus on making scientific literature more approachable and helping students get involved in research—whether they’re just starting or looking to deepen their understanding in a specific field. In each episode, Farnam Parcham, Saeed Kholghi, and Nika Abedian interview a professor or researcher to discuss their area of interest in research and their life in academia. Each month, our episodes are followed by an academic journal club, where we explore the topics of our episodes and take a broader look at interesting research on the theme of the month.
July 8th, 2025
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.
June 2nd, 2025
We are excited to welcome Dr. Vahab Soleimani as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast! Dr. Soleimani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. His research investigates how muscle stem cells function, regenerate, and decline with age.
Dr. Soleimani’s lab explores the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate self-renewal and differentiation in muscle stem cells (MuSCs), with the goal of developing new therapies for muscle-wasting conditions like muscular dystrophy, cancer cachexia, and sarcopenia. His team also studies niche signaling (how surrounding immune and stromal cells shape stem cell behavior) and how aging impacts regenerative capacity, aiming to uncover ways to rejuvenate muscle tissue.
Join us as we dive into his innovative research at the intersection of stem cell biology, aging, and regenerative medicine.
Soleimani Lab: https://soleimanilab.ca/
May 20th, 2025
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.
May 3rd, 2025
We are honoured to welcome Dr. John Baenziger as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast! A leader in membrane biophysics and structural biology, Dr. Baenziger is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. His research explores the molecular mechanisms of ligand-gated ion channels and how their dysfunction contributes to neuromuscular disorders.
Dr. Baenziger’s work focuses on the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), using cryo-electron microscopy to resolve high-resolution structures in various functional states. His lab also investigates how membrane lipids like cholesterol and phosphatidic acid influence ion channel behavior. Through this work, he provides key insights into synaptic transmission and protein-lipid interactions at the molecular level.
Join us as we explore his impactful career and cutting-edge research in membrane protein biology!
Baenziger Lab: http://baenzigerlab.com/professor/
February 28th, 2025
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.
January 29th, 2025
We are excited to feature Dr. Jeremie Lefebvre in Episode 6 of The Dendrite Podcast! As an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Lefebvre’s work sits at the crossroads of mathematics, neuroscience, and computational modeling.
His research delves into neural dynamics, neuroplasticity, and brain self-organization, using mathematical models to better understand how the brain adapts and responds to neurological disorders. He explores non-linear brain activity, neuron-glia interactions, and white matter plasticity, with implications for conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and depression. His work is paving the way for innovative neurostimulation techniques and a deeper understanding of brain function.
Tune in as we discuss his journey in computational neuroscience and how his research is advancing our knowledge of brain dynamics and plasticity!
January 16th, 2025
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
December 21st, 2024
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Emilio Alarcon as our guest for Episode 4 of The Dendrite Podcast! A pioneering researcher in tissue engineering and regeneration, Dr. Alarcon is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the Director of the Bio-nanomaterials Chemistry and Engineering Laboratory at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. His work bridges the fields of biochemistry, nanotechnology, and regenerative medicine to develop innovative solutions for heart disease and tissue repair.
Dr. Alarcon’s lab focuses on cutting-edge bio-nanomaterials, exploring their potential in promoting healing and improving cardiovascular health. As the director of the Biochemistry Graduate Program, he has mentored countless students, fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. Join us as we dive into his inspiring career, groundbreaking research, and the future of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine!
December 2nd, 2024
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!
November 22nd, 2024
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Steffanie Strathdee as our guest for Episode 2 of The Dendrite Podcast! A renowned epidemiologist, author, and global health leader, Dr. Strathdee has dedicated her career to combating infectious diseases and advancing groundbreaking therapies. Named one of TIME Magazine's Top 50 Most Influential People in Healthcare, she has transformed HIV prevention for high-risk populations and played a pivotal role in pioneering phage therapy for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Dr. Strathdee is the Associate Dean of Global Health Sciences and Harold Simon Professor at the University of California, San Diego, where her trailblazing research continues to shape the future of public health. She is also the co-author of the bestselling memoir The Perfect Predator, which chronicles her extraordinary journey to save her husband’s life through phage therapy. Her innovative work and unwavering commitment to global health have earned her international recognition and a profound impact on healthcare policy and practice.
Wiki Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steffanie_Strathdee
October 17th, 2024
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