We are pleased to welcome Dr. Arezu Jahani-Asl as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast. Dr. Jahani-Asl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, a Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology of Disease, and an investigator at the Brain and Mind Research Institute and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Her research focuses on the cellular and metabolic mechanisms that drive brain tumor progression, particularly in glioblastoma.

Dr. Jahani-Asl’s work explores how Oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) signaling pathways regulate tumor cell proliferation, survival, and invasive behavior. She also investigates cancer metabolism and bioenergetics, examining how tumor cells reprogram metabolic pathways to support growth and adapt to stressful microenvironments. In addition, her research highlights the role of mitochondrial regulation in maintaining stem-cell-like properties that contribute to tumor recurrence. Together, these insights help uncover how molecular pathways can be targeted to better understand and treat aggressive brain cancers.

Join us as we dive into Dr. Jahani-Asl’s research journey and the discoveries shaping the future of brain tumor biology.

Learn more about Dr. Jahani-Asl’s research and the Brain and Mind Research Institute. 

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Morgan Fullerton as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast. Dr. Fullerton is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa, as well as the Director of the Flow Cytometry and Virometry Core and the Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (C3i). His research focuses on immunometabolism and how metabolic pathways shape immune cell function in health and disease.

Dr. Fullerton’s work explores how nutrient-sensing pathways such as AMPK and mTOR regulate immune responses in metabolic diseases including obesity, atherosclerosis, and fatty liver disease. His lab also investigates how immune cells rely on choline metabolism and how inflammatory signals reprogram metabolic pathways, contributing to disease progression. Through translational and clinical approaches, his research provides insight into how immune cell metabolism can inform new therapeutic strategies.

Join us as we dive into Dr. Fullerton’s research journey and the discoveries emerging from his lab.

Learn more about Dr. Fullerton’s research and the Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (C3i).

We are excited to welcome Reid Barber as our guest for this episode of The Dendrite Podcast. Reid is a PhD student in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa and a researcher in the Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies Program. His work sits at the intersection of religious studies, philosophy, and psychedelic research.

In this episode, Reid explores how psychedelic experiences intersect with Vajrayāna Buddhist traditions in North America, with a focus on mystical experience, subjectivity, and meaning-making. He discusses how individuals interpret and integrate altered states of consciousness, as well as the philosophical, cultural, and religious frameworks that shape these experiences. The conversation also examines the growing role of digital platforms and citizen science in producing, sharing, and validating psychedelic knowledge beyond traditional academic institutions.

Join us as we dive into Reid’s research journey and the broader implications of his work for understanding consciousness, spirituality, and contemporary psychedelic communities.

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/ 

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/ 

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!

Dr. Jeremie Lefebvre's website

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!

Beats Lab

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