Hello! I'm a 5th year PhD student in the Institute of Medical Science here at U of T. When I'm not podcasting, I study cancer genetics at the Hospital for Sick Children. I've been with Raw Talk since Season 1 doing everything from hosting to communications! This is my second year as an Executive Producer and it's been exciting for me to watch the show grow and evolve. We have so many unique perspectives on diverse topics in medicine, all inspired by working being done in our own backyard - The University of Toronto. Other interests: Coffee, sleeping, soccer, cooking, coffee, yoga, rock climbing, comedy, coffee, napping, reading, and writing..
Hi listeners! My name is Grace, and I'm a fourth year PhD student in the Institute of Medical Science. My research uses structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain circuitry and mechanisms underlying psychosis and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and youth. We have some great stories and science to share this season! I'm beyond excited to be an Executive Producer again this year and work with everyone on the Raw Talk team to bring you fantastic content. Check out our episodes and let us know what you think!
Hey there, listeners! My name is Amber, and I am a 5th year Ph.D. student in the department of Molecular Genetics. My research focus is on the genes that regulate glutamate receptor levels at the surfaces of synapses, and how disruptions to this system can lead to increases in aggression in patients with developmental disorders like Cri du Chat and autism. I have been involved with radio from a young age, and am super happy to now be part of such a great podcast team! Aside from science, I have a deep interest in ancient history, and particularly in mythology, as using stories to communicate important ideas is something that humans have been doing for thousands of years!
Hey listeners, my name is Aditi and I'm a first year MSc student at the Institute of Medical Science. For my research, I am investigating the physical health outcomes of siblings of childhood cancer survivors. In other words, I am trying to find out whether cancer and cancer treatment in a particular child impacts the health and wellbeing of other children in the same family. Outside of research, I love to swim, drink copious amounts of coffee, and crack that's what she said jokes to my disapproving friends. I am extremely excited to be a part of Season 3, as I will get to learn about and share all the amazing research that is happening in Toronto. Remember to tune in, and until next time, #keepitraw!
Heyo Raw Talk fam! 😊 My name is Swapna and I'm currently in the MD/PhD program doing my research on concussion policy and also on concussion in hockey. I'm aiming to become a clinician scientist with a clinical focus in sport medicine. Alongside academia, I have a passion for translating science into policy at multiple levels of government, and I also love to play hockey and the violin and sitar, learn languages, and do scicomm and outreach with youth through classrooms & multimedia. I am super excited to be returning for another season of Raw Talk Podcast as a show host to create some interesting content with the team and share incredible science stories with all of you! I am constantly inspired by the talented team that I get to work with and the amazing guests whose stories we get to share, so I can't wait for what this season has in store! 😊
Hey listeners! Season 4 marks my third year with Raw Ralk, and I'm jumping into the role of Show Host. In Dr. Robert Chen's Lab, I use a variety of tools to stimulate people's brains in order to study how the healthy human brain works, as well as to see what goes on in Parkinson's disease. Outside of research, I facilitate a support group for people living with Parkinson's and love playing basketball!
What's going on, listeners. My name is Anton and I am really excited to return for my third season with the Raw Talk team. I have recently graduated from the Institute of Medical Science here at U of T. My PhD work focused on using functional brain imaging (fMRI) to understand brain mechanisms associated with chronic pain. Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active by playing sports, hiking, and cycling. Can't wait to share what season 4 has in store – so make sure to tune in! One love.
Hi everyone! I'm a recent graduate from the IMS Master's Program where I examined neural mechanisms underlying light sensitivity in various clinical populations. Outside academia, I love to travel and explore new cultures. I'm super excited to come back for my third season at Raw Talk! Our team has grown immensely over the years and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next in store! As always #keepitraw!
Oh hi there! I'm Richie - a Postdoctoral Research Fellow investigating aging epigenomics in mood disorders, and one of this year's Public Relations Executives. As Raw Talk's Co-Founder, I'm incredibly excited to see the show come into its own with the debut of the 4th season (from our very humble beginnings of recording interviews using microphones that we clipped onto our pens). I look forward to working with all these talented individuals to bring you a fantastic show! When in doubt, #KIR!
Hi there! I'm Stephania, and I am a PhD student at the Department of Medical Biophysics, studying cardiac abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is my second Season at Raw Talk, and I am part of the public relations (PR) and brand management team. Our goal is to bring this podcast to everyone that loves science and stories as much as we do! We're also here to listen, so help us make our stories the best possible. Tune in because some exciting stuff is on your way!
Hi listeners, I'm Biren and I'm looking forward to bringing you some interesting stories and ideas about science and medicine in season 4 as a show host. In my other life, I'm a second year graduate student in the Department of Molecular Genetics where I study the developmental origins of a pediatric brain cancer at the SickKids Research Institute. Whenever I can find time, I love discovering new running and cycling routes around Toronto!
Hi All! I'm Steph, a Registered Dietitian and PhD candidate with the Department of Nutritional Sciences studying cardiometabolic health at St. Michael's Hospital. I'm excited to be a part of the Raw Talk team as a Show Host and Content Creator, and am looking forward to sharing scientific stories with you – so stay tuned! Along with research, nutritional sciences, and making credible scientific information accessible and engaging, I enjoy cooking/baking, checking out new music, being active, including: running, kayaking, biking, or playing volleyball, and am always looking for new things to discover! #keepitraw
Hey Raw Talk Listeners! I'm Frank and I'm very excited to be one of the Show Hosts for Season 4 and to share my passion for the stories of science and medicine with the U of T community and the world. When I'm not podcasting or doing other science advocacy work, I'm a graduate student studying cancer predisposition and cancer immunology at the Hospital for Sick Children. Outside of science, I'm an avid baker and cook - I love trying new foods from around the world and doing my best to recreate them (sometimes with mixed results).
Hi listeners! My name is Yagnesh and I'm a 3rd year PhD student in the Department of Medical Biophysics. My research is focused on understanding the genetic factors that affect the metastasis of Neuroblastoma and whether they can be targeted to make new drugs. I am incredibly excited to join the Raw Talk team for Season 4 as a show host, and I'm looking forward to learning about and sharing some great stories from the researchers here at UofT! Outside of the lab, I enjoy biking around the city, cooking or playing video games. I'm also a big soccer and Man Utd fan so you can always catch me playing pickup somewhere downtown on the weekends.
Hi listeners! My name is Zeynep and I'm a research technician in a cancer immunology lab in Toronto. I got my MSc from Western University in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, with my thesis focused on ovarian cancer. I'm very excited to join the Raw Talk podcast team as a Show Host for season 4! So hopefully, you'll be reading this in my voice. I'm a big advocate for science literacy and making it accessible for everyone in a way that is accurate and fun! In my spare time, I enjoy windsurfing, kickboxing and reviewing new restaurants in the city with amateur expertise.
Hi everyone! My name is Jillian. I am in my third year of the combined MD/PhD program here at U of T. I finished pre-clerkship and I am now pursuing my PhD at the Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (IHPME), Health Services Research stream. My research interests include heart failure, artificial intelligence, social determinants of health, and ethics. Otherwise, I am a life enthusiast who loves people, travel, soccer, and coffee. This is my first year with Raw Talk, and I am very excited to work with this dedicated team, meet some inspiring folks, and talk a whole lot of science!
Hi everyone! My name is Sina and I'm in my second year of the MD program at U of T. This is my first year at Raw Talk and I’m very excited to be a part of this amazing team. Previously, I completed my MSc at U of T in the Department of Physiology studying the molecular mechanisms behind cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarctions and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Science communication has always been a huge passion of mine and I'm looking forward to creating informative and interactive content for your listening pleasure!
Hello everyone! My name is Nazanin (you can call me Naz)! I am currently finishing up my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Neuroscience while also doing some research at Princess Margaret! I'm so excited to be part of the Raw Talk team as a Show Host! I look forward to bringing listeners along for the journey behind some of the most vital discoveries in science and what that means for the general public. I'm keenly interested in the intersection between science and society and I hope that Raw Talk continues to explore that fine balance while promoting science literacy. Stay tuned!
Hello everyone! I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Medical Biophysics at University of Toronto. With my project, I am trying to understand how the brain facilitates its memory function and emotion regulation. I am a new Content Developer for the Season 4, and I cannot wait to share informative and thought-provoking stories in Scinences with you all! When I am not wearing my scientist's hat on, I am usually found playing the violin, dancing like nobody's watching in Zumba classes, or watching movies at home.
Hello! I'm Kat, a recent MSc grad at the Institute of Medical Science, studying the emotional, social, and psychological impact of having advanced cancer. As a member of Raw Talk from the very first episode, I'm excited to see how much the show has changed and grown! This season, we have lots of exciting science storytelling coming your way so make sure to tune in and as always, keep it raw!
Hey everyone! I recently completed my MSc at the IMS on supporting the psychosocial and informational needs of patients and loved ones affected by advanced cancer. Aside from research, I love to cook and travel, and of course, be a part of Raw Talk! Not only have I scored an awesome group of friends, but this is also such a unique opportunity for us to promote science (and the amazing people behind it) in a fun and engaging way. I've been a part of the podcast since the beginning and it's been incredible to see how much we've evolved over the years. I'm excited for you to continue listening as Season 4 unfolds and until next time, #keepitraw!
Hey listeners, my name is Hanna and I'm a PhD candidate in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. In my PhD, I'm trying to understand the mechanisms behind haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn and identify ways to replace the current treatment. This is my first year with Raw Talk and I'm really excited about all the interesting science we'll be sharing with you this year. Outside of the lab, I love to travel and have visited 27 countries so far and lived on 4 different continents.
Hi listeners! I'm Thamiya and I'm excited to be back for season 4 of Raw Talk as the communications executive. I joined the podcast last year and had a great time working with the team to share the wonderful research happening at UofT. I'm a 5th year PhD candidate at the Hospital for Sick Children, studying the atomic structure of proteins using electron microscopy. If I'm not in the lab, you'll probably find me outside hiking or paddling (or napping).
Hey listeners, I'm Alison, and I'm one of the communications executives here at Raw Talk Podcast! I'm so excited to be part of a team that melds two of the loves in my life: science, and podcasts! Outside of the podcast, you can catch me in the lab studying developmental immunology and immunotherapy. In my spare time I'm an avid baker, and I love running and cycling too. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Season 4 unfolds, and to sharing some exciting stories on science and medicine with you all.
Hey! I have just finished my undergraduate degree and am so excited to venture into the world of research and complete a Master's degree, because research is mind-blowing as I like to say. This is my first year on the Raw Talk team and I am thrilled to be involved in spreading the word about what we do! I am passionate about encouraging scientific literacy and closing the gap between scientific research and society. It makes me really happy to make and promote content that is accessible so I hope that we can reach as many of you as possible. In my free time, I love spending time with horses and eating all the ice cream one can possibly have. Keep in touch by following us on our social media platforms!
Hey there! I'm Alex, a fourth year PhD student in the department of Psychology. My research is focused on emotional memories and the basic mechanisms that control how they're formed. This is my first year with Raw Talk, and I'm excited to help bring you fascinating science stories! As an audio engineer, my job is to make our guests and hosts sound their best. So if you're ever listening to an interview and feel self conscious because our guests never stumble over their words or say "um" or "like", don't worry! They had a little help 😉
Hey there! I'm Helen, a MSc student in the Institute of Medical Science. My graduate work focuses on the prognosis and supportive care for older adults with advanced prostate cancer. I am also passionate about student mental health, tennis, the Raptors, long naps in the lab, and food. (Please feel free to send me any recipes or restaurant recommendations!) Raw Talk has long been a source of information and inspiration for me. This year, I am incredibly excited to be joining the team as an audio engineer, and help share more amazing stories and dialogue. Stay tuned!
Hey Raw Talk listeners, I’m Esther, one of the audio engineer team members! This is my first year as part of the podcast and I’m incredibly excited to facilitate the transfer of scientific knowledge from us to you! I’m also a master’s student at the Institute of Medical Science where I’m studying interventions of deep brain stimulation as a therapeutic approach to treatment resistant depression. When I’m not doing stereotaxic surgery in the lab or mixing sounds for the podcast I love to travel, take photos and go running. Happy listening!
Hello! First year Raw Talker and IMS PhD student here, working out of St Michael's Hospital. In my research, I simulate HIV epidemics using math and code, with the aim of predicting efficient intervention strategies. This season I'm looking forward to giving the website a reboot, and getting my hands dirty with my first couple of episodes. Outside the lab, I like to: contribute to open source code projects, go backcountry camping, convince you to try LaTeX, and worry about the climate crisis.
Hey Listeners! My name is Nathan Chan, and I'm one of the photographers for Raw Talk Podcast! Most of the time, I take photos - giving the voices you hear faces to see. That said, I'm also a graduate student studying neuroscience, and you might also hear me host segments from time to time. I'm currently finishing up my M.Sc. with the Multi-Modal Imaging Group at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, where we study neuroimaging and mental health with high performance computing.
I am one of the photographers for Raw Poscast. I am also a PhD Candidate at Department of Medical Biophysics at UofT and also a post-graduate affiliate at Vector Institute. My research focuses on how our epigenome changes in cancer. Epigenome is the non-genetic aspect of DNA, such as its chemical modifications, its topology, and which proteins are bound to it. I use machine learning to model and study the epigenome.
Hey podcasters- I'm CJ, and I'm a photographer for Raw Talk Podcast, working with Nathan and Mehran! As a new member to the RTP team, I look forward to capturing all the essential shots that will assist listeners in visualizing faces to an episode! Currently, I'm entering my second year of my Master's in LMP, studying the effects of small lipid molecules on glaucoma models! In my spare time, you'll catch me bouldering outdoors, volunteering with the Toronto Distress Centre, out for morning runs and taking cooking classes!
Hello hello, Jabir here and I'm a recent MSc graduate of the IMS. At Raw Talk, I co-lead public relations efforts, manage branding, and spend a lot of time thinking about program development. Although I love everything about the show, it's the people involved - scientists, health professionals, and faces you see on this page - that bring me most joy. Outside of podcasting, I'm into swimming, finding new music, and spending time with my nephews and nieces.
