In this episode, Emily chats with Kevin Robb, a 5th year PhD student at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, under the primary supervision of Sowmya Viswanathan and co-supervision of Rajiv Gandhi.
This episode dives into Kevin’s research into cell-based therapies and particularly his work with mesenchymal stromal cells, a heterogenous cell population that has shown promise in treating inflammatory conditions including osteoarthritis. Kevin’s research attempts to address an important question – therapeutically, why are some mesenchymal stromal cells more effective than others? Kevin and Emily discuss his recently published manuscript, the topics of patient heterogeneity and personalised medicine, and Kevin’s experiences navigating mental health challenges particularly during his Masters degree. Tune in to learn about Kevin’s exciting research and hear how his involvement in the communities including the Stem Cell Network and the UHN 2SLGBTQIA+ committee has helped him grow both personally and professionally.
See this link for a list of terms used in this episode, mental health resources for TeamUHN and University of Toronto students, and further information about Kevin - including pictures of his nail art!
UHN Trainee Podcast: Seeds of Science is proudly supported by the UHN Office of Research Trainees. For more information on the podcast and interviewees, visit our webpage: https://uhntrainees.ca/trainee/seeds-of-science-podcast/