By: Tyler Saumur, ORT Times Writer

For this ORT Times edition, I sat down with our six new writers and asked them a few questions about themselves.

Meet the writers

  • Dr. Scott Rich (SR): Postdoctoral fellow (Drs. Skinner, Valiante and Lefebvre) applying computational tools to understand counter-intuitive mechanisms of seizure initiation.
  • Dr. Priska Stahel (PS): Postdoctoral fellow (Dr. Lewis) understanding how fats are packaged by the intestine using experimental models and humans.
  • Kevin Robb (KR): PhD candidate (Drs. Viswanathan and Gandhi) developing cell-based therapies for osteoarthritis.
  • Joe Walton (JW): PhD candidate (Dr. Ailles) determining the utility of novel epigenetic-based therapies in kidney cancer.
  • Dr. Laura Kuhlmann (LK): Postdoctoral fellow (Dr. Kislinger) identifying cancer-associated cell surface proteins for the development of targeted therapies.
  • Laura Aronoff (LA): PhD student (Dr. Epelman) studying the development of dendritic cells in viral myocarditis.

What is your favourite aspect of your research?

SR: Working across disciplines and applying different perspectives to help patients with epilepsy.

PS: Coming up with new research questions and how best to address them.

KR: Interpreting data, thinking of new research questions and learning new things!

JW: From reading about cutting-edge discoveries to applying new genetic technologies, there is never a dull moment!

LK: Continuously learning and using transdisciplinary approaches, resulting in specializing and diversifying at the same time.

LA: Continuously learning from those around me and sharing ideas and knowledge with others.

What is a goal you aim to achieve as an ORT Times Writer?

SR: Highlight the potential of interdisciplinary research to modernize and reshape academia, and the multitude of these opportunities available at UHN.

PS: Help graduate students and trainees "think outside the box" and expand the reach of the ORT.

KR: Feature our shared trainee experiences, promote mental health awareness and celebrate diversity in the UHN community.

JW: Highlight the inspiring work happening at UHN and champion our trainee community as they become the next generation of research scientists.

LK: Address questions simply, but accurately, for my non-scientist friends. As a researcher, it is my duty to explain and clarify science.

LA: Bring the perspective of an upper-year PhD student and providing guidance to those starting their graduate studies.

What interests do you have outside research?

SR: Sports writing (particularly about my beloved Duke Blue Devils); golfing; science fiction and fantasy; and I also have the cutest dog in the world.

PS: Playing hockey; hanging out with my family and dog; and becoming a fan of my pressure cooker during quarantine!

KR: Running, volleyball, hiking, outdoor activities; spending time with friends; and cuddling with my cat, Frances.

JW: Being outdoors, often with a canoe (any favourite portage routes?!); spending time with my partner, dog and friends; and binge-watching episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race.

LK: Swimming, reading and creative writing (genre and literary); and writing stories infused with science (currently polishing a forensic mystery where proteomics is used to solve the crime).

LA: Staying active, walking and running outdoors; traveling (trying to go somewhere new every year); reading; cooking and baking; and quilting.