Unleashing Discovery in Research: The Value of Investment, Partnership, and Impact
Let’s Talk Lungs PodcastShow Notes
In this episode of Let’s Talk Lungs, Inspired Breathing hosts, Lori and Trent have a lively conversation with Dr. Baljit Singh, Vice President of Research at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Singh will talk about his early days as a young researcher and how Lung Sask supported his research work in lung health. Dr. Singh will also speak to the strength of Saskatchewan research, the importance of investing in research, and will connect how research contributes to health and wellness. This episode is sponsored in part by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.About Dr. Baljit SinghDr. Baljit Singh is a highly accomplished researcher, educator and administrator in the field of veterinary medicine, with specific expertise in lung biology and anatomy. He began his role as Vice-President Research at the University of Saskatchewan in 2021, after serving as Dean of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2016 – 2020), and as Associate Dean of Research at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (2010 – 2016). He also was a Special Advisor (Experiential Learning) to the Provost (2010-2012) at the University of Saskatchewan. Recently, he served on a seven-member Advisory Panel on the Canadian Federal Research Support System.
More from Let’s Talk Lungs Podcast
On World Chronic Cough Awareness Day, podcast hosts Trent and Lori share the table with Dr. Alan Kaplan, a chronic cough expert, as he discusses when it’s time to escalate care in asthma and COPD. He explains what escalation really means in practice, from reassessing symptoms and confirming diagnosis to optimizing inhaler use, addressing adherence, and identifying barriers to treatment. Dr. Kaplan highlights key signs of poor control, when to consider stepping up therapy or referral, and the role of interprofessional teams in supporting access and patient care. If you’re looking for practical, patient-centred strategies to improve outcomes in airway disease, you won’t want to miss this conversation. About our episode guest: Dr. Alan Kaplan is a practicing family physician and Chair of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada. He is an Honorary Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine at the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (Singapore) and holds multiple leadership roles in respiratory care, including with Health Quality Ontario, the International Primary Care Respiratory Group, and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on respiratory medicine in primary care, and he has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 150 conference abstracts. This podcast episode is supported through a Lung Saskatchewan and Sanofi-Regeneron partnership.
Join Lung Saskatchewan's Let's Talk Lungs hosts Trent and Lori for a practical conversation with Dr. Shawn Aaron about triple therapy in asthma care and what clinicians need to know when supporting patients whose symptoms or exacerbations suggest their current treatment plan may need reassessment. For many patients, asthma management is not just about adding another medication. It is about confirming the diagnosis, understanding symptom patterns and exacerbation risk, checking inhaler technique and adherence, simplifying treatment where possible, and making sure patients can use and access the therapy being prescribed. This episode is designed for clinicians and health professionals who support people living with asthma, including primary care providers, respiratory educators, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and specialist teams. The conversation will focus on practical decision-making, patient communication, and how coordinated care can help close the loop between a treatment recommendation and day-to-day use. About Our Episode Guest Dr. Shawn Aaron, MD, FRCPC, is a Professor in the Division of Respirology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Clinician Scientist in the Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. His clinical and research work has focused on asthma, COPD, diagnosis, and improving respiratory care for patients and clinicians. In this episode, Dr. Aaron brings a practical, evidence-informed lens to asthma treatment decisions and the role of triple therapy in appropriate patient profiles. This podcast episode is supported through a Lung Saskatchewan and MethaPharm partnership.
As young people head back to school, conversations about vaping and nicotine are more important than ever. In this episode of Let’s Talk Lungs podcast, host Bethany sits down with respirologist Dr. Erika Penz to take a closer look at youth vaping. They explore what we know about vaping and its impact on health, what parents and educators should know about the products young people may be using. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator or someone who supports young people, this episode offers trusted information to help you better understand youth vaping and support young people who may vape or use nicotine products. About our episode guest: Erika Penz is Associate Professor and Division Head of Respirology and Sleep Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. She is Physician Co-Lead for the COPD Provincial Clinical Network. Dr Penz’s main research focus includes burden of disease studies, with a focus on lung health, including tobacco cessation, effects of vaping, and management of severe asthma and COPD. She is co-author of the 2023 CTS Position Statement on Climate Change and Choice of Inhalers for Patients with Respiratory Disease as well as the 2023 CTS Guideline on Pharmacotherapy in Patients with Stable COPD and 2025 CTS Guideline on Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency targeted testing and augmentation therapy. She is Associate Editor for COPD at the CHEST Journal. She also serves as Past President for the Canadian Thoracic Society and is an Advisory Board member of the Institute for Cancer Research of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
On this episode of Let’s Talk Lungs Podcast, host Bethany is joined by two Tod(d)s – Todd Despins, owner and operator of Vent Pro Mechanical, and Tod Boss, sales manager at Fantech. Both Tod(d)s are radon mitigators certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program and long-time friends of Lung Saskatchewan. Bethany, Todd, and Tod discuss radon reduction, indoor air quality, the lung health impacts, and answer questions about what homeowners can do to breathe better in their homes.
Join Lung Saskatchewan’s Let’s Talk Lungs hosts Trent and Lori for a timely conversation with Dr. Moaaz Rashad, a Saskatoon-based respirologist with a clinical interest in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Pulmonary hypertension can be complex, and often misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Rashad breaks down what PH is, what causes it, and how it can affect day-to-day life. Together, we’ll explore symptoms and warning signs that may prompt an evaluation, and practical strategies that can help people living with PH navigate daily routines, manage challenges, and feel more supported over time. About Our Episode GuestDr. Moaaz Rashad, MD is a respirologist in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, providing specialist care for people with lung and breathing conditions. This podcast episode is supported through a Lung Saskatchewan and AstraZeneca partnership.