Infectious Questions : An Infectious Diseases Public Health Podcast

In this KM Hub Knowledge Sharing Session, we learned from Birchbark Collaborative about how knowledge mobilization is understood within health research involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. This session also describes some innovative approaches and best-practices for mobilizing health research effectively for the benefit of communities members.

This KM Hub Knowledge Sharing session is the first of two companion resources in podcast format for the guides developed in collaboration with Roberta Stout and Kim Hunter at the Birchbark Collaborative. This session focused on an introduction to respectful and culturally safe relationship building in the context of health research.

For this first episode of season 2, we welcomed Dr. Benjamin Wald, who is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, Scarborough cross-appointed at the Philosophy department and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. Benjamin shared his experiences in working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and First Nations communities, and what AI can mean for the future of First Nations Data Sovereignty and governance.

This episode of Infectious Questions podcast explores the Hantavirus, a rodent-borne virus that can cause severe and potentially life-threatening illness in humans. In this episode, we discuss the virus's morphology and classification, how it is transmitted through exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine, and saliva, and the signs and symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
We sat down with Dr. Lynora Saxinger (an infectious diseases specialist) to examine the epidemiology of Hantavirus in Canada, populations at increased risk of exposure, and the public health implications of this emerging zoonotic disease. We also discuss prevention strategies, surveillance efforts, and key messages for public health professionals, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Whether you work in public health, infectious diseases, environmental health, or emergency preparedness, this episode provides practical insights to support awareness, risk communication, and disease prevention in Canadian communities.

The mod4PH Research Highlights podcast showcases new and relevant mathematical modelling concepts and research for public health.
This mod4PH podcast mini-series aims to highlight the groundbreaking work from the Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Modelling Lab (AIMMLab), directed by Dr. Jude Kong. The AIMMLab is focused on developing and deploying innovative AI, data science, and mathematical methodologies and technologies to resolve complex issues for real-world application in epidemiology, ecology, and data processing. During these five episodes, we will discuss with AIMMLab members the ways in which they are leveraging novel AI tools for mathematical modelling and for Canadian public health.
1.     Episode 5: Reflections on AIMMLab projects from previous episodes, international collaboration to strengthen Canadian healthcare systems, and the AIMMLab vision for the next five years with Dr. Jude Kong.