The RRCancer student committee is proud to present its podcast: L’onco en balade — a monthly interview series hosted by Mélissa Thomas, inviting you to meet the key players in oncology across Québec.
The podcast is available in both video and audio formats. The YouTube and Spotify players below feature the same content, offered in two formats to suit different viewing or listening preferences.
YouTube Video
Episode 1: Biobanks
October 29 2025
In this episode, Mélissa Thomas, a postdoctoral researcher at Université Laval’s Cancer Research Center, meets with Audrey Glory, coordinator of the gynecological tumor biobank at the CHU de Québec. Together, they explore the role of biobanks in oncology research, the steps involved in collecting and preserving samples, the ethical considerations, and the challenges of managing and sustaining these valuable resources. Exploring the human and scientific dimensions of cancer research from behind the scenes.
Episode 2: New Research Models: Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics
February 27 2026
In this episode of L’Onco en Balade, Mélissa Thomas talks with Olivier Chancy, a PhD student at the Quebec Cancer Research Center, about new models in oncology. They explore how engineered tissues and microfluidic systems make it possible to study cancer in biologically relevant environments. Olivier presents his synthetic liver model and endothelialized channels that mimic blood flow. He studies the factors that influence the metastatic potential of cancer cells, particularly in the context of uveal melanoma.
Episode 3 : Gut Microbiota at the Core of Treatment Response
May 22 2026
In this episode of L’onco en Balade, Mélissa Thomas is meeting Jalal Laaraj, PhD candidate in immunology and microbiology at the Cancer Research Center in Québec. Together, they’re exploring the role of gut microbiota in patient response to anti-cancer therapies. Jalal is particularly working on bladder cancer treated with BCG : depending on their microbiota profile, patients respond, or don’t, to treatment. Studying the content of this “good” microbiota, it’s possible to increase the efficacy of the treatment.
Episode 4: A Dedicated Voice for Patient Partners
June 26, 2026
Our 4th episode of Onco en balade shines a spotlight on Lucie Piché, a patient partner who has been actively involved in numerous institutions and initiatives for the past 15 years. She shares her personal experience with cancer, the early days of patient‑partner programs, and her engagement at the Université de Montréal, the CHUM, and RRCancer. She is deeply committed to ensuring that patients’ voices are heard throughout their own care journey and to recognizing them as full-fledged actors in it. She also advocates for access to care that reflects the realities of older adults, particularly when it comes to digital systems.
Episode 5: TIL Therapy Against Liver Metastases of Colorectal Cancer
July 17, 2026
In this episode of l’Onco en Balade, Mélissa meets Éric Moreau, a Ph.D. student in immuno-oncology at CRCHUM, in Simon Turcotte’s team. He is working to improve TIL therapy, a revolutionary treatment used in particular against liver metastases from colorectal cancer, which utilizes the patient’s own lymphocytes. Éric explains how tumor cells can evade the therapy and how to counter these mechanisms.
Spotify Audio
Episode 1: Biobanks
October 29 2025
In this episode, Mélissa Thomas, a postdoctoral researcher at Université Laval’s Cancer Research Center, meets with Audrey Glory, coordinator of the gynecological tumor biobank at the CHU de Québec. Together, they explore the role of biobanks in oncology research, the steps involved in collecting and preserving samples, the ethical considerations, and the challenges of managing and sustaining these valuable resources. Exploring the human and scientific dimensions of cancer research from behind the scenes.
Episode 2: New Research Models: Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics
February 27 2026
In this episode of L’Onco en Balade, Mélissa Thomas talks with Olivier Chancy, a PhD student at the Quebec Cancer Research Center, about new models in oncology. They explore how engineered tissues and microfluidic systems make it possible to study cancer in biologically relevant environments. Olivier presents his synthetic liver model and endothelialized channels that mimic blood flow. He studies the factors that influence the metastatic potential of cancer cells, particularly in the context of uveal melanoma.
Episode 3 : Gut Microbiota at the Core of Treatment Response
May 22 2026
In this episode of l’onco en balade, Mélissa Thomas is meeting Jalal Laaraj, PhD candidate in immunology and microbiology at the Cancer Research Center in Québec. Together, they’re exploring the role of gut microbiota in patient response to anti-cancer therapies. Jalal is particularly working on bladder cancer treated with BCG : depending on their microbiota profile, patients respond, or don’t, to treatment. Studying the content of this “good” microbiota, it’s possible to increase the efficacy of the treatment.
Episode 4: A Dedicated Voice for Patient Partners
June 26, 2026
Our 4th episode of Onco en balade shines a spotlight on Lucie Piché, a patient partner who has been actively involved in numerous institutions and initiatives for the past 15 years. She shares her personal experience with cancer, the early days of patient‑partner programs, and her engagement at the Université de Montréal, the CHUM, and RRCancer. She is deeply committed to ensuring that patients’ voices are heard throughout their own care journey and to recognizing them as full-fledged actors in it. She also advocates for access to care that reflects the realities of older adults, particularly when it comes to digital systems.
Episode 5: TIL Therapy Against Liver Metastases of Colorectal Cancer
July 17, 2026
In this episode of l’Onco en Balade, Mélissa meets Éric Moreau, a Ph.D. student in immuno-oncology at CRCHUM, in Simon Turcotte’s team. He is working to improve TIL therapy, a revolutionary treatment used in particular against liver metastases from colorectal cancer, which utilizes the patient’s own lymphocytes. Éric explains how tumor cells can evade the therapy and how to counter these mechanisms.