DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE MAGAZINE
DATE:JULY 2017
New Faculty
Amrit Singh, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Superviors: Drs. Bruce McManus and Raymond Ng
PROOF Centre of Excellence
Short bio:
I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Mathematics from McMaster University and recently obtained my PhD in Experimental Medicine from UBC. My thesis focused on the development of blood-based biomarker panels for different asthma phenotypes. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the PROOF Centre of Excellence, co-supervised by Drs. Bruce McManus and Raymond Ng. My interests include analyses of high dimensional biological datasets for biomarker discovery, data integration, disease classification and method development. My current research aims include identifying and improving the biological understanding of mechanisms and biomarkers in heart failure and heart transplant rejection.
I enjoy spending time with my family, staying fit (yoga, strength training/conditioning and swimming) and recently hiking.
Basile Tessier-Cloutier, MD
Postdoctoral Reseach Fellow
Supervior: David Huntsman
BC Cancer Agency
Short bio:
Dr. Basile Tessier-Cloutier completed his medical training at McGill University in Montreal and later moved to Vancouver to begin a residency program in Anatomical Pathology at the University of British Columbia. His current research focuses on molecular profiling of cancer through proteomic analysis of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue. Under the supervision of Dr. David Huntsman, he started a research fellowship at the British Columbia Cancer Agency Research Centre where he will study potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to help resolve diagnostic conundrum in Anatomical Pathology.
Jun Duan, PhD
Research Associate
Supervior: William Hsiao
BC Centre for Disease Control
Short bio:
My research focus is on Bioinformatics. I obtained my PhD degree from Southwest University, China. Throughout my PhD I focused on the study of sikworm genome analysis, pipeline development and genome database construction. Then I spent three year working at the Chongqing University, China. In 2012, I moved to Canada and spent four years as a post-doctoral fellow at University of Guelph and Great Lakes Forestry Centre, where I worked on screening target genes for RNAi-mediated pest control using transcriptome and genomic data analysis. In Octoer 2016, I joined Dr. William Hsiao’s lab at the BC Centre for Disease Control. Our current project aims to establish a new surveillance platform for avian influenza virus based on next-generation sequencing. In my spare time, I like hiking with my wife and lovely son. I also enjoy travelling, fishing and playing soccer.
Dante D'Urbano, MD, FRCPC
Clinical instructor
Vernon Jubilee Hospital
Short bio:
I am an anatomical pathologist working at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital since July 2015, to which I moved from a position at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. As a general anatomical pathologist, my scope of practice is quite broad, but I have a particular interest for dermatopathology as well as hematopathology. I also enjoy teaching medical students and residents. Our team has hosted many medical students in the last few years, but not as many residents. We would be delighted to host residents for “community practice” rotations. But beware, I have an extensive collection of classic cases in all subspecialties of pathology, have written a few complete practice oral and written exams for residents in the past, and my colleagues and I know a thing or two about what is important for your Royal College final examination. Otherwise just come out to enjoy the Okanagan and bring your significant other or family. Fresh fruits and fresher wine await you. Join us for some champagne powder skiing, a bike ride or a round of golf… How about that for a sales pitch!
Erin Chapman, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. Tony Ng
Head and Neck Pathology, VGH
Short bio:
I am proud to be back at UBC doing a one-year fellowship in Head and Neck pathology under the supervision of Dr. Tony Ng. This is a special opportunity for me as it was my experiences as an iCapture summer student and a UBC BMLSc undergraduate which led me to medical school. I graduated with my MD from Western University in 2009 and returned to UBC Pathology once again for residency. Family circumstances then took me to Edmonton where I completed my residency in 2016. I have very much enjoyed working once again with the wonderful group of UBC pathologists (some of whom are former co-residents!). At home, my husband and I have two young daughters who keep us very busy. When I do have free time I enjoy fitness which does not require athletic skill, travelling and all things pop culture.
Future Plans:
Pathologist at University of Alberta Hospital
Kerstin Locher, PhD
Research and Development Scientist
Medical Microbiology, VGH
Short bio:
In 2005 I completed my PhD in Science at the University of Muenster, Germany studying cell signalling events during cutaneous wound healing. After relocating to Sydney, Australia in 2005 I spent 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Prince of Wales Clinical School at the University of New South Wales. My research focused on creating cell based therapies as an alternative treatment for type 1 diabetes. I joined the Medical Microbiology Laboratory at Vancouver General Hospital in 2009 where I currently work as Research and Development Scientist. I am particularly interested in the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic tests for the detection of clinically relevant pathogens.
When I’m not at work I can be found exploring Vancouver and its beautiful surroundings with my husband and young daughter.
Janette van den Berghe PhD, FCCMG
Clinical Assistant Professor
Cytogenetics Laboratory, VGH
Short bio:
I became intrigued by genetics at an early age and have sustained a lifelong interest in clinical cytogenetics and especially its application to oncology. Educated in England, the PhD in Medicine and post-doctoral research were both in the field of cancer cytogenetics and my research interest continues to be elucidating the cancer genome. While in Canada I have directed, or co-directed, clinical cytogenetic laboratories for 17 years across 3 provinces, was awarded Fellowship of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists and served as a national examiner. I have previously held faculty positions at two Canadian universities and one in Singapore. I enjoy teaching and am thrilled to be able to do so at UBC. Beautiful BC is a wonderful place to be for someone who loves gardening, nature and outdoors as much as I do. Can’t understand why the three grown kids want to stay in the prairies!
Hua Wang, PhD
Visiting Associate
Supervisor: Dr. Decheng Yang
Centre for Heart Lung Innovation
Short bio:
I received my PhD degree from Jiangsu University in the field of Laboratory Medicine in 2011. My research interests are centered on molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. Currently, I work as visiting associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Vancouver Campus, UBC. I am a team member of Dr. Decheng Yang’s lab and participate in the ongoing projects. My present research interests are on host protein responses to coxsackievirus infection, especially for nuclear pore complexes, which are large proteinaceous channels embedded in the nuclear envelope that restrict and regulate such transport.