DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE MAGAZINE
DATE:February 2019
New Faculty Members
Jamie Yu, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow
Jack Bell Research Centre
Supervisor: Dr. Torsten Nielsen
Short bio:
Hello! I've always had an interest in cancer research, and have just completed my PhD at UBC studying myxoid liposarcoma, which is a cancer driven by a fusion protein. I'm now continuing my interest in sarcoma research with Torsten Nielsen by studying synovial sarcoma, which is also driven by a fusion protein (SS18-SSX), and looking for key mechanisms of action behind the fusion protein that can be targeted by existing or upcoming therapeutics. I was born and raised in Singapore, but have spent most of my adult life in Vancouver. Outside of work, I enjoy having family time with my husband and two children, and doing projects with the kids. I also love singing, especially a capella music, and currently sing with the Vancouver Pops choir.
Diana Whellams, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Medical Microbiologist, LifeLabs
Short bio:
Born and raised in Ottawa, I completed a BSc at Trent University in Ontario in 2006 and an MPH at Simon Fraser University here in Vancouver in 2009. I attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario for medical school and a residency in Medical Microbiology ending in 2017. After my training, I returned to the Vancouver area to work as a microbiologist at LifeLabs. My professional interests include antibiotic susceptibility testing, laboratory quality, and teaching. Outside of work, you might find me hiking with my husband, horseback riding, or curled up with a good book beside our pet cat, Lulu and our dog, Matty.
Gang Wang, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
BC Cancer Research Centre
Short bio:
I earned my medical degree from the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, and a PhD degree in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from the University of British Columbia. After a couple of years of postdoc research, I started my residency in Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland for a year and returned to UBC to finish my training in Anatomic Pathology. After completing a Genitourinary Pathology fellowship in MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, I came back to BC Cancer Vancouver Centre as a consultant pathologist. My research mainly focuses on malignancies of the genitourinary system. I am also interested in molecular biomarker studies in different tumors, including breast cancer and lung cancer. I spend most of my spare time with my family, enjoying movies, all types of delicious food, and helping with my daughter’s homework (whether or not she needs it)
Peyman Tavassoli, MD PhD FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
Richmond Hospital
Short bio:
I obtained my MD in Tehran, Iran, subsequently gaining clinical and research experience before my move to Canada, where I undertook post-doctoral training at the Vancouver Prostate Centre receiving my PhD in 2010. I completed a General Pathology residency program at UBC, achieving FRCPC certification in 2015. I then pursued a one-year Urological pathology fellowship at the Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, returning in July 2016 to be appointed as a consultant pathologist at the BC Cancer Agency, a position I held for 18 months. I also had the privilege to work in Kelowna General Hospital until my recruitment to Richmond Hospital. In addition to my interest in GU, I also have special interest in Breast pathology. My current goals are to enhance communication between pathologists and clinicians, and to establish research clinical collaborations for patient care. On a personal level, I am keen to explore new places as well as enjoying fine dining, skiing and swimming. I am also eager to challenge anyone for a tennis match!
Tyler Smith, MSc, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
Vancouver General Hospital
Short bio:
I was born in Edmonton and raised in Kelowna. I then attended the University of Victoria where I majored in Biochemistry and was fortunate to experience four 4-month research work terms in molecular biology labs. After a year of backpacking, I entered medicine at UBC. Although many areas of medicine caught my interest, in the end I settled on pathology – it just fit really well with my scientific background and love of diagnostic thinking. Although I started residency at UBC in general pathology, I quickly realized that hematopathology was what I wanted to do for a career. I love it’s mixture of morphology, lab management, frequent interactions with clinicians, and the evolving role of flow cytometry and genetic diagnostics. After completing a two year fellowship in thrombosis and hemostasis, I joined the VGH Division of Hematopathology. My areas of interest largely center around laboratory coagulation, utilization management, and maintaining strong communication links between clinicians and the lab. My wife Karolina and I have a daughter and a son in elementary school and love getting outdoors as much as possible in our leisure time.
Aaron Shapiro, PhD, F-ABFT
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
Associate Scientific Director
Provincial Toxicology Centre, BC Centre for Disease Control
Short bio:
I am a forensic toxicologist responsible for oversight of analysis and interpretation of drugs, alcohol, and poisons in post-mortem samples submitted by the BC Coroners Service. I completed a BSc at the University of Guelph in Biomedical Toxicology, an MSc at the University of Northern BC in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a PhD at the University of Toronto in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I worked as a forensic toxicologist at the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences where I focused primarily on death investigations for the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario. I joined the Provincial Toxicology Centre in August 2017 to meet increasing demands arising from the opioid crisis. My current research interests include knowledge translation and data sharing to provide proactive solutions and rapid responses to drug-related issues. In my spare time, I enjoy “type II fun” activities such as hiking and triathlon.
Audi Setia, MD
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Vancouver General Hospital
Short bio:
I earned my BSc degree in Cell Biology & Genetics at University of British Columbia in 2007 and medical degree at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) in 2012. After graduating from medical school, I returned to Vancouver to pursue a residency in Hematopathology at UBC. I worked at St. Paul’s Hospital prior to joining the VGH Hematopathology group. Some of my interests and projects I worked on in the past include: minimal residual disease assessment of B-lymphoblastic leukemia using flow cytometry with Dr. Suzanne Vercauteren at BC Children’s Hospital and exploring the prognostic roles of chromosomal microarray and next generation sequencing in myelodysplastic syndromes with Dr. Aly Karsan at BCCA. I was also involved in the regional bone marrow quality improvement initiatives at Vancouver General Hospital. Outside of work, I enjoy photography, skiing, watching concerts and travelling.
Nicholas Sunderland, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Hematopathologist, Kelowna General Hospital
Short bio:
I grew up in Kamloops, BC and went to Queen's university to study biochemistry. I subsequently went to medical school at UWO in London, Ontario, where I met my future wife Sarah. After medical school I moved back to BC and completed a general pathology residency in Vancouver, along with a year fellowship in general hematopathology. I was hired by interior health in the capacity of a general hematopathologist at Kelowna General Hospital, starting in the summer of 2016. My main areas of practice are in lymphoma and bone marrow diagnostics, general patient care, as well as quality improvement and outreach coverage with other smaller sites in the region. I have interests in teaching, including currently technologists and UBC Okanagan medical students. My wife and I have a Duck Tolling Retriever, Piper, 2 cats and a (new) daughter, Quinn. My personal interests include various athletic / outdoor activities, healthy eating, reading and projects including carpentry and home improvement.
Lauren Tindale, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, UBC
Supervisor: Dr. William Hsiao
BC Centre for Disease Control
Short bio:
I completed my PhD at Simon Fraser University in 2018, working out of Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre. My thesis research was focused on the genetics of healthy aging, so it was quite a shift when I started my current research in avian and human influenza virus surveillance. I am very passionate about genetics research and it’s impacts on human health, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to work on this great project at the BCCDC. Outside the lab I can often be found lifting heavy things in the gym, hiking, biking, playing touch rugby, or generally doing some sort of fitness activity.