DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE MAGAZINE
DATE:April 2020
New Faculty Members
Abhinav Ajaykumar, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, UBC
Supervisor: Dr. Hélène Côté
Site: UBC Hospital
Short bio:
Originally from India, I received my undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology, India in 2013, after completing my honours thesis at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. I then moved to Vancouver to pursue graduate studies, completing my PhD in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia in May 2019. My doctoral research aimed to elucidate the cellular aging process in infants and young children exposed to maternal HIV and antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy. Currently, as part of my postdoctoral training in Dr. Côté’s lab, my research characterizes the cellular and mitochondrial toxicities of clinically relevant HIV antiretrovirals using in vitro models, to determine their long-term safety.
Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, cricket, soccer (die-hard Manchester United fan), and long motorcycle rides.
Farshaad Bilimoria MD
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Forensic Pathologist, BC Coroner’s Service, Abbotsford Regional Hospital
Short bio:
I am from Langley, BC and obtained a Bachelors of Medical Laboratory Science from the University of British Columbia in 2010. After, I went to St. George’s University School of Medicine on the island of Grenada and graduated with an MD in 2014. From 2014 to 2018 I was in Pittsburgh, PA where I completed my residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in the Allegheny Health Network pathology department, and from 2018 to 2019 I was with the King County Medical Examiner Office in Seattle, WA where I completed my Forensic Pathology fellowship. Now I am back in BC and work as a Forensic Pathologist for the BC Coroners Services out of Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Center and the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia. In my spare time I enjoy re-exploring the city and discovering all the new places that have sprung up since I was gone.
Catherine Cheng, MSc, MD
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Vancouver General Hospital
Short bio:
Hi everyone! I’m a new medical biochemist in the Division of Clinical Chemistry at Vancouver General Hospital. I was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and obtained my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Windsor. Afterwards, I went to the University of Toronto where I studied the action of cytoskeletal proteins called septins in cell polarity for my MSc degree. I obtained my medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 2014 and moved out to BC for residency. I joined the Division of Clinical Chemistry in July as a medical biochemist. I also locum in Internal Medicine. Outside of medicine, my hobbies are running, cooking new dishes and spending time with my friends and family.
Kirsten Fleming, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Anatomic Pathologist and Dermatopathologist, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Center
Short bio:
I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. I completed a BSc in Oceanography at the University of British Columbia in 1999, and then worked for a number of years as a fisheries observer in Alaska and California. In 2004 I returned to UBC to attend medical school. I then did an anatomic pathology residency at Dalhousie University, followed by a fellowship in dermatopathology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Since 2016 I have worked as an anatomic pathologist and dermatopathologist at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Center. I am a mom to two amazing daughters. In my spare time I enjoy coaching soccer, hiking, skiing and reading.
Jutta Huvila, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. David Huntsman
BC Cancer Research Centre
Short bio:
My name is Jutta Huvila, born and (mostly) raised on the southwest cost of Finland. I received my medical degree (6y) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland. I did my PhD work in endometrial cancer biomarkers at Uppsala University, Sweden and at the University of Turku. From 2012 to 2019 I worked as a University instructor in addition to finishing my pathology training at University of Turku. Now I’m working as a research fellow in Dr Huntsman’s lab at BCCRC. I have a broad research interest in gynecological pathology, which extends to a translational and clinical interest. Outside of work I enjoy playing the double bass and spending family time with my husband Isto and our three sons both in cultural events as well as outdoor life on trails, water and snow.
Krista Marcon, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
Hematopathologist, Vancouver General Hospital
Short bio:
You might say Pathology is in my blood. I was born in Sudbury, Ontario to a Blood Bank Technologist (mother) and Cytotechnologist (father). I came to beautiful British Columbia for my undergraduate studies, and fell in love with Pathology while completing the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc.) program. After graduation, I worked for a year as an immunohistochemistry technician at the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre (GPEC) and decided to pursue medical school. Throughout my medical school career I was drawn not only to Pathology, but loved learning about hematology as well. I decided to marry the two interests and pursue a career in Hematological Pathology. While in residency, I pursued extra training in laboratory quality management and completed the UBC POLQM Laboratory Quality Management Certificate course. Following residency, I joined the VGH division of Hematopathology. My interests lie in quality improvement and utilization management. Outside of work, I am a wife to a very supportive and loving husband (Travis), and mom to three-year-old twin boys (Sullivan and Oscar) who take up most of my free time. When I do get a spare moment, I enjoy running on the seawall and planning/crafting family Halloween costumes.
Elizabeth L. McKinnon, MD
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Forensic Pathologist, BC Coroner’s Service, Abbotsford Regional Hospital
Short bio:
I grew up in Plantation, Florida, and obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Florida. From there, I attended medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. I graduated with my MD, and then went to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, to complete my residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. After residency I did a one-year fellowship in Forensic Pathology at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office in Dayton, Ohio. Since making my way to the Great White North, I’ve been a Forensic Pathologist at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, performing post-mortem examinations for the BC Coroner’s Service. I love teaching and look forward to guiding medical students and residents in all there is to learn about my niche but important branch of medicine. My hobbies include reading, writing, crosswords puzzles, crocheting, and being with my family (one husband, one dog, and one cat!).
Matthew Yan, MD, FRCPC, DRCPSC
Clinical Instructor, UBC
Hematologist, Fraser Health Authority & Canadian Blood Services
Short bio:
Born and raised in Vancouver, I received my BSc (Microbiology & Immunology, Computer Science) and MD at UBC. This was followed by stint in Toronto, where I completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Adult Hematology, as well as a 2-year fellowship in Transfusion Medicine. Upon completion of my post-graduate training, I returned home to Vancouver where I currently practice Transfusion Medicine at Canadian Blood Services and Fraser Health Authority. My academic interests include medical education, quality improvement, transfusion reactions and health informatics. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, attending theatre, running, cooking/baking, and discovering new food.