PATHOLOGY

From the Department Head

As one of the largest comprehensive Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Departments in the world, our education stream includes undergraduate BMLSC, UGME, graduate (MSC, PhD, Post-doctoral fellowships), post graduate (residency training and fellowships), CME and certificate programs. Our research stream covers basic science, translational and clinical applied research programs. Our faculty members are distributed in all the hospitals across the province, 9 research institutes and the university campuses. Hundreds of students and trainees come through the department every year. This edition of newsletter only captures a snapshot of some of the activities and excellent accomplishments that have occurred within the department in the last 6 months.

In the area of research, the department has been awarded two new Tier 1 Canadian Research Chairs (Dr. Jay Kizhakkedathu and Dr. Dr. Aly Karsan) which is the highest recognition and support in the country. Dr. Christian Steidl received 6 million dollars research grant to continue his ground-breaking research in lymphoma. Dr. Samuel Aparicio’s team published their cutting-edge discovery in Nature. The MAPcore and the BCbiobank continues functions as the center of infrastructure support to all researchers. The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has announced 4.1 million dollar investment to renovate and improve dedicated UBC biocontainment research space at BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). Again, we have been successful in securing a large number of grants to fund ongoing investigations into cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, faculty members have been recognized for their contributions to the field through numerous publications , prizes, and presentations at national and international conferences. Congratulations to all of you!

The department has made strides in education, including the successful launch of several new courses and the production of a short promotional video for the Anatomical Pathology Residency Program, which will help to recruit the brightest candidates. Additionally, Nicole Herbers has developed a virtual Gross Pathology Seminar Series for Anatomical Pathology Residents. The graduate program is updating its curriculum and has created a "Did You Know" corner in their newsletter. The first new online textbook has been released from the David Hardwick Pathology Learning Center. There are many new and exciting initiatives in the CMPT and lab quality program.

As we are in the improvement and expansion mode, the demand for financial support is greater and financial challenges persist. I want to express my utmost gratitude to Dr. Noble for his donation to establish the Michael A Noble and Family Award for Laboratory Quality. The department welcomes donations like this or any other kind that could help to take our academic mission to the next level. In the last few months, we have been working to create a strategic plan for the Department. Everybody is thinking and discussing “how can we do things differently to achieve even better results?”. As such, there has been a lot of innovative ideas put forward regarding research and education that will be considered by our Strategic Planning Steering Committee in April. Overall, the UBC Pathology Department has demonstrated its continuing effort to advance the field of pathology through groundbreaking research, innovative education, and a focus on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community.