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Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | Feb 07, 2025

Congratulations to Our CIHR Grant Recipients!

We are happy to announce that four members of our department have received significant funding in the recent CIHR Fall 2024 Project Grant competition:

  • Dr. Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu is developing self-sterilizing blood storage devices to make platelet and whole blood transfusions safer.
  • Dr. Christian Steidl will study the cellular environment of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma to better understand this rare cancer.
  • Dr. Yemin Wang's research focuses on developing targeted therapies for cancers with specific genetic mutations (ARID1A/ARID1B).
  • Dr. Bruce Verchere received a Priority Announcement Grant to study how immune cells in the pancreas affect diabetes development.
These projects are part of UBC Faculty of Medicine's recent $26 million CIHR funding success. The work of our researchers will help improve patient care and advance medical knowledge in blood transfusion safety, cancer treatment, and diabetes.

Read more →

Seeking Lab Equipment Donations: Support Malahat First Nation's Shellfish Testing Laboratory

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Environmental Health Services group are seeking surplus lab equipment to support an Indigenous science lab being set up by the Malahat First Nation.

BCCDC has an existing relationship with Malahat First Nation, and we are partners with them on an ongoing UBC Centre for Disease Control research grant (GEMSTONE, PI Natalie Prystajecky and Lorraine McIntyre), so we know the people well, but this is a stand-alone initiative. They're a good group, and we're hoping to give them the tools they need to train the next generation of scientists. 

This is so they can better test shellfish biotoxins using ELISA-based kits on phytoplankton in marine water and shellfish meat to know when it is safe to harvest shellfish. We're looking for lab equipment that works but is no longer being used or taking up space. 

Do you have any?

The Malahat First Nation sent an equipment and supplies wish list (attached). If you have this or other equipment you think is useful, please let us know by emailing fpinfo@bccdc.ca. 

Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds

Date & Time: February 7, 12:00PM | Presenter: Dr. Alexander Wyatt, Associate Professor in Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia | Title: "Clinical Cancer Genomics Strategic Plan" | Objectives:1. Understand our vision for a centralized clinical genomics platform that supports equitable access to precision oncology as a standard of care while fostering advancements in research. 2. Be informed about our progress of developing the 5-year strategic plan for clinical cancer genomics 3. Engage in discussions on the utilization of precision oncology genomic tests, and strategies on translating research and innovation into clinical practice to guide treatment planning

We are pleased to congratulate Raina Kang and Eunice Li, who demonstrated their tech expertise at our Cybersecurity Rounds presentation on January 31. They won gift cards for their outstanding performance in the Kahoot! Quiz.

You can also view previous rounds here. Rounds.

We welcome your participation and suggestions for topics or speakers. Please email your ideas to pathassist@pathology.ubc.ca.

The same Zoom link will be used for all rounds: Join Zoom Meeting
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/61199076992?pwd=3Ix1R2FwPB9rwimuOEfPmfhaO6onAa.1

Clinical Faculty promotion requests are now to be reviewed twice per year, in ~September – for January 1, and in ~March for July 1 each year.

If you are interested in Clinical Faculty promotion for this July 1, please submit all required documents noted below to lorra.ward@pathology.ubc.ca, by March 15, 2025.

For Clinical Faculty Promotions, the Clinical Appointments, Reappointments, and Promotions Committee requests the following documents for review:

  • Cover Letter, from the Clinical Faculty member, requesting promotion to the next Clinical rank, and summarizing past, present and intended future academic contributions to UBC. Please include teaching, research, administrative/service and any other relevant contributions to UBC.
  • Letter of Support from the Clinical Faculty member’s Site Head or Supervisor.
  • An updated CV on our Faculty Activities Database (FAD) https://fad.med.ubc.ca/path/users/  including a breakdown of teaching hours.
  • A minimum of two Peer Evaluations (any format is fine, sample templates available via links below).
  • A minimum of two Student/Resident Evaluations (any format is fine, sample templates available via links below).

Promotion documents should be sent to Lorra Ward at lorra.ward@pathology.ubc.ca, all together or separately, anytime, and we’ll keep them in the confidential employee HR file until all documents for the promotion request are received, and ready for Committee review.

The Faculty of Medicine Guidelines for Clinical Faculty Promotions, and the criteria for each rank:
🔗 Policy on Clinical Faculty Appointments | 🔗 B Sample 1 - Resident Student Evaluation Form | 🔗 Sample 2 - Supervisor Evaluation Form for Students | 🔗 Sample 3 - Talk Presentation Evaluation Form | 🔗 Sample 4 - RCPCS Evaluationform | 🔗 Sample 5 - Peer Evaluation | 🔗 Sample 6 - Teacher Assessment (by Peer) - Large Group-Lecturer | 🔗 Sample 7 - Peer Lecture Evaluation Form.

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Congratulations to Dr. David Huntsman!

We are happy to announce that Dr. David Huntsman, Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

This prestigious medal recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Canada. It celebrates key themes including service, the environment and sustainability, and our nation's diversity. Dr. Huntsman is among eleven UBC faculty members to receive this distinguished honor marking King Charles III's coronation in 2023. Read more →

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Congratulations to Dr. Bruce Verchere!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bruce Verchere has been reappointed as Director of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) for a five-year term, from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029.

Dr. Verchere is a Professor in both the Department of Surgery and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. As CMMT Director, he will continue to guide the Centre's research excellence and development of innovative medical treatments. He will continue to hold his role as the Irving K. Barber Chair in Diabetes Research.
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🎓 BMLSc Co-op Program: Summer 2025 Opportunities

Are you interested in hiring talented BMLSc students for your lab or organization? Our Co-op students are available for summer work terms starting May 2025, with opportunities for up to 4 consecutive terms. Join our distinguished employers like STEMCELL Technologies, Sanofi-Pasteur, and ALS Global in building the next generation of laboratory scientists. Click here to learn more about the program and how to get involved.

Recently Published

  • Congratulations to Dr. Zu-hua Gao, Mrs. Genevieve MacMillan, Dr. Cheryl Wellington, Dr. David Huntsman, Dr. Suzanne Vercauteren, Dr. Lucy Perrone, Dr. David Granville, and Dr. Cornelia Laule on their recent publication in Academic Pathology titled "From good to great: The journey of sustained academic improvement of a university department of pathology and laboratory medicine."
    This comprehensive article shares our department's successful strategies in overcoming challenges and achieving sustained improvement in education, research, and faculty engagement. The paper highlights our department's innovative approaches to budget management, strategic planning, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Read the full article in Academic Pathology: Read more →
  • Yeung, Eugene YH. A Review of Laboratory Biosafety and Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines on the Management of High-Risk Pathogens in Canada. Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2025, 70(1), 2; Read more →

The Faculty of Medicine has announced its 2025 call for CRC Tier I and CRC Tier II nominations in any field of research aligned to the Faculty of Medicine’s strategic plan.

Tier 1 Chairs are seven-year positions, renewable once, intended for experienced researchers who are world leaders in their fields, while Tier 2 Chairs are five-year positions, renewable once, intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have the potential to lead in their fields.

The Canada Research Chair Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan guides the University's efforts to remove barriers to equitable participation of people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women, and people from minoritized gender identity groups. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria: www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca.

The Faculty of Medicine 2025 Canada Research Chair (CRC) Competition will have an aim to meet the following Research Strategies, as outlined in the Faculty of Medicine’s strategic plan:

  • Strategy 1: Catalyze innovation and excellence in foundational, clinical and health systems research to accelerate translation across the continuum and enhance precision and population health.
  • Strategy 2: Facilitate research excellence by taking a strategic approach to creating and supporting core platforms across the province.
  • Strategy 3: Integrate equity, diversity and inclusion principles in team composition and throughout the research lifecycle from design to translation.
  • Strategy 4: Enhance our ability to respond nimbly to changing circumstances by creating opportunities for collaboration, training and team science.

If you are interested in being considered for a CRC nomination, please send me your CV and up to one page outlining how your research will align with the strategies noted above by February 12th.   

The Department will have an internal adjudication process that will conclude by mid March and the successful applications will need to be submitted to the Faculty of Medicine by April 24th.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email (genevieve.macmillan@ubc.ca). 

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PathDay 2025 Updates

The PathDay 2025 webpage is now live at PathDay2025 → . All event updates, registration details, and abstract submission information will be posted there - please check frequently for the latest information.

We are pleased to announce an expansion of the Michael A. Noble Family Awards in Laboratory Quality for PathDay May 30th, 2025. Building on the success of previous years, we are excited to extend the awards program to include BMLSc students. This year's awards will include:

  • Graduate Student Poster Award
  • Resident Poster Award
  • NEW: BMLSc Student Poster Award
  • Book prize for the certificate in Lab Quality

Monetary awards for the poster competitions will range from $1,000 to $1,600. To be eligible for consideration, posters must clearly define quality and include strategies that address risk and the consequences of error. For detailed award criteria and judging guidelines, please review the award guidelines → .

How to Apply:
Submit your abstract through the PathDay abstract submission form → and select 'yes' in the "Apply for the Michael Noble Family Award" section.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Michael Noble and family for their continued support and commitment to expanding quality initiatives in laboratory medicine.
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More Info Coming Soon

The Laboratory Quality Management Conference (LQM Conference) is now Lab Q Con! Join us at the Paetzold Education Centre in Vancouver General Hospital on June 16th and 17th, 2025. More details and registration will be available soon. Please connect with us on LinkedIn or check back in early 2025.

You can find the schedule from the 2023 LQM Conference here → .
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Notable Cases by Dr. Habib Moshref Razavi:

Today's notable case: A 64-year-old male with increased BMI, seizure disorder, and alcohol use disorder presented with pancytopenia. Upper endoscopy ruled out gastrointestinal bleeding, and he received three units of red blood cells. As further workup, a bone marrow biopsy was performed. The aspirate was a dry tap, but touch samples were representative and revealed diffuse infiltration by proerythroblasts, prominent dyserythropoiesis, decreased granulopoiesis, and virtual absence of megakaryocytes.

A trephine biopsy was packed with >95% cellularity, revealing the presence of megakaryocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed a predominance of erythroid precursors with p53 staining in >80% of cells, suggesting a TP53 mutation. The darkest, densest nuclear staining accounted for 20-30% under this stain. Flow cytometry confirmed a large erythroid precursor population. Findings are suggestive of acute erythroid leukemia (WHO-HAEM 5), corresponding to acute myeloid leukemia with mutated TP53 in the ICC classification.

Cytogenetic and molecular studies are pending. The patient is scheduled for outpatient follow-up for further evaluation and management. Giemsa stain x50 for the first panel and x100 for subsequent panels. Proerythroblast cannibalism was seen (panel 2). Glycophorin C and E-cadherin show the prominence of erythroids in the bone marrow. p53 stain shows that the darkest, most dense nuclear staining accounts for 20-30%

Pathology Picks:

Here are some additional reads you might be interested in:

  • Canadian researchers who rely on U.S. medical grants say some projects at risk even as funding resumes The Globe and Mail.
  • Fall 2024 Project Grant competition results – increased investment Read more →.
  • The Canadian Neuro-Oncology meeting in Vancouver - May 2025 Read more → .
  • The Centre for Blood Research at UBC Summer Studentship Program is officially open for applications until March 16, 2025! Read more →.
  • Professional Development Opportunities offered by UBC FoM Read more → .