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Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | February 20, 2026
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Bulk Add is Here — Enter over 100 Records in One Click!

The Faculty Activities Database (FAD) now features an AI-powered Bulk Add Assistant across most data entry sections, with more on the way. Instead of adding records one at a time, you can now paste text directly from your CV, publication lists, or teaching reports — and the system will automatically parse them into individual records. Whether it's 5 entries or 100, the assistant handles it in seconds. You'll also get a chance to review and edit everything before saving, so nothing goes in without your approval.

This is a new feature and we're still fine-tuning it, so the occasional hiccup is possible. We'd love for you to give it a try and let us know how it goes — your feedback and bug reports will help us make it even better!

Look for the ✏️ AI Assistant — Bulk Add button at the top of each section.

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PhD Defense – Jennifer Cooper

Congratulations to Jennifer Cooper, PhD candidate in Dr. Wellington’s lab, on the successful defense of her doctoral thesis.

Jennifer’s research focused on plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration across the spectrum of brain health. Her work contributes to advancing the understanding of blood-based biomarkers in neurological disease.

We thank Jennifer for her contributions to the Department and wish her continued success in the next stage of her research career.

Recent Publications

  • New Publication – Dr. Christian Steidl
    A study led by Dr. Christian Steidl, Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, and Executive Director, Research at BC Cancer, has been published in Cancer Discovery. The research shows that classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) comprises four biologically distinct subtypes with distinct genetic and immune features. The team developed a new classification system (HLGen) to support subtype-specific research and clinical trials.
    Read the publication | Press release
  • New Publication – Dr. David Grynspan
    Dr. David Grynspan, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, and colleagues at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (Interior Health) have published new research in Placenta examining placental biomarkers and postpartum cardiovascular risk following preeclampsia. In this pilot study, the team evaluated anti-angiogenic and inflammatory markers alongside placental pathology and clinical data. Integrating these factors improved prediction of six-month postpartum cardiovascular risk, highlighting the potential of placental profiling for individualized risk stratification after hypertensive pregnancy.
    Read the publication
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New Leadership Role – Dr. Lucy A. Perrone

Dr. Lucy A. Perrone, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, has been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for the 2026–2027 term.

CLSI is an international, non-profit organization that develops consensus-based standards and guidelines for clinical and laboratory testing. Its work supports quality, safety, and consistency in laboratory medicine worldwide.

Dr. Perrone’s nomination reflects her leadership in laboratory quality management and proficiency testing and will enhance opportunities for collaboration and visibility for UBC programs in laboratory quality.

Learn more about CLSI
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Research Funding – Dr. Ali Bashashati: Harnessing AI to Improve Ovarian Cancer Outcomes

UBC researchers are part of an international team awarded $2 million to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve prediction of ovarian cancer survival, support treatment selection, and inform clinical trial recommendations. Dr. Ali Bashashati (Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC; Director of AI Research, OVCARE) will lead the project’s AI efforts in collaboration with partners at the University of Michigan, UNSW, and the University of Cambridge.
Read the announcement

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Emeritus Faculty News

Podcast – Dr. Gillian Lockitch
Dr. Gillian Lockitch, Professor Emerita, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, has released a new episode of her podcast Growing Older Living Younger titled “The Gut Microbiome–Inflammation Connection and Accelerated Aging”. In conversation with Martha Carlin, founder and CEO of The BioCollective, the episode examines how changes in the gut microbiome contribute to inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and age-related disease. The discussion explores biological changes in the gut over time and practical strategies to support gut resilience and healthy aging.
Listen to the episode
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Call for Projects – seed2STEM Summer 2026

Call for Projects – seed2STEM Summer 2026
Engage in reconciliACTION: Host an Indigenous high school student in your lab this summer. seed2STEM is an award-winning, paid 6-week summer research program for Indigenous students (Grades 9–12) in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna. Originally launched at ICORD (UBC Faculty of Medicine), the program now places students across UBCV, UBCO, affiliated health research sites, and SFU to increase Indigenous participation in STEM.

Supervisors provide a 6-week research project and mentorship (no prior experience supervising high school students required; support is available to help develop a project). seed2STEM provides full or partial student salaries (if needed), wraparound student supports, program coordination, cohort programming on Mondays, and Indigenous awareness and cultural safety training for supervisors and lab members.

Program dates: July 6 – August 14, 2026 (20 hours/week, Tuesday–Friday)
Project proposal deadline: March 20, 2026

Submit a project proposal | Program details | Short info brochure (PDF) | 2025 Annual Report (PDF) | 2025 Program Video Recap

Virtual Info Session: Friday, February 27, 12–1 pm (Zoom)
Join info session
Meeting ID: 621 7586 2731 | Passcode: 338627

Questions? Contact seed2STEM@icord.org

 

Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds

Friday, February 20, 2026 — Province-Wide Pathology Rounds (12:00 noon – 1:00 pm)

Please join us for Province-wide Pathology Rounds featuring a presentation by:
Dr. James C. Zimring

Non-alpha Isomers of Biliverdin/Bilirubin as Novel Anti-oxidants

Learning Objectives:

  • Define and understand the role oxidative stress plays in hemolysis.
  • Understand and explain the biogenesis and chemistry of non-alpha isomers of biliverdin/bilirubin and their anti-oxidant properties.
  • Define biliverdin reductase B and its role in antioxidation.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. James C. Zimring, MD, PhD, received both his M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Emory University. He is board certified in Clinical Pathology, a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology, and an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation. Dr. Zimring has held professorships at Emory University, the University of Washington, and the University of Virginia, where he held the Thomas W. Tillack Chair in Experimental Pathology. He has maintained an NIH-funded laboratory for over 20 years and has published more than 200 research articles in transfusion medicine and diseases of the blood. He is also the author of two books: What Science Is and How It Really Works (Cambridge University Press, 2019) and Partial Truths: How Fractions Distort Our Thinking (Columbia University Press, 2022).

Date & Time:
Friday, February 20, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 pm

Zoom Access

  • Go to ubc.zoom.us and click “Join a Meeting”
  • Meeting ID: 661 1423 1597
  • Passcode: 564976
  • Meeting link: Join via Zoom
  • Dial-in option: +1 778 907 2071 (long-distance charges may apply)

Download event poster (PDF)

🔁 Missed a session? View recordings of previous rounds here: Past Rounds Archive

💡 Have ideas for future rounds or speakers? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at pathassist@pathology.ubc.ca

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PathDay 2026

The PathDay 2026 website is now live. Speaker information and a tentative program schedule are available. PathDay registration and abstract submission can be accessed directly through the website.

Please visit the site regularly for updates, deadlines, and program details.

Visit the PathDay 2026 website

Pathology Picks:

Here are some additional reads you might be interested in:

  • Funding Opportunity – Wall Fellowships & Research Awards
    🚨 Funding alert! 🚨 The Wall Fellowships & Research Awards are now open to faculty members and graduate students at The University of British Columbia. These awards support graduate research and scholarly activity across disciplines.
    Learn more and apply
  • UBC Workshop Series (Online): Psychological Safety for Leaders
    UBC is offering a two-part Zoom workshop series for managers, supervisors, and people leaders (all faculty and staff welcome): From Clarity to Capacity – Psychological Safety & Sustainable Systems for Leaders (facilitator: Meghan Watson). Sessions are March 3 and March 10 (10:30 am–12:00 pm).
    Details & registration
  • CTLT Dialogues (February 2026): Teaching and Learning Updates
    The February issue highlights upcoming CTLT priorities and resources, including GenAI surveys, Indigenous Initiatives reflections on AI, and upcoming programming such as Celebrate Learning Week (May 4–8; call for proposals opens Feb 23).
    Read CTLT Dialogues
  • CTLT Event: 2026 H5P Symposium (Online)
    The two-day H5P Symposium (Feb 18–19) explores interactive learning design using H5P, OER, and generative AI, with keynote sessions from Dr. Veronica X. Yan and Dr. Richard E. Mayer.
    View details & register
  • REDI (Respectful Environments, EDI): Upcoming Events and Resources
    The REDI February newsletter includes upcoming sessions and resources, including Indigenous Speakers Series events and restorative approaches to harm and conflict (Part II).
    Read the REDI February newsletter
  • Faculty of Medicine Updates: Community News, Events, and Opportunities
    The latest Faculty of Medicine roundup includes community updates, event listings, and notices such as an emergency preparedness survey (deadline Feb 20).
    Read the Faculty of Medicine update

📣 Have News to Share?

Do you have a story, publication, award, event, or other exciting update to share with the UBC Pathology community?

We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to Debbie Bertanjoli at dbertanjoli@pathology.ubc.ca.

Let’s celebrate our collective achievements and keep our community connected!