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Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | Jan 24, 2025

UBC Faculty of Medicine's 75th Anniversary Events

The Faculty of Medicine is marking its 75th anniversary with "Beyond 75: Imagining the future of medicine at UBC," a province-wide series of interactive events. Each location will feature engaging panel discussions with faculty, staff, learners, and health partners from urban, rural, and Indigenous communities, followed by networking receptions. Event Schedule (Virtual options available for all locations): Victoria: January 21, 2025; Kelowna: January 28, 2025; Prince George: February 5, 2025; Surrey: February 11, 2025; Vancouver: February 26, 2025

All events run from 5:00-6:45 PM, followed by a reception. Join us in celebrating 75 years of transforming health and help shape the future of medicine at UBC. RSVP and learn more about each event →

Thank You for Celebrating with Us!

Thank you to everyone who joined the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Seasonal Celebration on January 17, 2025. This year, we introduced the Department Awards as part of our winter gathering, marking a successful shift from PathDay.

Attendees enjoyed mingling with students, faculty, and staff while savoring delicious hors d'oeuvres and complimentary beverages.

Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees! Your outstanding contributions make our department exceptional. A big thank you to everyone who submitted nominations to help us recognize the remarkable achievements within our community.

Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds

⚠️ CANCELLED ⚠️
Date: Friday, January 24, 12:00PM

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
Students in class listening to a lecturer

Graduate Student Achievements

Razieh Sadat Banijamali, a PhD student in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Honglin Luo, has had an outstanding year in 2024. Her achievements include:

  • CIHR Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: The CIHR Vanier CGS program attracts and retains world-class doctoral students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in health-related fields. As the most prestigious award for PhD students in Canada, it recognizes academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
  • Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF): A prestigious UBC scholarship supporting top PhD students.
  • PhD Trainee Award (Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine): An award celebrating and recognizing outstanding trainees in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for their contributions to the vitality of the department and their excellence in research.
  • Bruce McManus Grant (Centre for Heart Lung Innovation): A grant supporting innovative research in heart health.

Congratulations to Razieh on these remarkable accomplishments!

New Faculty Asset Map: Enhancing Research Collaboration

We are pleased to announce the launch of our department's new Academic Faculty Research Asset Map . This comprehensive resource, developed as part of our Strategic Plan 2023-27, provides searchable information about:

  • Faculty research interests and keywords
  • Available biobanks
  • Specialized equipment
  • Graduate student committee participation

Invitation to Clinical Faculty Members

We are extending an invitation to our clinical faculty members to contribute their research information to this valuable departmental resource. If you would like to be included in the asset map, please contact Daniela Bertanjoli at dbertanjoli@pathology.ubc.ca for the submission form. This initiative aims to strengthen our research community and facilitate collaboration across our department. Visit the Asset Map →

Students in class listening to a lecturer

BC Cancer Research Seminar: The Importance of Diet in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Join us for a presentation by Dr. Gerry Krystal, Distinguished Scientist at the Terry Fox Laboratory and Professor in our Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
When: Friday, January 24th, 2025 | 3:00-4:00 PM
Where: BC Cancer Research Institute, Gordon and Leslie Diamond Family Theatre
Also available via Microsoft Teams
Host: Dr. Pamela Hoodless
Supported by the BC Cancer Foundation
To attend virtually or access past seminar recordings: View event details and connection information →

Recent Grant & Award Achievements

  • Dr. Poul Sorensen has secured BC Children's Hospital Research Institute funding for his project "Linking cell stress pathways to mechanisms of childhood cancer metastasis." Read more →
  • Congratulations to Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Kazem Nouri (VGH) on receiving a $10,000 UBC New Faculty Award!
  • Dr. Mel Krajden, Professor in our department, leads one of six projects funded through the 2024 Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). His project "REVEAL Cohorts" aims to improve UBC's competitiveness for large-scale funding by streamlining cross-organizational datasets for research. Total SIF funding this year: $1.27 million. Read more →

Students in class listening to a lecturer

Notable Cases by Dr. Habib Moshref Razavi:

Today's notable case highlights striking Döhle bodies. These are blue inclusions representing remnants of endoplasmic reticulum, commonly linked with toxic neutrophils.

The case: An 88-year-old male with high-grade squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, COPD, and congestive heart failure was admitted for shortness of breath. Fever, and productive cough were reported, but the patient remained ambulatory. A right lower lobe opacity was identified on chest X-ray, and CRP was elevated at 136 in keeping with diagnosis of pneumonia. Patient was treated with ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and prednisone. May-Grünwald Giemsa stain x 50 magnificction.