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Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | June 8, 2026

Department Honourees Recognized at 2026 Academic Gowns and Emeriti Recognition Ceremony

Members of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine were recognized at the 2026 Faculty of Medicine Academic Gowns and Emeriti Recognition Ceremony, held on June 2, 2026, at the University Golf Club.

Dr. Zu-hua Gao, Department Head, presented the Department’s honourees as part of the ceremony.

Promotions: Dr. Anna Fong Lee, Clinical Professor; Dr. Gang Wang, Clinical Professor; Dr. Chen Zhou, Clinical Professor; Dr. Andrew Minchinton, Professor; and Dr. Jefferson Terry, Clinical Professor.

Emeriti: Dr. Mike Allard, Professor Emeritus; Dr. Maria Issa, Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus; and Dr. Joanne Wright, Professor Emeritus.

Congratulations to all Department honourees on this well-deserved recognition.

UBC Pathology Roots of Prosigna Breast Cancer Test Highlighted in New International Trial

Congratulations to Dr. Torsten Nielsen, Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, whose earlier work helped lead to the development of the PAM50 breast cancer molecular subtyping assay, now used clinically as the Prosigna test.

New results from the international OPTIMA trial, presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, suggest that Prosigna can help identify many patients with early breast cancer who may safely avoid chemotherapy and receive hormone therapy alone. The trial included more than 4,400 patients and has been reported internationally as an important advance in personalized breast cancer care.

The test has important UBC and BC Cancer roots. Key development work was carried out through the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre at Vancouver General Hospital and the Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics at BC Cancer, in collaboration with partner institutions. Prosigna was approved by Health Canada in 2014 and was designed to be run locally in hospital diagnostic laboratories.

Read the Guardian article | Read the BBC article | View the ASCO abstract | Read the 2014 Department newsletter article

Dr. Samuel Aparicio’s Lab Contributes to Detailed Map of Breast Tissue Changes with Age

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Cambridge have created the most detailed map to date of how breast tissue changes as women age, including significant changes during menopause. The study analyzed more than 3 million cells from breast tissue samples and provides new insight into why breast cancer risk increases with age.

The work includes contributions from Dr. Samuel Aparicio, Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and was recently highlighted by the Terry Fox Research Institute. The findings were published in Nature Aging.

Read the Terry Fox Research Institute article

Dr. Gang Wang Appointed Department Representative to FoM Clinical Faculty Advisory Council

Dr. Gang Wang, Clinical Professor, has been appointed as the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s representative on the Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty Advisory Council.

Congratulations to Dr. Wang on this appointment.

Dr. Audi Setiadi Appointed Division Head of Clinical Research at BC Children’s Hospital

Congratulations to Dr. Audi Setiadi, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, on her recent appointment as Division Head of Clinical Research within Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at BC Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Setiadi is a hematopathologist and Medical Director of Flow Cytometry and Cellular Therapy at BC Children’s and BC Women’s Hospital.

Congratulations to Residents on Passing Royal College Examinations

Congratulations to the following residents on successfully passing their Royal College examinations:

Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology: Anthony Speranza, Michael Minkley, Saba Vafaei-Nodeh; Medical Microbiology: Calvin Lo, Hasan Hamze; Hematopathology: Melissa Loyzer.

We are proud of their hard work and dedication, and wish them continued success in their careers.

Medical Microbiology Residents Attend Retreat in Whistler

The Medical Microbiology residents and staff participated in a retreat in Whistler on May 30 and 31, 2026.

The retreat included a media training session led by Marcelo Dominguez, Senior Communications Specialist at Providence Health Care, as well as a presentation by Dr. Diana Whellams on the CBD feedback summary.

The retreat also provided an opportunity for group activities, including dinner and a visit to Vallea Lumina.

Transfusion Medicine AFC Fellows Attend Retreat in Victoria

The Transfusion Medicine retreat was held in Victoria on May 23 and 24, 2026. The group stayed at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and included Transfusion Medicine AFC fellows, faculty, staff, and family members.

Guest speakers included Dr. Gwen Clarke, Royal Jubilee Hospital, on career planning; Dr. Danielle Meunier, Royal Jubilee Hospital, on panreactivity; and Dr. Ann Tran, St. Paul’s Hospital, on professional identity.

The retreat also included team-building activities, including an escape room, bouldering, a group dinner, and breakfast the following morning.

CFNBI Welcomes UBC Leadership and Hosts First Annual Conference

The Core Facility for Neurology Biomarker Innovation (CFNBI) recently opened as a distinct facility in a renovated, CFI-funded laboratory at UBC Hospital. On May 25, 2026, UBC leadership, including representatives from the Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, toured the new facility.

The visit highlighted CFNBI’s advanced technologies, collaborative research environment, and role in supporting biomarker discovery and innovation in neurological disease. CFNBI is led by Dr. Cheryl Wellington, Academic Lead, with Dr. Sophie Stukas, Research Director, Dr. Andrii Vislovukh, Facility Coordinator, and biomarker technicians Andrew Agbay and Tessa Morelli.

Since its inception in 2016, CFNBI has produced 51 papers, managed more than 70 projects, and worked with a network of more than 142 collaborators. The program has helped its collaborative network secure more than $75 million in funding, with $16 million directly supporting CFNBI research activities.

CFNBI also held its first annual conference, Fluid Biomarkers as Transformative Diagnosis, Prognosis, Management, and Monitoring Tools for Neurological Disorders, on May 27 and 28, 2026. The event brought together researchers, clinicians, trainees, patient and family partners, and collaborators to discuss the role of fluid biomarkers in brain health research and care.

Visit the CFNBI website | View the CFNBI Annual Meeting page | 📷 View the CFNBI conference photo gallery

Congratulations to Dr. Wellington and the CFNBI team on this important milestone.

Dr. David Huntsman Contributes to 2026 Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research

The 2026 Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research was held in Vancouver from May 29 to June 1, 2026, bringing together ovarian cancer researchers, clinicians, trainees, and patient partners from across Canada and beyond.

Dr. David Huntsman, Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Co-Founder and Director of OVCARE, was among the UBC and BC Cancer leaders involved in the conference through OVCARE and the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. The event was co-led by the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative and Ovarian Cancer Canada.

Learn more about the 2026 Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research

Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call for Proposals

Mitacs has launched a new call for proposals through the Mitacs Accelerate program, in collaboration with Canada’s Department of National Defence. The call will support applied, mission-relevant research and development projects aligned with strategic areas identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Eligible project areas include aerospace, digital systems, artificial intelligence, quantum, cyber, sensors, space, personnel protection, specialized manufacturing, training and simulation, uncrewed systems, and arctic sovereignty.

The application deadline is August 17, 2026.

View the Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security call | Find a Mitacs advisor

Professor Emeritus Dr. Gillian Lockitch Shares New Podcast Episode on Healthy Aging

Dr. Gillian Lockitch, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, continues to share science-informed conversations on healthy aging through her podcast, Growing Older Living Younger.

In a recent episode, Dr. Lockitch speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Goldspink about muscle, mitochondria, metabolism, and brain health in midlife and aging, with a focus on practical strategies to support resilience and well-being.

Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

CTLT Dialogues Newsletter – June 2026

The June 2026 issue of CTLT Dialogues is now available. This issue includes updates on UBC teaching awards, generative AI in teaching and learning, Celebrate Learning Week 2026 resources, accessibility resources, funding opportunities, and upcoming CTLT professional development events.

Read the CTLT Dialogues June 2026 newsletter