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Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | March 14, 2025

Faculty Promotions Announcement

We are pleased to announce the following clinical promotions, officially approved by the Dean’s Office, President’s Office, and Faculty Relations.

  • Dr. Victor Leung – Promoted to Clinical Professor (effective October 15, 2024)
  • Dr. Karen Sherwood – Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor (effective October 15, 2024)
  • Dr. Antonio Subtil De’Oliveira – Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor (effective August 1, 2024)
  • Dr. Li Wang – Promoted to Clinical Professor (effective October 15, 2024)

Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition!

Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds

Join Us for a Rounds Presentation by Dr. Jurgen M. J. Piek

Please join us on Friday, March 14 for a rounds presentation by Dr. Jurgen M. J. Piek on "The History, Current & Future Perspectives on High Grade Serous Carcinoma." This meeting will be available both in-person and via Zoom.

Attend In-Person:

  • Date: March 14, 2025
  • Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
  • Location: BC Cancer Research Centre (BCCRC) – Lecture Theatre

Attend Virtually:

PLEASE NOTE: The Zoom information for this session has been updated.

Join Zoom Meeting:
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 682 5233 6487
Passcode: 710760

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
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New Faculty Appointment:
Dr. Yemin Wang Appointed Assistant Professor, Partner at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

We are very pleased that Dr. Yemin Wang has accepted the appointment of Assistant Professor, Partner with the Department. Dr. Wang obtained his PhD degree in Experimental Medicine at the University of British Columbia in 2009, studying the roles of ING family proteins in melanoma pathogenesis. He then pursued postdoctoral studies at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, exploring the role of microRNAs in DNA damaging response and chemoresistance. In 2012, he joined the laboratory of Dr. David Huntsman lab at BC Cancer Research Centre as postdoctoral fellows of Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research to study how genetic mutations in microRNA biogenesis gene DICER1 drive rare ovarian cancer development. Dr. Wang is currently a senior research scientist in the Ovarian Cancer Research (OVCARE) Center and Vancouver Prostate Centre at Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. His lab studies how genetic mutations drives the development and progression of rare aggressive ovarian and endometrial cancers to inform targeted therapeutics.

NSERC CREATE: MaST3 Graduate Training Program Approved

We are pleased to share that the NSERC CREATE application for the Mass Spectrometry Team Training and Transition Program (MaST3) has been approved. Led by Dr. Mari DeMarco, Associate Director of MaST3, this program will train graduate students in advanced mass spectrometry techniques, emphasizing collaboration and real-world applications in research and industry.. The program provides interdisciplinary training, hands-on lab experience, and a six-month scholarship of $20,000 to support team-based research projects. A presentation on MaST3 will be scheduled at an upcoming province-wide rounds to provide more details. More information to come soon!.
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Highlighting Dr. Honglin Luo’s Nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award

Dr. Honglin Luo, Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, has been nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Research, The Sciences & Technology.

As a leading researcher in viral pathogenesis and virotherapy, Dr. Luo has made important contributions to treatments for viral myocarditis, ALS, and cancer. Her work in oncolytic viral therapy has led to two patents, and she is recognized as one of Canada’s top experts in enterovirus research.

Congratulations to Dr. Luo on this well-earned recognition! The winners will be announced at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala on April 28, 2025.

To show your support:

  • Visit the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards page. vote here →
  • Submit your vote by April 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
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Research in Focus: Dr. Alberto Delaidelli & Dr. Poul Sorensen

New Test Improves Diagnosis of Childhood Brain Tumours
Dr. Alberto Delaidelli (Postdoctoral Fellow) and Dr. Poul Sorensen (Professor) from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine have helped develop a groundbreaking test to identify aggressive medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour in children. This new technique, based on proteomics and widely available lab methods, allows for faster and more accurate risk assessment, ensuring high-risk patients receive intensive treatment while sparing others from unnecessary therapy. The research, a collaboration between multiple institutions, has the potential to improve global pediatric cancer care. read more →

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Faculty Spotlight: Karen Sherwood, Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Karen Sherwood, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, focuses on improving transplant success through precision medicine. Her research explores how genomic and immunology tools can personalize treatments and reduce the risk of rejection. Learn more about her work and how it is helping advance patient care. read more →

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🎤🔬 Science, Comedy, and Music—round two! 🎶😂

After a sold-out premiere, Dr. Marissa Lithopoulos and Science, Stand-Up & Song are back for another night of hilarious science-themed comedy, music, and a panel with top Vancouver scientists.
🎟️ Get your tickets here →

CARMS Match results for Pathology for July 2025

We are happy to advise that the following matched to Pathology for July 2025.

Congratulations and welcome to: Zhitao Zhong (UAlberta) and Felicia Deng (UCalgary), Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology; and Dan Zhang (UAlberta), Hematopathology.

Research Funding Announcement

  • BCCHR Clinical Investigator Award for Dr. Allison Matthews, Clinical Assistant Professor: We are pleased to announce that Dr. Allison Matthews has received the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) Clinical Investigator Award. This grant provides $160,000 in funding over five years (2022–2027) to support her research at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

Recent Publication

  • Dr. Yen Chen Kevin Ko, Clinical Assistant Professor, Publishes in AJSP and Histopathology
    Congratulations to Dr. Yen Chen Kevin Ko on his recent publication in the American Journal of Surgical Pathology (AJSP) and Histopathology. His latest study, "Consensus in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia Classification: A Comparative Analysis of H&E-Stained Sections with and without p53/p16 Immunohistochemistry," has been accepted for publication in AJSP. Read more →

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Upcoming Conference: The Future of Pathology – CPQA Symposium 2025

The Canadian Pathology Quality Assurance (CPQA) program is hosting a symposium for pathologists, laboratory scientists, and researchers on June 14-15, 2025, at the Victoria Conference Centre.

Several our faculty members will be presenting, including Drs. Zuzana Kos, David Huntsman, Blake Gilks, Basile Tessier-Cloutier, Ali Bashashati, and Stephen Yip. The event will feature discussions on the future of pathology, quality assurance, and advancements in diagnostic techniques.

Event Details:
📍 Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC
📅 Dates: Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15, 2025
🎟 Early Bird Registration Deadline: April 1, 2025
Space is limited, so register early. Register here →
Need accommodations? Special rates are available at the Fairmont Empress through the CPQA room block. Book here → (first come, first served).

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CEDAR Camp 2025: Facilitation Interest

CEDAR Camp 2025: An immersive educational program at the UBC Vancouver campus held in the last two weeks of July, CEDAR Camp inspires young Indigenous minds through hands-on STEM activities. The camp offers local Indigenous youth, aged 8-12, a chance to explore UBC’s vibrant research environment with interactive programming that blends culture and science. Campers engage in arts & crafts, outdoor activities, and learn about post-secondary opportunities close to home. Read more →

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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.

Complimentary Childcare Available: To support attendees with young children, we are pleased to offer complimentary childcare during the Awards & Networking Reception (5:15 PM onwards). If you require childcare services, please indicate this in the registration form under the designated section.

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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