Meet Willie Wu

Willie is one of the graduating students from UBC’s Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) Program (May 2025). From day one, his passion for pathology and medical laboratory science has been undeniable.

🔗 Read his story here

New Graduate Students Join Pathology Programs

We’re pleased to welcome the newest MSc and PhD students accepted into our Graduate Program in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Among them is Gahan Diwan, who recently shared his excitement on LinkedIn about starting his MSc studies under the supervision of Dr. David Granville. We look forward to seeing the contributions of all our incoming students as they begin their research journeys this fall.

UBC Innovation in Blood Transfusion and Organ Transplantation

Dr. Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu, Professor in our Department, and Dr. Stephen Withers have developed a groundbreaking enzyme technology that converts A antigens in blood and organs into universal O-type, helping overcome blood-type barriers in transfusions and transplants. This work could transform transplant medicine and expand the donor pool worldwide.

🔗 Read the full story

AFC Program in Pediatric & Perinatal Pathology Receives Top Accreditation Recommendation

Our AFC program in Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, led by Dr. Anna Lee (Clinical Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC | Pediatric Pathologist, BC Children’s Hospital), recently completed its external review by the Royal College.

The surveyors have recommended a standing of “accreditation with regular review”—the best possible outcome. The final decision will be confirmed by the Royal College this fall.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of this fellowship program.

Thank You to Dr. Youness Elkhalidy

Dr. Youness Elkhalidy recently completed his term as Interim VFMP Clinical Skills Director (Year 1, Term 2) at the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program. We thank him for his time, leadership, and dedication to supporting medical learners and the Clinical Skills team.

CIHR Summer 2025 Planning & Dissemination Grants Now Open

The CIHR Summer 2025 Planning & Dissemination Grant competition is now accepting applications. With a budget of $2.92 million, this cycle is expected to fund approximately 124 awards, ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 for a one-year term.

Application deadline: June 19, 2025 This round introduces the new narrative-style Tri-agency CV. SPARC is offering additional support, including:

• Guidebooks and activity templates (CWL login required)
• Annotated Tri-agency CV template (available online)
• Drop-in CV consultations:
  • Thursday, May 22 (10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
  • Monday, May 26 (1–4 p.m.)
  Registration and draft CV required in advance.

For more details, visit the SPARC website (CWL login required).

New Publication on Community-Based Molecular Testing for Infectious Diseases

Congratulations to Dr. David M. Goldfarb, Hannah Nelson, and colleagues from our department on their latest publication in PLOS ONE:
🔗 A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation of Community-Based Molecular Diagnostic Testing for Infectious Diseases

This review highlights how community-based molecular testing can improve timely and equitable access to infectious disease diagnostics in rural, remote, and underserved settings—including First Nations communities in Canada. The study was conducted in collaboration with the First Nations Health Authority to ensure meaningful context and relevance. Co-authors include: Hannah Nelson, Jia Tong Song, Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, Jennifer Cochrane, Karen Mooder, Kasra Hassani, Michelle Dittrick, and Dr. David M. Goldfarb.This important work aims to inform future policy and strengthen diagnostic systems across Canada.