Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | September 19, 2025
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Happy Retirement, Shelley Berkow!
After more than a decade of dedicated service, Shelley Berkow, Manager of the Residency Programs, will be retiring at the end of December 2025. Shelley has provided outstanding leadership to our six residency programs, fellowship programs, and AFC programs in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, helping them thrive and grow.
We are deeply grateful for all that Shelley has contributed to our Department and wish her the very best in her retirement.
Plans for a celebration of Shelley’s contributions will be announced soon.
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National Postdoc Appreciation Week
This week (Sept 15–19) is National Postdoc Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the important contributions postdoctoral scholars make to research and discovery.
The Centre for Blood Research is highlighting several of our Postdocs, including Dr. Sahand Ghaffari, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Dr. Kizhakkedathu’s lab in our department. Dr. Ghaffari's current work involves developing biomaterials to help convert any blood type into universal type O for safe transfusion. This effort has potential applications in emergency medicine, organ transplantation, and improving access to blood matching across populations.
Learn more about Dr. Ghaffari’s work:
Full story here
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Pre-CaRMS Info Sessions – Pathology Residency Programs
We are hosting virtual information sessions in October and November for 2026 CaRMS applicants interested in our residency programs. Please join us to learn more and ask questions. Registration is required.
Medical Microbiology Residency Program
Info Session with Program Director Dr. Michael Payne, Associate Program Director Dr. Chris Lowe, and Lead Resident
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM (PDT) / 8:00 PM (EST)
Register here
Hematopathology Residency Program
Info Session with Program Director Dr. Krista Marcon and Lead Resident
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM (PDT) / 7:00 PM (EST)
Register here
Neuropathology Residency Program
Info Session with Program Director Dr. Ian Mackenzie and Senior Resident
Date & Time: Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM (PDT) / 7:00 PM (EST)
Register here
Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology (DMP) Residency Program
Info Session with Program Director Dr. Jon Bush and Associate Program Director Dr. Dave Farnell
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM (PST) / 8:00 PM (EST)
Register here
Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology (DMP) Residency Program – Resident Q&A
Q&A session with current DMP residents
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM (PST) / 7:00 PM (EST)
Register here
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Upcoming Presentation: Navigating AI for Administrators
Faculty and staff are invited to a presentation on Navigating AI for Administrators at the Faculty of Medicine, hosted by colleagues from Digital Solutions. The session will cover the AI landscape at UBC and the Faculty of Medicine, privacy and security considerations, and Copilot chat.
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 1:30–2:15 PM (PDT)
Join via Zoom
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Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds
🩺 Department Rounds Resume — September 19
Join us Friday, September 19 at 12:00 noon for a presentation by Dr. Titus Wong, Dr. Elisa Lloyd-Smith & Dr. Dan Holmes
Talk title: “Coming Soon: New Non-Credit Programs in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine”
View event poster
Join via Zoom
Meeting URL
Meeting ID: 661 1423 1597
Passcode: 564976
🔁 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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Congratulations to Dr. Poul Sorensen
We are proud to share that Dr. Poul Sorensen, Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Research Scientist at BC Cancer, has been awarded the 2025 Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research. This national award recognizes his significant contributions to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of high-risk childhood cancers through molecular diagnostics, helping improve outcomes for pediatric cancer patients worldwide.
The UBC National Research Prizes are among the most distinguished research honours in Canada, each valued at $50,000. Dr. Sorensen is one of three Canadian researchers recognized this year.
Read more about the 2025 UBC National Research Prize recipients:
Full story here
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Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Tang on Receiving the 2025 Health Research BC Award
Dr. Patrick Tang, Clinical Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UBC and Medical Microbiologist at St. Paul’s Hospital, is a recipient of the 2025 Scholar & Health Professional-Investigator Award from Michael Smith Health Research BC.
See the full list of 2025 awardees:
2025 Scholar & HP-I Award Recipients
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Congratulations to our 2025 Faculty of Medicine Award Recipients
Each year, the UBC Faculty of Medicine recognizes faculty and staff for excellence in teaching, research, service, and leadership. We are proud to celebrate the following members of our Department who were recognized in 2025:
- Dr. Agatha Jassem – Clinical Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career)
- Dr. Poul Sorensen – Distinguished Achievement Award: Excellence in Basic Science Research
- Dr. David Granville – Distinguished Achievement Award: Excellence in Clinical or Applied Research
- Dr. Stephen Yip – Distinguished Achievement Award: Overall Excellence — Mid-Career
Read the full list of awardees here:
Faculty of Medicine Awards 2025
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Congratulations to Dr. Launny Lowden – Executive Medical Director, Quality
We are pleased to share that Dr. Launny Lowden, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UBC and General Pathologist at East Kootenay Regional Hospital, has been appointed as Executive Medical Director, Quality at Interior Health. In this role, Dr. Lowden will provide leadership for quality and patient safety, infection prevention and control, research, evaluation, and engagement across Interior Health.
Dr. Lowden has been with Interior Health since 2017, with leadership roles including Department Head, Medical Director of Laboratory Services, and Medical Director of Patient Safety. She has contributed to initiatives provincially through PHSA, nationally with the Canadian Association of Pathologists, and remains active with the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Read the full announcement here:
IH Staffing Announcement (PDF)
In addition to this new leadership role, Dr. Lowden recently co-authored a publication on environmental sustainability in laboratory medicine:
“Greening the lab: Creation of a national playbook on environmental sustainability in lab medicine”, published in Clinical Biochemistry (Oct 2025).
Read the article on PubMed
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Wellington Lab Hosts First Friends & Family Open House
On September 6, the Wellington Lab held its first-ever Friends and Family Open House, a graduate student-led initiative designed to help trainees practice sharing their research with a general audience. The event welcomed 68 participants who rotated through 8 research stations, where trainees presented their projects in accessible language. Engagement was high, with participants asking questions, joining in BINGO, and taking part in a raffle.
The event was co-chaired by Jennifer Cooper and Tetiana Poliakova, with support from an organizing committee of lab members. It was made possible through the generosity of sponsors and donors, including the UBC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and received very positive feedback from attendees.
View photos from the event here:
Slideshow of the Open House
See the thank you card from the organizers:
Thank You Card
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2027 CFI Innovation Fund — UBC Internal Timelines
UBC has released the internal timelines in preparation for the anticipated 2027 CFI Innovation Fund competition. Key upcoming dates include:
- Dec 1, 2025: UBC Internal Expression of Interest (EOI)
- May 4, 2026: UBC internal deadline for full internal proposal (with budget, CVs, etc.)
- July 6, 2026: UBC internal decision — applicants notified
- Oct 2026: CFI deadline to submit Notice of Intent (NOI)
- Feb 2027: CFI deadline to submit proposals (expected)
- Nov 2027: CFI Board decision
Dates are tentative and subject to change as CFI releases new information. For early support or to request a Test-Your-Concept session, please consult UBC’s Innovation & Partnerships Office.
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Call for Notices of Intent: Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant Program
UBC Health is offering funding through the Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant Program to support projects addressing priority research questions identified by the Ministry. For this round, 11 research questions have been prioritized and are listed on the program page.
Key Dates:
- Information Session: Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 12:00–1:00 PM
- Notices of Intent Due: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
- Full Applications (by invitation): Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Learn more and view the full call for proposals:
UBC Health – Seed Grant Program
Questions? Contact Lindsay Burton, Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives, UBC Health: lindsay.burton@ubc.ca
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Strategic Investment Fund: Call for Proposals 2025
The Faculty of Medicine is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). Since 2017, more than $13M has been invested in 123 projects that advance the Faculty’s strategic plan and drive meaningful change across disciplines and communities in B.C.
Deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025
Learn more about eligibility and submit your proposal here:
Strategic Investment Fund – Call for Proposals 2025
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PaLM Departmental Awards — Nominations Open
We are inviting you to submit nominations for the 2025 departmental awards.
- Deadline: October 1, 2025, 6:00 PM
- Awards Celebration: January 15, 2026 — Medical Student Alumni Centre
Awards overview & all nomination forms
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Pathology Picks:
Here are some additional reads you might be interested in:
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BioConnect BC will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 4:00–7:00 PM at Mahoney’s on Stamps Landing. Last month’s event had a great turnout – thanks again to Zymeworks for their support.
This month’s event is sponsored by ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries), a world-leading UBC/VCHRI translational research centre focused on spinal cord injury and related conditions. ICORD’s research spans fundamental science, bioengineering, rehabilitation, community, and clinical studies.
All are welcome – hope to see you there!
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UBC Immersion Week 2025
UBC Immersion Week takes place September 23–24 at UBC Robson Square. The event features sessions on innovation, governance, AI, security, and more.
Learn more
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100 Years of UBC at Point Grey – Exhibition
An exhibition marking 100 years of UBC at Point Grey is open from September 8 to December 5 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre.
Event details
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UBC Staff Toastmasters Open House
The UBC Staff Toastmasters Club is hosting an open house on September 25, 2025. This is a chance for staff to explore public speaking and leadership opportunities.
Learn more
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Respiratory Virus Data Update
The BC Centre for Disease Control reports that influenza and RSV levels remain low, while COVID-19 activity is moderate as of early September 2025.
View the BCCDC dashboard
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Expanded Allied Health Programs
PHSA and partners are expanding allied health training programs on Vancouver Island, including speech-language pathology, to help meet community needs.
Read more
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Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF)
UBC is accepting Small Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) proposals for 2026/27. Deadline: November 13, 2025.
Application details
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UBC Health Awards and Scholarships 2025
Submissions are now open for the 2025 UBC Health Awards and Scholarships. Application period runs September 8 – October 17, 2025.
More information
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📣 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!
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