FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS: AWARDS & HONORS

We are happy to announce that Dr. Torsten Nielsen, Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, has been elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) for 2023.
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Congratulations to Dr. Samuel Aparicio, winner of the Cancer Society's Robert L. Noble Prize! This award is given to a researcher for outstanding achievements in basic biomedical cancer research.
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Dr. David Huntsman, from Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has been renewed as the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular and Genomic Pathology. This announcement is part of the Government of Canada's extensive $960 million investment supporting over 4,700 research initiatives nationwide.
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Dr. Poul Sorensen was honored as an ambassador of the Technical University of Munich.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TRAINEES! 🎉

Ji, Haifeng and Rana, Mohosin from Kizhakkedathu Lab have been honored as 2023 Research Trainee awardees by the Michael Smith Health Research BC.
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Dr. Mehwish Anwer, a Bluma Tischler Postdoctoral Fellow at DMC Brain Health, receive the first prize in UBC Postdoc's 3-Minute Slam competition. Her research focuses on traumatic brain injury and she's at the forefront of developing 3D brain-wide assessment tools using cutting-edge microscopy and genomics.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: DR. P. SORENSEN'S LAB

• Publication:Science Advances: Zhang H-F et al. elucidated a MYCN-independent mechanism impacting secretome reprogramming and metastasis in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. [PMID: 37611092]

• Grants: Rutledge Cancer Foundation:
  • Title: Targeting the IL1RAP surface protein for immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma.
  • Team: Poul Sorensen (PI), Kevin Hay, Wei Li, Dimiter Dimitrov, Timothy Cripe.
  • Funding: $100,000 USD for 1 year.
• The Osteosarcoma Institute:
  • Title: Harnessing the osteosarcoma surfaceome for immunotherapy targets to block metastatic capacity.
  • Team: Poul Sorensen (PI), Gregg Morin, Wei Li.
  • Funding: $500,000 USD for 2 years.

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS & RELEASES FROM OUR FACULTY

Dr. Zu-hua Gao has released his new book, "Pathology Review and Practice Guide". This comprehensive guide, updated from its first edition, is tailored for those preparing for licensing exams by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Pathology. Featuring over 1400 color photographs and 3100 short answer and multiple choice questions, the book also includes protocols from the College of American Pathologists and a fresh chapter on quality assurance and laboratory management. 🔗 Read More

Kemper KE, Augusto O, Gloyd S, Akoku DA, Ouattara G, Perrone LA, et al. (2023) HIV viral load testing and monitoring in Côte d’Ivoire: A survival analysis of viral load testing and suppression, and evaluation of adherence to national recommendations. PLOS Glob Public Health 3(9): e0001822. 🔗 Read More

NEW CAFE PODCAST (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada) Unveiling the Future of Medical Biochemistry: A Chat with Dr. Mattman on Sustainability, Innovation, and Work-Life Harmony

Episode Description: Are you fascinated by diagnostic tests and biochemical pathways? Do you find it thrilling to know that your specialty continually changes and will look very different in the not-so-distant future? Tune in… Medical Biochemistry could be your future career path!
Host Emily Wu, MD ticks off a list of questions for Andre Mattman, MD, FRCPC in order to demystify this collaborative specialty. Dr. Mattman gives great insight into the various residency routes, a day in his life, and a look at the rich and vast patient cases seen by a Medical Biochemist.
Dr. Mattman shares his passion for aligning medical biochemistry practices to climate sustainability. He gives thoughtful insight into his work around assessing appropriateness of certain tests vs other tests, while keeping top of mind how lab tests can have a big impact on our fragile environment... and an impact on limited resources. The health of this planet is, after all, the responsibility of all medical specialists.
And… as an important by the way… work/life balance is really good is Medical Biochemistry!
🔗 Link to Podcast

WEST NILE VIRUS IN CANADA: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW BY DR. MORSHED

Dr. Morshed discusses the history and emergence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in North America, with a focus on its impact in Canada. The virus, which caused its first major outbreak in the late 1990s, has affected thousands in the US and Canada. Despite a majority being asymptomatic, the deadly potential of WNV, particularly for the elderly, is evident. With no human vaccine available, Dr. Morshed emphasizes the importance of preventive measures against mosquito bites and sheds light on the challenges of diagnosis due to its close relation to other pathogens.
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DR. JAMES BARRIE CULLEN: A TRIBUTE TO A DISTINGUISHED PATHOLOGIST

It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jim Cullen. Jim was born in Ontario and spent most of his career at the University of Toronto, after completing fellowships in GI pathology in London. He rose through the ranks, becoming Professor and Department Head at Toronto General Hospital. He famously responded to an administrative directive to downsize by eliminating his own position, and it was through that singular act that we were fortunate enough to have Jim come to Vancouver in 1997 to take over as Department Head at Vancouver General Hospital. It was a tumultuous time in the hospital department and Jim’s wisdom, good nature and kindness were immediately impactful. One definition of integrity is behaving the same way in all situations, and Jim was an exemplar of this virtue, bringing calm professionalism to all work situations and a ready smile to all social ones. He worked in the era of compulsory retirement and at age 65 retired from Vancouver General Hospital, moving back to Toronto where he continued to work as a pathologist well into his 70’s. After the death of his beloved wife Betty in 2019, he moved back to Vancouver. He struggled with Parkinson’s disease in his final years but his good nature remained intact until the end. So many of us benefited from his mentoring and advice over the years, and it is entirely fitting that the James Cullen Award for Indigenous Medical Students has been created in his honour. The QR code links to a description to the award and provides an opportunity to support this very worthy cause, in Jim’s memory. Our condolences are extended to Jim’s family at this time. A celebration of life will be held in Vancouver at a date to be determined, sometime in 2024. Dr. Blake Gilks. Read more about his life and legacy 🔗 here.

HIGHLIGHTED EVENT(S)

Special Presentation by Dr. Katey Enfield: Deciphering the immune response to lung cancer with spatial resolution

Dr. Katey Enfield will be providing a presentation to the department about her research in Deciphering the immune response to lung cancer with spatial resolution. All department members are welcome to attend.
Thursday, October 5, 2023 -
1:00pm to 2:00pm
GORDON & LESLIE DIAMOND HEALTH CARE CENTRE ROOM 2263 (2ND FLOOR)
If you would like to attend via zoom, please see the zoom information below:
ZOOM DETAILS OPEN HTTPS://UBC.ZOOM.US/ AND CLICK ON 'JOIN A MEETING' MEETING ID: 93165 575506 PASSWORD: 575506
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Generative AI in Teaching and Learning

Explore the newly launched Generative AI in Teaching and Learning series from the UBC CTLT, designed to educate and empower educators with Generative AI knowledge. 🔗 Read More