2024

  • Western mourns Elder Dan Smoke

    November 13, 2024
    The Western community is remembering Dr. Dan Smoke, a cherished Elder, educator, and spiritual leader, whose journey home to the Spirit World began on Monday, Nov. 4. Dan Smoke, a proud member of the Seneca Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Killdeer Clan, was a teacher, activist, writer and broadcaster.

  • OICR funding boost aims to speed the development of new drugs for some of the most common cancers

    November 08, 2024
    Congratulations to Dr. Saman Maleki on receiving funding from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) for this project entitled “Identifying an MLH1 small molecule inhibitor for combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors”.

  • Blood Culture Incubation Period – A QI Project

    October 31, 2024
    Every winter, our microbiology laboratory experiences a surge in blood culture specimens. This poses a capacity challenge to our incubators which detect positive cultures. To meet this demand without purchasing new equipment, the microbiology team under the leadership of Dr. Almutawa explored a more efficient approach to blood culture incubation.

  • Halloween Costume Contest 2024

    October 31, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine encouraged faculty and staff to dress up in costumes for this year's Halloween costume contest. Thanks to everyone who participated and also to our judges for helping choose our winners! Glad we had some laughs (and possibly a few scares) in the department.

  • Meggie Vo completes her MSc Thesis

    October 29, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Meggie Vo, who recently completed her MSc in Pathology.

  • Resilience part of the path to medicine for PhD graduate

    October 24, 2024
    Michael Roes has not let setbacks slow him down in the path to becoming a physician. Find out more about this soon-to-be PhD graduate, marathon runner and future physician on the eve of fall convocation.

  • Thank you Linda Jackson-Boeters

    October 22, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine would like to wish Linda Jackson-Boeters well in her new role as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at University Hospital effective October 4, 2024. This new role aligns with Linda’s training as an MLT and reflects her desire to have an impact on patient care.

  • Congratulations to Rober Abdo

    October 17, 2024
    Congratulations to Rober Abdo, PhD Candidate in Dr. Qi Zhang and Dr. Shawn Li’s lab, on his prestigious Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) Research Training Award.

  • WPA Laser Tag Night

    October 11, 2024
    The WPA hosted a laser tag night at Palasad South with a good turnout from the research-based students. Students enjoyed pizza, snacks, and a refreshingly spirited game of laser tag.

  • WPA Kripsy Kreme Fundraising

    October 09, 2024
    The WPA held its Kripsy Kreme fundraising campaign where they sold 67 boxes of donuts and raised over $200 for the WPA. A huge thank you to everyone who supported their sale and helped make the event a sweet success!

  • WPA Wellness Wednesday Walks

    October 08, 2024
    The WPA held its first weekly wellness walk of the academic year. With better-than-expected turnout, 4 km of walking and socializing went by before we knew it.

  • Xinru (Claire) Li completes her MSc Thesis

    October 02, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Xinru Li who recently completed her MSc in Pathology. Dr. Mark Darling and Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka were Claire’s supervisors.

  • CIHR funding boost helps answer challenging questions that could save lives

    September 25, 2024
    Congratulations to all of the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry researchers who – combined – received more than $7 million in funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Spring competition.

  • Celebrating recipients of the Graduate Diploma Program in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

    September 19, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to congratulate, Patricia Rudak, Jingwen Yang, and Chao Wang for successfully completing the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Graduate Diploma program in August 2024.

  • The Canadian Cancer Society and the Weston Family Foundation invest $2 million in a promising new life-saving treatment for advanced melanoma

    September 12, 2024
    Canadian researchers, including Dr. Saman Maleki, will test a promising new fecal microbiota treatment on patients to cure advanced melanoma.

  • Advancing Multiple Myeloma Care

    August 29, 2024
    Targeted Mass Spectrometry for Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Detection in Multiple Myeloma at London Health Sciences Centre.

  • Nelson Chang completes his MSc Thesis

    August 28, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Nelson Chang, who has completed his MSc in Pathology. Dr. Savita Dhanvantari is Nelson’s supervisor.

  • Welcome Dr. Shereen Qayyum Zia

    August 26, 2024
    We are pleased to welcome Dr. Shereen Qayyum Zia to the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Pathologist effective August 1, 2024.

  • Venkat Mani Murugan completes his MSc Thesis

    August 07, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Venkat Mani Murugan, who has completed his MSc in Pathology. Dr. Samuel Asfaha is Venkat’s supervisor.

  • World first discoveries allow researchers to accurately diagnose prenatal exposure syndromes and birth disorders

    August 06, 2024
    Researchers at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and Lawson Health Research Institute are using advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose rare diseases and prenatal exposure-related birth abnormalities in two studies published today in American Journal of Human Genetics and Genetics in Medicine. The research uses technology called EpiSign™, which was developed by Dr. Bekim Sadikovic, Lawson Scientist at LHSC.

  • Welcome Dr. Ruchika Gupta

    August 01, 2024
    We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ruchika Gupta to the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Medical Microbiologist effective August 1, 2024.

  • Welcome Dr. Brian Keller

    July 29, 2024
    We are pleased to welcome Dr. Brian Keller to the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Pathologist effective August 1, 2024.

  • Lion Dental Research Award 2024

    July 22, 2024
    Congratulations to Dr. Luis Limo, PhD Candidate, for being honored with the prestigious Lion Dental Research Award for 2024 by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research at the IADR General Session and Exhibition in New Orleans.

  • PaLM Trainee Awards at the Academy of Cardiovascular Research Excellence Meeting

    July 18, 2024
    The second annual Academy of Cardiovascular Research Excellence (ACRE) Canada meeting was held July 4-6, 2024 in London, Ontario. The meeting was aimed at new discoveries in cardiovascular health and diseases and was hosted by Dr. Qingping Feng, Dr. Tianqing Peng and Dr. Zhu-Xu Zhang.

  • Student researcher brings expertise to Canada to prepare for next pandemic

    July 15, 2024
    When he received the offer to fly across the world to build a universal COVID-19 vaccine with a researcher at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Cody Hird didn’t hesitate to pack his bags.

  • Hasti Gholami completes her MSc Thesis

    July 08, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Hasti Gholami, who recently completed her MSc in Pathology. Dr. Saman Maleki and Dr. Jeremy Burton were Hasti’s MSc supervisors.

  • Welcome Dr. Flor Mora

    July 04, 2024
    We are pleased to welcome Dr. Flor Mora to the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Pathologist effective July 3, 2024.

  • MClSc-PA Program Cake and Tea Celebration 2024

    July 04, 2024
    Congratulations to the students of the 2024 Graduating Class! On June 28, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine held a cake and tea reception to congratulate our new graduates.

  • Yu Fan (Peter) Zeng completes his PhD Thesis

    July 03, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Yu Fan Zeng who has completed his PhD in Pathology. Dr. Anthony Nichols is Yu Fan’s PhD supervisor.

  • Welcome Dr. Luojun Wang

    July 02, 2024
    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Luojun Wang has joined the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Pathologist effective July 2, 2024.

  • Pride in Pathology 2024

    June 28, 2024
    Pride in Pathology Day was held on June 25, 2024! Thank you to all who participated by dressing in their rainbow-best and to the PaLM Social Committee for organizing the event.

  • Resident and Fellow Cake and Tea Celebration 2024

    June 27, 2024
    We had much to celebrate at the 2024 Resident and Fellow Cake and Tea Celebration on June 19, 2024! Congratulations to Dr. Hao Li, Dr. Madison, Dr. Flor Mora, Dr. Sean Rasmussen, Dr. Hao Li and Dr. Laura Lockau.

  • Michael Roes completes his PhD Thesis

    June 26, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Michael Roes who has completed his PhD in Pathology. Dr. Fred Dick is Mike’s PhD supervisor.

  • 2024 Alumni of Distinction Awards

    June 25, 2024
    With pride, we announce the 2024 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients, including Dr. Rebekah Jacques and Dr. Phaedra Henley. Dr. Jacques and Dr. Henley, along with all of the award winners, have distinguished themselves as role models both for our alumni and our current students and learners.

  • Summer Social and Awards Ceremony

    June 21, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine held its third annual Summer Social and Awards Ceremony on June 11, 2024 at Ivey Spencer’s Outdoor Pavilion. It was a lovely evening to come together and acknowledge several awards, honours and professional milestones.

  • Vanderbilt Diabetes Day Best Poster Presentation

    June 17, 2024
    Congratulations to Nelson Chang, MSc candidate on his Best Poster Presentation award at the annual Vanderbilt Diabetes Day, which took place on May 22, 2024.

  • This Toronto company is using tech to make cancer scanning faster and more accurate

    June 14, 2024
    For pathologists, identifying cancer-positive lymph nodes in tissue can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. With the help of ultrasound and AI, Tenomix is trying to revamp that process.

  • Full Circle

    June 12, 2024
    Resilience, reflection, relationships & residential schools. Story by Dr. Rebekah Jacques

  • Timothy Nunes completes his MSc Thesis

    May 23, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Timothy Nunes, who has completed his MSc in Pathology.

  • Carolyn Twible completes her MSc Thesis

    May 17, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Carolyn Twible who recently completed her MSc in Pathology.

  • Science Rendezvous 2024 – WPA PaLM booth

    May 16, 2024
    The WPA represented the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Science Rendezvous. Ginnian Leung and Meggie Vo were leading the pathology booth called “Disease Detectives” alongside several other volunteers (Sumaiyah Wasif, Rose Samadi, Briana Battick, and Mitchell Pallister).

  • Western researchers’ breakthrough paves way for ALS cure

    May 14, 2024
    Fueled by a $10-million gift from the Temerty Foundation, a possible new ALS treatment could move to clinical trials within five years.

  • Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day 2024

    April 17, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine held the 2024 Research Day on Thursday, April 4. The event celebrated our achievements in basic, translational, and clinical research, and served as an excellent platform for researchers to explore the wide range of research activities in our unique department. We had a significant gathering of approximately 200 attendees, including current and prospective undergraduate and graduate students, residents, faculty members, and staff.

  • Amanda Morin completes her MSc Thesis

    April 15, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Amanda Morin who recently completed her MSc in Pathology.

  • Announcement: Celebrating the 2024 Awards of Excellence recipients

    April 12, 2024
    The 2024 Awards of Excellence recipients enrich life and learning at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry each and every day. Their commitment to the School’s mission, their innovative approaches to their work, and their leadership distinguishes them.

  • In Memoriam – Dr. Godfrey Heathcote

    March 31, 2024
    It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Godfrey Heathcote in Bayfield, Ontario on March 20, 2024.

  • WPA Poster Workshop

    March 19, 2024
    The WPA held a workshop to teach incoming students the ins and outs of creating a visually engaging and informative poster for scientific conferences. The workshop was led by a senior PhD candidate and the co-president of the WPA, Frederikke Larsen, who walked the students through the most important aspects of a research poster, and shared some tips on how to make the poster more captivating.

  • WPA Bake Sale

    March 18, 2024
    The WPA held a bake sale at the lobby of the Medical Sciences Building to raise money to support future WPA events. Many members contributed to the creation of baked goods for the sale. They sold out well ahead of the planned end time, and raised over $300 toward upcoming events!

  • Western spin-off secures over $2M in seed funding for cancer care robotics system

    March 13, 2024
    A medical technology startup from Western has obtained seed funding of more than $2 million to develop a robotics system for colon cancer treatment.

  • WPA CV and Resume Workshop

    March 11, 2024
    The WPA hosted a seminar to teach students to write effective resumes and cover letters. We welcomed guest speaker David Feeney, a career coach at the Career Education unit of Western Student Experience, who shared some tips and tricks on engaging the reader, formatting the document to be visually pleasing.

  • Announcement: Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka re-appointed as Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health

    February 23, 2024
    I am pleased to announce that Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka has been re-appointed as the Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, effective January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2028.

  • Valentine’s Day Bake Sale and Card Exchange

    February 16, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine hosted a Valentine’s themed bake sale and card exchange both were a great success.

  • Oral health is health: Better access to dental care may have potential benefits beyond Canadians’ mouths

    January 31, 2024
    Because oral health is linked to overall health, dental care needs to be viewed as an integral part of health care.

  • Meet the researchers who are breaking new ground as Western Research Chairs

    January 31, 2024
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry boasts five Western Research Chairs who are unravelling the mysteries of the brain, infectious diseases, breast cancer, disease-inhibiting enzymes and bringing Indigenous perspectives to bear on human health.

  • PaLM Educational Leadership Appointments

    January 30, 2024
    The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine would like to announce the following educational leadership appointments effective January 1, 2024. Dr. Art Poon - Graduate Chair, Research-Based Programs, Andrew Zhang - Program Director, Masters of Clinical Science, Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) Program and Dr. José Gomez - Medical Director, Masters of Clinical Science, Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) Program.

  • WPA Scientific Communication Workshop

    January 25, 2024
    The WPA hosted a seminar to help students improve their scientific communication skills.

  • New beginnings for the Medicine Class of 2027

    January 24, 2024
    Former MSc Pathology student Wessam AI Jawhri being featured in the Medicine Class of 2027.

  • Doctoral Research Award: Cancer Research Society

    January 17, 2024
    Congratulations to Megan Hong, one of 21 recipients of the new Doctoral Research Award program offered by the Cancer Research Society (CRS).

  • Meet Miguel Quiñones-Mateu and current cohort of Western Research Chairs

    January 10, 2024
    Quiñones-Mateu is a world-leading virologist. His expertise lies in virus evolution and pathogenesis, extracting valuable details about viral behaviour and using that knowledge to develop antiviral strategies.

  • $7.55 million in funding to take LHSC-developed technology global

    January 08, 2024
    On average it takes five to seven years to diagnose a rare disease. But, for growing numbers of rare diseases, that is all about to change with new artificial intelligence-led technology developed by researchers at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and Lawson Health Research Institute that will be going global.