2021
PaLM EDI Working Group
December 27, 2021
As the calendar year comes to a close, the members of the PaLM Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group would like to provide an update on their progress. In its first year, the EDI Working Group met quarterly to discuss how to best to support the PaLM community.Closed for the Holidays
December 23, 2021
Western University will be closed for the holiday break effective December 23, 2021. Western will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.Dr. David Driman appointed Chair/Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
December 16, 2021
We are pleased to announce that Dr. David Driman has been appointed as the Chair/Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2026.Paterson Lecture 2021
December 10, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine hosted the 2021 Paterson Lecture on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Our guest this year, Dr. Lewis Cantley, is the Margaret and Herman Sokol Professor and Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell.Centre for Tomorrow
December 08, 2021
The Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre (VCGC) at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is breaking barriers to allow for a more seamless integration between research and the clinical application of genetic sequencing.Pitch competition connects Western-founded ventures with investors
December 03, 2021
When Saumik Biswas co-founded Tenomix, he wanted to make a difference in improving health-care delivery through technology. But more than that, it was a venture that was also personal to him.Lisa Walker and Lisa Noseworthy Retirement
December 02, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine would like to announce the retirements of Lisa Walker after 31 years of service and Lisa Noseworthy after 32 years of service.Western signs national charter to fight anti-Black racism in higher ed
November 30, 2021
Western has joined other Canadian universities and colleges in signing the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education.What we know about COVID-19 variant Delta’s newest offspring
November 29, 2021
Art Poon, PhD, says that to understand the sub-lineages of the Delta variant, it helps to think of SARS-CoV-2 as an enormous tree that keeps sprouting new branches as the virus evolves. “This virus still seems to have plenty of room for adaptation.”NAACLS Accreditation Site Visit
November 26, 2021
Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and students who met with representatives from The National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) on October 25-26, 2021 as part of the accreditation process for the Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) Program.Mad about Plaid
November 24, 2021
PaLM turned plaid on November 19. Thanks to everyone who participated in Plaid Day. It was a close race between Dr. Jose Gomez and Stephanie Sharpley. In the end, it was too close to call, so they shared first prize.WPA 519Pledge for Socks
November 22, 2021
519Pledge, a London-based organization dedicated to assisting those in extreme poverty, has an annual sock drive. This year the WPA accepted the challenge to collect 519 pair of socks, and with the generosity of all those in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 561 pair of socks were donated.Choosing Wisely Designation
November 18, 2021
Congratulations to the Transfusion Medicine team at both University and Victoria Hospital for the recent designation as a Using Blood Wisely Hospital. The designation is awarded by Choosing Wisely Canada and Canadian Blood Services to those hospitals that have met benchmarks in red blood cell stewardship and have demonstrated their commitment to reducing unnecessary red blood cell transfusions.Western International Week 2021
November 12, 2021
Western University will be celebrating International Week 2021 from November 15-19. A wide range of events and activities are scheduled, including academic lectures, workshops, performances, cultural activities, and fairs.Jina Kum completes her PhD Thesis
November 10, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Jina Kum, who has completed her PhD in Pathology.Diabetes Research Looks Behind the Lens
October 29, 2021
Growing up, Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti watched his father struggle with Type 2 diabetes. The experience led him to medical school, where he set his sights on gaining a deeper understanding of the disease, its complications and effective treatments.Halloween Spirit
October 29, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine got into the Halloween spirit again this year. Faculty and staff were encouraged to dress up in costumes this Halloween. Thanks to everyone who participated.Banking on research
October 27, 2021
The new Brain BioBank at Robarts Research Institute is home to a program that conducts detailed cognitive and behavioural testing on patients with a neurodegenerative disease and allows them to donate their brain tissue to research after death.Pushing cancer immunotherapy forward
October 26, 2021
Saman Maleki, PhD, is combining the strength of the microbiome and the immune system to boost our body’s natural ability to fight cancerComputing the future of medicine
October 25, 2021
A trio of researchers are leading the way with medical bioinformatics research and developing new tools to convert data into medical knowledge.Reducing barriers
October 18, 2021
Life experience nurtured in Dr. Rebekah Jacques a moral sensibility that inspires her work as a forensic pathologist, researcher and social advocate. Grounded in her Métis culture and surrounded by nature, she seeks truth and fairness to improve the lives and legacies of her patients, their families and children in the foster care system.Honour: Saumik Biswas, PhD’20, named in Business London’s top 20 twenty-somethings
October 06, 2021
PhD alumnus Saumik Biswas made the annual list of top young leaders and innovators in London.Dr. Francisco Olea Popelka and One Health on the local, national and international stage
September 30, 2021
Dr. Francisco Olea Popelka, Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health, and his team of collaborators, are bringing One Health to the local, national and international stage. Highlights include a plenary session at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, participation on the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) First Consultation on One Health, and One Health Research Day on November 3, 2021.Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021
Since 2013, September 30 has been commemorated as Orange Shirt Day across what is now known as Canada in honour of the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools. This year, September 30 will also be designated as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). The date was declared a statutory federal holiday with the passage of Bill C-5 in June of this year, in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).An Afternoon with Dr. Opiyo Oloya
September 30, 2021
Western University's Anti-Racism Webinar Series and the Western Equity Census Working Group are very pleased to invite you to An Afternoon with Dr. Opiyo Oloya, Western's inaugural Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Dr. Oloya will talk about his vision for leading change at Western University and in the Canadian post-secondary education system. His talk will coincide with the launch of the Western Equity Census, a comprehensive campus-wide survey that aims to collect data that can be used to help understand the demographics of the university and to enhance the diversity and equity of our community.Welcome Back to School
September 30, 2021
The PaLM administrative office at Western University is buzzing with excitement as we begin the 2021-22 academic year and welcome our PaLM students.Funding: 2021 NSERC competition results in more than $1M for research initiatives
September 23, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Cameron, Dr. Parisa Shooshtari, and Dr. Zia Khan for being awarded funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) 2021 Discovery Grant competition. NSERC is a federal funding agency, whose mission is to help promote and maintain a diversity of research across Canadian universities and research institutions. Across Western University, 43 projects were supported through the 2021 Discovery Grant competition, 7 of which were awarded to scholars in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.Western launches action plan and Task Force on Sexual Violence and Student Safety
September 17, 2021
In response to concerns about student safety and sexual violence on campus, Western University is launching a new student safety action plan. The action plan will increase safety and security on campus by introducing new security measures, including hiring new special constables, enhancing security patrols, and implementing mandatory in-person sexual violence awareness and prevention training for all students in residence.Take Care Western
September 14, 2021
In light of the alarming events on campus this past weekend, we would like to reassure the PaLM community that there are supports in place for faculty, staff and learners who may be impacted. We encourage anyone who feels they need support to reach out to family, friends, a colleague or to resource staff on- or off-campus.Yiming Lin completes his MSc Thesis
September 09, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Yiming Lin, who has completed his MSc in Pathology.Adam Greasley completes his MSc Thesis
September 07, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Adam Greasley, who has completed his MSc in Pathology.Chukwuebuka Osuji completes his MSc Thesis
August 26, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Ebuka Osuji, who has completed his MSc in Pathology.Learner Perspectives: MD/PhD Candidate Kara Ruicci on the connection between the arts, research and medicine
August 25, 2021
In her sixth year of the MD/PhD program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Kara Ruicci is at an exciting point in her training. As she looks toward residency, she draws inspiration from the artistic process – a unique combination of vision, intuition, critical thinking and collaboration.Mei Yuan completes her MSc Thesis
August 23, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Mei (Mabel) Yuan, who has completed her MSc in Pathology.Awards: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipients announced
August 16, 2021
Congratulations to Peter Zeng, a recipient of the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Peter is an MD/PhD candidate in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine working with Dr. Anthony Nichols on research in HPV-related head and neck cancer.Western to Require Proof of Vaccination for Campus Community
August 12, 2021
Western University and affiliated colleges Brescia, Huron and King’s are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for students, staff and faculty, as part of a new policy to further protect the campus community.Data Driven Dementia Prevention
August 10, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Frisbee, who will co-lead the epidemiological work on a collaborative project aimed at preventing and reducing the occurrence of dementia among Canadians by developing models for prevention. The international team of researchers led by Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, has received a Weston Family Foundation’s Transformational Research 2020 Grant for its dementia prevention research.Hayley Good completes her PhD Thesis
July 29, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Hayley Good, who has completed her PhD in Pathology.Opiyo Oloya to lead Western’s equity work
July 22, 2021
A renowned advocate for social justice and human rights, Opiyo Oloya has been named Western's first associate vice-president of equity, diversity and inclusion, effective August 30.WORLDiscoveries and Western Entrepreneurship’s Innovation Ambassadors
July 19, 2021
WORLDiscoveries and Western Entrepreneurship’s Innovation Ambassadors are hosting a new speaker series for all faculty and students which will feature faculty members from across campus and special guest panelists from industry discussing research innovation here at Western and in the local community.The Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti MClSc PA student Award of Excellence
July 15, 2021
Congratulations to Larisa Golinowski and Keeley Burnside, recipients of the Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti MCISc Pathologists’ Assistant Student Award of Excellence.MClSc-PA Program Cake and Tea Celebration
July 13, 2021
Congratulations to our six PA students of the 2021 Graduating Class! On June 29, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine held a cake and tea reception to congratulate our new graduates.Western Invests 6 Million to Support New EDI Initiatives
July 05, 2021
Continuing its commitment in response to the final report of the Anti-Racism Working Group, Western is investing a total of $6 million to support new equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.The Citizen Project: Youth Sport
June 25, 2021
Meet Linda Jackson-Boeters, Departmental Technician with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Recognizing the value sport brings to the lives of children and young people, she has dedicated years of service to youth soccer in the London community. She currently serves as the Fields Director for the Byron Optimist Soccer Club.American Society for Clinical Pathology Student Scholarship
June 25, 2021
Congratulations to Melissa Yeo, MCISc Candidate in the Pathologists’ Assistant Program, who has received a Laboratory Student Scholarship awarded by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Foundation’s Scholarship Fund.Feature: Improving training in Indigenous health is a journey not a check-box
June 24, 2021
New research from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry shows cultural training programs need more than just filling knowledge gaps.Using a One Health approach to examine the health impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on mothers and their new babies
June 18, 2021
Scientists and students, including Dr. Stephanie Frisbee and Mei Yuan (MSc Candidate in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), are investigating the possible health impacts on mothers and their babies who were born or will be born during the pandemic.Asieh Alikhah completes her MSc Thesis
June 16, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Asieh Alikhah who recently completed her MSc in Pathology.Seismic Shift by G7 in Recognizing One Health as Critical to Everyone’s Health
June 14, 2021
Momentous events are occurring in global health, with perhaps the most significant, at least the rhetorical recognition that the interface between animal-human-environmental health is at the crux of our future health. In short, One Health is now recognized by the G7 as critical to everyone’s health. This is recognition at the highest political levels in developed countries.Schulich Medicine & Dentistry stands with the Muslim community
June 09, 2021
We at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry join colleagues across Western University in shock and profound sadness in response to the racist, Islamophobic attack on a London family. This was an unspeakable and senseless act of hatred against members of the Muslim community.Residential School Remains Could Reveal How 215 Children Lived — and Died
June 04, 2021
Dr. Rebekah Jacques was featured in a recent National Post article entitled “Residential school remains could reveal how 215 children lived — and died.”Expanding the Undergraduate One Health Program
May 30, 2021
With a vision to expand the One Health Program, the Faculty of Science, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (One Health) brought their expertise together to develop and officially launch the undergraduate One Health Major in the fall of 2021.Feature: Mentorship Program enriches medical school experience for LGBTQ+ students
May 26, 2021
When Dr. Rachelle Beanlands started clinical rotations as part of her medical school training, how and if to discuss her sexuality with her colleagues weighed heavily on her.COVID-19 lab testing at LHSC surpasses 1 million mark
May 26, 2021
Serving people across southwestern Ontario, the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has surpassed a notable milestone, processing more than one million COVID-19 tests to-date.Rebecca Sullivan completes her PhD Thesis
May 13, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Rebecca Sullivan, who has completed her PhD in Pathology.Sonja DiGregorio completes her PhD Thesis
May 10, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Sonja DiGregorio, who has completed her PhD in Pathology.Vy Ngo completes her PhD Thesis
May 07, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Vy Ngo, who has completed her PhD in Pathology.LHSC Introduces Variant of Concern Screening as Part of COVID-19 Lab Testing Services
May 06, 2021
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has introduced routine Variant of Concern (VOC) screening as part of its COVID-19 lab testing services. PaLM is now performing VOC screening on all samples received from southwestern Ontario that test positive for COVID-19.PaLM Faculty Award Recipients
April 30, 2021
In April, four faculty members in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine were recognized for their outstanding contributions to education, leadership, research, and service. It is with great pride that we honour their achievements and extend our congratulations.Feature: 900,000+ COVID-19 tests processed by PaLM Microbiology Division
April 29, 2021
From overcoming supply shortages to an ever-growing demand for tests, the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Microbiology lab has met the challenge of providing COVID-19 testing for all of Southwestern Ontario, processing more tests than they would in 150 years of regular flu seasons.Children’s Health Foundation CHRI Scientist of the Year Award
April 27, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Bekim Sadikovic who received the Children’s Health Foundation CHRI Scientist of the Year Award. This award is for the project entitled "Identification of structural signatures in the genome to diagnose childhood diseases."2021 Departmental Award Recipients
April 22, 2021
On behalf of departmental committees overseeing graduate education and resident training, we are pleased to announce the results of our 2021 Departmental Awards.PaLM Research Day Award Recipients
April 21, 2021
We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, clinical fellows, residents, graduate students, and undergraduate learners for their participation in our Research Day on April 7, 2021.Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching
April 16, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Michele Weir on receiving the prestigious Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes Western University’s top educators and celebrates excellence in teaching, mentorship, educational leadership, and curricular innovation.National Medical Laboratory Week – April 11-17, 2021
April 12, 2021
The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science sponsors a special week in April to promote awareness and understanding of the role of medical laboratory professionals in the health care system.A Message of Gratitude from Dean Yoo
April 08, 2021
On April 12, the fall/winter term for the academic year will come to an end for some of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s programs. Many students will be moving into their final examinations and the Classes of 2021 will have eyes on their graduation in June.PaLM Research Day 2021
March 31, 2021
We are excited to announce that the details of our 2021 Research Day are now available online! This year’s event on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 is fully virtual. You can find the schedule, abstracts and Zoom links on our Research Day website.Collaborative Research Seed Grant Funding
March 31, 2021
Congratulations to the interdisciplinary teams who received Collaborative Research Seed Grant Funding, including Dr. Parisa Shooshtari and Dr. Qi Zhang.Tuberculosis Animal-to-Human Transmission
March 30, 2021
Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka argues that to eliminate TB entirely, we must look at the zoonotic form of the disease, more common than once thought.1 Year Anniversary of COVID-19 Testing
March 22, 2021
Congratulations to PaLM for the 1 year anniversary of COVID-19 testing! On March 18, 2020, PaLM performed the first COVID-19 PCR test on-site after an incredibly rapid test development and implementation process.Learner Perspectives: Dr. Natasha Holder on mentorship in oral and maxillofacial surgery
March 17, 2021
Dr. Natasha Holder is a second-year resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She believes mentorship is key in making change in the field and is mentoring female students in dentistry with an interest in surgery. “They can’t be us, if they can’t see us.”Feature: New software provides detailed picture of COVID-19 virus variants
March 15, 2021
Genomic surveillance programs around the world are collecting data on how the virus that causes COVID-19 is mutating and changing as it moves through the population. Globally, more than 300,000 unique genetic versions of the virus have been identified. Visually representing that in a way that is accessible and easy to understand is at the core of a software application called CoVizu developed by a team in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.WPA Health and Wellness Challenge
March 04, 2021
The WPA, along with Pathology Health and Wellness Ambassadors Michael Roes and Liam Ratushny, hosted a one-week challenge encouraging students to take part in daily activities that focused on personal health and well-being.PaLM Merchandise
March 04, 2021
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, the PaLM merchandise order form is here! Have a look, we have lots to choose from this year including sweatpants, baseball-styled cap, hoodies, ¼ zip sweaters, and crewnecks!Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador
February 26, 2021
As the inaugural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ambassador for PaLM, it is hard to believe that it has only been 2 months since I accepted this role.One Health in Action
February 22, 2021
One Health researchers received a Western Strategic Support Grant to explore and understand the experiences of Community Health Volunteers as agents of behaviour change in the context of human and zoonotic tuberculosis at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health among the Maasai of Kajiado County, Kenya.Congratulations to Mike Kadour
February 17, 2021
It is with great excitement we announce Dr. Mike Kadour (PhD) as the successful candidate to the newly established role of Chief Laboratory Officer in service to the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) team and our patients across Southwestern Ontario and beyond.PaLM at 10000/Day Test Capacity
February 12, 2021
Approximately one year ago, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine began its pandemic response with capacity to test 300 samples daily for what was then referred to as Novel Coronavirus. One year later, following the rebuild of the lab, new equipment, and extensive recruitment, training, and optimization, PaLM now has daily capacity for 10,000 COVID-19 tests.Peer Support and Wellbeing Liaison
February 10, 2021
Dr. Michele Weir has been appointed as the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s Peer Support and Wellbeing Liaison effective January 1, 2021.The Second Annual Translational Immuno-Oncology Symposium
February 08, 2021
The Second Annual Translational Immuno-Oncology Symposium will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. The symposium is an international, virtual event hosted by the Centre for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR).Expert Explainer: Art Poon, PhD, on coronavirus ‘variants of concern’
February 03, 2021
As new coronavirus variants emerge, scientists are keeping a close eye on how the virus continues to evolve. According to Art Poon, PhD, unless we can mitigate the spread of the virus, there is a greater chance it will continue to mutate and produce more "variants of concern."Western's 7th Annual Indigenous Awareness Week
January 27, 2021
Western's 7th Annual Indigenous Awareness Week will be held virtually from February 1-6, 2021. Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW) seeks to celebrate Western's Indigenous presence, nurture relationships, and facilitate collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.Research Grant Success
January 25, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Cameron, Dr. Gerald McKinley, Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka, Dr. Qi Zhang and Dr. Liena Zhao on recent research grant success.2021 Awards of Excellence: Nominate a deserving individual today
January 22, 2021
Take part in celebrating and recognizing the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry with an Award of Excellence.Dr. George M. Cherian
January 14, 2021
Formosa HMT Biotech, established and registered in 2016, has developed a low-cost, affordable, patented process for the manufacture of high capacity Zinc hypoMTTM Metallothionein (“hypoMTs”) that supplements and boosts the body’s ability to defend against and reverse damage caused by oxidative stress. Chief Scientist for Formosa, Dr. George M. Cherian, a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, has been a part of the Formosa HMT Biotech company since its infancy.Welcome Dr. Christina Castellani
January 05, 2021
Dr. Christina Castellani, PhD, joins the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in January 2021 as an Assistant Professor.Benjamin Rogala completes his MSc Thesis
January 04, 2021
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine would like to offer congratulations to Benjamin Rogala who recently completed his MSc in Pathology.
