Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day is an annual event, organized to recognize research excellence and promote inter- and intra-departmental collaboration. This full-day event allows our trainees to present their research in oral presentations and poster sessions. Our trainees in various programs including undergraduate Bachelor of Medical Science programs, thesis-based graduate studies, professional graduate program, dual Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery MSc program, and Pathology postgraduate programs showcase their research work, receive feedback, and learn.  We also invite external researchers to deliver the keynote address. A number of research presentation awards are presented to recognize our talented researchers.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day 2023

Our 2023 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day was held on March 30, 2023. It was a celebration of our achievements in basic and clinical research, and an opportunity to promote inter/intra-departmental and cross-pillar collaborations. It was especially cathartic to see our learners, staff, and faculty in-person after two years of pandemic-related virtual meetings.

Dr. David Driman (Chair/Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) delivered the opening remarks, in which he highlighted our diverse research expertise and congratulated the researcher who were showcasing their phenomenal work at the marque event. 

Dr. Anne Martel, Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Martel shared her exciting work on the applications of machine learning for segmentation and classification, and analysis of digital slides. It was a timely address as we expand our computational pathology footprint at London Health Sciences Centre and Western University.

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Anne Martel 
Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.

During the platform and poster presentation sessions, we witnessed over 120 presentations spanning the 12 research fields of excellence in the department. The day concluded with our annual Awards Ceremony.

The resounding success of our 2023 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day is, in part, due to the tireless work of our members comprising the Research Day Committee, Abstract reviewers, and judges. 

Research Day Committee
Angela DeCandido, Cheryl Campbell, David K. Driman, Kathilyn Allewell, Linda Jackson-Boeters, Mark R. Darling, Matthew Cecchini, Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu, Nan Meng, Parisa Shooshtari, Susan Underhill, Tracey Koning, Zia A. Khan.

Abstract Reviewers
Jina J.Y. Kum, Mark R. Darling, Matthew Cecchini, Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu, Parisa Shooshtari, Zia A. Khan.

Platform and Poster Judges
Alyshia Phillips, Anahita Mohseni Meybodi, Anitha Yalla, Art F.Y. Poon, Christina Castellani, Christina McCord, David K. Driman, Emilie Lalonde, Ivan Stevic, James MacDonald, Jina J.Y. Kum, Katherina Baranova, Laila Schenkel, Lisa Cameron, Mark R. Darling, Matthew Cecchini, Matthew Nichols, May-Phyo Nyi Nyi, Michael Stewart, Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu, Parisa Shooshtari, Patti Kiser, Qi Zhang, Rabindra Bhattacharjee, Rebecca Glover, Saman Maleki Vareki, Savita Dhanvantari, Stephanie Frisbee, Valerie Taylor, Zia A. Khan.

Program Booklet

• PaLM Research Day 2023 Booklet (PDF, 1.77 MB)

2023 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day Awards

We are proud of all presenters for their research activities and fantastic presentations, and congratulate the recipients of the following awards:

Chair's Award for the Best Presentation by a Resident

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic.

2023 Awardee: Dr. Shervin Pejhan
Presentation title: Clinical relevance, and prognostic significance of isolated angiitis of the vasa vasorum in temporal artery biopsies.

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation

This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre.

2023 Awardee: Frederikke Larsen (PhD candidate)
Presentation title: DNA hypomethylation inhibits colitis-associated cancer.

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research presentation of a poster. 

2023 Awardee: Dr. Lindsay Ninivirta
[Award accepted by co-author and presenter, Dr. Hao Li]
Poster title: Maximizing Diagnostic Yield in Biliary Brush Cytology: Implementation of a Quality Improvement Project.

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.

2023 Awardee: MohdWessam Al Jawhri (MSc candidate)
Poster title: The effects of Glucocorticoids on Th2 cell phenotype and function.

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize excellence in collaborative basic and clinical science research. 

2023 Awardee: Peter Zeng (MD/PhD candidate)
Poster title: The clinical, transcriptomic, and cellular architecture of idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Best Poster Presentation by a Pathologists’ Assistant Graduate Student

This award recognizes the best poster presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program. 

2023 Awardee: Maria Paula Arias Rodriguez (MClSc candidate)
Poster title: Examining the Variability in Number of Lymph Nodes Based on Colorectal Specimen Size.

2023 Awardee: Anushga Muralitharan (MClSc candidate)
Poster title: Reflexive ABPAS Staining of Esophageal Biopsies is Not Cost-Effective.

Best case report Presentation by a pathologists' assistant graduate student

This award recognizes the Best Case Report presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program. These awardees will attend the 48 Annual AAPA continuing Education Conference, in Baltimore, MD, September 24-28, 2023.

2023 Student Delegate: Julie Richmond (MClSc candidate)
Case study title: Malignant mesothelioma of the omentum: a case report.

2023 Student Delegate: Erik Trautrim (MClSc candidate)
Case study title: The value of genetic panels in a case of pediatric Spitzoid melanoma.

Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Scholar or Clinical Fellow

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by a postdoctoral fellow/scholar or clinical fellow in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

2023 Awardee: James MacDonald (Research Associate)
Poster title: Netrin signaling mediates survival of dormant epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Best Undergraduate Basic Medical Science Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program.

2023 Awardee: Milica Pavlovic (BMSc candidate)
Poster title: Diabetes and the Relationship Between Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment and Falls.

2022 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day Awards

We are happy to announce the recipients of the 2022 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day. It was a difficult task to select the recipients and we thank the judges who dedicated valuable time interacting with the researchers. We are proud of all presenters for their research activities and fantastic presentations, and congratulate the recipients of the following awards:

Chair's Award for the Best Presentation by a Resident

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic.

2022 Awardee: HAO, Li (Anatomical Pathology)
Title of Presentation: Assessment Variability in Medical Education: Why Does it Happen? 

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation

This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre.

2022 Awardee: GERHARDT, Lara (MSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Investigating IL-12 family cytokine involvement in modulating CD39 expression by CD8+ T-cells using an immunogenic neuroblastoma model.

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster. 

2022 Awardee: AZIZ, Sarah (Anatomical Pathology)
Title of Presentation: TLE1 expression in NUT carcinoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall.

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.

2022 Awardee: LARSEN, Frederikke (PhD Candidate)
Title of Presentation: DNA hypomethylation inhibits tuft cell-derived colitis-associated cancer.

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize excellence in collaborative basic and clinical science research. 

2022 Awardee: REILLY, John (MSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Delineation of a KDM2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder and its associated DNA methylation signature.

Best Poster Presentation by a Pathologists’ Assistant Graduate Student

This award recognizes the best poster presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program. 

2022 Awardee (1): ORLANDO, Jordyn (MClSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Examining the link between non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempt in adolescents: An extensive review of the factors associated with suicidal behavior.

2022 Awardee (2): SMULAND, Alexandria (MClSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Specificity of Lymph Nodes Identified Macroscopically from Colorectal Resection Specimens.

Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Scholar or Clinical Fellow

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by a postdoctoral scholar or clinical fellow in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 

2022 Awardee: LEVY, Michael (Clinical Bioinformatician)
Title of Presentation: Identification and functional annotation of DNA methylation episignatures associated with Mendelian neurodevelopmental disorders.

Best Undergraduate Basic Medical Science Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program.

2022 Awardee: LIN, Sherman (BMSc)
Title of Presentation: Digital Quantification of Tumor Cellularity as a Novel Prognostic Feature in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Booklets

• Schedule and Platform Presentation Abstracts Booklet 2022 (PDF, 619 KB)
• Presenter Index (PDF, 191 KB)

Poster Presentations 1

• Concurrent Session 1A: Cardiovascular, Respiratory Health and Metabolic Diseases Booklet (PDF, 172 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1B: Epigenetics Booklet (PDF, 169 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1C: Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Booklet (PDF, 149 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1D: Interdisciplinary Research in Health and Education Booklet (PDF, 139 KB)

Poster Presentations 2

• Concurrent Session 1A: Test Utilization, Optimization and Quality Assurance Booklet (PDF, 156 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1B: One Health Booklet (PDF, 171 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1C: Oral Biology and Medicine Booklet (PDF, 160 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1D: Cancer Biology Booklet (PDF, 191 KB)

Poster Presentations 3

• Concurrent Session 1A: Bioinformatics and Data Science Booklet (PDF, 168 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1B: Digital Pathology Booklet (PDF, 172 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1C: Regenerative and Transplantation Medicine Booklets (PDF, 179 KB)
• Concurrent Session 1D: Pathogenesis of Neurologic Diseases Booklet (PDF, 160 KB)

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Committee is happy to announce that our 2021 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day will be held on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021.

Dr. Michael Snyder , Stanford W. Ascherman Professor and Chair, Department of Genetics at Stanford University and Director, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, will deliver the keynote address. 

Dr. Snyder is a leader in the field of functional genomics and proteomics, and one of the major participants of the ENCODE project. His laboratory study was the first to perform a large-scale functional genomics project in any organism, and has developed many technologies in genomics and proteomics. He has also combined different state-of–the-art “omics” technologies to perform the first longitudinal detailed integrative personal omics profile (iPOP) and used this to assess disease risk and monitor disease states for personalized medicine.

Schedule/Program

This year, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day is being held virtually. The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Morning sessions will feature the keynote address and platform presentations, and will be held via Zoom Webinar. This will be followed by poster sessions in the afternoon.

2021 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day Awards

We are happy to announce the recipients of the 2021 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day.  It was a difficult task to select the recipients and we thank the 19 judges who dedicated valuable time interacting with the researchers. We are proud of all presenters for their research activities and fantastic presentations, and congratulate the recipients of the following awards:

Chair's Award for the Best Presentation by a Resident

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic.

2021 Awardee: KEOW, Jonathan (PGY 3, Anatomical Pathology)
Title of Presentation: Digital analysis of p16 identifies a pulmonary fibrosis phenotype with distinct outcomes.

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation

This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre.

2021 Awardee: SHIN, Alice (PhD Candidate)
Title of Presentation: F4/80 ⁺Ly6C ^hi macrophages contribute to colon cancer initiation in colitis

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster. 

2021 Awardee: AZIZ, Sarah (PGY 3 Anatomical Pathology)
Title of Presentation: The effects of formic acid versus Cal-EX tissue decalcification on immunohistochemical staining.

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.

2021 Awardee: ROONEY, Kathleen (MSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Identification of a Specific Episignature in the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize excellence in collaborative basic and clinical science research. 

2021 Awardee: GOOD, Hayley (PhD Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Aspirin Prevents Tuft Cell-Derived Colitis-Associated Cancer in a PGE2 and Phospho-Akt Dependent Manner.

Best Poster Presentation by a Pathologists’ Assistant Graduate Student

This award recognizes the best poster presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program. 

2021 Awardee (1): KOCHER, Nicole (MClSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: To Add or Not to Add – Identifying Trends and Reasons for Submitting Additional Sections.

2021 Awardee (2): BURNSIDE, Keeley (MClSc Candidate)
Title of Presentation: Characterization of gingival fibromas amid other lesions of the gingiva.

Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Scholar or Clinical Fellow

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by a postdoctoral scholar or clinical fellow in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 

2021 Awardee: CHEN, Lina (Clinical Fellow)
Title of Presentation: Developing an Artificial Intelligence-Based End-to-End Mitosis Detection Tool.

Best Undergraduate Basic Medical Science Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program.

2021 Awardee: HONG, Megan (BMSc, M&I with Pathology)
Title of Presentation: Effect of glucocorticoids on Th2 cell metabolism and mitochondrial ROS production.

2021 Awardee: WEPPLER, Natasha (BMSc, One Health)
Title of Presentation: Land-Based Therapy: How it Affects Indigenous Well-Being and Mental Health in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia

Booklets

• Event Flyer (PDF, 259KB)
• Presenter Index Guide (PDF, 181KB)
• Platform Presentation Abstracts (PDF, 460KB)

Poster Presentations 1

• Concurrant Session 1A: Applied Clinical Research 1 Abstract Booklet (PDF, 154KB)
• Concurrent Session 1B: Cancer Biology 1 Abstract Booklet (PDF, 184KB)
• Concurrent Session 1C: One Health Abstract Booklet (PDF, 192KB)

Poster Presentations 2

• Concurrent Session 2A: Bioinformatics and Data Science Abstract Booklet (PDF, 198KB)
• Concurrent Session 2B: Neuropathology Abstract Booklet (PDF, 158KB) 
• Concurrent Session 2C: Cardiovascular Biology Abstract Booklet (PDF, 193KB) 

Poster Presentations 3

• Concurrent Session 3A: Applied Clinical Research 2 Abstract Booklet (PDF, 160KB)
• Concurrent Session 3B: Cancer Biology 2 Abstract Booklet (PDF, 190KB)
• Concurrent Session 3C: Infection and Immunity, Special COVID Session Abstract Booklet (PDF, 158KB)

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2019 (PDF, 1.42MB)

Our 2019 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day was held on   March 28, 2019. This event is a celebration of our achievements in basic and clinical research, and an opportunity to promote inter/intra-departmental and cross-pillar collaborations.

Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti (Chair/Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) delivered the opening remarks, in which he highlighted our research achievements of the past year. He congratulated all the presenters and thanked their mentors and supervisors. Dr. Chakrabarti’s opening remarks were followed by the keynote address. We were fortunate to have Dr. Anthony Magliocco visit us and deliver the keynote address. Dr. Magliocco is a Senior Member in the Department of Anatomic Pathology at Moffitt Cancer Center as well as Executive Director of Esoteric Laboratory Services and the Morsani Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, and Scientific Director of the Moffitt Tissue Core.  Dr. Magliocco shared his vision for Pathology in a precision oncology world. He encouraged our young trainees to seek and learn emerging diagnostic and research trends, including big data and high throughput immunohistochemistry.

We had an excellent turnout with 80 presentations.  It was great to see the wide-ranging research activities in our department. The day concluded with our annual Awards Ceremony at Windermere Manor (please see all the award recipients below).

Planning committee:  
Special thanks to Tracey Koning, Kathilyn Allewell, Cheryl Campbell, Kayla Anderson, Susan Underhill, Jina Kum, Vy Ngo, and Drs. Nancy Chan, Martin Duennwald, Manal Gabril, Zia Khan, Chris Tran.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Judges:
Drs. Edith Arany, Lisa Cameron, Chandan Chakraborty, Nancy Chan, Mark Darling, Johan Delport, Fred Dick, Francis Feng, Stephanie Frisbee, Manal Gabril, Zia Khan, Patti Kiser, Joan Knoll, Matt Kubica, Carolyn McLean, Francisco Olea-Popelka, Sunil Parapuram, Nikhil Sangle, Bret Wehrli, Qi Zhang, Zhuxu Zhang, Xiufeng Zheng.

Platform Presentation Awards

Chair's Award for the Best Presentation by a Resident

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic.

Dr. Anthony Magliocco and Dr. Paul Plantinga

2019 Awardee:  Dr. Paul Plantinga
Title of the Presentation:  Urine Cytology-Histology Correlation Before and After Implementation of The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation

This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre.

Dr. Anthony Magliocco and Vy Ngo

2019 Awardee:  Vy Ngo
Title of the Presentation:  Oxidative Stress-Induced Aggregation of Keap1 Impairs Keap1-Dependent Nrf2 Regulation

Poster Presentation Awards

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.

Dr. Christopher Tran and Dr. Aaron Haig

2019 Awardee:  Dr. Christopher Tran
Title of the Presentation:  Evaluation of Two HER2 Antibodies and a Concurrent Scoring Method in the Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.

Sonja DiGregorio and Dr. Chandan Chakraborty

2019 Awardee:  Sonja DiGregorio
Title of the Presentation:  RGNEF Protein Misfolding and Toxicity in ALS

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize collaborative basic and clinical science research.

Jina JY Kum and Dr. Chandan Chakraborty

2019 Awardee:  Jina JY Kum
Title of the Presentation:  Glucose Modulates Transforming Growth Factor-β Signalling in Bone Marrow-derived Progenitor Cells to Enhance Adipogenic Differentiation

Best Poster Presentation by a Pathologists’ Assistant Graduate Student

This award recognizes the best poster presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program.

Sophie Heinlein, Dr. Nancy Chan and Casey Dion

2019 Awardee(s):  Sophie Heinlein and Casey Dion
Title of the Presentation  (Heinlein): The Impact of Intraoperative Consultation on Patient Management at London Health Sciences Centre
Title of the Presentation  (Dion): Comparison of Surgical Pathology Quality Assurance Measures at Five Ontario Hospitals

Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Fellow/Scholar

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by a postdoctoral fellow or scholar in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Dr. Lisa Cameron and Dr. Lauren Solomon

2019 Awardee:  Dr. Lauren Solomon
Title of the Presentation:  Estrogen Effects on Th2 Cell Phenotype: Key to Severe Asthma in Women?

Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program.

Ryan Gillies and Dr. Lisa Cameron

2019 Awardee:  Ryan Gillies
Title of the Presentation:  In-utero Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure Alters Pancreatic Development in Female Offspring and Impairs Glucose Tolerance in Adulthood.
Congratulations to all, from the PaLM Research Day Committee!

Departmental Research Awards

The Cameron Wallace Graduate Student Award in Pathology

The award recognizes a graduate student’s high achievement in research, course work, and social involvement.

(L-R) Janice Gomes and Dr. Zia Khan

2019 Awardee: Janice Gomes (PhD candidate)

Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Resident Research Prize

To recognize the Pathology resident with the best original or research article published by the resident as first author.

Dr. Matthew Cecchini and Dr. David Driman

2019 Awardee: Dr. Matthew Cecchini

Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Graduate Education Prize

To recognize the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine graduate student with the best first-authored original or research article published.

Saumik Biswas and Dr. David Driman

2019 Awardee: Saumik Biswas

Dr. Frederick Winnett Luney Graduate Scholarship

Awarded annually to a graduate student in a research-based MSc/MClSc and PhD Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program, based on academic achievement and research merit.

(L-R) Sara Gitto, Hayley Good, Alice Shin, Jina Kum and Dr. Zia Khan

2019 Awardees: Hayley Good (PhD candidate), Jina Kum (PhD candidate), Alice Shin (PhD candidate), Sara Gitto (MClSc)

Dr. Frederick Winnett Luney Graduate Research Award

Awarded annually to a graduate student in a research-based MSc/MClSc or PhD Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. These awards are aimed at recognizing and enhancing graduate training.

(L-R) Rebecca Sullivan, Alice Shin and Dr. Zia Khan

2019 Awardees: Connor Chato (MSc), John Palmer (MSc), Alice Shin (PhD candidate), Rebecca Sullivan (PhD candidate)

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2018  (PDF, 1.85MB)

Following the success of previous years’ event, we held another record-setting Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day on April 13, 2018 at the Great Hall, Somerville House.   

In his opening remarks, Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti, Chair/Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, highlighted some of our research achievements of the year, congratulated all the presenters, and reinforced the importance of collaborative research - which is already at the core of what we do in the department. Following the opening remarks, participants were treated to perhaps one of the most enjoyable and engaging keynote address by Dr. Harold Atkins (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute). Dr. Atkins shared his amazing work with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to ‘reprogram’ the immune system of patients suffering from auto-immune diseases. The address was both inspiring and thought-provoking. The remaining day was focused on celebrating our young researchers and their research accomplishments. An array of stimulating platform presentations and engaging poster sessions from 84 of our young researchers created a wonderful learning and networking environment.

Thank you to the planning committee and presentation judges
The day was successful because of the work of the planning committee, our presenters/researchers, presentation judges, and the participants. Special thanks to Tracey Koning, Cheryl Campbell, Sandy Rattana, Mellonie Carnahan, Nancy Chan, Martin Duennwald, Manal Gabril, Zia Khan, Jina Kum, Vy Ngo, Susan Underhill, and Mair Hughes.

Guest Judges:
Dr. Allison Osmond (Pathologist, University Health Network, Toronto) and Ms. Jessie Cotton (Forensic Pathologist's Assistant, Toronto).

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Judges:
Drs. Art Poon, Bret Wehrli, Cady Zeman-Pocrnich, Chandan Chakraborty, Christina McCord, Christopher Howlett, Edith Arany, Frederick Dick, Gerald McKinley, Hanxin Lin, Joan Knoll, Lisa Cameron, Manal Gabril, Mark Darling, Martin Duennwald, Nancy Chan, Patti Kiser, Savita Dhanvantari, Tianqing Peng, Xiufeng Zheng, Zhuxu Zhang, Ziad Solh, and Zia Khan.

Platform Presentation Awards

Chair's Award for the Best Clinical Science Presentation

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic.
2018 Awardee: Dr. Matthew Cecchini
Title of the presentation: Identification of Unique Gene Expression Profiles in Usual Interstitial Pneumonia and Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonia

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation

This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre.
2018 Awardee: Alice Shin
Title of the presentation: Role of inflammation in Dclk1+ cell-derived colitis-associated colon cancer.

Poster Presentation Awards

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.
2018 Awardee: Dr. Paul Plantinga
Title of the presentation: Histological elucidation of tumour deposits in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award

This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster.
2018 Awardee: Milica Krstic
Title of the presentation: The transcriptional regulator TBX3 promotes progression from non-invasive to invasive breast cancer.

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize collaborative basic and clinical science research.
2018 Awardee: Saumik Biswas
Title of the presentation: MALAT1 and HOTAIR: Key Epigenetic Regulators in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Best Poster Presentation by a Pathologists’ Assistant Graduate Student

This award recognizes the best poster presentation by a Graduate Student in the Master of Clinical Science Pathologists’ Assistant Program.
2018 Awardee: Alyshia Phillips and Erika Chadwick
Title of the presentation (Alyshia Phillips – Presentation 1): A Case of Hirschsprung Disease with Total Colonic Aganglionosis and Small Bowel Involvement
Title of the presentation (Alyshia Phillips – Presentation 2): Stem Cells in Odontogenic Tissues
Title of the presentation (Erika Chadwick): The Use of CT in Forensic Post Mortem Examination to Facilitate Targeted Dissection Methods

Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Fellow/Scholar

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by a postdoctoral fellow or scholar in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
2018 Awardee: Abayomi Olabode
Title of the presentation: Evidence for a Fragmented Origin of HIV-1/M from a Window Analysis of Near Full-length Genomes.

Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster Presentation

This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program.
2018 Awardee: Rachel Lee
Title of the presentation: Characterizing the Mechanisms of LETM1 EF-hand Function.

Departmental Research Awards

The Cameron Wallace Graduate Student Award in Pathology

The award recognizes a graduate student’s high achievement in research, course work, and social involvement.
2018 Awardee: Milica Krstic

Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Resident Research Prize

To recognize the Pathology resident with the best original or research article published by the resident as first author.
2018 Awardee: Dr. Kristopher Langdon

Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Graduate Education Prize

To recognize the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine graduate student with the best first-authored original or research article published.
2018 Awardee: Amanda Oakie

Dr. Frederick Winnett Luney Graduate Scholarship

Awarded annually to a graduate student in a research-based MSc/MClSc and PhD Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program, based on academic achievement and research merit.
2018 Awardees: Kara Ruicci (PhD), Rebecca Sullivan (PhD), Amanda Oakie (PhD), Emily Kyle (MClSc)

Dr. Frederick Winnett Luney Graduate Research Award

Awarded annually to a graduate student in a research-based MSc/MClSc or PhD Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. These awards are aimed at recognizing and enhancing graduate training.
2018 Awardees: Christine Caron (MSc), Jina Kum (PhD), Hayley Good (PhD), Peyton Schroeder (MSc)

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2017 (PDF, 1.95MB)

We held yet another amazing Research Day on March 30th at the Great Hall, Somerville House. Unlike previous years, the Paterson Lecture did not coincide with the Research Day in 2017. However, it did not take anything away from one of the most successful showcases of our research achievements in the Department’s history. The day began with opening remarks from Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti, Chair/Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. In his remarks, Dr. Chakrabarti reinforced and reaffirmed the Department’s vision and mission. He also provided a snapshot of our accomplishments over the past few years and highlighted a few novel future developments. Following the opening remarks, participants were treated to a lineup of a record-breaking 71 abstract presentations. Almost half of all faculty in our Department served as judges and interacted with our young, talented researchers throughout the day.  There was certainly a buzz and an excitement in the air.  It was great to see the breadth of our research activities.         
 
The day concluded with a celebration of the hard work all presenters put into presenting their research. A number of awards denoting exceptional performance in platform and poster presentation were presented at the Awards’ Ceremony at Windermere Manor.
 
The day was successful because of the effort of the presenters, the 24 judges who devoted their valuable time to interact with the presenters, and the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day Committee. Special thanks to Kathilyn Allewell, Tracey Koning, Cheryl Campbell, Mellonie Carnahan, Linda Jackson-Boeters, Nancy Chan, Martin Duennwald, Manal Gabril, Zia Khan, Emily Goebel, Jina Kum, Vy Ngo, Terry Robins, Shannon Hubbert, Susan Underhill, and Mair Hughes.

We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the judges:

Guest Judges:
Brian Chow (Toronto), Deborah Lenz (London), Dr. Iram Siddiqui (Toronto), Dr. Rebekah Jacques (Toronto).
 
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Judges:
Drs. Alan Tuck, Art Poon, Bekim Sadikovic, Chandan Chakraborty, Christopher Howlett, Edith Arany, Hon Leong, Joan Knoll, Johan Delport, Lisa Cameron, Manal Gabril, Mark Darling, Martin Duennwald, Nancy Chan, Nikhil Sangle, Rob Hammond, Savita Dhanvantari, Stephanie Frisbee, Sunil Parapuram, and Zia Khan.

Top Row: Dr. Paul Plantinga, Dr. Matthew Cecchini, Dr. Emily Goebel, Farzad Asadi, Hayley Good, Richard Filek
Bottom Row: Brittany Pillon, Jina JY Kum, Maham Bushra, Terry Robins, Anu Thomas

Platform Presentation Awards

Chair's Award for the Best Clinical Science Presentation
This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. 
 
2017 Awardee: Dr. Matthew Cecchini
Title of the presentation: The Utility of CDX2 Loss as a Prognostic Marker in Stage II Colon Cancer.
         
Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation
This award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the research topic. This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre. 
 
2017 Awardee: Hayley Good
Title of the presentation: The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the initiation of Dclk1+ tuft cell-derived colitis-associated cancer. 

Poster Presentation Awards

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award
This award recognizes a Pathology Resident’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster. 
 
2017 Awardee: Dr. Paul Plantinga
Title of the presentation: Histological Elucidation of Tumour Deposits in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.
 
Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award
This award recognizes a Graduate Student’s excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of the poster. 
 
2017 Awardee: Farzad Asadi
Title of the presentation: A novel theory on mechanisms of glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells.
 
Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation
This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster. This award is given to a Graduate Student or a Pathology Resident to recognize collaborative basic and clinical science research. 
 
2017 Awardee: Jina JY Kum
Title of the presentation: Transforming growth factor-β1 pathway regulates differentiation of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells
         
Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster Presentation
This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as presentation of a research poster by an undergraduate student in Pathology modules of the Bachelor of Medical Science program. 
 
2017 Awardee: Maham Bushra
Title of the presentation: The Effects of Repeated Exposure to Whole Body Vibration on Murine Intervertebral Disc and Knee Joint Health.

Other Awards presented at Research Day

MClSc Graduate Research Award (two awardees)
This award recognizes excellence in research design and performance as well as the presentation of a research poster by a graduate student in the Master of Clinical Science – Pathologist’s Assistant program.
 
2017 Awardee: Terry Robins
Title of the presentation: Suitability of RNA Isolated from Archived Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Oral Dysplastic Lesions for Diagnosis of an HPV Etiology.
 
2017 Awardee: Brittany Pillon
Title of the presentation: Youth suicide age and sex related trends in Ontario First Nations communities: A comparison
 
The Cameron Wallace Graduate Student Award in Pathology
The award recognizes a graduate student’s high achievement in research, course work, and social involvement. 
2017 Awardee: Richard Filek 

Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Resident Research Prize
To recognize the Pathology resident with the best original or research article published by the resident as first author.

2017 Awardee: Dr. Emily Goebel
Title of the publication: Goebel EA, McCluggage WG, Walsh JC, Mitotically Active Sclerosing Stromal Tumor of the Ovary: Report of a Case Series With Parallels to Mitotically Active Cellular Fibroma. International Journal of Gynecological Pathology 2016; 35:549–553.
 
Dr. P.C. Raju & Jyoti Shah Graduate Education Prize
To recognize the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine graduate student with the best first-authored original or research article published.

2017 Awardee: Anu Thomas
Title of the publication: Thomas AA, Feng B, Chakrabarti S. ANRIL: A Regulator of VEGF in Diabetic Retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.2017;58:470-480.

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2016  (PDF, 1.05MB)

Our 2016 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day will be held on Thursday, April 7 (Social Science 2050 and Great Hall). Our Research Day is one of the most rewarding days of the academic year when our trainees, staff, and faculty showcase our activities and research in both basic and clinical science.  Our department is small but rich in talent, ideas, and research capabilities and we hope that you will participate and celebrate our achievements on April 7.

We are fortunate to have Dr. Andrew Fire, a brilliant scientist, deliver the Paterson Lecture at our research day. Dr. Fire is the Professor of Pathology and Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine. His laboratory studies how organisms adapt to genetic changes and how genomes respond to changing conditions. Among many awards for his pioneering work, Dr. Fire shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Craig Mello "for their discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by double-stranded RNA." Their work has completely revolutionized the way we think about genetic information. 

Dr. Fire received his undergraduate training in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1978.  He received his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Nobel laureate geneticist Phillip Sharp. Dr. Fire then moved to England as the Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow and became a member of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology group headed by Nobel laureate biologist Sydney Brenner. He became an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University in 1989 and later joined Stanford in 2003. Dr. Fire has made seminal discoveries in genetic information flow and continues his pioneering work to understand RNA interference machinery and its roles in the cell and his work on the identification of triggers and mechanisms used in recognition and response to foreign information.



2016 PaLM Research Day Award Winners:

Platform Presentation Awards
The Chair's Award for Best Clinical Science Presentation
2016 Awardee:  Dr. William Stecho, PGY4
Presentation:  The role of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway in cancer
The M. Daria Haust Award Best Basic Science Presentation
This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at Western and LHSC
2016 Awardee: Niamh Richmond, MSc Candidate
Presentation:  Transforming growth factor-β induces pluripotency genes in hemangioma stem cells through repressing T-box 2

Poster Presentation Awards
The Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation 
2016 Awardee:  Dr. Matthew Kubica, PGY3
Presentation:  Comparative utility of distal and mid esophageal biopsies in the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis: a retrospective analysis

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation 
2016 Awardee: Anu Thomas, PhD Candidate
Presentation:  Long noncoding RNA ANRIL regulates VEGF mediated angiogenesis in diabetic complications

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation
2016 Awardee:  Rebecca Sullivan, MSc Candidate
Presentation:  Expression of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a and ghrelin in human heart failure

Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster Presentation
2016 Awardee:  Alice Tan
Presentation:  Expression levels of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a and ghrelin in early diabetes

Other Awards
Master of Clinical Science-Pathologists' Assistant Graduate Research Award
2016 Awardee:  Derek Kleinsteuber
Presentation:  Pathologic resolution based on treatment of Grade II/III arteritis in post renal transplant biopsies
2016 Awardee: Xusheng Zhang
Presentation:  Prevention of allograft rejection in heart transplantation through concurrent gene silencing of TLR and kinase signaling pathways

The Cameron Wallace Graduate Student Award in Pathology
This award recognizes a graduate student's achievement in both Pathology Research and course work. This award is given in recognition of Dr. Cameron Wallace who was the head of the Department of Pathology from 1965 - 1974.
2016 Awardee:  Niamh Richmond, MSc Candidate

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2015  (PDF, 833KB)

The 2015 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day was held on  Monday, March 30, 2015. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Nahum Sonenberg (McGill University). Dr. Nahum Sonenberg is a world renowned researcher in the field of translation initiation in eukaryotes. He discovered the mRNA cap-binding protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), and has continued to explore the implications of his discovery and has provided critical insights into the role of eIF4E in health and disease. 

2015 PaLM Research Day Awards Winners:

The Chair's Award for Best Clinical Science Presentation by a Resident
2015 Awardee: Dr. Matthew Cecchini
Presentation: Loss of the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Leads to Improved Outcome in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma

The Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation by a Resident
2015 Awardee: Dr. Matthew Kubica
Presentation: Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Mimicking an Upper Gastrointestinal Polyp

The M. Daria Haust Award Best Basic Science Presentation by a Graduate Student
This award is given in recognition of Dr. M. Daria Haust’s many achievements in the Department of Pathology at Western and LHSC
2015 Awardee: Milica Krstic
Presentation: The role of transcriptional regulator TBX3 in early breast cancer progression

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation by a Graduate Student
2015 Awardee: Meghan Piccinin
Presentation: Diabetic Marrow Adipogenesis Alters Composition of Stem Cell Niche and Impairs CD133-positive Stem Cell Survival

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation
2015 Awardee: Yadira Tejeda Saldana
Presentation: Variable Region Sequencing of a Monoclonal Antibody Against Escherichia coli O157.

Master of Clinical Science-Pathologists' Assistant Graduate Research Award
2015 Awardee: Lei Gong
Presentation: Intra-departmental quality assurance program for pathologists’ assistants in surgical pathology
2015 Awardee: Andrew Zhang
Presentation: Is Perineural Invasion in Prostatic Core Biopsies Prognostically Significant?

Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster
2015 Awardee: Edmund Yim
Presentation: Effects of the Western diet and IUGR on Glucose Homeostasis

The Cameron Wallace Graduate Student Award in Pathology
This award recognizes a graduate student's achievement in both Pathology Research and course work. This award is given in recognition of Dr. Cameron Wallace who was the head of the Department of Pathology from 1965 - 1974.
2015 Awardee: Jina Kum

• PaLM Research Day Program Booklet 2014  (PDF, 1.35MB)

The 2014 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day was held on March 28th, 2014. The event was attended by over 100 faculty, residents, students, and staff. The day started off with an outstanding keynote address delivered by internationally renowned cancer biologist, Dr Thomas Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. His engaging talk was followed by Pathology trainee platform and poster presentations on a wide range of topics underscoring the multidisciplinary research being carried out in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

2014 PaLM Research Day Awards Winners:

Chairs' Award for the Best Clinical Science Presentation:  Will Stecho
Title of presentation: Assessment of Resident Grossing Skills in the Digital Age: Evaluation and Implementation of a Mobile Digital Assessment Tool

Dr. M. Daria Haust Award for the Best Basic Science Presentation:  Wahab A. Khan
Title of presentation: Differences in Chromatin Accessibility are present between Homologous Metaphase Chromosomes

Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Award:  Brian A. Schick
Title of presentation: Negative Colorectal Polyp Biopsies: The Utility of Cutting Deeper Levels

Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Award:  Milica Krstic
Title of presentation: The role of transcriptional regulator TBX3 in early breast cancer progression

Best Basic/Clinical Science Collaborative Poster Presentation:  Jacqueline Cox
Title of presentation: Expression of Human tissue Kallikriens (KLKs) in Polymorphous Low Grade Adenocarcinoma (PLGA)

Best Undergraduate Basic Science Poster Presentation:  Kelsey Watson
Title of presentation: Interaction of Primary Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells with Metal Alloy Candidates for Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery