Cloud computing support accelerates COVID-19 vaccine improvements
For the last 11 months, UBC biochemistry and molecular biology professor Prof. Leonard Foster and his team have been studying how SARS-CoV-2 – the virus responsible for COVID-19 – attacks the human body, in hopes of developing a more targeted vaccine with fewer side effects.
Meet the Researcher: Dr. Peter Schubert
Our writers had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Peter Schubert, a Principal Investigator with the UBC Centre for Blood Research (CBR) and the principal manager of the Blood4Research Facility, about his background, research, and advice for young scientists.
2020: The Year No One Expected – Challenges Researchers Face during a Global Pandemic
Sarah Longo’s personal and engaging story describing the challenges she faced starting a new research position in the middle of the pandemic was awarded runner up in this year’s Lay Science Writing Competition.
Lost in lab: deciphering blood immune cells to fight COVID-19
We are delighted to publish the entries that were awarded joint first place in this year’s Lay Science Writing Competition. Read on for Melina Messing’s sobering but ultimately hopeful entry describing her experiences as an immunology researcher during the pandemic.
Developing cell biology lessons for seniors in the age of COVID
We are delighted to publish the entries that were awarded joint first place in this year’s Lay Science Writing Competition. Read on for Polina Petlitsyna’s engaging entry about her work as a summer student at the Centre for Blood Research and the importance of good communication to build trust in science.
Announcing the winners of our CBR Frosted February Baking Contest!
In February, the CBR Health and Wellness Committee launched a baking contest, challenging our community to whip out their baking tools and get creative in the kitchen. We’re now delighted to announce the winners for both our cake and cookie categories!
Dr. Karen Cheung Elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows
One of the highest professional distinctions in biomedical engineering has been accorded to Dr. Karen Cheung. She is among one of the newest members elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows, which represents the top 2% of medical and biological engineers.
Challenges 2020: Lay science writing winners announced
We challenged our trainees to sharpen their writing and science communication skills in our third Lay Science Writing Competition, held in partnership with the Centre for Innovation at the Canadian Blood Services. We’re delighted to announce the winners of this year’s theme, “Challenges 2020”!
Supporting Scientists in Virtual Times: 2020 – 2021 CBR Travel Awards
Although many conferences are now virtual, the CBR was nonetheless pleased to provide up to $500 for the 2020-2021 year to four award recipients, who will attend and present at such events throughout the year. Congratulations to Dr. Alison McAfee, Amy Wong Strilchuk, Dr. Hashem Etayash, and Sreeparna Vappala!
Busting Deadly Blood Clots: Using siRNA Gene Therapy as a New Approach
Blood clots play a part in many severe health issues, from causing strokes and heart attacks to influencing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. We chatted with lead authors Dr. Christian Kastrup and PhD Candidate Amy Wong Strilchuk about their research, and how their findings might help dissolve clots safely.