CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

Shihao (Andy) Wang
PhD Candidate
​
I began graduate studies in the Kopp lab in 2016, and my work focuses on pancreatic development. The long-term goal of my project is to understand the molecular cues that regulate the pancreatic progenitor cell population and their differentiation. My research currently focuses on the Hippo signalling pathway and its effector Yap1, I have found that Yap1 is a molecular switch of pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and pancreatic ductal tree organization. After hours, I like to play basketball, soccer and go hiking. Also, I have been trained in Uechi ryu karateka for many years. Music wise, I play a little saxophone and clarinet (they are basically the same thing….).
Kayla Bolduc, BSc
Laboratory Manager
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. There, I performed thesis research investigating the crosstalk between iron overload disorders and acute myeloid leukaemia. From there, I continued my work in cancer research at the BC Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver. Currently, I am involved in multiple projects related to pancreatic development and cancer in the Kopp lab, where I am acting as laboratory manager. I spend my time assisting students with individual projects, coordinating experiments, and keeping the lab running smoothly. Outside of the lab, I like to spend time with friends, try new restaurants, and volunteer in the community.
Contact: kayla.bolduc@ubc.ca

​Harleen Kaur Hehar, BSc
​Research Technician
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of British Columbia in 2019. I started in the lab as a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award student in September 2019 and then transitioned to working as a research assistant from January 2020. My project focuses on the interaction between the pancreatic microbiome and the development of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasias (IPMNs), which are lesions that precede the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In particular, I have been using PCR to characterize Helicobacter species present in DNA extracted from fecal samples and paraffin embedded tissue on slides along with using immunohistochemistry to identify presence of gram-negative bacteria in pancreatic tissue. Thus, through further investigation of the microbiome, we can work towards the microbiome being used a new target for therapeutic agents for PDAC and being a potential PDAC biomarker.
When I am not in the lab, I enjoy practicing Krav Maga, playing the dilruba, baking and horseback riding.
Grace Dong
Undergraduate Student
I am a fourth-year student in Combined Major of Science with a focus on life
science. Since starting in the Kopp lab as a volunteer in April 2019, I’ve developed a great interest in lab work and research. I will be continuing my graduate studies in the Kopp lab in this coming fall and my main focus will be on developmental cell biology. My previous projects include the effects of GABA on endocrine cells transdifferentiation in adult mice. Currently, I am working
on projects comparing the pancreatic development in an explant system vs.
in vivo.
Generally, I like running, swimming and playing badminton outside of school and lab work. Also like to travel too!
Wesley Hunt
Undergraduate Co-op Student

I am an upper-level student in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in
Biochemistry. My ongoing projects focus on the activation of Kras and knockout of Pten in acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas and their involvement in PDAC tumourigenesis as well as cancer cell plasticity in and molecular subtypes of PDAC using organoid culture. Outside of the lab I often enjoy creative writing, biking, and exploring numerous BC hiking trails as well as maintaining and improving 5 foreign languages I am trying to become proficient in.
Clare Hii
Undergraduate Honour's Student​



​I'm currently a 5th year undergraduate student in the CAPS program. Within the Kopp lab, I'm working on my honours thesis which focuses on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or PDAC. My project is specifically examining the function of p16, a tumor suppressor protein, in PDAC development from both acinar and ductal cells. Outside of classes and lab, I work as a piano teacher and enjoy oil painting and houseplant care.
Chloe Hiu Shan Tam
Undergraduate Honour's Student​


I am a 4th year student in the CAPS program. Most immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer benefit only a small subset of patients, suggesting that the disease is very heterogeneous. One potential cause of heterogeneity is the cellular origin of the cancer. My thesis focused on characterizing the immune cells in pancreatic cancer derived from either acinar or ductal cells. Specifically, I studied the infiltration pattern and function of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and macrophages, using immunohistochemistry staining and protein assays. 
In my free time, I like learning random facts, reading dystopian novels and overthinking. 
Corbin Nold
Undergraduate Student


I am a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering. I joined the lab in May of 2019, and have spent the year volunteering. My main project was focused around examining the presence of cytokines in pancreatic cysts. Additionally, I take care of the mouse model I am using, which expresses mutated Kras and Pten. When I am not working in the lab, I enjoy hiking and spending my time in British Columbia's beauty.
Justin Chhuor
Undergraduate Student
I am beginning my fourth year in the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science program at UBC. I am investigating the organization of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of the pancreas. Using mice as models for pancreatic cancer, I am studying if there are any differences in the distance of immune cells from epithelial cells when comparing normal tissue areas to areas containing lesions.  Thus far I have looked specifically at CD8+ cells in relation to normal epithelial cells, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells, inter papillary mucinous neoplasia, and mucinous metaplasia and plan to study macrophages next. I will be studying this in different mouse lines to see if there are any common patterns of immune cells to be found in the microenvironment of pancreatic tumors.

FORMER LAB MEMBERS

Lorenzo Lindo, BSc
Soheila Zarei, MSc
Farnaz Taghizadeh, technician
​Atefeh Samani, BSc
Alex Lee, MSc
Karnjit Sarai, BSc
Jason (Yu) Cao, technician