People

CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

Shilpa Patil, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

I graduated with a PhD from the Georg August University of Goettingen Germany. My PhD thesis was in the field of pancreatic cancer epigenetics. I moved into this beautiful city, Vancouver, in 2021 for my Postdoctoral research. I am very excited to start my work in the Kopp lab and grow as a researcher. I will be working majorly on epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of ductal cell differentiation during pancreas development and partly on the cellular origin of pancreatic cancer. Outside lab hours I love traveling, dancing, reading books, practicing yoga and volunteering in activities.

Anni Zhang
PhD Candidate

I am a 5th year PhD student co-supervised by Dr. Janel Kopp. For my PhD studies, I focused on investigating the roles of hyperinsulinemia and insulin receptor signaling in pancreatic cancer development. Using a mouse model with reduced insulin production, my first study demonstrated that endogenous hyperinsulinemia could contribute to pancreatic cancer development (Zhang et al, 2019, Cell Metab.). Our follow-up study showed that hyperinsulinemia can indirectly affect pancreatic cancer development through modulating the immune cells in the microenvironment (Zhang et al, 2021, Biorxiv). The last part of study showed that insulin could directly affect PanIN development through the insulin receptor signaling in the pancreatic acinar cells. Outside of the lab, I like to Skiing, reading and playing badminton.

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….).

Brian Daly, MSc
Laboratory Manager/Technician

After completing my MSc in University College Dublin, where I focussed on 3D cell culture and organoid growth, I decided to move to Vancouver to pursue a career in research. I have been fortunate enough to join the Kopp lab where my passion for developmental biology and cancer biology converge. I am excited to develop both my skills and my knowledge as I progress throughout my time as the lab manager. Outside of the lab I can usually be found cooking, playing guitar or practicing Muay Thai.

Contact: [email protected]

Yan (Angela) Dou, BSc
Master's Student

I completed my Bachelor of Science with Honors in Biochemistry at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle in 2018. Afterwards, I worked as a Research Scientist at an aging biology lab at UW, generating genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) with human centenarian longevity-related mutations. I am excited to start my first-year graduate studies at the Kopp Lab, focusing on immune cells population in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) derived from ductal or acinar cellular origin with over-activated Kras and knockout of Pten. Specifically, I will be looking at the macrophage polarization pattern in the tumour microenvironment (TME) in different PDAC cell lines. Outside of the lab, I like to explore different restaurants and enjoy the delicious Asian cuisines Metro Vancouver has to offer.

Grace Dong, BSc
Master's Student

I am a first-year master’s student in the Kopp lab. My main research area is
in mouse pancreatic development in embryonic stage. My previous projects
include the effects of GABA injection on endocrinogenesis in adult mice.
Currently, I am working on projects comparing the pancreatic development in
explant systems vs. in vivo. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming and playing
badminton.

Titne Ruiter, BSc
Masters Student

I'm a master's student in Biomedical Sciences at Utrecht University in the Netherlans, and came to Vancouver to do a research project as part of my master's degree. I'm working on a collaborative project between the Kopp lab and the Johnson lab studying the effects of hyperinsulinemia on pancreatic cancer development. After completing my master’s, I hope to continue my career in research as a PhD student. Besides spending time in the lab, I enjoy any outdoor activity, such as hiking, horseback riding, ice skating, and skiing! Other hobbies of mine include photography, baking, and going out with friends.

Ken Chu BSc.
Research Technician/ Upcoming MSc. Student

I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at UBC. I am grateful to learn from mentors who have grown my passion for research to pursue a masters' degree in the field of cancer. As an upcoming MSc student, I hope to continue challenging myself and become more familiarized with pancreatic cancer to help patients. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time powerlifting, playing sports, and discovering new music.

Jeffery Lin
Undergraduate Student

I am a 4th year student majoring in Chemical Biology, where I focus my study on molecular genetics and organic chemistry. I’m lucky enough to join the Kopp lab as a directed study student. The long-term goal of my project is to investigate the effect of insulin-insulin receptor signaling on acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), using primary cell culture as the model system. Currently the project focuses on optimizing the cell culture protocol to set up a stable primary culture system. Outside of work, I enjoy being in the nature by exploring different hiking trails. For sport, I like badminton, swimming and spike ball.

Liam Chen
Undergraduate Student

As a 4th-year Biology student at UBC, I am currently volunteering at the
Kopp Lab, where I will potentially pursue my graduate study starting from
September 2022. With a strong interest in cancer biology and
developmental biology, I am assisting with the project that investigates
the role of Hippo signaling, specifically Yap1, in the context of pancreatic
progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Meanwhile, I am exploring
the potential project for my graduate study, which will focus on how the
origins of PDAC cells, namely acinar or ductal cells, impact the cancer-
associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the PDAC tumor microenvironment.
Outside of the lab, you will find me on the way to the lab.

Priyanshu Mahey
Directed Studies Student

I am an undergraduate student studying integrated sciences at UBC. I'm currently working in the Kopp lab as an undergraduate research volunteer and helping to assist in anything I can to learn and grow my research career! I'm assisting in studies related to pancreas development and pancreatic cancer. In my free time, you can find me reading, biking or hanging out with my friends!

Kevin Wang
Undergraduate Student

I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC. I am excited to join the Kopp Lab to learn more about the field of cancer biology and the relationship between pancreatic cancer and the microbiome. Currently, I am assisting with an immune cell related project in the lab. When I am not in the lab, I am an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking in the great outdoors of BC, going on local food adventures and playing volleyball.

Kopp Lab Alumni

Allyson Schweitzer MSc, Lab Manager
Annice Li
Justin Chhuor
Wesley Hunt
Kayla Bolduc, BSc, Lab Manager
Clare Hii, BSc
Chloe Hiu Shan Tam, BSc
Corbin Nold
Harleen Kaur Hehar, BSc
Lorenzo Lindo, BSc
Soheila Zarei, MSc
Farnaz Taghizadeh, Technician
Atefeh Samani, BSc
Alex Lee, MSc
Karnjit Sarai, BSc
Jason (Yu) Cao, Technician