UofT's Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology

UofT's Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology Part of U of T Medicine. Investigating Disease. Impacting Health.

This World Clinical Embryology Day, we're celebrating the next generation of clinical embryologists—and the personal jou...
07/25/2026

This World Clinical Embryology Day, we're celebrating the next generation of clinical embryologists—and the personal journeys that inspire their work.

When MHSc in Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Embryology) student Zoe Voudouris addressed her classmates at this year's White Coat Ceremony, she shared a story that resonated with everyone in the room: she is an IVF baby.

Her journey is a powerful reminder of how decades of scientific innovation, compassion and perseverance have transformed lives—and how today's students are carrying that legacy forward. As Zoe reflected, much of an embryologist's work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is life-changing for the families they help build.



On World Clinical Embryology Day, we celebrate the students, educators and professionals advancing reproductive medicine with precision, care and hope for the future. 💙

On , we're highlighting MSc candidate Anna Tymofyeyeva, whose research is helping uncover how glioblastoma (GBM), the m...
07/22/2026

On , we're highlighting MSc candidate Anna Tymofyeyeva, whose research is helping uncover how glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of adult brain cancer, develops.

Working in the lab of Dr. Peter Dirks at SickKids, Anna is studying the earliest stages of tumour formation to identify the critical point when slow-growing gliomas become aggressive. By understanding the molecular and cellular changes that drive this transition, her research aims to identify new opportunities for earlier detection and intervention.

"By uncovering early drivers of GBM progression, this research could help guide strategies for earlier and more effective intervention," says Anna.

Congratulations to Anna on receiving a CGS-M award in support of this important work advancing brain cancer research.

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, and understanding how it develops is key to findi...
07/22/2026

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, and understanding how it develops is key to finding better treatments.

This , we're recognizing cross-appointed faculty member with , Dr. Peter Dirks, for his research exploring how the brain's own environment influences the formation and growth of glioblastoma. His team has discovered that dopamine, a neurotransmitter best known for its role in movement, motivation, and reward, may also play a critical role in driving brain tumour development. His work was successful in receiving funding in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fall 2025 competition.

By investigating whether existing drugs that alter dopamine signalling can slow or prevent tumour growth, Dr. Dirks' research could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches using medications that are already available for neurological disorders.

Through innovative research into the biology of the brain, Dr. Dirks and his team are working toward new strategies to improve outcomes for patients facing this devastating disease.

Today, we're highlighting Mavis Lee, MSc candidate in the lab of Dr. Sascha Drewlo at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre,...
07/20/2026

Today, we're highlighting Mavis Lee, MSc candidate in the lab of Dr. Sascha Drewlo at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, whose research explores early placental development and novel biomarkers that could help identify pregnancy complications sooner.

Mavis is a QEII-GSST award recipient. Her research investigates cEVTs and the protein markers they release into cervical fluid to elucidate early placentation. This work, in collaboration with High-Risk Pregnancy Clinics at Mount Sinai and Sunnybrook, assesses samples with healthy and aberrant trophoblast function, informing potential diagnostic factors and revealing dysfunctional pathways in placental development.

"I aspire to advocate for and foster efforts in women's health. With the assistance of this QEII-GSST award, I will be able to continue my work supporting women and their babies," says Mavis.

Today we are showcasing our second-place winner in the "Clinical Science" category of our 2026 art competition, Cassie H...
07/14/2026

Today we are showcasing our second-place winner in the "Clinical Science" category of our 2026 art competition, Cassie Hillock-Watling! Cassie is an alumna of the Pathologists' Assistant Field of our MHSc Laboratory Medicine program.

Her work is titled "Uveal Melanoma":

"This is a digital drawing of a sagittal cross-section of an eyeball. It showcases the most common primary cancer of the eye, uveal melanoma. As a Pathologists' Assistant, this is a relatively common specimen I come across in the lab, and it always makes for interesting viewing. The artwork was made using Procreate with an iPad."

Credits: Cassie Hillock-Watling. Photo of specimen used for reference taken by Shannon Reid at UHN.

07/10/2026

Join us on Friday, August 7 for our Summer Undergraduate Research (SURE) Program research day! ☀️

Come meet the next generation of scientists and explore the exciting disease-focused research conducted by undergraduate students in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. 🧪✨

🗓 When:
Friday, August 7, 2026
Poster Presentations: 10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON

📍 Where:
David Naylor Student Commons
Ground floor, Medical Sciences Building
1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON

No registration required! All are welcome to attend.

Presenting our LMP Art Competition 2026 Clinical Science 1st place winner! 🏆This piece by Diagnostic and Molecular Patho...
07/02/2026

Presenting our LMP Art Competition 2026 Clinical Science 1st place winner! 🏆

This piece by Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology Resident, Dr. Trevor Teich, is titled "No atypia, just love". It pictures a benign heart-shaped breast gland embedded in a fibrous stroma (light microscopy). Love emerges, even in the toughest environments.

Swipe to see Trevor with his winning image at our Annual Celebration of Excellence! ➡️

We'll be showcasing all of our 2026 Art Competition winners and entries over the coming months. Stay tuned!

Curiosity and excitement filled the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Toronto on Saturday, May 23, as over ...
06/29/2026

Curiosity and excitement filled the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Toronto on Saturday, May 23, as over 70 high school students from across Ontario gathered for REACH Day 2026. Organized by CLAMPS (Committee of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Students), the event offered an engaging introduction to laboratory medicine through an inspiring keynote talk, candid career conversations, and hands-on workshops that brought science to life.

"Opportunities such as this help us understand what we are getting into. I truly have fun being involved in laboratory experiments that we normally wouldn't have access to," one attendee shared.

Events like REACH play a vital role in helping high school students explore their options early. For many, it was their first real look inside a university lab environment, and a powerful reminder of the many rewarding paths a love for science can open.

🔗 Learn more about the event and stay tuned to hear about future events through the link in our bio.

We hope you are enjoying summer so far! ☀️ Please note the University will be closed from June 29th to July 1st, inclusi...
06/26/2026

We hope you are enjoying summer so far! ☀️

Please note the University will be closed from June 29th to July 1st, inclusive, for Presidential closures and Canada Day.

For communications inquiries, please email [email protected]

This month, we're featuring Dr. Anna Plotkin, a breast and gynecologic pathologist at Lakeridge Health, as part of our H...
06/25/2026

This month, we're featuring Dr. Anna Plotkin, a breast and gynecologic pathologist at Lakeridge Health, as part of our Humans of LMP.

Dr. Plotkin received the Sustained Excellence Education Award at our recent Annual Celebration of Excellence earlier this month. She's been affiliated with LMP since 2007, when she began her Anatomical Pathology (now Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology) residency training. She is now the Director of Continuing Professional Development and an Associate Professor at LMP, whose research focuses on breast and gynecologic pathology.

Dr. Plotkin is passionate about medical education and creating innovative educational programs across diverse areas of laboratory medicine. Under her leadership, she has developed a wide range of Communities of Interest that began as local educational initiatives and have since evolved into international programs engaging participants from more than 50 countries.

"I am proud to be a member of the University of Toronto faculty and to contribute to advancing diagnostic oncology on a global scale. One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been helping make the world of diagnostic oncology feel smaller by connecting colleagues, educators, and learners from around the globe."

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Plotkin and her work through the link in our bio.

Address

1 King’s College Circle, 6th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5S1A8

Telephone

+14169782550

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UofT's Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to UofT's Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology:

Shortcuts

Share

Category