On Friday October 3rd, Dr. Jennifer Ji together with Dr. David Huntsman hosted a career development session featuring Dr. Blake Gilks as part of the “Careers in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Master Classes” series. This series of rounds features structured interviews with leaders in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PALM), designed to inform junior colleagues and residents on their motivation for and approach to leadership in academic pathology as well as their vision for the future of PALM in BC.
From left to right, Drs. Blake Gilks, Jennifer Ji, and David Huntsman
Dr. Gilks, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC, was interviewed by Drs. Ji and Huntsman. Dr. Gilks leads a research program focused on gynecological cancers and was lead pathologist on studies refining the histotype-based classification of ovarian carcinoma, molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma, and etiology-based classification of vulvar carcinoma, and was part of the team that championed opportunistic salpingectomy to prevent tubo-ovarian high grade serous carcinoma. He has been an author on more than 500 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 40,000 citations. In addition to being a global leader in gynecologic cancer diagnostics and research, Blake has had a profound impact on our community through mentorship and leadership. He has boosted and shaped the careers of generations of trainees, including his interviewers. He has also led pathology at Vancouver Coastal Health and for the Province in addition to being interim head of our University Department. He is co-founder and medical-director of the Canadian Pathology Quality Assurance program, which provides proficiency testing for Canadian diagnostic immunohistochemistry laboratories.
Dr. Ji is a third year resident in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology at the University of British Columbia. She completed her MD/PhD studies under the mentorship of Dr. Huntsman, during which she characterized the proteomic and metabolomic landscapes of clear cell ovarian carcinoma. She continues to carry out research during residency, learning from research leaders in various pathology subspecialties. Jenn believes in the importance of mentorship and peer-support in the growth of young clinicians and scientists and is excited to have the opportunity to interview inspiring individuals in clinical and academic pathology.
Dr. David Huntsman, a pathologist and clinical molecular geneticist at the University of British Columbia, is the Canada Research Chair in Molecular and Genomic Pathology. Dr. Huntsman directs OVCARE, part of BC’s multidisciplinary Gynecologic Cancer Initiative and conducts his research at the Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer Agency. Dr. Huntsman’s research has led to the development of diagnostic, predictive and prognostic tissue based cancer biomarkers for ovarian cancer and a wide variety of other tumour types. His team created a blueprint for subtype specific ovarian cancer control and have been leaders in the application of novel genomic technologies to better prevent, diagnose and treat ovarian cancer. Dr. Huntsman is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Listen to the full recorded Masterclass on the GOSH Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1387837/episodes/18083232
We’re always looking to highlight the people behind our work. If you’re a GCI member interested in being featured, reach out at info@gynecancerinitiative.ca
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