{"id":830,"date":"2023-06-28T21:18:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T21:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcchrmicro.wpengine.com\/?page_id=830"},"modified":"2026-05-14T18:49:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:49:02","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/team\/","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-container--full fndry-pt--md-3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pb--md-6 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2 fndry-pb--sm-3\" style=\"--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-tertiaryLight)\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-align--center fndry-justify--sm-center fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--6 fndry-col--md-10 fndry-col--sm-12 fndry-pl--2 fndry-pb--5 fndry-pt--5 fndry-pt--md-2 fndry-pb--md-2 fndry-pr--md-0 fndry-pl--md-0\">\n\t<div class=\"breadcrumbs align fndry-pb--2 wp-block-bcn-breadcrumb-trail has-text-color has-background\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\">\n\t<span><\/span>\n\t<span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Levings Lab.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\" class=\"home\" ><span property=\"name\">Levings Lab<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to News.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/news\/\" class=\"post-root post post-post\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">News<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"fndry-post-title\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Team<\/h1><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--5 fndry-col--md-12\">\n\t<figure  class=\"fndry-image fndry-mb--0\" style=\"--imageWidth:100%;--img-height-all:100%\" aria-labelledby=\"img-\">\n\t<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pt--5 fndry-pb--0 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\">\n\t<h2 class=\"fndry-heading\">Researchers in the Levings Lab<\/h2><p class=\"fndry-paragraph\">Researchers in the Levings Lab are made up of Clinician Scientists, Grad Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Lab Technicians and Project Managers.<\/p><div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--12 fndry-pr--md-0 fndry-pl--md-0\">\n\t<section  class=\"fndry-slideout fndry-grid team-slideout fndry-grid--3 fndry-grid--md-2 fndry-grid--sm-1\" style=\"--slideout-heading-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-excerpt-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-close-button-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--slideout-toggle-height:1.5em;--slideout-toggle-width:1.5em\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d12859\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/megan-levings-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Dr. Megan Levings<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Investigator, BC Children&#8217;s Hospital<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/research\/find-a-researcher\/megan-levings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Megan Levings<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Investigator, BC Children&#8217;s Hospital; Professor, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia<br>Research in Dr. Levings&#8217;s laboratory is focused on a novel subset of CD4+ T cells, termed T regulatory (Treg) cells, which control immune homeostasis.<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><li\n\t class=\"fndry-list-item\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"fndry-list-item__icon\">\n\t\t\t<i class=\"far fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t<\/span>\n\t<a href=\"mailto:megan.levings@ubc.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">megan.levings@ubc.ca<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Current work is focused on determining how Treg cells differ from normal CD4+ T cells at both the biochemical and molecular levels, and elucidating their role in transplantation tolerance, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. A long-term goal is to develop methods to generate Treg cells in vitro for use as a cellular therapy to replace standard immunosuppression in the context of organ transplantation or to restore tolerance in the context of autoimmunity.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pt--0 fndry-pb--0 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\">\n\t<h2 class=\"fndry-heading\">Staff<\/h2><div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--12 fndry-pr--md-0 fndry-pl--md-0\">\n\t<section  class=\"fndry-slideout fndry-grid team-slideout fndry-grid--3 fndry-grid--md-2 fndry-grid--sm-1\" style=\"--slideout-heading-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-excerpt-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-close-button-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--slideout-toggle-height:1.5em;--slideout-toggle-width:1.5em\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d12859\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/sabine-ivison-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Sabine Ivison<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Research Associate and Project Manager, PhD<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Sabine Ivison<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Research Associate and Project Manager, PhD<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I majored in microbiology and biochemistry at the University of Muenster, Germany and did my doctoral work (in dubious German) with Paul Tudzynski, studying the role of active oxygen in the pathologic mechanism of the rye pathogen Claviceps purpurea (most notorious for producing the LSD precursor lysergic acid).<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">As a postdoc in Vancouver I switched to the field of medicine, comparing heat shock protein epitopes in pathogenic and commensal strains of Staphylcococcus- and wondering how the immune system differed between the two (remember flesh eating disease). In my second postdoc with Dr. Ted Steiner, I looked at the influence of stress (ATP, active oxygen) on intestinal cell sensing of bacterial flagellin; did strange (but gentle) things to mice to further the understanding of inflammatory bowel disease. I moved to a research associate position with Kirk Schultz, who specializes in leukemia immunotherapy. In his lab I organized his clinical research trials, ran yet more ELISAs and dabbled a bit on the side in the immunostimulatory properties of mitochondrial DNA, among other things.\u00a0Finally I have landed in Megan&#8217;s hardcore adaptive immunology lab where I am all about developing and standardizing assays for the clinical setting. One project aims to stratify patients with autoimmune disease based on likely response to biologicals, another deals with immune monitoring of post-transplant patients by flow cytometry.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">My prevailing interest is in the conflict between self and everything that is not self (including altered self-cancer, and somebody else&#8217;s self-transplant). Which covers just about everything.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/majid-mojibian-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Majid Mojibian<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Research and Development Project Manager and In vivo Modelling Lead, PhD<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Majid Mojibian<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Research and Development Project Manager and In vivo Modelling Lead, PhD<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I began my professional career as a medical laboratory doctor. \u00a0My strong interest in research, particularly in immunology, compelled me to enter a PhD program in immunology at the University of Ottawa. \u00a0My specific interest in diabetes started when I joined the research team of Dr. Fraser Scott at the Ottawa Health Research Institute. I expanded my technical expertise and knowledge in his laboratory, which has a major focus on understanding diabetes-promoting interactions between dietary antigens, the gut immune system, and the endocrine pancreas. \u00a0After receiving my Ph.D., I trained in the lab of Dr. Timothy Kieffer to develop novel therapies for patients with diabetes. I was privileged to collaborate with our industry partners, enGene, a pioneer in gene delivery technology to mucosal tissue, and Johnson &#038; Johnson\u2019s Janssen BetaLogics group, an expert in developing human embryonic stem cell-based therapies for treating type 1 diabetes.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">In Dr. Levings&#8217; team, I manage projects involving laboratory-based research in immune regulation. The projects I work on are focused on translation to clinical applications and the initiation of first-in-human clinical trials in transplant medicine and autoimmunity. Specifically, my role involves collaborators and working with staff affiliated with industrial funding partners as well as collaborators located at different sites nationally and internationally.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/rosa-garcia-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Rosa Garcia<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lab Manager<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Rosa Garcia<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lab Manager<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">As the Lab Manager, I oversee the daily operations of our laboratory, ensuring seamless functionality and providing robust support for the scientific activities of our entire team. My personal research focuses on Tregs within inflamed microenvironments, with a particular emphasis on gut Tregs; I investigate the role of cytokine signaling pathways and the mechanisms controlling Tregs&#8217; functions, aiming to understand the complexities of preserving and restoring immune tolerance.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Award:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Nicky Dorken Award for Excellence in Service from the UBC Department of Surgery (2018).\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/jana-gillies-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Jana Gillies<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lead Molecular Biology Technician, MSc<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Jana Gillies<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lead Molecular Biology Technician, MSc<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I enjoy helping students with designing and executing their Crispr and cloning projects, and organizing everything molecular biology-related. I can often be found making adeno-associated virus, which we use to introduce genes into T cells via Crispr, or performing pyrosequencing of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) to make sure our Tregs are retaining their suppressive capacity.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Additionally, I\u2019m assisting PhD student Kevin Salim with his project aimed at generating Treg cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. By expressing our Chimeric Antigen Receptors in these cells, we hope to develop a new source of antigen-specific Tregs for therapeutic use.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/jessica-qing-huang-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Jessica Qing Huang<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lead Flow Cytometry Technician, PhD<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Jessica Qing Huang<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lead Flow Cytometry Technician, PhD<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I am involved in a range of projects exploring the fundamental mechanisms of regulatory T cells (Tregs) from diverse perspectives. Additionally, I support the Canadian Autoimmunity Standardization Core and contribute to the clinical applications of Tregs by establishing antigen-specific response assays, standardizing experimental procedures, conducting flow cytometry at multiple study sites, and analyzing flow data. I also have a separate role as an operator at the BCCHR Flow Core Facility, where I provide training and support to trainees. Currently, my primary research focus is investigating the roles of macrophages and their interaction with Tregs in T1D mouse and human islets.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/lorna-leon-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Lorna Leon<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lab Technician<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lorna Leon<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lab Technician<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Many T cell therapies rely on the use of viral vectores to transduce the therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T lymphocytes. My role as a lab technician is to support groups conducting research on CAR T cell therapy, designing new plasmids and producing lentivirus vectors.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Many T cell therapies rely on the use of viral vectores to transduce the therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T lymphocytes. My role as a lab technician is to support groups conducting research on CAR T cell therapy, designing new plasmids and producing lentivirus vectors.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/macyn-leung-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Macyn Leung<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lab Technician, MSc<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Macyn Leung<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lab Technician, MSc<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I am working on two main projects: the thymic Treg project and Canadian Autoimmunity Standardization Core (CAN-ASC). I support the thymic Treg isolations, release testing and clinical trial application and design, including organizing qualitative studies to gather patient perspectives on our thymic Treg product. I am also organizing a hands-on workshop for trainees from across Canada to come to our lab and learn about standardized practices in human immunology research as a part of CAN-ASC.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/madeleine-speck-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Madeleine Speck<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lab Technician<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Madeleine Speck<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lab Technician<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">As a lab technician, my role in the lab focuses on in vivo and in vitro studies, from Cell culture to technical assistance in organ transplantation in mouse models. One major project I\u2019m assisting with is looking at Tregs that have been engineered to recognize the human HLA-A2 protein which is very important for matching transplant donors and recipients to prevent the rejection of organ transplants. These so-called CAR Tregs show great potential in delaying an HLA-A2 mismatched organ transplant but can also help reducing the number of immunosuppressive drugs a patient would have to take post-transplant. Additionally, I take care of our mouse colonies as well as help with daily operational tasks in the lab.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/vivian-fung-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Vivian Fung<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Lab Technician, MSc<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Vivian Fung<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lab Technician, MSc<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Adoptive transfer of Tregs is a promising strategy to treat disorders arising from inappropriate immune responses, such as autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. While clinical trials have shown the safety of Treg transfer into patients, mouse models of type 1 diabetes have also shown infusion of Tregs specific towards the pancreatic beta cells were superior in protecting against disease. My research specializes in engineering Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) onto Tregs to redirect their specificity towards different target antigens.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/chen-li-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Chen Li<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Research Coordinator, MSc<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Chen Li<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Research Coordinator, MSc<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I hold two concurrent positions: Research Coordinator for the Levings Lab and Administrative Manager at the JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC. Within the Levings lab, my main responsibilities include managing research grants, trainee fellowships, and studentships. I also assist with financial reporting, lab procurement, ethics applications, and the setup of REDCap surveys and e-consents for various projects. Additionally, I handle HR-related tasks such as onboarding and offboarding for the lab.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">At the JDRF Centre of Excellence, I provide administrative support to Centre PIs and collaborate closely with JDRF Canada. My responsibilities involve organizing Seed Grant Competitions and Annual Meetings, facilitating knowledge translation activities and training workshops for trainees, and fostering partnerships with industry and patient stakeholders to improve health outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pt--0 fndry-pb--5 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\">\n\t<h2 class=\"fndry-heading\">Trainees<\/h2><div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--12 fndry-pr--md-0 fndry-pl--md-0\">\n\t<section  class=\"fndry-slideout fndry-grid team-slideout fndry-grid--3 fndry-grid--md-2 fndry-grid--sm-1\" style=\"--slideout-heading-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-excerpt-color:var(--fndry-color-secondary);--slideout-close-button-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--slideout-toggle-height:1.5em;--slideout-toggle-width:1.5em\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d12859\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/isaac-rosado-sanchez-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Isaac Rosado Sanchez<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d12859\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Isaac Rosado Sanchez<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">The success of organ transplantation depends on the administration of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. However, these drugs have many side effects that lead to cancer and infections risk. Alternatively, regulatory T cells (Treg) are suppressive cells that can be used as cellular therapy to tolerate the transplanted organ. Dr Levings\u2019 lab has been a pioneer in the use of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) to generate organ-specific Treg cells for use as cellular therapy to prevent rejection. My research focuses on optimizing these CAR constructions for their use in Treg therapies, trying to enhance their effectiveness and safety.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Trainee Award (2020-24)<br>\u2022  Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020-23)<br>\u2022  UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2019-21)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/karoliina-tuomela-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Karoliina Tuomela<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285a\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Karoliina Tuomela<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I joined the Levings Lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2022 after completing a PhD studying immune cell-cancer cell interactions in the context of radiotherapy at the University of Manchester. My current work is focussed on improving the efficacy of regulatory T cell therapy, particularly in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. I am especially interested in understanding signalling in immune cells, the role of metabolism in regulating immune cell phenotype, and the mechanisms of regulatory T cell function.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-26)<br>\u2022  Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023)<br>\u2022  J. Andrew McKee (JDRF\/SCN) Fellowship in Type 1 Diabetes (2022)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/lieke-sanderink-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Lieke Sanderink<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285b\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Lieke Sanderink<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">During my PhD in Germany, I focused on Identifying a regulatory T cell (Treg) subset with wound healing properties and attempting to induce those properties in-vitro. Here in the Levings lab I am hoping to extend my knowledge of Treg culture. my fellowship is focused on the scale-up of a therapeutic Treg product derived from the pediatric thymus. We are working with a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cell therapy facility on a tech transfer from a research lab to a GMP environment and are actively working towards a Clinical Trial Application.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/mahdis-monajemi-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Mahdis Monajemi<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285c\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Mahdis Monajemi<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I received my MSc in the field of Immunology and Infectious disease from Memorial University, Canada and completed my PhD in the field of Immunology Department of Experimental Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Canada. I am interested to understand how innate and adaptive regulatory cells change the beta-cell regeneration. I investigate the role of macrophages and Tregs in inducing mouse beta-cell regeneration through the stimulation of beta-cell proliferation and survival, and explore the applicability of these effects to human physiology.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Canadian Institute of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-26)<br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/manjurul-haque-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Manjurul Haque<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-64c8263d1285d\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Manjurul Haque<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">I am a trained Veterinary Parasitologist who came to know about the magical regulatory T-cells (Tregs) while working on PhD research at the Institute of Parasitology, McGill. Then, I decided to pursue post-doctoral training in the Levings Lab to know more about Tregs therapy in the context of organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. My current project involves studying the bystander effect of Treg therapy on the immune response to other systemic infections. Besides this, I love photography, traveling, and fishing.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Canadian Institute of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-26)<br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/bruno-freitas-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Bruno Freitas<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Bruno Freitas<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><li\n\t class=\"fndry-list-item\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"fndry-list-item__icon\">\n\t\t\t<i class=\"far fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t<\/span>\n\t<a href=\"mailto:info@website.com\">info@website.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<li class='fndry-social fndry-social--linkedin fndry-pr--1'>\n\t\t<a href='https:\/\/linkedin.com' rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" 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fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">The use of stem cells to generate insulin producing beta cells (SC-\u03b2 cells) is an exciting prospect for curing type 1 diabetes. While promising, current protocols for generating SC-\u03b2 cells produce cells that do not match the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of healthy human islets. Emerging evidence shows that macrophages play important roles in pancreatic islet function and are required for the development of functional beta cells. Further, regulatory T cells (Tregs) support a role in resolving inflammation, stimulating tissue repair, and supporting angiogenesis. I am interested to see if macrophages and Tregs can be exploited to improve the maturation, function and engraftment of SC-\u03b2 cells.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Childhood Diseases Doctoral Studentship (2023)<br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Canucks for Kids Fund Master\u2019s Studentship (2022)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/christine-wardell-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Christine Wardell<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Christine Wardell<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">One of the most exciting prospects for curing type 1 diabetes is to replace the patient\u2019s insulin-producing islets, which have been destroyed by an autoimmune response, with islets isolated from a healthy donor. However, a large barrier to widespread islet transplantation is the risk of transplant rejection. I am investigating whether we can genetically engineer regulatory T cells to protect the transplanted islets from rejection and move islet transplantation one step closer to becoming a reliable cure for type 1\u00a0<br>diabetes.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship \u2013 Doctoral (2022-25)<br>\u2022  UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (2020-24)<br>\u2022  Canadian Society of Transplantation Research Training Award (2021)<br>\u2022  British Columbia Graduate Scholarship (2021)<br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Graduate Studentship (2020-22)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/kevin-salim-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Kevin Salim<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Kevin Salim<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">A major caveat of regulatory T (Treg) cell therapies is that Tregs are very rare, hard to purify, and their quality\/function varies between patients; thus, making it difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to obtain patient-specific Tregs and expand them into a therapeutic dose. My research aims to explore novel ways to generate donor-derived Tregs that could be pre-made and stored frozen for use as needed.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  UBC Faculty of Medicine Graduate Award &#8211; Edward Squires Memorial Scholarship (2023)<br>\u2022  UBC President\u2019s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award (2023)<br>\u2022  Canada Graduate Scholarship &#8211; Master\u2019s Program (CGSM) (2022)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/robbie-wright-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Robbie Wright<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Robbie Wright<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Recipients of solid organ transplants require lifelong treatment with toxic anti-rejection drugs. These drugs non-specifically starve the immune system of the required signals and building blocks for proper function. I am investigating how Tregs are impaired by conventional immunosuppressive medications, and approaches to engineer CAR Treg resistance to these drugs. By improving the clinical efficacy of CAR Treg therapy in the treatment and prevention of organ rejection we aim to enhance transplant outcomes by liberating patients from anti-rejection drugs.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/sonya-mangat-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Sonya Mangat<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Sonya Mangat<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">A key aim of my research is to improve the therapeutic options used to treat autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Our lab has pioneered the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) regulatory T cells to provide more targeted immunosuppression for such conditions, paving the way for in-human clinical trials. My current work is to build on previous findings and investigate whether specific genome engineering approaches could further enhance the benefits of these cells.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  Canadian Graduate Scholarship \u2013 Master\u2019s Program (CGS-M) (2023)<br>\u2022  BC Children\u2019s Hospital CFKF Diabetes Research Master\u2019s Studentship (2023)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/torin-halvorson-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Torin Halvorson<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">MD\/PhD Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Torin Halvorson<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">MD\/PhD Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Regulatory T cells (Tregs) genetically engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) recognizing a donor antigen are promising therapies in transplantation. Our current CAR-Treg therapies target HLA-A2, a MHC I allele ubiquitously expressed on donor tissues. However, it is unclear whether MHC I molecules are optimal targets for CAR-Tregs, and this may be context-dependent. My PhD research focuses on developing CAR-Tregs recognizing other antigens in the transplanted organ and evaluating them against HLA-A2-specific CAR-Tregs.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">As organ transplant recipients are immune-suppressed and highly susceptible to infections, some of my research also focuses on developing and deploying clinical assays to detect antigen-specific T cell responses in transplant recipients.<\/p><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\"><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br>\u2022  BC Children&#8217;s Hospital Research Institute Doctoral Studentship (2023-24)<br>\u2022  Canadian Graduate Scholarship \u2013 Master\u2019s Program (CGS-M) (2023)<br>\u2022  BC Children&#8217;s Hospital Research Institute Summer Student Research Award (2022)<br>\u2022  UBC Faculty of Medicine Summer Student Research Award (2022, declined)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/eleanor-chen-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Eleanor Chen<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">MSc Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Eleanor Chen<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">MSc Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">Regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy is a promising approach to treat autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), which is mediated by islet-reactive T cells. Studies using diabetic mouse models have shown that islet antigen-specific Tregs perform better than polyclonal Tregs at delaying or preventing disease. My research project involves generating and testing antigen-specific human Tregs that express either chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or transgenic T cell receptors (TCR) against T1D-relevant antigens to treat T1D. My work also involves comparing the function of CAR versus TCR engineered Tregs in the context of T1D.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fndry-slideout-block\" data-fndry-js=\"slideout-block\">\n    <a  data-fndry-js=\"slideout-content\" href=\"#fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-content\" aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n        <div\n\t         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img-container\"        >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/monica-leca-bcchr.jpg\" class=\"fndry-slideout-block__img\" style=\"--slideout-img-zoom:1.25\" \/>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content\">\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap\">\n                <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading-wrap-container fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--slideout-heading-gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"fndry-slideout-block__heading fndry-text-h3SectionHeadline26\">Monica Leca<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <span class=\"fndry-slideout-toggle\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fndry-slideout-block__excerpt fndry-text-slideoutExcerpt\">Co-op Student<\/p>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div id=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\"\n         class=\"fndry-slideout-block__slideout-hidden fndry-collapse--hidden\"\n         data-fndry-js=\"slideout-hidden\">\n        <div class=\"fndry-slideout-block__content-hidden\">\n\t\t\t                <button data-fndry-js=\"slideout-close-btn\"\n                        class=\"fndry-slideout-block__close-btn\"\n                        aria-label=\"Close\"\n                        aria-controls=\"fndry-block-63922b5de2fe4\">\n                <\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-pt--3 fndry-pb--2 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pl--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"border-radius:5px;--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-row--gutter fndry-align--start fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--4 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--4 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<h3 class=\"fndry-heading fndry-heading--left\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Monica Leca<\/h3><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-bannerSubheading14\" style=\"--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Co-op Student<\/p><div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top fndry-pt--1 fndry-mt--2\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-list fndry-list--custom fndry-d--flex fndry-flex--col\" style=\"--fndry-list-marker-color:var(--fndry-color-primary);--color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border border-top padding-left-3  fndry-pt--1 fndry-pb--1\">\n\t<ul  class=\"fndry-social-list fndry-justify--start fndry-align--center fndry-flex--row\" style=\"--fndry-social-list-size:1.5rem;--fndry-social-list-color:var(--fndry-color-primary)\">\n\t<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--8 fndry-col--md-12 fndry-pr--3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pr--sm-1 fndry-pl--sm-1\">\n\t<p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-paragraph--left\">As a co-op student, I support a clinical trial studying the efficacy of Ustekinumab, an immune therapy for people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that Ustekinumab can dampen the immune attack that leads to type 1 diabetes, hopefully preserving residual beta-cell function and insulin production in these patients. I am currently pursuing a BSc in Microbiology &#038; Immunology at UBC.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure  class=\"fndry-image fndry-mb--2\" style=\"--imageWidth:50%\" aria-labelledby=\"img-2230\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"fndry-image__link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo.jpg\" class=\"fndry-image__img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" style=\"--borderRadius:0px;--objectFit:cover;--imagePosX:50%;--imagePosY:50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/levings-lab-group-photo-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border fndry-container--full fndry-pt--md-3 fndry-pr--md-3 fndry-pl--md-3 fndry-pb--md-6 fndry-pr--sm-2 fndry-pl--sm-2\" style=\"--fndry-bg:var(--fndry-color-light)\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-container fndry-responsive-bg fndry-responsive-border\">\n\t<div class=\"fndry-row fndry-align--center fndry-justify--sm-center fndry-justify--between\">\n\t<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--6 fndry-col--md-10 fndry-col--sm-12 fndry-pl--2 fndry-pb--5 fndry-pt--5 fndry-pt--md-2 fndry-pb--md-2\">\n\t<h2 class=\"fndry-heading\" style=\"color:var(--fndry-color-secondary)\">Contact Us<\/h2><p class=\"fndry-paragraph fndry-text-intro18\">Contact us with your inquiries.<\/p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/contact\/\" rel=\"\" id=\"fndry-block-64b5562521309\" class=\"fndry-btn fndry-btn-secondaryButtonWArrow\">Contact<\/a><\/div>\n<div  class=\"fndry-col fndry-responsive-bg fndry-col--5 fndry-d--md-none\">\n\t<figure  class=\"fndry-image fndry-mb--0\" style=\"--imageWidth:100%;--img-height-all:100%\" aria-labelledby=\"img-2463\">\n\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"814\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/bc-childrens-hospital-research-institute.jpg\" class=\"fndry-image__img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" style=\"--borderRadius:0px;--objectFit:cover;--imagePosX:50%;--imagePosY:50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/bc-childrens-hospital-research-institute.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/bc-childrens-hospital-research-institute-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/files\/2026\/05\/bc-childrens-hospital-research-institute-768x651.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","fndry_alternate_title":""},"class_list":["post-830","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=830"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2464,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/830\/revisions\/2464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcchr.ca\/levingslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}