Jassem, Agatha

Jassem, Agatha

PhD, (D)ABMM, FCCM

Academic Rank(s): Clinical Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC | Clinical Microbiologist, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control

Affiliation(s): BC Centre for Disease Control

Research and Scholarly Interests: Clinical Applied Research, Genetics genomics proteomics and related approaches, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Microbiology

Clinical Interests:

Short Bio
OpenClose

Dr. Agatha Jassem, PhD, (D)ABMM, FCCM (UBC Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Clinical Associate Professor; Head, Virology/Molecular Diagnostics Lab, BCCDC PHL) is an accredited Clinical Virologist. She oversees diagnostic services and has extensive expertise in developing and implementing molecular- and serological-based tests for several organisms, including respiratory pathogens and those causing sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. She is the BC Lab Lead for the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network, which is monitoring SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccine effectiveness. During COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jassem secured funding to characterize the immune response after infection and vaccination, which involved validation and operationalization of novel multiplex serology, neutralization, and infectivity methods to support cohort-based studies across BC. Her current focus couple’s viral genomics and immune correlates of protection to understand the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 evolution under vaccine pressure. Other research led by Dr. Jassem includes utilization of novel phage immunoprecipitation sequencing technologies to link viral exposures to chronic illness and the validation and implementation of dried blood spot samples for diagnosis of HCV and HIV in hard to reach populations. She is the President of the Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the President of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Scientists.

 

Academic
OpenClose

Academic Background

  • American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) Diplomate. 2016
  • Clinical Microbiology Fellow, Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. 2015
  • PhD, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia. 2012
  • BSc (Hons), Biology, York University. 2006

Awards and Recognition

Publications

PUBMED Dr. Agatha Jassem

Selected Publications

Research
OpenClose

Research Interest

Clinical Service

Current Projects In My Lab Include

Teaching
OpenClose

Teaching Interest

Dr. Jassem co-leads Path437 and provides lectures in Path722 and Path327.