Dubland, Joshua
PhD
Academic Rank(s): Clinical Assistant Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC | Scientist, Newborn Screening and Biochemical Genetics Laboratories, BC Children’s Hospital
Affiliation(s): BCCH
Research and Scholarly Interests: Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, Genetics genomics proteomics and related approaches, Mass spectrometry, Newborn screening, Inborn errors of metabolism, Lipidology & cardiovascular disease, Lysosomal storage disorders
Clinical Interests:
Dr. Dubland completed his BSc in chemistry at Simon Fraser University, followed by an MSc in organic chemistry at the University of Toronto. He was then employed as a research associate in the pharmaceutical industry for 4 years, working at both BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc. and QLT Inc. Work in the pharmaceutical industry focused on bioanalytical mass spectrometry development, validation, and data acquisition to support clinical and preclinical drug trials. Following this, Dr. Dubland completed his PhD in Experimental Medicine at UBC where his research focused on cellular mechanisms of lipid accumulation and removal in atherosclerosis. Dr. Dubland is currently a Laboratory Scientist in the Newborn Screening and Biochemical Genetics Laboratories at BC Children’s Hospital.
Academic Background
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of British Columbia. 2018
- PhD (Experimental Medicine), University of British Columbia. 2018
- MSc (Organic Chemistry), University of Toronto. 2010
- BSc (Chemistry), Simon Fraser University. 2007
Awards and Recognition
- 2019 Young investigator educational grant from Mass Spectrometry: Applications to the Clinical Lab
- 2018 Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology travel award for young investigators
- 2018 CIHR travel award – Institute Community Support in partnership with Institute of Circulatory & Respiratory Health
- 2017 Canadian Lipoprotein Conference graduate student presentation award
- 2017 Canadian Society for Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis & Vascular Biology travel award
- 2016 Canadian Lipoprotein Conference graduate student presentation award
Publications
Selected Publications
Research Interest
- Mass spectrometry
- Newborn screening
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Lipidology & cardiovascular disease
- Lysosomal storage disorders
Summary
Advances in mass spectrometry are the primary driving force behind the increasing number of inborn-errors of metabolism screened population-wide. The Newborn Screening laboratory at BC Children’s Hospital utilizes mass spectrometry for screening 45,000 newborns annually for a panel of 24 treatable disorders. Initial screening involves the analysis of dried blood spot cards by flow injection mass spectrometry. For a subset of conditions, abnormal screens are followed up with a second tier analysis using liquid chromatographic separations followed by mass spectrometry to increase analytical specificity and confirmation of diagnosis. My current research focuses on the development of novel mass spectrometry based assays for clinical diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism.
Additional research interests include applications of mass spectrometry and other next generation analytical technologies for biomarker and drug target discovery. Investigation of inherited lipid metabolism disorders, lysosomal storage disorders, and environmental stress factors associated with lifetime cardiovascular disease risk are of particular interest.
Clinical Service
Current Projects In My Lab Include
Teaching Interest
- Laboratory based teaching