Since early in my pathology training I developed a major interest in hematological malignancies with a focus on combining routine diagnostic lymphoma practice with translational research. As a result, I did a rotation at BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoma Tumor Group in 2001. After completing my anatomic pathology residency in 2003 in Lisbon, I come back to BCCA for both Molecular Lymphoma Pathology and Clinical Hematopathology fellowships in Dr. Randy Gascoyne’s lab. This resulted in my PhD thesis entitled: “Biological Predictors of Survival in Lymphoma and Mechanisms underlying Follicular Lymphoma Transformation into Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma”.

I joined the BC Cancer pathology staff in 2013 and since then I continue to collaborate in many of Center for Lymphoid Cancer research projects.

My research interests have focused on different lymphoma types with an aim to understanding the mechanisms of lymphoma progression and transformation as well as discovery and development of new prognostic and predictive-target biomarkers. One of the main topics has been several projects related to the tumour microenvironment, specifically studies of the role of immune response in the transformation of follicular lymphoma.

Since 2001, it has been an honor and privilege to meet and work with so many bright colleagues of quite distinct backgrounds both at BCCA and through it with several international lymphoma groups.

Currently and in the coming years, I will certainly continue to integrate BC Cancer both lymphoma pathology diagnostic service and translational research studies at the BCC Centre for Lymphoid Cancer.