Ashdown, Breanna
PA(CCCPA-CCCAP), PA(ASCP)
Academic Rank(s): Clinical Instructor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC | Pathologists’ Assistant, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
Affiliation(s): Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Island Health | BC Coroners Service
Research and Scholarly Interests: Gross Pathology, Autopsy Pathology, Laboratory Quality Improvement
Clinical Interests: Surgical Gross Pathology, Autopsy and Forensic Pathology
Breanna Ashdown is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a certified Pathologists’ Assistant at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Island Health.
She completed her Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Biology, with a minor in Microbiology, at the University of Victoria in 2020, followed by a Master of Pathologists’ Assistant at the University of Calgary – a NAACLS-accredited program – in 2024. She is certified by both the Canadian Certification Council of Pathologists’ Assistants and the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification.
Ms. Ashdown joined Island Health in Nanaimo in 2024, where her practice covers macroscopic examination, dissection, and sampling of surgical specimens across all major organ systems, as well as medical autopsy support. Since 2025 she has also worked with the BC Coroners Service in Nanaimo, collecting toxicology samples during toxicology-only examinations. Her earlier laboratory experience includes roles with the Prenatal Biochemistry Laboratory at BC Children’s and Women’s Health Centre and the Provincial Health Services Authority in Vancouver.
Academic Background
- Certified Pathologists’ Assistant, Canadian Certification Council of Pathologists’ Assistants (CCCPA-CCCAP), 2025
- Certified Pathologists’ Assistant, ASCP Board of Certification, 2025
- University of Calgary, Master of Pathologists’ Assistant, 2022-2024
- University of Victoria, B.Sc. with Distinction, Biology (Minor: Microbiology), 2020
Awards and Recognition
Publications
Presentations
- Ashdown B. Validating an EDTA-based decalcifying agent for use at Foothills Medical Centre. Research project presented at Cumming School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) Grand Rounds, April 2024.
- Ashdown B. Invasive complete hydatidiform mole: a case study. Presentation given at Alberta Precision Laboratories Virtual PA Rounds, January 2024.
- Ashdown B. Invasive complete hydatidiform mole: a case study. Poster presented at the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) 48th Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, September 2023.
Research Interest
Ms. Ashdown’s scholarly interests centre on gross pathology practice and laboratory quality improvement, including the validation of tissue processing methods. Her graduate research project evaluated an EDTA-based decalcifying agent for clinical use.
- Gross Pathology and Specimen Handling
- Autopsy and Forensic Pathology
- Laboratory Quality Improvement and Method Validation
Clinical Service
Macroscopic examination, dissection and sampling of surgical specimens across major organ systems, and medical autopsy support at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Island Health. Toxicology sample collection for the BC Coroners Service, Nanaimo.
Current Projects In My Lab Include
Teaching Interest