ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

THROUGH INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Training Environment, Philosophy, Supervision and Mentoring

Our lab is a positive and collaborative environment that prepares trainees for highly successful careers in science and engineering fields of academia, industry, and government. We work in a unique interdisciplinary environment, as we are located in the state-of-the-art Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) and are members of the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) and the new and expanding School of Biomedical Engineering (BME). We collaborate closely with the University-Industry Liaison Office, the Centre for Drug Research Development, and the entrepreneurship@UBC program, providing multiple opportunities for knowledge translation, including community outreach, media contact, and commercialization of findings. Trainees use these opportunities to build networks with leading researchers and industry partners to support their current research and to explore future career opportunities.

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We are an inclusive and diverse group and we strive to promote the advancement of under-represented groups in the natural science and engineering as a means to enhance excellence in research and training. Dr. Kastrup interacts with each trainee multiple times each week, both in group and individual meetings, to discuss research progress and to provide individualized support. Graduate students take the lead on writing their papers and assist in writing grants, developing scientific writing and fund-raising skills that are directly applicable to both academic and non-academic professions. This is demonstrated by their high success rate for awards and fellowships: each PhD student has received fellowships and awards of $8k to $130k, with a total of 7 fellowships from CIHR and NSERC since 2012.

Principal investigator:​

Dr. Christian Kastrup Associate Professor

Christian Kastrup is an Associate Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at UBC, and is a member of the Centre for Blood Research and Associate Member of the School of Biomedical Engineering.
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He received his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Chicago, where he specialized in chemical biology, microfluidics, and blood coagulation biochemistry with Rustem Ismagilov. During his postdoctoral fellowship at MIT, he specialized in engineering biomaterials for drug delivery to blood vessels with Robert Langer and Daniel Anderson. His lab at UBC utilizes biochemical engineering to solve problems related to hemostasis and thrombosis. They investigate, utilize, and mimic the biochemistry and biophysical dynamics of blood coagulation to create innovative materials that perform new functions inside of blood vessels. His accolades include the Sir Major Banting Award from the True Patriot Love Foundation, being a MSFHR Scholar, a Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, and holding a CIHR Foundation Grant. He is the Chief Scientific Officer and a founding member of CoMotion Drug Delivery Systems, Inc., a UBC based startup, which is currently working to develop a hemostatic agent for severe combat and surgical hemorrhage.

Current members:​

Nabil Ali-Mohamad Research Technician

Publications and awards
BA.Sc. Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia

Journal of Military,Veteran and Family health, 2023

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2023

Military Medicine, 2023

Nature Communications, 2022

Endoscopy International Open, 2022

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 2022

Military Medicine, 2022

Injury, 2022

Endoscopy Open International, 2021*

Awards: Barbara Aweryn Scholarship in Engineering, Faculty of Medicine summer scholarship (declined), Canadian Blood Research summer scholarship (accepted), NSERC USRA

Dr. Katherine Badior Postdoctoral Fellow

Publications and awards

Dr. Badior is currently undertaking a co-supervised PDF with Eric Jan and Christian Kastrup

PhD Biochemistry, University of Alberta

B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Calgary

Science Advances, 2023

6 Publications, 2 first-authorships prior to joining Kastrup lab

Awards: MSL Trainee Award

Francesca Ferraresso Graduate Student, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards
BSc. Biochemistry, University of British Columbia

Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2022*

Awards: CBR-SBME Summer Studentship, CBR Research Day People’s Choice Award

Dr. Jerry Leung Postdoctoral Fellow

Publications and awards
PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia
B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia

Science Translational Medicine, 2024

Science Advances, 2023

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2022

Blood, 2022

Blood, 2022

Science, 2021

Transfusion, 2021*

Blood, 2020

4 publications outside of Kastrup lab

Awards: NSERC CREATE Nanomat Program, NSERC Masters Awards, UBC 4YF, NSERC Doctoral Award

Dr. Laura Ketelboeter Research Scientist, Lab Manager at VBRI

Publications and awards
PhD Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BS Biology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Dr. Manoj Paul Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical College of Wisconsin

Publications and awards
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Mysorea

Science Advances, 2023

Noah Peng Graduate Student, Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin

Portrait of Madelaine

Madelaine Robertson Graduate Student, Biochemistry and Molecular biology

Publications and awards

Madelaine is a co-supervised Masters Student with Pieter Cullis and Christian Kastrup

B.Sc Combined Honours in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Neurosciences, Dalhousie University

Science Advances, 2023

Awards: CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships Masters Award

Dr. Monica Seadler Surgical Resident, Medical College of Wisconsin

Publications and awards
B.Sc. Medical Labortory Science, Saint Louis University

MD, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Awards: Commitment to Teaching Honoree, Key to the Future Award, ACLS Missouri Chapter New Professional of the Year, President’s Student of the Year Award, Omicron Sigma Award, Anna Warren Oller Award, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Alpha Eta Student Research Award, DeNardo Research Scholarship

Chad Skaer Research Technologist at VBRI

Publications and awards
B.A. Biology, Lawrence University

Dr. Halen Turner Surgical resident, medical college of wisconsin

Publications and awards

M.D., University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Colton Strong PhD Candidate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards

Colton is a co-supervised PhD Graduate with Dana Devine and Christian Kastrup

B.Sc. Honours Immunology (Interdepartmental), McGill University

Science Advances, 2023

Cell Reports, 2022

Awards: CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships Masters Award, Four Year Doctoral Felloship from UBC

Youjie Zhang Graduate Student Biomedical Eng. MCW-Marquette joint program

Publications and awards
M.Eng.Biomedical Engineering Marquette University B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering Milwaukee School of Engeering

Military Medicine, 2023

Research Coordination

Michael England, M.M. Project Specialist at VBRI

CV
Certificate in Project Management, University of British Columbia
M.M., Northwestern State University
BA, Northwestern State University

Dr. Steven Vitullo Research Program Administrator at VBRI

CV
Doctor of Philosophy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Marquette University
Master of Science,Electrical Engineering,Marquette University
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Former full-time members:​

Dr. James Baylis Postdoctoral Fellow

Publications and awards

Current position: CEO and President CoMotion Drug Delivery Systems Inc., Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia

B.Sc. Biophysics, University of British Columbia

Endoscopy Open International, 2021

Scientific Reports, 2020

Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 2020

Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 2019*

Scientific Reports, 2017

Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 2016
The Laryngoscope, 2017*
Thrombosis Research, 2016*
Shock, 2016*
Science Advances, 2015*

Awards: CIHR CGS Doctoral Award, William & Dorothy Gilbert Graduate Scholarship

Dr. Massimo Cau Postdoctoral Fellow

Publications and awards
B.Sc. Microbiology and B.Sc. Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia
PhD Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2023

Military Medicine, 2023

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 2022*

Injury, 2022*

Transfusion, 2021

Endoscopy Open International, 2021

Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 2020*

Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 2019

Awards: Royal Canadian Legion Scholarship, CBR Graduate Awards Program, SBME Graduate Support Initiative - Entrance Award, Mitacs Scholarship

Dr. Karen Chan Ph.D. Graduate, Genome Science and Technology Program

Publications and awards

B.Sc. Biophysics, University of British Columbia

Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cullis Lab, UBC

Scientific Reports, 2020*

Scientific Reports, 2017
Biomacromolecules, 2016*

Thrombosis Research, 2016
Scientific Reports, 2015*

Dr. Vivienne Chan Ph.D. Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards

Current position: Grant Facilitator, Heart Lung Institute, Vancouver

Journal Thromb. & Haem., 2018*

Angewandte Chemie, 2015*

Awards: Ronnie Miller Scholarship

Dr. Woosuk Steve Hur Ph.D. Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards

B.Sc. Biochemistry, McGill University

Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Matthew Flick lab, UNC Chapel Hill

Biochemistry, 2020*

Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 2020

Blood Coag. Fibrin., 2019*

J. Biol. Chem., 2019*

J. Thromb. Haem., 2018

Blood, 2015*

Awards: CIHR CGS Doctoral Award, CBR Mackenzie Mentorship Award

Dr. Lih Jiin Juang PH.D. Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards
B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia

Blood Advances, 2020*

ACS Nano, 2020

Biochemistry, 2020


Awards: President's Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award, CBR Graduate Awards Program, UBC 4-Year Fellowship Graduate Award
Headshot of Adele

Dr. Adele Khavari Postdoctoral Fellow

Publications and awards

Postdoc Oligo Medic, McGill University

PhD Material Science, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

MSc Material Chemistry and Nanotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology

MSc Polymer Engineering, Yazad University, Iran

B.Sc. Applied Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Iran

8 Publications, 5 first-authorships prior to joining Kastrup lab

Awards: Mitacs Scholarship

Dr. Jayesh Kulkarni CSO at NanoVation Therapeutics

Publications and awards

Current position: Co-founder of Incisive Genetics, Postdoctoral Researcher at NanoMedicines Innovation Network

PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia

B.Sc. Biotechnology, University of British Columbia

Blood, 2020

18 Publications, 8 first-authorships prior to joining Kastrup lab

Awards: NMIN Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Nima Mazinani Ph.D. Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards

B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia


Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 2020*

Biochemistry, 2020

Blood Advances, 2020

J. of Biol. Chem, 2019

Scientific Reports,, 2017*

Blood, 2015

Awards: CBR Summer Studentship

Dr. Stefanie Novakowski Ph.D Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards

Current position: Program Coordinator at Provincial Health Services Authority

Blood Advances, 2020

Scientific Reports, 2019*

Angewandte Chemie, 2015*

Awards: CIHR CGS Doctoral Award, NSERC CGS Masters Award

Eleonore Rayner Research Project Coordinator

CV
B.Sc. Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield

Amanda Wietrzny Research Trainee, Versiti Blood Research Institute

Publications and awards
B.Sc. Biology, Wisconsin Lutheran College

Dr. Amy Wong-Strilchuk PH.D. Graduate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publications and awards
B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Toronto

JTH, 2021

Blood, 2020*

Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 2020

Awards: Centre for Blood Research Graduate Award Program, CanVECTOR, UBC 4-Year Fellowship Graduate Award, William & Dorothy Gilbert Graduate Scholarship, CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Award (CGS-D)

DR. NICK YEH POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Publications and awards

Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia

M.A.Sc., Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia

B.A.Sc., Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical Engineering Option), University of British Columbia

5 Publications, 4 first-authorships prior to joining Kastrup lab

Awards: Mitacs Scholarship

Ju Hun Yeon Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011 – 2014

Publications and awards

Alyssa Yong Research Technician

Publications and awards
BSc. Honours Pharmacology, University of British Columbia

Scientific Reports, 2020

Awards: Faculty of Science Outstanding Award, Mildred Brock Memorial Scholarship, J. Fred Muir Memorial Scholarship, Dean of Science Scholarship, Trek Excellence Scholarship

Current and former undergraduate students and visiting researchers:

Amir Kazerooni**

Aschwin van der Giesen

Tina Chen

Lily Zhang

Rebecca Leung

Andy Hsu

Emily Prowse**

Erin Long

Renhao Wang

Nabil Ali-Mohamad*,**

Kevin Kim

Kai Zhu

Kevin Jiang**

Alyssa Yong**

Morteza Sarkari**

Veronika Zenova**

Bridget La Prairie

Sanjana Prakash

Max Thomson**


Rachel Sutherland**

Massimo Cau**,#

Jeanee Chan**

Gayatri Prakash**

Anni Zhang

Jeff Yoon

Leo Yefet

Mike Min Su Lee**

Charlotte Michelle Nguyen**

Jeffrey Boschman**

Heidi Streick**

Aida Rahavi

Elina Levchenko**

Mark Melhado

Junho Lee

David Lu**

Michael Halim

Maggie Ling

Ting-Chia Wong**

Stella Fang

Anna Lee**

Simon Law**

Nima Mazinani**,#

Kelvin Chan**

Jesse Zhang**

Nivitri Ashok

James Baylis**,#

Annie (Ting-Hsuan) Wang

Francesca Ferraresso#,*

Tavleen Ramgarhia

Noah Peng*,**,#

Nicholas Cheung

Han Zhang

*First author

**These trainees are co-authors on published or submitted papers based on research in our lab.

#These undergraduate students became graduate students in our lab.