The network is led by principle investigators Jan Friedman MD PhD and David Huntsman MD, supported by experienced professionals Shelin Adam, Co-ordinator, Lesley Phillips PhD, Business Manager and Liza Mak, Administrative Assistant, who are available to assist members. Our two leaders have experience leading innovative initiatives and have outstanding expertise in genomics research. The staff is experienced in genetics research and business management respectively.
Jan Friedman, MD, PhD, received his M.Sc. and MD in 1971 from Tulane University, New Orleans, completed his residency at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago in 1973 and his Ph.D. and fellowship in medical genetics at the University of Washington in 1977. Dr. Friedman was recruited as an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Pediatrics at Northwestern University (1976-1978) and as the Assistant to the Associate Professor and Chief, Div. of Clinical Genetics at the University of Texas Health Science Centre (1978-1986). In 1986, Dr. Friedman was recruited as an Associate Professor and promoted to a Professor, Dept. of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1989. Dr. Friedman was the Head, Medical Genetics (1992-1999) and was the acting Associate Dean, Research in the Faculty of Medicine, UBC and acting Executive Director at the Child & Family Research Institute (2010-2013). More…
David G. Huntsman, MD, is a Professor in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UBC and is the Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Professor of Gynaelcologic Oncology. He is a a Staff Pathologist at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), and a Consulting Pathologist at the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). Dr. Huntsman attended medical school at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1984-88 and after completing a rotating internship, practiced family medicine in Labrador for two years. Following his experience in family medicine, he entered and completed a pathology residency and trained in clinical molecular genetics at UBC and subsequently studied cancer genetics at Cambridge University, UK. Dr. Huntsman is currently the Director of the BC multidisciplinary ovarian cancer research team (OvCaRe), Medical Director of the Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics (CTAG) at the BCCA, and co-Director of the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre (GPEC) at the Jack Bell Research Centre, VGH. More…
Lesley Phillips PhD is Business Manager for BCCGN, where she oversees the finances, operations, partnering, events, marketing and communications of the Network. In the past she has held senior roles in business development, including as Senior Director, Business Development, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals where she spear-headed in-licensing and out-licensing strategies for drugs and technologies. She was also Director, New Business Opportunities for Cubist Pharmaceuticals and Alliance Manager at TerraGen Discovery, where she initiated and executed out-licensing of technology platforms, negotiated and managed key contracts and supported M&A. Earlier in her career, she headed a marketing program for the UK BioIndustry Association and was a scientific manager at Astra Zeneca, Novo Nordisk and Xenova Discovery. She has a Ph.D. in natural product discovery from Warwick University.
Shelin Adam MSc is the Network Coordinator. She received her BSc and her MSc at McGill University, Montreal. As a genetic counselor, she has clinical experience in both pediatric and adult conditions. Shelin also has extensive experience in research, having been coordinator of both the Canadian Collaborative Study on Predictive Testing for Huntington Disease, as well as a study on idiopathic intellectual disability using microArray Comparative Genomic Hybridization technology. Her current research interest is in the issues surrounding whole genome sequencing, and in providing appropriate and effective genetic education for patients and physicians. Shelin is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at UBC. She has co-authored a wide range of publications, as well as made a number of oral presentations at peer meetings and conferences.
Liza Mak Liza Mak is the Administrative Assistant of Dr Jan Friedman and the Administrator of BC Clinical Genomics Network (BCCGN). She was trained as an executive secretary in Hong Kong and has earned her BBA from Simon Fraser University. Liza has worked in the finance and administrative field for more than 15 years and gained extensive experiences from various organizations. Before joining UBC, she worked as a Corporate Real Estate Administrator in the HSBC Bank. Liza joined BCCGN in 2008. Her major duties include administering operations, tracking and reconciling financial costs, assisting with events and communications.