Melanie Bertrand

Laboratory Manager and Research Administrator

Melanie Bertrand

Laboratory Manager and Research Administrator

   mbertrand@brain.ubc.ca

   604-822-0086

   Koerner F-130

Melanie is the Laboratory Manager for the DMCBH and is responsible for the day-to-day research operations at the Centre. She oversees health and safety programs and infrastructure renewal and is also involved in managing allocation of research space and resources. She coordinates renovation and construction projects, and is available to provide input and guidance to researchers and staff on equipment and infrastructure upgrades for research funding proposals.

Melanie has a varied background in biological research, ranging from chasing Harlequin ducks in a kayak for blood samples to studying metabolic changes in adaptive diversification of E.coli. She has a BSc in Biology from Simon Fraser University and an MSc in Zoology from UBC. She is interested in sustainability in research and commuting, and enjoys camping and being active with her family.

Seti Boroomand

Research and Facility Manager

Brain Tissue and DNA Bank

Seti Boroomand

Research and Facility Manager

Brain Tissue and DNA Bank

   seti.boroomand@brain.ubc.ca

   604-822-0766

   DMCBH Room 3402

Dr. Seti Boroomand is the Managing Director of the Borgland Brain Tissue and DNA Bank at the Centre. She oversees the research services provided at the Biobank, including collection, processing, storage, and rapid retrieval of biospecimens and medical information for approved research projects. She uses a professional and compassionate approach to patient consenting that adheres to the highest standards of research ethics and patient privacy.

She received her Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia and has over 15 years of experience in biobanking human tissue and biospecimens.

Chris Crossfield

Managing Director

Chris Crossfield

Managing Director

   chris.crossfield@ubc.ca

   604-822-7282

   DMCBH Room 3408B

One of the original staff members, Chris has witnessed tremendous growth and maturity of the Centre since he started in 2000. With over 35 years of experience, Chris is responsible for overseeing strategic and operations planning, budget management, identification of new initiatives, facilities and space oversight, and construction projects. His duties also include human resources management, planning workforce structure, and providing leadership and direction to faculty, staff, and trainees within the Centre and partner organizations.

Proud to have been born in East Vancouver and lived here most of his life, Chris is an avid sports fan, enjoys gardening and spending time with his family at their rustic cabin on Mudge Island.

Daphne Druick

Administrative Support

Daphne Druick

Administrative Support

   daphne.druick@ubc.ca

   604-822-1388

   DMCBH Room 3408C

Daphne provides administrative support to directors Dr. Lynn Raymond and Dr. Shernaz Bamji, covering a broad range of tasks including managing their calendars, setting up meetings on their behalf and acting as the primary contact and liaison when their signature or input is required.

She coordinates and supports the Centre’s Executive and Neuroscience Research Colloquia meetings and any other ad hoc meetings, including the preparation of materials, coordinating the agendas, taking the minutes and organizing the travel plans and itinerary of visiting guest speakers. She also processes general office expenses and invoices and oversees the ordering of office supplies and catering. In addition, she provides general administrative support for all members of the DMCBH Admin team as needed.

Katherine Jones

Research Grants Facilitator

Katherine Jones

Research Grants Facilitator

   katherine.jones@ubc.ca

   DMCBH Room 3457

Katherine is the Research Grants Facilitator for the DMCBH. She acts as a key resource for information regarding upcoming funding opportunities, matches researchers with relevant grants and potential collaborators, and assists in the development, writing, and polishing of competitive grant applications.

Katherine has an extensive background in both neuroscience research and clinical practice, with an MA in Cognitive Psychology from Michigan State University and an MS in Speech and Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, board games, and baking.

Jeff LeDue

NeuroImaging and NeuroComputation Centre Managing Director

Dynamic Brain Circuits Research Excellence Cluster Coordinator

Jeff LeDue

NeuroImaging and NeuroComputation Centre Managing Director

Dynamic Brain Circuits Research Excellence Cluster Coordinator

   jledue@mail.ubc.ca 

   DMCBH Room 4510

Jeff manages the NeuroImaging and NeuroComputation Centre (NINC) which is the DMCBH’s core facility focused on advanced preclinical imaging and microscopy as well as computation and data analysis. Additionally, he coordinates the Dynamic Brain Circuits and Connections in Health and Disease research cluster which brings together diverse scientists and accelerates their insights into brain circuit function by creating a stronger, more equitable and inclusive research environment: access for all to infrastructure, technology and training that embraces modern data-driven methodologies.

Jeff holds a BSc (Hon) in Physics and did his graduate work on optical instrumentation at the University of Victoria and National Research Council Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. Prior to UBC, Jeff worked as the Vision Science Imaging Specialist at UC Berkeley’s Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and School of Optometry.

Carolyn Namaganda

Research Assistant

Carolyn Namaganda

Research Assistant

   carolyn.namaganda@ubc.ca

   604-827-0672

   DMCBH Room 141

Carolyn is a Research Assistant, and a key staff member of the Borgland Family Brain Tissue and DNA Bank at the Centre. She takes the lead in overseeing several complex activities including managing patient databases for several research projects and clinical trials, creating Biobank SOPs and research protocols, overseeing rigorous ethical guidelines and scheduling the collection of derived biospecimens from surgical suits, hospital clinics and external laboratories. Among other roles, Carolyn also oversees the operations, testing and maintenance of core Biobank equipment and is responsible for processing and shipping bio-specimens in a safe and timely manner.

As a biomedical laboratory technologist, Carolyn has extensive knowledge of translational research and is very passionate about laboratory quality management. She holds a BSc in Biomedical Laboratory Technology and Msc in Biomedical Sciences and Laboratory Management. In her spare time, she loves cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Clement Woo

Communications Manager

Clement Woo

Communications Manager

   clement.woo@ubc.ca

   604-827-3396

   DMCBH Room 3455

Clement collaborates with colleagues from across UBC and the Centre’s partnering organizations to highlight the activities and accomplishments of the DMCBH’s members. He leads all internal and external communications activities including the website, social media, media relations and publications. He also provides strategic communications support to the Centre’s leadership team, staff and faculty members.

Clement is a UBC alumnus with over 10 years of experience working in the higher education and non-profit sectors. Known as a “jack-of-all-trades” multimedia guru, he is especially passionate about photography, film and graphic design.