Biology

Dr Jasmine Hue is a passionate educator with experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetics.

Her research interest is in using innovative methods in teaching focusing primarily on gamification and holds 2 Intellectual Property (IP) for education games used in classroom.

She received teaching awards from her previous university; Vice Chancellor Education Award 2018 and Pro-Vice Chancellor Award for Excellence in Education 2017 (Early Career Category) for her teaching excellence. Her goal is to make learning science fun again!

Dr. Panahi obtained her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She was a recipient of Ph.D. award from the Genentech Pharmaceutical Company, California, USA. She was also awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Canadian Blood Services to perform research on blood coagulation proteins at the Centre for Blood Research of the University of British Columbia.

She has worked as a research associate at the University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia and Health Canada. She has many years of teaching experience teaching many biology courses in various colleges and universities in Ottawa and in Vancouver.

Dr. Panahi believes in involving students in “active learning”. That means that students will learn best if they are given the opportunity to express the concepts and ideas through discussion and experimentation.

To accomplish this goal, Dr. Panahi actively engages them in class participation and discussion in order for them to express their ideas to their peers in a professional and respectful way.

Dr. Chua received his BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University. Afterwards, he pursued his PhD in Biological Sciences from Simon Fraser University. His research focused on cellular microbiology and he published several papers on how specific bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella and Klebsiella, change the shape of our cells when these bacteria infect our bodies.

He also mentored several undergraduate students in doing research and several of them either published their work or presented their work at international conferences.

He then pursued teaching at various institutions in Vancouver and Burnaby where he created and taught a variety of courses from first year biology to third year microbiology. He focuses on giving students hands-on experience in the lab and is passionate about getting students curious about living organisms both in our environments and in the human body.

Dr. Sandra Pena-Diaz obtained her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.

During her PhD studies she discovered her passion for teaching and learned the importance of research-based teaching techniques, which she currently applies in her courses to guide students in their learning.

Sandra joined Alexander College in September of 2022, where she is committed to help students succeed in their courses. One of her main objectives as an instructor is to always try to explain complex biological concepts in a way that everyone can understand.

Prior to joining Alexander College, she taught Anatomy and Physiology at Vancouver Community College and Gene Regulation at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Feresten received an MSc in pharmacology from UBC and a PhD in neurodevelopment from SFU. Their PhD focused on the effects of specific genetic mutations on early brain development in C. Elegans, a microscopic roundworm, and the effect of these mutations on simple forms of learning.

Dr. Feresten has been a teacher’s assistant in a variety of neuroscience, genetics and biology courses at SFU since 2014, and joined Alexander College as a sessional instructor in winter of 2023. They teach Biol100. They love their new job.

“Each person has a unique framework connecting everything they know into an integrative understanding of reality; this is one’s worldview. When new knowledge is integrated, it can be applied in unanticipated contexts. Learning is not just the absorption of facts into your brain, but the integration of those facts into your worldview.

The deepest challenge of learning lies in understanding how to fit that new knowledge into the larger framework of what you already know. My job, as a teacher, is to help students develop this critical skill, thus giving them agency over their own learning process.

I do this by leaning into the inherent diversity of the classroom and developing an environment of creativity and bravery. At the heart of my teaching is my own deep-seated craving to integrate as much understanding of the world as I can. To model integrative learning, I myself must constantly be integrating the learning structures of every student I work with.

This is the most important part of teaching: to learn together and, by doing so, to build something new.”

Coming soon.

Dr. Pournia has a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from UBC (2023). During her graduate studies, she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Linda Matsuuchi and her research was on Cell Biology of B-lymphocytes (an immune cell). Her dissertation title was “The role of Connexin43 carboxyl terminal domain in regulating various signaling-induced cytoskeleton-dependent cellular processes in B-lymphocytes”. Results of her work showed an unconventional role for a channel forming protein, Connexin43 in various cellular processes that are important for development and responses of B-lymphocytes. Immune responses are crucial for protection against diseases. Some of the results of her PhD work, as well as collaboration with other students in the lab were published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Pournia, discovered her passion for teaching and higher education during her PhD studies when she worked as a teaching assistant (TA).

Since then, she followed her passion and participated in multiple teaching and learning programs and workshops offered UBC Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTLT). Upon graduation Dr. Pournia started teaching different Biology and Health Sciences courses at different institutions in the lower mainland including UBC, Alexander College and Corpus Christi College.

Dr. Pournia believes in student-centred learning approach where a respectful and inspiring learning environment is facilitated by the instructor to help students thrive and reach their full potential.

In 2015, I began my post-secondary studies at Simon Fraser University where I eventually graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in the Department of Biological Sciences. While doing my undergraduate degree, I had the chance to specialize in the fields of Ecology, Evolution and Conservation which are the aspects of Biology I find most fascinating.

After finishing my undergraduate studies in late 2019, I began as a Graduate student at SFU in early 2020 where I spent the next four years studying stable flies, an agricultural pest, and how best to deal with them. During my grad studies I had the chance to present my research at several conferences and got to TA an introductory biology course. These experiences made me realize how much I love public speaking and teaching, particularly in a science-centered context. As such, I am very excited to be able to serve as an instructor here at Alexander College and look forward to meeting and working with all of the amazing students at AC.

Dr. Milad Alizadeh is a molecular biologist with a PhD from the University of British Columbia, where his research focused on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of plant’s seed development and germination. His research explored the role of transcription factors and histone modifiers in controlling developmental programs under normal and stress conditions, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model and using tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing andnext-generation sequencing.

Milad is interested in the application of biotechnology to various systems such as plants and microorganisms, with the goal of contributing to food safety and improving food quality. He is particularly motivated by the potential of molecular biology and genomics to address global agricultural challenges.In addition to his research, Milad is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has experience teaching molecular biology and genetics at the undergraduate level and has supervised student research projects in the lab. He values inclusive teaching practices and is passionate about inspiring curiosity and critical thinking in students.

Milad aims to integrate research, teaching, and mentorship in a way that bridges fundamental science and real-world applications, while also maintaining space for creativity in his professional life.

Dr. Saber completed her PhD in Genome Sciences and Technology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her research looked at how different host factors influence the maturation of transplanted stem cell-derived pancreatic beta cells. She found that cell function was enhanced in female recipients, and when the cells were encased in devices for subcutaneous transplant. Her findings further inform the clinical use of stem cell therapy for diabetes.

Throughout her graduate studies, Dr. Saber was a teaching assistant in a variety of biology, physiology, and histology courses in the Faculties of Science and Medicine. She completed the Certificate in Advanced Teaching and Learning program at UBC to further her understanding of teaching and learning theory, and course design. In 2019, she designed and taught the course ‘Systems Pathophysiology’ in the Vancouver Summer Program at UBC.

Since then, Dr. Saber has taught several courses at UBC including BIOL 112 (Biology of the Cell), BIOL 204 (Vertebrate Structure and Function), and BIOL 260 (Introduction to Physiology). She is excited to be a part of the Alexander College team and teach BIOL 100 this term. She believes in student-centred learning and creating a supportive learning environment so students can succeed.