Health Sciences

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. 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. 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.

Coming soon.