Hoffman Lab 2018. Back Row: Cassie, Ben, Meilin, Yuka, Brad. Front Row: Stephanie, Nina.

Dr. Brad G. Hoffman, Principal Investigator

Dr. Nina Maeshima – Nina completed a PhD at UBC in the lab of Pauline Johnson, where she studied the interaction of CD44 on T lymphocytes with the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan.  Following this, she worked as a postdoc under the supervision of Rachel Fernandez to characterize the mechanism by which LPS from the human pathogen Bordetella pertussis is recognized by the TLR4/MD-2 receptor.  After a brief stint in industry at StemCell Technologies, she is happy to have the opportunity to learn about diabetes and gain new skills working with the creative and bright minds in the Hoffman lab.

Dr. Stephanie Campbell – Stephanie graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University, where her Honours research project investigated phospholipid enzyme kinetics. Currently, Steph is a PhD candidate exploring the role of histone methylation mediated by the Trithorax group complex in differentiation of pancreas progenitors toward insulin-secreting beta-cells. Steph is a classic West-Coaster at heart, which means that when she’s not dissecting embryonic mouse pancreases (pancreata!), she enjoys running, climbing, yoga, and skiing.

Ben Vanderkruk – Ben hails from a very tiny town in the BC Rockies. Although he gained a love for intense hikes & skiing, he was happy to escape to the University of Victoria where he studied biochemistry. After getting some research experience in the underrated sciences of mustardseed, and then syphilis, settled instead on diabetes and epigenetic research for his PhD here in the Hoffman lab. When he’s not pipetting, find Ben in bed.

Yuka Obayashi – 

Cassie McDonald – Cassie started out as a co-op student in the lab in 2015, and has recently returned as a technician after completing her BSc in Biology at UBC. Her research interests include everything to do with development and embryology (E12.5 mouse pancreas for the win).

Former Students:

Dr. Bryan Tennant, PhD
Peter Hurley, MSc
Meilin An (Co-op)