Lab Team

Sarah studied biochemistry at the University of British Columbia and completed a Bachelor of Science in May of 2020. She joined Dr. Kelly Brown’s lab in 2018 as a junior researcher and her B.Sc. honors thesis in the Brown Lab was focused on evaluating biologic underpinnings of a recently described form of childhood vasculitis. As a trainee in the Brown Lab, Sarah was awarded several undergraduate research stipends from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and the Centre for Blood Research. She is currently living in England, studying at the University of Oxford as a member of Linacre College and recipient of a Linacre College Clarendon Canadian National Scholarship. She is reading for a master’s degree in integrated immunology and plans to complete her dissertation work at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, with a focus on vascular damage in adult vasculitis. Sarah looks forward to returning to the University of British Columbia in the Fall of 2021 to pursue doctoral studies with Dr. Brown in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She enjoys spending time outdoors and still tries to participate in ballet class whenever possible.

Stephanie gained a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (honours) from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK. Her career path has bridged scientific research, biotech, industrial quality control and laboratory management around the globe. Presently she manages Dr. Brown’s lab to ensure smooth running and facilitating various lab based research. When not in the lab, Stephanie enjoyes the great outdoors and crafting.

Poorna is a graduate student at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia (Fall 2024). She received her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from Anna University, India. She was a MITACS Globalink Research Intern in 2023 at the University of Saskatchewan, where she worked on the formulation and in-vitro analysis of intranasal lipid-nanoparticle based vaccines for respiratory diseases. For her undergraduate dissertation, she studied the use of bovine aggrecan as a pericellular coat for Nucleus Pulposus cell culture and it’s proliferation. She has chaired literary associations and newsletters and is also the author of “The Lost Diadem”. When not in lab, you can either find her exploring Vancouver or cuddled with a good crime fiction and a cup of hot chocolate!

Simranpreet completed a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences (Disciplines: Pathology & Physiology) from the University of British Columbia in May of 2022. She joined Dr. Kelly Brown’s lab in 2022 as an MSc student in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her research is focused on evaluating the predictive utility of adult-derived biomarkers in pediatric-onset vasculitis and identifying novel biomarkers. This research is supported by a Canadian Institutes for Health Research grant. Simranpreet is also the recipient of a Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s (CGS-M) and a BCCHR Master’s Studentship. When not in the lab, Simranpreet enjoys rewatching her favorite TV shows (The Office, Friends, Modern Family, Superstore and more...), bouldering, and long walks with her dog!

Nathan is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia working to complete a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science degree. He will be joining Dr. Kelly Brown’s lab for the summer of 2024 with support from a Centre for Blood Research fellowship to evaluate growth factor activity of adenosine deaminase 2. Nathan plans to pursue graduate studies within the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences upon the completion of his degree. Outside of the lab, he enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors. As a native of the Okanagan valley, Nathan is excited to explore the landscapes of coastal British Columbia.

Daniel is in the process of completing his Bachelor of Medical Science (BMSc) degree at The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) where he received the Western Scholarship of Distinction and has been on honour roll standing throughout his tenure. As a junior investigator in the Brown lab, Daniel will study expected health outcomes for children with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis using retrospective clinical data. Outside of research, Daniel enjoys his work as a coach with the Special Olympics Canada and running away in celebration after scoring a goal for his men’s soccer team.

Kiran completed a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. In January 2023, she began her graduate studies at the University of British Columbia in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) program. Her research is focused on evaluating renal and pulmonary disease course, outcomes and predictors of outcomes in pediatric-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis, a rare disease, that causes inflammation and damage to small- and medium sized blood vessels. For this work, Kiran was awarded the Centre for Blood Research Graduate Award and the WACH Child Health Award, supporting diversity. She enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring all that beautiful BC has to offer.

Sandra is pursuing a Master’s degree in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia (Fall 2024 entry). She came to the Brown Lab and the BCCHR following completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Infectious Diseases (with Honors) at the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, UK). She was the recipient of a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Award (Summer 2023) and completed an internship at BC Cancer Agency (Vancouver). In the final year of her undergraduate studies and for her Honours thesis project, Sandra studied factors that regulate tissue homeostasis under the supervision of Dr Stephen Jenkins (University of Edinburgh). During her free time, she enjoys crocheting, visiting cafes and socialising with her friends.