Staff

Melanie Bertrand

   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.

Chris Crossfield

   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

   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

   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

   jledue@mail.ubc.ca 

   DMCBH Room 4510

Jeff manages the NeuroImaging and NeuroComputation Core (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.

Bryna Lesyk

   bryna.lesyk@vch.ca

   604-822-0766

   DMCBH Room 3437

Bryna is a Research Coordinator at the DMCBH. In her role, she spends half of her time overseeing the operations and biobanking services of the Borgland Family Brain Tissue and DNA Bank and the other half coordinating the CARD Study at the UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders. She has been working at the DMCBH since 2016.

Bryna has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of the Fraser Valley and a Master of Public Health from the University of Saskatchewan. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Clement Woo

   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.