Our Team

Dr. Ninan Abraham

Principal Investigator

Dr. Abraham is a Full Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Department of Zoology. He started at UBC in 2003, with previous post graduate and graduate training at Gladstone Institutes, UCSF; University of Ottawa (Ph.D.), McGill University (M.Sc.) and Dalhousie University (B.Sc, Combd. Hons.). His love for molecular immunology grew out of this training which spanned protein kinase biochemistry, molecular oncology, anti-viral responses and cytokine regulation of immune responses, our current focus.

Has demonstrated expertise in shifting academic culture around equity and inclusion, using data-centred policy making and best practices. Pioneered use of disaggregated metrics in assessing gaps in faculty recruitment and correcting systemic biases, including racial and gender disparities in STEM.

Favoured pastimes outside the lab are running, soccer, hiking and journeys with the family.

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Dr. Jung Hee Seo

Lab Technician and Manager

Jung Hee has been at UBC working at the Abraham lab for over 10 years. Her extensive molecular biology, tissue culture and management keeps the whole laboratory running smoothly!

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Jennie Jackson

MSC Student

Jennie received her BSc. in Biology from the University of British Columbia. Through directed studies and the co-op program, she gained research experience in a number of different areas. She has studied IL-7 and TSLP during the effector cell response to Influenza infection (Dr. Ninan Abraham, UBC), the role of the transcription factor MAFF in HER2-positive breast cancer (Dr. Volker Blank, Lady Davis Institute), and helped develop cerebral organoid media products (Stemcell Technologies).

As a graduate student in the Abraham Lab, Jennie is researching how cytokines such as IL-7 and their receptors are translationally regulated by programmed ribosomal frameshift (PRF) in human T cells, and furthermore, how PRF is regulated by microRNA binding.

In her free time, Jennie plays tennis competitively and enjoys reading, the great outdoors, and petting cats!