Biospecimen Research: Best Practices and Methods

Peter Watson serves as Director of Biobanking and Biospecimen Research Services at BC Cancer while holding positions as Professor of Pathology at the University of British Columbia and Senior Scientist at the BC Cancer Research Centre. His career spans over 25 years combining clinical practice as a breast pathologist with groundbreaking research in molecular pathology and biobanking. After completing his medical training at Cambridge University and specialist training in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Manitoba, he established himself as a clinician-scientist focusing on breast cancer biomarkers and tumor progression. His research program has led to significant discoveries, including the therapeutic potential of the S100A7 gene in breast cancer, resulting in over 200 scientific publications. As co-lead of the Canadian Tissue Repository Network and Deputy Editor of Biopreservation and Biobanking journal, he continues to advance biobanking practices nationally and internationally. Under his leadership, the BC Cancer Tumour Tissue Repository has collected samples from over 15,000 participants, supporting critical cancer research from discovery through clinical studies while maintaining his commitment to improving biospecimen research services and molecular pathology understanding

Sheila O'Donoghue serves as Leader of the Biobanking and Biospecimen Research Services (BBRS) unit at BC Cancer, where she directs national biobank certification and education initiatives through the Canadian Tissue Repository Network (CTRNet). Her expertise spans clinical research management and biobank operations, with over 15 years of experience managing national and local clinical research trials. Beyond her operational leadership, she contributes to research ethics and governance through her roles on the BC Cancer Research Ethics Board, the BC Children's Hospital Biobank executive committee, and the Cascadia Specimen Access Network governance committee. Her impact on international biobanking standards is evidenced by her past chairmanship of the Education and Training Committee for the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER). As project manager for the BC BioLibrary, she has played a crucial role in advancing biospecimen research quality and standardization across Canada while maintaining her commitment to ethical research practices and professional education in biobanking

Lise Matzke currently serves as Lead of Clinical Initiatives and Programs for the Provincial Laboratory Medicine Service, bringing over 15 years of expertise in biomedical biobanking operations and education. Her academic credentials include a BA and MSc in Biological Anthropology focusing on forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology, an MBA emphasizing communication and innovation in non-profit sectors, and certification as a Clinical Research Professional from SoCRA. During her tenure as Operations and Business Lead at the UBC Office of Biobank Education and Research (OBER), she pioneered innovative approaches to biobank establishment, quality management systems, and patient consent strategies. Her research contributions include significant publications on biobank legacy planning, biospecimen user fees, and biobank classification systems. As an educator at UBC's Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, she teaches biospecimen research while maintaining active involvement in developing practical tools and strategies for biobank operations. Her current work focuses on developing and delivering innovative solutions to improve patient care through enhanced laboratory services, while continuing to advance biobanking education and research coordination initiatives.

Stefanie Cheah serves as Senior Research Manager in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, bringing extensive experience in health research and education project management. Her career highlights include managing the Office of Biobank Education and Research (OBER), where she coordinated five patient engagement programs and developed a national biobank certification program. Her significant contributions include the development and delivery of two online education courses, including the UBCx Biospecimen Research Methods course. She has demonstrated expertise in managing complex healthcare initiatives, notably the Permission to Contact (PTC) for Research Platform, a patient engagement strategy. Beyond her core responsibilities, she maintains diverse technical skills including graphic design, computer programming, and video production, which she applies to enhance educational and research outcomes. Her work continues to advance biobanking education and research coordination while supporting UBC's broader health research initiatives.