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Dana Devine

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About Dana Devine

With deep sadness, we share the news that Dr. Dana Devine, a long-time friend, colleague and founding member of the UBC Centre for Blood Research (CBR), passed away on November 12, 2024.

Born in Massachusetts, Dana started her research career in marine biology as an undergraduate student at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. As she became more curious about the causes of human disease, she joined the Duke University lab of Wendell Rosse, a famous scientist and blood expert. She earned her PhD in immunology there, developing a life-long passion for understanding platelets and their roles in blood clotting and immunity.

As a rising star, Dana was invited to join the Department of Pathology at UBC, quickly working her way up to full professor. Along the way, she also joined the newly-created Canadian Blood Services where she held key leadership roles, including its first VP of Medical Scientific & Research Affairs and later, Chief Scientist.

In the late 1990s, Dana and four other forward-thinking UBC scientists saw a chance to create a UBC-based centre focused on blood research—an entirely new idea at the time. With a strong sense of purpose and humour, Dana and her colleagues raised millions from government, industry and private donors, bringing together top scientists across many fields to create what is now the world-renowned CBR. Dana served a term as the director, and her vision and efforts were key to its success.

Dana’s leadership in blood transfusion science, education and training was well-known nationally and internationally. She served on several boards and as president of the American Association of Blood Banks, editor-in-chief of the journal Vox Sanguinis and president of Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion.

At UBC, Dana was an active member and professor of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, serving as the director of graduate studies. Her lab was filled with enthusiastic researchers, technicians and students who valued her guidance and support as they found meaningful jobs in universities and industry. Her research and training leave a legacy that will impact generations to come. Dana will be missed but forever remembered as a dear friend, professor and colleague.

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The impact of your support

In Dana’s memory, her family has requested that donations be made to the Dana Devine Education and Research Fund at the CBR/UBC. Your gift will honour Dana’s legacy by supporting the program she was so proud of and will have a lasting impact by advancing research and education at the UBC Centre for Blood Research.

The Dana Devine Education and Research Fund at the CBR/UBC will provide students, trainees and researchers with valuable resources, mentorship opportunities and hands-on experience in blood science—ensuring Dana’s vision of scientific excellence and collaboration lives on. Your generous donation will help inspire the next generation of scientists and strengthen innovations in transfusion medicine and blood research, fields Dana was so passionate about.

Messages of Remembrance

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  • Peter wrote this to Dana before leaving to his next life: "Dear Dana: You are an outstanding leader, scientist, mentor, and a dear friend. Dana: a wholehearted thank you for 15 years of tremendous efforts and unwavering support. Your relentless contributions and wise leadership have taken Transfusion Medicine to a new level. I would like to express my utmost respect and gratitude to you Dana." We are deeply grateful and touched by your benevolence, care, and compassion. Your light will continue to shine in the lives of those you nurtured and inspired and in your work that uplifted humanity. May the Almighty bless you with love, peace, and power as you continue your new journey as an immortal soul.

    The late Dr. Peter Schubert & Mira Koro, Development Scientist - Blood 4 Research

  • Dana was a close personal friend and neighbour both in Vancouver and on Galiano. Karen and I, with Dana and Don, travelled the world togther, and frequently between our homes, cooked and drank the best. wines. She had a great sense of humour, was an excellent baker, and was the brightest person I knew. The picture is from Galino with her many of her friends.

    Larry Stefan, Close friend

  • We were close neighbours both in Point Grey and on Galiano. We travelled internationally with them many times, cooked countless together, and drank wonderful wine together regularly. We know many bright people, but Dana was the brightest.

    Karen Stierhoff, Long-time friend

  • Dana has been a part of my life since I was a child, providing kindness, mentorship and steady wisdom - always with her trademark dry humour. Thanks to my parents, I grew up interfacing with their learned peers: academics, scientists and doctors. Even among the members of this impressive group, Dana’s was a hallowed name, with all who knew her extolling her brilliance. I am not smart enough to evaluate such things but her enduring, constant presence in my life has been a blessing. And I will never forget her ability to deliver a witty punchline with a straight face.

    Grace Carter, Family friend

  • An amazing person, high caliber scientist, great researcher and well respected teacher. I joined her lab as a research fellow in 1997-1998 and came back to her lab in 2019 as a visiting associate professor from Kuwait University during my sabbatical year. Her invaluable guidance and advise during my fellowship period in her lab was and still very much appreciated. She will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to her family and may her soul rest in peace.

    Salah Al-Humood, Former Research Fellow in Dana’s Lab

  • Dana was an amazing person who was incredibly encouraging and who always tried to be fair. Dana was curious about all sorts of things. She wanted the best for all of her trainees and recognized that meant different paths for some. She was kind and expressed joy over big and little things. I will miss her greatly.

    Amanda Bradley, long-time ago grad student of Dana's

  • Dr. Devine ~~ I will miss you dearly. You have been an inspiration to me, as the confident and brilliant woman in science. Thank you for giving me a chance to join your lab - some of the best memories I have in life were made there. ^O^

    Lien, Research Student

  • Dana was an amazing and inspiration for me when I was junior faculty, so appreciated her good advice and encouragement and creative scientific insights. She will be greatly missed.

    Jill Johnsen, Research

Photos of Remembrance

List of Donors
All Donors

  • Karen Stierhoff/Larry Stefan

  • Haisle Moon

  • Don Lapierre

  • Susan Tha & Lorne Gettel

  • Manu Thomas Kalathottukaren

  • Anonymous Donation

  • George C Laverock

  • Anonymous Donation

  • DEBORAH GRISWOLD

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Grace Carter

  • Terry Kellam

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