The Department of Microbiology & Immunology prides ourselves on being a supportive, welcoming space to learn and work. We appreciate all of our diverse staff for the time they have dedicated to making our department the best it can be. Congratulations to these staff members for achieving work milestones.
May Dang-Lawson, 25 Years
Over her 25 years, May Dang-Lawson has made an immense contribution to research, training, and mentoring at UBC.
Since 1997, May has kept the Gold and Matsuuchi labs running smoothly and has contributed to every research project in both labs. She is also a co-author on more than 20 research publications, and has assisted with many more.
Over the years, May has welcomed more than 30 graduate students and 60 undergraduates into the two labs, provided them with essential training, guidance and support, and acted as a role model. She is an effective problem solver who has helped many people in our labs and department. Most recently, May has used her extensive experience in lab management to help two new faculty members set up their UBC labs and get their research projects up and running.
Thank you May Dang-Lawson for 25 years!
Gilly (Guillerma) Veniegas, 25 Years
Gilly (Guillerma) Veniegas started as a Laboratory Assistant in our Undergraduate Lab Support group in 1997, and was promoted to a Research Assistant Tech 1 position in May 2016.
A valued member of the undergrad support team for 25 years, Gilly has efficiently provided technical support for the department’s lab courses and research labs. She is always willing to go the extra mile to accomplishing a team task and always makes sure our labs have essential supplies for their research projects.
Gilly is married and has two children. In her time outside of work, she has a green thumb and a lovely flower garden at their place she loves to tend to. She is also a great cook and enjoys preparing food for her family and friends. Gilly is looking forward to retirement at the end of 2022 and spending more time with her grand kids.
John Nomellini (NOMO), 30 Years
Dr. John Nomellini, better known as NOMO, joined UBC as a postdoc in September 1992 in Dr. John Smit’s lab. There, he worked 3 years as a Postdoc and 21 as a Research Associate and Lab Manager. In August of 2016, he started working solely for the department as a Laboratory Program Manager and has also supported the department with sessional teaching over the years.
NOMO is the go-to person in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and several good neighbors. Officially, NOMO keeps our undergraduate lab courses humming along smoothly. But in reality, he is always willing to help out in any way he can. He is our sustainability maven, master of equipment repair, and navigator of the complex world of UBC facilities all while teaching the occasional course.
Outside of UBC, John cares for his large family and is an involved community leader. He is also known to enjoy a pint (or two) with friends. We are grateful to have NOMO in our Department and congratulate him on 30 years of staff service at UBC.