I’m Dr. Marissa Lithopoulos, a stem cell researcher at UBC, musician, and stand-up comedian. This science education fundraiser connects our community so that we can laugh and learn together. The goal is to advance science education in the form of live events and a musical album! Check out my previous music here!

The theme of this show is stem cells! It is presented in partnership with the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME). The variety show will feature brilliant scientists, hilarious comedians, and I’ll provide live, original music along the way! Plus light snacks will be included!

Meet your scientific panel:

Dr. Freda Miller is a neurobiologist and the Deputy Director of the Michael Smith Laboratories, as well as a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at UBC. She is a pioneer in the stem cell field, discovering that our skin contains stem cells that are capable of repairing damaged tissue.

Dr. Nika Shakiba is a systems and synthetic biology expert. She is an Assistant Professor in the SBME at UBC. Utilizing her bioengineering background, her work focuses on understanding cell competition to develop new engineered stem cell therapies. We welcome Dr. Shakiba again for her insightful ideas and inspiring advice!

Dr. Peter Zandstra is the Founding Director of the UBC SBME, as well as the Co-Founder of Excellthera Therapeutics, Notch Therapeutics, and the Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine. He is a world-class stem cell bioengineer, whose research focuses on understanding how stem cells contribute to the development of tissue and how we can leverage these mechanisms to design new therapeutic technology.

Meet your comedians:

Akeem Hoyte-Charles has delighted audiences across Canada and the US and has featured in the Grand Montreal Comique Festival and Just for Laughs North West Festival. He has appeared on TV shows on networks including Paramount + and Disney+. His captivating crowd work is a must-see! Back by popular demand, he is our returning champion!

Sean McDonnell is an energetic comedian known for his improvisational wit and keen observations. He was described as a “fantastic talent” by Norm Macdonald and his debut comedy album “All In My Head” reached number 1 on iTunes. He recently released his debut comedy special, “Apologies in Advance” on YouTube.

Danielle Florence is a prominent Vancouver-based comedian performing at notable shows in B.C. like, Jokes Please! and the Ok, Dope Stand-Up Comedy Tour. She co-hosts the Soft for Us podcast, named one of the best podcasts in Vancouver by The Georgia Straight.

Please note:

The venue is accessible. Please contact us through the contact form if you have further questions.

Paid parking is available in close proximity to the SBME building (5-10 min walking distance). The venue is also located beside a UBC bus loop.

All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.