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Pediatric Oncology, Childhood Leukemia (ALL, AML), Tumour Heterogeneity, Minimal Residual Disease (MRD), Patient-Derived Xenografting (PDX models), Complex Flow Cytometry, High-Dimensional Flow Analysis, Subpopulation Complexity, Tumor Immunology, Artificial Intelligence, Precision Medicine Childhood Cancer, Relapse-propagating cells, subclonal cancer progression, Single-Cell Analysis, Anti-Tumor Immune Activity, Immune Composition under Chemotherapy, Toll-like Receptors, Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC), Immunophenotyping, Immunotherapies, Clinical Standardization of Flow-based Diagnostics

Biography

Physician Scientist (MA, MD, PhD) in the BRAvE Precision Medicine Program for Childhood Cancer at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. Currently working on AI-guided high-dimensional analytical approaches to characterize the phenotypic identity of relapse-propagating B-ALL subpopulations during patient-specific disease progression and their matched patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in order to develop novel therapies that exploit subpopulation-specific vulnerabilities before relapse occurs (first/corresponding author on submitted manuscript).

Pediatrician with completed Clinical Fellowship Training in Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT and recently finished 5-year Postdoctoral Translational Research Fellowship in Pediatric Tumor Immunology and Childhood Cancer at the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute in the Lab of Gregor Reid. Passionate about clinically integrated translational research in the areas hematological malignancies, tumour immunology and patient-specific disease heterogeneity with the goal of deepening our understanding of early therapy-response biology in childhood cancers in order to improve patient-specific disease monitoring and develop novel approaches for eradicating relapse-driving mechanisms.

Significant expertise in a wide range of immune and cell biology techniques as well as clinically applicable research methodology, particularly in state-of-the art phenotype-driven single-cell technology in both clinical and pre-clinical models.

Research projects and interests:
(i) Dissection of the patient-specific intra-leukemic phenotypic heterogeneity during leukemia progression to resolve subpopulations with relapse-propagating capacity.
(ii) Tumor immunology of pediatric leukemia: understanding immune evasion, immune escape and functional relapse-driving capacity of residual leukemia
(iii) Anti-leukemic activity of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated immune stimulation.
(iv) Anti-tumor activity of the endogenous immune system at end-of-induction chemotherapy (and relationship with absolute lymphocyte counts, ALC) in pediatric malignancies.
(v) Optimized clinical MRD monitoring to better predict relapse in the individual patient.
(vi) AI-based high-dimensional analysis at single-cell level to deconvolute phenotypic trajectories
(vii) Complex phenotyping of leukemia and immune environment: high-dimensional and clinically standardized flow cytometry and AbSeq.
(viii) Patient-derived xenografting (PDX) model of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD+) acute leukemia.
(ix) Immune contexture of hematological tumors.

Extensive interdisciplinary and team-building leadership experience in the integration of clinical medicine and translational research at BC Children's Hospital by successfully designing and implementing the Translational Research Infrastructure for the Precision Medicine BRAvE Platform (Better Responses through Avatar-omics Evidence) as well as the local Pediatrics Biobank.

International Leadership:
- Long-standing member of the Quality & Standards Committee of the International Clinical Cytometry Society (ICCS) dedicated to the optimization, standardization and implementation of diagnostic clinical flow cytometry including the publication of peer-reviewed guidelines (https://www.cytometry.org/web/quality.php) and working group recommendations for best practice.
- Third consecutive year on the Scientific Program Planning Committee for the Annual ICCS Meeting as well as Plenary Chair (e.g. organized and co-chaired 1st Plenary Session on the utility of artificial intelligence for clinical flow cytometry with M.C. Béné in 2023).
- Invited Expert on the ISAC-ICCS Task Force on Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning in Clinical Flow Cytometry (recent publication 2024: Recommendations of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Flow Cytometry, DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.22166)
- Invited Expert on the Document Development Committee that will extensively revise the CLSI-H43 "Guideline for Clinical Flow Cytometric Analysis of Neoplastic Hematolymphoid Cells" (Chairs: Prof. Wolfgang Kern, Dr. Sindhu Cherian).

Recipient of the EHA-ASH Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) Award, a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship Grant, and multiple other seed grants, awards and co-applicant research funding.
Over 250 hours of PBL/CBL/Clinical Skill teaching at the UBC Faculty of Medicine, wide-ranging teaching experience in formal and informal settings in both clinical and research contexts.
Passionate about mentoring students, technicians, research-interested physicians and clinically-interested basic scientists.
Committed to providing excellent and innovative care to children with cancer and blood disorders, dedicated to guiding young patients and their families through their cancer journey with compassion, thoughtfulness, trustworthiness and attention-to-detail.

Habilitation equivalence of academic achievements.

Activities

Works (24)

Early-life infection depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood
2024-08-22 | Journal article
Contributors: Ali Farrokhi; Tanmaya Atre; Samuel Salitra; Maryam Aletaha; Ana Citlali Márquez; Matthew Gynn; Mario Fidanza; Sumin Jo; Nina Rolf; Karen Simmons et al.
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Crossref
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Recommendations for using artificial intelligence in clinical flow cytometry

Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry
2024-07 | Journal article
Contributors: David P. Ng; Paul D. Simonson; Attila Tarnok; Fabienne Lucas; Wolfgang Kern; Nina Rolf; Goce Bogdanoski; Cherie Green; Ryan R. Brinkman; Kamila Czechowska
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Crossref
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The Eu-Ret mouse is a novel model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Leukemia
2024-02-20 | Journal article
Contributors: Ali Farrokhi; Tanmaya Atre; Jenna River; Mario Fidanza; Samuel Salitra; Junia Myung; Meiyun Guo; Wendy Duey; Sumin Jo; Anuli Uzozie et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

Age and ligand specificity influence the outcome of pathogen engagement on preleukemic and leukemic B-cell precursor populations

Blood Advances
2023-11-28 | Journal article
Contributors: Tanmaya Atre; Ali Farrokhi; Sumin Jo; Samuel Salitra; Jesus Duque-Afonso; Michael L. Cleary; Nina Rolf; Gregor S. D. Reid
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Targetable lesions and proteomes predict therapy sensitivity through disease evolution in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Nature Communications
2023-11-21 | Journal article
Contributors: Amanda C. Lorentzian; Jenna Rever; Enes K. Ergin; Meiyun Guo; Neha M. Akella; Nina Rolf; C. James Lim; Gregor S. D. Reid; Christopher A. Maxwell; Philipp F. Lange
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Crossref

Erythroid side scatter: A parameter that improves diagnostic accuracy of flow cytometry myelodysplastic syndrome scoring

Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry
2023-03 | Journal article
Contributors: Ulrika Johansson; Nina Rolf; Natasha Futhee; Andrew Stewart
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Crossref
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A cross‐standardized flow cytometry platform to assess phenotypic stability in precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) xenografts

Cytometry Part A
2022-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Nina Rolf; Lorraine Y. T. Liu; Angela Tsang; Philipp F. Lange; Chinten James Lim; Christopher A. Maxwell; Suzanne M. Vercauteren; Gregor S. D. Reid
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Journal Roundup: Dissecting phenotypic subpopulation complexity of childhood leukemia for PDX-based precision medicine approaches

European Journal of Immunology
2021-09-01 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0014-2980
Part of ISSN: 1521-4141
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

PDX models reflect the proteome landscape of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia but divert in select pathways

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
2021-03-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Anuli C. Uzozie; Enes K. Ergin; Nina Rolf; Janice Tsui; Amanda Lorentzian; Samuel Weng; Lorenz Nierves; Theodore G. Smith; Chinten James Lim; Christopher A. Maxwell et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

Tumor Variant Identification That Accounts for the Unique Molecular Landscape of Pediatric Malignancies

JNCI Cancer Spectrum
2018-11-30 | Journal article
Contributors: Amanda Lorentzian; Jaclyn A. Biegel; Dejerianne Ostrow; Nina Rolf; Chi-Chao Liu; Shahrad Rod Rassekh; Rebecca J. Deyell; Timothy J. Triche; Kirk R. Schultz; Jacob Rozmus et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

Absolute lymphocyte counts at end of induction correlate with distinct immune cell compartments in pediatric B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy
2018-02-20 | Journal article
Contributors: Nina Rolf; Kinga K. Smolen; Amina Kariminia; Adam Velenosi; Mario Fidanza; Caron Strahlendorf; Alix E. Seif; Gregor S. D. Reid
Source: check_circle
Crossref

IFN-γ directly inhibits murine B-cell precursor leukemia-initiating cell proliferation early in life

European Journal of Immunology
2017 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85017469176

Contributors: Fidanza, M.; Seif, A.E.; Jo, S.; Kariminia, A.; Rolf, N.; Sly, L.M.; Grupp, S.A.; Reid, G.S.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Y-box-binding protein 1 contributes to IL-7-Mediated survival signaling in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Oncology Letters
2017 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85004093017

Contributors: Kariminia, A.; Ivison, S.M.; Leung, V.M.; Sung, S.; Couto, N.; Rozmus, J.; Rolf, N.; Narendran, A.; Dunn, S.E.; Reid, G.S.D. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Inhibition of precursor B-cell malignancy progression by toll-like receptor ligand-induced immune responses

Leukemia
2016 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84973637141

Contributors: Fidanza, M.; Seif, A.E.; Demicco, A.; Rolf, N.; Jo, S.; Yin, B.; Li, Y.; Barrett, D.M.; Duque-Afonso, J.; Cleary, M.L. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Heterodimer-specific TLR2 stimulation results in divergent functional outcomes in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

European Journal of Immunology
2015-07 | Journal article
Contributors: Nina Rolf; Amina Kariminia; Sabine Ivison; Gregor S. D. Reid; Kirk R. Schultz
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

Clinical and laboratory phenotype associated with the aspirin-like defect - Response to Dragani et al

British Journal of Haematology
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-75149135588

Contributors: Knoefler, R.; Bugert, P.; Rolf, N.; Suttorp, M.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier

Essential thrombocythaemia in a teenage girl resulting in acquired von Willebrand syndrome with joint haemorrhage and menorrhagia

Thrombosis and Haemostasis
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77953168823

Contributors: Rolf, N.; Suttorp, M.; Budde, U.; Siegert, G.; Knoefler, R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Clinical and laboratory phenotype associated with the aspirin‐like defect–response to Dragani et al

British Journal of Haematology
2010-11-19 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf

Clinical and laboratory aspects of the Aspirin-like defect as hereditary thrombocytopathy,Klinische und Labordiagnostische Aspekte des Aspirin-like Defekts als Hereditare Thrombozytopathie

Hamostaseologie
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-66749147422

Contributors: Rolf, N.; Bugert, P.; Gehrisch, S.; Siegert, G.; Suttorp, M.; Knöfler, R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Clinical and laboratory phenotypes associated with the aspirin-like defect: A study in 17 unrelated families

British Journal of Haematology
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-58449090961

Contributors: Rolf, N.; Knoefler, R.; Bugert, P.; Gehrisch, S.; Siegert, G.; Kuhlisch, E.; Suttorp, M.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
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Genome-wide platelet RNA profiling in clinical samples

Methods in Molecular Biology
2009 | Book
EID:

2-s2.0-58149302754

Contributors: Schedel, A.; Rolf, N.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
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Evaluation of desmopressin effects on haemostasis in children with congenital bleeding disorders

Haemophilia
2008 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-43149116562

Contributors: Hanebutt, F.L.; Rolf, N.; Loesel, A.; Kuhlisch, E.; Siegert, G.; Knoefler, R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
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Acute ascending motoric paraplegia following intrathecal chemotherapy for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: Case reports and review of the literature

Klinische Padiatrie
2006 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-33845244566

Contributors: Rolf, N.; Boehm, H.; Kaindl, A.M.; Lauterbach, I.; Suttorp, M.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
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Optimized procedure for platelet RNA profiling from blood samples with limited platelet numbers [7]

Clinical Chemistry
2005 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-19644363406

Contributors: Rolf, N.; Knoefler, R.; Suttorp, M.; Klüter, H.; Bugert, P.
Source: Self-asserted source
Nina Rolf via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎