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Every day across British Columbia, trainees and researchers at the UBC Faculty of Medicine are turning skills into jobs, investments into discoveries, and discoveries into solutions that are transforming health for everyone.

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors, health care professionals, and medical researchers, making remarkable discoveries to help create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine offers a diverse array of training opportunities including cutting-edge research experiences in the biosciences, globally recognized population health education, quality health professional training, as well as several certificate and online training options. The Faculty of Medicine is home to more than 1,700 graduate students housed in 20 graduate programs (14 of which offer doctoral research options). Year after year, research excellence in the Faculty of Medicine is supported by investment from funding sources here at home and around the globe, receiving approximately more than $1.8B in total research funding since 2016.

We value our trainees and the creative input they have to scholarly activities at UBC. Our priority is to enable their maximum potential through flexible opportunities that provide a breadth of experiences tailored to their own individual career objectives. We maintain high standards of excellence, and work to create a community of intellectually and socially engaged scholars that work collaboratively with each other, the university, and the world, with the overarching goal of promoting the health of individuals and communities.

 

Research Facilities

UBC Faculty of Medicine provides innovative educational and research programs in the areas of health and life sciences through an integrated and province-wide delivery model in facilities at locations throughout British Columbia.

The Life Sciences Centre is the largest building on the UBC Vancouver campus. Completed in 2004, the $125 million, 52,165 sq metres building was built to accommodate the distributed medical educational program and the Life Sciences Institute.

The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH), a partnership between the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health, unites under one roof research and clinical expertise in neuroscience, psychiatry and neurology in order to accelerate discovery and translate new knowledge into better treatment and prevention strategies. DMCBH has both laboratory and clinical research areas within the Centre proper and in the UBC Hospital Koerner Pavilion. Our core facilities are essential to ongoing collaboration, teaching, and research.

The BC Children's Hospital Research Institute is it the largest research institute of its kind in Western Canada in terms of people, productivity, funding and size. With more than 350,000 square feet of space, the Institute has both 'wet bench' laboratory and 'dry lab' clinical research areas, and other areas to facilitate particular areas of research and training.

Research Highlights

New knowledge and innovation are crucial to successfully identifying, addressing and overcoming the increasingly complex health-related challenges that influence the lives of all of us – in British Columbia, in Canada, and in countries and communities around the globe.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine is recognized nationally and internationally for research innovation that advances knowledge and translates new discoveries to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Research opportunities feature extensive collaborations across other faculties, health institutions and health partners across British Columbia, Canada and internationally.

The Faculty provides and fosters research excellence across the full continuum, from basic science to applied science and then to knowledge implementation, with a focus on precision health; cancer; brain and mental health; heart and lung health; population health; and chronic diseases.

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

or browse the list of faculty members in various academic units. You may click each unit to view faculty members appointed in that unit. View the full faculty member directory for more search and filter options.
Name Academic Unit(s) Research Interests
Lang, Donna Department of Radiology Medical, health and life sciences; Structural Neuroimaging; Psychosis; Addiction; cognition; Cardiovascular Function; Microvascular integrity
Lange, Dirk Department of Urologic Sciences Ureteral stents; antifouling coatings; antimicrobial coatings; device complications
Lange, Philipp Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Bioinformatics; Genomics; Pathology (except oral pathology); Cell Signaling and Cancer; mass spectrometry; pediatric cancer; personalized medicine; post translational protein modification; Proteomics
Lansdorp, Peter Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Application of single cell Strand-seq in precision medicine; Applied Genetics; cellular aging; Cellular Degeneration; Cellular Division; Complex Trait Genetics; DNA replication, epigenetics and stem cells; Gene Regulation and Expression; Genetic Diseases; Stem Cells and Organogenesis; telomeres; Telomeres, genomic instability, aging and cancer
Lau, Joseph Department of Radiology Cancer drug development and therapeutics; Nuclear medicine; Cancer; Radiopharmaceuticals; Imaging; Radiotherapy
Laule, Cornelia Department of Radiology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Medical physics; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Pathology (except oral pathology); Auto-Immune Diseases; Axons; brain; Central Nervous System Inflammatory Diseases; Cerebral Atrophy; Histology; image analysis; Imaging; Inflammation; magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; multiple sclerosis; myelin; Nervous System Development; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurological diseases; Neuronal Systems; pain; Pathology; Schizophrenia; Spinal Cord Diseases; spinal cord; Spinal cord injury
Lavoie, Pascal Department of Pediatrics Neonatal Immunity, Infection/Inflammation, Inheritance/Genetics of Neonatal Morbidities, Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease
Law, Michael School of Population and Public Health Health care administration; Health sciences; Public and population health; Global Health; Global Health and Emerging Diseases; Health Policies; Health Policy; Observational studies; Pharmaceutical policy; Pharmacoeconomics; Pharmacoepidemiology; Program evaluation
Leavitt, Blair Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Alzheimer's disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Ataxia; Dementia; Experimental Therapeutics; Frontotemporal Dementia; Gene regulation; Gene Silencing and Gene Editing; Gene Therapy; Huntington disease; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Medical Genetics; Mouse models of disease; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurogenetics
Lee, Tim Department of Dermatology & Skin Science Computing; Early Cancer Detection; Epidemiologic Research on Skin Cancer
Lefaivre, Kelly Department of Orthopaedics Orthopaedics
Lefebvre, Louis Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Health counselling; Developmental Genetics; developmental epigenetics; Embryonic Development; Gene Regulation and Expression; genomic imprinting; genomics; germ cell biology; Molecular Genetics; mouse developmental genetics; placental biology; Transgenic Model
Lehman, Anna Michelle Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Inherited Metabolic Diseases; Genes and Gene Therapy; Genetic causes of rare diseases; Genomic sequencing and variant interpretation; Neurodegenerative disorders; Cardiogenetics; Adams-Oliver syndrome
Leipsic, Jonathon Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine Diagnostic performance and radiation reduction as well as CT to guide minimally invasive valve intervention
Lester, Richard Division of Infectious Diseases Infectious diseases; Digital health; Mobile health (mHealth); Precision Public Health; Patient-centered care; Global Health
Leung, Janice Division of Respiratory Medicine
Leung, Peter C Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Reproductive and molecular endocrinology
Levin, Adeera Division of Nephrology Hypertension/Renal Transplantation; Medical Education; Outcome/Evaluation Method Applied to Renal Patients
Levings, Megan Department of Surgery, School of Biomedical Engineering Immunology; Cell therapy; Immune tolerance; Transplantation; Autoimmunity; Gene Therapy; Regulatory T cells
Li, Linda Department of Physical Therapy Knowledge translation and implementation science in health; Patient and citizen engagement research; Patient-centered care; Mobile health (mHealth); Health counselling; Health promotion and disease prevention; Physical therapy; Care
Lim, Emilia Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Bioinformatics, Cancer, Aging, Genomics, Transcriptomics, Epigenomics, Pollution Exposure
Lim, Chinten James Department of Pediatrics Cancer progression and metastasis; Solid cancer tumours; Hematological tumours; tumour cell biology; mechanisms of drug resistance; integrin cell adhesion and migration; tumour microenvironment; pediatric oncology
Lima, Viviane Dias Division of Infectious Diseases Aging process; Population health interventions; Health promotion and disease prevention; HIV; Aging; Epidemiology; Statistics; mathematical modelling; prevention strategies for the transmission of HIV; novel intervention strategies to avert HIV disease progression
Lin, Kuo-Shyan Department of Radiology development of radiotracers for applications in oncology and neuroscience, development of radiolabeled 2-arylbenzothiazoles for imaging amyloid plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients, development of radiolabeled bioactive molecules for cancer imaging
Lisonkova, Sarka Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology preeclampsia

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Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Medicine.

 

Publication: Developmental Cell
UBC Author(s): Calvin Kuo (School of Biomedical Engineering / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15345807
Volume: 60
Page Range: 352-363.e6
Publication Date: 3 February 2025

View Publication
Publication: CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
UBC Author(s): Evan Wood (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 197
Page Range: E99-E111
Publication Date: 2 February 2025

View Publication
Publication: CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
UBC Author(s): Stefan Grzybowski (Family Practice / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 197
Page Range: E114-E118
Publication Date: 2 February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Hospital Infection
UBC Author(s): Stuart Turvey (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01956701
Volume: 156
Page Range: 50-60
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Early Human Development
UBC Author(s): Steven Miller (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03783782
Volume: 201
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Medical Education
UBC Author(s): Rabia Khan (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03080110
Volume: 59
Page Range: 139-141
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Annals of Oncology
UBC Author(s): Stephen K.L. Chia (Division of Medical Oncology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09237534
Volume: 36
Page Range: 149-157
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
UBC Author(s): Stuart Turvey (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00916749
Volume: 155
Page Range: 357-367
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Experimental Neurology
UBC Author(s): John Kramer (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00144886
Volume: 384
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Children and Youth Services Review
UBC Author(s): Tal Jarus (Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01907409
Volume: 169
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Social Science and Medicine
UBC Author(s): Kenneth Madden (Division of Geriatric Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02779536
Volume: 366
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Human Reproduction
UBC Author(s): Paul Yong (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02681161
Volume: 40
Page Range: 296-309
Publication Date: 1 February 2025

View Publication
Publication: PLOS Digital Health
UBC Author(s): Paul Yong (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 4
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Annals of the American Thoracic Society
UBC Author(s): Bradley Quon (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 23296933
Volume: 22
Page Range: 302-305
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Canadian Urological Association Journal
UBC Author(s): Miles Mannas (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19116470
Volume: 19
Page Range: 63-72
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
UBC Author(s): Kirk Schultz (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 26666375
Volume: 31
Page Range: 109.e1-109.e13
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Gynecologic Oncology
UBC Author(s): Jessica McAlpine (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00908258
Volume: 193
Page Range: 1-11
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Modern Pathology
UBC Author(s): David Scott (Division of Medical Oncology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 08933952
Volume: 38
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Neurobiology of Disease
UBC Author(s): Lynn Raymond (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09699961
Volume: 205
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Drug and Alcohol Dependence
UBC Author(s): Nadia Fairbairn (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Michael-John Milloy (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03768716
Volume: 267
Publication Date: 1 February 2025

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Kidney Diseases
UBC Author(s): John Gill (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02726386
Volume: 85
Page Range: 205-214.e1
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: British Journal of Pharmacology
UBC Author(s): David Fedida (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00071188
Volume: 182
Page Range: 1075-1089
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Advanced Nursing
UBC Author(s): Wendy Norman (Family Practice / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03092402
Volume: 81
Page Range: 1019-1037
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Genetic Counseling
UBC Author(s): Laura Arbour (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10597700
Volume: 34
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication
Publication: Social Science and Medicine
UBC Author(s): Thomas Kerr (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Mark Gilbert (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02779536
Volume: 366
Publication Date: February 2025

View Publication

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Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2023 Dr. Scott identified genetic predictors for two chemotherapy-related adverse drug reactions: cisplatin-induced hearing loss and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. This research informs the development of genetic tests to predict and prevent these adverse reactions and ultimately improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Ahmed showed the mechanistic pathway by which the growth factor myostatin increases the invasion of human placenta into the mother's womb to support the developing baby. Her study illustrates a role for myostatin in pregnancy. It also helps in understanding the effects of its dysregulation in several pregnancy complications. Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (PhD)
2023 Dr. Syed studied the acute effects of air pollution on lung function and exercise responses in individuals with & without COPD. He found that air pollution negatively affected exercise responses more in healthy individuals compared to COPD. This work has implications for physical activity guidelines during periods of increased air pollution. Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)
2023 Dr. MacAldaz examined blood stem cells capable of life-long blood production. She identified a strategy to isolate these cells at high purity from fetal sources and discovered culture conditions that preserve their potent regenerative properties. This research will enable the development of ways to manipulate these cells for clinical applications. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Vappala developed cationic polymeric agents that are safe and effective in treating sepsis. They reduce thrombosis and hyperinflammation in sepsis by targeting polyanionic mediators. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Ji characterized the unique proteomic and metabolomic landscapes of clear cell ovarian carcinoma. She subsequently identified a metabolic vulnerability as a potential therapeutic target in uncommon ovarian cancers. Her work provided further insight into this aggressive malignancy and rich resources for the ovarian cancer research community. Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD)
2023 A family of viruses called dicistroviruses contains many copies of a protein, a rarity for viruses. Dr. Warsaba investigated the reasons for this and explored the conservation of this duplication. Reid found that these viruses duplicate this protein to produce the correct amounts of their viral proteins, revealing insights into virus evolution. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Aceves investigated the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation in healthy brains. Her research centered on the evaluation of neurotransmission and brain function, providing insights into the therapeutic applications of this brain-stimulation technique. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Stubbs studied how traumatic brain injury affects the health of people who are homeless. He identified that serious brain injury is common in this population, and he used quantitative brain imaging to show how it affects health and functioning over time. His findings have implications for individual-level treatments and system-level policies. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Trinder showed that common and rare genetic variation can be used to predict an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. He used these findings to implement genetic testing for cardiovascular disorders at St. Paul's Hospital's Healthy Heart Program. This work highlights the promise of genomic medicine for preventing and treating cardiac disease. Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD)

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