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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
Gsponer, Joerg Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories Protein-DNA, protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions
Guenette, Jordan Department of Physical Therapy Respiratory diseases; Other biological sciences; Clinical exercise physiology; Cardiorespiratory physiology; Mechanisms and management of breathlessness and exercise intolerance; Chronic respiratory diseases
Guhn, Martin Developmental psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; social context and child development/well-being; Population health; social determinants of health
Gupta, Neeru Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, School of Population and Public Health relationship between the eye and other health conditions, blinding disease, Eyes and Vision
Guy, Pierre Department of Orthopaedics Medical, health and life sciences; Surgery; Surgical Technologies; Hip Fracture Care; Health services research
Haas, Kurt Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, School of Biomedical Engineering Medical and biomedical engineering; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Autism; Brain Circuit Development; Dendritogenesis; Epilepsy; Genetics of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurological diseases; Neuronal Communication and Neurotransmission; Neuronal Computation; Neuronal Modeling; Neuronal Systems; Neuronal and Synaptic Activity; Plasticity / Neuronal Regeneration; Synaptic Plasticity
Hach, Faraz Department of Urologic Sciences Cancer; Algorithms and computational genomics; Computational Genomics; biomolecular sequence analysis
Hacihaliloglu, Ilker Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine Bio-signal processing and analysis; Medical biotechnology; Biomedical signal processing; Image guided surgery systems; Medical and biomedical engineering, n.e.c.; Data analytics and signal processing, n.e.c.; Artificial intelligence (AI); Extraction of relevant information from 3D medical images; Image Guided Surgery; computer assisted diagnosis; Deep Learning; point of care ultrasound; ultrasound image processing; Brain Health; orthopedic surgery; liver disease; lung disease; traumatic Brian injury; neurosurgery; Biomedical Engineering
Hackett, Tillie-Louise Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Molecular determinants of COPD, small airway obstruction, angiotensin signalling, defective airway epithelial differentiation in asthma, human lung cell repository
Haji, Faizal Department of Surgery Health care safety and quality improvement; Surgical Education; Global Surgery; Simulation in Healthcare; Health Professions Education; Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Hanley, Gillian Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinical medicine; Gynecologic cancer; Ovarian cancer prevention; Gynecologic cancer survivorship; Perinatal mental health; Population-based administrative data
Harriman, David Department of Urologic Sciences Kidneys and Urinary System
Harris, Kevin Department of Pediatrics Evidence to Innovation; Preventive Cardiology; Cardiovascular Outcomes; Interventional Pediatric Cardiology
Hatala, Rose Division of General Internal Medicine in-training (such as the mini-cex) and high-stakes assessment methods; clinical reasoning
Hawkes, Michael Department of Pediatrics Pediatric infectious diseases; global pediatric infections
Hayden, Michael Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Health counselling; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Diabetes; Disease progression; Drug development; Gene Therapy; Genetic Diseases; Huntington disease; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative disorders
He, Yanpu School of Biomedical Engineering Cellular & Molecular Engineering; Immunoengineering; protein engineering; Cellular engineering; Biomaterials
Hedtrich, Sarah School of Biomedical Engineering Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (except clinical aspects); Nanotechnology; Bioengineering Human (Disease) Models; Gene Therapy; Human Epithelia; Next-Generation Therapies for Inflammatory and Genetic Diseases of Human Epithelia; Topical drug delivery and Nanomedicine
Henderson, Sarah School of Population and Public Health Environmental and occupational health and safety; wildfire smoke; air pollution; Extreme weather events; environmental health; radon gas; Food safety; Water quality
Henderson, Julia Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Herdman, Anthony School of Audiology and Speech Sciences Auditory System; Visual System; Audiovisual, Visual, Audio and Written Communications; Electrophysiology; Language and Cognitive Processes; Neuroimaging Methods (EEG/MEG); Central auditory processing; Auditory and visual perecptions related to reading acquisition (1st and 2nd languages); Brain computer interface
Hilton, Brett Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; neuroscience; neuroplasticity; Axon regeneration; Spinal cord injury
Hirsch-Reinshagen la, Veronica Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Ho, Kendall Department of Emergency Medicine eHealth, knowledge translation, educational research, continuing professional development, interprofessional education, evidence informed policy, eLearning, global eHealth
Ho, Vincent Department of Dermatology & Skin Science dermatologic therapeutics and oncology

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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: Respiratory Medicine
UBC Author(s): Christopher Ryerson (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09546111
Volume: 238
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Current Opinion in Urology
UBC Author(s): Ryan Flannigan (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09630643
Volume: 35
Page Range: 127-134
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
UBC Author(s): Sophia Frangou (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 24519022
Volume: 10
Page Range: 278-285
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Drug Safety
UBC Author(s): Bruce Carleton (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01145916
Volume: 48
Page Range: 305-309
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Aging and Health Research
UBC Author(s): Graydon Meneilly (Division of Geriatric Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Kenneth Madden (Division of Geriatric Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
UBC Author(s): Thomas Kerr (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 43
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: JACC: Heart Failure
UBC Author(s): Adeera Levin (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 22131779
Volume: 13
Page Range: 480-482
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Journal of Hypertension
UBC Author(s): Graziano Oldani (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02636352
Volume: 43
Page Range: 397-404
Publication Date: 1 March 2025

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Publication: AIDS
UBC Author(s): Julio Sergio Gonzalez-Montaner (Division of Infectious Diseases / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02699370
Volume: 39
Page Range: 328-330
Publication Date: 1 March 2025

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Publication: The Lancet Public Health
UBC Author(s): Kate Salters (Division of Infectious Diseases / Faculty of Medicine), Julio Sergio Gonzalez-Montaner (Division of Infectious Diseases / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 10
Page Range: e228-e236
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Resuscitation
UBC Author(s): Brian Grunau (Emergency Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03009572
Volume: 208
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Journal of Adolescent Health
UBC Author(s): Skye Barbic (Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 1054139X
Volume: 76
Page Range: 348-360
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: The Lancet Neurology
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 14744422
Volume: 24
Page Range: 180-181
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: The Lancet Neurology
UBC Author(s): James Christenson (Emergency Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 14744422
Volume: 24
Page Range: 208-217
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals
UBC Author(s): Francois Benard (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03624803
Volume: 68
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
UBC Author(s): Marianne Vidler (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00207292
Volume: 168
Page Range: 857-874
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Microbiology Resource Announcements
UBC Author(s): Leonard Foster (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
UBC Author(s): Najib Ayas (Critical Care Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15509389
Volume: 21
Page Range: 457-466
Publication Date: 1 March 2025

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Publication: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
UBC Author(s): Susan Homewood (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10795642
Volume: 45
Page Range: 424-442
Publication Date: 1 March 2025

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Publication: Stroke
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00392499
Volume: 56
Page Range: 657-666
Publication Date: 1 March 2025

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Publication: Brain and Behavior
UBC Author(s): Naznin Virji-Babul (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 15
Publication Date: March 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada
ISSN: 17012163
Volume: 47
Publication Date: March 2025

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Publication: Annals of Oncology
UBC Author(s): Stephen C Lam (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09237534
Volume: 36
Page Range: 309-320
Publication Date: March 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease
UBC Author(s): Anna Michelle Lehman (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01418955
Volume: 48
Publication Date: March 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. Lorentzian examined the persistence of therapeutic targets through disease progression in pediatric leukemia using a genomic and proteomic approach. Her research revealed that therapeutic targets are often persistent to relapse and supports the early characterization of drug targets to prepare treatment options in case the child relapses. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Horvath worked on host cell factors that regulate HIV-1 replication. By using small molecules to target these factors, he identified novel classes of potential HIV-1 chemotherapies. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Forgrave conducted biomarker discovery and verification efforts for frontotemporal dementia with TDP-43 pathology. She revealed the need for improved classification and improved biomarkers for diagnosis are needed. Moreover, She identified disease-specific TDP-43 proteoforms and potential biomarkers for TDP-43 pathology. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nesbit characterized the prefrontal cortex mechanisms of the novel cognitive enhancer d-govadine. Dr. Nesbit's work advances the clinical application of this compound for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Gibson identified genetic variants and circulating biomarkers associated with pediatric primary systemic vasculitis, a rare and potentially life-threatening disease caused by blood vessel inflammation. These findings will assist in clinical classification and inform treatment decisions for children suffering from the disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nisingizwe investigated access to Hepatitis C testing and treatment in Rwanda and internationally. Her dissertation described HCV cascade of care, and patients' barriers to HCV care in Rwanda. Globally, she highlighted countries and regions with high and low access to HCV medicines and the effect of COVID-19 on HCV drug utilization. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Andrews studied how RNA viruses evade the host immune response by degrading key host proteins. His research identified host proteins degraded during infection and provided a deeper understanding of how viruses evade host immunity, with the goal of identifying future avenues for treating and preventing virus infections. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nierves explored the application of mass spectrometry in the interrogation of pediatric leukemia cells and microenvironment. His study assists in the characterization of leukemic cells and the pursuit of better therapeutic options for children with cancer. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Chen unravelled relationships between diabetes medications and breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer risk, suggesting potential risk variations with common diabetes medications. Her study underscores the significance of understanding the long-term health impacts of prescription medications, advocating more research. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Qi examined associations of widely used classes of antihypertensive medications and their subclasses with overall and site-specific risks of colorectal cancer using advanced statistical methods. His research has addressed a gap in the evidence for safety of widely used antihypertensive medications with respect to colorectal cancer risk. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)

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