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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
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
Henderson, Julia Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
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
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, Vincent Department of Dermatology & Skin Science dermatologic therapeutics and oncology
Ho, Kendall Department of Emergency Medicine eHealth, knowledge translation, educational research, continuing professional development, interprofessional education, evidence informed policy, eLearning, global eHealth
Hoffman, Bradford Department of Surgery Understanding how the genes critical to endocrine pancreas development, as well as ?-cell function and proliferation are regulated is essential for the development of novel strategies for the production of insulin-secreting cells, and for improving the efficacy of available transplantable material.
Hohl, Corinne Department of Emergency Medicine Emergency Medicine; Epidemiology; Pharmacoepidemiology; Health Information Systems; Health Care Organization; Decision Making; Patient Safety; Medication Safety; Adverse Drug Events; Drug safety and effectiveness; Health Information Technology; Clinical Decision Making; Health services research; Adverse Event Reporting
Holsti, Liisa Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Medical, health and life sciences; premature infants; neurodevelopment; stress; pain; measurement; technology transfer; sucrose; rehabilitation; pediatrics
Holt, Robert Department of Medical Genetics, Department of Psychiatry Immunogenetics, Metagenomics - Infectious agents in Cancer, Cancer Genomes, Neurobiology, DNA Sequencing

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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: JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19368798
Volume: 17
Page Range: 2141-2153
Publication Date: 23 September 2024

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Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19368798
Volume: 17
Page Range: 2093-2112
Publication Date: 23 September 2024

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Publication: BMJ open
UBC Author(s): Kristin Campbell (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: e090449
Publication Date: 20 September 2024

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Publication: Molecular Therapy Oncology
UBC Author(s): Laura Evgin (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 32
Publication Date: 19 September 2024

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Publication: Cell
UBC Author(s): Stuart Turvey (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 187
Page Range: 5431-5452
Publication Date: 19 September 2024

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Publication: Nature
UBC Author(s): Fidel Vila-Rodriguez (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00280836
Volume: 633
Page Range: 624-633
Publication Date: 19 September 2024

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Publication: BMJ open
UBC Author(s): Brittany Dennis (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Maria Socias (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: e090608
Publication Date: 17 September 2024

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Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Pascal Lavoie (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 42
Publication Date: 17 September 2024

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Publication: Public health nutrition
UBC Author(s): Louise Masse (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 27
Page Range: e164
Publication Date: 16 September 2024

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Publication: The Permanente journal
UBC Author(s): Anita Palepu (Division of General Internal Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Diane Lacaille (Rheumatology Division / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 28
Page Range: 58-68
Publication Date: 16 September 2024

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Publication: International Journal of Cardiology
UBC Author(s): Philipp Blanke (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01675273
Volume: 411
Publication Date: 15 September 2024

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Publication: Journal of Affective Disorders
UBC Author(s): Raymond Lam (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01650327
Volume: 361
Page Range: 189-197
Publication Date: 15 September 2024

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Publication: Biological Psychiatry
UBC Author(s): Fidel Vila-Rodriguez (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00063223
Volume: 96
Page Range: 422-434
Publication Date: 15 September 2024

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Publication: European Heart Journal
UBC Author(s): Liam Brunham (Division of General Internal Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0195668X
Volume: 45
Page Range: 3231-3250
Publication Date: 14 September 2024

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Publication: ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science
UBC Author(s): Xiaoyan Jiang (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 7
Page Range: 2840-2855
Publication Date: 13 September 2024

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Publication: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open
UBC Author(s): Babak Shadgan (Orthopaedics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 12
Page Range: e6155
Publication Date: 10 September 2024

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Publication: JMIR public health and surveillance
UBC Author(s): Hugh William Davies (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine), Mark Gilbert (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 10
Page Range: e52798
Publication Date: 9 September 2024

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Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19368798
Volume: 17
Page Range: 2038-2040
Publication Date: 9 September 2024

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Publication: JAMA Neurology
UBC Author(s): Joseph Kuruthukulangare (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 21686149
Volume: 81
Page Range: 985-995
Publication Date: 9 September 2024

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Publication: Neurology: Genetics
UBC Author(s): Erik Pioro (Medicine Department / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 10
Publication Date: 6 September 2024

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Publication: Oncogene
UBC Author(s): Shoukat Dedhar (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09509232
Volume: 43
Page Range: 2781-2794
Publication Date: 6 September 2024

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Publication: ACS Catalysis
UBC Author(s): Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: 12884-12894
Publication Date: 6 September 2024

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Publication: ACS Catalysis
UBC Author(s): Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Natalie Strynadka (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: 13497-13508
Publication Date: 6 September 2024

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Publication: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
UBC Author(s): Adeera Levin (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 39
Page Range: ii26-ii34
Publication Date: 5 September 2024

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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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