Faculty of Medicine

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
Honer, William Department of Psychiatry Brain disorders, risk factors for disease
Honey, Christopher Richard Department of Surgery Neurosurgery, deep brain stimulation, trigeminal neuralgia, menifacial spasm, movement disorders, mood, pain
Hoodless, Pamela Department of Medical Genetics, School of Biomedical Engineering Computational cell biology; Cancer; Genomics; Medical and biomedical engineering; Nucleic acids studies; Developmental Genetics; Embryology; Embryonic Development; Epigenetics; Heart Valve / Valvular Diseases; Heart valve formation; Liver; Liver development; Stem Cells and Organogenesis; transcriptional regulation
Howe, Tami School of Audiology and Speech Sciences Acquired language disorders, aphasia
Howe, Leann Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Biochemistry; chromatin; Transcription
Hsiung, Ging-Yuek Robin Division of Neurology Dementia, Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology, Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Music Therapy in Dementia, Genetics of Dementia, Dementia Clinical Trials
Hunt, Michael Department of Physical Therapy Physical therapy; Rehabilitation medicine; Arthritis / Osteo-Arthritis; biomechanics; exercise; Joints (Articulations); musculoskeletal; Musculoskeletal Deformation; Neuromuscular Diseases; Orthoses and Prostheses; Physical Activity; rehabilitation
Huntsman, David Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology hereditary cancer, molecular pathology, cancer biomarkers, Pancreas centre
Huot, Suzanne Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy; Human geography; asylum seekers; bilingualism; community-engaged research; critical theory; francophone minority communities; francophones; french; Gender; immigration; intersectionality; Migration Studies; Migrations, Populations, Cultural Exchanges; occupational science; Qualitative research; refugees; social inclusion; social integration; Platform economy
Hutcheon, Jennifer Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Perinatal epidemiology ; Perinatal research methods; Fetal growth restriction; Severe maternal morbidity; Improving the reference charts used to assess fetal growth and maternal weight gain in pregnancy; Evaluating the impact of obstetrical health care policies on maternal and infant health; Developing clinical prediction models for the identification of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes
Illes, Judy Division of Neurology Medical biotechnology; Biomedical Ethics; Aging and dementia; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Brain Injury; Stem Cells; Neurotechnology; Neuroethics
Isaac, Kathryn Department of Surgery Surgery; Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Jamieson, Amy Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Jan, Eric Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Biochemistry; Virus; Nucleic Acids; Proteomics; Antiviral innate immunity; Zika; coxsackievirus; enterovirus; Innate immunity; molecular biology; picornavirus; protease; Protein synthesis; RNA; RNA structure function; RNA virus; ribosome; SARS; tRNA; translation; Virology; virus host interactions; mRNA therapeutics
Jang, Kerry Department of Psychiatry addiction and substance use, and public health research on vulnerable urban populations, specifically the causes of homeless and the health status of individuals suffering from concurrently occurring psychiatric disorder and polysubstance abuse and addiction.
Janssen, Patricia School of Population and Public Health Health sciences; Public and population health; Gestation / Parturition; health of marginalized women; Lifestyle Determinants and Health; maternal child health; mobile health for pregnancy and parenting; Perinatal Period; social determinants of health
Jarus, Tal Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy; Rehabilitation medicine; Disciplinary education; art-based research; disabled practitioners;; Disabled students;; diversifying health and human service professions; Justice and equity in health professions
Jenstad, Lorienne School of Audiology and Speech Sciences Other health sciences; hearing aids; Aging; audiology; hearing health; amplification
Jevitt, Cecilia Department of Family Practice Medical, health and life sciences; Midwifery; perinatal obesity; weight management in pregnancy; obesity prevention
Jiang, Xiaoyan Department of Medical Genetics Cancer drug development and therapeutics
Johnson, James Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Department of Surgery diabetes, hormones, cell biology, signal transduction, apoptosis or programmed cell death, heart failure, heart disease, calcium signalling, pancreatic cancer, obesity, longevity, imaging, Causes of type 1 and type 2 diabetes at a molecular level discovery of genes and associated gene networks linked to diabetes risk and by known risk factors that predispose individuals to diabetes
Jones, Allan Division of Hematology Medical Education, teaching and assessment, Clinical Trials in Hematological Malignancies
Jones, Steven J Department of Medical Genetics Bioinformatics, genome science, mutations, cancer progression
Joseph, K.S. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Population and Public Health Pregnancy complications, preterm birth, fetal growth, infant mortality, neonatal
Ju, Myeong Jin Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, School of Biomedical Engineering Medical and biomedical engineering; algorithms for quantitatively imaging biological dynamics in human retina; cellular resolution functional retinal imaging systems; Medical Imaging; optical imaging systems; signal processing algorithms

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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: Human Genetics and Genomics Advances
UBC Author(s): Stuart Turvey (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: 18 July 2024

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Publication: JAMA
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 332
Page Range: 204-213
Publication Date: 16 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 17598478
Volume: 16
Page Range: 809-814
Publication Date: 16 July 2024

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Publication: Human Brain Mapping
UBC Author(s): Sophia Frangou (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10659471
Volume: 45
Publication Date: 15 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Proteomics
UBC Author(s): Leonard Foster (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 18743919
Volume: 303
Publication Date: 15 July 2024

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Publication: AIDS
UBC Author(s): Julio Sergio Gonzalez-Montaner (Division of Infectious Diseases / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02699370
Volume: 38
Page Range: 1366-1374
Publication Date: 15 July 2024

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Publication: EuroIntervention : journal of EuroPCR in collaboration with the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 20
Page Range: e887-e897
Publication Date: 15 July 2024

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Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Julie Bettinger (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine), Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine), Hubert Wong (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine), Monika Naus (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 42
Page Range: 3819-3829
Publication Date: 11 July 2024

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Publication: American Journal of Human Genetics
UBC Author(s): Ian Mackenzie (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029297
Volume: 111
Page Range: 1316-1329
Publication Date: 11 July 2024

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Publication: JAMA Cardiology
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 23806583
Volume: 9
Page Range: 611-618
Publication Date: 10 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Clinical Oncology
UBC Author(s): Stephen K.L. Chia (Division of Medical Oncology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0732183X
Volume: 42
Page Range: 2372-2376
Publication Date: 10 July 2024

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Publication: JAMA Network Open
UBC Author(s): Alison Elliott (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine), Sylvia Stockler-Ipsiroglu (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 7
Publication Date: 10 July 2024

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Publication: Current Biology
UBC Author(s): Jeremy Seamans (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09609822
Volume: 34
Page Range: 2921-2931.e3
Publication Date: 8 July 2024

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Publication: JAMA Neurology
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 21686149
Volume: 81
Page Range: 752-761
Publication Date: 8 July 2024

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Publication: World Journal of Gastroenterology
UBC Author(s): Neal Shahidi (Division of Gastroenterology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10079327
Volume: 30
Page Range: 3152-3154
Publication Date: 7 July 2024

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Publication: Cell Stem Cell
UBC Author(s): Peter Zandstra (School of Biomedical Engineering / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19345909
Volume: 31
Page Range: 1058-1071.e5
Publication Date: 5 July 2024

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Publication: BMJ Open
UBC Author(s): Clare Ardern (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: 5 July 2024

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Publication: JBJS Reviews
UBC Author(s): Bassam Masri (Orthopaedics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 23299185
Volume: 12
Publication Date: 5 July 2024

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Publication: Nature
UBC Author(s): Natalie Strynadka (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00280836
Volume: 631
Page Range: 199-206
Publication Date: 4 July 2024

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Publication: New England Journal of Medicine
UBC Author(s): Brittany Dennis (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00284793
Volume: 391
Page Range: 9-20
Publication Date: 4 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of translational medicine
UBC Author(s): Marcel Bertran Bally (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 22
Page Range: 621
Publication Date: 3 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
UBC Author(s): Clare Ardern (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00219355
Volume: 106
Page Range: 1145-1147
Publication Date: 3 July 2024

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Publication: Cell Metabolism
UBC Author(s): Francis Lynn (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15504131
Volume: 36
Page Range: 1619-1633.e5
Publication Date: 2 July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Huntington's Disease
UBC Author(s): Blair Leavitt (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 18796397
Volume: 13
Page Range: 119-131
Publication Date: 2 July 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. Yoon studied activity-regulated genes that are crucial in both the brain and pancreas for responding to the body's nutrient levels. Her findings showed the important role of a gene in the proper function of brain cells that control appetite and body weight, which highlighted new potential avenues of study for future obesity therapies. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Lu's investigation looked at oncogenic splice errors in the human MET receptor. This receptor acts like an engine that drives cancer metastasis, and his results uncovered functional dependencies that can be targeted to properly shut it down. These findings can be translated to improve treatments for those battling advanced stages of lung cancer. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2023 Immune responses are crucial for protection against diseases. Dr. Pournia's research showed an unconventional role for a protein in various cellular processes that are important for development and responses of one of the cells of our immune system. These findings could be important for development and fine tuning of novel therapeutic approaches. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Ip studied the development of children assessed for autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Ip found that, regardless of diagnosis, these children all had developmental differences compared to neurotypical children. The findings stress the importance of moving towards needs and function-based funding and services in school and in the community. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Cederberg interrogated the role of myeloid cells in the tumour microenvironment. Her dissertation work enhances our understanding of the interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells in solid tumours and identifies novel intervention points for the treatment of primary and metastatic disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Andrade-Rivas studies pollution in globalized food systems. Using systems thinking, planetary health, and geospatial sciences, he evaluated the nationwide risk of pesticide exposure and adverse birth outcomes in Ecuador. He also collaborated with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, co-leading a marine toxicology study of their traditional food systems. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Thomson studied the mechanisms that regulate expression of the HTT gene that causes the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease, and developed a method for improving the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to neurons. Her research informed the design of a new strategy for Huntington's disease treatment that targets its genetic origin. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Schaffner studied the role of epigenetics in Parkinson's disease. She found that rare and common genetic variation, lifestyle, and pesticide exposure were associated with DNA modifications in blood and brain. Her work highlights how molecular pathways to Parkinson's disease may differ between individuals. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Kamensek's research examined the reciprocal relationship between social interest, visual experience, and face recognition abilities in autism spectrum disorder. His findings challenge the notion of a singular cause for face recognition challenges in autism and may pave the way for potential interventions aimed at improving these abilities. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Bellwood developed a novel method to document current medical practices aimed at changing human behaviour and inform strategies to improve such practices using the example of prescribing physical activity in primary care. This method has a potential application beyond physical activity prescribing and beyond primary care in future research. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)

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