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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
Ngan, Elton Department of Psychiatry Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia
Nguan, Christopher Department of Urologic Sciences Urology; Computer engineering; Civil engineering, n.e.c.; Biomedical instrumentation (including diagnostics); Medical devices; Artificial tissues engineering; Biomedical robotics; Image guided surgery systems; Applied immunology (including antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies); Transplantation immunology; kidney transplantation; patient reported outcomes; medical apps for mobile health; machine learning analytics of medical imaging; machine learning analytics of complex medical data outcomes; Robotics; quality in healthcare; environmental impact of healthcare; Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Nicholl, David Nephrology; Nephrology, Renal/Vascular Physiology, Kidney Transplantation, Sleep Apnea, Renin-Angiotensin System
Nicolaou, Savvakis Department of Radiology Radiology, nuclear medicine and medical imaging; Computed Tomography; Artificial Intelligence; Emergency Radiology; Trauma Radiology; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Nielsen, Torsten Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Clinical oncology; Pathology (except oral pathology); Biomarker development; Breast Cancer; Cancer Diagnosis and Detection; Cancer of the Musculoskeletal System; Clinical trials; Epigenomics; Experimental Therapeutics; Immuno-oncology; Tissue-based diagnostic technologies; Translational research; Genetically engineered mouse models
Nimmon, Laura Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Health sciences; Qualitative research; medical education; Health Professions Education; Social network analysis; Human connection; Interdependence; Social theories; Social power; Palliative Care
Nolan, Seonaid Division of Social Medicine Substance use disorder; Access to evidence-based medications for incarcerated individuals
Norman, Wendy Department of Family Practice Health equity; Health care effectiveness and outcomes; Fertility and maternal health; Knowledge translation and implementation science in health; Population health interventions; Health services and systems, n.e.c.; Family planning; Health services and policy research; Contraception; Abortion; Population health equity research; Applied public health and population health intervention research; Health professional scope of practice research
Nunez, Desmond Department of Surgery Sensory systems, auditory; Otorhinolaryngology; Age Related Hearing Loss; Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss; Recurrent Acute Otitis Media
Nygaard, Haakon Division of Neurology potential role for anti-convulsant drugs in treating Alzheimers disease, which have shown promise in preclinical models of the disease
O'Neil, Michael Cardiology and circulatory sciences (including cardiovascular disease); ketamine
O'Connor, Timothy Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences Identification of small molecules that stimulate neurite outgrowth and regeneration Examination of the role of semaphorins during embryonic development
O'Donnell, Maureen Department of Pediatrics Pediatrics, children with disabilities, prenatal antidepressant exposure, cerebral palsy, austism, purple crying, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, social disparities
Oberlander, Timothy Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health Population epidemiological studies that characterize neurodevelopmental pathways that reflect risk, resiliency and developmental plasticity
Oberle, Eva Public and population health; Other education; Adolescent Mental Health/ Social-Emotional Wellbeing; Positive youth development; Promoting mental health and wellbeing through schools; Risk and resilience; Research with population-level data; Social and emotional learning in schools
Ogilvie, Gina School of Population and Public Health Sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus, HIV in women and care for marginalized populations
Ogrodniczuk, John Department of Psychiatry Mental Health and Society; Psychodynamic Psychotherapy; Personality Disorders; Group Psychotherapy; Men’s Mental Health; Alexithymia; Athletes
Oldani, Graziano Department of Surgery
Olson, Robert Department of Surgery Clinical oncology; Clinical trials; Radiotherapy; stereotactic radiotherapy; patient reported outcomes; Head and Neck Cancer; Breast Cancer; Epidemiology; Community Health / Public Health; Social Determinants of Cancer; health services delivery; Lung cancer
Ong, Christopher Department of Urologic Sciences Prostate cancer growth; Treatment resistance; Cell signalling pathways; SEMA3C
Oruc, Ipek Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences visual recognition of high level forms such as faces, letters and objects
Oviedo-Joekes, Eugenia School of Population and Public Health Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; Substance Use; person-centered care in addiction; injectable opioid agonist treatment; Harm reduction
Oxland, Thomas Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Mechanical Engineering Spinal Cord Injury, Aging Spine, Orthopaedic Implants
Ozturan, Seyma Gulcenur ,
Palepu, Anita Division of General Internal Medicine Health services and systems; homeless; Addiction; housing; Epidemiology; health care utilization; safe medication prescribing

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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: Stroke
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00392499
Volume: 55
Page Range: 524-531
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

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Publication: Stroke
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00392499
Volume: 55
Page Range: E91-E106
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

View Publication
Publication: Stroke
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00392499
Volume: 55
Page Range: E77-E90
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

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Publication: Revue Neurologique
UBC Author(s): Helen Tremlett (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00353787
Volume: 180
Page Range: 125-140
Publication Date: March 2024

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Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19368798
Volume: 17
Page Range: 574-576
Publication Date: 26 February 2024

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Publication: Journal of Crohn's & colitis
UBC Author(s): Bruce Vallance (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 18
Page Range: 233-245
Publication Date: 26 February 2024

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Publication: JMIR public health and surveillance
UBC Author(s): Andrei Krassioukov (Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 10
Page Range: e50031
Publication Date: 23 February 2024

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Publication: Translational psychiatry
UBC Author(s): Weihong Song (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: 111
Publication Date: 23 February 2024

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Publication: Translational psychiatry
UBC Author(s): William Honer (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Page Range: 113
Publication Date: 23 February 2024

View Publication
Publication: European heart journal
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 45
Page Range: 586-597
Publication Date: 21 February 2024

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Publication: Cell reports. Medicine
UBC Author(s): Amina Zoubeidi (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Page Range: 101381
Publication Date: 20 February 2024

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Publication: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
UBC Author(s): Tom Blydt-Hansen (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 109
Page Range: e1225-e1237
Publication Date: 20 February 2024

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Publication: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
ISSN: 07351097
Volume: 83
Page Range: 752-754
Publication Date: 20 February 2024

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Publication: Advanced Materials Technologies
UBC Author(s): Govindkrishna Kaigala (School of Biomedical Engineering / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 9
Publication Date: 19 February 2024

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Publication: iScience
UBC Author(s): Jessica Dennis (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 27
Publication Date: 16 February 2024

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Publication: Nature communications
UBC Author(s): Josef Penninger (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 15
Page Range: 1452
Publication Date: 16 February 2024

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Publication: The British journal of dermatology
UBC Author(s): Jan Peter Dutz (Dermatology & Skin Science / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 190
Page Range: 431-432
Publication Date: 16 February 2024

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Publication: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
UBC Author(s): Christopher Carlsten (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 209
Page Range: 355-356
Publication Date: 15 February 2024

View Publication
Publication: Cancer research
UBC Author(s): Stephen C Lam (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 84
Page Range: 616-625
Publication Date: 15 February 2024

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Publication: Clinical Infectious Diseases
UBC Author(s): Graziano Oldani (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10584838
Volume: 78
Page Range: 312-323
Publication Date: 15 February 2024

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Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Annalee Yassi (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 42
Page Range: 1022-1033
Publication Date: 15 February 2024

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Publication: World journal of urology
UBC Author(s): Andrei Krassioukov (Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 42
Page Range: 80
Publication Date: 15 February 2024

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Publication: Neurology
UBC Author(s): Helen Tremlett (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 102
Page Range: e208006
Publication Date: 13 February 2024

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Publication: Critical Care Explorations
UBC Author(s): Donald E Griesdale (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine), Ryan Hoiland (Critical Care Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 6
Page Range: E1049
Publication Date: 12 February 2024

View Publication
Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19368798
Volume: 17
Page Range: 374-387
Publication Date: 12 February 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
2022 Dr. Dong developed blood-based molecular biomarkers to predict pulmonary exacerbation events with high accuracy in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Findings from his study facilitate personalized medical monitoring and allow earlier diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2022 Dr. Lee explored the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, barriers, and opportunities associated with the theory and practice of municipal rat management with a view towards providing recommendations for cities seeking to develop or improve their own rat management strategies. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2022 Dr. Sharma characterized three new disorders in patients presenting with immune defects since birth. His research will improve the care and management of these patients, as well as that of future patients diagnosed with these disorders. This work also provides insight into the mechanisms of more commonly occurring immune regulatory diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2022 Dr. Koch used brain imaging techniques to study the movement disorder, Huntington disease, in mice. She identified altered motor behaviour that was associated with neural signaling in a brain region called the striatum. This research provides insight into the neurological changes in Huntington disease, that should one day help us develop a cure. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2022 Dr. Zhang defined the mechanisms underlying the transcription, modification, and degradation of a critical molecule in autism. She discovered that impaired modification of the molecule contributes to autism pathogenesis. This research provides novel insights into potential targeted therapy for autism. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2022 Viral myocarditis is the leading cause of sudden death in young children and youth. Dr. Zhao's study shed light on the mechanisms underlying how coxsackievirus induces viral myocarditis by both direct cardiac injury and perturbation of innate immune response, and thus provided potential therapeutic strategies against virus-induced heart diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2022 Dr. Hall's research synthesized health economics with learning health systems to support strategic management of care portfolios. Through the development and implementation of his 'Economic Learning Health System' framework, he assisted a health authority with the optimization of care delivery for seniors receiving home health services. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2022 Dr. van Ballegooie examined how polyethylene glycol conjugated protein based nanoparticles could be synthesized using microfluidics for applications in pharmaceutics requiring IV administration. She also demonstrated potential use as a triggered release system for combinatorial therapy (radiation + chemotherapy) used in cancer treatment regimes. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2022 Dr. Decotret investigated various ways cancer cells spread throughout the body. She found a novel role for a widely expressed molecule called PTP alpha in breast cancer cell invasion and developed an advanced method for tracking the invasion of brain cancer cells into surrounding brain tissue. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2022 Dr. Yen studied drug resistance mechanisms in chronic myeloid leukemia by identifying predictive microRNA biomarkers and exploring the role of the translation initiation complex. This research will help stratify drug-insensitive patients and develop alternative combination treatments to treat them. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)

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