Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

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
Diamond, Adele Department of Psychiatry executive functions; prefrontal cortex; dopamine; working memory; self-control; self-regulation; cognition; COMT gene; Sex differences; stress; ACEs (adverse childhood experiences); ELS (early life stress); resilience; social determinants of health; ADHD; depression; PTSD; Physical Activity; the arts; mindfulness
Doan, Quynh Department of Pediatrics Medical, health and life sciences; Health Services; Child and youth mental health; Emergency medicine work load modelling
Dominguez, Gonzalo
Dong, Xuesen Department of Urologic Sciences Cancer progression and metastasis; Gene and molecular therapy; Prostate Cancer; RNA splicing and Gene Regulation; Drug development; Hormone Dependent Cancers; Endocrine Regulation; Premature Labour
Dormuth, Colin Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Clinical Outcomes and Patient Safety
Drew, Yvette Division of Medical Oncology
Duan, Kevin Division of Respiratory Medicine
Dubland, Joshua Clinical sciences; Newborn Screening; Biochemical Genetics; Lipids; Metabolism; mass spectrometry
Dummer, Trevor School of Population and Public Health health geography, cancer prevention, environmental exposures, health inequalities, geographic information science, obesity, risk factors, Environmental epidemiology and environment and health interactions, with specific emphasis on cancer etiology and cancer prevention
Duong, Franck Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Applied immunology (including antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies); Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins
Duran, Leslie Educational Technologies; Quality of Life and Aging; Loss of Independence; distance education; occupational therapy assessment; inter-professional health professional education
Dutz, Jan Peter Department of Dermatology & Skin Science Immunity in Health & Disease, diabetes, dermatology
Dvorak, Marcel F S Department of Orthopaedics adult spine surgery; major adult deformity (scoliosis and kyphosis), traumatic injuries of the spine, and spinal cord injury.
Elango, Rajavel Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health Protein Nutrition, Maternal-Fetal Nutrition, Childhood Malnutrition, Amino Acid Metabolism, Human Nutrition
Elliott, Alison Department of Medical Genetics Other health sciences; rare disease; genomics; Congenital Malformations; Skeletal and limb anomalies; Genetic Counselling; Health services implementation science
Eng, Janice Department of Physical Therapy Medical, health and life sciences; Stroke Rehabilitation; Motor function; Wearable sensors; Recovery of walking after stroke; Recovery of upper extremity function after stroke
Engle, Jennifer Cognitive sciences; Neuropsychology; epilepsy surgery; Brain Injury
Etminan, Mahyar Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Eye and Visual System Diseases; Pharmacoepidemiology; Epidemiology; Oular Epidemiology; Drug Safety; Epidemiologist Study Design; Causal Inference; Cancer Epidemiology
Eva, Kevin Division of General Internal Medicine Cognition; Adult Education and Continuing Education; Health Professions Education; Assessment and Selection; clinical reasoning; Implementation Science; Continuing Professional Development; Judgment and Decision-Making
Evgin, Laura Department of Medical Genetics
Fairbairn, Nadia Division of Social Medicine Drug Abuse
Fast, Danya Division of Social Medicine Social sciences; Substance Use; Substance Use Care; Adolescents and Young Adults; urban health; Urban Poverty; Medical Anthropology; Canada; East Africa
Fedida, David Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics How the heart generates, maintains and regulates electrical activity, Anesthesiology
Field, Thalia Division of Neurology stroke; Clinical trials; cerebral venous thrombosis; outcomes; cognition; Machine Learning
Fischer, Lisa Department of Family Practice sport concussion

Pages

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): Jehannine Austin (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: 11 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Cancer Letters
UBC Author(s): Yuzhuo Wang (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03043835
Volume: 587
Publication Date: 10 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: JAMA Cardiology
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine), Shubhayan Sanatani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 23806583
Volume: 9
Page Range: 377-384
Publication Date: 10 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: JAMA
UBC Author(s): Maria Socias (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00987484
Volume: 331
Page Range: 1215-1224
Publication Date: 9 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Developmental Cell
UBC Author(s): Calvin Roskelley (Cellular & Physiological Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15345807
Volume: 59
Page Range: 853-868.e7
Publication Date: 8 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Cancer Cell
UBC Author(s): David Scott (Division of Medical Oncology / Faculty of Medicine), Christian Steidl (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15356108
Volume: 42
Page Range: 583-604.e11
Publication Date: 8 April 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: 859-870
Publication Date: 8 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Fluids and barriers of the CNS
UBC Author(s): Tully Michael Underhill (Cellular & Physiological Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 21
Page Range: 31
Publication Date: 5 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: RMD open
UBC Author(s): Linda Li (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 10
Publication Date: 4 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Human Genetics
UBC Author(s): Jehannine Austin (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029297
Volume: 111
Page Range: 621-623
Publication Date: 4 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Harm reduction journal
UBC Author(s): Angela Towle (Medicine Department / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 21
Page Range: 75
Publication Date: 4 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
UBC Author(s): Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 19448244
Volume: 16
Page Range: 15893-15906
Publication Date: 3 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: JAMA Psychiatry
UBC Author(s): Sophia Frangou (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 2168622X
Volume: 81
Page Range: 428
Publication Date: 3 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
UBC Author(s): Stefan Taubert (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: 3 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Neuroscience
UBC Author(s): Ann Marie Craig (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02706474
Volume: 44
Publication Date: 3 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Monika Naus (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 42
Page Range: 2200-2211
Publication Date: 2 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
UBC Author(s): Steven Miller (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine), Thiviya Selvanathan (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 07351097
Volume: 83
Page Range: 1225-1239
Publication Date: 2 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: JAMA
UBC Author(s): Torsten Nielsen (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00987484
Volume: 331
Page Range: 1135-1144
Publication Date: 2 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 42
Page Range: 2138-2143
Publication Date: 2 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Chemistry - A European Journal
UBC Author(s): Francois Benard (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09476539
Volume: 30
Publication Date: 2 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Kidney International Supplements
UBC Author(s): John Gill (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 21571724
Volume: 13
Page Range: 83-96
Publication Date: April 2024

View Publication
Publication: Arthritis Care and Research
UBC Author(s): Nicholas Bansback (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 2151464X
Volume: 76
Page Range: 444-453
Publication Date: April 2024

View Publication
Publication: The Journal of general physiology
UBC Author(s): Edwin D Moore (Cellular & Physiological Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 156
Publication Date: 1 April 2024

View Publication
Publication: GeroScience
UBC Author(s): Angela Brooks-Wilson (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 25092715
Volume: 46
Page Range: 1589-1605
Publication Date: April 2024

View Publication

Pages

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. Langman studied mechanisms of stress adaptation in cancer cells and identified novel functions of stress granule proteins in tumor growth and metastasis. Her research revealed new therapeutic targets for some of the deadliest pediatric cancers. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Solomons studied patterns of nervous system sensitisation in musculoskeletal pain syndromes. This research gives insight into the nature of persistent pain problems that is expected to inform more effective management strategies. Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)
2023 Dr. Hathaway studied risky decision making in rats. They found that pairing lights and sounds with reward on a risky decision-making task can both increase risky choice and impair flexibility. They identified the orbitofrontal cortex as a key region underlying this effect. These findings advance our understanding of gambling disorder in humans. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Ha studied the function and regulation of a unique class of genes which are expressed only when inherited from the mother or father. Her research furthers our understanding of the mechanism regulating the expression of a maternally-expressed gene and may impact the management and diagnosis of patients with imprinting disorders. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
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)

Pages