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
Abdelrahman, Khaled Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Basic pharmacology; G protein-coupled receptor pharmacology; Neuropharmacology; Molecular Neuroscience
Abreu Santos, Emmanuel
Abu-Laban, Riyad Department of Emergency Medicine Emergency medicine, epidemiology, research education
Accili, Eric Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular pacemaking behavior
Afshar, Kourosh Department of Urologic Sciences Genital reconstruction and pediatric renal transplant
Afshari, Reza Environmental and occupational health and safety; Critical care medicine and emergency medicine; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); Epidemiology,; Toxicology,; Pharmacology,; Environment; Risk assessment
Alageel, Mohammed Clinical medicine; Shock; Sickle cell disease; Resuscitation
Ali, Ismail
Allan, Douglas Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences Nervous system
Allard, Michael Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Control of energy metabolism in normal and pathologic hearts; Physiologic and Pathologic Cardiac hypertrophy; Contribution of Metabolism to myocardial dysfunction after ischemia and reperfusion, especially in the setting of cardiac hypertrophy; Cardiovascular Pathology
Ambasta, Anshula Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Reduction of low-value services in health systems
Anglesio, Michael Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Obstetrics and gynecology; Premalignant disease (precursors); Cancer molecular targets; Cancer of the Reproductive System; Host-Tumour Interaction; Endometriosis; Cancer Diagnosis and Detection; animal models of endometriosis and cancer; Cancer prevention; early detection biomarkers; endometriosis associated cancers; gene-expression and transcriptomics; genomics; Immunology; microenvironment; ovarian cancer etiology
Anis, Aslam School of Population and Public Health cost effectiveness of AIDS treatments; drug assessments – pharmacoeconomics; health care economics; health regulations, Health economics, rhematoid arthritis, biologic therapies
Ansermino, John Mark Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Other clinical medicine; Sepsis in children; Health information systems; Physiological Monitoring; Technological Innovations; Artificial Intellegence; Automation in healthcare; Global Health; Mobile Health; Outcome prediction
Aparicio, Samuel Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Breast cancer, genome sequencing
Arbour, Laura Department of Medical Genetics northern and aboriginal health issues as they pertain to genetics
Ardern, Clare Department of Physical Therapy Electronic health (e-Health); Mobile health (mHealth); Patient and citizen engagement research; Health equity; Physical therapy; Sports medicine; Knowledge translation and implementation science in health; Orthopedics; Sex and gender-based analysis; musculoskeletal conditions; Digital health; eHealth; orthopaedics; sports medicine; rehabilitation; meta-science; peer review; research impact
Ashe, Maureen Department of Family Practice Mobile health (mHealth); Knowledge translation and implementation science in health; Patient and citizen engagement research; Physical therapy
Atiquzzaman, Mohammad Division of Nephrology
Austin, Jehannine Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Genetics Clinical genetics (except cancer genetics); genetic counseling; genetics services; mental health
Av-Gay, Yossef Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology & Immunology Tuberculosis
Avina, Antonio Division of Rheumatology Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (SARDs); Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); Long term effectiveness; Multivariate analyses; Outcomes assessment; Pharmaco-epidemiology
Ayas, Najib Critical Care Medicine Public health and afety consequences of sleep apnea and sleep deprivation
Backman, Catherine Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy; Rehabilitation medicine; activity disruption; arthritis; Arthritis / Osteo-Arthritis; chronic illness; health & well-being; Lifestyle Determinants and Health; occupational balance; rehabilitation; social role participation
Baerg Hall, Elisabeth Anne ,

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: Annals of Epidemiology
UBC Author(s): Laura Arbour (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10472797
Volume: 94
Page Range: 27-32
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
UBC Author(s): Helen Tremlett (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 22110348
Volume: 86
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Structural Biology
UBC Author(s): Natalie Strynadka (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10478477
Volume: 216
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Stem Cell Research
UBC Author(s): Mahmoud Pouladi (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 18735061
Volume: 77
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: IBRO Neuroscience Reports
UBC Author(s): Raymond Lam (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 26672421
Volume: 16
Page Range: 135-146
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
UBC Author(s): William Mortenson (Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Gynecologic Oncology
UBC Author(s): Gillian Hanley (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00908258
Volume: 185
Page Range: 116-120
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
UBC Author(s): Jacqueline Whittaker (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 6
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Affective Disorders
UBC Author(s): Jeffrey Brubacher (Emergency Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01650327
Volume: 354
Page Range: 509-518
Publication Date: 1 June 2024

View Publication
Publication: Current Opinion in Biotechnology
UBC Author(s): Seth Parker (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09581669
Volume: 87
Publication Date: June 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Cardiology
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029149
Volume: 219
Page Range: 60-70
Publication Date: 15 May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Jason Sutherland (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 113-119
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Pediatric Surgery
UBC Author(s): Erik Skarsgard (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00223468
Volume: 59
Page Range: 863-868
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Jason Sutherland (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 106-112
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Infection
UBC Author(s): Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01634453
Volume: 88
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Physica Medica
UBC Author(s): Arman Rahmim (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 11201797
Volume: 121
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
UBC Author(s): Kenneth Madden (Division of Geriatric Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Maureen Ashe (Family Practice / Faculty of Medicine), Rachel Murphy (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01461672
Volume: 50
Page Range: 733-749
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Sam Michael Wiseman (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 24-40
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Sam Michael Wiseman (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 2-8
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Sam Michael Wiseman (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine), Joel Teichman (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 91-95
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Sam Michael Wiseman (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029610
Volume: 231
Page Range: 74-78
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: The Lancet Neurology
UBC Author(s): Ian Mackenzie (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 14744422
Volume: 23
Page Range: 487-499
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Pediatric Transplantation
UBC Author(s): Tom Blydt-Hansen (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13973142
Volume: 28
Publication Date: May 2024

View Publication
Publication: Early Human Development
UBC Author(s): Laura Arbour (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03783782
Volume: 192
Publication Date: May 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. Radisavljevic investigated the role of gut bacteria in Parkinson's disease using a mouse model. This work helps with an understanding of which gut bacterial members may play a role in modulating non-motor symptoms of this disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Moon developed enzyme-mediated cell surface engineering techniques that modify both major blood antigen A and minor blood antigen RhD to generate universal donor red blood cells. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Dziurdzik investigated a protein family implicated in different neurological disorders that hold together cellular compartments and shuttle lipids between them. Her work uncovered how these proteins target various compartments, improved our understanding of the disease pathogenesis, and also identified novel proteins with related functions. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Zhang studied the effect of non-invasive stimulation therapies on brain neurobiology. Stimulation therapies are critical for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and her work showed that stimulation therapies can affect the generation of new neurons in the brain to potentially mediate therapeutic and side-effects. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Lapointe extensively employed various DNA sequencing technologies to gain deeper insights into anti-viral drug resistance and the molecular epidemiology of HIV, HCV, and SARS-CoV-2. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of viral public health dynamics, and heloed shape the local and national clinical management guidelines. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Sheth investigated the neural correlates of two distinct types of dynamic patterns  freely-moving and goal-driven  present in the stream of thought. Her findings offer new insights into the functions of the default and executive networks of brain and have implications for mental health, spontaneous thought, mind-wandering, and creativity. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Rufenach studied the biophysical interactions and three-dimensional structures of protein complexes involved in calcium signaling pathways. Her research has contributed to understanding the mechanisms of skeletal muscle contraction and rare neuromuscular diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Francis mapped the dynamics of antibiotic resistance gene carriage in the healthy newborn infant gut and characterized changes in response to severe acute malnutrition and HIV, in low-resource settings. His findings have major implications for antibiotic prophylaxis, therapy and stewardship practices in global neonatal and infant populations. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Desai revealed that despite better CF prognosis in recent years, people with CF still face substantial burden from lung impairment and other complications. Rising healthcare costs due to expensive medications pose additional challenges. These findings will help improve their service planning and resource allocation in the future. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Dellazizzo Toth developed imaging techniques and technologies enabling rapid recording of all activity across a complete neural arbor in an awake animal and applied these tools to interrogate how individual neurons are modified by experience. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)

Pages