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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
Abdelrahman, Khaled Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Basic pharmacology; G protein-coupled receptor pharmacology; Neuropharmacology; Molecular Neuroscience
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
Ajjawi, Rola learning environments that support health professional trainees to succeed, workplace learning
Allan, Douglas Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences Nervous system
Ambasta, Anshula Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Reduction of low-value services in health systems
Amri, Michelle School of Population and Public Health Global Health Ethics; normative nature of health equity; Health Equity; Public Policy; Governance; Global Health; International health
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 pharmacoepidemiologic studies
Austin, Jehannine Department of Medical Genetics, 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 safety consequences of sleep apnea and sleep deprivation
Bally, Marcel Bertran Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Pancreas centre
Bamji, Shernaz 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; neurodevelopmental disease; primary neuronal cultures; synapse biology; transgenic mouse models
Bansback, Nick School of Population and Public Health inform policies and practices in health through the application of
Barbic, Skye Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy; Rehabilitation medicine; assessment; community integration; health and well-being; Implementation Science; Individual Placement Support; measurement; Mental Health and Society; mental health; metrology; Patient Engagement; Rasch Measurement Theory; recovery; Supported Employment; youth
Barr, Alasdair Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Mental health and addictions, with a particular emphasis on psychosis and the medications used in its treatment, Anesthesiology
Barton, Jason Division of Neurology, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Sensory systems, visual; face recognition; neurologic disorders of higher level visual processing; saccade and pursuit control

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Open Research Positions

This list of possible research projects is non-exhaustive. It only shows positions that are specifically advertised in the G+PS website.

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: Gene
UBC Author(s): Catherine Garnis (Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03781119
Volume: 957
Publication Date: 15 July 2025

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Publication: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
UBC Author(s): Helen Tremlett (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 08954356
Volume: 183
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Drug and Alcohol Dependence
UBC Author(s): Kate Shannon (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03768716
Volume: 272
Publication Date: 1 July 2025

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Publication: Journal of Pain
UBC Author(s): Timothy Oberlander (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15265900
Volume: 32
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Journal of Pediatrics
UBC Author(s): Julie Bettinger (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00223476
Volume: 282
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Respiratory Medicine
UBC Author(s): Emily Brigham (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09546111
Volume: 243
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Medical Image Analysis
UBC Author(s): Teresa Tsang (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13618415
Volume: 103
Publication Date: July 2025

View Publication
Publication: Marine Pollution Bulletin
UBC Author(s): Inanc Birol (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0025326X
Volume: 216
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Journal of Safety Research
UBC Author(s): Peter Cripton (School of Biomedical Engineering / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00224375
Volume: 93
Page Range: 15-23
Publication Date: July 2025

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Publication: Neuroscience
UBC Author(s): Judy Illes (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03064522
Volume: 577
Page Range: 161-174
Publication Date: 21 June 2025

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Publication: Vaccine
UBC Author(s): Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0264410X
Volume: 59
Publication Date: 20 June 2025

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Publication: STAR Protocols
UBC Author(s): Steven J Jones (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 6
Publication Date: 20 June 2025

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Publication: STAR Protocols
UBC Author(s): Steven J Jones (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 6
Publication Date: 20 June 2025

View Publication
Publication: Prostate
UBC Author(s): Miles Mannas (Urologic Sciences / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02704137
Volume: 85
Page Range: 823-832
Publication Date: 15 June 2025

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Publication: Neurobiology of Disease
UBC Author(s): Alasdair Barr (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09699961
Volume: 210
Publication Date: 15 June 2025

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Publication: International Journal of Cardiology
UBC Author(s): John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01675273
Volume: 429
Publication Date: 15 June 2025

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Publication: Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids
UBC Author(s): Michael Hayden (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 36
Publication Date: 10 June 2025

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Publication: Thorax
UBC Author(s): Christopher Ryerson (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00406376
Volume: 80
Page Range: 378-384
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: Canadian Journal of Nursing Research
UBC Author(s): Jude Kornelsen (Family Practice / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 08445621
Volume: 57
Page Range: 314-323
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Heart Rhythm
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15475271
Volume: 22
Page Range: 1572-1573
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Anesthesiology
UBC Author(s): Hilary Grocott (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 142
Page Range: 1188-1189
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology
UBC Author(s): Jason Barton (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10708022
Volume: 45
Page Range: 129-130
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Human Molecular Genetics
UBC Author(s): Wyeth Wasserman (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine), Carolyn Janet Brown (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09646906
Volume: 34
Page Range: 978-989
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: American Journal of Kidney Diseases
UBC Author(s): Adeera Levin (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 02726386
Volume: 85
Page Range: 745-753
Publication Date: June 2025

View Publication

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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
2025 Dr. Xie's studies focused on exploring the role of microRNAs in human placental development and differentiation. She discovered the connection between growth factors and specific microRNAs in placental development and their potential role in related diseases. Her findings may contribute to the clinical applications for placenta-related diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (PhD)
2025 Dr. Tucker investigated clinical and molecular predictors of endometriosis outcomes. He developed one of the first clinical models to predict pain-related outcomes after endometriosis surgery, advancing personalized care for the condition. His work also deepens understanding of cancer-linked mutations as potential drivers of endometriosis severity. Doctor of Philosophy in Women+ and Children's Health Sciences (PhD)
2025 Dr. Chapman studied how viral infection impacts the fertility of honey bee queens. This work helps to define one of many factors contributing to queen failure, which is a significant problem for the beekeeping industry. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2025 Dr. Hajipour studied how sleep-disordered breathing impacts individuals' health. He found that those who experience greater drops in oxygen levels and weaker brain and heart reactivity during sleep are more likely to develop cognitive impairment and have a higher risk of mortality. This work could help improve how doctors assess and manage sleep disorders. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2025 Dr. Im studies a deadly form of leukemia carrying the EVI1 protein, which makes cells highly resistant to treatment. He discovered a target that boosts the release of death signals from mitochondria during treatment, nullifying this resistance. His findings present a vulnerability that could further be developed into a novel treatment approach. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2025 Dr. Michelson developed methods to study large-scale cortical activity in the mouse during social and innate behaviors. His work has shown that the brains of two mice synchronize during social interaction and that cortical neuron activity represents subcortically mediated behaviors. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2025 Dr. Lam studied viral and cellular factors that regulate HIV latency. She identified a novel class of inhibitors of HIV expression that may provide a means to permanently silence persistent HIV infection. Her findings expand our understanding of viral latency and bring us closer to a functional cure for HIV. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2025 Dr. Anderson investigated genetic and clinical factors linked to severe allergic reactions to a widely used childhood cancer drug. Drawing on data from a national pediatric cohort, he developed predictive models that reliably pinpoint high-risk patients. His work now enables safer, personalized care and improved outcomes for children with cancer. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2025 Dr. Soe studied mRNA COVID-19 vaccine safety in groups underrepresented in pre-approval trials: older adults, children, and individuals with autoimmune diseases. Findings confirmed overall safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The results support evidence-based vaccination policies for vulnerable groups. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2025 Dr. Matsell characterized the function and role of the enzyme ATP8A2, contributing to a deeper understanding of its connection to neurodegenerative disease. This work has strengthened the link between ATP8A2's function and disease mechanism, paving the way for the development of targeted therapeutics to aid patients affected by this condition. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)

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