Canadian Immigration Updates

Review details about the recently announced changes to study and work permits that apply to master’s and doctoral degree students. Read more

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
Guhn, Martin Developmental psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; social context and child development/well-being; Population health; social determinants of health
Gupta, Neeru Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, School of Population and Public Health relationship between the eye and other health conditions, blinding disease, Eyes and Vision
Guy, Pierre Department of Orthopaedics Medical, health and life sciences; Surgery; Surgical Technologies; Hip Fracture Care; Health services research
Haas, Kurt 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; Autism; Brain Circuit Development; Dendritogenesis; Epilepsy; Genetics of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurological diseases; Neuronal Communication and Neurotransmission; Neuronal Computation; Neuronal Modeling; Neuronal Systems; Neuronal and Synaptic Activity; Plasticity / Neuronal Regeneration; Synaptic Plasticity
Hach, Faraz Department of Urologic Sciences Cancer; Algorithms and computational genomics; Computational Genomics; biomolecular sequence analysis
Hacihaliloglu, Ilker Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine Bio-signal processing and analysis; Medical biotechnology; Biomedical signal processing; Image guided surgery systems; Medical and biomedical engineering, n.e.c.; Data analytics and signal processing, n.e.c.; Artificial intelligence (AI); Extraction of relevant information from 3D medical images; Image Guided Surgery; computer assisted diagnosis; Deep Learning; point of care ultrasound; ultrasound image processing; Brain Health; orthopedic surgery; liver disease; lung disease; traumatic Brian injury; neurosurgery; Biomedical Engineering
Hackett, Tillie-Louise Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Molecular determinants of COPD, small airway obstruction, angiotensin signalling, defective airway epithelial differentiation in asthma, human lung cell repository
Haji, Faizal Department of Surgery Health care safety and quality improvement; Surgical Education; Global Surgery; Simulation in Healthcare; Health Professions Education; Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Hanley, Gillian Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinical medicine; Gynecologic cancer; Ovarian cancer prevention; Gynecologic cancer survivorship; Perinatal mental health; Population-based administrative data
Harriman, David Department of Urologic Sciences Kidneys and Urinary System
Harris, Kevin Department of Pediatrics Evidence to Innovation; Preventive Cardiology; Cardiovascular Outcomes; Interventional Pediatric Cardiology
Hatala, Rose Division of General Internal Medicine in-training (such as the mini-cex) and high-stakes assessment methods; clinical reasoning
Hawkes, Michael Department of Pediatrics Pediatric infectious diseases; global pediatric infections
Hayden, Michael Department of Medical Genetics Genetic medicine; Health counselling; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Diabetes; Disease progression; Drug development; Gene Therapy; Genetic Diseases; Huntington disease; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative disorders
Henderson, Sarah School of Population and Public Health Environmental and occupational health and safety; wildfire smoke; air pollution; Extreme weather events; environmental health; radon gas; Food safety; Water quality
Henderson, Julia Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Herdman, Anthony School of Audiology and Speech Sciences Auditory System; Visual System; Audiovisual, Visual, Audio and Written Communications; Electrophysiology; Language and Cognitive Processes; Neuroimaging Methods (EEG/MEG); Central auditory processing; Auditory and visual perecptions related to reading acquisition (1st and 2nd languages); Brain computer interface
Hilton, Brett Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; neuroscience; neuroplasticity; Axon regeneration; Spinal cord injury
Hirsch-Reinshagen la, Veronica Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Ho, Vincent Department of Dermatology & Skin Science dermatologic therapeutics and oncology
Ho, Kendall Department of Emergency Medicine eHealth, knowledge translation, educational research, continuing professional development, interprofessional education, evidence informed policy, eLearning, global eHealth
Hoekstra, Femke Division of Social Medicine Health sciences; Other social sciences; Implementation Science; Rural Health; Virtual health innovation; Research partnerships
Hoffman, Bradford Department of Surgery Understanding how the genes critical to endocrine pancreas development, as well as ?-cell function and proliferation are regulated is essential for the development of novel strategies for the production of insulin-secreting cells, and for improving the efficacy of available transplantable material.
Hohl, Corinne Department of Emergency Medicine Emergency Medicine; Epidemiology; Pharmacoepidemiology; Health Information Systems; Health Care Organization; Decision Making; Patient Safety; Medication Safety; Adverse Drug Events; Drug safety and effectiveness; Health Information Technology; Clinical Decision Making; Health services research; Adverse Event Reporting
Holsti, Liisa Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Medical, health and life sciences; premature infants; neurodevelopment; stress; pain; measurement; technology transfer; sucrose; rehabilitation; pediatrics

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: Gynecologic Oncology Reports
UBC Author(s): Amy Jamieson (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 55
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Neurosurgery
UBC Author(s): Stephen Yip (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0148396X
Volume: 95
Page Range: 740-750
Publication Date: 1 October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Heart Rhythm
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15475271
Volume: 21
Page Range: e265-e267
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Heart Rhythm
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15475271
Volume: 21
Page Range: e256-e258
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Heart Rhythm
UBC Author(s): Andrew Krahn (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15475271
Volume: 21
Page Range: e151-e252
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Neurocritical Care
UBC Author(s): Judy Illes (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15416933
Volume: 41
Page Range: 357-368
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Neurocritical Care
UBC Author(s): Judy Illes (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15416933
Volume: 41
Page Range: 345-356
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
UBC Author(s): David Liu (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10510443
Volume: 35
Page Range: 1464-1473.e1
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Infection Control
UBC Author(s): Annalee Yassi (School of Population and Public Health / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 01966553
Volume: 52
Page Range: 1225-1226
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Clinical Neurophysiology
UBC Author(s): John Kramer (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13882457
Volume: 166
Page Range: 223-231
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Clinical Densitometry
UBC Author(s): Ismail Laher (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10946950
Volume: 27
Publication Date: 1 October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Steroids
UBC Author(s): Marianne Sadar (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0039128X
Volume: 210
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada
UBC Author(s): Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 17012163
Volume: 46
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
UBC Author(s): Shannon Kolind (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 18789293
Volume: 69
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Breath Research
UBC Author(s): Stephen C Lam (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 17527155
Volume: 18
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Neoplasia (United States)
UBC Author(s): Gillian Hanley (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15228002
Volume: 56
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Pathology
UBC Author(s): Brad Nelson (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine), David Huntsman (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Gregg Morin (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00223417
Volume: 264
Page Range: 197-211
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Medical Image Analysis
UBC Author(s): Teresa Tsang (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13618415
Volume: 97
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Science of the Total Environment
UBC Author(s): Christopher Carlsten (Division of Respiratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00489697
Volume: 945
Publication Date: 1 October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Pattern Recognition
UBC Author(s): Roger Tam (School of Biomedical Engineering / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00313203
Volume: 154
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Clinical Virology
UBC Author(s): Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13866532
Volume: 174
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: JACEP Open
UBC Author(s): James Christenson (Emergency Medicine / Faculty of Medicine), Babak Shadgan (Orthopaedics / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Experimental Neurology
UBC Author(s): John Kramer (Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00144886
Volume: 380
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: Genetic Epidemiology
UBC Author(s): Angela Brooks-Wilson (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 07410395
Volume: 48
Page Range: 324-343
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Publication: European Journal of Surgical Oncology
UBC Author(s): Janice Kwon (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 07487983
Volume: 50
Publication Date: October 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. Lorentzian examined the persistence of therapeutic targets through disease progression in pediatric leukemia using a genomic and proteomic approach. Her research revealed that therapeutic targets are often persistent to relapse and supports the early characterization of drug targets to prepare treatment options in case the child relapses. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Horvath worked on host cell factors that regulate HIV-1 replication. By using small molecules to target these factors, he identified novel classes of potential HIV-1 chemotherapies. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Forgrave conducted biomarker discovery and verification efforts for frontotemporal dementia with TDP-43 pathology. She revealed the need for improved classification and improved biomarkers for diagnosis are needed. Moreover, She identified disease-specific TDP-43 proteoforms and potential biomarkers for TDP-43 pathology. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nesbit characterized the prefrontal cortex mechanisms of the novel cognitive enhancer d-govadine. Dr. Nesbit's work advances the clinical application of this compound for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2023 Dr. Gibson identified genetic variants and circulating biomarkers associated with pediatric primary systemic vasculitis, a rare and potentially life-threatening disease caused by blood vessel inflammation. These findings will assist in clinical classification and inform treatment decisions for children suffering from the disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nisingizwe investigated access to Hepatitis C testing and treatment in Rwanda and internationally. Her dissertation described HCV cascade of care, and patients' barriers to HCV care in Rwanda. Globally, she highlighted countries and regions with high and low access to HCV medicines and the effect of COVID-19 on HCV drug utilization. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Andrews studied how RNA viruses evade the host immune response by degrading key host proteins. His research identified host proteins degraded during infection and provided a deeper understanding of how viruses evade host immunity, with the goal of identifying future avenues for treating and preventing virus infections. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nierves explored the application of mass spectrometry in the interrogation of pediatric leukemia cells and microenvironment. His study assists in the characterization of leukemic cells and the pursuit of better therapeutic options for children with cancer. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2023 Dr. Chen unravelled relationships between diabetes medications and breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer risk, suggesting potential risk variations with common diabetes medications. Her study underscores the significance of understanding the long-term health impacts of prescription medications, advocating more research. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2023 Dr. Qi examined associations of widely used classes of antihypertensive medications and their subclasses with overall and site-specific risks of colorectal cancer using advanced statistical methods. His research has addressed a gap in the evidence for safety of widely used antihypertensive medications with respect to colorectal cancer risk. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)

Pages