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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
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
He, Yanpu School of Biomedical Engineering Cellular & Molecular Engineering; Immunoengineering; protein engineering; Cellular engineering; Biomaterials
Hedtrich, Sarah School of Biomedical Engineering Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (except clinical aspects); Nanotechnology; Bioengineering Human (Disease) Models; Gene Therapy; Human Epithelia; Next-Generation Therapies for Inflammatory and Genetic Diseases of Human Epithelia; Topical drug delivery and Nanomedicine
Henderson, Julia Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
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
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 Knowledge translation and implementation science in health; Patient and citizen engagement research; Health promotion and disease prevention; Other social sciences; Implementation Science; Rural Health; Virtual health innovation; Research partnerships; Health Promotion; rehabilitation
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
Hoiland, Ryan Critical Care Medicine Neurosciences, medical and health and physiological aspects, n.e.c.; Clinical and translational cardiovascular sciences; Human physiology, n.e.c.; cerebral vascular physiology; acute brain injury; cardiac arrest; neurocritical care

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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: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
UBC Author(s): Anna Michelle Lehman (Medical Genetics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 0021972X
Volume: 110
Page Range: 1767-1780
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: Clinical Teacher
UBC Author(s): Rola Ajjawi (Medicine, Dean's Office / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 17434971
Volume: 22
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UBC Author(s): Sarka Lisonkova (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine), Joseph Kuruthukulangare (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00029378
Volume: 232
Page Range: e221
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Histopathology
UBC Author(s): Jessica McAlpine (Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 03090167
Volume: 86
Page Range: 1053-1063
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Journal of Genetic Counseling
UBC Author(s): Jehannine Austin (Psychiatry / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10597700
Volume: 34
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Academic Radiology
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10766332
Volume: 32
Page Range: 3711-3721
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Arthritis Care and Research
UBC Author(s): Diane Lacaille (Rheumatology Division / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 2151464X
Volume: 77
Page Range: 710-719
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Journal of Clinical Virology
UBC Author(s): Julio Sergio Gonzalez-Montaner (Division of Infectious Diseases / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 13866532
Volume: 178
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Stroke
UBC Author(s): Thalia Field (Division of Neurology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00392499
Volume: 56
Page Range: 1413-1421
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: Journal of Transport and Health
UBC Author(s): Jeffrey Brubacher (Emergency Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 22141405
Volume: 42
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
UBC Author(s): Julie Bettinger (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine), Manish Sadarangani (Pediatrics / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 08913668
Volume: 44
Page Range: e230-e233
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
UBC Author(s): Janice Eng (Physical Therapy / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 00039993
Volume: 106
Page Range: 828-836
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: AIDS and Behavior
UBC Author(s): Helene Cote (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 10907165
Volume: 29
Page Range: 1747-1760
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Addiction
UBC Author(s): Seonaid Nolan (Division of Social Medicine / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 09652140
Volume: 120
Page Range: 1184-1194
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine), John Webb (Divisions of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery / Faculty of Medicine), Philipp Blanke (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 1936878X
Volume: 18
Page Range: 625-640
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
ISSN: 01475185
Volume: 49
Page Range: 601-609
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

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Publication: JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
UBC Author(s): Jonathon Leipsic (Radiology / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 1936878X
Volume: 18
Page Range: 664-675
Publication Date: June 2025

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Publication: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
UBC Author(s): Maureen Ashe (Family Practice / Faculty of Medicine)
ISSN: 15258610
Volume: 26
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Internet Interventions
UBC Author(s): Adeera Levin (Division of Nephrology / Faculty of Medicine)
Volume: 40
Publication Date: June 2025

View Publication
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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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
2024 Dr. Wainstein demonstrated how understanding lived experiences of adolescents with genetic conditions is crucial to offer genetic counselling services tailored to their needs. These adolescents experience ableism. Interventions that tackle genetic literacy and improved interactions among adolescents with and without genetic conditions could mitigate this. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2024 Dr. Okpani studied the impact of community and workplace factors, and mitigation strategies on the risk of COVID-19 infection among Canadian healthcare workers. This research enhances understanding of how protective measures in public health emergencies can promote workers wellbeing, reduce inequity, and support long-term health system resilience. Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
2024 Dr. Wardell showed that engineered immune cells can protect transplanted tissue and guard against autoimmunity. Her studies lay part of the groundwork for bringing this cell therapy to the clinic. Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD)
2024 Dr. Tegegn's research explores, at a molecular level, how the dengue virus, one of the world’s most prevalent pathogens, causes life-threatening bleeding. During infection, dengue hijacks platelets and their parent cells, marking them with signals that lead to depletion. Her findings offer a novel treatment target for dengue hemorrhagic fever. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2024 Dr. Life studied mouse dementia and mouse autism. In looking across the lifespan, he obtained functional insights into a gene that shapes our behaviour and personality both early and late in life. His work establishes two strains of mice that are facilitating the development of new therapies for dementia. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2024 Dr. Denyer investigated how the brain controls complex bimanual movements using transcranial magnetic stimulation. He discovered that bimanual movements do not rely on activity within a single brain region. Instead, they are likely underpinned by activity within a distributed network of brain regions. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2024 Dr. Sun believed that in order to cure cancer, one must first create cancer. She genetically modified human blood stem cells to express all possible combinations of four cancer-causing genes. She discovered both individual and cooperative contributions of these genes to the malignant transformation of normal cells into leukemic cells. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
2024 Dr. Rapos used neuroimaging and kinematic analyses to examine collision avoidance strategies in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Her findings suggest children with DCD have difficulties in perception-action coupling, as evidenced by a reliance on visual information and a conservative approach to collision avoidance. Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)
2024 Dr. Chu investigated insulin producing pancreatic beta cells, which help maintain blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. He found that the production of insulin can vary and fluctuate from cell to cell. His work furthers our understanding of diabetes pathology and introduces new methods for controlling insulin production in beta cells. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2024 Dr. Doelman developed and tested novel pressure sensors for the wireless assessment of bladder dysfunction in patients following traumatic spinal cord injury. He successfully validated two distinct pressure sensors, one of which is now being utilized in clinical trials at the Cleveland Clinic. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)

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