Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is where great minds make a difference. The Faculty enjoys an international reputation for outstanding pharmaceutical sciences research. Across a broad base of collaborative, paradigm-shaping pilot projects, our world-leading researchers generate relevant results that address the pressing health needs of society. In short, our work improves lives.

If you are passionate about health sciences research that makes a difference in people's lives, you're in good hands. We offer award-wining graduate programs led by world-class researchers. You'll have access to top-tier facilities and be working alongside the best and brightest in the field, conducting research that addresses real life problems. Our paradigm-changing approach is collaborative, innovative, and results-driven.

We're tackling diseases like asthma / chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. We're developing better ways to deliver drugs and prevent adverse drug reactions. And we're conducting clinical and economic research in pharmaceutical outcomes. 

Our reputation as a top research centre attracts some of the brightest and most productive minds in the field. Our faculty includes Canada Research Chairs, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholars and Senior Scholars, and Distinguished University Scholars.

Purpose

We are innovators in pharmacy education, research and practice, with the goal of supporting the optimization of drug therapy in the pursuit of improved patient outcomes.

Commitments

  • We support our people, creating a community that enables excellence through collective action.
  • We seek novel ideas, putting into practice those with the greatest scope for sustained impact.
  • We search for relevant connections, fostering meaningful collaborations that provide mutual benefit.
Mission
To be a catalyst for change in pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical sciences.
 

Research Centres

adMare BioInnovations is located in our building. It is an independent, non-profit organization with a focus on bridging the gap between academic discoveries in the health sciences and the development of new medicines to treat human disease. The Faculty partners with adMare BioInnovations to provide unique research and mentoring opportunities for MSc and PhD students. 

We are also home to several sophisticated research centres that specialize in the areas of human genome and exome sequencing, and health outcomes research.

Research Facilities

Opened in 2012, the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building at UBC is a state-of-the-art learning and research facility. The building houses modern, modular labs designed specifically for the type of research intended for the space. Our classroom facilities are fitted with advanced technology to facilitate new modes of learning.

Measuring 246,000 square feet, it's an eye-catching addition to our campus, and has drawn attention and admiration from around the world—including 15 awards of excellence. 

Research Highlights

As a leading research faculty, we conduct ground-breaking research in the pharmaceutical sciences – all with the goal of addressing the pressing health needs of society and improving lives. Our research activities centre around four areas of focus.

Epidemiology & Health Outcomes

This theme covers our activities in epidemiological analysis, health outcomes and health economics research seeking solutions for the predictive enhancement of intervention strategies for practical and preventive healthcare. The impact of this work is used to shape policy to optimize the allocation of health care resources as well as defining the efficacy of healthcare interventions and strategy.

Molecular & Systems Pharmacology

This highly interdisciplinary theme embodies research directed at the interactions of therapeutic agents with human cells, and covers fundamental questions of the mechanisms of the drug action through to the behaviour of drugs in human systems. These studies are used to inform and optimize the development and delivery of drug intervention regimes for clinical practice and the pharmaceutical industry.

Nanomedicine & Chemical Biology

This theme applies our expertise in the chemical biology of the fabrication and handling of nanoscopic materials to drug discovery and delivery. Sensing and screening technologies are also an important focus.

Pharmacy Education

Our research in this theme addresses the issue of scholarship in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences with a view to augment our educational research capacity and enhance the methodologies of teaching practice, student learning and curriculum decision-making.

Explore Research Themes

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

Name Research Interests
Burt, Helen Mary Nanotechnology, non-sized drug carriers, nanoparticulte drug delivery
Cairns, Brian Neuropharmacology; Oro-Facial Pain; Pain; Electrophysiology; pain mechanisms; headache; temporomandibular disorders; sex-related differences; peripheral analgesics
Chang, Thomas Drug Metabolism; Pharmacology; Nuclear Receptor; Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes; Cytochrome P450; Gene Expression; Gene regulation
Collier, Abby Drugs in children, Drugs in pregnancy, Developmental pharmacology, Drug metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, primarily of the phase II (conjugation) enzymes, focused on pregnancy and pediatrics
Conklin, Annalijn Chronic Diseases in Elderly; Gender Epidemiology; Health Policies; Professional Practices; Obesity; Social Determinants of Dietary and Metabolic Disorders; Community Health / Public Health; healthy ageing; social nutritional epidemiology; obesity & CVD risk factors; food and nutrition policy; Indigenous health; gender and health equity; healthcare quality improvement; disease management evaluation
Coughtrie, Michael Drug metabolizing enzymes
Cragg, Jacquelyn Drug Effectiveness; Drug Safety; Epidemiology; SCI Progression; neuro-analytics; Neurological diseases; Parkinson’s disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); multiple sclerosis
De Vera, Mary examining how eHealth technologies can support new and existing models of care to improve care delivery and patient outcomes; exploring patients' perspectives and experiences with medication taking and adherence; and evaluating the use and impacts of medications among pregnant women, particularly with inflammatory conditions.
Frankel, Adam Biological and Biochemical Mechanisms; Bioactive Molecules; Organic Molecules and Biomolecules; Proteins; Protein Biochemistry; arginine methylation; post-translational modifications; drug discovery; yeast; autophagy; Chemical Biology
Giaever, Guri Model organisms, human therapeutics, high-throughput cell biology, drug synergy, technologies for understanding relationship between chromatic structure and transcriptional regulation
Hafeli, Urs Pharmacokinetics; Imaging; Radiotherapy; Immunotherapy; Development of Drug Delivery Systems; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radioimmunotherapy; Magnetic Targeting; Targeted Drug Delivery; Novel polymers; Nanoparticles; Microspheres; Microneedles; Bioconjugates
Harrison, Mark measurement and valuation of health, health technology and policy assessment, and preferences for healthcare interventions; evaluation/re-evaluation of the type of health care that is provided, the point in the treatment pathway, and the way in which it is delivered
Hedtrich, Sarah Nanotechnologies; Structural Tissue Engineering / Biomaterials; Inflammatory Respiratory Diseases; Skin; Novel therapies for inflammatory and genetic diseases of human epithelia; Tissue Regeneration and Wound Healing; Topical drug delivery and Nanomedicine; New Biomedical Approaches - Alternatives to Animal Testing
Jarvis-Selinger, Sandra Ann Education, human learning, development, and instruction, education innovation, konwledge translation, teaching excellence, curriculum design, technology
Kumar, Ujendra Somatostatin hormone, molecular pharmacology, Somatostatin, , Hormones, somatostatin, locomotor and cognitive function, neurodegenerative diseases, drugs
Lalji, Fawziah Pharmacoepidemiology; Infectious Diseases; Vaccination; Antibiotics and Resistance; Tuberculosis
Li, Shyh-dar drug delivery; pharmaceutics; nanomedicine; biopharmaceutics
Loewen, Peter Cardiovascular Diseases; Arrhythmia; Thrombosis and Embolism; Heart Failure; Pharmacoepidemiology; Stroke; Health Care Technologies; Professional Practices; Hematology; Decision Making; atrial fibrillation; stroke prevention therapy; adherence to medication; Shared decision-making; pharmacy practice; knowledge translation of evidence to patient care; patient education; clinical prediction rules; prediction of stroke and bleeding in atrial fibrillation patients; patient decision aids; patient complexiometry; healthcare communication technologies; use of mobile technology for clinical decision-making; hospital pharmacy practice; quality of care, quality drug therapy
Lynd, Larry health economics, orphan drugs, pharmaceutical policy, respiratory medicine, epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, rare diseases
Maharaj, Anil
McCormack, James Knowledge translation and evidence-based practice
Nislow, Corey genomics and develops biotechnology tools to address both fundamental and applied biological questions; Parallel genome-wide chemical genomic screens; High throughput cell-based screens; Next Generation Sequencing
Page, Brent Cell Signaling and Cancer; drug discovery; Drug development; Medicinal Chemistry; Chemical Biology; Cancer; Target Engagement; Cell signaling
Rodrigues, Brian Diabetes; Cardiomyopathy; Heart Failure; Energy Metabolism; Cardiovascular metabolism; Endothelial cell - cardiomyocyte crosstalk; Vascular Endothelial Growth factors
Ross, Colin Biomedical Technologies; Gene Therapy; Drug Metabolism; Transgenic Model; Pharmacogenomics; Gene-based therapeutics; Precision Medicine

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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.

Graduate Student Profiles

Petar Iliev

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Developing selective small-molecule probes for STAT3 using thermal stability assays

Michael Rowley

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Development of small-molecule inhibitors against Protein Arginine N-methyltransferase 2

Yuejian Liu

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Structure-function relationships of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases

Danielle Hanke

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)

Medicinal Chemistry

Arwa Nemir

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)

Exploring What Patients Can Teach Us About Pharmacy Student Skills

Sachi Patel

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)

Role of G-Protein Coupled Receptors- Somatostatin and Muscarinic Receptors in Pathophysiology of Huntigton's Disease

Tarique Benbow

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

The CB2 receptor as a potential target for Vascular Headaches

Sumreen Javed

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Understanding Role of Invadopodia in Breast Tumor metastasis via Lymphatics.
All Student Profiles

Alumni on Success

Swamy Yeleswaram

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) [1992]

Job Title
VP

Employer
Incyte Corporation

Gary Lopaschuk

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) [1983]

Job Title
Professor

Employer
University of Alberta
All Alumni Profiles

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 Pharmaceutical Sciences.

 

Author Correction: Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model for anthelmintic discovery (Nature Communications, (2015), 6, 1, (7485), 10.1038/ncomms8485)
Publication: Nature Communications
UBC Author(s): Corey Nislow (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Guri Giaever (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: 1 December 2020

View Publication
A Population Study of Prescribed Opioid-based Pain Reliever Use among Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Canada
Publication: Drug and Alcohol Dependence
UBC Author(s): Jacquelyn Cragg (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 03768716
Volume: 216
Publication Date: 1 November 2020

View Publication
Describing deprescribing trials better: an elaboration of the CONSORT statement
Publication: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
UBC Author(s): James McCormack (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 08954356
Volume: 127
Page Range: 87-95
Publication Date: November 2020

View Publication
Development of a chemical probe against NUDT15
Publication: Nature Chemical Biology
UBC Author(s): Brent Page (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 15524450
Volume: 16
Page Range: 1120-1128
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
The Acute COPD Exacerbation Prediction Tool (ACCEPT): a modelling study
Publication: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
UBC Author(s): Mohsen Sadatsafavi (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 22132600
Volume: 8
Page Range: 1013-1021
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Dr. Balevic, et al reply
Publication: Journal of Rheumatology
UBC Author(s): Anil Maharaj (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 0315162X
Volume: 47
Page Range: 1587
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacogenomic Model for Chinese Children Treated With Lamotrigine Also Applies for Mexican Children
Publication: Therapeutic drug monitoring
UBC Author(s): Colin Ross (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 42
Page Range: 801-802
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Patient and Caregiver Priorities for Medication Adherence in Gout, Osteoporosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Nominal Group Technique
Publication: Arthritis Care and Research
UBC Author(s): Mary De Vera (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 2151464X
Volume: 72
Page Range: 1410-1419
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Comparative distribution of somatostatin and somatostatin receptors in PTU-induced hypothyroidism
Publication: Endocrine
UBC Author(s): Ujendra Kumar (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 1355008X
Volume: 70
Page Range: 92-106
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
The Clinical Research Landscape of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Publication: Journal of Child Neurology
UBC Author(s): Mark Harrison (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 08830738
Volume: 35
Page Range: 763-766
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Loss of function of transcription factor EB remodels lipid metabolism and cell death pathways in the cardiomyocyte
Publication: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
UBC Author(s): Brian Rodrigues (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 09254439
Volume: 1866
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Atrial fibrillation patients’ experiences and perspectives of anticoagulation therapy changes
Publication: Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
UBC Author(s): Peter Shane Loewen (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Mary De Vera (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 15517411
Volume: 16
Page Range: 1409-1415
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Scope of outcomes in trials and observational studies of interventions targeting medication adherence in rheumatic conditions: A systematic review
Publication: Journal of Rheumatology
UBC Author(s): Mary De Vera (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 0315162X
Volume: 47
Page Range: 1565-1574
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Prevention of adverse drug effects: a pharmacogenomic approach
Publication: Current opinion in pediatrics
UBC Author(s): Colin Ross (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 32
Page Range: 646-653
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Preferences for treatments to prevent rheumatoid arthritis in Canada and the influence of shared decision-making
Publication: Clinical Rheumatology
UBC Author(s): Mark Harrison (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 07703198
Volume: 39
Page Range: 2931-2941
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
α<inf>1</inf> adrenergic receptor activation has a dynamic effect on masticatory muscle afferent fibers
Publication: Neuropharmacology
UBC Author(s): Brian Cairns (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 00283908
Volume: 175
Publication Date: 15 September 2020

View Publication
The composition and capacity of the clinical genetics workforce in high-income countries: a scoping review
Publication: Genetics in Medicine
UBC Author(s): Larry Lynd (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 10983600
Volume: 22
Page Range: 1437-1449
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Response
Publication: Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien
UBC Author(s): James McCormack (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 66
Page Range: 636-637
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

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A Randomized, Controlled Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamics Trial of Ambrisentan After Fontan Surgery
Publication: Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies
UBC Author(s): Anil Maharaj (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 15297535
Volume: 21
Page Range: e795-e803
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Association between COPD exacerbations and lung function decline during maintenance therapy
Publication: Thorax
UBC Author(s): Mohsen Sadatsafavi (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 00406376
Volume: 75
Page Range: 744-753
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Predicting Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. Developing a Population Surveillance Approach with Administrative Data
Publication: Annals of the American Thoracic Society
UBC Author(s): Mohsen Sadatsafavi (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 17
Page Range: 1069-1076
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Costs of Workplace Productivity Loss in Patients with Connective Tissue Disease-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Publication: Annals of the American Thoracic Society
UBC Author(s): Mohsen Sadatsafavi (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 17
Page Range: 1077-1084
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Views and experiences of decision-makers on organisational safety culture and medication errors
Publication: International Journal of Clinical Practice
UBC Author(s): Kerry Wilbur (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 13685031
Volume: 74
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
Perspectives Among Canadian Physicians on Factors Influencing Implementation of Mifepristone Medical Abortion: A National Qualitative Study
Publication: Annals of family medicine
UBC Author(s): Judith Soon (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Volume: 18
Page Range: 413-421
Publication Date: 1 September 2020

View Publication
To inhibit TrxR1 is to inactivate STAT3–Inhibition of TrxR1 enzymatic function by STAT3 small molecule inhibitors
Publication: Redox Biology
UBC Author(s): Brent Page (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
ISSN: 22132317
Volume: 36
Publication Date: September 2020

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
2020 Dr. Atiquzzaman revealed the mediating role of NSAIDs in the increased risk of heart diseases among osteoarthritis patients. He also evaluated the cardiovascular safety of various NSAIDs used to treat osteoarthritis. This will help to understand the link between osteoarthritis and heart disease better and improve the safe treatment of this disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2020 Dr. Johnson evaluated strategies for improving the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She found that early detection strategies for COPD are cost-effective, and that the risk of COPD should be assessed regularly at primary care visits. Her research can help to reduce the burden of COPD on patients and the healthcare system. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Current HIV treatment can effectively manage infection, but it is not a cure. Hence, there is a need for new kinds of anti-HIV drugs. Dr. Zamiri discovered two anti-HIV molecules active in both wild and drug resistant HIV strains. Her research suggests a mechanism of action different from the current HIV drugs and may inform future therapies. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Dr. Gorrin constructed a model based on his conversations with people with asthma and measured how participants in two asthma studies reported their medication usage. The integration of his findings helped to understand why some people don't take the medication and how to encourage regular medication usage. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Drug discovery can be lengthy, complicated and requires extensive resources. Working in partnership with the pharmacy and chemistry departments, Dr. Koperniku explored access to pharmaceutically relevant small molecules. Her work advances the optimization of pharmaceuticals and informs improved patient care. Her past and future dedication is to serve humanity. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Dr. Wang found out that heparanase, using its properties to promote cell survival, protect the heart cells against multiple stresses frequently seen in patients with ischemia and diabetes-induced heart diseases, in both cell experiments and animal studies. This research could help devise new strategies to combat heart diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Dr. Lambert investigated causes of pain in fibromyalgia and determined that specialized immune cells in the brain may play a critical role. She also created two novel molecules which act on the endocannabinoid system to reduce the pain-causing actions of these immune cells. Her work may form the basis of a new therapeutic strategy for chronic pain. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Dr. Buchwalder developed a new class of molecules to bind radioactive isotopes and attach them to disease targeting vectors. Specifically, he found that ligand molecules bind zirconium ions particularly strongly. His work contributes to the development of better diagnostic and potentially therapeutic agents for applications in nuclear medicine. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2019 Aberrant telomere length maintenance can lead to premature aging disorders. Dr. Xu studied genetic modifiers of telomere maintenance and revealed their contributions to the variable manifestations in telomere biology disorders. This study will help to build individualized models for the prediction of short telomere-associated disease presentations. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
2018 Many drugs exhibit poor solubility, limiting their absorption and clinical efficacy. Dr. Tang developed a novel approach using nanotechnology to formulate these drugs with improved solubility. His research work demonstrated the utilities of this approach in delivering these drugs more effectively and safely. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

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Interesting Links

https://phargsubc.wixsite.com/phargsubc
http://stories.pharmsci.ubc.ca/health-outcomes-research-mark-harrison
http://stories.pharmsci.ubc.ca/research-in-focus-understanding-the-g-quadruplex