2021 Scholar award recipients

The Scholar Program is designed to support early career researchers as they establish independent research careers, form their own research teams and develop research programs that advance cutting-edge health solutions.

We are pleased to name 32 exceptional BC-based health researchers as 2021 Scholar award recipients in areas that range from addressing food insecurities in a changing climate to managing childhood obesity, to informing the future of primary care.

Ali Bashashati

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

AI-driven integration of omics and histopathology for biomarker discovery in cancer

Anna Blakney

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Antibody therapies encoded in self-amplifying RNA

Annalijn Conklin

Partner: Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences

Project title

A program of social epidemiology and metabolic outcomes research (SEMOR) to support healthy aging

Annie Ciernia

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The role of microglia in neurodevelopmental disorders

Benjamin Matthews

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The neuroscience and molecular genetics of mosquito chemosensation

Brianne Kent

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Investigating the role of sleep disruption in the progressive memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease

Cheryl Heykoop

Host institution

Royal Roads University

Project title

Transforming adolescent and young adult cancer care in BC in partnership with patients and cancer care allies

Christine Voss

Partners: Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management and Interior Health

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
Interior Health

Project title

Physical activity and the clinical management of chronic diseases in children who reside in rural and remote communities in BC's Interior

Connor Kerns

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Defining and detecting traumatic events and symptoms in autism

Ethan Greenblatt

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Determining the molecular basis of fragile X disorders

Farinaz Havaei

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Promoting workplace psychological health and safety of the nursing workforce in the long-term care sector

Hilla Weidberg

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Molecular mechanisms of sensing and repairing dysfunctional mitochondria

Jacquelyn Cragg

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

SCI pharmacovigilance: A drug safety platform to improve neurologic outcomes in spinal cord injury

James Lan

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Implementation of a Canadian willingness to cross program: A strategy to increase access to kidney transplantation for highly sensitized patients

Joshua Giles

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Developing patient-specific technologies to improve functional outcomes following joint replacement

Kendra Furber

Host institution

University of Northern British Columbia

Project title

Cellular and molecular determinants of myelination across the lifespan

Kendra Rieger

Host institution

Trinity Western University

Project title

Responding to the truth and reconciliation calls to action in healthcare through the arts as a way of knowing, disrupting and healing

Kiffer Card

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Exploring mechanisms, pathways, and mitigation strategies to prevent loneliness, social isolation, and their deleterious health impacts

Laura Evgin

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Leveraging TCR reactivity using viruses and vaccines to improve CAR T therapy

Lindsay Hedden

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Informing the future of primary care: Virtual care, workforce optimization and the learning health system

Lisa Julian

Partner: Parkinson Society British Columbia

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Partner(s)

Parkinson Society British Columbia

Project title

Organelle signalling in stem cell identity specification

Lisa Reynolds

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

The impact of parasites and microbes on immunity at mammalian mucosal surfaces

Matthew Little

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Addressing food insecurity and the double burden of malnutrition in a changing climate

Matthew O Wiens

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Smart discharges to improve post-discharge survival in young infants following admission for infection

Maxwell Libbrecht

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Understanding human genome regulation through robust and multi-scale reference chromatin state annotations across hundreds of human cell types

Nicole Templeman

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Exploring the role of insulin in regulating female reproductive health and age-related reproductive decline

Nika Shakiba

Partner: Parkinson Society British Columbia

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Parkinson Society British Columbia

Project title

Unlocking the competitive potential of pluripotent stem cells: Towards novel stem cell therapeutics

Sam Liu

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Childhood obesity management using innovative digital technology

Samantha Dawson

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Couples' perinatal sexual health and well-being

Sana Shahram

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Systems transformation for health equity: The PHAIRNESS Research Program

Sandy Shultz

Host institution

Vancouver Island University

Project title

Biomarkers and interventions for mild traumatic brain injury and intimate partner violence

Sarah Dow-Fleisner

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The ADAPT Project: Adaptation, Development, and Positive Trajectories in the context of childhood adversity