Building a healthier future: Announcing the 2025 Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator awardees

BC researchers are at the forefront of tackling our province’s most pressing health challenges, advancing knowledge across biomedical, clinical, health system, and population health research. This year, 26 outstanding scientists and health professionals will receive Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) salary awards, providing the support they need to expand their impact.

• 15 Scholar awardees are building innovative research programs and mentoring the next generation of scientists. See full list
• 11 HP-I awardees are building research programs informed by patient care. See full list

Awardees come from across BC, reflecting the importance of research shaped by, and responsive to, diverse communities.

This year’s competition marked the first time our peer review process included an Indigenous health research panel. We are grateful to the Indigenous scholars, advisors, community partners, consultants, and panel members whose guidance helped ensure a culturally safe funding process. We remain committed to building capacity for the review and support of Indigenous health research, while recognizing the importance of continued learning in this work.

Partnerships for impact

Partnerships are integral to maximizing research impact, and this year is no exception. Thank you to the 2025 award partners who will co-fund five Scholar and HP-I awards with us:

• Parkinson Society British Columbia
• BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation
• CLEAR Foundation
• Alzheimer Society of BC
• Foundry

These partnerships help secure additional funding and provide vital connections between researchers, partner organizations, and patient groups. Learn more about partnerships

Positioning BC’s research system for the future

Looking ahead, we will pause the Scholar and HP-I programs while we engage the research community in discussions about talent needs and gaps. We will work alongside other organizations to develop appropriate responses to the challenges and opportunities facing research talent in British Columbia.

Dr. Farah Mawani, University of Victoria 2025 Scholar awardee Farah is advancing an anti-racist approach to implementation science, tackling systemic racism and its impact on mental health. Her research adapts and scales evidence-based community programs while training researchers and lived experience leaders in anti-racist practices to drive system-wide change. “My Health Research BC Scholar Award will be invaluable in providing protected time and resources for my ambitious partnership; research; and policy, practice, and training impact goals.”

Dr. Jason Chan, Fraser Health Authority 2025 HP-I awardee | Co-funded by Parkinson Society BC Jason is studying how Parkinson’s medications affect the brain. Using non-invasive imaging, he tracks changes in brain activity and symptoms after patients take their medication. His research aims to explain why people respond differently and to help tailor treatments for better results. “As an early-career clinician researcher, a Michael Smith Health Research BC / Parkinson Society of British Columbia Health Professional-Investigator Award allows me to maintain and progress with the momentum I acquired throughout my clinical and research training. It will allow me to establish and develop a productive and sustainable research program.”

Dr. Gabrielle Legault, UBC Okanagan 2025 Scholar awardee | Successful Indigenous health research panel review Gabrielle is co-developing research approaches that strengthen the role of urban Indigenous communities in shaping health research. This work will improve how research is conducted and used to support Indigenous health priorities. “This work will build trust between Indigenous communities and health institutions, promote Indigenous data sovereignty, and enhance knowledge mobilization centered on Indigenous worldviews.”

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