2022 Research Trainee award recipients

The Research Trainee Program supports health researchers in the training phase of their research career to enable career development and the long-term success of the BC health research landscape. We are pleased to name 45 exceptional BC-based health researchers as this year’s award recipients.

Alberto Delaidelli

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Medulloblastoma plasma membrane proteomics to inform optimal immunotherapy design

Alexandra Kent

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Advancing anti-colonial implementation science and knowledge translation with the xacqanaǂ itkiniǂ (Many Ways of Working on the Same Thing) research team

Amanda Butler

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Transforming prisons and improving health outcomes for people who use drugs: An evaluation of BC’s prison-based therapeutic community

Anne-Sophie Archambault

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Regulation of anabolic metabolism in anti-tumour T cells

Ashok Narasimhan

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Sex specific characterization of microRNAs in fibroadipogenic progenitors in cancer cachexia

Benneth Ben-Azu

Host institution

University of Victoria

Partner(s)

BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation

Project title

Outcomes of a ketogenic dietary intervention on the gut microbiome-microglial brain axis and schizophrenia-like behaviour in mice exposed to a double-hit immune challenge

Carly Magee

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation

Project title

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to adequate care for serious mental disorders in British Columbia

Codie Primeau

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Pain and healthcare experiences of sex and gender minority citizens living with chronic pain in Canada

Daniel Marinescu

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The association of genetic risk factors with morphology and outcomes in interstitial lung disease

Efthymios Kyriakis

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Cryo-EM studies of activators and inhibitors of KCNQ1 and KCNQ1:KCNE1 channel complexes

Eric Eyolfson

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Fibrinogen promotes a microglial-mediated inflammatory response following adolescent repetitive mild traumatic brain injury

Farhia Kabeer

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Predictive biomarkers for ovarian cancer treatment: Analysis of patient of derived xenografts under treatment at single cell resolution

Gillian Goobie

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Air pollution as a modulator of molecular, structural, and clinical outcomes in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease

Haoning Howard Cen

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Proteome-wide mechanisms of hyperinsulinemia and sucrose-induced, tissue-specific insulin resistance

Haoyu Deng

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated regulation of HDL cholesterol levels and clinical outcomes in sepsis

Jesse Charlton

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Exploration through movement variability: How does the presence of pain affect the movement variability-adaptation process of walking?

Jia Zhao

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

A novel stem cell model for human islet development and cytoarchitecture

Jordan Hamden

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

CLEAR Foundation

Project title

The role of Inflammatory bowel disease in the development of Alzheimer's disease

Justin Andrushko

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The relationship between the cortico-reticulospinal tract and motor function in stroke survivors

Katherine Kooij

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Engagement in opioid agonist therapy and risk for repeat overdose in people living with and without HIV who experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose: Providing insight to improve clinical care

Team members

Kotaro Suzuki

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Evaluating the role and therapeutic value of Asparagine Endopeptidase (AEP) in prostate cancer

Kwangjin Park

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Roles of the Lysine Methyl Transferase (KMT) 2d in hepatocyte identity and hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Mahsa Khalili

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences

Project title

Multimodal characterization and classification of bio-signals to predict cardiac arrest

Marek Budzynski

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Mitotic bookmarking by transcription factors as a mechanism of transcriptional memory

Marlise Hofer

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

The impact of olfactory dysfunction on social and mental health

Matteo Ponzano

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Impact of a combined exercise and counselling intervention on mental health in people with spinal cord injury who live with chronic pain: A psychobiological approach

Megan Rowland

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The role of Baf53b in regulating neuronal gene expression and autism behaviours across development

Michael Asamoah-Boaheng

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences

Project title

Determination of the optimal SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategy to achieve a robust and long-lasting immune response

Michael Tymko

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The role of the innate immune system in hypoxic ischemic brain injury post cardiac arrest

Muhammad Zohaib Anwar

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Improving genomic epidemiology methodologies and practice through interdisciplinary data integration and analysis

Olivia De-Jongh González

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Unravelling the complexity of familial influences that shape children's obesity-related behaviors over time

Paul Sharp

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Buddy Up for men’s mental health: Engaging men through mutual help and social connection

Raghu Sundaresan Nagalingam

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Examining stress mediated profibrotic response in HCM associated TNNT2 variants

Sarah Wu

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Making room at the table: Understanding the mealtime experiences of racialized residents and their families in long-term care

Stephen Milne

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Dissecting heterogeneity in COPD: A functional imaging-guided-omics study

Sze Lok Fan

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Improving access to breastfeeding support in British Columbia: Needs assessment of a virtual health intervention

Thais Carrilho

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Defining optimal pregnancy weight gain ranges for Canadian women

Tiev Miller

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD)

Project title

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation for treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction following spinal cord injury

Vera-Ellen Lucci

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Mechanisms underlying syncope: Defining the role of postural sway and gastric distension, and investigating the possibility of a cerebral trigger

Viviane Josewski

Host institution

University of Northern British Columbia

Project title

Envisioning urban Indigenous-led pathways to mental wellness through community-based research in the interior of British Columbia and new partner engagement in the north

Waleed Alduaij

Host institution

BC Cancer

Project title

Molecular determinants of pathogenesis and clinical outcomes in high-grade B-cell lymphoma

Yashodani Pillay

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Smart Discharges for Mom+Baby: Saving mother-newborn dyads by developing a predictive risk model to identify vulnerable dyads and guide delivery of post-discharge care

Yasir Mohamud

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Heart Lung Innovation
St. Paul's Foundation

Project title

Innate immune mechanisms of viral myocarditis: Role of the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway

Yusi Miao

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Advanced multi-functional in vivo retinal imaging for ocular oncology