2025 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 35 exceptional BC-based health researchers as this year’s award recipients.

Alanna Shwed

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Building Capacity for Research Partnerships: A Health Learning System Approach

Anh Khoa Vo

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Exploring the Intersection of Race, Chronic Pain, Substance Use, and Overdose among People Living with HIV: A Mediation Analysis

Aniqa Shahid

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Project title

Origins and consequences of Persistent Low-Level HIV Viremia During Antiretroviral Therapy

Anthony Wong

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Mapping and Enhancing mRNA Vaccine Delivery & Immune Activation for SARS-CoV-2

Carolyn Wang

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Characterizing the effects of cannabis smoking on airway epithelial cell reprogramming

Daniele Ferrari

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Exploring the Role of Granzyme B in Aging-Related Pruritus: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

Emad Yuzbashian Sharifabad

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Personalized nutrition for inflammatory bowel disease: Predicting dietary responses based on gut microbiome and baseline factors

Emily Gemmell

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Urban environments to support healthy cognitive aging

Hiten Naik

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Health Quality BC

Project title

Reducing harms associated with ‘before medically advised’ hospital discharge

Jacob Hutton

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes

Project title

Validation and Implementation of a Wearable Cardiac Arrest Detection System in Clinical and Community Settings

Jade Witten

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The Implementation and Effectiveness of a Peer Support Program for People Living with Brain Injury in British Columbia

Jean Damascene Makuza

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

The Hepatitis C Cascade of Care among people in the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, British Columbia: a population-based study

Jordan Broberg

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Effect of Lateral Meniscus Posterior Root Tears and Repairs on the Mechanics of the Loaded Knee

Kelsey Timler

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Educational pathways for holistic health and transformative social justice in prisons in British Columbia

Kenneth Noguchi

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Power Exercise for Stroke Recovery: A Multi-Site Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Lara Hudspith

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Advancing the Health of Victim-Survivors of Sexual Assault: The Role of the Forensic Medical Examination

Linda Truong

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Pushing musculoskeletal primary care to new frontiers: Musculoskeletal Comprehensive Assessment and Response in Emergency (MSK CARE) clinic in the Fraser Health Authority

Mallory Flynn

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Project title

Heterogeneity of risk of substance-related harms in British Columbians - using machine learning and statistical models to predict individual overdose risk with administrative healthcare data

Miguel Cordova Delgado

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

A multi-layer genomic analysis to understand the biological basis of corticosteroid-induced AVN in children with cancer: Toward precision health strategies.

Monika Kowatsch

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Hormones and Inflammation among Women Living with HIV

Pauline Loos

Host institution

BC Cancer

Project title

Leveraging the native TCR with mRNA vaccines to enhance CAR T cell therapy in solid tumours.

Printha Wijesinghe

Partner(s)

CLEAR Foundation

Project title

Unraveling Apolipoprotein E's Role in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into miRNA & Glial Regulation and Amyloid Pathology.

Ramona Weber

Host institution

Simon Fraser University

Partner(s)

Centre for Heart Lung Innovation
St. Paul's Foundation

Project title

Exercise therapy to reverse sepsis-induced immune suppression

Robert Reklow

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

AID-PCD: Assessing Immunofluorescence for Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Robert Wright

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Drug resistant CAR Tregs to promote transplant tolerance

Ryan Stillwagon

Host institution

University of Victoria

Project title

Nourishing Inclusion: Integrating Two-Spirit, Trans, and Queer Communities into Food Security Solutions in British Columbia

Sandeep Dhillon

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Understanding the social processes of cancer self-management amongst South Asian older adults with chronic health conditions

Seth McCarthy

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Exercise Snacks in Adults Living with Obesity

Stefano Sorrentino

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

CLEAR Foundation

Project title

Alzheimer brain through 3D bioprinting patient-derived stem cells

Talia Salzman

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

ACTIVE: Adding Life to Years in Cognitive Frailty by Preventing Falls and Promoting Cognitive Function

Trevor Wideman

Host institution

Vancouver Island University

Project title

Bridging the Gaps: Building Compassionate, Collaborative Responses to the Toxic Drug Poisoning Crisis in Small British Columbia Cities

Verena Rossa-Roccor

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Climate change and youth mental health and wellbeing: a population-based study and participatory knowledge-to-action project

Wesam Farag

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Partner(s)

Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Project title

Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors to Improve Neurovascular Coupling in Alzheimer's Disease

Yongjin Lim

Host institution

University of British Columbia

Project title

Unraveling the immunotherapy obesity paradox in triple-negative breast cancer

Zachary Morse

Host institution

BC Cancer

Project title

Investigating gene-edited CAR T cells as an effective therapy in cancer