Advancing BC’s world-class research talent: Health Research BC funds 71 Scholars and Research Trainees

15 September 2022

Health Research BC’s funding for 71 researchers through the 2022 Scholar and Research Trainee competitions will help develop, attract and retain BC’s best and brightest health researchers and support the advancement of world-class health research in BC.

The Scholar and Research Trainee Programs specifically support BC’s next generation of health researchers. This year’s awardees are investigating diverse research areas including: community-based health projects guided by Indigenous approaches to health and research in BC’s interior; interventions to reduce overdose during dual public health emergencies; supports for older adults with cancer; access to breastfeeding support in BC; and, mental health for men through social connection.

The award recipients are conducting research at many institutions across BC including University of Victoria, UBC Okanagan, Interior Health Authority, Women’s Health Research Institute, and BC Children’s Hospital Research Centre.

The Scholar Program supports early-career health researchers who are building leading-edge health research programs, training the next generation of scientists and expanding their potential to make significant contributions to their field.

The Research Trainee Program supports health researchers in the training phase of their research career to enable career development and enrich BC’s health research talent.

“Congratulations to this year’s outstanding award recipients,” says Dr. Danielle Lavallee, vice-president, research at Michael Smith Health Research BC. “As BC’s health research agency, we are committed to building research talent for BC’s future. We are supporting a broad range of research areas addressing the needs and opportunities of BC’s diverse regions through institutions across the province. It’s exciting to be supporting research that will improve our health system and ultimately improve the health of the communities and people in British Columbia.”

One of our 2022 Scholar awardees, Dr. Stephanie Sellers’ work primarily focuses on determining the mechanisms of heart valve disease and artificial heart valve dysfunction as well as advancing imaging techniques for cardiovascular disease. Health Research BC’s funding will help her grow her research program and expand partnerships beyond BC to facilitate knowledge translation.

“This award is essential for the growth of my research team and program that aim to contribute to improving care for heart valve disease through fundamental and translational science,” says Dr. Sellers, assistant professor, UBC Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiology based at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation at St. Paul’s Hospital. “The resources provided by this award and Health Research BC are critical to maintain and expand the local, national, and international partnerships that enable our research work and help facilitate knowledge translation.”

Partnerships are integral to helping develop BC’s health research talent. This year, Health Research BC has partnered with six organizations to co-fund 3 Scholar awards and 7 Research Trainee awards. These partnerships allow Health Research BC to fund more researchers while helping partners optimize their research dollars to advance their research priorities.

Thank you to the 2022 Scholar and Research Trainee award partners: