Announcing the 2025 Research Trainee awardees
15 October 2025
Health Research BC is proud to fund 35 emerging researchers through the 2025 Research Trainee Program.
These awards give postdoctoral and health professional researchers in training the vital support they need to focus on high-quality research, drive real improvements in health outcomes, and ultimately build their careers right here in BC. Their work spans a wide range of areas – from improving brain and heart health, to developing cancer and infectious disease treatments, tackling mental health and substance use challenges, and promoting health equity through stronger community and health system responses.
A strong health research system depends on growing and retaining diverse, highly skilled researchers. Since 2001, Health Research BC has awarded more than 1,400 Research Trainee awards, supporting the launch of many careers in research, biotech, health policy, and other sectors. This continued investment ensures BC’s health research system can meet evolving talent needs and strengthens the province’s research capacity for the future.
See full list of the 2025 awardees
Partnering for impact
By working together, Health Research BC and its partners support researchers in shared priorities, amplifying the impact of their work. Thank you to the 2025 award partners who will co-fund seven Research Trainee awards with us:
- BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes
- Health Quality BC
- Alzheimer Society of BC
- CLEAR Foundation (two awards)
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation and St. Paul’s Foundation
2026 guidelines now available
Guidelines for the 2026 Research Trainee competition are now available, with applications opening October 30.
This year’s competition continues to build on our commitment to supporting diverse research talent and respectfully advancing culturally safe funding process, incorporating learnings from our inaugural Indigenous Health Research panel. Awardees whose projects meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities will be eligible for top-up funding of up to $10,000 to strengthen relationships, build capacity, and promote culturally safe practices.
For more information, visit the Research Trainee Program page and attend the information session:
November 5, 2025, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
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Dr. Verena Rossa-Roccor, University of British Columbia 2025 Research Trainee awardee Verena is exploring how climate change impacts the mental health of BC youth and what factors — like activism and pro-environmental behaviours — can protect wellbeing. Using data from over 250,000 youths, Verena is working with community partners to co-create a policy advocacy program that empowers young people to take action while supporting their mental health. “I am thrilled and grateful to receive this award. I am passionate about bridging the gap between research and policy and about empowering voices that are often silenced in these spaces. This fellowship allows me to put my PhD training to work and support young people in Canada as they advocate for better climate policy to protect their mental health and wellbeing.” |
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Dr. Trevor Wideman, Vancouver Island University 2025 Research Trainee awardee Trevor is examining how municipal policies and community partnerships can better respond to BC’s toxic drug poisoning crisis. His research brings together municipal staff, healthcare providers, and affected individuals in Vancouver Island communities to identify gaps and build compassionate, collaborative responses. “This award will support my growth as an independent, interdisciplinary researcher focused on the causes and impacts of, and responses to, health and social crises in smaller BC cities. It will enable me to deepen my project management skills and build long-term, community-based relationships in cities across Vancouver Island.” |
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Dr. Printha Wijesinghe, University of British Columbia 2025 Research Trainee awardee | Co-funded by CLEAR Foundation Printha is studying how a protein called APOE affects brain health and contributes to Alzheimer’s disease. By looking at changes in the brain, eyes, and even tears, her research aims to find early warning signs of the disease through simple, non-invasive tests that could detect the disease sooner and guide new treatments. “This award has empowered me to advance independent research exploring tear-based biomarkers (e.g., microRNAs) in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, using both transgenic mouse models and human samples. This support has strengthened my career by allowing me to investigate how age, sex, and APOE status influence early disease mechanisms and non-invasive diagnostics.” |
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If you have questions about any of our 2025 funding competitions or programs, reach out to us via our help desk.
