New cohort of researchers leading the way to better health outcomes

Michael Smith Health Research BC is funding 23 new Scholars and 14 Health Professional-Investigators (HP-I), through the 2024 competitions. 

As BC’s health research agency, we continue building on our legacy of talent development and research capacity building. Through these awards, we are expanding support to researchers across the province to deliver evidence to improve the health of British Columbians. 

Celebrating the 2024 awardees

This year’s recipients include registered nurses, a physical therapist, a dietitian, a genetic counsellor, a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a pharmacist and physicians – individuals all making substantial contributions to their fields. 

This diverse group of health professionals and early career researchers are tackling important health challenges. Funding provided by these awards enables recipients to conduct critical research, develop innovative treatments, and translate their findings into practices that benefit people across BC. 

The 2024 awardees are performing research at provincial organizations, including the University of Victoria, interior Health, UBC-Okanagan, and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital.

Scholar award recipients 

Scholar awards support early career health researchers, allowing them to form their own research teams and research programs. Recipients dedicate 75 percent of their time to health research activities. 

The 23 Scholar recipients are investigating diverse research areas including: developing a platform for improving asthma prevention in Canada; co-creating age and dementia-friendly communities; and advancing equitable cancer care. 

Among the awardees is Simon Fraser University’s Dr. Molly Cairncross. Molly and her team are focused on developing accessible digital interventions for concussion, connecting youth and their families to care. “The award will provide essential resources to make this work possible and support my phenomenal research team. As an early-career scholar, I am incredibly grateful to have more dedicated time to focus on my program of research.” 

• Full list of 2024 Scholar award recipients

Health Professional-Investigator award recipients 

HP-I awards support health professionals involved in patient care to build their health research programs and train the next generation of scientists. 

A large number of the 2024 recipients’ research is focused on health equity; such as Stephen Chia’s project on understanding and overcoming disparity in breast cancer patients care in rural BC; Jessica Chan’s focus on developing equity-centered language with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to reduce anti-Indigenous discrimination in healthcare; and Scott Ramsay’s research on using an equity-informed approach to enhance care for children and youth with a neurological condition. 

A registered nurse, Scott says “Receiving this award will allow me to focus on my goal of decreasing disease and injury in the pediatric neurology population and improve their health and well-being. I will take these experiences to train the next generation of health professionals in the classroom, utilizing clinical and research examples.” 

• Full list of 2024 Health Professional-Investigator award recipients

Strong partnerships 

Partnerships are integral to helping develop BC’s health research talent. This year, Health Research BC has partnered with organizations to co-fund five Scholar and HP-I awards. Thank you to the 2024 award partners: 

• Alzheimer Society of BC
• BC Cancer Foundation
• Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation
• St. Paul’s Foundation and BC Centre on Substance Use 

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

“Supporting and empowering health researchers is key to advancing knowledge, which can lead to better health care and improved outcomes for people in BC and beyond”. says Dr. Ellie Griffith, assistant VP, research programs, Health Research BC. “Huge congratulations to the 2024 award recipients!”

2025 competitions

At Health Research BC, we continue to ensure our funding programs address the changing needs of the health research system. This includes creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive health research system. For competitions opening in October, we are introducing an Indigenous health review panel. Learn more and view guidelines: 

Scholar Program
Health Professional-Investigator Program

Stay up-to-date  

If you have questions about any of our funding competitions or programs, reach out to our Help Desk.  

Receive the latest news and updates by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on X and LinkedIn. 

Learn more about Health Research BC funding programs.