@VCHResearch
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute — Leading innovative research with health impact in Canada. vchri.ca
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Top Graduating Doctoral Student Award and Rising Star Award 2026 Recipients
Top Graduating Doctoral Student Award and Rising Star Award 2026 Recipients
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) is proud to support future research leaders with the Top Graduating Doctoral Student Awards and the Rising Star Awards. These awards recognize the outstanding efforts of VCHRI trainees whose pursuit of research has made them exceptional role models and valued contributors to the Vancouver Coastal Health and University of British Columbia research community. The 2026 Top Graduating Doctoral Student Award recipient is: Beverley Larssen The 2026 Rising Star Award recipients are:
Why clinical trials matter to the future of health care in B.C. | Vancouver Sun
Why clinical trials matter to the future of health care in B.C. | Vancouver Sun
Opinion: Patients in this province should have opportunities to access innovative therapies closer to home.
Clinical Trials at VCHRI
Clinical Trials at VCHRI
Discover how VCHRI provides administrative, legal and financial support for clinical research activities at Vancouver Coastal Health.
What are clinical trials?
What are clinical trials?
Ask an expert: How can I navigate a bladder cancer diagnosis?
Ask an expert: How can I navigate a bladder cancer diagnosis?
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting the urinary system, yet many people remain unaware of its risk factors and warning signs. Recent research is expanding our understanding of bladder cancer biology and helping shape more personalized approaches to care, from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.
Navigating breastfeeding after spinal cord injury
Navigating breastfeeding after spinal cord injury
In Canada, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of a baby’s life, with continued breastfeeding encouraged into the toddler years. Yet, for women with spinal cord injury (SCI), this can present unique physiological and clinical challenges.
People in profile: Smita Roy
People in profile: Smita Roy
Q: What is your role in health research? A: I am a graduate research assistant at the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation (C2E2), working under the supervision of Dr. Craig Mitton. I support the Health Technology Assessment team on a range of projects. My responsibilities include conducting systematic reviews for evidence synthesis, analyzing data, contributing to the development of analytical frameworks and assisting with report writing.
Fostering connection in long-term care with the help of social robots
Fostering connection in long-term care with the help of social robots
As Canada’s aging population continues to grow, so does the demand for innovative solutions to enhance the care and quality of life for older adults. At the forefront of this technological shift is Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Lillian Hung, whose new study explored the potential of social robots to support well-being among residents of long-term care homes.
Behind the lab doors: Investigating blood biomarkers as a window into brain health at Wellington Laboratory
Behind the lab doors: Investigating blood biomarkers as a window into brain health at Wellington Laboratory
The brain is the most complex organ to understand, both in health and disease. Today, doctors rely on observable symptoms or use costly and sometimes inaccessible neuroimaging or invasive cerebrospinal fluid analysis to assess patients with brain disorders. Brain-derived biomarkers measured in the blood have the potential to transform diagnosis and prognosis for neurological conditions, while improving accessibility and reducing the need for patient travel.
Investigator Awards 2026 Recipients
Investigator Awards 2026 Recipients
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) supports clinician-scientists in advancing discoveries that improve the health and well-being of patients across the lifespans. The Investigator Awards provide salary support to leading health research investigators, helping reduce their clinical commitments and expand their capacity for innovation-driven research that creates new health care knowledge. The 2026 VCHRI Investigator Awards recipients are:
What is targeted temperature management?
What is targeted temperature management?
Walking the halls of the emergency department as a cardiology fellow, Dr. Christopher Fordyce saw how some cardiac arrest patients waited longer than others to receive an essential cooling treatment. It occurred to Fordyce, who is now a cardiologist at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and a Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher, that the varying times before a cooling treatment was administered might impact patients’ health outcomes.
Helping people breathe easier in a changing climate | VCH Research Institute
Helping people breathe easier in a changing climate | VCH Research Institute
With climate change intensifying, British Columbia is experiencing longer wildfire seasons and more frequent heat waves. These weather events pose serious health risks, particularly for people living with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
On-hand support while awaiting eating disorder care
On-hand support while awaiting eating disorder care
For people living with eating disorders, seeking help can be one of the most difficult steps toward recovery. Even after reaching out, many people still experience distress and loss of motivation for recovery during the period before treatment begins.
Ask an expert: How does second- and third-hand smoke affect my health?
Ask an expert: How does second- and third-hand smoke affect my health?
Whether you smoke or not, exposure to second- and third-hand smoke can have lasting effects on your lungs. Research is uncovering the invisible risks tied to cancer, respiratory disease and other health concerns. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Milan Khara and Lauren Wilkinson, Tobacco and Vapour Reduction Program coordinator, shed light on how the air around us affects our well-being.
Fitness app users make gains with carrots, not sticks
Fitness app users make gains with carrots, not sticks
Gamifying daily fitness using carrots instead of sticks was the goal of a step-tracking smartphone app called Carrot Rewards. Under the direction of Dr. Guy Faulkner, a Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher and specialist in applied public health, researchers examined associations between the app’s micro-incentives and which users reached their daily step goals.
People in profile: Gale Ladua
People in profile: Gale Ladua
Q: What is your role in health research? A: I work as a clinical research coordinator under the guidance of Dr. Sara Belga in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of British Columbia (UBC). My responsibilities include managing ethics applications, recruiting study participants and collecting data. It’s the perfect blend of desk work and people work, which keeps each day interesting.
Canadians are at high risk of kidney stones: Dietary interventions could help
Canadians are at high risk of kidney stones: Dietary interventions could help
Kidney stones are one of the most common health concerns affecting Canadians, with new research led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Connor Forbes revealing that 99 per cent of Canadians are unknowingly eating in ways that could increase their risk of developing the condition. These findings highlight a critical gap in public knowledge: while many people are not yet dealing with kidney stones, their dietary habits may be setting them up for future risk.
Wearable alert system to prevent Parkinson’s medication ‘wearing off’ symptoms
Wearable alert system to prevent Parkinson’s medication ‘wearing off’ symptoms
Now retired from working as a project manager in the tech industry, Margaret Hanson’s active lifestyle is intimidating. The 68-year-old rock climbs, mountain climbs, hikes, skis, goes on backpacking trips — mainly with her husband of 18 years, Tony — and still seems to have energy to spare. However, in December 2016, just nine months after celebrating her retirement, Hanson received news that no one ever wants to hear.
Appointment of Dr. Teresa Tsang as Executive Lead and Scientific Director, VCHRI AI Hub
Appointment of Dr. Teresa Tsang as Executive Lead and Scientific Director, VCHRI AI Hub
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Teresa Tsang as Executive Lead and Scientific Director, VCHRI AI Hub, effective immediately through February 28, 2031. Dr. Tsang is a professor of cardiology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She currently serves as director of echocardiography at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital, and as director of the UBC Artificial Intelligence Echo Core Lab.
One chord at a time: Community ukulele program builds connection for people living with dementia
One chord at a time: Community ukulele program builds connection for people living with dementia
Over 700,000 people currently live with a neurocognitive disorder or dementia in Canada. With 61% of them living in a community setting, there is a growing need for equitable, person-centred engagement and accessible community programs that challenge stigma and foster inclusion.
People in profile: Naomi Jung
People in profile: Naomi Jung
Bringing cardiac recovery home
Bringing cardiac recovery home
What is deep brain stimulation?
What is deep brain stimulation?
Behind the lab doors: Brain Behaviour Laboratory
Behind the lab doors: Brain Behaviour Laboratory
Revolutionizing powered wheelchair training for spinal cord injury recovery
Revolutionizing powered wheelchair training for spinal cord injury recovery
Ask an expert: How does glaucoma affect my vision?
Ask an expert: How does glaucoma affect my vision?
Low sexual desire therapy calls for all hands on deck
Low sexual desire therapy calls for all hands on deck
Welcoming Dr. Stirling Bryan: A Q&A with VCHRI Interim Executive Director
Welcoming Dr. Stirling Bryan: A Q&A with VCHRI Interim Executive Director
Behind the lab doors: Accelerating discoveries in precision medicine at the Advanced Genomics & Computational Science Core
Behind the lab doors: Accelerating discoveries in precision medicine at the Advanced Genomics & Computational Science Core
Early detection of lung attacks in COPD
Early detection of lung attacks in COPD
People in profile: Alvin Kimbowa
People in profile: Alvin Kimbowa
Uncovering the silent threat of liver disease in Greater Vancouver
Uncovering the silent threat of liver disease in Greater Vancouver
Harnessing AI to improve ovarian cancer outcomes
Harnessing AI to improve ovarian cancer outcomes
Home blood pressure monitoring to curb uncontrolled hypertension
Home blood pressure monitoring to curb uncontrolled hypertension
Smart wearables for faster cardiac arrest emergency response
Smart wearables for faster cardiac arrest emergency response
Machine learning for handheld cardiac ultrasounds
Machine learning for handheld cardiac ultrasounds
Increasing survival from high-risk heart attacks with EARLY SHOCK
Increasing survival from high-risk heart attacks with EARLY SHOCK
Early intervention with cryoablation for better heart outcomes
Early intervention with cryoablation for better heart outcomes
Ask an expert: How does high-intensity exercise affect my heart?
Ask an expert: How does high-intensity exercise affect my heart?
People in profile: Adam Sunavsky
People in profile: Adam Sunavsky
Ask an expert: How can I prevent slips and falls during icy winter months?
Ask an expert: How can I prevent slips and falls during icy winter months?
Dr. Stirling Bryan appointed Interim Executive Director, VCHRI & Associate Dean, Research, VCHRI, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Stirling Bryan appointed Interim Executive Director, VCHRI & Associate Dean, Research, VCHRI, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Canadian surgical innovation cuts ovarian cancer risk by nearly 80 per cent
Canadian surgical innovation cuts ovarian cancer risk by nearly 80 per cent
Ask an expert: How do I prevent ovarian cancer?
Ask an expert: How do I prevent ovarian cancer?
Ask an expert: What should I know about kidney stones?
Ask an expert: What should I know about kidney stones?
Ask an expert: How can I better understand my asthma?
Ask an expert: How can I better understand my asthma?
Ask an expert: How can I tell if I have sleep apnea?
Ask an expert: How can I tell if I have sleep apnea?
Ask an expert: How can I build a balanced approach to healthy eating?
Ask an expert: How can I build a balanced approach to healthy eating?
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
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