Celebrating excellence in our talented research community 2023 Award Recipients
Celebrating Research Excellence Awards Ceremony Wednesday, November 8 | 2:00 p.m. Watch virtually here Awards Ceremony
Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our colleagues and the positive impact of research taking place on the Oak Street campus The award ceremony will feature the trainee recipients of the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute: • Outstanding Achievement Awards • Studentships & Fellowships • Mentorship Excellence Awards
Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship
Listen to a special presentation from Dr. Wendy Robinson, Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship recipient, on her career and research highlights
Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship Dr. Wendy Robinson The Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship recognizes investigators on the Oak Street Campus who have made a significant impact on improving the health and well-being of children and/or families, served as a role model and mentor to junior researchers, trainees and students over the last 10 years, and provided leadership to the community on the Oak Street Campus. Dr. Wendy Robinson has been awarded the 2023 Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship in recognition of her leadership and significant contributions to our understanding of genetic and epigenetic variation in prenatal development, as well as her passion for and dedication to teaching and mentorship.
Associate Director, Research Community, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia
Dr. Robinson is an investigator and research community associate director at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and a professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). In her role as associate director at BCCHR, she has championed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and actively pursued initiatives to improve intercultural communication and strategies to limit bias and stereotypes. She leads by example and employs these strategies when recruiting trainees to work in her lab and participants and partners for research studies. A researcher at BCCHR for nearly 30 years, Dr. Robinson is considered a leader and innovator in the use of ‘omics — areas of research such as genomics and epigenomics — to investigate placental pathology and development to gain a better understanding of pregnancy complications and their impact on fetal development. Her team is currently trying to understand the interaction between genes and environment on placental gene expression. Her research is advancing our understanding of pregnancy complications on a molecular level, with the aim of being able to screen for and treat these complications early in gestation in the future.
The translational nature of Dr. Robinson’s work has had a direct impact on improving the diagnosis of potential pregnancy complications, as well as the clinical care of women during their pregnancies and the neonatal period. Her research has also provided valuable insights on the many connections between in utero development and long-term health outcomes of children. Dr. Robinson has an outstanding record of scientific achievements, as evidenced by her more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters. She is also an advocate for reproducible research and data sharing, and she demonstrates this by sharing her genomic and epigenomic data and source code publicly, ensuring that her data will be usable by many others in the field. Her passion for teaching and mentorship is evident in her role as chair for the BCCHR Mentorship Planning Committee, as well as her previous roles as assistant dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and co-director of BCCHR’s Women’s Interdisciplinary Reproductive Health Training Program. She models research excellence to her students through her dedication to scientific integrity, collaboration and transparency. She also provides supportive and purposeful mentorship and encourages her students to strive for the same high standards that she exemplifies. Through her coaching, Dr. Robinson continues to inspire her students and mentees to reach their full potential. Many of the students and trainees who have had the privilege of having Dr. Robinson as a teacher and mentor have gone on to receive numerous accolades and successful careers in research, and they recognize her as the epitome of excellent mentorship and scientific achievement.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Undergraduate or Medical Student This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of an undergraduate or medical student whose research curiosity and engagement clearly demonstrate the individual’s potential as a valuable member of the scientific community. Jaya Kailley completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Integrated Sciences, with a specialization in Behavioural Neuroscience and Physiology, with distinction, from the University of British Columbia. Since graduating, Jaya has been working with Dr. Julie Robillard and Dr. Jill Dosso on a project to investigate how social robotics can improve the quality of life in children and youth with anxiety. Her research revealed key design features and application areas to inform innovative social robot research and development.
Jaya Kailley
Robillard Research Team
Jaya demonstrates exceptional academic and research excellence, as evidenced by the UBC Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference in 2022, where she received third place for her oral presentation about the social robotics project. Jaya is motivated by passion and dedication to children’s health to continue her research career as a medical student at UBC.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Master’s Student This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a master’s student whose research skills and analytical capacity clearly demonstrate the individual’s potential as a productive member of the scientific community. Loryn Byres’s academic journey began with a Master of Science (MSc) in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to the UBC MSc in Genetic Counselling program, where she embarked on an ambitious directed studies project under the guidance of Dr. Jehannine Austin and Emily Morris. Her research focused on Autistic adults and their unique perspectives on genetic testing in the context of autism — a first-of-its-kind study.
Loryn Byres
Austin Research Team
Loryn’s commitment to academic and research excellence is evident through the successful publication of the study in Genetics in Medicine, which was later presented at both the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Conference. Since graduating, Loryn has become a co-supervisor to a genetic counselling student and has joined Dr. Stuart Turvey’s research team as a research coordinator.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Doctoral Student This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a doctoral student whose originality, research ability and capacity for critical thinking show that the individual is likely to become a contributing member of the scientific community. Dr. Natasha Orr completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences at UBC. During her doctoral studies, she collaborated with Dr. Paul Yong to explore the role of central sensitization in endometriosis-associated pain. Dr. Orr’s research findings have shed light on the potential of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) as a valuable pre-operative tool to assist clinicians in identifying patients who are more likely to have persistent pelvic pain after surgery.
Dr. Natasha Orr
Yong Research Team
Beyond her significant research accomplishments, Dr. Orr has demonstrated academic excellence as a UBC Public Scholar by leading the development of educational videos on endometriosis in collaboration with patient partners. Throughout her PhD program, Dr. Orr contributed to medical education and was awarded a Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME) Rising Star Certificate of Excellence and Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Postdoctoral Fellow This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a postdoctoral fellow whose high academic achievements, personal leadership qualities and demonstrated research ability show that the individual is likely to become a future leader in health research. Dr. Bryn Zomar has been an outstanding and prolific contributor to the field of orthopaedics throughout her academic and professional career. After completing a BSc degree from Thompson Rivers University, she attended the University of Western Ontario, where she received a MSc degree with specialization in Kinesiology and a PhD in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.
Dr. Bryn Zomar
Mulpuri Research Team
As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Zomar’s research focuses on critical global programs that are unprecedented in scope for pediatric orthopaedics. Most significantly, she co-developed a successful CIHR Project Grantfunded randomized controlled trial looking at the impact of bracing in infants with hip dysplasia. Her contributions hold promise in reshaping the quality of evidence available in the field of orthopaedics on a global scale, ensuring that research endeavours are conducted with equity, diversity and inclusion in mind.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Resident This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a resident whose scholarly activity, diligence and commitment to research inspire other trainees and whose contributions have led to advances in child, youth or women’s health. Dr. Derek Chan completed his MD and PhD studies at McMaster University with a research background in hematopoietic stem cell biology. Recently, he completed a pediatrics residency at UBC and BC Children’s Hospital, during which he initiated a research project on single-cell profiling of stem and progenitor cells in pediatric aplastic anemia. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing a new residency research stream for the Pediatrics Residency Program that will begin in 2024.
Dr. Derek Chan
Vercauteren Research Team
Dr. Chan’s professional interests extend beyond conventional boundaries, encompassing non-malignant blood disorders, the pursuit of global health equity and the exploration of medical humanities. Embarking on a new chapter in his career, he is set to commence his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children this year.
Outstanding Achievement Awards: Clinical Sub-Specialty Resident or Fellow This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a clinical sub-specialty resident or fellow whose research initiatives have been pursued in a conscientious, original and competent manner, and who has the potential for academic excellence in their future career in their chosen specialty. Dr. Brandon Chalazan attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, where he earned his medical degree and completed a PhD program in Genetics. He also completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois in cardiovascular genetics. Dr. Chalazan joined BC Children’s Hospital in 2017 as part of a five-year residency program in medical genetics and is currently in the process of completing his oneyear fellowship program in biochemical genetics.
Dr. Brandon Chalazan Lehman Research Team
Throughout his clinical training in Vancouver, Dr. Chalazan has been mentored by Dr. Anna Lehman and Dr. Zachary Laksman, who have played pivotal roles in shaping his career. Looking ahead, he plans to continue his mission to increase our understanding of the genetic and metabolic aspects of inherited cardiovascular conditions, and he hopes to bring innovative therapies to the forefront of clinical practice.
2023 Clinical & Translational Research Seed Grant The Clinical & Translational Research Seed Grant program has been developed to support clinical and translational research projects taking place on the Oak Street Campus by promoting research collaborations between postdoctoral fellows and clinical trainees, physicians, or other health professionals. The intent is to support well-defined research projects that may not otherwise receive funding, foster new areas of research, enhance research partnerships, and build leadership capacity for both research and clinical trainees.
Dr. Michelle Bauer, Pike Research Team & Dr. Meghan Gilley, Meckler Research Team Project: “Examining trauma bay physicians’ occupational experiences, parenting practices, and child safety perspectives”
Every year, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute provides a number of research training awards to highly qualified individuals working on the Oak Street Campus. These funding opportunities enable our researchers to recruit and support exceptional trainees, ensuring future excellence in care and research dedicated to improving the health of children and families. The BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute training awards and funding opportunities are made possible through the generous support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
2023 Postdoctoral Fellowships Dr. Carmen Bayly, Lynn Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Screen-based approaches to identify ligands and receptors that drive SC-beta cell maturation”
Dr. Michelle Bauer, Pike Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Exploring emergency room doctors’ occupational experiences with patient recovery and their child safety, injury, and play perspectives”
Dr. Meingold Chan, Kobor Research Team Healthy Starts Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Biological embedding of family adversity through epigenetics among school-aged children and its relation with mental health”
Dr. Paula Littlejohn, Vallance Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Epigenetic changes in secretory epithelial cell function contribute to IBD pathophysiology through barrier defects”
2023 Postdoctoral Fellowships Dr. Kevin Meesters, Bettinger Research Team Bertram Hoffmeister Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Trends in the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases in Canada”
Dr. Karoliina Tuomela, Levings Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Metabolic optimization of Tregs to attenuate anti-islet immunity”
Dr. Kaitlin Winter, Sadarangani Research Team Mining for Miracles Postdoctoral Fellowship Project: “Addressing antibacterial resistance through the design of a vaccine targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae”
2023 Doctoral Studentships Karlie Edwards, Kobor Research Team Healthy Starts Doctoral Studentship Project: “Epigenetic underpinnings of immune system development and function”
Ekaterina Filatov, Lynn Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Doctoral Studentship Project: “Attracting T-regulatory cells to protect grafts by genetic manipulation of human embryonic stem cell-derived beta-cells”
Bruno Freitas, Verchere Research Team Childhood Diseases Doctoral Studentship Project: “Benefits of regulatory immune cells on function, maturation and engraftment of stem cell-derived beta cells”
Torin Halvorson, Levings Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Doctoral Studentship Project: “MHC Class II-specific CAR-Tregs for transplant tolerance”
2023 Doctoral Studentships Rana Jafari-Minab, Verchere Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Doctoral Studentship Project: “Fecal microbiota transplantation in type 1 diabetes”
Saumadritaa Kar, Verchere Research Team Jan M. Friedman Doctoral Studentship Project: “Generating amyloid resistant human-embryonic stem cell-derived beta cells to improve islet transplantation outcomes in type 1 diabetes”
Rachel Spencer, Taubert Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Doctoral Studentship Project: “Exploring the role of transcriptional coregulator Med15 in maintaining maturity of pancreatic β-cells”
Katarina Zosel, Lynn Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Doctoral Studentship Project: “Improving the quality of stem-cell-derived beta cells through an in silico analysis of protein differences in beta cells sourced from donors and stem-cell derivation processes”
2023 Masters Studentships Simran Gill, Voss Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Masters Studentship Project: “Physical activity behaviours and determinants thereof in children with type 1 diabetes in the Interior of BC: a mixed methods feasibility study”
Jaspreet (Sonya) Mangat, Levings Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Masters Studentship Project: “Genome engineering of regulatory T cells to improve cell therapy for islet transplantation and type 1 diabetes”
Simranpreet Mann, Brown Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Masters Studentship Project: “Evaluating the utility of adult-defined prognostic biomarkers in childhood onset primary chronic vasculitis”
2023 Masters Studentships Courtney Ostromecki, Verchere Research Team Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories Masters Studentship Project: “Targeting pro-inflammatory effector functions in islet macrophages to prevent Type 1 diabetes”
Taylor Ricci, Devlin Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Masters Studentship Project: “Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction at diabetes diagnosis”
Chiaki Shuzenji, Taubert Research Team Healthy Starts Masters Studentship Project: “Elucidating the role of transcriptional regulator MED15 in cancer cell stress and immune responses”
Sahar Zandi Nia, Wiens Research Team BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Masters Studentship Project: “External validation and updating of prognostic models to identify hospitalized children at highest risk of in-hospital mortality in low-resource settings”
2023 Mentorship Awards The BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Mentorship Awards recognize excellence in mentorship provided by various individuals within the BCCHR community. Mentorship is important for success at all levels and helps to build a healthy working environment. These awards also aim to bring attention to the qualities of a good mentor and encourage individuals to engage with the BCCHR Mentorship Program in various ways.
Kate Del Bel, Turvey Research Team Mentorship Excellence by a Staff Member Award
Dr. Kelsie Doering, Taubert Research Team Mentorship Excellence by a Trainee Award
Madeline Lauener, Schultz Research Team Mentorship Excellence by a Trainee Award
2023 Mentorship Awards Dr. Natasha Orr, Yong Research Team Mentorship Excellence by a Trainee Award
Chad Poloni, Steiner Research Team Mentorship Excellence by a Trainee Award