Ground-breaking research. Brighter futures.

Every day, our researchers are working towards breakthroughs to transform the lives of kids in BC, Canada and around the world. Learn about the latest innovations and advancements in child health.

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Alan Worsley, Communications Specialist, Research Communications
Alan.Worsley@bcchr.ca

Unlocking the mystery of nephrotic syndrome in kids: Q&A with new investigator Dr. Susan Samuel

Mar 18, 2025
Pediatric nephrologist Dr. Susan Samuel, a new investigator who joined BCCHR in September 2024, has been investigating ways to improve the quality of life of children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. She is serving as the director for the ENRICH program, a national network of mentors and learners. We met Dr. Samuel to talk about the importance of research and mentorship.

How a mobile app developed by BCCHR could help save lives around the world

Mar 4, 2025
A team of researchers at the Institute for Global Health (IGH) at BCCHR are leading an innovation that could have a positive impact on children worldwide. They have developed the RRate app, a mobile application that measures breathing rate and has been successfully used by frontline nurses in Uganda, a partner country of IGH. Widespread use of the app in low-resource settings could help save lives.

BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute celebrates Black scientists’ groundbreaking legacy

Feb 10, 2025
Black scientists are responsible for groundbreaking discoveries and advocacy work that have improved health care globally. Many of their contributions, however, aren’t widely known. The effort to erase their impact is rooted in interpersonal, institutional, and structural anti-Black racism. In honour of Black Histories and Futures Month, BCCHR celebrates the legacy of trailblazers that everyone should know.

Exploring pain in autistic youth: A Q&A with lead researcher, Dr. Katelynn Boerner

Feb 7, 2025
Researchers at BC Children’s Hospital and UBC are investigating pain in autistic youth to better understand how pain manifests uniquely for them, aiming to improve treatment and prevention options. By capturing pain data throughout the day and collaborating with autistic researchers and families, the study seeks to address gaps in knowledge, challenge outdated assumptions, and guide more inclusive, autism-informed clinical care.

BC Children’s Hospital researchers bring Mini Med School to the Yukon for the first time

Jan 13, 2025
World-class researchers from BCCHR will travel to the Yukon on March 28 to present a day of discovery with Mini Med School. This health science youth outreach and public education program is designed for high school students to explore the world of health sciences, career opportunities in science and medicine, and connections with leading researchers and health experts.

BCCHR celebrates women in science with mentorship event for high school students

Jan 9, 2025
On February 11, in celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, BCCHR will host Women in Science. This year, the event is dedicated to mentoring high school students. They will have the opportunity to network with a diverse group of 25 trainee mentors — women+ researchers pursuing their master’s degree, doctoral degree, or postdoctoral fellowship.

BCCHR research could help set new international standard for young children receiving bone marrow transplants

Dec 10, 2024
The findings from a BCCHR study played a part in integrating the multiple breath washout test into recent recommendations to screen children for pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease, a lung complication that can affect children who undergo a bone marrow transplant.

Beyond access: Moving towards equity in pediatric type 1 diabetes care

Dec 4, 2024

Managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be challenging for patients, especially those from marginalized populations facing structural inequities. Families affected by T1D often grapple with managing a complex condition that requires continuous monitoring, timely insulin administration, and strict adherence to treatment plans. These challenges can be exacerbated for patients in socioeconomically deprived communities, where access to care and diabetes technology is often limited.

Pneumonia and malaria: Innovations tackle leading threats to children under five

Nov 21, 2024
Globally, pneumonia and malaria are among the leading causes of death for children under five, due in part to health-care resource gaps in low- and middle-income countries. New BCCHR investigator and pediatric infectious diseases expert Dr. Michael T. Hawkes is developing diagnostic and treatment tools to address these shortages.

Torin Halvorson and Hebah Hussaina awarded Vanier scholarships for immunotherapy and mental health research

Jul 18, 2024
BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) is proud to announce that two of its outstanding research trainees, Torin Halvorson, an MD/PhD student working with the Levings research team, and Hebah Hussaina, a graduate research assistant in the Brussoni Lab, have been awarded the prestigious 2024 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Studies highlight the impact of the pandemic on children and youth’s mental health

Jul 10, 2024
The Pediatric Outcome ImProvement through COordination of Research Networks — which involves BCCHR — has published their latest research findings on mental health hospitalizations of children and youth throughout the pandemic. These findings led the team to a second study where they evaluated the relationship between hospital admissions for eating disorders and public health restrictions.