Research Themes

Brain, Behaviour & Development

We bring together neuroscience, mental health and child development researchers through basic, clinical, population and public health research. We care for children with complex medical, physical, developmental and mental health needs, and lead national initiatives such as Networks of Centres of Excellence.

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Childhood Diseases

Childhood Diseases includes Groups that are focused on studying childhood diseases and disorders. There is a specific focus on understanding mechanisms of health versus disease, as well as identifying and testing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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Evidence to Innovation

We are health care innovators. Our team of clinicians and scientists are developing new health care technologies, improving patient care, advancing the safe and effective use of drugs, developing new methods of health data analytics, and shifting health system attitudes and behaviours to improve the health care and well-being of children and families. Together with the patients we serve, we are leading initiatives to inform health care policy and practice.

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Healthy Starts

Our overarching goal is to keep children and families healthy and out of the hospital by preventing lifelong health challenges and chronic diseases that are rooted in early childhood. We are passionate about furthering research into how a child’s family life and environment impact their health, shedding light on healthy childhood development before and after birth, and improving child health worldwide through innovation, advocacy, education, and capacity building.

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Recent News See all

Congratulations CIHR Fall 2024 Project Grant recipients

Congratulations to the investigators and their teams who were awarded funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fall 2024 Project Grant competition!

Continue reading Congratulations CIHR Fall 2024 Project Grant recipients

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Advancing understanding of the developing brain in preterm babies to help inform therapies

BCCHR research found new evidence that the younger a baby is born, the slower their brain development will be. Scientists are investigating how the brain functions at an early gestational age so they can identify potential therapies.

Continue reading Advancing understanding of the developing brain in preterm babies to help inform therapies

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

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.

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

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