Faculty seminars will consist of presentations by faculty members on a variety of topics. These seminars will provide an overview of options and opportunities available in the medical research field, both during the student years and beyond.

Each week, students will receive an email bulletin about upcoming events and their available formats. Attendance will be recorded during each session. 

Schedule

Monday, June 16 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Session Formats: In-Person | Virtual | On-Demand 
Location: Chan Auditorium, BCCHR

Talk Title: Improving outcomes for children using genetic information

Presentation Description: Individual genetic differences can help explain why some children develop rare genetic disorders, and these genetic differences can also help explain how children respond to medications. This presentation will first highlight Dr. Loucks’ career trajectory that has focused on understanding how we can leverage each child’s unique genetic characteristics to ensure that they receive the safest and most effective medications. Next, this presentation will outline current research in the Loucks Pain Management Pharmacogenomics Lab that will help guide pain management strategies so that vulnerable patient populations, such as children with cancer, receive adequate pain relief without harm.

Presenter: Dr. Catrina Loucks, Investigator, BC Children's Hospital; Assistant Professor, UBC Departments of Pediatrics and Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Monday, June 23 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Session Formats: In-Person | Virtual | On-Demand 
Location: Chan Auditorium, BCCHR

Talk Title: Allergist’s adventure through evidence-based care: Research, Quality Improvement and Education

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Have a basic understanding of how research is different from quality improvement methods
  • Appreciate the interplay between research and quality improvement
  • Have a general understanding of different pathways to academic promotion in medicine

Presenter: Dr. Tiffany Wong, Investigator and Pediatric Allergist, BC Children's Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Allergy, UBC Department of Pediatrics

Monday, June 30 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Session Formats: In-Person | Virtual | On-Demand 
Location: Chan Auditorium, BCCHR

Talk Title: Cell Snacks and Immune Attacks: A Journey Through Immunometabolism

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the basic metabolic pathways used by immune cells (e.g., glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation) and how they support immune cell function
  2. Explain how metabolic reprogramming influences immune cell activation, differentiation, and function
  3. Identify key differences in metabolism between different types of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages
  4. Discuss how metabolic changes can affect immune responses during infection, inflammation, and disease
  5. Explore current research or clinical strategies that target immune metabolism for therapeutic benefit, such as in cancer, autoimmunity, or infectious disease
  6. Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of immunometabolism, integrating immunology, biochemistry, and systems biology

Presenter: Dr. Ramon Klein Geltink, Investigator, BC Children's Hospital; Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Monday, July 7 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Session Formats: In-Person | Virtual | On-Demand 
Location: Chan Auditorium, BCCHR

Talk Title: Early Experiences, Lasting Connections: Mapping Brain Development in High-Risk Infants

Presentation Description: This presentation will focus on Dr. Selvanathan's journey as a neonatal neurologist and physician scientist exploring the developing brain, and also provide a brief overview of ongoing studies in the Baby Brain Lab at BCCHR. 

Presenter: Dr. Thiviya Selvanathan, Investigator and Pediatric Neurologist, BC Children's Hospital; Assistant Professor, Division of Neurology, UBC Department of Pediatrics

2023/2024 Video Library

For students interested in watching recordings from previous Summer Student Research Programs, see the 2023/2024 Video Library on the ResearchHub (BCCHR/PHSA/UBC network account required). If you're directed to the general ResearchHub homepage after logging in, you can find the 2023/2024 Video Library here. 

Please note these 2023/2024 recordings are supplementary material and will not count towards your current attendance. All available recordings from the 2025 summer program will be posted in a separate Video Library.

For questions contact reseduc@bcchr.ca.