November 20, 2023
entrepreneurship@UBC has two exciting programs for researchers to get their invention to impact. ✨
This winter, join entrepreneurship@UBC to learn and practice entrepreneurial skills through the programming. If you or any member of your lab or unit are interested in or could benefit from entrepreneurial training and support, please help us amplify this message! They offer two programs to help scientists and researchers develop their venture, articulating the problem they are solving, identifying who experiences this problem, and why the proposed solution is the preferred market opportunity.
1. Venture Founder: Lab2Launch
For ventures pursuing a scientific advancement or discovery.
Lab2Launch supports UBC researchers and scientists who plan to build, or are building, a deep tech venture based on a proprietary and novel scientific or technological innovation. Participants in this stream will dive deep into the DNA of their venture opportunity, articulating the problem they are solving, identifying who experiences this problem, and why the proposed solution is the preferred market opportunity.
Key Dates:
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- Information Session: 24 November 2023 | 12pm – 12:45 pm
- Application Deadline (cohort 47): 1 December 2023
Learn more:
2. Lab2Market Validate
For graduate students or postdoctural researchers looking to validate your idea.
Lab2Market is a nationwide program being offered across British Columbia, in partnership with entrepreneurship@UBC and SFU VentureLabs, that helps brilliant minds in STEM graduate and postdoctoral programs reimagine their futures. Throughout the program, you will discover a passion for entrepreneurship, build an entrepreneurial skill set, and connect with the network you need to turn your idea into successful businesses.
Applications have closed, however stayed tuned for additional cohorts.
Learn more:
November 8, 2023
The Government of Canada is investing $15 million over 5 years to create a Pan-Canadian Genome Library to provide a better way to share genomic data within the country.
Already a world-leader in the area, Canada contains many genomic laboratories and a high collective research capacity for genomic research. However, the country has previously lacked a strategy for the capturing, accessing, and storing of genomic data as well as a national database. The Genome Library will become Canada’s national centralized genomic data management system to address these gaps to optimize genomic medicine’s potential.
Genomics is the study of all of a person’s or population’s genes, and is useful for more personalized treatment of disease, especially rare diseases. Genomic data can also be used to predict the likelihood of diseases occurring and which individuals or groups might be predisposed to certain diseases.
With the creation of a centralized database, health care professionals and researchers will be provided equitable access to data that reflects Canada’s diversity. The Genome Library, which includes strong Indigenous governance, has provisions for the respectful use of Indigenous genetic data that fully respects Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination over their health data.
“This investment in the Pan-Canadian Genome Library is an exciting step for our country as a leader in genomic research. Our government is proud to support this project and the cutting-edge research it will help—because when we invest in research, we are investing in better health outcomes for Canadians.” – The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health
The Genome Library will also provide users with data tools developed by Digital Research Alliance of Canada as well as standards and policies established by the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health. Investments from the Government of Canada through Genome Canada, and Canada’s national rare disease initiative All For One, have been used to generate the initial datasets which will be made available, with additional datasets to be provided by sources such as the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
As the federally funded national platform for genome sequencing and analysis, CGEn will host the Genome Library. In Vancouver, the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer (Vancouver) is part of CGEn, which also includes sites at the McGill Genome Centre at McGill University in Montreal, and Toronto’s Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
“The Genome Library is an exciting example of the potential of large-scale shared data infrastructure and initiatives, and is paving the path for a future where we can work together to resolve complex data-related challenges to the benefit of researchers and all Canadians.” – George Ross, CEO, Digital Research Alliance of Canada
Read the original source including full quotes and quick facts here
November 1, 2023
The ATM Community is encouraged to attend the upcoming event, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes: Bridging the Gap Between Data, Research, and Care, on 27 November 2023 from 1pm – 2pm.
*Formerly known as the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS)
Are you looking for clinical research support services and expert faculty for collaborations? This presentation will provide an overview of the clinical research services, faculty members and programs available at the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes (formerly the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences). Additionally, the speaker will provide details about free clinical trial education resources and certifications available to BC researchers and their staff.
Learning Outcomes
- Provide an overview of the Advancing Health structure and research support services.
- Provide details about how to access clinical research support services and Advancing Health researcher expertise to enable intra-faculty collaboration.
- Provide additional details about clinical trial education and certifications required for Health Canada regulated trials freely available to BC researchers.
Guest Speaker
Erin Cherban, MSc, CCRP, Executive Leadership certificate
Chief Clinical Research Officer, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes/CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Network of Networks (N2) Board of Directors
Ms. Erin Cherban is the Chief Clinical Research Officer for Advancing Health and the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). Ms. Cherban holds an M.Sc. from the University of Bradford and an Executive Leadership certificate from SFU. She is on the Board of Directors for the Network of Networks and is a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) (she previously served on the SoCRA Board of Directors). Ms. Cherban has worked for Advancing Health and the CTN for over 18 years and in the past, served as Director of Clinical Research Operations at the Rick Hansen Institute. Her clinical support expertise includes clinical trial concept and protocol development; international, multi-centre clinical trial project management; monitoring/auditing clinical trial sites; and collaborative leadership of multidisciplinary teams while seeking to reduce research administration burden.
October 30, 2023
The deadline for Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) annual Neuromuscular Disorder Research Grant Program is approaching.
This program assists in filling the gaps in the current funding landscape by investing in translational research projects and clinical research projects. Investigators are supported in the development of new research projects and the creation of proof-of-concept, feasibility, and pilot studies. With this support, investigators become prepared for external sources of funding for grants which are longer-term and larger-scale.
There are 2 grants, which are anticipated to award 9 projects between them:
- Translational Science Research Grant
Funding: $100,000 total
Funding: $100,000 total
Key Dates:
For full information including the links to apply and grant guidelines, visit the Muscular Dystrophy Canada website
October 27, 2023
Applications are Open for the Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator Awards 2024
Both programs are highly relevant to translational medicine as they support outstanding health researchers in enabling discovery-based research and the translation of that research to new treatments, cures, practices, and solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For example, the development and implementation of novel treatment pathways from bench to bedside for British Columbians with lung cancer is possible for Dr. Anna McGuire and her team through a 2022 HP-I award.
Scholar Program: Supports early career health researchers, helping them form their own research teams and develop world-leading research programs. The award provides salary support, allowing award recipients to dedicate 75 percent of their time to health research activities.
Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) Program: Supports health professionals actively involved in patient care to build their health research programs, train the next generation of scientists, and make significant contributions to their field. The competition invites a broad range of health professionals to apply. Previous recipients include psychologists, nurses, physicians, physical therapists and pharmacists.
Funding: Up to $90,000 per year, for up to 5 years
Those interested in these programs are highly encouraged to learn more about them here on the Health Research BC website. To explore the full details of the Scholar Program, visit here, and to explore the full details of the HP-I Program, visit here
Key Dates
October 26, 2023
UBC Health is providing funding of up to $10,000 per team to support research collaborations and capacity building in knowledge translation and invites researchers at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan to submit a proposal for projects that utilize creative and innovative knowledge translation methods.
Health After 2020 Objectives
- Promote interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations that produce and disseminate new knowledge related to health and health equity
- Foster knowledge exchange and dialogue and build capacity in innovative knowledge translation methods
- Create opportunities for engagement between researchers and the public
About Health After 2020
This program was created by UBC Health in the post-pandemic era in order to support researchers to engage in interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaborations that aim to create change in health and systems that foster and support health and build a community of UBC Health Scholars. UBC Health is committed to putting knowledge into action, providing opportunities for collaborations, and prioritizing community engagement. Through partnership with the UBC Knowledge Exchange Unit this funding will provide researchers with the support to increase their knowledge translational capacity.
Call for Proposals Deadline: 15 November 2023
Are you interested in submitting a proposal? Find Detailed information as well as proposal eligibility, elections, and relevant forms here.
October 18, 2023
As part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, the Province has made a significant announcement regarding how BC will continue to “position British Columbia as a global hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing, and as a leading centre for commercial-scale biopharmaceutical and medical manufacturing.” through an expansion of the Province’s clinical trial capacity. Due to clinical trials being an essential component of the translational medicine pipeline, this announcement is exciting for the Academy of Translational Medicine and those in its community.
The strategy consists of various components. For example, British Columbia will be creating a new Phase 1 clinical trial unit (CTU) at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, the first (non-cancer) in Western Canada. The unit will be a $4.2 million investment and by late 2024 is expected to be operational. An additional $2.4 million will also be provided to UBC for the “establishment of an endowed research chair focused on accelerating the province’s capacity to design and conduct trials of next-generation therapeutics”.
“Strengthening B.C.’s early-stage clinical trials ecosystem will advance life-saving medicines for patients by fostering collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry experts,” –Anne Stevens (vice-president of business development, AbCellera)
Patients in BC will have more opportunities for clinical trial participation for therapeutics they previously wouldn’t, due to biotech companies soon having the ability to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials within the province. This project also includes a Phase 1 to 3 CTU planned for a clinical support and research centre beside the new St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Campus, and Michael Smith Health Research BC contributing $1.2 million and support for the initiatives.
Read the original article here
October 5, 2023
UBC Data Science and Health 2023 | AI in Medicine: Rise of the Machines
With the current interest and exciting potential for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical innovation, the ATM encourages its community to register for the upcoming conference hosted by the Data Science and Health Cluster (DASH) in collaboration with the UBC Vision Cluster. This free event will be hosted virtually on 14 November 2023 from 12pm – 5pm.
This conference will address fundamental questions pertaining to the use of AI in medicine, including the use of state-of-the-art applications of AI in medical research. As stated by the conference, ‘join the world-leading guest speakers and cluster members to unpack the ethical, legal, and existential implications of AI, and how it can be leveraged to open new horizons in AI-human interactions! ‘
Find this event on the ATM Calendar here
Full event information can be found here
Register today!
October 3, 2023
On your next coffee break, we recommend reading this BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute interview with ATM ECR Dr. Catrina Loucks. Dr. Loucks discusses her research on the relationship between childhood pain experiences and genes. Dr. Louck’s research will provide a deeper understanding of the pathways involved in pain responses, and will better-inform pain management decisions to address individualized needs. Read it here!
Dr. Loucks’ profile on the ATM website can be found here, and you can read her ATM ECR Spotlight Series interview here.