The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.

Meet Dr. Catrina Loucks!

Role: Assistant Professor

During her BHSc/MSc at the University of Calgary, Dr. Loucks worked to uncover genetic causes of rare disorders under the supervision of Drs. Micheil Innes and Jillian Parboosingh. She then pursued a PhD at Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Dr. Michel Leroux, where she investigated the functional impacts of genetic mutations using the simple roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. Although these experiences provided her with valuable skills, she sought to gain expertise in genomics-based research in humans—an area presenting greater computational and statistical challenges, as well as opportunities for clinical intervention. To pursue this, she undertook a postdoctoral position at UBC.

“I am fortunate to work with wonderful trainees who inspire me every day with the unique skills and insights they bring to our research.”

— Catrina Loucks, Assistant Professor, UBC

Responses have been edited for flow, clarity, and style.

How did your career path lead you to UBC and to your current position?

As a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, I worked with Dr. Bruce Carleton and the Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety to understand how genetic variation contributes to variable responses to medication. Overall, I have designed my research career to develop expertise in gene and mutation discovery, validation of genetic findings using the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans, pharmacogenomic investigations, and the promotion of genomics-based precision medicine initiatives. I am now leveraging this unique combination of skills to lead the Loucks Pain Management Pharmacogenomics Lab in advancing optimized pain management strategies for children.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I am extraordinarily lucky to be able to continue in academia. I have always had a passion for genetics, and now my lab’s pipeline, from genetic discoveries to predictive genetic testing, has the power to help identify the safest and most effective medications for children. This is especially important in vulnerable patient populations, such as children with cancer and infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit, who often experience significant pain requiring opioids. Overall, I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to genetic research that has the potential to help children in pain.

What have you learned from working with residents and students that has surprised or inspired you?

I am fortunate to work with wonderful trainees who inspire me every day with the unique skills and insights they bring to our research. By leading a translational research program, I have been fortunate to attract trainees with expertise across pharmacogenomics, C. elegans genetics, medical genetics, molecular biology, genomics/bioinformatics, clinical pharmacology, and medicine. I continue to be amazed by the perspectives shaped by their diverse educational backgrounds which drive our work in novel and impactful directions I never would have envisioned on my own.

What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?

There is no single piece of advice I have received that has stayed with me on its own. Instead, I aspire to base my career on the examples set by the many excellent mentors and supervisors I have had over the years. Specifically, I strive to focus my efforts on research questions that genuinely spark my curiosity and passion, while also being meaningful to both my team and the individuals impacted by our work.

The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward. 

Meet Dr. Wesam Farag! 

Location: UBC  

Wesam is a pharmacist by training. He earned his BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences and MSc in Pharmacology from Alexandria University in Egypt, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Alberta, Canada. After completing his doctoral studies, Wesam joined the University of British Columbia as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman’s lab, where he explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. 

During his PhD, Wesam investigated molecular biology and the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to disease development, focusing on targeting specific cellular molecules to modulate cardiac disorders. Although his current research centers on neuropharmacology and Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, the expertise he developed during his PhD has equipped him with the knowledge and skills needed for his current work, supported by the advanced resources of the Abdelrahman Lab and the training opportunities available at UBC. 

“The opportunity to conduct research in neuropharmacology at one of the leading institutes in Canada, alongside some of the most brilliant and accomplished scientists in the field, has been a major milestone in my scientific career.”  

— Wesam Farag, Postdoctoral Fellow, UBC 

Responses have been edited for flow, clarity, and style.

What inspired you to pursue anesthesiology, pharmacology, or therapeutics? 

Growing up in a family of scientists, I have always aspired to pursue an academic career as an independent investigator, conducting my own research and inspiring the next generation of scientists. My studies in pharmacology as an undergraduate sparked a passion for understanding how drugs work at the molecular level and how targeting specific cellular pathways can advance therapeutic discovery—a path I have been eager to follow since pharmacy school. Witnessing close relatives and friends suffer from Alzheimer’s disease deepened my commitment to neuroscience research. I hope to contribute meaningfully to uncovering the mechanisms underlying these devastating diseases and advancing our understanding toward potential treatments.

What areas of research or practice are you most passionate about? 

I have always been interested in the field of neuropharmacology and in contributing to this scientific community by playing a key role in unraveling the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders and developing better therapeutic options for their management. The opportunity to conduct research in neuropharmacology at one of the leading institutes in Canada, alongside some of the most brilliant and accomplished scientists in the field, has been a major milestone in my scientific career. It has further strengthened my skills and advanced my goal of becoming an independent researcher. With the support, resources, and excellent training environment provided by the Abdelrahman Lab, this interest has begun to define my career path. 

It has also been a great honor to receive two distinguished fellowships to support my postdoctoral training—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC Research Trainee Award—which are helping me pursue my research and take meaningful steps toward achieving my career goals. 

What has surprised you most about your training? 

When I came to Vancouver, I was captivated by the city’s beauty, its rich cultural diversity, and the highly competitive spirit of scientists and students at UBC, all striving to provide and acquire the highest level of knowledge. Since beginning my fellowship, I have received extensive training in many advanced techniques used in the field, including astrocyte isolation from mice, behavioral animal assessment, and laser speckle imaging. The training environment in the Abdelrahman Lab has offered comprehensive support and infrastructure, enabling the successful development and execution of my research goals. 

As part of the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and leading neuroscientists and vascular biologists within the Faculty of Medicine. This experience has strengthened my research skills and connected me to the broader scientific community. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of the hospital or lab? 

Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the beauty of British Columbia, spending time with my family and enriching my knowledge as a pharmacist and pharmacologist by keeping up with the latest news and the newly published articles in the field. 

The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.

Meet Dr. Sandy Kisilevsky!

Role: Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Sandy Kisilevsky spent four amazing years as an undergraduate at Queen’s University before travelling abroad, where she fell in love and married a Glaswegian doctor. After his passing, she became preoccupied with studying medicine. She went on to complete an MD-PhD in Calgary and was introduced to anesthesiology through a friend’s recommendation. Drawn to Vancouver for its climate and mountains, she pursued her residency there, and a key mentor sparked her passion for neuroanesthesiology. After completing a fellowship in San Francisco, Dr. Kisilevsky joined Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), where she has served as a consultant anesthesiologist for the past decade and as the co-head for the UBC division of neuroanesthesiology.

“It is exciting, intellectually stimulating, and immensely rewarding to care for some of the sickest patients in the province.”

— Sandy Kisilevsky, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC

Responses have been edited for flow, clarity, and style.

What drew you to anesthesiology/pharmacology/therapeutics as a specialty or area of research?

My first direct exposure to anesthesiology came during a medical student elective in Hay River, Northwest Territories. My attending physician turned out to be a final-year anesthesiology resident on a rural locum, and I watched him alleviate the pain of a memorable emergency department (ED) patient using regional anesthesia. Later, my family practice preceptor, a late-career general practitioner (GP) anesthetist, described pursuing general practice anesthesia (GPA) training after delivering general anesthesia in an emergency rural setting, guided over the telephone by the on-call anesthesiologist who had not yet arrived. These individuals were particularly inspiring to me. Witnessing an above-knee amputation performed under spinal anesthesia, with the patient fully awake, ultimately solidified my decision: I needed to understand how this was possible.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

As a mid-career anesthesiologist, I love all aspects of my work at VGH. It is exciting, intellectually stimulating, and immensely rewarding to care for some of the sickest patients in the province. I enjoy building rapport with them and safely guiding them through their perioperative journey. My anesthesiologist colleagues are another major source of enjoyment—they are an outstanding group who foster a sociable work environment filled with interesting and often humorous conversations. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a job I love that also allows me to raise my children in beautiful Vancouver, BC.

If you weren’t in this field, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

I would have been a forensic scientist. As a child, long before CSI popularized the field, my dad gave me books on real-life cases solved through forensics. The Arsenic Milkshake was my favourite. I went on to earn my Master’s degree from the internationally renowned forensic program at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. During my degree, I conducted research with the RCMP Forensic Unit in Regina, and my thesis focused on DNA profiling of epithelial cells transferred to handled objects, now an established technique in crime scene investigation. After completing my training, I was offered a position with the RCMP forensic unit in Ottawa, but I ultimately turned it down to pursue medicine.

What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?

“Let learners try.”

As a consultant anesthesiologist in a large academic teaching centre, I have the pleasure of working with medical students and residents at all levels of training. It is my responsibility to strike a balance between providing learners with an appropriate level of independence while maintaining the highest standard of patient safety