This summer, we’re excited to welcome students from around the world to the UBC Vancouver Summer Program (VSP), a four-week academic experience that brings together learning, innovation, and exploration in beautiful Vancouver. VSP’s medicine stream gives international undergraduate students the opportunity to explore Canadian health and life sciences through immersive and hands-on experiences.
This year, the MED B July package, Computational Medicine and Pharmacology, introduces students to two integrated courses: Pharmacology Through Case Studies and Computational Medicine and Drug Discovery. From simulated clinical cases and laboratory activities to biomedical data science and drug discovery approaches, students will gain exposure to how medicine, technology, and research intersect in today’s healthcare landscape.
Beyond the classroom, VSP offers students the chance to build global connections, experience life at UBC, and enjoy everything summer in Vancouver has to offer. We’re looking forward to welcoming this year’s cohort and seeing the ideas, curiosity, and perspectives they bring to our community!
BC Children’s Hospital (UBC) has become the first accredited pediatric anesthesia Area of Focused Competence (AFC) fellowship program in Canada, marking a significant milestone for specialized anesthesia training and pediatric patient care nationwide.
The achievement comes 40 years after BC Children’s Hospital welcomed its first pediatric anesthesia clinical fellow in 1985. On July 1, 2025, the Royal College officially recognized pediatric anesthesia as an Area of Focused Competence (AFC) — the first specialized area within anesthesia to receive this designation. In February 2026, BC Children’s Hospital became the first program in Canada to receive accreditation under the new AFC framework.
The creation of the AFC represents a major step toward establishing national standards for pediatric anesthesia fellowship training across Canada while recognizing the unique strengths of individual programs. The initiative builds on years of collaboration among pediatric anesthesia leaders and educators across the country.
In 2019, the Canadian Pediatric Anesthesia Society proposed the development of common educational standards for fellowship programs. Under the joint leadership of Dr. Katherine Bailey (BC Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Jady Srinivasan (SickKids), a Royal College working group developed a national curriculum framework, including Competency Training Requirements, a Competency Portfolio, and Standards of Accreditation.
The implementation of the pediatric anesthesia AFC establishes national standards for training and sub-specialist competence, helping to enhance quality of care for children and meet the needs of an increasingly complex patient population. It also highlights the depth and breadth of Canadian pediatric anesthesia fellowship programs, allowing them to compete on the global stage. The role of fellowship trained pediatric anesthesiologists is to advance the scientific knowledge and care of complex pediatric patients, while acting as a supportive resource to anesthesiologists already safely practicing pediatric anesthesia in the community setting.
When the Royal College launched the national AFC in July 2025, Dr. Bailey became the inaugural Chair of the AFC Pediatric Anesthesia Committee. As the lead author on BC Children’s Hospital (UBC) individual application, she successfully led the program to be the first to achieve accreditation in Canada this past spring. Dr. Bailey will continue to support pediatric anesthesia programs across the country as they pursue accreditation under the new national framework.
Research in Focus shines a light on the innovative studies and discoveries taking shape across the UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Through each feature, we celebrate the minds driving meaningful change in research, education, and clinical practice across anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics.
Driven by challenges encountered in clinical practice and a commitment to improving patient care, Dr. Tim Jen’s award-winning research focuses on optimizing postoperative pain management following cardiac surgery through regional anesthesia techniques.
Driven by the growing adoption of enhanced recovery pathways after cardiac surgery and the ongoing opioid crisis, Dr. Jen’s research aims to discover evidence-based strategies that optimize postoperative pain management while minimizing unnecessary risks and opioid exposure. His findings contribute important evidence to help guide institutional practices and future recommendations surrounding regional anesthesia techniques in cardiac surgical patients.
As an early-career clinician-researcher, Dr. Jen hopes this recognition will continue to support the development of his research program, with future work focused on the safety of regional anesthesia in cardiac surgery, postoperative arrhythmia generation, and the lived experiences of patients with chronic post-sternotomy pain.
“The most rewarding aspects of my research journey have been the intrinsic satisfaction of conducting high-quality, methodologically rigorous research, and the mentorship, collaboration, and support I have been fortunate to receive from colleagues, trainees, and interdisciplinary team members throughout the process.”
— Dr. Tim Jen, Staff Anesthesiologist, Clinical Assistant Professor; UBC
Rank: Clinical Assistant Professor and Staff Anesthesiologist
After completing both his BSc in Biochemistry and MD from the University of British Columbia in 2015, Dr. Tim Jen pursued training in anesthesiology at the University of Ottawa before returning to Vancouver to complete a fellowship in Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine at UBC. He also recently received his Masters of Health Sciences at UBC, where he focused on clinical research methodology and perioperative outcomes research.
Guided by a strong interest in improving patient recovery after surgery, his current role as a clinician-researcher at St. Paul’s Hospital combines clinical practice and research to advance patient-centered perioperative care.
What drew you to this particular research question or problem?
Our research question stems from challenges we encounter during clinical care. Poststernotomy pain after cardiac surgery impacts patient recovery, affecting pulmonary rehabilitation, mobilization, sleep, and delirium. Societal guidelines recommend fascial plane blockade to reduce acute poststernotomy pain, and superficial parasternal intercostal plane (SPIP) blockade has been shown to be both efficacious and safe in this regard. However, single-injection is limited by the short duration, whereas severe poststernotomy pain often persists for two or more days. In theory, continuous blockade may be helpful but are associated with increased complexity, cost, and risks. There is a lack of data to inform optimal technique. Our group hoped to generate rigorous evidence through this trial to guide clinical care.
What’s been the most rewarding moment in your research journey so far?
We are grateful for the funding provided by the Canadian Anesthesia Research Foundation through the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society’s 2023 Dr. James Beckstead Award. We are also honoured to have received the 2026 Kosaka Top Basic Science Abstract Award supported by the Japan Society for Clinical Anesthesia (JSCA) and the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) for this research trial. The most rewarding aspects of my research journey have been the intrinsic satisfaction of conducting high-quality, methodologically rigorous research and the mentorship, collaboration, and support I have been fortunate to receive from colleagues, trainees, and interdisciplinary team members throughout the process.
How could your research, whether through direct clinical application or by advancing foundational knowledge, impact the field of anesthesiology and ultimately improve patient care?
This trial has several strengths, including quadruple blinding, a robust, pre-specified statistical analysis plan, and an infusion regimen and catheter type informed by prior literature. This trial provides objective evidence to help inform guideline recommendations on fascial plane blockade in this surgical population, and to inform institutional decisions about the utilization and safety trade-offs of catheter-based regional analgesic techniques after cardiac surgery.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy the most?
I am an enthusiastic pickleball player and always welcome pick-up games.
Graduation marks both an ending and an exciting new beginning, a time to celebrate the hard work, growth, and unwavering dedication that our BSc students have demonstrated through their academic journeys. Our Spring 2026 BSc Pharmacology graduates reflect the curiosity, resilience, and passion that define the future of science, healthcare and research.
We are proud to celebrate this important milestone and the journeys ahead as they carry their knowledge and experiences into new opportunities. These students have enriched our community and the field of pharmacology, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make in research, healthcare, industry, and beyond as they begin their next chapters.
The Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics Research Day 2026 brought together trainees, faculty, and researchers to showcase innovative research spanning anesthesiology, pharmacology, therapeutics, and emerging technologies. This year’s presentations highlighted the breadth of research within the department and reflected the curiosity, collaboration, and dedication driving advances in health research.
We are pleased to recognize this year’s award recipients and presenters whose outstanding work stood out among an impressive group of submissions.
Oral Presentation Awards
First Place: Anesthesiology
Yannick MacMillan Resident, Anesthesiology Supervisor: Dr. David Barbic
Presentation:Racial Disparities in the Management of Acute Pain in Children Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yannick’s work examined racial disparities in pediatric pain management within emergency care settings, contributing important insights into healthcare equity and highlighting opportunities to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.
First Place: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Raveen Badyal PhD Student, Pharmacology Supervisor: Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett
Presentation:Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β Isoform-Specific Signalling and Inhibition in Dermal and Lung Fibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis
Raveen’s research explored molecular pathways involved in systemic sclerosis, advancing understanding of disease mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic approaches targeting fibrosis.
Oral Presentation Runner-Up
Kheireddin Mufti Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Pharmacogenomics Supervisor: Dr. Catrina Loucks
Kheireddin’s research investigated genetic factors influencing morphine response in pediatric oncology patients, supporting the development of more individualized approaches to pain management.
Lightning Talk Highlights
This year’s Lightning Talks showcased a wide range of emerging research topics delivered through concise and engaging presentations.
Featured Presenters:
Imandeep Sekhon, Harleen Dhillon and Selina Parmar BSc Undergraduate Students Supervisor: Amrit Singh
Presentation: The Biological Trajectory of Fentanyl Dependence: A Multi-Omics Review of Addiction, Withdrawal, and Relapse
Christopher Yuen PhD Student, Pharmacology Supervisor: Pascal Bernatchez
Presentation: Early Telmisartan Adjuvant Therapy in Diabetes to Prevent Chronic Vascular Complications: A Pleiotropic Effect?
Siddarth Chilukuri, Parteek Sandhu and Bishneet Rekhi BSc Undergraduate Students Supervisor: Amritpal Singh
Presentation: IF2RNA: Predicting Gene Expression from Immunofluorescence Images
Rohan Sharma and Keerat Jhangria BSc Undergraduate Students Supervisor: Amritpal Singh
Presentation: Network-Based Drug Prioritization for Heart Failure Subtypes: Integrating Proteomic Biomarkers and Knowledge Graphs to Identify Phenotype-Specific Therapeutic Targets
APT Paper of the Year Awards
The APT Paper of the Year Award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and celebrates impactful research contributions across the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. The award highlights exceptional work that advances knowledge, demonstrates research excellence, and contributes meaningfully to the fields represented within our department.
This year, we are pleased to recognize Dr. Michael Jewand Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman as our award recipients for their outstanding contributions and commitment to research excellence!
Clinical Associate Professor, Invited Faculty Lecturer
Topic: Recall Under Sedation and Beyond: From the PEERS Study to Perioperative Mental Health
APT Research Day continues to provide an important platform for trainees and researchers to share discoveries, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration across different fields. This year, we received record engagement, with over 110 attendees and 71 abstracts submitted, the highest number received to date! What an amazing reflection to the growing strength of research within the department.
Congratulations to all presenters and award recipients for their exceptional contributions and for advancing research that has the potential to improve patient care and expand scientific understanding!
We are grateful to all participants, faculty mentors, judges, and attendees whose enthusiasm, expertise, and support helped make APT Research Day 2026 such a success.
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 Simrin Dhillon!
Role: Anesthesia Resident, PGY2
Site: UBC Vancouver
Simrin Dhillon’s journey into medicine began at Rutgers University, where she pursued a degree in Kinesiology while balancing the demands and rigors of competing in varsity field hockey. Through her studies in human physiology, she became increasingly fascinated by the science of the human body and the impact healthcare can have on people’s lives, sparking a path toward medicine at UBC.
Now completing her anesthesiology residency, Simrin has developed growing interests in perioperative medicine, medical education, and quality improvement. Along the way, the guidance and encouragement of colleagues and mentors have played an important role in shaping her development as a clinician, reinforcing her commitment to lifelong learning and compassionate, patient-centered care.
“Training has taught me the importance of trusting the process, staying patient with yourself, and focusing on steady growth day by day.”
— Simrin Dhillon, Anesthesia Resident PGY2, UBC
What inspired you to pursue anesthesiology, pharmacology, or therapeutics?
During medical school, I was interested in anesthesiology because it combines physiology, pharmacology, procedural skills, and critical thinking in a highly team-oriented environment. My exposure to the field started in undergrad during an obstetric anesthesia research project, as well as by accompanying my grandmother to chronic pain appointments. Through both experiences, I saw how anesthesiologists can have a meaningful impact on patient care during vulnerable moments. I was also drawn to the OR environment, working through acute clinical problems, and the broad scope of the specialty.
What has surprised you most about your training?
What has surprised me most about training is how quickly it progresses. Early on, running a case independently or performing certain procedures can feel incredibly daunting and almost unattainable. However, with time, repetition, and support from mentors and colleagues, those same tasks gradually become part of your daily practice. One day, you suddenly realize you are confidently doing things that once felt far beyond your abilities. Training has taught me the importance of trusting the process, staying patient with yourself, and focusing on steady growth day by day.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the hospital or lab?
Outside of the hospital, I enjoy staying active and spending time with family, friends, and my dogs. I play on a few recreational sports teams and enjoy exploring the beautiful mountains that BC has to offer, whether that’s snowboarding in the winter or hiking in the summer. I also love trying new coffee shops and restaurants around the city. Outside of medicine, I value activities that help me recharge, stay connected with others, and maintain balance.
How did your path lead you to UBC?
My path to University of British Columbia for residency was shaped by both the strength of the anesthesiology program and my experiences during medical school in BC. Through my clinical rotations, I was drawn to the collaborative culture, supportive learning environment, and strong sense of mentorship within the department. I also appreciated the program’s broad clinical exposure across diverse training sites and patient populations. Furthermore, I valued its strong emphasis on fostering a sense of community among residents, which reinforced that UBC was the right fit for my training.
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.
Dr. Mullane completed his anesthesia training (FCAI) and ICU training (JFICMI) in Ireland, followed by two years of subspecialty training in cardiothoracic anesthesia in Dublin and cardiac anesthesia in Canada. His fellowship in Canada ultimately led to a staff position at VGH, where he joined an environment well aligned with his interests in cardiac anesthesia and critical care. These interests have since evolved into his current role as Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgery ICU at VGH.
“It’s an environment [VGH] where you’re always learning and every day can be a school day!”
— Dr. Darren Mullane, Clinical Assistant Professor; UBC
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The collegial culture at VGH is one of its greatest strengths. We care for a wide range of complex patients, and there is always someone available and willing to discuss cases and share perspectives. Our group benefits from a strong mix of experience alongside colleagues fresh from fellowship, which helps continuously evolve and improve care. It’s an environment where you’re always learning and every day can be a school day!
What drew you to anesthesiology/pharmacology/therapeutics as a specialty or area of research?
I initially had my sights set on a career in surgery. Fortunately, in Ireland we didn’t have to commit to a specialty until after completing rotations in both medicine and surgery after graduation. During my time in the operating room, I was consistently struck by my anesthesia colleagues’ ability to resuscitate critically ill patients while staying calm under pressure. They had a great understanding of respiratory and cardiac physiology and, despite my many distracting questions, were always happy to teach. That’s really what drew me in, and I haven’t looked back since.
What have you learned from working with residents and students that has surprised or inspired you?
I really enjoy working with residents and students, as they help keep me current. Medicine is constantly evolving, and I value hearing about their experiences on recent rotations and the pathologies they’ve encountered, particularly those I haven’t revisited in some time.
If you weren’t in this field, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Likely engineering — I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work and the systems behind them.
Research in Focus shines a light on the innovative studies and discoveries taking shape across the UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Through each feature, we celebrate the minds driving meaningful change in research, education, and clinical practice across anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics.
For Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, chronic pain clinics are about more than managing symptoms—they play a vital role in protecting both individual patients and the communities around them through risk management.
Dr. Bamgbade’s research explores how these clinics mitigate social risks related to substance misuse, particularly in contexts like driving, family life, and workplace safety.
Drawing on an observational study of over 1,200 patients receiving care, Dr. Bamgbade and his team found that pain clinics are often at the front lines of identifying and responding to these broader safety concerns. Some patients received targeted support to ensure they could drive safely, care for their families, or perform their jobs without risk to themselves or others. The study also revealed important patterns in who received different types of support, highlighting how factors like age and gender can shape both risk and care needs.
Thus, chronic pain clinics are not just places of treatment, but contributors to public safety and social well-being.
“I hope this work will encourage clinicians to view chronic pain care more broadly, not only as symptom control but also as a driver of safety, function, and prevention.”
— Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, Clinical Associate Professor; UBC
Dr. Bamgbade’s academic journey spans continents, beginning with medical school in Nigeria and continuing through residency training in the United Kingdom, academic work in the United States, fellowship training in South Korea, and ongoing clinical research in Canada. Along the way, he has trained and worked across diverse health systems, gaining experience in anesthesiology, pain medicine, perioperative care, intensive care, palliative care, and clinical teaching.
These global experiences have shaped a broad, comparative perspective on patient care, health equity, and health system performance, while deepening his commitment to practical, clinically relevant research. Today, this international foundation informs his work as a UBC clinical researcher, where he focuses on advancing evidence-based care, driving innovation, and improving real-world health outcomes.
What drew you to this particular research question or problem?
I was drawn to this research problem by seeing how chronic pain and substance misuse affect far more than symptoms alone. They shape driving safety, family stability, workplace function, and public risk. I wanted to show that chronic pain clinics do not only treat individuals. They also protect families, communities, and society.
How does this project fit into your broader research interests or goals?
This project fits my broader research goals by advancing my focus on value-based, real-world health care research that improves both patient outcomes and societal well-being. It reflects my interest in pain medicine, safety, health systems, and public health. Furthermore, it supports my goal of generating practical evidence demonstrating how clinical services can deliver wider benefits to patients, families, workplaces, and communities.
What impact do you hope this work will have on clinical practice, education, or society in general?
I hope this work will encourage clinicians to view chronic pain care more broadly, not only as symptom control but also as a driver of safety, function, and prevention. In education, I hope it strengthens training on the social and public health impact of pain medicine. In society, I hope it shows that effective pain clinics can protect families, improve workplace safety, support safer driving, and reduce wider harm linked to pain and substance misuse.
What’s one thing you hope people will take away from this study?
I hope people take away that chronic pain clinics do far more than treat pain. When they deliver safe, value-based, and comprehensive care, they also improve public safety, protect families, support workplace function, and reduce broader social harm linked to pain and substance misuse.
Our department is saddened by the passing of Dr. Judith Anne Dowd on November 15, 2025.
Born in Osgoode, Ontario, Dr. Dowd was a long-time resident of Vancouver. She followed her father’s footsteps and pursued a career in medicine and graduated from Queen’s School of Medicine, specializing in Anesthesiology. Judy had an uncommon intellect and very good aptitude with patients; she found the work challenging and rewarding. She spent her career at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, where she mentored many junior staff and earned the enduring respect of her peers.
Post-retirement, she pursued interests including birdwatching and nature travel. Judy travelled frequently with groups to see the wildlife in places such as Kenya, Tanzania, Australia, India, Chile, Costa Rica, and Belize. She will be remembered by her family for always providing a loving home environment, particularly for the holidays, and for being a great support and confidant. She was also an incredible character with a laugh that would be sorely missed.
Congratulations to Dr. Laine Bosma for being appointed as the Department of Anesthesiology’s Representative on the Faculty of Medicine’s Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee (CFAC)
The Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Laine Bosma, Clinical Associate Professor as our new representative on the Faculty of Medicine’s Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee (CFAC) starting July 1, 2026. Dr. Bosma succeeds Dr. Matthew Klas, who has served in the role since July 2023 and who has now transitioned into his new position as Department Head for St. Paul’s Hospital Anesthesia effective January 1, 2026.
About the Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee (CFAC)
The Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee (CFAC) is the key advisory body within the Faculty of Medicine that provides guidance to the Dean on matters related to Clinical Faculty. The committee brings together representatives from across programs and regions to strengthen collaboration, support interprofessional engagement, and enhance the partnership between Clinical Faculty and the Faculty.
CFAC also serves as a crucial communication forum, facilitating conversation between Clinical Faculty and leadership, offering input to the Director of Clinical Faculty Affairs, and liaising with other academic and administrative committees. Through its work, the committee helps ensure that the perspectives of Clinical Faculty are reflected in decision-making processes, while reporting annually to the Faculty Executive Committee.
