Faculty & Trainee Spotlights

Former lead resident Ines Zuna reflects on welcoming discomfort and curiosity while pursuing her passions in medical education and transfusion safety.

Meet Dr. Brenda Lau, Medical Director of Changepain and Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, who has helped establish Canada’s Pain Medicine subspecialty, launch UBC’s Pain Medicine Residency program, and advance interdisciplinary, whole-person pain care across the province.

From pharmacist to neuropharmacologist, Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman’s journey is driven by curiosity, discovery, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists.

In this Q&A, discover what Dr. Pascal Bernatchez finds most rewarding about being a mentor, and what he might’ve been doing if he chose a different field!

In this Q&A, Jaycee Farmer reflects on what drew her to continue her studies in anesthesiology and pharmacology on the West Coast and how her lived experiences have shaped her research interests.

Meet James Taylor, an anesthesia resident (PGY-3) and the lead resident for BC Women’s Hospital for the 2026 academic year.

From trainee to instructor, Dr. Mike van der Westhuizen reflects on how his own residency experience shapes his approach to teaching, mentorship, and training.

Meet Dr. Navraj Chima, Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, who reflects on his journey in trauma anesthesia, leadership in the perioperative fellowship program, and highlights from teaching medical trainees.

In this spotlight, discover how Dr. Catrina Loucks’ journey through genetics, pharmacogenomics, and mentorship shaped her research on improving pain management for children.

Dr. Annabel Chapman shares how her global community-based research journey led her to UBC, where she now focuses on implementation science and co-designed, patient-engaged interventions.

Dr. Wesam Farag, recipient of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC Research Trainee Award, reflects on the experiences that shaped his training and deepened his commitment to neuropharmacology.

Meet the co-head of the UBC division of neuroanesthesiology, Dr. Sandy Kisilevsky! From aspiring forensic scientist to consultant anesthesiologist at VGH, Dr. Kisilevsky shares her passion for patient care and lifelong learning.