Congratulations to Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman on the recent awarding of a Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) award for The Abdelrahman Lab on the role of GPCRs in Alzheimer’s Disease pathophysiology.

Dr. Abdelrahman’s lab is dedicated to understanding how Alzheimer’s disease disrupts brain function, particularly through its impact on blood flow. The lab focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs, the most abundant receptor family in the body, and their interactions with toxic beta-amyloid and tau proteins, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. By investigating how these interactions impair GPCR function and contribute to impaired blood flow to the brain, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets.

With support from the CFI-JELF grant, the lab will acquire cutting-edge equipment to conduct advanced experiments using Alzheimer’s brain cells and mouse models. This will enable researchers in Abdelrahman’s group to study how beta-amyloid and tau affect GPCR signaling, brain blood flow, and memory while also exploring sex-based differences in disease progression. Additionally, the lab will test drugs targeting GPCRs to assess their potential in restoring blood flow and improving Alzheimer’s symptoms in both male and female mouse models.

By leveraging innovative tools and techniques, Dr. Abdelrahman’s lab strives uncover the role of GPCRs in Alzheimer’s and accelerate the development of novel treatment strategies for diverse patient populations.

Our department is saddened by the passing of Dr. Terry Waters on September 7, 2025. 

The UBC APT community lost one of its longest serving members this past weekend. Terry Waters, a faculty member since 1984, died suddenly and peacefully in his sleep while on a European cycling trip.  A friend to all, his vivacious character and infectious smile will be deeply missed. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife, Cathy, and to all those who had the privilege of calling him a friend.

Dr. Waters obtained his medical degree and completed his anesthesia residency at the University of British Columbia and was initially appointed as a Clinical Instructor in November 1984.

He had been actively involved in bedside and intraoperative teaching of medical undergraduates, postgraduate residents, and clinical fellows on anesthesiology and related areas, including transfusion medicine and perioperative blood management.  He was a key player in the setup and ongoing management of the Vancouver Acute Perioperative Blood Management Program.  Terry’s career spanned over 40 years at Vancouver General Hospital.  He will be dearly missed by members of the Anesthesia family, especially those at Vancouver General Hospital.