Women's Health Research Institute

03/24/2026

In celebration of Women’s Health Research Month, we’re spotlighting Dr. Sandesh Shivananda, the inaugural recipient of the Leveling Up: Women’s and Newborn Health Research Action Grant.

Dr. Shivananda is an Associate Professor in the Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, and a neonatologist at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

The WHRI Leveling Up Grant is supporting him and his team to study neonatal interventions to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (NIP-BPD), a serious chronic lung condition that primarily affects babies born preterm.

Supported by funding from the BC Women’s Health Foundation, the WHRI Leveling Up Grant supports previously pilot-tested women’s and/or newborn’s health research project involving, screening or diagnostic tools; or treatment interventions.

📣 Share this reel with colleagues and friends to help amplify women’s health research.

🔗 To learn more about how the WHRI Leveling Up Grant is advancing this research forward watch the video and read more about Dr. Shivananda’s research: https://whri.org/announcing-the-2025-womens-health-research-institute-leveling-up-womens-and-newborn-health-research-action-grant-recipient/

03/24/2026

On March 18, the federal government announced a $20 million investment in genomics research through Genome Canada to advance the use of genomics in improving healthcare interventions.

We are thrilled to share that Dr. Paul Yong, Research Director and Gynaecologist at BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain + Endometriosis and Assistant Director at Women’s Health Research Institute, alongside co-Principal Investigator Dr. David Huntsman and industry partner Dr. Laura Williamson of AbCellera Biologics Inc., has been awarded funding through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP).

Their project is helping advance a new antibody-based approach to treating endometriosis, bringing us closer to more effective, targeted care. In total, eight research teams across British Columbia received a combined $8 million through Genome Canada’s GAPP program — supporting innovative projects like Dr. Yong’s that are advancing the future of care.

Discover how this funding is shaping endometriosis research and care: https://whri.org/dr-paul-yong-awarded-genome-applications-partnership-program-gapp-grant/

03/24/2026

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose has received $1.4 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support her ‘Mobility Innovation Core’ project, focused on advancing physical therapy research.

The funding supports six areas of health innovation including cancer treatment, brain health, infectious diseases, biomedical engineering and more.

Congratulations to Dr. Liu-Ambrose and all award recipients! Learn more about her research: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/ubc-medicine-researchers-awarded-more-than-21m-for-research-infrastructure-to-accelerate-discovery-and-impact/?utm_campaign=ubcmedicine&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnnXXFD8DSHSbgX6MjJkhDw83qMdREoJT3WLd-VBL4QHl_xabNfSWc9dRPhjY_aem_Ca5hQ-0cvFoWq-YsBJ8Geg

03/23/2026

British Columbia is leading the way in women’s health research.

At the Women’s Health Research Institute, world-class researchers are advancing knowledge across critical areas of women’s health, from endometriosis and menopause to perinatal and infectious disease research.

We were excited to join WHRI in welcoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, and Member of Parliament Fares Al Soud for a tour showcasing this leading-edge work in action.

The support of the BC Women's Health Foundation helps fund crucial research, fueling discoveries that continue to improve care here in BC and nationally. Research backed by philanthropy allows institutes like WHRI to continue to advocate for health and research policies that support women, families, and communities across Canada.

03/23/2026

British Columbia is leading the way in women’s health research.

At the Women’s Health Research Institute, world-class researchers are advancing knowledge across critical areas of women’s health, from endometriosis and menopause to perinatal and infectious disease research.

We were excited to join WHRI in welcoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, and Member of Parliament Fares Al Soud for a tour showcasing this leading-edge work in action.

The support of the BC Women’s Health Foundation helps fund crucial research, fueling discoveries that continue to improve care here in BC and nationally. Research backed by philanthropy allows institutes like WHRI to continue to advocate for health and research policies that support women, families, and communities across Canada.

03/21/2026

The Indigenous Equity Lab website is now live!

Led by Dr. Brittany Bingham (shíshálh Nation), the Indigenous Equity Lab is an Indigenous-led research program dedicated to advancing Indigenous health equity.

Their mission is to support Indigenous women's health, gender equity, revitalize traditional wellness practices, amplify Indigenous voices in health, respond to the impacts of climate change, and nurture capacity-building and mentorship for the next generation.

This website brings together a body of work grounded in:

- Indigenous-led and community-driven research
- Equity and health systems transformation
- Knowledge sovereignty and ethical data practices
- Climate, land, and relational approaches to wellness
- Training and mentorship for the next generation of Indigenous leaders

Explore resources, publications, and key areas of work at indigenousequitylab.org, and connect directly with the Indigenous Equity Lab team.

03/20/2026

UBC Medicine researchers are collaborating with industry partners on seven new federally-funded projects that will accelerate the development of genomic health innovations.

The academia–industry collaborations will advance implementation-ready genomic solutions for some of the most pressing health challenges facing Canadians—from new treatments for cancer, diabetes and endometriosis, to enhanced disease detection and diagnosis.

The funding was announced today by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and is distributed through the Genomics Applications Partnership Program from Genome Canada and its regional centres, including Genome BC.

Learn more about how these partnerships will help translate discovery into real-world health impact and economic growth in Canada: https://bit.ly/4sTtTmC

03/20/2026

Are you conducting global health research in the areas of women’s and children’s health? Submit a 2-minute pre-recorded video on your work to be featured at the upcoming Global Health Conference on April 9! The submission deadline is March 25, 2026.

The 8th Annual Global Health Conference, hosted by the Institute for Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, in partnership with Healthy Starts, University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University, explores how innovation, data, and technology are transforming women’s and children’s health globally. This year’s keynote speaker is Ambrose Agweyu, Paediatrician and Clinical Research Scientist.

When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM PDT Where: Virtual & in-person at the Chan Centre for Family Health Education, BC Children’s Hospital

Don’t miss the in-person networking session: “Innovation in Action: A Global Health Trainee Roundtable Discussion” from 1:30 – 2:30 PM following the conference.

👉 Register now for the conference and roundtable, and submit your video to be part of the conversation shaping the future of global health:

Join Global Health Conference 2026, April 9, 2026. Learn more on Fourwaves.

03/20/2026

03/19/2026

Women’s Health Research Funding Announcement!

The Skidmore Goodman PRIME (Perinatal Research IMaging and Evaluation) Centre, in partnership with the BC Women's Health Foundation, is excited to announce the 2026 Perinatal Research IMaging Evaluation (PRIME) Centre Research Award. This award supports the advancement of knowledge in women’s, fetal, and neonatal health.

This year, we are pleased to offer a single award of $30,000 to fund a research project in women’s, newborn, or fetal health, to be carried out within the Skidmore Goodman PRIME Centre.

Eligibility:

- Applicants must be based in British Columbia at a university or hospital.
- Applicants must be current WHRI members.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks!

Application deadline: May 1, 2026

📌 Learn more and find out how to apply: https://whri.org/applications-open-for-the-2026-prime-centre-research-award/

03/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our WHRI Graduate Student Achievement Award recipients! 🎉

At the 11th annual Women’s Health Research Symposium, Dr. Paul Yong, WHRI Assistant Director, proudly presented this year’s awards recognizing outstanding research in women’s and newborn health.

This year, the Master’s Level Award was presented to Vienna Cheng, and the Doctoral Level Award presented to Emma Stirling-Cameron. These awards honour graduate students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and excellence in their research.

Join us in celebrating Vienna and Emma for their remarkable accomplishments!

Read more about the symposium and the incredible work of our award recipients here: https://whri.org/celebrating-whris-20th-anniversary-at-the-11th-annual-womens-health-research-symposium/ #

03/17/2026

In celebration of Women’s Health Research Month, we’re spotlighting recipients of the 2025 Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) Catalyst Grants and Leveling Up: Women’s and Newborn Health Research Action Grants throughout March.

Our second feature highlights Karen Pike, Adjunct Professor at the UBC School of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Specialist at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

We asked Karen how the 2025 WHRI Catalyst Grant is helping move her research forward. Through this support, she is leading a national collaboration on the Full Moon Challenge—an implementation study designed to engage birthing people and families in labour positioning best practices. The initiative encourages nurses to support regular and frequent position changes for people labouring with epidurals, with the goal of increasing vaginal birth rates in hospitals across Canada.

Supported by funding from the BC Women's Health Foundation, WHRI Catalyst Grants fund innovative pilot studies that generate new data, test new approaches, and advance research improving women’s and newborns’ health.

🎥 Watch the reel to hear how this funding is helping move Karen’s research forward.
📣 Share this reel with colleagues and friends to help amplify women’s health research.

🔗 Learn more about the Full Moon Challenge: https://iwkhealth.ca/health-professionals/full-moon-challenge