Women's Health Research Institute

09/09/2025

Research Impact!

With funding support from the Institute of Gender and Health and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, WHRI members Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Dr. Cindy Barha, and Dr. Liisa Galea (pictured left to right) have launched a new study exploring how exercise may support brain health in perimenopausal females.

Hormonal changes during perimenopause may lead to brain fog, sleep problems, and increased dementia risk.

Although exercise is known to support cognitive health, it remains unclear whether it can specifically improve thinking abilities and brain health in perimenopausal women. It is also unknown how exercise produces these benefits or whether it can enhance long-term brain resilience during perimenopause.

This study will examine the effects of a 6-month exercise program on thinking ability and brain health in inactive perimenopausal women aged 40-55.

09/05/2025

Our upcoming BC Women’s Research Rounds will feature Dr. Marie Klingberg-Allvin. She will speak on “Menstrual Health – A Life Course Perspective.”

Dr. Klingberg-Allvin is a Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, and Professor in Reproductive Health at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

When: Friday, September 19 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Location: Zoom.

We look forward to seeing you there. Event details: https://whri.org/news-events/bc-womens-hospital-virtual-research-rounds/

09/03/2025

Promoting greater gender equity in health care. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ml33Ax

UBC’s Dr. Lori Brotto (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) and Dr. Saraswathi Vedam (UBC Midwifery) are redefining health care to be more equitable, inclusive and just — guided by the lived experiences of patients facing inequity and discrimination.

From advocating for culturally safe and respectful maternity care to improving sexual and menopause-related health, their work is reshaping care for women, gender-diverse people and marginalized communities across B.C., Canada and beyond.

Read the full Q&A to learn what motivates their research, what’s next, and what gives them hope.

08/30/2025

The UBC School of Nursing is conducting a study led by Dr. Saima Hirani, aimed at exploring and supporting the postpartum mental health of racialized mothers in Canada. The study will help inform the development of video resources to meet their specific needs.

The research team is currently seeking:

1. Postpartum mothers who have delivered a baby in the past year, live in BC and identify as racialized.

2. Healthcare workers or community services providers who have at least 2 years of experience working with postpartum mothers in BC.

Participant insights will play a key role in shaping resources to better support the mental health of racialized mothers during the postpartum period.

📩 To learn more and participate, contact Savitha Balachandran at savitha.balachandran@ubc.ca.

08/29/2025

Applications Now Open!

The IMPaCT Training Awards — part of Increasing capacity for Maternal and Paediatric Clinical Trials (IMPaCT), a clinical trials training platform funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research— are now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 cohort!

Are you a doctoral student, postdoctoral fellow, or early career researcher interested in maternal and pediatric clinical trials? The IMPaCT Training Awards offers a 1-year immersive training experience with mentorship, networking, and the tools to lead impactful clinical research in perinatal and child health.

Awards Available:

• Doctoral Students – $35,000

• Postdoctoral Fellows – $50,000

• Early Career Researchers – $70,000

Questions? Contact: impactrials@gmail.com.

Learn more and apply by October 17, 2025: https://www.impactrials.ca/awardinfo

08/28/2025

World Sexual Health Day 2025 — Updated Event Time!

We’re one week away from the Women’s Health Research Institute’s World Sexual Health Day 2025, happening on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Please note that the event time has been changed. The event will now take place from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM PST.

Event Details:

🔹 Date: September 4, 2025

🔹 Time: 12:00–2:00 PM (PDT)

🔹Location: In person at Oak Street Campus or virtually via Zoom

Join us for rapid-fire presentations and special guest speakers from Options for Sexual Health and the Sexual Health And genito-Pelvic pain knowledge Empowerment (UBC Sexual Health Research), highlighting sexual and reproductive health research.

Haven’t registered yet? n-person attendance highly encouraged. Reserve your spot for this free hybrid event: https://whri.org/celebrate-world-sexual-health-day-2025-with-the-whri/

If you registered to attend in-person but can no longer join, please contact the WHRI Communications Team at whri.communications@cw.bc.ca. The event recording will be circulated afterward.

Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada and Gynecologic Cancer Initiative.

08/27/2025

Research Impact!

Access to contraception is essential to health equity. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) — such as IUDs (copper and hormonal) and implants — are among the most effective forms of birth control.

In April 2023, B.C. introduced universal for contraceptives, removing cost barriers for all provincially insured residents.

WHRI Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Laura Schummers and her team at UBC studied the impact of this policy change. Their research found a 49% increase in contraception use across the province and a significant rise in the use of LARCs.

This work demonstrates how evidence-informed policy can drive meaningful improvements in public health.

Read the full study and media coverage: https://whri.org/in-the-media-increased-contraceptive-use-following-introduction-of-universal-coverage/



BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

08/27/2025

Research Impact: Expanding Access to Contraception

Access to contraception is a key component of health equity. However, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)—including IUDs, injectables, and vaginal rings—often come with high out-of-pocket costs in most parts of Canada.

In April 2023, B.C. became the first province to introduce universal coverage for contraceptives, making LARCs free for all provincially insured B.C. residents.
Dr. Laura Schummers, WHRI Scientific Advisory Board member, and her team at UBC evaluated the impact of this policy.

Their research shows that removing financial barriers led to a 49% increase in contraception use across the province and a significant shift toward the use of LARCs.
Read Dr. Schummers and team’s research study and ongoing media coverage — link in bio.

08/26/2025

The Institute for Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre is hosting a special reading with Dr. Stephen Rulisa, a visiting professor and clinician from Rwanda. Dr. Rulisa will share passages from his new memoir, “The Path Less Travelled”.

When: Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Where: In-Person at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Room 2108 (across from the Chan Auditorium)

Register now for this in-person event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-afternoon-with-stephen-rulisa-reading-from-the-path-less-travelled-tickets-1596511040499?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/22/2025

WHRI member Dr. K.S. Joseph was recently awarded the 2025 Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship in recognition of his contributions to advancing knowledge in perinatal and maternal health.

Learn more about his research impact below.

Congratulations BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Investigator Dr. K.S. Joseph, recipient of the 2025 Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship in recognition of his significant contributions to our understanding of perinatal and maternal health, his leadership in advancing health equity through epidemiology, and his passion and dedication to teaching and mentorship.

Learn more about his work and accomplishments at https://bcchr.info/44IpUzX

BC Children's Hospital Foundation Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia Provincial Health Services Authority - PHSA University of British Columbia

08/22/2025

At the end of July, the POETIC Elders Circle convened for the first time, beginning with a tour of the Museum of Anthropology and a dinner hosted by Dr. Charissa Patricelli. Elder and Matriarch Dr. Roberta Price offered a formal welcome and blessing to open the gathering.

The POETIC (Perinatal Opioid Exposures, Trajectories, Insights, and Concentrations) Research Network is a pan-Canadian initiative based at the Women’s Health Research Institute. Launched in 2022, the POETIC Network aims to better understand the health impacts of substance use during pregnancy—including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)—through clinical and genomic research grounded in cultural safety, Indigenous leadership, and community engagement.

The following day, the the POETIC Elders Circle, led by Matriarch Elder Dr. Roberta—began laying the foundational work to ensure that all POETIC research protocols, including genomics research and the storage and ownership of data and biological samples, are based on Indigenous Ethical Frameworks and guided by the POETIC Elders Circle.

This first gathering of the POETIC Elders Circle marked a key step in bringing Indigenous Knowledge Keepers together to begin shaping national approaches to upholding OCAP principles—Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession—in clinical research. Cultural teachings shared by Gramma Shingoose and Elder Dr. Roberta Price grounded the discussions in Indigenous ways of knowing, guiding how data sovereignty and biological sample stewardship will be carried out across the network.

Side 1: Dr. Charissa Patricelli (POETIC PI/Lead), Karly Stewart (Knowledge Keeper), Dr. Ojistoh Horn (POETIC Elder’s Circle member), Elder Dr. Jim Ketch (POETIC Elder’s Circle member), Gramma Shingoose (POETIC Elder’s Circle member), Jamie Corbett (POETIC RA), Mariah Price (POETIC Elder Helper), Theresa Bayer (POETIC Elder Helper) and Shanlea Gordon (POETIC Research Manager).

Slide 2: Gramma Shingoose, Elder and Dr. Roberta Price and Elder and Dr. Jim Ketch.

Read more about the POETIC Elders Circle here: https://whri.org/poetic-elders-circle-july-2025/

Photographer: Sarah Hooseman.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BC Women's Health Foundation, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Canadian Society Of Addiction Medicine and Maternal Infant Child Youth Research Network.

08/21/2025

Are you passionate about advancing women’s health research, particularly breast health? Join the dedicated team at the Women’s Health Research Institute as a Research Project Assistant!

We’re hiring a full-time, onsite Research Project Assistant to support two clinical trails focused on screening mammography within the Breast Health Program, at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

In this role, you will:

▻ Assist with participant engagement and communication
▻ Support data collection and management
▻ Edit and maintain research-related documents and forms

Apply now and share with colleagues, trainees and friends: https://jobs.phsa.ca/job/vancouver/research-projects-assistant-breast-health-women-s-health-research-institute/909/85191703984