Updates, news and stories

Hope on the horizon for ALS

Dr. Erik Pioro is bridging research and care to accelerate the development of innovative ALS treatments for patients across British Columbia.A decade after the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge swept the internet, tremendous progress has been made toward understanding the devastating neurodegenerative disorder that steadily robs patients of muscle control. However, effective treatments remain elusive—and so does a cure. 

Faculty members receive 2025 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards

Dr. Jana-Lea Davidson and Dr. Cheryl Ho have been honoured as recipients of the 2025 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to the well-being of families and communities.The 42nd annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards awardees and nominees were celebrated during a ceremony on April 28. Several members of the faculty of medicine community were nominated for the awards across categories including Reconciliation in Action, Health and Wellness and Research, the Sciences and Technology.

What’s a healthy amount of sleep? It differs from one country to another

UBC Okanagan – Call for nominations for this year's Principal's Staff Awards

The Principal's Staff Awards (formerly the Staff Awards of Excellence) celebrate the UBC Okanagan staff whose passion, innovation, and dedication have helped shape the campus community and move the campus forward.There are seven categories of awards.

Tell us how you're partnering with others to make an impact

Are you collaborating with others to drive meaningful change and make a positive impact within or beyond the university? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Teaching in focus: Jenna Usprech

Jenna is an assistant professor of teaching at the School of Biomedical Engineering. From cellular bioengineering labs to science communication and ethics courses, her diverse teaching portfolio reflects Jenna’s passion for lifelong learning. Find out what motivates her as an educator and who inspires her most.

A rare book collection and an ambitious dream: preserving and sharing the UBC Japanese Special Collection

At UBC Library, many hands and hundreds of hours are helping to bring a unique Japanese book collection alive.

Applications open for the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund

As a faculty or staff member, you can apply for a UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund before June 4. These funds are granted to departments and units in Vancouver and the Okanagan to support the university's commitment to the Okanagan Charter to become a health and wellbeing-promoting institution, as outlined in UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework.

Share a Staff in focus profile

Staff in focus highlights the diverse roles, talents, and interests of our colleagues across the university.Whether you’ve been here for 10 months or 10 years, we’d love to hear about who you are, what you do, and what motivates you in and outside of work. What work achievement are you most proud of? What's the best thing about your work at UBC? Have you received great advice that you'd like to share with others? Tell us.

Research in focus: Anusha Kassan

Anusha is an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education. Inspired by her bicultural identity and informed by a social justice lens, her research investigates the impact of immigration across different communities.

Submit a proposal for the PhD Collab Pilot program

Faculty members at UBC Vancouver are invited to submit a proposal for the PhD Collab Pilot program - an initiative that offers up to $100,000 in funding for PhD student and faculty teams who are working together to address complex questions or problems. Letters of intent for the 2025/26 PhD Collab pilot are due by 5:00 pm on June 13. 

Support for those impacted by the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival