Faculty of Medicine researchers are leading the development of improved mental-health and addiction treatments with support from the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF).
The Government of B.C. awarded four UBC researchers, including Dr. Eugenia Oviedo Joekes and Dr. Anne Gadermann from the School of Population and Public Health, more than $560,000 through the BCKDF to advance mental health research.
“B.C.’s greatest asset is our people, and that’s why we continue to invest in infrastructure and research that will keep British Columbians healthy and safe,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “The University of British Columbia is a research powerhouse with students and researchers leading the way with new and innovative solutions across fields, such as mental health and wellness, that will improve the lives of people throughout B.C.”
The funding will support research with real-world implications, from child and youth mental health, concussions, sexuality and well-being, and treatment for opioid-use disorder.“Investing in and prioritizing mental health has been a key commitment at UBC, whether it’s been on our campuses or in B.C. communities,” said Santa J Ono, president and vice-chancellor, UBC. “This funding from the BC Knowledge Development Fund will allow UBC researchers to access the infrastructure they need to further work in areas, such as child and youth mental health, sexual health, brain injury and treatments for opioid-use disorder, furthering B.C.’s capacity to create a healthier future.”
Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes
Faculty of medicine recipients and their projects:
Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, School of Population and Public Health
Dr. Oviedo Joekes is the first in Canada to be named as Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in person-centred care in addictions and public health and is being supported by $125,000 from the BCKDF to buy equipment for this research. Her research program aims to improve the health of people living with opioid-use disorder by optimizing the uptake and effectiveness of innovative new treatments that are tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Dr. Anne Gadermann
Dr. Anne Gadermann, School of Population and Public Health
Dr. Gadermann received $80,000 from the BCKDF to support the development of a programmatic child development data platform in B.C. This funding will support the development the data platform, metadata and documentation for high-quality research in population-level child and youth data throughout B.C. The platform will facilitate innovative, cost-effective, timely and high-quality collaborative research that will serve as a springboard to improving collective understanding of the mental health of children and youth in B.C.