Every year, two residents with prior research experience and plans to become clinician scientists are accepted into the Research Track where they receive specific mentorship, protected research time, and funding to support their research career development. Research Track residents have additional time away from their clinical activities dedicated to research from 1 day per week in PGY2-PGY4 to up to 4 days per week in PGY5
The Research Track has separate requirements during application and selection as outlined in further detail in the 2024 CaRMS information package.
Program Highlights
- Personalized mentorship to support research interests
- Dedicated & protected time for scholarly projects
- Integrated & flexible curriculum to allow residents to meet clinical training requirements outlined by the Royal College
- Opportunities to complete Master’s or PhD programs or enroll in the Clinical Investigator Program in PGY 6/7
Research Areas
The range of research areas offered is very wide from epidemiology to clinical trials, psychopharmacology, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, genetics/genomics, and preclinical models of brain processes. Information about our research programs and lab can be found at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre of Brain Health, our Research Programs and Labs, and the Brain, Behaviour and Development Program at BC Children’s Hospital.
The Research Support Hub offers further information about research opportunities, research support, and conduct.
Mentorship
Dr. William Panenka is the Associate Director of the Research Track. He provides mentorship and overall oversight of the clinical and research training of the Research Track residents. Research Track residents are expected to develop their research plans under the supervision of a Scientific Supervisor selected from the academic faculty of the Department. Residents work together with the Program Director and the Scientific Supervisors to identify their goals and needs using a dedicated Research Plan template.
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia has a long tradition of excellence in research and clinical care and a firm commitment to training the next generation of clinician scientists. Our Research Track offers dedicated research time in all years of the residency and an integrated, flexible curriculum that meets the clinical training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada while providing research training in every field of psychiatry including basic and translational neurosciences, epidemiology and public health, clinical trials, and health systems.
Research track residents have the opportunity to complete an MSc/MHSc/MPH degree or start a PhD program during the residency. There is a separate CaRMS match for the Research track and there are 2 positions available each year.
Dr. William Panenka
Associate Program Director, Research Track
Contact: william.panenka@ubc.ca
Resident Testimonials
Interested in finding out what our residents think about the program? View our Resident Testimonials.