An International Team Led by UBC Researchers Have Created CentileBrain, Published in Lancet Digital Health
An international team led by UBC researchers have created CentileBrain, published in Lancet Digital Health (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(23)00250-9/fulltext). CentileBrain is a precision medicine tool that defines “normative values” for the size of brain regions while accounting for human diversity. Details at https//:ow.ly/UtSf50QTnTV.
An International Team led by UBC researchers Have Created CentileBrain, Published in Lancet Digital Health
CentileBrain is a precision medicine tool that defines “normative values” for the size of brain regions while accounting for human diversity.
Congratulations to Dr. Todd Woodward, Recipient of a UBC Research Facility Support Grant
Congratulations to Professor Dr. Todd Woodward, who has received a 2023/2024 UBC Research Facilities Support Grant (UBC RFSG) to enhance his lab’s research capabilities and ensure longevity of technology that is crucial to their brain research program.
He and his team were awarded this grant to replace essential hardware nets integral to their Geodesic Transcranial Electrical Neuromodulation (GTEN) system. The GTEN system enables simultaneous high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) recording and high-density neuromodulation (hdNMOD), serving as a pivotal tool in investigating brain activity and behavior in ongoing research projects.
Congratulations once again to Dr. Woodward and his team on this great news!
IMH Showcase | February 2024
MELISSA WOODWARD
Research Analyst
Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research
Meet Dr. Melissa Woodward, a former IMH Marshall Fellow who has successfully transitioned from academia to her current role as a Research Analyst at Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research.
Initially focused on individuals with complex mental health needs, her research expertise now plays a key role in enhancing healthcare quality and access through evidence-based strategies. Explore some of her research on the psychosocial wellbeing of children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281083.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I completed a PhD in Neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Donna Lang before completing two postdoctoral fellowships at UBC in the departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, the first of which was funded through the IMH Fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. William Honer. My research used brain imaging for individuals with complex mental health concerns including treatment resistant schizophrenia and individuals experiencing homelessness and precarious housing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. More recently I focused on community mental health needs for youth in British Columbia and health service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic working with Dr. Quynh Doan.
Can you describe your current role?
Currently I work as a research analyst for Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research. I contribute to a range of evidence-based projects on health economics, evidence synthesis, and observational studies which are tailored to meet the specific needs of diverse clientele. My role encompasses analysing data to support the development of robust health economic models, comprehensive reviews, and in-depth observational research, with the goal of creating actionable insights that guide healthcare improvements.
What is the best piece of advice you can share with colleagues new to your department or UBC?
The faculty and fellow trainees I collaborated with at UBC were an incredible source of wisdom, offering a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and a sense of camaraderie that greatly enriched my professional and personal growth. My advice is to find opportunities for collaboration and build a supportive network. Building these relationships is not just about professional advancement, but also creating a community that encourages learning and mutual growth. Embrace the chance to work with others, as these connections will not only become one of your most significant resources, but will enrich your life.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy ultimate frisbee and exploring BC’s beautiful outdoors, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and podcasting about television with Post Show Recaps including bringing my knowledge of neuroscience and psychiatry to discussion of shows like Severance and Yellowjackets. Maintaining these interests outside of work has not only supported my physical and mental health, but also fostered skills in communication, mentorship, and collaboration.
If you are an IMH member and would like to share more about yourself and your research with the community, please contact IMH Research Manager Dr. Nicole Sanford at nicole.sanford@ubc.ca.
Translational Neuroimaging Educational Program | Free Online Seminar on March 27, 2024
The Translational Neuroimaging Educational Program invites you to register for a free online seminar on Wednesday March 27, 2024 from 8:30am – 9:30am (PT). The theme of this seminar will be How to Measure Functional Connectivity (FC) in the Brain – Comparison and Evaluation of Potential Connectivity Metrics.
Visit the Event Page for more details!
In the Spotlight | STEVEN ESAU
March 2024
Meet Dr. Steven Esau, a Clinical Instructor, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and the Director of Operations – Fraser East for Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS). He is currently working with the Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS) on a Fraser East Overdose Response Research Study.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m a proud father of 3 beautiful daughters, a loving wife as well as have a high energy dog named Chapeau. While being raised on a farm in Chilliwack, my passion for finding the best health strategies led me to studying clinical counselling and later a doctorate in behavioural health. My work has been to design, start-up and run treatment programs for Mental Health, Substance Use and Homelessness in multiple countries. The passion behind the work is getting to meet amazing people and to find new strategies that incorporate nature and relationships to get better health outcomes.
What are some of your main goals as an instructor related to student learning?
One of the main goals for student learning is to help expand knowledge on what addiction truly is, how people can find themselves caught in addiction, and that there is a vast, creative, and highly relational way to respond to those facing addiction. I am a firm believer in experiential learning, therefore, when I meet with students we discuss the etiology of addiction and mental health while doing an outdoor activity. Specifically, we do activities that I run in our bed-based substance use treatment programs such as Caving, High Ropes Course, Ziplining, Rock Climbing, etc.
Are you involved in any research? If so, what does that entail?
I currently am working with the Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences on a Fraser East Overdose Response Research Study. The first stage was working with families and caregivers of those that had a loved one overdose to determine why people get to a point of using substances and isolating. Our research is now in the second stage of developing an intervention for families and caregivers to help foster relationships and skills to prevent PWUD from using substances alone.
What excites you about the future of your field?
What excites me most about the future of my field is the growing awareness that substance use is correlated to breaks in relationship and therefore requires a relational response in recovery. This includes relationship with nature, spirituality / culture and how they see themselves. There can be archaic or limiting interventions being taught for treatment that I now see more openness to creative new strategies. A Tedx talk I did explains a bit more of this:
Am I good enough yet? | Steven Esau | TEDxChilliwack – YouTube
PLEASE RSVP: Psychiatry Graduation Gala on Friday June 14, 2024
Dear Faculty,
We welcome you to join the celebration with the Class of 2024 Psychiatry graduates. Please see details below and RSVP via the link below by Friday, May 3, 2024.
RSVP Link: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1M1NFdztesMQvB4
Event Details
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM
Venue: Shaughnessy Restaurant
Address: 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Ticket Price:
· Grads – Free
· Grad’s Guests – $122
· Faculty, Allied Staff, Other Guests – $152
· Residents – $61
· Children age 6 -12 – $35
· Children age 5 or under – Free
· Department Head, PD, APD’s, MC’s, Grad Committee – Free
Payment Methods
After completing the RSVP survey, you will automatically be redirected to the payment portal to purchase additional tickets. For your reference, the link is also included here: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20435_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=72&SINGLESTORE=true
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Raquel Portillo Henriquez
Senior Program Assistant, PGE
Faculty of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver General Hospital | Musqueam Traditional Territory
11th floor, 2775 Laurel Street Room 11167 | Vancouver BC | V5Z 1M9 Canada
The UBC Vancouver campus is situated within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
Calling for Teaching Faculty Participation on April 16, 2024
** Sent on behalf of Dr. Irfan Khanbhai, PGE Program Director, UBC Department of Psychiatry **
Dear Faculty,
We are currently in the process of preparing the upcoming Psychiatry Residency Program Internal Review which will be taking place between Monday, April 15, 2024 and Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
As part of the review process, the PGME surveyors will be meeting with our faculty, residents, program administrators, committee members, and department leadership to get a better understanding of the program’s strengths and challenges within the context of the new accreditation standards.
We are currently looking for available teaching faculty who are able to attend the meeting with the PGME surveyors on Tuesday April 16, 2024. In particular, we are looking for teaching faculty from these particular sites to attend. Note that all meetings will be virtual through Zoom.
- VGH
- SPH
- RH
- BCCH
- LGH
- BH
- Vancouver Island
- Prince George
- Any MHT teams
If you are available to attend and is from one of the sites listed above, please sign up through this link by Tuesday, March 12th at the latest: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OHnALdpFC5xvr8
Below is the schedule for April 16th as reference for the teaching faculty.
| Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start | End | Meeting |
| 8:00am | 8:30am | Meeting with Vancouver Teaching Staff |
| 8:30am | 9:00am | Meeting with Fraser Teaching Staff |
| 9:00am | 9:30am | Meeting with Vancouver Island Teaching Staff |
| 9:30am | 10:00am | Meeting with Southern Interior Teaching Staff |
| 10:00am | 10:30am | Meeting with Prince George Teaching Staff |
| 10:30am | 10:45am | Break |
| 10:45am | 11:15am | Competence Committee |
| 11:15am | 12:00pm | Residency Program Committee |
| 12:00pm | 12:15pm | Additional meeting with Program Director |
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to myself or Linda Chang at linda.chang@ubc.ca.
Sincerely,
Dr. Irfan Khanbhai MD, FRCPC
Clinical Associate Professor
Program Director
UBC Psychiatry Postgraduate Education Program
I humbly acknowledge, with gratitude, that I live, work, and play as an uninvited guest on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.