Two federally-funded training programs to build Canada’s biomedical research and innovation capacity
Researchers at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine are leading two newly funded training initiatives designed to enhance Canada’s biomedical research and innovation capacity, particularly in areas such as drug development and aging. Supported by a total of $3.3 million over six years through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program, these multidisciplinary programs aim to equip students and postdoctoral fellows with essential technical and professional skills for careers across academia, industry, and government, ultimately contributing to a highly skilled workforce capable of translating scientific discoveries into tangible health and economic benefits for Canadians.
The AGEnomics program, led by Stefan Taubert in collaboration with researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, addresses one of science’s most complex challenges understanding the biology of aging. By integrating research with advanced multi omics approaches, including genomics, epigenetics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analysis, the program seeks to uncover the molecular mechanisms of aging and support the development of strategies to enhance long-term health and disease prevention. As Canada’s first training initiative to combine these disciplines in aging research, AGEnomics provides trainees with technical expertise, mentorship, and cross-sector experience in academia, industry, and government. Supported by partners such as the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, the program also emphasizes diversity in STEM and real-world application, with broader impacts extending to wildlife conservation and agricultural productivity, ultimately positioning Canada at the forefront of addressing both the biological and societal challenges of aging.
BioHuMS (Training Program in Biodevices for Human Based Model Systems), led by Sarah Hedtrich and Govind Kaigala, aims to transform how new therapies are developed by addressing the limitations of traditional drug testing methods that often fail to accurately predict human responses. Based at the University of British Columbia, the program trains researchers to design and apply advanced biodevices and human based model systems that better replicate human biology, integrating expertise from engineering, life sciences, and computational science. Trainees gain interdisciplinary skills, hands on experience, and global industry exposure, supported by infrastructure such as the Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry. By fostering innovation in human relevant testing models, BioHuMS seeks to accelerate the development of safer, more effective treatments while strengthening Canada’s leadership in biotechnology and health research.
