CIHR announces funding for innovative cancer, stroke, neurological research

UBC researchers have been awarded more than $42 million from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).

Of the 59 researchers at UBC and affiliated teaching hospitals receiving funding, six affiliated with UBC Science will lead a range of fundamental projects investigating cancer, stroke recovery, neurological health, and more. At the Faculty level, the project funding totals 4.7 million, with almost $372 million awarded nationally.

"Our Government is fully committed to taking concrete action when it comes to the health and wellbeing of all Canadians," said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health.

"This investment will fund research that will lead to new treatments, breakthroughs, and fundamental advances in health science. We are proud of our researchers, and will continue to support them in their efforts to help keep Canadians healthy and continue their research right here at home."

"This represents an enormous investment in health research for the science community and benefits all of Canada," said Roderick R. McInnes, Acting President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. "Through these grants, CIHR is supporting researchers at all career stages, across the entire country, and in all areas of health research. Our investigators have made Canada a global leader in health research."

UBC Science affiliated projects

Abraham, Ninan

CD127 in the development and function of Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells ($1,036,575)

Auld, Vanessa

Mechanisms of tricellular junction formation and regulation (
$719,100)

Naus, Christian


Pannexin1 mediation of stroke recovery responses: Sex and sex steroid influences
 ($692,325)

Perrin, David

Dual-Mode PET imaging agents for PET imaging cancer and visualizing tumor margins
 ($596,700)

Perrin, David


Alpha-amanitin: synthetic derivatives for applications in targeted therapy 
($405,450)

Zeng, Haishan


Real-time Endoscopic Raman Spectroscopy for Improving Dysplasia/Colorectal Cancer Detection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
 ($508,725)

Zhou, Youwen


Role of CLEC12B+ macrophages in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and melanoma
 ($745,875)

About CIHR

CIHR's mandate is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.