Faculty Directory
Meet our faculty and explore their research topics and expertise.
Each month we highlight the research of one of our faculty members.
Latest Research News
- Just announced: Dr. Brodie Sakakibara awarded a prestigious Canada Research Chair, in Stroke Recovery
The revered Canada Research Chair program recognizes excellence in research, and will accelerate Dr. Sakakibara’s research in stroke recovery. Find out how. - Connect OT, Vancouver: A chance to meet, converse and collaborate on future research and advocacy
To celebrate OT Month, UBC OSOT and OTBC partnered to hold an informal in-person gathering to cultivate collaborative conversation between researchers, clinicians, and OT advocates. - Event: Connect OT – Vancouver (Oct 22)
Connect in person! Join OTs, students, and the wider occupational therapy community in Vancouver for an informal gathering as part of OT Month. RSVP required.
See all our news and events
Our Approach to Research
We aspire to foster a research environment that collaborates across health and social disciplines, engages with community, clinicians, people with lived experience, and decision-makers to create, translate, and implement research and knowledge for the benefit of society.
Increasing the Impact and Reach of our Research
As captured in the department’s Strategic Action Plan (2025-2032), we have three clear goals to further strengthen our research projects and practice:
Goal 1
Increase the level of our collaboration with community, clinicians, and people with lived experience to inform and enhance our research.
Goal 2
Advance scholarship of teaching and learning in occupational therapy and occupational science to enhance student learning outcomes and promote educational leadership of faculty.
Goal 3
Promote a sustainable, innovative, and impactful research program that improves the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, enhances health service delivery, and influences policy.
See how we intend to achieve these goals:
Graduate and Postdoctoral Research
Research MSc / PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
We collaborate with the Department of Physical Therapy to deliver a research graduate program in Rehabilitation Science.
The program offers opportunities for study and research leading to Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Students in the program are supervised by faculty members from either department.
The program is proud of the achievements of our graduates. Many are recipients of studentships, scholarships and other awards, and feature in numerous peer-reviewed journal publications.
Graduate students and Postdoctoral Fellows affiliated with us may have the opportunity to be involved in ICORD, the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Arthritis Research Canada, the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and other CIHR initiatives.
Learn more about our Rehabilitation Science research programs
Master of Rehabilitation Science (MRSc) Research Projects
Our online Master of Rehabilitation Science degree offers health professionals an option for higher learning whilst actively working in rehabilitation. Students in this program are required to undertake a major research project, exploring everyday issues in rehabilitation practice.
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Research Projects
In the Master of Occupational Therapy degree program, students are required to complete a research project related to evidence underlying practice or the study of human occupation.
Graduating students showcase their year-long research projects through podium and poster presentations at the annual Capstone Conference.
Each year, the Capstone Conference attracts more than 200 attendees, including peers, faculty members from various health disciplines, clinicians, consumers and the general public.
Research Projects and Tools
- Emergency Department Standards: Pathways for youth from emergency departments to community services
This project aims to develop a quality standard for youth mental health and substance use care in emergency departments in British Columbia. - International Implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model for Substance Use Prevention in Youth
A review of the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) in diverse global contexts to understand its potential adaptation and scaling in Canada. - Links to Employment Project
This project evaluates an enhanced Individual Placement Support program at the BC Canadian Mental Health Association. - Longitudinal Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
This study aims to explore the experiences of youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Making the Shift: Transitions to Homelessness
This pan-Canadian longitudinal cohort study aims to understand youth’s experiences with homelessness. - Patient-Reported Outcome Measure of Function (F-PROM) Study
This study aims to evaluate a tool which measures youth function, in order to assess the effectiveness of mental health care and substance use support. - TikTok & Youth Mental Health
This study aims to understand how Canadian youth use TikTok to learn about mental health and connected to services during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Wider Impacts Project
This study aims to understand factors that protect youth against substance use, how youth access services, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. - Youth-Centred Opioid Agonist Treatment & Services Project
This multi-phase study aims to develop a youth-centred model of care to improve the use of medications to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Behavioural Indicators of Infant Pain Scale
This scale is designed to understand the effects of the environment on preterm infant development, allow for accurate assessments and find effective ways to reduce the negative effects of the environment. Key contact: Liisa Holsti.
Ergonomic Assessment Tool for Arthritis (EATA)
The EATA is designed to assist occupational therapists and their clients with arthritis complete an ergonomic assessment for the purpose of recommending ergonomic modifications as job accommodations. Key contact: Catherine Backman.
Read more about the EATA
Scholar of the Month
- Scholar of the Month: Jay MacDonald
Meet Jay MacDonald, whose work and research in educational leadership prioritizes people-centred approaches, critical learning pedagogy, and a focus on social justice. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Julia Schmidt
Read about Dr. Julia Schmidt’s research into navigating life after brain injury, and learn about her team of researchers in the CEDAR Brain Injury Lab. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Holly Reid
Read about Dr. Holly Reid’s research into the joyful lived realities of 2S/LGBTQIA+ community members, and their future research into the role of OT in gender-affirming care. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Jill Zwicker
Meet Dr. Jill Zwicker and discover why her research into Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is vital to improve pediatric clinical care. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Brodie Sakakibara
Meet Dr. Brodie Sakakibara and learn why stroke should be seen as a chronic condition, and how virtual and self-managed rehabilitation could be key to better recovery. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Justin Turner
This month, meet Dr. Justin Turner, whose research, and approach to teaching, is centred on strength and resilience, and exploring the many ways these factors intersect with identity and healthcare. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Megan MacPherson
This month, meet Dr. Megan MacPherson, whose research is centred on how to translate research evidence, lived experience, and community knowledge into real-world healthcare decisions. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Elly Park
Meet Dr. Elly Park, whose passion for interprofessional education, narrative methods of research, and social justice is evident in Prince George and across the MOT program. - Scholar of the Month: Dr. Stefanie Blain-Moraes
Meet new faculty member Dr. Stefanie Blain-Moraes, whose interdisciplinary research into consciousness combines expertise in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and rehabilitation. - Scholar of the Month: Donna Drynan
This month, meet Donna, who leaves a long legacy of important work in OT education, and supporting teaching and learning in clinical practice.
Monthly Research Highlights
- Research Highlights: July 2026
This month, read about the huge amount of research at the annual UBC Capstone Conference, consider the importance of intersectionality in the OT student experience, and reflect on the future of occupational therapy through poetry. - Research Highlights: June 2026
Read about the experiences of Indigenous healthcare providers, disabled cyclists experiences of urban cycle lanes, accessibility of childcare services, and findings on diagnostic assessments for autism spectrum disorder. - Research Highlights: May 2026
Catch up with our busy month of conferences, new publications, keynotes, and visiting scholars! - Research Highlights: April 2026
Read about funding announcements for three collaborative projects with Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, reflections on reconciliation and OT, interprofessional training on sustainability, and a student award for work on the rights of Indigenous children. - Research Highlights: March 2026
Read about how to implement low carbon occupational therapy in your practice, about accessibility in air travel, and on the uneven access to prosthetics. - Research Highlights: February 2026
Read about accessibility in fieldwork and in childcare services, love in health professions education, the benefits of visual notetaking, and a training program for shared control powered wheelchairs. - Research Highlights: January 2026
Read about our new research on pediatric assessments, para athletes in leadership, aging in performance, and challenges in intersectional research.
Photo used to illustrate EATA by Nani Chavez