Leadership in Vancouver
The JDRF Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia (UBC) unites the expertise of global research leaders and partnerships in industry, health care, government, and academia towards a singular goal: curing type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Centre creates an environment for sustained multidisciplinary collaboration between three key sites – UBC’s Life Sciences Institute, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI), and Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) – allowing for rapid progress and efficient translation of discoveries in the lab to clinical solutions for people living with T1D.
The goal of the Centre’s research team is to bring two or more solutions to cure or slow the progression of T1D to the clinical testing stage within just five years. These discoveries may also uncover therapeutic approaches for other diseases.
The Centre’s research leads are:
Dr. Bruce Verchere, BCCHRI and UBC
Expertise: beta cell physiology and beta cell regeneration
Dr. Verchere’s work has led to the discovery of new beta cell biomarkers and promising approaches to slow immune attack in T1D and islet transplants. He has served as a close JDRF International advisor for many years.
Dr. Megan Levings, BCCHRI and UBC
Expertise: immunology, autoimmunity and cellular therapy
Dr. Levings’ work has informed the rationale for an ongoing phase 2 clinical trial of an immunotherapy agent in young people with T1D. She developed new ways to monitor immune system activity and created a new immune cell therapy approach to limit the autoimmune response.
Dr. James Johnson, UBC
Expertise: fundamental biology of pancreatic islets, insulin action
Dr. Johnson has extensive experience in beta cell biology, including in target discovery and development of drugs for diabetes. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Islets.
Dr. Francis Lynn, BCCHRI and UBC
Expertise: beta cell biology, molecular biology, physiology
Dr. Lynn has uncovered the roles of several key regulators of beta cell differentiation and proliferation that have informed strategies for beta cell regeneration and replacement. He is also an expert in the gene editing techniques being explored to create “designer” beta cells.
Dr. Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer, JDRF Canada
Expertise: diabetes, autoimmunity and immune regulation, scientific and medical publishing, knowledge translation
Dr. Linklater leads JDRF Canada’s research strategy, funding programs and partnerships, and oversees clinical trials and research projects funded by the organization in Canada. She acts as the central liaison for research-related matters with JDRF International and Canadian researchers.
In addition to the research leads, more than 35 other researchers, trainees, technical staff and collaborators will be involved in driving the Centre’s research projects.
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