UBC Health, in partnership with the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI), is pleased to introduce ten new scholars (graduate and postdoctoral) as part of the second cohort of Health Equity Scholars representing both UBC Vancouver and Okanagan. The Health Equity Stream of the PSI fosters a unique community of scholars whose research transcends traditional academic boundaries. The scholars benefit from tailored opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and impact through interdisciplinary connections, capacity building, and engagement.

The new cohort of scholars is tackling complex health challenges in diverse areas such as racial inequities in healthcare, environmental justice, healthy aging, Indigenous health, and women's health. “This remarkable cohort embodies UBC Health's commitment to fostering inclusion, collaboration, and innovation, as outlined in our strategic plan,” said Dr. Christie Newton, Associate Vice President, UBC Health. “Their interdisciplinary research and dedication to health equity exemplify UBC’s values in action—leading solutions to some of the most urgent health challenges of our time.”

Meet the 2024/25 Health Equity Scholars

Below are the names and project titles of the new PSI Cohort, whose full profiles can be found here.

Alexa Norton – Optimizing the Role of Prescribed Safer Supply and Exploring Alternate Dispensing Models During an Overdose Epidemic

Amin Adibi – Untangling Race and Lung Function in Prediction Models

Chelsey Perry – Intersections of Indigenous Health, Gender Equity, and Climate Justice

Katherine White – The Built Environment And Housing Characteristics, Indoor Heat Exposure, Social Isolation, And Health Outcomes Of Older Adults During Periods Of High Outdoor Ambient Temperature

Lindsay Burton – Advancing Preventive Care for Older Adults

Logan Burd – ‘Healing Our Youth Home’: Weaving Métis Youth’s Conceptualization of Life Promotion into Youth Suicide Prevention

Manvi Bhalla – Co-Imagining Just Futures: Advancing Intersectional Environmental Justice in Canadian Environmental Health Policy-Making

Michelle Gagnon – Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy as Experienced by Patients and Providers in Canada: A Narrative Inquiry

Rachel Stern – Geographical Analysis of Housing and Health Inequities

Zeba Khan – Choices for Alleviating Menstruation-Related Pelvic Pain Study (CrAMPPS)

UBC Health is dedicated to creating opportunities for scholars and community members to engage in meaningful and equity-focused dialogue. Read about our recent event, “Voices for Health Equity”, where scholars from the first and the second cohorts shared their work with the community.