Congratulations to the three DMCBH members who received the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute’s (VCHRI) 2026 Innovation and Translational Research Awards!

Advancing research from discovery to real-world application is essential to improving health systems and patient outcomes. VCHRI is supporting investigators and their groundbreaking health research with its Innovation and Translational Research Awards. This year’s recipients are putting new knowledge into practice, implementing research in clinical settings and advancing innovations with the potential for commercialization.

Learn more about the projects being led by DMCBH researchers.

Could a point-of-care biomarker test improve spinal cord injury diagnostics?

Award recipient: Dr. Brian Kwon
Study: Point-of-care blood-biomarker testing in spinal cord injury
Funded by: VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering injury, and accurately assessing severity and predicting recovery remains a persistent clinical challenge. Current approaches rely heavily on physical examination and imaging, which can be limited in the early stages following injury.

Building on prior research demonstrating that the biomarker GFAP improves diagnostic precision, this collaborative initiative between Dr. Brian Kwon at the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries and Dr. Sophie Stukas at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health will evaluate a handheld point-of-care device (iSTAT) that enables rapid measurement at the bedside. The device requires only a small blood sample and can return results within minutes, supporting more timely clinical decision-making.

“Using iSTAT to measure GFAP could provide rapid insight into spinal cord damage and support timely treatment decisions,” says Dr. Kwon. “This project could enable broader access to advanced diagnostics across B.C., including in settings where specialized testing is not currently available.”

Can a novel organ preservation technique safely improve transplantation outcomes? 

Award recipient: Dr. Mypinder Sekhon
Study: Multimodal neuromonitoring during normothermic regional perfusion for organ donors determined dead by circulatory criteria following withdrawal of life sustaining measures (NONOFLOW)
Funded by: Organ Donation and Transplantation Research Foundation of British Columbia

As demand for organ transplantation grows, improving the quality and availability of donor organs is a critical priority. Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is an emerging technique that restores circulation to organs after death in donation after circulatory death, helping to preserve function prior to transplantation. While promising, this approach raises important safety and ethical considerations, particularly regarding the potential for restoration of brain activity.

Dr. Mypinder Sekhon’s study will use advanced neuromonitoring techniques to assess whether any return of brain blood flow or oxygenation occurs following death declaration during NRP. This work will generate critical evidence to inform safe clinical implementation.

“This research project addresses a key unanswered question using gold standard neuromonitoring available only at Vancouver General Hospital,” says Dr. Sekhon. “Findings will support evidence-based protocols and help expand safe organ donation practices.”

Can rapid brain stimulation improve treatment for inpatient depression?

Award recipient: Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
Study: Accelerated iTBS + D-cycloserine to treat depression in inpatients
Funded by: VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

Patients hospitalized with major depression often require extended stays while waiting for treatment to take effect, placing strain on individuals, families and the health system. Faster, effective treatment options are needed to improve outcomes and reduce length of stay.

Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez will evaluate a five-day treatment combining theta-burst stimulation, a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, with a neuroplasticity-enhancing compound. This treatment combination is designed to speed up improvements in mood and suicidal thoughts while keeping side effects low. The team will assess feasibility in inpatient settings and examine early signals of clinical effectiveness.

“This study is focused on delivering meaningful impact in real-world care settings,” says Dr. Vila-Rodriguez. “Faster treatment could help patients recover sooner and reduce time spent in hospital, without compromising safety.”