Research Institutes

The Research Institutes at UBCO provide opportunities for researchers from diverse disciplines to collaborate and share knowledge with each other and with the communities they serve as well as national and international colleagues. A key component of the success of a Research Institute is the appointment of a Director.

Director Roles and Responsibilities


Analytics in Medical Sciences (AiMS) Institute

Dr. Andrew Jirasek, Director

A partnership between UBC Okanagan, BC Cancer, and Interior Health, the Analytics in Medical Sciences (AiMS) Institute is a network of interdisciplinary experts working in medical physics, imaging, engineering, mathematics, oncology, informatics and data analytics. AiMS applies data and science to real-world clinical problems to develop locally relevant and globally impactful advancements in healthcare.


Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIIC)

Dr. Rachelle Hole, Co-Director | Dr. Tim Stainton, Co-Director

A partnership between the UBC School of Social Work, community living organizations and supporters seeking to further the inclusion and full citizenship of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, the CIIC is the only university based research institute in Canada with a dedicated focus on intellectual disability policy and practice.

Download 2022-23 Annual Report

Project profile

Romance, Relationships, and Rights: Theatre for Social Change


Institute for Community Engaged Research (ICER)

Dr. Jon Corbett, Director

ICER is a hub for building relationships, collaboration, and effective knowledge creation and exchange through research clusters operating across disciplinary and institutional boundaries. ICER operates fluidly in response to and in recognition of changing social issues and facilitates the participation of community members, organizations, students, and academics as co-researchers.

Download 2022-23 Annual Report


Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention (IHLCDP)

Dr. Jennifer Jakobi, Director

The Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention creates and fosters the use of new knowledge to enhance healthy living and chronic disease prevention. Through the development of interdisciplinary and community-based collaborations, the IHLCDP conducts community-based health research that benefits individuals, families and communities and reduces the burden of chronic disease.

DOWNLOAD 2022-23 ANNUAL REPORT


Materials & Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI)

Dr. Abbas Milani, Director

Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental research hub that links basic and applied science to contribute to knowledge advancement.  The MMRI has over 100 participating researchers from engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, health and exercise, computer science, social science, applied mathematics, and management.

Download 2022-23 Annual Report


Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience & Ecosystem Services (BRAES)

Dr. Adam Ford, Director

The Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES) is a group of over 30 researchers working in ecology, biodiversity and conservation, and environmental sustainability. BRAES has active affiliations with many partner organizations, including government ministries and NGOs around the world, and is committed to promoting research partnerships and carrying out research that will directly inform environmental policy and management decisions.

DOWNLOAD 2021-22 ANNUAL REPORT