On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC welcomed industry leaders, donors, and research partners to Catalyze: Innovating Nanomedicines—a dynamic evening that celebrated the Faculty’s cutting-edge work in nanomedicines.
Held in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, the event highlighted how researchers at the Faculty are pushing the boundaries of drug delivery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine using nanoscale technologies. The evening served as both a showcase of impactful science and an invitation for stakeholders to engage with the Faculty’s growing research enterprise.
“Catalyze was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the exceptional talent and innovation happening here at UBC Pharm Sci,” said Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms, Dean of the Faculty. “Our researchers are developing solutions that will change the future of health care—from gene therapies to needle-free drug delivery. It was inspiring to share this work with partners who share our vision for improving patient outcomes through collaboration and scientific excellence.”
The evening began with a welcome reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect before hearing opening remarks from Dr. Raman-Wilms. A featured panel discussion followed, moderated by Dr. Helen Burt, Officer of the Order of Canada and former Associate Vice-President Research & Innovation at UBC. Dr. Burt, who enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career at UBC, guided a conversation that explored how nanomedicine is transforming health care—offering targeted, more effective, and less invasive treatments for a wide range of diseases.
The panel included five UBC Pharm Sci researchers whose work is shaping the future of nanomedicines:
Dr. Colin Ross: Advancing Precision Gene Therapies
Dr. Ross is a leader in gene therapy and precision medicine. He developed the first gene therapy in Canada to receive regulatory approval and now focuses on using lipid nanoparticles to deliver genome editors for treating genetic diseases such as Gaucher disease.
Dr. Joel Finbloom: Improving Antibiotic Delivery with Nanotechnology
Dr. Finbloom designs nanomaterials to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and probiotic therapies. His research targets drug-resistant bacterial infections and aims to improve treatment of gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s and colitis.
Dr. Karla Williams: Innovating Blood-Based Cancer Detection
Dr. Williams is developing a non-invasive method for early cancer detection by analyzing extracellular vesicles in blood. Her work could lead to a diagnostic platform that identifies cancer at its most treatable stage.
Dr. Miffy Cheng: Targeted Drug Delivery with Smart Nanoparticles
Dr. Cheng designs lipid nanoparticles that can be activated by light, heat, or sound to precisely deliver drugs to targeted tissues—expanding the potential of treatments for cancer and chronic diseases beyond current LNP limitations.
Dr. Shyh-Dar (Star) Li: Needle-Free Drug Delivery Pioneer
Dr. Li is developing nasal and sublingual drug delivery systems for biologics like insulin and semaglutide. His work offers a more convenient, needle-free alternative for patients with chronic conditions.
The event concluded with a networking reception and lab tours, where attendees had the chance to explore UBC’s research spaces, interact with faculty and trainees, and learn more about current and upcoming initiatives.
Catalyze successfully brought together academic excellence, real-world innovation, and community engagement—showcasing the Faculty’s leadership in nanomedicine and its commitment to creating meaningful health outcomes through collaborative research.
To learn more about ongoing research initiatives and themes, click here.