Centre for Blood Research activities engage expert and emerging researchers

The UBC Centre for Blood Research (CBR) has been a long-standing partner of Canadian Blood Services, supporting blood science and transfusion research and education, training and knowledge mobilization activities for the next generation of trainees and researchers. Several Canadian Blood Services researchers are active members of CBR including chief science officer Dr. Jim Zimring, senior scientist Dr. Ed Pryzdial and adjunct scientists Dr. Ed Conway, Dr. Hongshen Ma and Dr. Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu. In 2024, CBR and Canadian Blood Services renewed their collaboration agreement through to 2027. 

For researchers and trainees (current or prospective) looking to participate in CBR learning activities and knowledge exchange opportunities, there are several notable dates and deadlines fast approaching. 

2026 Norman Bethune Symposium

The Norman Bethune Symposium takes place on April 15, 2026. Abstract submissions are currently open for oral and poster presentations as well as travel award applications for this event. Submissions close in mid-March 2026 (see full details on the CBR website).  

With the draft symposium program now also available, you can also register to attend the conference or plan to view remotely via the free webcast link available on the day of the event. Canadian Blood Services staff scientists who are confirmed to present at the 2026 symposium include:  

• At 9:30am PT, medical  microbiologist Dr. Carmen Charlton, presenting “What’s in the bag? Emerging infectious threats to the blood supply”
• At 1:25pm PT,  senior scientist Dr. Sandra Ramirez-Arcos, presenting “Is it time to re-evaluate universal blood donor screening for syphilis in Canada?” 

2026 Summer Studentship Program 

• The deadline for applications to the CBR’s 2026 Summer Studentship Program is March 22, 2026.
• This 16-week program, for which CBR also partners with the UBC Life Sciences Institute (LSI), is designed to support undergraduate students supervised by a CBR or LSI investigator to discover a wide range of biomedical disciplines and technologies while networking with experts in the field. 

Other upcoming learning opportunities  

CBR’s activities also include a Graduate Award Program and Summer Studentship Program to support emerging researchers, as well as a weekly seminar series that supports knowledge exchange opportunities for the blood research network.    

Details of upcoming sessions in the weekly seminar series and select recordings from previous sessions can be found on the CBR website. Researchers in the transfusion medicine and blood science field who would like to inquire about knowledge exchange opportunities can also contact CBR directly for more information about seminar series guest speaking opportunities. 

Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation  

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.   

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.