Dr. Joseph is an investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and a professor in both the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
“Dr. Joseph is a highly respected national and global leader in epidemiology research related to maternal and child health. His work has directly led to changes in guidelines around perinatal and newborn care. He not only excels in research, but has also made substantial contributions to teaching, mentorship, and service to our community at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre,” says Dr. Wendy Robinson, investigator at BCCHR and professor at the Department of Medical Genetics at UBC.
After completing his MBBS and MD in Community Medicine at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, Dr. Joseph earned his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McGill University, Montreal. He joined BCCHR in 2009 after being recruited from Dalhousie University and has since taken on several leadership roles. He has served as the lead of the Pathways to Birth research group and has been a past member of the BCCHR Research Leadership Council. In 2022, he became the interim director of the Healthy Starts research theme, and he also held the position of associate head of research in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
“As a former director of this [Healthy Starts] Theme, I had the privilege of working closely with K.S. and was always deeply impressed with his vision, commitment to research and translational excellence, and foundational understanding of applying core principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion,” says Dr. Michael Kobor, investigator at BCCHR and the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, professor at the Department of Medical Genetics at UBC, and the 2022 recipient of the Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship.
“K.S. is one of the kindest, most respectful, and approachable investigators at BCCHR — a truly inspiring leader.”
With years of expertise in perinatology, Dr. Joseph’s research has expanded our understanding of complications during pregnancy and birth, including preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. More recently, with funding support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), he has expanded his work to examine neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring of women with pre-existing medical conditions and chronic diseases in pregnancy.
Dr. Joseph’s outstanding contributions to research and scholarship are further documented by having published close to 300 peer-reviewed papers, which have garnered over 35,000 citations to date.
Dr. Joseph’s work has also earned him numerous national and international recognitions, including CIHR’s Peter Lougheed New Investigator award, the Harold A. Kaminetzky Prize Paper from Obstetrics & Gynecology, the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence, and the Greg Alexander Award for Advancing Knowledge from the US-based Coalition for Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. He was also the recipient of a CIHR awarded Chair in Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Health Services Research.
In addition to his excellence in research, Dr. Joseph has a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring, having either served as a direct supervisor or supervisory committee member for a large number of trainees, many of whom have earned competitive fellowships while working alongside him and gone on to establish independent academic careers at distinguished universities across Canada and elsewhere.
“Dr. Joseph’s mentorship has fostered a new generation of perinatal epidemiologists across the province that have gone on to lead research nationally and internationally,” says Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Sophie Simon on behalf of current and former members of the Joseph Research Team.
One of Dr. Joseph’s former trainees, Dr. Sarka Lisonkova, is now a BCCHR investigator and an associate professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
“Dr. Joseph cultivates independent thinking and offers invaluable guidance and support to ensure students’ success. He demonstrates a genuine interest in the personal and professional growth of his students and is renowned for his gentle yet effective mentoring approach,” says Dr. Lisonkova.
“He embodies all characteristics of an exceptional researcher, mentor, and leader: humble, approachable, patient, and respectful, yet deeply impactful. His honesty and integrity combined with his unique sense of humour and ability to inspire students make Dr. Joseph an excellent candidate for the Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship Award.” — Dr. Sarka Liskonkova
The Geoffrey L. Hammond Lectureship is awarded each year to a senior scientist who has made a significant impact on improving the health and well-being of children and families, provided leadership to the BC Children’s Hospital research community, and served as a role model and mentor to junior researchers, trainees, and students. This award pays tribute to the contributions of Dr. Geoffrey L. Hammond who first served as the Research Institute's scientific director and then deputy director from 2003 to 2012. Internationally recognized as an expert in steroid hormone action, Dr. Hammond has held many distinguished roles, including professor and Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology at the University of Western Ontario, Director of the Cancer Research Laboratories at the London Regional Cancer Centre, and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Reproductive Health.
Under Dr. Hammond’s leadership, the Research Institute underwent an amazing period of growth that included strategic recruitment of researchers and integration of state-of-the-art equipment and technologies. He was instrumental in enabling researchers on the Oak Street campus to conduct cutting-edge health research for the benefit of children and families.
