Brain, Behaviour & Development
We’re Working to Improve Care for Kids With Complex Health Needs
The Brain, Behaviour & Development (BB&D) Theme brings together neuroscience, mental health, and child development researchers through basic, clinical, population, and public health research. We work to improve care for children with complex medical, physical, developmental, and mental health needs. Our researchers are involved in provincial, national, and international networks.
Specialized research groups provide the opportunity for BCCHR scientists and clinicians with similar research interests to connect and collaborate, regardless of their theme affiliations. While each group is supported by at least one theme, researchers can be part of any group from any theme. The BB&D Theme has four specialized research groups: Mental Health and Behaviour, Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders, Pain and Stress, and Visualizing the Brain.
Mental Health and Behaviour
Co-leads: Julie Robillard and Sharon Hou
The Mental Health and Behaviour Group is seeking an integrated understanding of the biological and behavioural relationships during childhood that set pathways for health and illness across the lifespan.
Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders
Lead: Jill Zwicker
The Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders Group develops, implements, and evaluates evidence-based therapies for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and neurological disorders.
Pain and Stress
Co-leads: Julia Charlton and Katelynn Boerner
The Pain and Stress Group seeks to understand pain and stress to advance knowledge and care of infants, children, and youth. Pain and stress are key to shaping mental health and well-being during childhood.
Visualizing the Brain
Lead: Alexander Weber
The Visualizing the Brain Group brings together a community of researchers and clinicians who visualize brain function in its broadest sense. We are focused on non-invasive imaging of the developing brain, novel applications for intervention and assessment, and identifying the biological underpinnings of symptom severity and symptom change.
Brain, Behaviour & Development Core Personnel
We support our members in their research activities and foster an environment of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Jennifer Coelho
Theme Director
Dr. Coelho is an Investigator and Psychologist in the Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children & Adolescents at BC Children’s Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC. As Theme Director, she is working to bring together knowledge users and mobilize research into clinical practice.
Marissa Gibbard
Theme Research Manager
Marissa Gibbard has over seven years of experience in research administration at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. As Theme Research Manager, she supports researchers through all aspects of the research process including finance, grant, and regulatory administration, knowledge translation, and outreach. She also manages Theme funding competitions, events, and research initiatives.
Emily Fox
Theme Research Coordinator
Emily Fox has over 5 years of experience supporting research administration at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. As Theme Research Coordinator, she supports researchers in the planning, management, and communication of research activities. She also coordinates Theme events and initiatives.
Lab, Project & Program Websites
Find out more about some of the labs, projects, and programs at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Recent News
Every day, our researchers work towards breakthroughs to transform the lives of kids in British Columbia and around the world. Learn about our latest innovations and advancements in child health.
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First-in-world BC patient successfully treated for rare immune disease
Read moreA new paper published in New England Journal of Medicine details how an 18-year-old patient being treated at BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) for a rare disease called chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) became the first person ever to receive and be cured by a gene modification treatment known as “Prime Editing.”
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Prescribing ice cream and countering misinformation: Q&A with Dr. Alastair McAlpine
Read moreBorn and raised in Johannesburg, Dr. Alastair McAlpine, a researcher with the Vaccine Evaluation Center (VEC) at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), is passionate about pediatric palliative care and infectious diseases. He received his medical training in South Africa, but limited vacancies to pursue a specialization in his desired field brought him to Vancouver. After meeting a…
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Improving care for kids with the most common childhood cancers: Q&A with new investigator Dr. Sarah Alexander
Read moreFebruary 15 was International Childhood Cancer Day and to mark the occasion we spoke with Dr. Sarah Alexander, a new BCCHR investigator and pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital who specializes in some of the most common childhood cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
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