Dr. Vikram Sabhaney (BSc, FRCPC, MD)
Principal Investigator, Pediatric Emergency Physician, Research Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Dr. Sabhaney is a pediatric emergency physician at BC Children’s Hospital, Research Director for the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is also a Clinician Investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. His research focuses on improving the care of acutely ill and injured children in the emergency department, including work in pediatric infectious diseases, pain management, and procedural care. To learn more about Dr. Sabhaney’s clinical, academic, and research roles, please visit his BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute profile.
Taylor Ricci (BSc, MSc)
Research Coordinator
Taylor is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Clinical Research Support Unit at BC Children’s Hospital. She coordinates clinical trials, surveillance studies, and research operations within Dr. Sabhaney’s research program, and serves as coordinator for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Council (PEMRC). Taylor recently completed her Master of Science in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) program at UBC, where her research focused on the early life origins of health and disease. Outside of work, Taylor can be found playing rugby or reading a book on the beach!
Colette Newby (BSc)
Research Assistant
Colette is a clinical research assistant with the Sabhaney Lab, where she coordinates and supports clinical trials, surveillance studies, quality improvement initiatives, and the Student-based Applied Research Training (START) Program. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at UBC, where she developed an interest in how early life experiences influence long-term health and well-being. Outside of research, she serves as the BC Branch Director for Flavourful Science and co-founded BC Kids Funding Navigator, a community resource that helps families identify funding and support programs for children and youth across British Columbia. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with friends and her dog, Maverick.
Troy Chong (BSc)
Research Assistant
Troy is a Research Assistant in the Sabhaney Lab and recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC. His work in the Sabhaney Lab primarily supports the SPRINT-KIDS surveillance program, studying respiratory viruses such as RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, while evaluating vaccine effectiveness and adverse events in children following immunization. He is passionate about infectious disease research and translating evidence into better health outcomes for children.
Navindi De Silva (BSc, MD Candidate)
Medical Student Co-investigator
Navindi is an medical student at UBC with an interest in pediatric emergency medicine and clinical research. She was a member of the Student-based Applied Research Training (START) Program from 2022 to 2024, where she supported the recruitment and enrollment of children participating in research studies at BC Children's Hospital Emergency Department. She now works with the Sabhaney Lab to support the upcoming ibuprofen pharmacogenomics study, investigating the genetic predictors of ibuprofen response in children.
Mehrshad Aalipour (BSc Candidate)
Work Learn Student
Mehrshad is a Work Learn student in the Sabhaney Lab, and is completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at UBC. Since 2025, he has been a dedicated volunteer with the Student-based Applied Research Training (START) Program, where he supports participant recruitment, helps train new team members, and provides research coverage across studies in the pediatric emergency department. Outside of the lab, he is the co-founder of BC Kids Funding Navigator, a community initiative that helps families across British Columbia access funding and support resources for children and youth.
Our Alumni
Joanne Park (BKin)
Former Work Learn Student
Joanne was a Work Learn student in the Sabhaney Lab while completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC. She had previously volunteered with the Student-based Applied Research Training (START) Program and, during her time in the lab, contributed as a START team member while helping coordinate START training. She has also supported pediatric research through her work with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital and volunteered in the Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, crocheting, and trying new Celsius flavours.
Susan Zhang (BSc)
Former Work Learn Student
Susan was a Work Learn student in the Sabhaney Lab while completing her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC. She is passionate about immunology and human pathology, with research interests spanning immunotherapy, metabolism, inflammation, and disease pathogenesis, and has been involved in a variety of wet lab research projects. Outside of research, Susan enjoys running, taking dance classes, skiing, and spending time with friends.
Erica Won (BSc, MD Candidate)
Former Work Learn Student
Erica was a Work Learn student in the Sabhaney Lab before beginning medical school in UBC’s Vancouver Fraser Medical Program (VFMP), Class of 2029. Prior to joining the lab, she was a member of the Student-based Applied Research Training (START) Program for three and a half years, where she developed a strong interest in pediatric emergency medicine research. During her time in the lab, she supported a variety of clinical research projects and contributed to participant recruitment, data collection, and trainee mentorship within START.