Research & Technology Development Office

Dawn McArthur

She/Her/Hers

Director, Research & Technology Development

Dr. Dawn McArthur works with BCCHR researchers to develop exceptional research programs and proposals. One of Canada’s first grant facilitators, Dr. McArthur’s experience includes scientific (wet lab) research, teaching, and 25 years of research development in university and health research settings. She has advanced expertise in the strategic development of interdisciplinary teams and research initiatives and extensive knowledge of health research disciplines and funding agency mandates. Dr. McArthur shares her knowledge in training workshops at BCCHR, across Canada, and internationally. In addition to all aspects of grant development, Dr. McArthur is a big-picture thinker and your point of contact for strategic planning, group facilitation, large-scale infrastructure proposals (CFI IF), Canada Research Chairs, and brainstorming.

Tamara English

She/Her/Hers

Senior Research Development Facilitator

Dr. Tamara English came to research facilitation from her postdoctoral fellowship, first working at the UBC Faculty of Applied Science (engineering, nursing), before moving to Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She joined the RTDO in 2012, keen to work with an illustrious colleague and expand the scope of the Office. In addition to all aspects of grant development, Dr. English is your main contact for scholarships, faculty salary awards, philanthropy proposals, and faculty award nominations.

Rosie Twomey

She/Her/Hers

Research Development Facilitator

Before her role as Research Development Facilitator, Dr. Rosie Twomey was deeply immersed in the health research funding system as the Associate Scientific Director for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis.

Rita Jekabsons

She/Her/Hers

Senior Research Development Coordinator

Rita Jekabsons has been working with the RTDO for more than a decade and brings deep experience in grant development and knowledge of funding priorities. In addition to reviewing research proposals and policy documents, she is responsible for coordinating proposal logistics — including CVs and metrics — for major projects, teams, and networks. Ms. Jekabsons has a BA in English and is completing her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Brad Wheeler

He/Him/His

Technology Transfer Manager, UBC University-Industry Liaison Office

Brad Wheeler, MBA, is the Technology Transfer Manager at UBC’s University-Industry Liaison Office for life science inventions generated at BC Children’s Hospital, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, and other UBC-affiliated hospitals. With more than 20 years of experience in tech transfer, he leads a team delivering tech transfer services, such as IP evaluation and research strategy, patenting, and marketing, and he serves as the lead negotiator in commercial agreements with large pharmaceutical companies and numerous life science start-ups spun out of UBC.