HLIAR-Raster : simplebooklet.com

ANNUAL REPORT 20243CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)2$10.2M External Grants$2.6M Contracts$2.0M Clinical Trials$1.1M Salary AwardsInnovative health research to solve today’s greatest challenges.© Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI), 2024Unless otherwise stated, all monetary amounts in this report are in Canadian dollars. Report Content and Editing: Katherine Adolphs, Evan Phillips, Tiany ChangReport Design and Photography: Tiany ChangOn the cover: (L to R) Dr. Yasir Mohamud shares a light moment with trainee Wendy Hwang in the Luo laboratory.Established in 1977 by Drs. James Hogg and Peter Paré, the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) is a University of British Columbia Senate-approved research centre located within St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver. The Centre is currently led by the HLI Executive Team: Dr. Don Sin (Director), Dr. Jordan Guenette (Associate Director), and Claire Smits (Operations Director).As we reect on our work and our place in this community, we acknowledge with respect and gratitude that St. Paul’s Hospital stands on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəəm (Musqueam), Sḵwwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. These lands have been cared for and stewarded by these Nations since time immemorial, and their deep connections to the land, water, and all living things continue to this day.Principal & Aliated Investigators78Research Associates & Postdoctoral Fellows34Sta Members77Students & Trainees9256 graduate students54 support, operations, and administrative sta36 undergraduate students23 research assistantsBruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank (BMCB)James Hogg Lung Biobank (JHLB)Cellular Imaging & BiophysicsHistologyMolecular PhenotypingTissue CulturePre-clinical ServicesDigital Slide Scanning & ImagingMagnetic Resonance Imagingsq. ft. of Research Space50K+Core Facilities9Visiting Scientists9$15.9M*2024 BY THE NUMBERSPublications357Total FundingANNUAL REPORT 20243CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION2*Funding numbers cover April 2024 to March 2025 and are rounded to the nearest $100,000. Total amount held at HLI: $8.4M See Appendix A for details.

Page 3

Page 4

ANNUAL REPORT 20245CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)4TABLE OF CONTENTSLetter from the DirectorLetter from the Director 5RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTS 8How Early Antibiotics Prime Babies for Allergies 9Heart Risks Surge After COPD Flare-Ups 10Reprogramming Viruses to Fight Breast Cancer 11KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION 12Transplant Stories 13SAVE BC Targets Hidden Heart Risk in Young Adults 14Food for Thought 16RESEARCHERS 17New Principal Investigators 19Principal Investigators 20HLI Associate Members 24Research Grants 25TRAINEE ASSOCIATION & EDUCATION 27Trainee Association at HLI (TAHLI) 28TAHLI Committees 282024 HLI Research Day 29Fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at HLI 30Workplace Well-being Initiative 31Trainee Awards and Scholarships 32OPERATIONS 35Molecular Phenotyping Core Laboratory (MPCL) 36Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Core 37Workplace Safety Committee 37Cellular Imaging and Biophysics Core (CIB) 38Facilities and Maintenance 38James Hogg Lung Biobank 39Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank 40OUR PARTNERS 42In 2022, we set out on an ambitious 5-year plan to enable “exceptional care through exceptional science” and specically to “improve the heart and lung health of the people of British Columbia, Canada and throughout the world”. Here are some examples of HLI research in the past year that have addressed this goal. PULMONARY LONG COVIDLong COVID is a condition that aects approximately 5% of patients who, after recovery from their acute COVID, continue to experience signicant daily symptoms for 3 or more months post-COVID¹. One subset of long COVID patients are those with a predominance of respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, sputum production or shortness of breath with exertion; this condition is now called pulmonary long COVID (PLC)2. By engaging patients with PLC as partners and using state-of-the-art technology including hyperpolarized xenon magnetic resonance imaging (¹²⁹Xe MRI)3 and single cell RNA sequencing of airway samples (from the HLI biobank)4, HLI investigators showed that the predominant disease signature was found in the “small” airways of PLC patients. This signature was characterized by impairment of xenon (as a surrogate for oxygen) transfer across the gas exchange units of the lung and inltration of immune cells called neutrophils, which release toxic chemicals into the airways3,4. Importantly, inhaled corticosteroids, which are common asthma medications, could be used to treat this condition2. This research was only possible because of the generous support of our donors at St. Paul’s Foundation, funding from CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research) and CFI (Canada Foundation for Innovation), engagement of our patient partners and most importantly, the unique collaborative ecosystem at St. Paul’s Hospital that enables translational (human-to-lab) research in pulmonary and cardiovascular sciences. AIR POLLUTION AND FIBROTIC LUNG DISEASEFibrotic lung diseases are progressive disorders that lead to premature morbidity and mortality. Most of these conditions are “idiopathic” with no known cause. HLI investigators showed that air pollution is a signicant contributor to the progression of these disorders, leading to poor patient outcomes⁵. These data highlight the importance of clean air especially for our most vulnerable patients. “Healthy air” is indeed the key to having a “Healthy life”.ELIMINATING TOXIC DRUGS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS There are some drugs we give that are therapeutically ineective and may be toxic to our patients. Many clinicians use systemic corticosteroids, which are fraught with signicant adverse eects, to treat patients during acute exacerbations of cystic brosis (CF), on the assumption that the benets of these drugs outweigh their side eects. HLI investigators, along with colleagues across Canada, performed a randomized controlled trial in CF patients and denitively showed that the use of these medications did not signicantly improve lung function or reduce the future risk of exacerbations⁶. Now, CF patients everywhere in the world will be spared these very toxic drugs during acute exacerbations. BETTER CARE TO PREVENT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)Despite large improvements in the care and management of acute coronary syndromes, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of death in British Columbia (BC) and throughout Canada. The most eective public health method of reducing CAD is through prevention by treating important risk factors such as hyperlipidemia before patients actually develop clinically signicant myocardial events. This is particularly true among young people. Using population-based data in BC, HLI investigators showed that less than 15% of young patients who eventually develop clinically signicant CAD received lipid-lowering therapy prior to their cardiac events, even though nearly everyone had a health care encounter prior to the cardiac event and were eligible to receive these drugs based on clinical indications⁷. This research has increased awareness of CAD among young people and most importantly, highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention to prevent devastating cardiac events in vulnerable individuals. These are few of many examples where research led by HLI investigators is impacting patient care and addressing the global challenges of heart, lung and blood vessel conditions in BC and elsewhere.

Page 5

Page 6

ANNUAL REPORT 20247CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)6MY SINCERE GRATITUDEI’d like to extend my special thanks to Providence Research (PR), the UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM), and Providence Health Care (PHC). In particular Dr. Darryl Knight, PR President and VP of Research at PHC, and Dr. Rob McMaster, Executive VP of Research, UBC FoM, have been relentless in their support of the HLI over the past many years and enabled the Centre to be a national powerhouse in heart and lung disease research. I also oer my sincere gratitude to St. Paul’s Foundation and the many donors and patient partners who have been instrumental in our research enterprise through engagement and nancial support and to PHC for creating a unique ecosystem for bed-to-bench research in heart and lung sciences and leadership’s unwavering support to improve patients’ daily lives through exceptional science. I’d like to thank our incredible sta at the HLI, who have enabled the success of our labs, trainees and programs. These include (but not limited to) our outstanding sta in: operations, nance, human resources, biobanking, grants support, GEM, molecular and cellular phenotyping, clinical research, imaging, maintenance and facilities, education/safety, microscopy, administration, computation and information technology and many more. You are the wings that make HLI soar! A special shout-out goes to the HLI Trainee Association (TAHLI), which has been incredible in enhancing the educational experience at HLI and making HLI a special place for all trainees.PLANS FOR 2025 AND BEYONDOver the past year, HLI has welcomed two new Principal Investigators (PIs) to the Centre, who will build upon the excellence of HLI and address critical gaps in research. Dr. Yuan Yao (UBC Engineering and Cardiology) is an expert bioengineer in microfabrication and 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissues, and Dr. Rachel Eddy (UBC Radiology and Pediatrics) is an expert imaging engineer, who will develop and apply novel pulmonary imaging and data science tools to address important clinical issues in CF, COPD and other pulmonary disorders. In 2025, we will welcome two other PIs. Dr. Stephen Wright (UBC Physical Therapy) is an expert cardiovascular (CV) exercise physiologist. He uses novel tools in integrative cardiopulmonary physiology to understand exercise tolerance and breathlessness in patients with heart failure and other cardiopulmonary diseases. Dr. Scott Lear (SFU Pzer/Heart and Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention) is a world-renowned researcher in CV prevention. His laboratory will be integrated with those of Drs. Wright and Koelwyn (SFU Canada Research Chair in Public Health Omics) to create a rst-of-its-kind lab, the HLI CV Exercise Physiology Lab. These PIs will revolutionize our understanding of breathlessness in CV patients and implement novel strategies to prevent the devastating impact of heart and blood vessel diseases in our community.We will continue our work with PR and PHC to design the new lab spaces at the Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC), which will be a state-of-the-art new building (370,000 square feet) on Station Street, directly adjacent and connected to the new St. Paul’s Hospital. It will be the new home of HLI for the next 100 years! Ted Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, once famously stated that “patients don't care how much you know until they know how much you care”. It is this compassion that fuels our research. Indeed, HLI stands at the intersection between curiosity (for science) and compassion (for our patients). With this ethos, HLI is at the forefront of new innovations in the prevention and treatment of patients with heart and lung disease. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes “transformation, renewal and spiritual growth”. I wish all of our family members at HLI a transformational 2025. Yours sincerely,Don D. Sin, MDDirector and the de Lazzari Family Chair, HLITier 1 Canada Research Chair in COPDProfessor of Medicine, UBCLetter from the Director Cont’d1. Guinto E, Gerayeli FV, Eddy RL, Lee H, Milne S, Sin DD. Post-COVID-19 dyspnoea and pulmonary imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32(169).2. Gerayeli FV, Eddy RL, Sin DD. A proposed approach to pulmonary long COVID: a viewpoint. Eur Respir J 2024; 64(3).3. Eddy RL, Mummy D, Zhang S, et al. Cluster analysis to identify long COVID phenotypes using (129)Xe magnetic resonance imaging: a multicentre evaluation. Eur Respir J 2024; 63(3).4. Gerayeli FV, Park HY, Milne S, et al. Single-cell sequencing reveals cellular landscape alterations in the airway mucosa of patients with pulmonary long COVID. Eur Respir J 2024; 64(5).5. Goobie GC, Saha PK, Carlsten C, et al. Ambient Ultrane Particulate Matter and Clinical Outcomes in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209(9): 1082-90.6. Waters V, Shaw M, Perrem L, et al. A randomised trial of oral prednisone for cystic brosis pulmonary exacerbation treatment. Eur Respir J 2024; 63(6).7. Vikulova DN, Lee MK, Humphries KH, et al. Preventive Lipid-Lowering Therapy and Interactions With Health Care in Patients Who Develop Premature Coronary Artery Disease. JACC Adv 2025; 4(1): 101316.Members of the Sin Lab gather for a group photo. Photo by Providence Research.

Page 7

Page 8

ANNUAL REPORT 20249CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION8RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTSPrincipal Investigator, HLI and Professor, Dept. of Medical Genetics, UBCOur research nally shows how the gut bacteria and antibiotics shape a newborn's immune system to make them more prone to allergies.Dr. Kelly McNagny, PhDHow Early Antibiotics Prime Babies for AllergiesAntibiotics given to newborns can disrupt gut bacteria, setting o a chain reaction that makes children more likely to develop lifelong respiratory allergies and asthma.Babies often receive antibiotics shortly after birth to combat infections. The depletion of intestinal microbes that results can lead to lifelong respiratory allergies and asthma.The HLI's Dr. Kelly McNagny led a team of researchers that identied the specic cascade of events that is responsible for allergic susceptibility.Normally, our immune system protects us from harmful invaders including bacteria, viruses and parasites. However, when the immune system reacts too strongly to harmless substances, including pollen, dust or pet dander, an allergic reaction occurs. Severe reactions are a leading cause for emergency visits for kids.Immune development occurs very early in life, with microbes in the gut playing an important role. When infants receive antibiotics, butyrate-producing bacteria can be diminished. Previous work in Dr. McNagny's lab showed that babies with fewer of these bacteria become particularly susceptible to allergies. Now, using a mouse model, the group demonstrated how this works. Butyrate is decreased in the mouse gut, as occurs following antibiotic use when butyrate-producing bacteria are diminished. As a result, mice develop twice as many ILC2 immune cells. ILC2 cells produce molecules that encourage white blood cells to produce certain antibodies that coat cells in a misguided defence mechanism against foreign invaders.As a result, the immune system is primed to attack at the slightest provocation — as occurs during an allergic reaction. Butyrate can be given to prevent this cascade of events, but this only works during a narrow window after birth. If this window is missed, lifelong respiratory allergies and asthma result.This new research opens new opportunities for halting the cascade, even after the butyrate supplementation window has closed. Understanding the cells and mechanisms behind hypersensitive immune systems could enable more eective, long-terms solutions to address the root of allergic reactions — and pave the way for a future where allergies may be avoided altogether.This work was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.Driving Discovery. Advancing Health.Our team of researchers at the Centre brings together diverse expertise, leading collaborative studies across Canada and beyond. Through curiosity-driven and patient-centred science, we generate the knowledge needed to transform care and improve lives.Atherosclerotic coronary artery stained with 40 antibodies and imaged using PhenoCycler on 5-micron FFPE tissue sections. Photo by Maria Elishaev (Wang Lab).

Page 9

Page 10

ANNUAL REPORT 202411CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)10Director and the de Lazzari Family Chair at HLI,Tier 1 CRC in COPD, andProfessor of Medicine, UBCHLI researchers have developed a novel virus-based therapy that attacks breast cancer cells with precision — combining virotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy into one potent, targeted treatment.Reprogramming Viruses to Fight Breast CancerDr. Don Sin, MD, MPHOncolytic virotherapy — which uses naturally occurring or genetically engineered viruses to infect and destroy tumour cells—represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this approach, normal tissues are spared while tumour cells are eliminated through direct lysis or via anti-tumour immune responses triggered by the viral infection.Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has shown strong oncolytic potential against triple-negative breast cancer and several types of lung cancer. However, its clinical application has been limited due to the risk of severe systemic side eects, such as myocarditis and pancreatitis.To address this, Dr. Honglin Luo and her team previously engineered a modied variant of the virus, miR-CVB3, which incorporates a tumour-specic microRNA to enhance tumour targeting and reduce o-target eects. Despite these improvements, systemic delivery remains a challenge due to pre-existing neutralizing antibodies and immune clearance mechanisms.To overcome these hurdles, the Luo lab developed a strategy to encapsulate miR-CVB3 in bioengineered exosomes — membrane-bound extracellular vesicles that protect the virus and improve delivery. These exosomes were further modied with tumour-targeting molecules and loaded with doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent, to boost ecacy.Results showed that engineered oncolytic viruses could reshape immune-related protein proles towards a more immunostimulatory state and enhance activation of immune cells. Their analyses conrmed selective targeting of breast cancer cells, induction of cancer cell death, and robust immune cell inltration within the tumour microenvironment—while sparing healthy organs.This innovative approach holds promise for broad cancer applications and presents a versatile strategy for advancing cancer immunotherapy.The study was published in ACS Nano.Dr. Honglin Luo MD, PhDPrincipal Investigator, HLI and Professor, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBCA large-scale study from HLI reveals that COPD are-ups — also known as exacerbations — signicantly increase the risk of heart problems for up to a year, underscoring the need for closer monitoring and coordinated, team-based care.Heart Risks Increase After COPD Flare-UpsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition causing breathing diculties, aects over 300 million people globally. People with COPD can experience sudden worsening of symptoms called exacerbations or are-ups. When a person’s breathing gets worse due to a are-up of COPD, this event dramatically increases their risk of heart problems. Prior research has shown that low oxygen levels during are-ups strain the heart, and that inammation occurring in COPD is linked to damage of arteries. To better understand the association between the time following an exacerbation and risk of hospitalization for an adverse cardiovascular event, HLI Director and PI Dr. Sin and colleagues analyzed the data of 143,000 patients with COPD in the weeks following one or more exacerbations. Patients had a very high risk of being hospitalized for an adverse cardiovascular event. The risk of experiencing heart failure, heart attack, irregular heart rhythm, or stroke increased by 16 times compared to periods without are-ups. The risk of experiencing heart failure alone rose 72 times in the rst week. These risks stayed elevated for up to a year, especially after severe are-ups requiring hospitalization. Nearly half of the patients studied had at least one are-up during the study and almost a quarter died. Many of these deaths were related to adverse cardiovascular events.This study reinforces the critical link between lung and heart health. Managing COPD eectively (e.g., using inhalers consistently, avoiding smoking, and getting u vaccines) could prevent exacerbations and protect the heart. Patients should monitor for heart-related symptoms (like chest pain or swelling in the legs) after are-ups, and doctors should consider heart screenings during these high-risk periods. This research urges a shift in how we approach care, with healthcare professionals working together to prevent exacerbations and mitigate the heightened risk of cardiovascular events in patients with COPD.This study was published in Heart. Research Spotlight

Page 11

Page 12

ANNUAL REPORT 202413CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)12Transplant StoriesThe documentary is available to watch for free across Canada at:www.knowledge.ca/transplant-stories.Angela Neufeld with her mother before heading into her heart transplant surgery. Photo by Transplant Stories, Knowledge Network Corporation(L to R) Dr. Gurpreet Singhera, Dr. Anson Cheung, Coco Ng and Tiany Chang. Photo by Tiany Chang.Showcasing Science in the CommunityIn November 2024, the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank (BMCB) at the HLI was featured in Transplant Stories, a four-part documentary series aired on the Knowledge Network. The series follows the personal life-and-near-death journeys of transplant patients across British Columbia and highlights the dedicated work of the medical professionals who support and perform transplants.Produced in partnership with Providence Health Care, BC Transplant, and others, the series was directed by local lmmaker Sheona McDonald and produced by Omnilm Entertainment in Vancouver.In the second episode, heart transplant recipient Angela Neufeld visits the BMCB to view her own explanted heart, which had failed due to a condition called cardiac amyloidosis. The visit gave Angela the opportunity to see how her donated tissue is contributing to cardiovascular research, while oering a moment of closure as she viewed the organ that had once sustained her life. Dr. Gurpreet Singhera, operational manager of the biobank, also appears in the episode, explaining the biobank’s role in advancing cardiovascular health research.Through storytelling and media partnerships, the HLI continues to share the impact of its work, fostering public awareness and supporting ongoing eorts in medical research.KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATIONTurning Discovery into Impact.At HLI, knowledge translation is woven into every stage of the research process — from study design to implementation — to ensure our ndings inform real-world care, policy, and practice.Knowledge Translation

Page 13

Page 14

ANNUAL REPORT 202415CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)14Premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common, and yet underdiagnosed, making it a signicant health concern in Canada. Early detection and prevention is critical for those with a family history of heart disease, particularly in men under 50 and women under 55. This is the goal of the Study to Avoid cardioVascular Events in BC (SAVE BC), led by HLI PI Dr. Liam Brunham and HLI Associate Member Dr. Simon Pimstone.SAVE BC oers comprehensive screening, including advanced blood tests and genetic analysis to assess individual risk factors for CVD. This program enables healthcare providers to personalize prevention and treatment strategies. Importantly, because many heart conditions are hereditary, rst-degree relatives are also invited to be tested.The impact of the program is exemplied by participants like Matt McArthur who suered a heart attack at 41 despite being otherwise healthy. His enrollment in SAVE BC not only provided him with crucial insights into his health but also prompted his family members to undergo testing, potentially averting future cardiac events.SAVE BC hosted two highly successful events in Kelowna this past year, a public forum and a clinician forum. These forums raised awareness and allowed SAVE BC researchers to share new knowledge and ndings from their work. The public forum at the Okanagan Regional Library saw an impressive turnout with 123 people attending online and 68 in person. Dr. Brunham and Dr. Frank Halperin shared recent experiences and discussed the importance of early detection in combating heart disease. Post-forum feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 80% of attendees extremely satised and 73% nding the event extremely useful. The survey also highlighted that 61% of attendees were concerned about their health or that of loved ones, and only 5% reported no family history of cardiovascular disease. Notably, only 16% of respondents were participants in SAVE BC, emphasizing the event’s community impact. The clinician forum was equally well-received, attracting 94 clinicians, including 38 online attendees and 56 in-person. The in-person event had such high demand that a waiting list was necessary, highlighting the strong interest from the healthcare community. These accomplishments underscore our commitment to broadening our reach and engaging both patients and medical professionals in meaningful ways.Later that year, in October, a broader patient education forum was held at the Vancouver Convention Centre coinciding with the national Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC). Drs. Liam Brunham and Iulia Iatan, a former HLI trainee and now clinical assistant professor, led the organizers from UBC and HLI.The event, titled "Genetic Lipid Disorders and Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Raising Awareness to Save Lives," focused on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], two of the most common inherited lipid disorders aecting Canadians. Participants heard from clinician-scientists, an Indigenous researcher, and individuals with lived experience. Patient speakers shared powerful testimonials, including a man with elevated Lp(a) and premature heart disease, a female student living with homozygous FH, and a mother with FH whose young children were also diagnosed. Health care providers discussed strategies for prevention, early diagnosis and management, including in specic populations such as Indigenous communities and children. The forum emphasized the importance of screening, early identication, and personalized care, and empowered patients to become advocates for their health. The key takeaway was clear: improving awareness, education, and engagement is essential to reducing the burden of premature cardiovascular disease across diverse populations in Canada.Read more by visiting the SAVE BC website. Knowledge TranslationSAVE BC Targets Hidden Heart Risk in Young AdultsMatt McArthur, a patient featured in Global BC’s video, speaks with a doctor. Photo by Global BC.Premature heart disease often goes undetected in Canadians under 55. SAVE BC is changing that with genetic screening and public outreach to catch risk early and save lives.SAVE BC forum sta check in attendees at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Photo by Iulia Iatan.Dr. Liam Brunham presents on the importance of Lp(a) measurement at the CCC Patient Forum.Photo by Iulia Iatan.(L to R) Drs. Iulia Iatan (presenter), Michael Khoury (presenter), Luba Cermakova (FH, Lp(a) Research Coordinator), Rose Brooks (volunteer), Liam Brunham (presenter). Photo by Nicol Vaizman.

Page 15

Page 16

ANNUAL REPORT 202417CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)16RESEARCHERSA community of innovators. A commitment to better health.Whether through basic science using molecular and cellular research, or through clinical approaches to discovery, HLI researchers work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment to advance understanding and improve care in heart, lung, critical illness, and more.Chronic airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, aect over 500 million individuals globally and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. These diseases are characterized by persistent inammation and oxidative stress, with imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants contributing to airway damage.It is well known that environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke and air pollution, exacerbate symptoms. In a recent review, Dr. Sin and colleagues present evidence for the signicant inuence of dietary patterns on disease state.Diets high in saturated fats and processed foods (such as the Western diet), are linked to inammation and poor respiratory outcomes. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and sh (such as the Mediterranean diet), exhibit anti-inammatory properties that may help mitigate respiratory symptoms and improve lung function.Dietary choice also inuences body weight and BMI (body mass index). BMI has a parabolic relationship with lung function, and can contribute to airway disease severity, with both under- and overweight patients suering poor outcomes.Interestingly, although high BMI worsens asthma severity, in COPD, obesity can be protective, which may be attributed to higher muscle mass and energy reserve in these patients, which are critical for respiratory function.The authors conclude translational and clinical studies are necessary to better understand the mechanisms underlying nutrient interaction and lung structure-function.In the meantime, Dr. Sin and colleagues suggest combatting obstructive airway disease by following a healthy Mediterranean-style diet rich in antioxidants, ber, protein and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, with limited intake of cured meats, saturated fats and rened carbohydrates.This review was published in Curr Opin Pulm Med.COPD are-ups, also known as exacerbations, signicantly increase the risk of heart problems for up to a year, underscoring the need for closer monitoring and coordinated, team-based care.Director and the de Lazzari Family Chair at HLI,Tier 1 CRC in COPD, andProfessor of Medicine, UBCDr. Don Sin, MD, MPHFood for Thought Knowledge TranslationDrs. Chris Ryerson and Bradley Quon walk down the hallway of St. Paul’s Hospital. Photo by Providence Research.

Page 17

Page 18

Publication and citation data were obtained from SciVal. Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) compares the actual number of citations received to the expected number for publications of the same type, year and discipline. A value of 1.00 is average; 2.31 means HLI publications were cited over twice as often as the global average for similar work. Citation data current as of April 24, 2025. See Appendix B for a full list of publications.ANNUAL REPORT 202419CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)18New Principal InvestigatorsDr. Rachel Eddy is an imaging scientist with expertise in quantitative CT and MRI of the lungs. She is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics at UBC and James Hogg Young Investigator in Pulmonary Imaging at HLI. Dr. Eddy is a biomedical engineer by undergraduate training and completed her PhD in Medical Biophysics at Western University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC, HLI, and BC Children's Hospital, during which she launched the pulmonary MRI research program using hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe gas at HLI. Dr. Eddy serves as the Director of the MRI Core at HLI.Dr. Eddy’s research program is focused on developing and applying novel pulmonary imaging and data science tools to provide an in-depth understanding of chronic lung disease and novel inhalational lung exposures. Dr. Rachel EddyAssistant Professor | Department of Radiology, UBCDepartment of Pediatrics, UBC & BC Children’s Hospitalrachel.eddy@hli.ubc.caDr. Yuan Yao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at UBC. She received her PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2021, and then completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto.Dr. Yao is interested in bioengineering approaches to regenerate vascular and cardiac tissues. Her research primarily focuses on developing engineered tissue constructs that incorporate vascular networks to mimic natural tissue environments. Additionally, her work involves the design of dynamic hydrogels that respond to physiological cues for cardiac tissue repair and regeneration.Dr. Yuan YaoAssistant Professor | Department of Mechanical Engineering, UBC | Department of Medicine, UBCyuan.yao@hli.ubc.caResearchersRESEARCH SNAPSHOT Global reach and citation strength of HLI researchHigher-than-average global citation impact (FWCI)2.31×Research publications 357Citations (as of April 24, 2025)1,270

Page 19

Page 20

ANNUAL REPORT 202421CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)20Principal InvestigatorsDr. Mike AllardDr. Allard’s program focuseson adaptation of the heartto physiological states, suchas endurance exercise andpathological processes, likehypertension, that result incardiac hypertrophy.mike.allard@pathology.ubc.ca Dr. Francis’s researchinvolves understanding the mechanisms of cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerosis and how toremove it to prevent coronaryheart disease and stroke.gordon.francis@hli.ubc.caDr. Andrew KrahnDr. Krahn investigates the genetic causes of arrhythmia, sudden cardiac arrest, syncope, and the use of implantable arrhythmia devices.akrahn@mail.ubc.caDr. Jonathon LeipsicDr. Leipsic’s program is atthe forefront of advancedimaging for structural heartdisease, researching acutemyocardial infarction, suddencardiac death, and COPD.jleipsic@providencehealth.bc.caDr. Bruce McManusDr. McManus studies heart allograft rejection — its mechanisms, detection and monitoring — as well as enteroviral damage to the myocardium as a pathway to heart failure.bruce.mcmanus@hli.ubc.caDr. Honglin LuoThe focus of Dr. Luo’s research program is to dene the molecular and pathogenetic determinants of virus-host interactions in enterovirus-induced cardiac and brain diseases.honglin.luo@hli.ubc.caDr. Stephanie SellersDr. Sellers’ research focuseson valvular heart diseaseand bioprosthetic heart valvedegeneration as well as thedevelopment of new imagingtechniques for cardiovasculardisease.stephanie.sellers@hli.ubc.caDr. Liam BrunhamDr. Brunham’s researchfocuses on understanding how genetic variation contributes to abnormalities in lipid levels and risk for cardiovascular disease as well as response to medications.liam.brunham@ubc.caDr. David GranvilleDr. Granville researchesvascular injury, inammationand remodeling in the contextof atherosclerosis, transplantvasculopathy, and ischemia and reperfusion injury.david.granville@hli.ubc.caDr. Zachary LaksmanDr. Laksman’s research focuses on the genetic basis of heart muscle diseases, heart rhythm disorders and causes of sudden cardiac death.zlaksman@mail.ubc.caDr. Gordon FrancisCARDIOVASCULARDr. Wang’s research is focused on studying cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions to determine why diseased cells accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and methods of their removal.ying.wang@hli.ubc.caDr. Pat CampDr. Camp's research focuseson improving health outcomes of people with chronic lung disease, with a particular focus on Indigenous lung health.pat.camp@hli.ubc.caDr. Denise DaleyDr. Daley studies howinherited genetic variantsand environmental exposuresinteract to modify the risk fordeveloping diseases.denise.daley@hli.ubc.caDr. Chris CarlstenDr. Carlsten’s clinical andresearch interests centre onoccupational airways disease,including the eects of inhaled exposures on asthma induction and exacerbation.carlsten@mail.ubc.caDr. Del DorscheidDr. Dorscheid leads an activeresearch group investigatingthe role of the airwayepithelium in the genesisof inammatory airwaysdiseases.del.dorscheid@hli.ubc.caDr. Amrit SinghDr. Singh’s research focuses on the identication of biomarkers for heart and lung disease such as asthma and heart failure using high throughput biological (“omics”) datasets.amrit.singh@hli.ubc.caDr. Decheng YangDr. Yang’s research programsfocus on the molecularbiology and pathogenesis ofcoxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis.decheng.yang@hli.ubc.caDr. Scott TebbuttDr. Tebbutt’s research program is focused on the molecular and cellular understanding of inammatory disorders of the lung, allergic rhinitis, heart failure, and neonatal vaccinology.scott.tebbutt@hli.ubc.caDr. Ying WangThe Koelwyn lab applies a translational, ‘omics-based’ approach to understand how heart, lung, and/or oncologic diseases communicate through immune-specic mechanisms.graeme.koelwyn@hli.ubc.caDr. Graeme KoelwynDr. Pascal BernatchezDr. Bernatchez’s research focuses on the dynamic interplay between blood vessel homeostasis and chronic diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.pascal.bernatchez@hli.ubc.caPULMONARYResearchersCARDIOVASCULAREMERITUSEMERITUS

Page 21

Page 22

ANNUAL REPORT 202423CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)22Dr. Chun SeowDr. Seow’s research focusis on the mechanicalfunction, ultrastructure andbiochemistry of airway andvascular smooth muscle inhealth and disease.chun.seow@hli.ubc.caDr. Hacihaliloglu developsAI learning methods forprocessing medical image data on neurosurgery, liver disease, orthopedic surgery, lung disease, and interventional radiology.ilker.hacihaliloglu@ubc.caDr. Janice LeungDr. Leung is studyingthe clinical outcomes,manifestations, andunderlying mechanismsof HIV-associated chronicobstructive pulmonarydisease.janice.leung@hli.ubc.caDr. Peter ParéDr. Paré’s research expertiseis in the pathophysiology andgenetics of asthma and COPD, having studied the genetic control of gene expression in the lung and blood of COPD patients.peter.pare@hli.ubc.caDr. Chris RyersonDr. Ryerson’s researchfocuses on the diagnosis,management, andprognostication of pulmonary brosis.chris.ryerson@hli.ubc.caDr. Bradley QuonDr. Quon’s research is dedicated to developing tools to diagnose and monitor conditions that complicate the lives of individuals living with cystic brosis.bradley.quon@hli.ubc.caDr. Andrew SandfordThe focus of Dr. Sandford’sresearch is the genetic basisof obstructive lung disease.He identies genetic riskfactors for the development of asthma, peanut allergy, and COPD.andrew.sandford@hli.ubc.caDr. Jordan GuenetteDr. Guenette’s researchprogram aims to betterunderstand the physiologicalfactors that limit exercisetolerance across the spectrum of health and chronic respiratory disease.jordan.guenette@hli.ubc.caDr. James HoggDr. Hogg maintains an activeresearch program focusedon the inammatory processin the lung, with particularreference to the structure andfunction of the lungs in COPD.jim.hogg@hli.ubc.caDr. Paul ManDr. Man’s research expertiseis in clinical trials andtranslational research,particularly in COPD, andAIDS/HIV.paul.man@hli.ubc.caDr. Ilker HacihalilogluPULMONARYPULMONARYCRITICAL CARE +Dr. Andrew ThambooDr. Thamboo’s researchinterests span the areas ofunied airway hypothesis,upper airway physiology,oce-based rhinology,personalized medicine, andoutcomes research.researchdirector@stpaulssinuscentre.comDr. Don SinDr. Sin’s research is gearedtowards biomarker discoveryin COPD and related conditions such as lung cancer, ischemic heart disease and stroke.don.sin@hli.ubc.caDr. van Eeden’s researchprogram focuses on themechanisms of lunginammation caused byinfection and inhalationexposures, particularlycigarette smoking and air.stephan.vaneeden@hli.ubc.caDr. James RussellDr. Russell does research on randomized controlled trials in patients with septic shock and COVID-19, their biomarkers, and the interaction between diabetes and sepsis/septic shock.jim.russell@hli.ubc.caDr. Kelly McNagnyDr. McNagny’s researchprogram is focused onhematopoietic stem cellbiology and its implicationsin chronic allergy, asthma, and other inammatory diseases.kelly@brc.ubc.caDr. Keith WalleyDr. Walley translates basic discoveries into clinical practice in the ICU, investigating organ failure during sepsis and the impact of genotype on outcomes in systemic inammatory disease.keith.walley@hli.ubc.caDr. Mari DeMarcoDr. DeMarco’s research groupspecializes in the discovery,design and implementation ofprotein-based diagnostics forneurodegenerative disorders and beyond.mari.demarco@ubc.caDr. Wan-Cheng TanDr. Tan’s research interestsinclude the prevalence, mortality and risk factors of hospitalization in COPD and the implementation of asthma guidelines.wan.tan@hli.ubc.caDr. Tillie HackettDr. Hackett’s research program focuses on the disruption of normal repair processes within the epithelial-mesenchymaltrophic unit of the lung.tillie.hackett@hli.ubc.caDr. John BoydDr. Boyd’s clinical researchprogram is focused on dening and reversing the elements of the host response that causes sudden organ failure during severe infection.john.boyd@hli.ubc.caDr. Stephan van EedenPrincipal Investigators Cont’dResearchersEMERITUSEMERITUSEMERITUSEMERITUS

Page 23

Page 24

ANNUAL REPORT 202425CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)24HLI Associate MembersUniversity of British Columbia (UBC)Dr. Jamil Bashir | SurgeryDr. Samuel Lichtenstein | SurgeryDr. Peter Skaarsgard | SurgeryDr. Jian Ye | SurgeryDr. Philipp Blanke | RadiologyDr. Emily Brigham | MedicineDr. John Mancini | MedicineDr. Sammy Chen | MedicineDr. Andrew Ignaszewski | MedicineDr. Ed Conway | MedicineDr. James Dunne | MedicineDr. Pearce Wilcox | MedicineDr. David Wood | MedicineDr. Robert Schellenberg | MedicineDr. Simon Pimstone | MedicineDr. Alan Rabinowitz | Cardiology Dr. Jonathan Rayment | PediatricsDr. Colin Collins | Urologic SciencesDr. Iulia Iatan | Healthy Heart ProgramDr. Ismail Laher | AnesthesiologyDr. Chi Lai | PathologyDr. Steven White | PathologyDr. Ed Moore | PhysiologyDr. Emmanuel Osei | Biology (UBCO)Dr. Fabio Rossi | Biomedical EngineeringDr. Karen Cheung | Biomedical EngineeringDr. Mohsen Sadatsafavi | Pharmaceutical Sci.Dr. Raymond Ng | Computer ScienceDr. Bill Sheel | KinesiologyDr. Stacey Skoretz | AudiologySimon Fraser University (SFU)Dr. Scott Lear | Health SciencesUniversity of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)Dr. Kevin Keen | MathematicsUniversity of Victoria (UVic)Dr. Xuekui Zheng | MathematicsExternal Associates — NationalDr. Jeremy Hirota | McMaster UniversityDr. Michael Seidman | UHNDr. Yannick Molgat-Seon | Univ. WinnipegDr. Miranda Kirby | Toronto Metropolitan Univ.External Associates — InternationalDr. Stephen Milne | Univ. Sydney, Medicine and HealthDr. Fernando Sergio Leitao Filho | Federal Univ. of São PauloExternal Associates — IndustryDr. Harvey Coxson | Boehringer IngelheimDr. Raouf Dridi | Quantum ComputingDr. Ma’en Obeidat | NovartisResearchersResearch Grants and ContractsCIHR TEAM GRANTS IN LUNG HEALTHDr. Chris CarlstenLungs on re: Wildre smoke, incident diseases, susceptible populations, and community values in CanadaDr. Janice LeungThe Canadian lung outcomes in users of vaping devices (CLOUD) StudyCIHR PROJECT GRANTDr. Tillie HackettIntegration of multi-resolution imaging to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brotic interstitial lung diseaseDr. Janice LeungAccelerated lung aging in people living with human immunodeciency virusDr. Zachary LaksmanPersonalized drug safety and targeted therapies for individuals with truncating titin variantsDr. Gordon FrancisArterial smooth muscle cell lysosomal acid lipase as a novel target for atherosclerosis treatment and preventionDr. Kelly McNagnyNeonatal ILCs sculpt long-term adult immune responseHEART AND STROKE FOUNDATIONDr. Ying WangCharacterizing the inammatory pathways targeted by colchicine to better repurpose drugs for coronary artery diseaseCANADIAN CARDIOVASCULAR SOCIETYDr. Amrit SinghA multimodal approach to risk stratication in hypertrophic cardiomyopathyNSERC DISCOVERY GRANTDr. Graeme KoelwynMonocyte adaptations to chronic exercise stressDr. Ying WangCell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions maintain tissue homeostasis of the cardiovascular systemCANADIAN CONSORTIUM ON NEURODEGENERATION IN AGING (CCNA)Dr. Mari DeMarcoCCNA: Application for Phase III CCNA Operations CentreNATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTHDr. Pat Camp (Subaward; UBC PI)TB PuRe: Pulmonary rehabilitation to reduce post-tuberculosis morbidityDr. Stephanie Sellers (Subaward; UBC PI)Patient-specic blood cell reactivity and ow dynamic proles in transcatheter aortic valve replacementCANCER RESEARCH SOCIETYDr. Kelly McNagnyTargeting podocalyxin for the treatment of adverse-risk acute myeloid leukemiaLONG COVID WEBDr. Jim RussellNeuro-inammation and corticosteroid treatment in Long COVIDBOEHRINGER INGELHEIMDr. Chris RyersonPersonalized approaches to prognostication and management of brotic interstitial lung diseaseCANADIAN AGENCY FOR DRUGS AND TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH (CADTH)Dr. Chris RyersonThe Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CARE-PF): Setting patient-informed priorities and processes that reach all Canadians with pulmonary brosisMSHR BC REACH AWARDDr. Liam BrunhamGenetic Lipid Disorders and Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Raising Awareness to Save LivesGENETIC AORTIC DISORDERS ASSOCIATIONDr. Pascal BernatchezTargeting the beta-arrestin2 pathway to improve Marfan patient careMITACS ACCELERATEDr. Ilker HacihalilogluAI-Integrated Multi-Anatomy Ultrasound: A New Frontier in Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) ManagementNSERC ALLIANCE – MITACS ACCELERATEDr. Amrit SinghNovel bioinformatics approaches for multiomics dataHLI Principal Investigators (PIs) are listed as Nominated Principal Applicants on the grants awarded in 2024 below.(L to R) Dr. Jim Russell and his lab members gather for a photo. Photo by Providence Research.

Page 25

Page 26

Dr. Tillie HackettMichelle Harkness Mentorship Award (AllerGen) — Mentoring Excellence, InvestigatorDr. Jim Hogg2024 American Thoracic Society — Solbert Permutt Trailblazer AwardDr. Chris Ryerson2024 American Thoracic Society — Mentoring Award in Clinical ProblemsNational and international awards for excellence in mentorship, leadership and innovation.AwardsResearch Grants Cont’dResearchersBC LUNG FOUNDATIONDr. Bradley QuonThe real-world impact of elexacaftor-tezacaftor/ivacaftor on prescribing patterns, clinical outcomes, and health care utilization for people with cystic brosis living in British ColumbiaDr. Andrew SandfordIdentifying Functional Genetic Variants Associated with Susceptibility to COPDDr. Gillian GoobieCharacterizing the role of environmentally-susceptible epigenetic targets in idiopathic pulmonary brosisUBC GREEN LABS PROGRAMDrs. Ying Wang and Gurpreet SingheraToward Greener Preservation: Vacuum-Based Long Term Heart Tissue Storage as an Alternative to FormaldehydeLearning Together. Leading Tomorrow.The Trainee Association at HLI (TAHLI) connects learners across disciplines and career stages through mentorship, professional development, and peer-led initiatives.ANNUAL REPORT 202427CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)26Dr. Ying Wang points to the PhenoCycler device while discussing its features with members of her lab. Photo by Tiany Chang.TRAINEE ASSOCIATION, EDUCATIONAND EDI(L to R) Dr. Bruce McManus, Dr. James Hogg, Dr. Keith Walley, Dr. Peter Paré. Photo by Providence Research.

Page 27

Page 28

The 2024 HLI Research Day, held Aug. 16 at UBC Robson Square, brought together 85 trainees, 35 faculty and sta, and many other invited guests for a full day of science, storytelling and community.This annual day showcased the Centre’s collaborative spirit and shared commitment to advancing heart, lung and critical care science. Trainees presented their latest ndings across 12 oral talks, 34 posters and a new format: the Knowledge Translation (KT) Video Competition.During the opening remarks, Drs. Graeme Koelwyn and Rachel Eddy reected on exploring the blurry lines between research, career, and personal life as early-career principal investigators.Dr. Simon Rousseau, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University, delivered the Peter Paré Lecture keynote. “Trainees are the foundation of academic research and I am continuously amazed and delighted to see the breadth of work carried out,” he said. “The knowledge translation segment was quite astonishing; plenty of talent in spreading the outcomes of research to lay audiences.”After lunch, graduate student Sunaina Chopra held a reside chat with Bruce McManus Lecturer Dr. Simon Pimstone, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Associate Member in the UBC Division of Cardiology. Well-versed in the dierent sectors and paths available to trainees after graduation, Dr. Pimstone oered career advice to young researchers. “Just focus on one path,” he said. “Once you nd success from it, it becomes a lot easier to switch after.”For the KT Video Competition, trainees created two-minute videos explaining their research to a lay audience. You can watch all ve submissions here.HLI’s Director Dr. Don Sin concluded Research Day with closing remarks, who praised the calibre of trainee presentations. “I was blown away by the quality of their presentation and their studies,” he said. “This was the best ever HLI Research Day and I can’t wait for next year’s.”This story is adapted from an article by communications co-op student Michael Wu.ANNUAL REPORT 202429CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)28Established in 2018, the mission of the HLI Trainee Association (TAHLI) is to enhance the academic experience of HLI trainees by promoting a training environment enriched with collaboration, education, professional growth, and career success.In 2024, under the leadership of Firoozeh Gerayeli and Sunaina Chopra, TAHLI worked closely with trainees, principal investigators, and sta to foster community and professional development through a range of events. The TAHLI committees organized many events, including the following:• Summer student icebreaker, fall welcome event• Third annual donation drive for local shelters• HLI Research Day• Holiday ornament painting event in December• Weekly “HLI Insider” newsletter to share opportunities and updatesTAHLI extends appreciation to the HLI Executive Team, principal investigators and donors for their ongoing support.In 2025, Sunaina Chopra and Eric Xiang will serve as TAHLI Co-Chairs. Trainees interested in joining or sharing ideas can contact trainees@hli.ubc.ca.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEECo-chaired by Firoozeh Gerayeli and Eric Xiang, the Professional Development Committee hosted a career talk focused on the medical science liaison (MSL) pathway. The team also organized Lunch and Learn sessions with HLI guest speakers, with special thanks to Drs. Ying Wang and Honglin Luo for inviting their visiting lecturers to engage with trainees.MENTORSHIP COMMITTEELed by co-chairs Raveen Badyal and Brandon Kohlen, the Mentorship Committee organized several community-building activities, including an ice skating event, regular coee walks, and an end-of-mentorship gathering to celebrate participants’ experiences.OMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS COMMITTEEFormerly the Biostatistics Committee, the Omics and Bioinformatics Committee, co-chaired by Jasleen Kaur and Josie Tuong, expanded its focus to reect broader interests in computational research. In 2024, the committee represented HLI at UBC’s Bioinnovation Conference and hosted a R workshops series in support of the Hackathon.SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEChaired by Eric Xiang and Razieh Sadat Banijamali, the Scholarship Committee held internal and CIHR award workshops to support trainees in securing travel and research funding. The team extends special thanks to the HLI Grants Team and St. Paul’s Foundation for their support. Trainee Association at HLI (TAHLI)Trainee Association, Education and EDI2024 HLI Research DayHLI’s annual Research Day showcased the collaborative spirit at the Centre and a shared commitment to advancing heart, lung and critical care science. Trainees presented their latest ndings through oral talks, poster sessions and a new format: the Knowledge Translation Video Competition.HLI DirectorI was blown away by the quality of their presentation and their studies, the poise and maturity of the presentation and students’ ability to think on their feet and eld questions.Dr. Don Sin, MD, MPHGroup of trainees at an i-EXIT escape room event organized by TAHLI.TAHLI Committees

Page 29

Page 30

ANNUAL REPORT 202431CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)30Fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at HLIWorkplace Well-being InitiativeIn Winter 2024, HLI joined a UBC Recreation initiative to reduce sedentary behaviour and promote well-being. As one of three units selected, the Workplace Well-being Initiative, led by Beth Whalen, hosted biweekly 15-minute movement breaks featuring activities such as stretching, origami, games and scavenger hunts with riddles and chocolates. These interactive sessions helped break daily routines and fostered connection in a research environment often marked by long hours at lab benches or desks.The team also contributed to UBC’s annual Thrive campaign, a month-long initiative focused on mental health. As part of Thrive, HLI hosted two creative sessions where participants sculpted and painted their own “desk buddies.” Common themes included animals, plants and mushrooms, reecting a wide range of creativity. To complement these hands-on activities, weekly self-reection prompts were posted in shared spaces, including the building elevator. Questions such as “What do you like most about yourself?” and “How do you cope with stress?” encouraged personal reection and community dialogue.By integrating movement, creativity and reection into HLI’s workplace culture, these eorts supported emotional awareness and strengthened community across HLI.The HLI’s EDI Committee, co-chaired by Basak Sahin and Elizabeth Guinto, is a volunteer-led initiative committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Centre. The committee supports the HLI community through education, resource-sharing, and policy guidance, focusing on addressing barriers faced by equity-deserving groups.DISCUSSION GROUPS & DIVERSE DIALOGUESEvery two months, the committee hosted interactive sessions that encouraged open conversations around EDI. These sessions brought the community together to watch a documentary, listen to a podcast, or host a guest speaker, where participants reected together on real-world challenges and how to create change. Topics covered this year included:• EDI in Research (July 25): Drs. Yasir Mohamud and Hernandez-Cordero, CIHR REDI award recipients, shared their experiences navigating the grants and awards process through an equity lens.• Invisible Disabilities (May 30): The group viewed Invisible, a documentary on the experiences of six disabled women activists.• Compassion Fatigue (September 26): The committee organized a session on strategies to recognize and manage emotional fatigue in care-focused workplaces.The committee also organized Diverse Dialogues: small, intimate gatherings that created space for sta and trainees to connect and share lived experiences. These conversations helped strengthen a culture of inclusion within the community.EVALUATIONThe committee conducted a tailored workplace experience survey, modelled after UBC’s, to gather feedback from sta and trainees on EDI committee eorts. The committee received 29 responses. Overall the responses to 16 general statements were positive (e.g., “Getting to know people with backgrounds dierent from my own has been easy”, and “HLI creates opportunities for everyone to understand what diversity, inclusion, and equity are”). Most individuals found HLI to be a safe place to be themselves. Many reported that time was the biggest barrier to attending events. Going forward, the committee is oering slides, webinars and other documents online for increased accessibility. PARTNERSHIPSUBC Faculty of Medicine’s EDI Joint Interest Group: to enhance resources and align institutional eorts Providence Research (PR): to work with EDI manager to expand resources and coordinate collaborative EDI events with other PR centresUBC School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME): to coordinate site tours and trainee networking opportunitiesTrainee Association, Education and EDIHLI members gather for a group photo during an origami event organized by the Workplace Well-being Initiative team. Photo by Michael Wu.Three “desk buddies” created by Sonali Sharma, Evan Phillips, and Katherine Adolphs (L to R) sit side by side on the windowsill.HLI members gather to celebrate Lunar New Year with food, activities, and performances.

Page 31

Page 32

For HLI trainees who will be presenting at a local, national, or international meeting, or engaging in activities that enhance trainee education beyond traditional travel awardsFor young researchers who have demonstrated excellence in basic scientic and/or clinical researchJAMES HOGG AWARDLeiana Hoshyari | Dorscheid LabCarly Lin | Luo Lab PETER PARÉ AWARDSayed Milad Vahedi | Koelwyn LabNajmeh Assadinia | Hackett LabBRUCE MCMANUS AWARDHattie Luo | Laksman LabRazieh Sadat Banijamali| Luo LabBOB SCHELLENBERG ROOKIE OF THE YEARMilad Vahedi| Koelwyn LabCORNELIS VAN BREEMEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG INVESTIGATORPinhao (Eric) Xiang | Francis LabJAMES C. HOGG OUTSTANDING YOUNG INVESTIGATORDebora Petry-Moeke | Camp LabSTUART GREENE AWARDFor an HLI employee whose outstanding service, patience, and cooperativeness as a team player have made a major impact to the success of the HLI mission.Evan Phillips | Grants TeamANNUAL REPORT 202433CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)32INTERNAL AWARDSJasleen Kaur | Quon LabMitacs AccelerateBiological clustering of Pulmonary Exacerbation in Cystic Fibrosis (BioPEx-CF)Melody Cheng | Wang/Tebbutt LabsMitacs AccelerateFinding blood biomarkers to inform local inammation in coronary artery diseaseSamuel Leung | Wang/Tebbutt LabsMitacs AccelerateFinding blood biomarkers to inform local inammation in coronary artery diseaseTrainee Awards and ScholarshipsAna Hernandez Cordero | Leung/Sin LabsCIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence Early Career Transition Award (inaugural)Epigenetic and molecular regulation of aging and age-related comorbidities CIHR Summer Program in Aging, 2024Yasir Mohamud | Luo LabCIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence Early Career Transition Award (inaugural)Elucidating the intricate interplay between mitochondria, innate immunity, and viral pathogenesis in heart failureRazieh Banijamali | Luo LabVanier Canada Graduate ScholarshipEnhancing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapeutics with Oncolytic VirotherapyRaveen Badyal | Hackett LabCanada Graduate Scholarship - MScThe Eect of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Receptor Inhibition on Skin and Lung Fibrosis in Patients with Systemic SclerosisUBC Faculty of Medicine Graduate Excellence AwardThe Eect of TGF-β Receptor Inhibition on Fibrosis in Patients with Systemic SclerosisYolanda (Chen Xi) Yang | Tebbutt/Sin LabsCIHR Doctoral Research AwardTowards precision health in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A single-cell and spatial transcriptomics atlas of airways across the full spectrum of disease severityEric (Pinhao) Xiang | Francis LabCIHR Doctoral Research AwardUnderstanding macrophage-smooth muscle cell interactions in foam cell development in atherosclerosisAlanna Hind | Guenette LabBC Lung Foundation - Respiratory Rehabilitation FellowshipPathological, sensory and ergogenic eects of salbutamol - implications for athletic screening and β2 agonist use in sportClarus Leung | Sin Lab2024 American Thoracic SocietyAbstract Scholarship - Structure & Function AssemblySunaina Chopra | Camp LabBC Lung Foundation - Respiratory Rehabilitation FellowshipNiwh Yizt'Iyh Hilht'Iz Nets'Eelh'Iyh – “Strengthening Our Bodies”: Exploring the impact of land-based activities on the health and wellbeing of BC First Nations menUBC BPOC Graduate Excellence AwardNiwh Yizt'Iyh Hilht'Iz Nets'Eelh'Iyh – “Strengthening Our Bodies”: Exploring the impact of land-based activities on the health and wellbeing of BC First Nations menCyril Helbling | DeMarco LabUBC Four-Year Doctoral FellowshipAdvancing Biomarker Diagnostics for Early Detection of SynucleinopathiesParkinson SwitzerlandAdvancing Biomarker Diagnostics for Early Detection of SynucleinopathiesFatemeh Aminazadeh | Hackett LabUBC Four-Year Doctoral FellowshipThe contribution of sex dierences to small airways disease in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2024 American Thoracic SocietyAbstract Scholarship - Structure & Function AssemblyHattie Luo | Laksman LabUBC Four-Year Doctoral FellowshipGeneration of co-culture engineered heart tissue for drug screeningHesam Karimi | Luo LabUBC Four-Year Doctoral FellowshipLipid nanoparticle-based delivery of a genetically engineered coxsackievirus B3 as a therapeutic cancer vaccine for lung cancer therapyGuangze Zhao | Yang LabTop Postgrad. Student Poster PresentationUBC FoM Dept. Pathology and Laboratory MedicineCVB3-induced m6A modication of RNA enhances viral replication via suppression of YTHDF-mediated stress granule formationEstefania Espin | Tebbutt LabLong COVID Web - Seed Funding 2024Advancing Long-COVID Biomarker Development in Canada: Integrating Transcriptomics and Stakeholder PerspectivesFiroozeh Gerayeli | Sin LabUBC Faculty of Medicine Graduate AwardCanadian Thoracic SocietyBasic Science Poster (2nd runner up)Lung Health Foundation - Travel AwardCassie Gilchrist | Leung LabCanadian Lung Association - PhD Studentship AwardExploring the Impact of Cannabis Smoke Exposure on Lung Health with Single Cell RNA Sequencing and Microbiome AnalysisMehdi Jafari | Quon LabCIHR-MSHR BC Health System Impact (HSI) FellowshipThe real-world impact of ETI on prescribing patterns, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization for PwCF living in British ColumbiaBC Lung Foundation The real-world impact of ETI on prescribing patterns, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization for PwCF living in British ColumbiaKate Huang | Laksman LabStem Cell Network - Till & McCulloch Meetings Travel AwardModelling a ventricular brillation-related titin variant using patient iPSC-derived cardiomyocytesAsma Tanveer | Dorscheid/Tebbutt LabsRespNet BC Trainee Salary StipendCharacterizing the expression and regulation of IL-13 receptor subunits in response to injury signals in asthmaMaria Elishaev | Wang LabCIHR Travel AwardUsing a novel multiplex imaging platform to visualize inammation and cell death in early human atherosclerotic lesionsElizabeth Guinto | Sin Lab2024 AAI Trainee Poster AwardSingle-cell proteomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with pulmonary long COVIDIulia Iatan | Francis LabCanadian Cardiovascular Society Trainee Research AwardFamilial Hypercholesterolemia in Canada: Investigating Management Patterns and Clinical Outcomes from the FH Canada RegistryTrainee Association, Education and EDIALEXANDRA KERJNER TECHNICIAN AWARDFor HLI technicians or managers who have made continued contribution with the highest level of technical skill, work ethic, enthusiasm in mentoring and team spirit.Coco Ng | BMCB(L to R) Evan Phillips and Coco Ng stand beside Dr. Don Sin with their awards.

Page 33

Page 34

Preclinical Services at HLI operates a 9,000 sq. ft. facility that oers exible space, technical services, and high-tech equipment for use with preclinical models. Equipment is maintained under a preventative maintenance program and includes certied biosafety cabinets, calibrated anesthetic equipment, and hydrogen peroxide decontamination capabilities. The Preclinical Services sta are CALAS-certied and bring expertise in microsurgery, echocardiography, cardiovascular and pulmonary models, oncology, dermatology, and diabetic models.Under the leadership of Claire Smits, the team has spent signicant time designing their future home in the CSRC, ensuring it meets the needs of HLI’s current and future scientists. The team successfully stayed within budget and met all audit and mandatory inspection requirements. Projects supported this year include studies in sepsis, atherosclerosis, oncology, and emphysema.As always, Preclinical Services and HLI follow standards set by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, operating with the support of the UBC Animal Care Committee, the UBC PAM team, and training support from UBC ACS and CALAS/ACSAL.ANNUAL REPORT 202435CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)34(L to R) Mathushaa Chanchayan and Beth Whalen examine a box retrieved from the ultracold freezer in the Molecular Phenotyping Core Lab. Photo by Tiany Chang.OPERATIONSPreclinical ServicesIn 2024, the HLI Tissue Culture (TC) core remained a key hub for cell-based research, operating across eight specialized laboratories. It supported a range of experiments, including basic techniques and high-impact multidisciplinary collaborations with the HLI’s MPLC, Imaging, and Histology cores. These eorts have directly contributed to advancing HLI’s research portfolio.Training and safety remained top priorities. TC core manager Dr. Gurpreet Singhera conducted four orientation sessions, training 24 new users with emphasis on sterile technique protocols and liquid nitrogen safety. The core also supported HLI’s High School Student Week by oering hands-on cell culture experience, inspiring the next generation of scientists. Facility enhancements in 2024 included the addition of a two-door refrigerator, a cryo-dewar to expand cryogenic storage, and new imaging equipment: an EVOS3000 microscope and Countess 3 cell counter. The core acknowledges the HLI Executive team for their ongoing support, and HLI’s skilled equipment and maintenance team members, Dan Vikse and Andy Diewald, for their technical expertise. In strategic planning, the TC core also contributed to the design of the new CSRC facility, ensuring that the lab spaces will support future cell, viral, and bacterial research. It also reached nancial self-suciency through a user-based cost-sharing model and remains committed to supporting research, safety, and training.Tissue Culture CoreHigh school student Catherine Xu learns to use a biosafety cabinet in the Tissue Culture Core lab. Photo by Gurpreet Singhera. Preclinical core sta. (L to R) Tyler Leversage, Lynne Carter, Eric Xu, Claire Smits, and Ray Gopaul. The Engine Behind DiscoveryFrom biobanking to molecular phenotyping to our state-of-the-art MRI core, our operational platforms provide the critical infrastructure that powers high-impact research. These shared services ensure our investigators have the tools and support needed to accelerate innovation in heart, lung, and critical care science.

Page 35

Page 36

ANNUAL REPORT 202437CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)36In 2024, the Molecular Phenotyping Core Laboratory (MPCL) experienced a shift in biobanking service requests, reecting evolving research needs across the institution. Alongside routine biobanking services, the MPCL received requests from three new studies for peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation — a notable expansion, as PBMC isolations had previously been performed only by special request. The MPCL also began supporting six clinical trials this year, highlighting the lab’s growing role in translational and clinical research.Under the scientic direction of Dr. Andrew Sandford and the leadership of Core Manager Beth Whalen, MPCL dedicated much of this year to planning and designing its new research laboratory in the CSRC. Starting with an empty shell, the team worked collaboratively to create a purpose-built facility that houses all MPCL equipment. The new space was designed to support current operations while allowing room for future equipment and evolving research needs, ensuring both exibility and long-term sustainability.This year, the MPCL faced several operational challenges. Four major instruments failed, including the Agilent Bioanalyzer and a double-door laboratory refrigerator — both deemed beyond repair. The Bioanalyzer was replaced with a refurbished unit, and a new refrigerator was purchased. The lab also incurred more than $40,000 in repair costs for the NanoString prep station and the Astrios cell sorter, highlighting the ongoing need for proactive equipment renewal planning.A key milestone in 2024 was the MPCL securing its own UBC Biosafety Permit. Previously, core facilities operated under the permits of various Principal Investigators. Obtaining an independent permit marked a signicant advancement, allowing the MPCL to streamline operations and collaborate more eectively with investigators outside the centre.Molecular Phenotyping Core Laboratory (MPCL)OperationsMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) CoreThe Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) core, directed by Dr. Rachel Eddy, continues to support eight clinical studies in the following research areas: cannabis smoking, vaping, COPD, IPF and HIV. Across these studies, over 400 participants have been enrolled and completed hyperpolarized xenon MRI to measure pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange, and/or lung microstructure. The MRI core also supports paired chest CT acquisition for advanced structure-function pulmonary phenotyping.The HLI is one of ~25 centres worldwide with hyperpolarized xenon gas MRI capabilities, and cardiac MRI capabilities on the system are expanding. The 3T scanner is equipped with a quantitative myocardial perfusion package for cardiac MRI research applications. Research time on the MRI scanner remains available, and new studies with MRI endpoints are always welcome. HLI PIs have prioritized use of this research time for studies dedicated to heart and lung health and disease. We also remain engaged with the New St. Paul’s and CSRC discussions to ensure continuity and minimal disruption of the MRI core with the transition to the new building.Dr. Rachel Eddy prepares a patient for a scan in the 3T MRI scanner at St. Paul’s Hospital. Photo by Providence Research.(L to R) MPCL Sta: Basak Sahin, Beth Whalen, Mathushaa Chanchayan, Gaea Buenaventura.The HLI Safety Committee, led by Ivan Leversage, has transitioned from a local committee to the St. Paul’s Hospital Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (SPH JOHSC). Local terms of reference for the new committee were developed and approved to support this transition. The SPH JOHSC currently includes representatives from the following UBC units located at St. Paul’s Hospital: the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, and the BC Centre on Substance Use.As part of ongoing safety initiatives, a new First Aid poster was developed (Essential Steps for Responding to Injuries and Blood and Body Fluid Exposures). This resource will be made available to other UBC units at St. Paul’s Hospital.In response to changes to WorkSafeBC Regulation’s Part 5: Chemical Agents and Biological Agents, HLI worked with UBC Risk Management Services to standardize and computerize chemical inventories, improving chemical safety management and regulatory reporting.Workplace SafetyCommitteeThe pulmonary MRI research program at St. Paul’s Hospital and UBC, launched in late 2021, has enrolled more than 400 participants for hyperpolarized 129Xe functional lung MRI. Shown here are example images of smoking-related conditions. Inhaled 129Xe (blue) highlights regional ventilation decits in young people who smoke cannabis or vape (middle), and in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (right).(L to R) Beth Whalen, Gaea Buenaventura and Mathushaa Chanchayan work under a fume hood in the MPCL.CANNABIS SMOKING/VAPING

Page 37

Page 38

ANNUAL REPORT 202439CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)38OperationsUnder the scientic direction of Dr. Dragos Vasilescu and led by Core Manager Dr. Aaron Barlow, the Cellular Imaging and Biophysics Core (CIB) is a multi-user facility that supports research groups within the HLI, providing access to cutting-edge imaging technology and expertise. Featured instruments include the Zeiss LSM 880 confocal microscope with super-resolution and multiphoton capabilities, the Nikon XTH 225-ST high-resolution microCT scanner, the Li-cor Odyssey CLx scanner and the EVOS 5000 uorescence microscope.NEW EQUIPMENTIn partnership with Gurpreet Singhera from the Tissue Culture core, the CIB will support the operation of two new pieces of equipment for the Centre. The core recently acquired the EVOS M3000 Imaging System. This compact bench-top microscope allows for fast, user-friendly, brighteld and phase contrast imaging up to 40x magnication, and includes real-time conuency measurements and video capture. The CIB also acquired the iBright FL1500 imaging system. This system specializes in DNA and protein detection, chemiluminescence, and uorescence imaging. These new instruments replace aging microscopes and the GBox systems, respectively. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSThe CIB recently completed two major microCT scanning projects in collaboration with the Hackett group, with studies focused on airway remodelling in asthma and COPD patients using our unique formalin-xed, paran-embedded (FFPE) imaging and frozen core imaging protocols. In total, over 300 samples were scanned in this collaboration, amounting to over 600 hours of scan time, and we anticipate several publications will result from these data over the course of the next few years.The CIB has continued ongoing collaborations with the Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) group of Dr. Stephanie Sellers, where microCT was used to help evaluate a uoroscopic technique for THV expansion and quantify leaet calcication in extracted THVs.Over the course of the 2024 calendar year, the CIB has trained 19 new trainees on our instruments and provided service to at least 13 dierent research groups throughout the Centre.Cellular Imaging and Biophysics Core Led by Dan Vikse, the Facilities and Maintenance team at HLI plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations. As noted in the Centre’s 2023 annual report, the consolidation of frozen samples and laboratory equipment remains a major focus for the department. This work will continue as the team progresses toward completing the Design Phase of the new CSRC at St. Paul’s Hospital.The Planning Phase for the CSRC is nearing completion, with a few nal design reviews underway to ensure the layout meets operational needs and includes all essential components. In preparation for the transition, the team has begun identifying potential operational challenges that may arise during the hospital move and interim period before the new CSRC becomes fully operational. Measures are being explored to prevent disruptions to active research programs.During last summer’s extreme heat events, a failure in one of the main freezer room HVAC systems occurred. Temporary cooling was installed immediately, and a new HVAC system with built-in redundancy was installed in the fall. This upgrade will provide stable environmental conditions for sample storage until the transition to the new CSRC is complete.Facilities and MaintenanceDr. Aaron Barlow examines a high-resolution confocal image of HeLa cells, with the nucleus in blue, mitochondria in red, and actin in green. Photo by Providence Research.This year has been an active, productive period for the James Hogg Lung Biobank (JHLB), as the biobank continued its mission to advance respiratory research by providing investigators with high-quality, well-preserved lung samples with comprehensive clinical data to identify disease pathobiology and new therapeutic targets.Under the scientic direction of Dr. Tillie Hackett and the management of Darren Sutherland, the JHLB met a major milestone this year: the full reorganization of its frozen lung tissue inventory. The previous storage system posed logistical challenges for retrieving and restocking individual samples. To address this, the team successfully transferred 3,500 lung tissue samples into newly barcoded cryovials. This upgrade signicantly enhances the biobank’s capacity to eciently fulll tissue requests and track sample usage.In parallel, the JHLB team dedicated over 100 hours to the planning and design of the new CSRC located within the Jim Pattison Medical Campus. The future biobanking facilities will enable the collection of valuable clinical samples at the new St. Paul’s Hospital, supporting innovative patient-led research and personalized health initiatives.This year, the JHLB also processed seven new lung donations, contributing to ongoing studies in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung brosis. These generous donations underscore the critical role patients play in advancing medical science and improving health outcomes for future generations.RESEARCH IMPACT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTIn its commitment to knowledge translation and community engagement, the JHLB continues to host students, clinicians, visiting scientists, and St. Paul’s Foundation donors. These orientation sessions oer a rsthand look into the biobank’s operations and the essential role it plays in respiratory research.Over the past year, the JHLB provided lung tissue specimens and associated clinical data not only to researchers at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation but also to international collaborators at the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Tasmania. These eorts contributed to nine peer-reviewed research publications.The JHLB also continues to support translational research in collaboration with the biotech company Ikomed, assisting with preclinical COPD models through tissue processing, imaging, and histological analysis.Furthermore, the team is currently working with Université Laval and the University of Groningen (Netherlands) to support one of the largest lung expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies ever conducted. This international collaboration represents a major step forward in understanding the genetic regulation of lung disease.James Hogg Lung Biobank Darren Sutherland shows high school students xed lung sections from the lung biobank. Photo by Providence Research.

Page 39

Page 40

ANNUAL REPORT 202441CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)40Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank In the past year, the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank (BMCB) continued to drive progress in cardiovascular research by providing retrospective and “t-for-purpose” prospective cardiac samples to national and international collaborators. Led by Scientic Director Dr. Ying Wang and Biobank Operations Manager Dr. Gurpreet Singhera, the BMCB remains committed to supporting knowledge translation and promoting educational initiatives.• HQP update: Dr. Chi Lai, Clinical Cardiovascular Pathologist at SPH, has been appointed as the Medical Director of BMCB. Having him on the team will not only expand the clinical expertise of the BMCB to support translational research, but also increase capacity for digital pathology and biomarker discovery.• Finance: BMCB received a $3,680 grant from the UBC Green Labs Program to reduce formalin waste. Patient-consented donated hearts are now vacuum-sealed rather than stored in free-oating formalin. This change is expected to reduce formalin waste by 78% by adopting more environmentally sustainable storage practices.• REB update: The biobank protocol was updated to enable biobanking of biopsies and blood not collected via surgical procedures, which will support research on early diagnosis of heart disease.BIOBANKING ACTIVITIES AND SAMPLE UTILIZATION For t-for-purpose biobanking, the BMCB has modied its protocols to improve the structural and molecular integrity of samples, addressing traditional problems with fragile biospecimens and enabling future applications such as single-nuclei sequencing and in-situ ‘Omics’. Working with Dr. Lai, the BMCB launched new biobanking initiatives for several early career investigators at the HLI. In 2024, the BMCB biobanked 26 failed explanted hearts and 441 surgically-removed cardiovascular tissue specimens. The biobank extends immense gratitude to the patients who donated their tissues for their generosity and commitment to supporting research eorts. The BMCB is growing its national and international reputation by attracting external collaborations with the University of Toronto, University of Alberta, and University of Virginia. In the past year, HLI members published seven manuscripts using samples from the BMCB.OUTREACH ACTIVITIESThe BMCB team facilitated 15 tours this year for graduate students, heart transplant patients, and high school students. Additionally, the team hosted a Hands-on-Hearts workshop, in partnership with St. Paul’s Hospital’s Heart Centre Nursing Education Day 2024. Held at UBC Robson Square on June 7, 2024 from 8 AM to 2:30 PM, the event featured presentations on immunization in cardiac care, amyloidosis, cardio-oncology, and cardiovascular genetics.During the Hands-on-Hearts session, participants learned about the role of biobanking in cardiovascular research and examined heart specimens aected by dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and amyloidosis. These initiatives reect the commitment of HLI and the BMCB to education, awareness and knowledge sharing in cardiovascular science.OperationsDistribution of biobank samples. (A) Total number of requested samples increased annually, reaching 326 in 2023–2024.(B) The most commonly used samples in 2024 were formalin-xed paran-embedded (FFPE) tissue (29.14%) and RNAlater-preserved samples (25.47%), followed by optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound blocks (21.17%) and fresh tissue (15.34%). This distribution highlights the demand for well-preserved tissue types, with FFPE and RNAlater samples most frequently requested by researchers for their versatility in long-term molecular analysis.Dr. Gurpreet Singhera speaks about biobanking and human heart specimens during the Hands-On-Hearts workshop, presented to clinical nurses from hospitals across the Lower Mainland. Photo by Tiany Chang.(L to R) BMCB Sta: Tiany Chang, Gurpreet Singhera, Coco Ng.

Page 41

Page 42

TDL.js Aquarium.A visual tool used to monitor server activity on the HPC cluster: each animated sh represents a running process or system job. Photo by Joe Comeau.ANNUAL REPORT 202443CENTRE FOR HEART LUNG INNOVATION (HLI)42The HLI is grateful to our patients, donors, and funding partners:OUR PARTNERSAcademic and Health InstitutionsProvidence Research (PR)Providence Health Care (PHC)Simon Fraser University (SFU)University of British Columbia (UBC)GovernmentCanada Research ChairsCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)Interior Health AuthorityNational Institutes of HealthNational Research CouncilProvince of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF)Canada Foundation for InnovationMichael Smith Health Research BCNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)Foundation and Non-ProtAllerGenAlpha-1 FoundationAlzheimer Society of CanadaBritish Columbia Lung AssociationBritish Columbia Proteomics NetworkCanadian Diabetes AssociationCanadian Foundation for AIDS ResearchCystic Fibrosis CanadaCystic Fibrosis Foundation (US)Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and YukonHeart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaBreakthrough T1DPROOF Centre of ExcellenceSt. Paul’s Hospital FoundationThe Lung AssociationGenome British ColumbiaIndustryAdiga Life Sciences Inc.Agartee Technology Inc.Amarin Pharma Inc.AMGEN Canada Inc.Asahi Kasei Pharma AmericaAstraZeneca Canada Inc.Bayer AGBoehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.Cyon Therapeutics Inc.Genentech Inc.Gilead Sciences Inc.GlaxoSmithKlineGrifols Shared Services North America Inc.Homann-La Roche Ltd. (Canada)IKOMEDIndustry CanadaInterMune Inc.Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Janssen Inc.La Jolla Pharmaceutical CompanyLeading Biosciences Inc.MedImmune LLCMerck Sharp & Dohme Corp.Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.Octapharma Canada Inc.Pzer Canada Inc.Pharmaxis Ltd.ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.Respivert Ltd.RxSource Corp.sano-aventis Canada Inc.Trius Therapeutics Inc.Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.viDA Therapeutics Inc.In 2024, the HLI Information Technology (IT) team made major progress in modernizing infrastructure across the centre. The migration to a new, streamlined architecture is nearly complete, with only a few complex systems remaining. Full completion is expected by late summer or early fall of 2025. The new system will support over 4 petabytes of storage capacity, with the ability to scale as needed.The team successfully transitioned approximately 400 servers from a legacy IBM-designed stack (circa 2005) to a simplied, software-dened environment. By reducing the use of third-party hardware and software, the updated system has signicantly lowered maintenance costs. The virtualization software stack alone now saves over $60,000 annually in licensing and support. All servers, storage, and networking are now fully software-dened.Networking upgrades were another major focus. The team upgraded core network speeds to 100Gb and backup connections to 25Gb. The external link to BCNET is being upgraded to 10Gb with full failover redundancy. The team also began replacing aging network switches across the hospital and are establishing a redundant network connection to Hornby to strengthen overall system resilience. ENABLING SECURE RESEARCH AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTINGThe newly deployed High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster (see below) is now online and ready for non-GPU workloads, oering around 1,000 CPU cores. To support researchers, the team developed a custom web app that allows users to submit, edit, and rerun large batches of pipeline jobs. It automatically retrieves data, runs the analysis, stores results, and cleans up afterward. It also generates timestamped reports from the outputs, streamlining end-to-end workows.Focusing on security and compliance, the team continued replacing outdated Windows 7 and 10 lab computers with modern, security-compliant systems that meet both Providence Research and UBC standards. Where replacement was not feasible, machines were quarantined on secure internal networks to limit access and maintain compliance. IT sta will continue reaching out to coordinate replacements as needed.Lastly, to support secure remote work, the team launched new platforms for statistical and graphical analysis. Designed with the new CSRC facility in mind, these systems integrate with Providence Research’s infrastructure and will provide fast, secure access from anywhere in the building. High-speed remote graphics, exceeding 30 frames per second, are now possible without additional user cost, exceeding the performance of commercial solutions like Teradici.Information Technology (IT)Operations

Page 43

HLIAR-Raster

Page 1

Page 2