WHO ARE WE?

The Vancouver Gastrointestinal Disease Research Group is part of the University of British Columbia’s Department of Pediatrics at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital. Our group consists of basic and clinical life scientists involved in bench to bedside research, focused on paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The Vancouver Gastrointestinal Disease Research Group integrates the scientific disciplines of immunology, microbiology, genetics, nutrition and intestinal physiology to broaden our understanding of IBD. 

Dr. Bruce Vallance

​Dr. Vallance is well recognised for his expertise in the study and modelling of IBD and enteric bacterial infections. His lab is studying the exciting interactions between host and microbe, -pathogenic and healthy- and the influence of nutrition in the gastrointestinal environment. 
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Dr. Bruce Vallance completed his PhD training in Gastrointestinal Inflammation at McMaster University’s Intestinal Disease Research Program under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Collins and then pursued studies on disease causing bacteria at the University of British Columbia’s Michael Smith Laboratories with Dr. Brett Finlay. Dr. Vallance was named the Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology and a Michael Smith Research Scholar in 2004. 

Dr. Kevan Jacobson

Dr. Jacobson, MBBCh, FRCP, FRCPC, AGAF, is an Associate Professor and Senior Clinician Scientist and is head of the Department of Pediatrics and Child and Family Research Institute at BC Children’s Hospital. Dr Jacobson is involved in bench to bedside research examining potential mechanisms involved in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the development of potential therapies. His lab research lab is focused on the role of nutrition and gastrointestinal inflammation. 
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Dr. Jacobson obtained his MD degree in South Africa in 1984, his FRCPC in 1991 and his gastroenterology degree in 1993. Dr. Jacobson completed his research training in IBD under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Collins at McMaster University’s Intestinal Disease Research Program in 1996. Dr Jacobson joined the pediatric division of gastroenterology at McMaster University Centre in 1996 and transferred to BC Children’s hospital in 1999 where he is practising ever since.