Graduate Studies in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Three degree programs

Welcome

Come study the mechanisms of disease with us.

Our Graduate Program is recognised by students and faculty alike as one of the best student-centred research training opportunities at UBC.

#28 in the world

We train students from varied backgrounds in science and medicine — biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, microbiology and immunology — across three degree programs.

Our supervisors are national and international leaders in their fields, working in labs at every major teaching hospital in the Vancouver area.

#2 in Canada

Two graduate students in the lab, one holding up a sample tube

Pathology research rankings, 2025 departmental publication. UBC also places #24 in North America.

Choose your program

Compare the programs →

MSc Master of Science Two years. You learn to design experiments, interpret results and build a thesis around one focused question. Explore the MSc PhD Doctor of Philosophy Four to six years. You lead an original investigation into disease and set its direction yourself. Explore the PhD MD/PhD Combined medical and doctoral degree Medical training paired with doctoral research, for students who want to treat patients and study the diseases behind them. Explore the MD/PhD

What could you study?

Supervisors seeking students →

Three students, three questions

Could a blood test detect a youth concussion? Kidus Achalu measures 120 brain-specific proteins in blood samples to find biomarkers that could objectively diagnose sports-related concussions in young athletes. MSc · Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Meet Kidus

Can a virus be trained to kill breast cancer? Razieh Sadat Banijamali develops better ways to deliver cancer-killing viruses into triple-negative breast cancer tumours. PhD · Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Meet Razieh

Could a clotting protein block many viruses at once? John Perrier investigates whether tissue factor, a clotting trigger built into viral envelopes, could be blocked by drugs to stop very different viruses. PhD · Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Meet John

Before you apply

Three things worth knowing about who we take, what you would work on, and where it leads.

Who we look for

A strong commitment to medical research, shown through prior experience or references from faculty who can speak to your potential.
Undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry, physiology, genetics or medicine.
We welcome trainees from under-represented groups.

Eligibility and requirements

What you’ll research

Most projects study the mechanisms of disease — from in vitro through animal and human studies — or the discovery of biomarkers to predict and detect it. Our supervisors are national and international leaders in their fields.

Supervisors seeking students

Where it leads

Our graduates enter research careers in academia and industry, or pursue other work where strong biomedical knowledge is valued.

Alumni theses

Please noteWe do not train physicians for careers in Clinical Pathology.

British Columbia

B.C. is home to the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada, with over 1,100 companies employing 18,000 British Columbians working to improve health.

Where to start

This site is for trainees considering our program and for those already accepted. If you cannot find what you need, email our first point of contact at Graduate Admissions.