About

Integrative Neuromuscular Physiology Lab

The CHLVH aims to be a centre of excellence in basic translational and clinical research based in the Faculty of Health and Social Development at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

Mission

The mission of the CHLVH will be to produce and disseminate internationally leading research into the causes, consequences and treatment of cardiovascular, pulmonary and cerebrovascular diseases.

Vision

Cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases are the main threat to global health and continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada.

Our challenge

Currently, five million Canadians are living with heart and/or respiratory disease or have had a stroke. With the aging population in Canada and the known association between age, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and some respiratory diseases, these numbers will increase. This increase in prevalence will place a huge burden on the Canadian health-care system as the total direct and indirect costs of treating heart, lung and vascular disease is already more than $35 billion.

Improved genetic, molecular and imaging techniques have advanced understanding of the etiology, progression and impact of these diseases. However, there remains considerable need for fundamental, integrative and translational research to help prevent and treat these devastating conditions.

Our work

The Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health (CHLVH) was established as a centre of research excellence in the BC interior to focus specifically on heart, lung and vascular health research throughout the human lifespan.

The CHLVH performs research from basic molecular and cellular sciences, through integrative systems physiology and translational sciences into population health with the ultimate goal of preventing, treating and improving the health of British Columbians and Canadians.

The CHLVH builds on the renowned history of excellence in heart and lung research at the University of British Columbia but offers novel expertise in integrative cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular physiology, and in different lifestyle interventions such as exercise, nutrition and physical activity.

Our focus

Initially the major focus of the research centre will be based on the growing strengths in systems physiology and population health research developing in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences (SHES). Thereafter, the goal is to develop partnerships and collaborations with other laboratories to increase research across the spectrum of disciplines in cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular sciences.

The Goals of the Centre are:

  • To develop an internationally recognized centre of excellence in heart, lung and vascular health research;
  • To establish and sustain state-of-the-art research programs directed at understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases and developing effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment options;
  • To build an exciting, vibrant and competitive research centre to provide the highest standard of research training for undergraduate students, graduate trainees, post-doctoral fellows, medical students and residents;
  • To establish a research centre that encourages faculties at UBC Okanagan to attract, hire and retain world-leading scientists in heart, lung and vascular research;
  • To establish links between industry and community partners to enhance knowledge translation and sharing of information in the BC interior and across Canada;
  • To secure ongoing extramural funding from federal and provincial agencies, industry, public and private foundations and philanthropists to enhance research programs, laboratory facilities and training opportunities in heart, lung and vascular research.