Dr. Paul Yong
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
Research Director & Gynaecologist, BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis
Dr. Paul Yong (MD, PhD, FRCSC) is a Gynaecologist at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis and directs the Research Program at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. Dr. Yong’s clinical practice is focused on pelvic pain, with a particular interest in endometriosis, painful periods, sexual pain, co-existing bladder and bowel problems, and pain related to the musculoskeletal system. His clinical research interests are in endometriosis and pelvic pain, and his translational research interests include bio-banking of endometriosis, gene sequencing in endometriosis, and investigating nerve formation in the pelvis as a cause of pain. Dr. Yong is also involved in teaching and is Assistant Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Specialties.
@DrPaulYong (twitter)
Dr. Catherine Allaire
Co-Investigator
Medical Director & Gynaecologist, BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis
Head of the Division of Gynaecologic Specialties, UBC
Dr. Catherine Allaire (MD, FRCSC) is a gynaecologist with special expertise in endometriosis, pelvic pain, and surgical education. She is the Medical Director of the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis, a Clinical Professor at the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Specialties and at the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI/IVF), and is member of the UBC Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Allaire was one of the first in Canada to adopt minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) for the treatment of gynaecologic problems, such as laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic excision of complex endometriosis. She is the creator and director of the MIS rotation, is the Director of the UBC Fellowship in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, and Advanced Laparoscopy, and is known across Canada and internationally as a teacher and mentor in MIS.
Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy
Co-Investigator
Professor, University of British Columbia
Head of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, UBC
Gynaecologist, BC Women’s Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis
Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy (MD, FRCSC) joined the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis in 2015. He is also Professor and Division Head, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is best known for his work in endometriosis, ovarian transplantation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). His interests include IVF, MIS, robotic surgery, fertility preservation in cancer patients, and endometriosis
Dr. Christina Williams
Co-Investigator
Gynaecologist, BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis
Dr. Christina Williams (MD, FRCSC) is a Gynaecologist at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis and is a Clinical Associate Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Specialties. Dr. Williams’ practice involves helping women with pelvic pain, endometriosis, infertility, menstrual disorders, fibroids, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Her expertise is in pelvic ultrasound and advanced surgical management of gynecological conditions, such as laparoscopic removal of fibroids, laparoscopic excision of complex endometriosis, and laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Dr. Tinya Lin
Physician
Dr Tinya Lin completed medical school at the University of Western Ontario, followed by residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Calgary. She also completed an MSc in International Health Policy at the London School of Economics and is pursuing additional training in health economics.
Heather Noga
Heather Noga
Research Manager
Women’s Health Research Institute
Heather Noga is a research manager with the Women’s Health Research Institute dedicated to the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory. Heather has a diverse range of experience. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Manitoba and an M.A. in International Justice from the University of Leeds, UK. Her work has been focused on improving care for vulnerable populations through facilitating cross-disciplinary collaborations. Her interests include research design, research methods, patient engagement in research and knowledge translation. She currently manages the day to day aspects of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory including the Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Interdisciplinary Cohort Data Registry, Endometriosis Biobanking and a variety of trainee projects.
Mahfuza Sreya
MSc Student
Mahfuza is a research technician at the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory at BC Women’s Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of British Columbia. Before joining BC Women’s, Mahfuza worked as a research assistant in the Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC Hospital, where she developed an interest in laboratory quality management. Outside of the laboratory, she is a health coach for people living with chronic pain. Her interests include chronic pain intervention, knowledge translation, and improving access to women’s health and rural health services.
Emma Goodwin
Research Assistant
Emma received her BSc Honours from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2020. She is currently a Masters student in the Women+ and Children’s Health program in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UBC and a Research Assistant in the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory. Her work focuses on the prevalence of depression and anxiety in endometriosis patients and better understanding the associations between these conditions.
Dr. Natasha Orr
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Natasha graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelors degree in Life Sciences and was recently awarded a PhD in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences from the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on measuring central sensitization (amplification of nociception), through quantitative sensory testing, and to determine its associations with bladder/pelvic floor tenderness and severity of deep dyspareunia (pelvic pain with deep vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse). Aside from her research, Natasha works as a Teaching Assistant for the 1st and 2nd year medical school histology labs. She intends to pursue her post-doctoral research in health education of medical students.
Dwayne Tucker
PhD Candidate
Dwayne is a PhD Candidate in the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences program at the University of British Columbia. He has a BSc in Medical Technology from the Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, and a MSc in Oncology from the University of Nottingham UK. Prior to joining UBC, he worked as a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist with specialty in Chemical Pathology/Clinical Chemistry. Dwayne’s research focuses on designing and validating a clinical model to predict surgical outcome in endometriosis patients. His interest in endometriosis research is fuelled by his personal connection to women who deal with this chronic condition daily.
Anna Leonova
Ph.D. Candiate
Anna moved to Canada from Russia in 2014 to pursue education in science. She graduated with Bachelors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Trent University where she also designed an honours thesis on effects of physical activity on the severity of endometriosis symptoms. She then joined the endometriosis-focused laboratory of Dr.Foster at McMaster University and completed her Master’s degree in Medical Sciences with a specialization in physiology and pharmacology. She is now a Ph.D. student who works under the supervision of Drs. Yong and Anglesio on malignant transformation of endometriosis, animal models, and cell death resistance mechanisms. Anna has always been passionate about both endometriosis research and raising endometriosis awareness due to her first-hand experience with the disorder.
Dr. Thomas Bouchard
Ph.D. Student
After completing his undergraduate at McGill University, Dr. Thomas Bouchard spent three years doing research on dementia in Parkinson’s disease at the University of Alberta. He then completed medical school and residency at the University of Calgary.
He now practices general family medicine at Westglen Medical Centre and geriatric care at two nursing homes.
He is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary and enjoys teaching medical students and residents. His special interests include primary care approaches to fertility consults and perinatal palliative care. His most recent initiative is developing an online platform for his own patients (Bouchard Medical Home).
Alongside his clinical practice he has started a part-time PhD at the University of British Columbia focused on menstrual cycle monitoring. For more details on Dr. Bouchard’s research, please see his PhD lab website (Quantum Fertility).
Avrilynn Ding
Resident
Avrilynn is a resident in the University of British Columbia’s Obstetrics & Gynaecology program. She completed undergraduate studies at McMaster University and medical school at Queen’s University. She is interested in studying endometriosis due to seeing its impact on family members. Her current research focuses on endometriosis and pain with orgasm.
Avonae Gentles
Master’s Student
Avonae is a research assistant at the BC Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, who is passionate about advancing reproductive health and reducing healthcare disparities. She completed her Bachelor of Science at The University of Waterloo, with a minor in Medical Physiology. Avonae’s current research focuses on using quantitative sensory testing (QST) to investigate central sensitization and pain thresholds in women with endometriosis, with a specific emphasis on understanding changes in pain thresholds after surgery. In her free time, Avonae enjoys exploring the outdoors, attending theater performances, and reading.
Doris Liu
Medical Student
Doris is a second-year medical student. She completed a bachelor’s in Pharmacology at UBC and a master’s in Biostatistics at Columbia. While in New York, she interned at the United Nations and contributed to research at the Mount Sinai Hospital. During the COVID pandemic, she worked under Dr. Fauci’s leadership on clinical studies at a CRO conducting the Moderna and remdesivir trials. She plays the piano and the Chinese lute. She likes Cirque de Soleil, Broadway shows, museums, karaoke, traveling, and dining out.
Hannah Rojas
Medical Student
Hannah just completed her first year of medical school at the University of British Columbia. She has completed both an undergraduate and masters degree in kinesiology, at the University of the Fraser Valley and Brock University respectively. Her research interests include women’s sexual and reproductive health, physical activity, nutrition, and bone health.
Jennaya Christensen
Medical Student
Jennaya is a second-year medical student at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. Prior to medical school, Jennaya completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Alberta, Master of Science at the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. at Monash University in Australia. Her previous research examined how mild traumatic brain injury alters glymphatic clearance and pain outcomes as well as how sleep can influence these effects. Jennaya’s research interests include women’s health, chronic pain, and sleep.
Kate Wahl
Volunteer, Education and Public Policy
Kate is the Executive Director of EndoAct, a grassroots endometriosis advocacy organization and is pursuing a PhD at the University of British Columbia in health policy and knowledge translation. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and previously worked as part of team studying the effect of cancer and cancer treatment on the cognitive functions of young adults. Her current research interest is sexual pain, particularly pain with deep vaginal penetration, experienced by people with endometriosis. She has a master’s degree in Population and Public Health from the University of British Columbia and previously worked with the team on an endometriosis education in high schools program.
Sarah Wong
Medical Student
Sarah is a medical student at the University of British Columbia. She completed a Bachelors of Health Sciences at McMaster University, while contributing to research in the Auditory Development Lab. Sarah’s research interests include women’s reproductive and sexual health, as it relates to pain and endometriosis flares.
Hargun Dhillon
Volunteer, Undergraduate
Hargun is a third-year kinesiology student at the University of British Columbia, deeply interested in women’s health, especially chronic pelvic pain. His research interests focus on addressing cultural stigmas surrounding women’s health and improving health education in underrepresented communities. Outside of academics, he is involved in community initiatives that promote culturally-effective wellness programs.
Yomna Bedaiwy
Work Learn Student
Yomna is a second year Bachelor of Science student at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in knowledge translation and the neuroscience behind endometriosis-related pain.
Olivia Gagnon
Medical Student
Olivia is a second-year medical student at UBC. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Carleton University. Olivia’s research interests include women’s health, the social determinants of health, and chronic pain and pain management.
Ella Barrett-Chan
Medical Student
Ella is a final year medical student at UBC. She has a background in science communication and health literacy through video communication, and is interested in family centered approaches to care. Her previous research experience was inspired by her brother’s pediatric kidney disease. Her current research interests include understanding the interplay between patient factors and outcomes post-endometriosis surgery.
Grace Yang
Medical Student
Grace is currently a second-year medical student at the University of British Columbia. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Physiology and Human Biology, as well as a minor in Biology. After graduation, her work experience included clinical research at Toronto General Hospital, and healthcare marketing and design. Her research interests and passions include digital health, making medical information accessible for everyone, and more recently, pelvic pain.