Dr. Jason Chan of Surrey Memorial Hospital wins $450K grant to advance groundbreaking Parkinson’s disease research using cutting-edge brain imaging.
A Big Win for Surrey’s Medical Research
Surrey’s own Dr. Jason Chan is making waves in the world of neuroscience. The talented neurologist from Surrey Memorial Hospital has just earned the prestigious 2025 Michael Smith Health Research BC Health Professional-Investigator Award a recognition that brings not only honor but also $90,000 in annual funding for the next five years.
This incredible support will allow Dr. Chan to dive deeper into his groundbreaking research on Parkinson’s disease, all while continuing to care for his patients.
A Mission to Understand the Parkinson’s Puzzle
So, what makes Dr. Chan’s work so exciting? He’s exploring how Parkinson’s medications actually change brain activity and why patients respond to treatments so differently.
Using non-invasive imaging, his research tracks brain activity and symptoms after patients take their medication. The goal? To uncover what’s happening inside the brain in real time and use that knowledge to tailor treatments that work best for each individual.
“It’s an incredible opportunity,” says Dr. Chan. “This award helps me build a sustainable research program and proves that high-quality research can thrive right here in Surrey and the Lower Mainland.”
Cutting-Edge Tech Meets Compassionate Care
Dr. Chan isn’t working alone. His research is powered by partnerships with Simon Fraser University’s Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology and the Parkinson Society British Columbia, which co-funded the award.
At the SFU ImageTech Lab inside Surrey Memorial Hospital, two state-of-the-art imaging tools will be used side by side:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG): The only one of its kind in Western Canada, capturing brain activity down to the millisecond.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Providing high-resolution images of brain structure.
By combining both technologies, Dr. Chan and his team can see when and where changes occur in the brain after medication is taken a major leap toward more personalized Parkinson’s care.
Sharing Discoveries with the World
Dr. Chan plans to share his findings at major conferences, in scientific journals, and through local community events. His work joins that of 26 other researchers and healthcare professionals who were also recognized through this year’s Michael Smith Health Research BC awards.
With this funding and collaboration, Dr. Chan is poised to transform how Parkinson’s disease is understood and treated putting Surrey firmly on the map for world-class neurological research.
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