At UBC, a new chapter in health innovation began with the opening of the Gordon B. Shrum Building—the first facility in Canada purpose-built for biomedical engineering. This five-storey, 158,000-square-foot home of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) brings research, education, and industry collaboration under one roof, accelerating breakthroughs that will advance healthy lives for communities across Canada and beyond.

The $139.4 million project was augmented by more than $30 million in donor support from the Gordon B. Shrum Charitable Fund, the Conconi Family Foundation, United Therapeutics Corporation, Dr. Jim McEwen, and Paul and Nicole Geyer. Named after UBC alumnus Gordon B. Shrum (BSc ‘58), the building honours a philanthropic legacy that has advanced healthcare, education, the environment, and social justice.

“Biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in science and engineering, and SBME is working to harness its potential for transformative health impact,” says Dr. Peter Zandstra, SBME Director. “This state-of-the-art facility allows us to take our work to the next level—creating an environment where our faculty and partners can collaborate seamlessly and create transformative new health technologies.”

The facility supports everything from the development of medical devices and life-saving treatments to AI-powered diagnostics. It was designed to bring researchers, students, and industry together to speed the translation of discoveries into real-world impact.

Donor funding has directly enabled several critical components of the building. The Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry—the first of its kind in Western Canada—was established through a gift from the Conconi Family Foundation. It supports the design and testing of miniature medical technologies, including lab-on-a-chip systems that speed up disease detection and help address health inequities.

The Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators, and Entrepreneurs—made possible by UBC double alum Dr. Jim McEwen—offers a vibrant space equipped with 3D printers, prototyping tools, and electronic testing equipment to help ideas grow from concept to working medical technologies.

Another key initiative is the Sir Magdi Yacoub Professorship in Tissue Regeneration, created through a gift from United Therapeutics Corporation. This role will drive research in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration with the goal of making transplantable organs and alternatives accessible to more patients.

For fourth-year biomedical engineering student Sogand Golshahian, the building is also a powerful engine for student training and innovation.

“It allows students to work at the forefront of medical technology and collaborate with researchers and industry partners to solve global health challenges.”

The facility strengthens BC’s life sciences sector and positions Canada as a global leader in biotechnology. Up to 10 UBC spin-off ventures are expected to launch annually through SBME Innovates at the Biomedical Research Centre.

“Ultimately, we have an opportunity to become a leader in the biotech and medtech sectors,” says Dr. Zandstra. “By educating leaders to discover, develop, test, and deploy health innovations locally, we can strengthen national health security, drive industry growth, and accelerate innovation.”