Dr. Francesca Capon, a professor of medical genetics at the UBC Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT), based at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI), has been named the new Dr. Donald Rix B.C. Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine.
Dr. Capon is an internationally recognized expert in the genetic and immune basis of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. Her work examines the genetic and molecular underpinnings of both common and rare auto-inflammatory conditions, with an aim toward developing new strategies and technologies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
Most recently, Dr. Capon’s work supported the therapeutic use of an existing class of drugs, known as JAK inhibitors, for the treatment of palmar plantar pustulosis, a disabling skin disorder.
As chair, Dr. Capon will lead innovative research initiatives to address these important health challenges, while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and mentoring the next generation of scientists and medical researchers.
“I am very excited to be joining UBC, an institution that is renowned for its academic standards, research excellence and commitment to inclusion,” said Dr. Capon. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues across UBC, CMMT and BCCHRI, while forging links with the broader research community. UBC’s international standing is underpinned by the work of these scientists and I am honoured to work alongside them to advance genetic medicine for the benefit of patients everywhere.”
Dr. Capon joined UBC and CMMT in August 2024 from Kings College London. In her lab, Dr. Capon leads a multi-disciplinary team that operates at the interface between genetics, big data and immunology. Her work spans gene discovery in inflammatory diseases, analysis of omics datasets and experimental validation of computational findings.
The Donald Rix B.C. Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine is named in honour of the late physician, philanthropist and community leader, Dr. Donald Rix. The chair is supported by the Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF), which is managed by Innovate BC on behalf of the Government of British Columbia, and co-sponsored by LifeLabs and Genome BC.
LEEF was established in 2002 to attract world-class researchers to B.C., promote social and economic development, and strengthen the province’s position as a centre of excellence in research and innovation.