RNA & HEALTHCARE FUTURES
What role will mRNA technology play in the future of Canadian healthcare?
November 20, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:30 PM PST
Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
A Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Healthcare workers and the broader public health community are invited to an exclusive screening of The Messenger: A Story of mRNA, a documentary tracing the origin story of mRNA technology — a 30-year journey from discovery to a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Messenger: A Story of mRNA is co-directed by Yelena Ganshof, Ev Durán, and Tareq Daoud and produced by Yelena Ganshof.
The screening will be followed by a panel featuring mRNA pioneers and leading experts in public health, medical anthropology, clinical practice, and regulatory affairs. Panelists will demystify recent advances in mRNA science and engage the audience in dialogue about how mRNA vaccines and therapeutics are poised to transform disease prevention and treatment. The profound implications that mRNA technology will have on the future of heathcare in Canada will also be discussed.
Learning outcomes
- Demystify the science and origin story of mRNA technology.
- Provide insights into recent advancements in mRNA technologies and their potential to advance healthcare practice in Canada.
- Explore potential barriers hindering RNA-based medicines—including public trust, information quality and partisan politics—and discuss strategies to navigate these challenges.
- Share strategies to support the healthcare community in effectively communicating with patients about RNA-based medicines.
MEET OUR PANELISTS
Dr. Pieter Cullis
Dr. Pieter Cullis is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UBC. He is recognized for making fundamental advances in the generation, loading and targeting of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems for intravenous delivery of small molecule drugs and genetic drugs.
Dr. Ève Dubé
Dr. Dubé is a professor of Anthropology at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada and a researcher at the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval. Her field of expertise is anthropology of public health.
Dr. Jia Hu
Dr. Hu is a public health physician and the medical lead of the prevention and health promotion team within Population and Public Health at the BC Centre for Disease Control. He is also a clinical instructor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health.
Dr. Steve Pascolo
Trained as an immunologist at the Pasteur Institute (Paris, France), Steve Pascolo used mouse models to test and develop mRNA-based vaccines (direct injection of mRNA). In collaboration with several research and clinical departments in Zurich, he optimizes, tests, and implements mRNA-based vaccines and therapies.
Heather Deeham
Heather Deehan is the Director, Innovative Supply Solutions for Pandemic Readiness (InSSPR) at the
Centre for Emerging and Respiratory Infections and Pandemic Preparedness Infectious Disease and Vaccine Programs Branch with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Ms. Deehan is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Committee on Market Access for Vaccines, and continues to support strategic procurement initiatives led by UNICEF.
Adriana Barton (Moderator)
Adriana Barton is a Canadian journalist specializing in health. She has over 30 years in journalism with a focus on evidence-based research on healthy aging, cancer care, mental health, and emerging therapies.
She is also the author of Wired for Music: A Search for Health and Joy Through the Science of Sound.
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with support from
Film presented by
Questions? Please feel free to contact: rfc@msl.ubc.ca.