Interdisciplinary Conference in Rehabilitation Science of BC (INCREASE BC) is a collaborative initiative between the UBC Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehab Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), and the UBC Rehabilitation Sciences Executive Committee.
The mission of INCREASE BC is to improve research in rehabilitation, which enables us to advance collaborative rehabilitation care and improve the lives of people living with disabilities, injuries, and chronic health conditions in British Columbia.
The 4th INCREASE BC will take place on APRIL 22, 2026
Register HERE by April 14 (deadline extended)
Volunteers needed!
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
We are looking for volunteers in both the lead up to the conference and during the conference itself to help with these roles:
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Greeter: Welcome attendees to the venue. Offer directions and assist in managing the flow of attendees.
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Poster session representative: Manage the coming and going of presenters and assist poster presenters with their set-up.
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Snack/Lunch assistants: Aid with the set-up of food and beverages. Ensure available options are replenished. Provide assistance for attendees with special dietary restrictions.
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Photography: Help us in capturing unforgettable moments at the conference!
Apply to be a volunteer HERE
Volunteers will be required to assist on April 22nd, 2026 between 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM PST. Volunteer shifts may vary based on your role. The volunteers will be chosen based on their availability, followed by a first come/first serve basis. If you are submitting an abstract for an oral or poster presentation, we will assign your shift considering the time you need to prepare and set up your presentation.
Second keynote speaker announced!
Meet our second Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Theodore J. Huppert is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Health at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University in New York. He earned his PhD in biophysics from Harvard University and is now recognized as a leading scientist in near‑infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
The specialty of his lab is diffuse optical spectroscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) methods applied to both unique neuroimaging scenarios (e.g. ambulatory movement, field-deployable, and pediatric brain imaging) and in concurrent multimodal experiments (e.g. NIRS/MEG and NIRS/EEG/fMRI). NIRS is a non-invasive imaging tool that uses light to measure blood properties in the brain or other tissue. Dr. Huppert’s lab develops instrumentation and data analysis methods for collecting near-infrared signals for both muscle physiology and brain imaging applications. In the brain, near-infrared light can be used to non-invasively measure about 5-8mm into the cortex and is used in both clinical monitoring/assessment and functional neuroscience applications. This is a portable and low-cost alternative to methods like fMRI and has been widely adopted in specific applications such as neuroimaging of movement disorders, child psychology, and bedside monitoring where fMRI methods are less applicable.
Register now for the opportunity to hear what Dr. Theodore Huppert has to say in his talk titled: "Neuroscience on the move: Applications of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during ambulatory movement and balance."
Abstract deadline extended!
Submission deadline: March 13, 2026
Abstract submission deadline now extended! Don't miss the deadline to submit your abstract for INCREASE BC 2026.
Abstract submission now closes on March 13, 2026, 11:59pm PST.
Keynote Speaker Announced, Registration Open!
Registration deadline: April 7, 2026
It’s official, free registration for INCREASE BC 2026 is open! Registration closes April 07, 2026.
First Keynote Announced:
We are privileged to present Dr. B. Lynn Beattie as a Keynote Speakers for the GF Strong Lectureship at INCREASE BC 2026. Dr. B. Lynn Beattie is Professor Emerita Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, UBC and a pioneering leader in geriatric medicine, dementia care and related research. She founded the UBC Division of Geriatric Medicine developing the training program for specialists in Geriatric Medicine and established the province’s first Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CARD). Her clinical research with various teams spans Alzheimer disease clinical trials, studies of caregiver resilience, genetic epidemiology, investigations into the cognitive effects of resistance training in older women, and the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Dr. Beattie has also advanced culturally grounded approaches to aging and dementia through her team collaborations with a First Nations community helping bridge traditional understandings of wellness with western medical practice.
A past president of both the American and Canadian Geriatrics Societies, she has held major national leadership roles in aging research. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her lasting contributions to dementia care in Canada. She received the Order of Canada in 2020. Her collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research and clinical practice has been directed at improving the quality of life for older persons. She remains involved with Boards including Canadians for Leading Edge Alzheimer Research (CLEAR), Pacific Parkinsons Research Institute (PPRI) and the TRIDENT (TRanslational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroThera-peutics) TAC (Trident Advisory Committee).
Register now for the opportunity to hear what Dr. B. Lynn Beattie has to say in her talk titled: "Looking at life from both sides now: The reality of aging".
Call for Abstracts
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Call for abstracts!
Our annual Interdisciplinary Conference in Rehabilitation Science of BC (INCREASE BC) event is on its way, and we want you to be part of it! We invite applications for presentations from clinicians, researchers, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and residents on projects for the rehabilitation community.
The keynote sessions will revolve around the theme of Rehabilitation across the lifespan: Navigating physical, social, and mental disability, though submissions from all fields of rehabilitation research are welcome!
Deadline: March 06, 2026
This year, participants have an option to present their research in an oral, poster, or 3-Minute Thesis format. A 3-Minute Thesis allows presenters the opportunity to creatively share their research and its significance in just three minutes using one slide. Please refer to the UBC 3-Minute Thesis for guidance and examples (https://3mt.grad.ubc.ca/).
Each presentation format will have its own prize awarded to the best presenters!
All presenters must attend and present their research in-person.
This year’s INCREASE BC will be held at the Chan Auditorium, BC Children’s Hospital on April 22, 2026.
Submit an abstract here
Please follow the guidelines for submission for all three presentation formats (oral, poster, and 3-Minute Thesis):
- Headings (Oral and Poster): title, background & aims, methods, results, conclusion
- Headings (3-Minute Thesis): title, background & aims, methods, significance
- The body of the abstract (background & aims to conclusion/significance) should be a maximum of 250 words
- Authors should be listed in the correct order (surname, first name; surname first name) with superscript numbers
- Underneath the authors, superscript should follow the format: Affiliation, City, Country
- Presenter; email (at the bottom of the abstract)
Example abstract: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D-Z2eMUuxrIQmiQgeJDtN7Ay2MgQUKJNl4vww8z9pX0/edit
Submit an abstract here
Please note that, as this is an accredited event by UBC Continuing Professional Development, in accordance with the UBC CPD Ethical Standards, based on the National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities, all content must disclose a description of all financial or in-kind relationships with for-profit and not-for profit organizations over the previous two years that could be perceived to influence the content of the educational activity.
As such, in your abstract submission, you will be asked to upload a completed disclosure form. The fillable PDF can be downloaded here
Submit an abstract here
Save the date
April 22, 2026
This year’s conference will take place on April 22, 2026 at the Chan Auditorium, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
This year’s conference will revolve around the theme of Rehabilitation across the lifespan: Navigativing physical, social, and mental disability.
For conference inquiries or more information, please contact the organizing committee at increase.bc@ubc.ca.