Dr. Brian Kwon receives UBC's premier award for research: The Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize

UBC Orthopaedics is proud to share that Dr. Brian Kwon has been awarded the prestigious Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a surgeon-scientist to advancements in spinal cord injury (SCI) research.

The Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize is regarded as UBC’s premier award for research across all disciplines. One award is given annually in recognition of a faculty member’s distinguished record of research that has contributed substantially to UBC’s stature as a leading research institution.

The award was established in 1969 and is named after eminent researcher and professor Jacob Biely, who worked in the Department of Poultry Science, originally as an instructor and then professor, and finally Head of his Department, a position that he held until his retirement in 1968. The award was initiated by Biely’s brother to show “appreciation and encouragement for those who devote their lives to research.”

Dr. Kwon was awarded this honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a surgeon-scientist to advancements in spinal cord injury research, which have significant impact both locally and globally.

Dr. Kwon is the first recipient of this award from the Department of Orthopaedics and the seventh from the Faculty of Medicine. This distinguished group includes Natalie Strynadka (2016), Bruce McManus (2015), Julio Montaner (2011), Michael Hayden (2009), Donald Calne (1993), and Seung Kim (1983).

“This is a truly well-deserved honour for Dr. Kwon. As a leading surgeon-scientist, his research has not only deepened our understanding of spinal cord injury but is actively transforming lives through innovations in care. His work exemplifies the very best of academic medicine—bringing discovery to the bedside and hope to patients worldwide. Just as impactful is his commitment to shaping the next generation of spine surgeons and clinician-scientists who will carry forward a legacy of innovation and compassionate care.”
— Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President, Health

The Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize includes a $3,000 honorarium, which Dr. Kwon will be donating to the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) to support trainee-led initiatives and the Physical Activity Research Center (PARC) at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, where individuals living with SCI can exercise on equipment specifically designed for their needs.

“I am honoured and truly humbled to receive the Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize. It is a reflection of the incredibly talented and dedicated team of clinicians, scientists, staff, and trainees at UBC and around the world whom I’ve been fortunate to work alongside during my career. Here at ICORD, we are blessed to have the partnership and support of UBC, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver Coastal Health, the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Spinal Cord Injury BC, and the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. Together, we will resolutely continue our shared mission of improving the lives of those with spinal cord injury through cutting-edge research innovation and state-of-the-art clinical care.”
— Dr. Brian Kwon, Professor, Division of Spine, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Kwon is a distinguished professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the UBC Faculty of Medicine and an international authority in spinal cord injury and spine trauma. He holds the prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Spinal Cord Injury and the Marcel Dvorak Chair in Spine Trauma. As the recently appointed Director of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Dr. Kwon is at the forefront of spinal cord injury research and innovation.

“I am incredibly proud of the inspiring work of Dr. Brian Kwon. The Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize truly honours and reflects his dedication and brilliance in research. Dr. Kwon’s pioneering and transformative research in spinal cord injury—supported by his exceptional team at ICORD and our collaborative partners at UBC, Vancouver Coastal Health, the Rick Hansen Foundation, and beyond—continues to profoundly improve the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries both locally and globally. Congratulations!”
— Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, Head, Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Kwon began his career in orthopaedic surgery after completing his residency at UBC in 2000. He went on to earn a PhD in neuroscience at UBC, focusing his research on the crucial area of spinal cord injury regeneration and repair. In 2003, Dr. Kwon trained in Philadelphia at the Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he completed an advanced spine surgery fellowship, gaining invaluable experience at one of the busiest spine trauma centers in the United States.

He is now a leading spine surgeon at the Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), specializing in managing complex adult spinal trauma and spinal cord injuries. His expertise encompasses non-traumatic conditions, such as spinal infections, cancer, deformities, and disc degeneration.

Beyond his busy clinical practice at VGH, a level-1 trauma center, he plays a vital role in shaping the future of surgery by training orthopaedic and neurosurgical residents. As a dedicated mentor and former co-director of the UBC Neurosurgical & Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship program—which attracts spine surgeons from around the world each year—he not only imparts knowledge but also inspires spine surgeons globally, fostering excellence in this critical field.

Dr. Kwon’s ground-breaking work includes spearheading multi-centre clinical trials across North America to evaluate spinal cord perfusion after injury. With over 325 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts to his name, his research has illuminated the early management of acute spinal cord injuries, established critical biomarkers for injury severity, and advanced the modelling of traumatic spinal cord injuries to more accurately replicate the human condition in laboratory settings. To accelerate progress toward cures for SCI, he established the International Spinal Cord Injury Biobank (ISCIB), which shares biospecimens from SCI patients with researchers around the world.

His accomplishments have garnered recognition and support from some of the most competitive funding agencies in the world, including the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Stem Cell Network, Brain Canada, Wings for Life Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Craig Neilsen Foundation, the United States Department of Defense, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

His interdisciplinary collaborations extend beyond UBC, partnering with leading scientists both in Canada and internationally to explore cutting-edge therapies such as neural regeneration, cerebrospinal fluid pressure management, and neuromodulation. Dr. Kwon’s commitment to improving the lives of spinal cord injury patients has earned him several accolades, including the inaugural Craig H. Neilsen Visionary Prize for $1M (2020), the Tator-Turnbull Award for Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research (2019), and the Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award (2010).

UBC Orthopaedics proudly celebrates Dr. Brian Kwon on this well-deserved honour. His impressive journey reflects a profound commitment to advancing the field of orthopaedic surgery and improving patient outcomes. We are thrilled to witness how his pioneering research will continue to transform the landscape of spinal cord injury care and treatment, creating a profound impact on lives around the world!