B. Brett Finlay

B. Brett Finlay is the Peter Wall Distinguished Professor at the University of British Columbia, holding positions in both the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Microbiology and Immunology. His research lab is based in the Michael Smith Laboratories in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he leads a multidisciplinary program exploring the complex relationship between microbes and human health.

• University: University of British Columbia
• Departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology
• Research Location: Michael Smith Laboratories, Vancouver

Finlay's research focuses on how microbes contribute to both human health and disease, with particular emphasis on type III secreted virulence factors from Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli. His work investigates how microbiota influence infectious diarrhea outcomes and plays a critical role in conditions such as asthma, malnutrition, and environmental enteropathy. This research spans microbiology, immunology, and host-pathogen interactions, contributing significantly to our understanding of the human microbiome's role in health and disease development.

His publication record shows a consistent focus on microbiome research, with recent work examining the gut-lung axis in asthma, microbiota development in early life and its connection to allergic diseases, and the role of microbiota in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease. The trajectory of his work demonstrates an expanding scope from bacterial pathogenesis to broader microbiome-host interactions across multiple disease states.

• E.W.R. Steacie Prize
• CSM Fisher Scientific Award
• MRC Scientist
• Howard Hughes International Research Scholar Awards (five)
• CIHR Distinguished Investigator
• BC Biotech Innovation Award
• Michael Smith Health Research Prize
• IDSA Squibb award
• Jacob Biely Prize

As an active researcher and academic leader, Finlay has secured significant research funding through his Howard Hughes International Research Scholar Awards and other prestigious grants. He co-founded Inimex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and serves as Director of the SARS Accelerated Vaccine Initiative, demonstrating his commitment to translating basic research into practical applications for public health.

His laboratory in the Michael Smith Laboratories operates as a hub for microbiome research, bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines to investigate the complex interactions between microbes and human physiology. The lab's multidisciplinary approach combines molecular biology, immunology, and clinical research to address fundamental questions about host-microbe relationships.