Laura Best is currently a medical student at the University of British Columbia, Research Coordinator with the Carwana Social Pediatrics Lab at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and member of the Youth Overdose Prevention Research Cluster. She completed her Bachelor’s at McGill University then her PhD in Medical Science at the University of Toronto and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), focusing on the endocannabinoid system, neuroimaging and alcohol use with support from the CIHR Doctoral Award. Her post-doctoral fellowships at CAMH and the University of Toronto broadened her research interests to include new perspectives in substance use, community-driven research and the wellbeing of children and families.
A recipient of the 2025 Molloy Medicine Award and 2022 Brain Canada Rising Stars Award, she has also been recognized for her leadership and mentorship by the University of British Columbia and University of Toronto. Laura has also contributed to research with the VGH Emergency Department, Sick Kids Hospital Emergency Department, St. Michael’s Hospital Family Health Team and McGill Department of Pharmacology, and previous Chair of the BrainSuite Social Cabinet with Women’s Brain Health Initiative.