February 23, 2026

Meet our DASH community

DASH is featuring our members and trainees on our newsletter and website to explore the various expertise, interests, and backgrounds that each of us brings to our data science and health community.

Name:

Dr. Rich Lester

 

Title and Affiliation:

Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Disease, UBC

 

Role in DASH:

Members

 

Bio:

Dr. Richard Lester completed his research fellowship in HIV in Kenya at the University of Manitoba and University of Nairobi collaborative, where he initiated development of an innovative mobile phone health (mHealth) service that was demonstrated in a landmark trial, WelTel Kenya1 (Lancet 2010 ), to improve HIV outcomes funded by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). WelTel NFP is the recipient of Grand Challenges Canada phase I & II awards for transitioning the mHealth service to scale in remote Kenya. Since the WelTel service and model have been introduced into the Canadian and other healthcare systems. Dr. Lester has ongoing studies internationally and within Canada, has consulted on mHealth innovations with the World Health Organization for HIV, TB & tobacco control, and is a CIHR Foundation Scheme recipient and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar.

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Data Science and Health

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Vancouver, BC Canada V5Z 1M9

Research Excellence Clusters at UBC Vancouver is a joint initiative of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver and the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Funding support for the clusters is provided by Academic Excellence Funds – UBC Vancouver.

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