Staff

Ajay Puri

Ajay Puri joined the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council as Quality Leader, in October 2011, and is responsible for strategy around Digital Media (web, social media) and engagement. He has worked in the healthcare and health research field for the past 10 years. He is an advocate for evidence-based decision-making and community empowerment. He has been volunteering, working and providing important scientific research to improve the lives of many marginalized populations including at-risk youth, visible minorities, sex workers, and people suffering from mental health and addictions. Over the last several years Ajay has co-founded and continues to co-lead many initiatives including: (1) Coop Culture, an online platform for enriching the dialogue on multiculturalism in Canada; (2) RangiChangi Roots, formed a non-profit society which seeks to bridge the multicultural communities and the green movement; (3) Bridge to a Cool Planet, a coalition of over 30 multicultural, green and social justice groups which in 2009 hosted the world's largest 350.org Climate Action Day with over 10,000+ attendees; and (4) East Of Main, a site sharing community stories and events from the culturally diverse area of East Vancouver.

Ajay sits on the Board of Directors for PIVOT Legal Foundation, GoBeyond, McCreary Centre Society, LeadNow.ca and is a judge for the BC Hydro 2011 Invent the Future contest and the Vancouver Foundation Generation Green Awards. He also curates the Bee Vancity event listing guide in the Vancouver Observer. He is currently a doctoral student at UBC researching the effects of acculturation and ethno-cultural identity on alcohol and drug use among immigrant and visible minority youth. He also leads the Ethno-cultural Health Network. He has published five peer-reviewed articles and has presented over 25 peer-reviewed abstracts at national and international health conferences. Ajay was acknowledged for his commitment and passion for research and engaging diverse communities as one of Canada's top five volunteers in CBC's Champions of Change contest in 2010 and as the Dean of Science Ambassador in 2001. Academically he holds the Western Regional Training Centre and the Leading Edge Endowment Fund doctoral awards.