Dr. Julia Levy, a trailblazing scientist and entrepreneur, died on December 5, 2024. Embarking on her career at a time when men dominated the realms of STEM, academia, and business, she developed and commercialized life-changing medical treatments, while raising up the next generation of innovators behind her.

In 1955, when arts and science were still one faculty at UBC, Julia graduated with a bachelor’s in immunology and bacteriology. She went on to earn a PhD in experimental pathology from the University of London and completed postdoctoral research at University College London. In 1959, Julia returned to UBC, becoming the first woman to hold a tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and later rising to the rank of full professor.

Julia’s lab focused on cancer immunology and adopted photodynamic therapy – a treatment that uses light to activate toxic compounds and damage abnormal cells – to treat cancers and other conditions. Her research led to a promising treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness among seniors. By this time, Julia had entered the world of business, co-founding the biopharmaceutical company Quadra Logic Technologies (QLT) in 1981. At QLT, Julia co-invented Visudyne, the first medical treatment for AMD, which enabled thousands of users to see.

Under Julia’s leadership, QLT attracted international acclaim and reached billion-dollar status, launching Canadian biotechnology onto the global stage. Julia’s work cemented UBC’s reputation for cutting-edge science and fuelled local entrepreneurship. Royalties from QLT also funded further teaching and research at UBC.

Throughout her career, Julia was a highly respected and cherished mentor to many UBC students, inspiring emerging scientists, especially women, to pursue careers in STEM. Even after she retired, Julia counselled biotechnology and life science startups in the Creative Destruction Lab at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

Julia’s contributions to science earned her numerous distinctions, including an appointment to the Royal Society of Canada, the Order of Canada, and the Helen Keller Award for Contributions to Vision. In 2006, the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) established the Julia Levy Award, which recognizes Canadians who successfully commercialize innovation.

She received six honorary doctorates, including one from UBC. During her 2001 UBC convocation speech, Julia reflected: “Being part of something which started out as fascinating science and ended up by effectively changing the lives of thousands of people is an incredible experience. I feel truly blessed to have been part of that.”

Julia, who with her loving husband Ed was a staunch supporter of the BC Civil Liberties Association, chose to die using medical assistance (MAiD). Those interested in learning more about her legacy can read her memoir, In Sight: My Life in Science and Biotech.