Stober Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs)

How to apply

The UBC Okanagan Stober Undergraduate Research Fellowships have been established as a catalyst for excellence in health-related research and undergraduate student training within the School of Health and Exercise Sciences. The purpose of these awards is to introduce highly-talented international, national or local undergraduate students to research opportunities and the merits of pursuing a future MSc in our School. Thus, students with at least 12 months left in their program are strongly encouraged to apply. Students finishing their degree and already committed to a research Master’s program will also be considered but will not be considered a priority.

The School of Health and Exercise Sciences is committed to the truth and reconciliation process and calls to action for decolonization. Equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression are essential to academic excellence and research pursuit, and are core values of our School. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We strongly encourage applications from students who identify as a member of an equity-owed group and/or students who have an interest in research that focuses on advancing our understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion in health research.

Meet the 2025 SURF Trainees

Brydie Lemkes

Supervisor: Phil Ainslie & Madden Brewster

My name is Brydie Lemkes, I grew up in the small town of Bragg Creek, Alberta. I recently graduated with a degree in Health and Exercise Science from UBC Okanagan and will be beginning my Master’s this fall under the supervision of Phil Ainslie. My long-term goal is to pursue a career in research or teaching within the field of health and exercise science. This summer, I’m working with Phil Ainslie and Madden Brewster on a project looking at the impact of wildland fire suppression on the cardiorespiratory health of Wildland Fire Fighters. Specifically, my research focuses on toxic metal exposure using pre- and post-season toenail analysis, a non-invasive method to better understand long-term health risks. This study fills a critical gap in current research and aims to support the well-being of those working on the frontlines of wildfire management.

sEAN McIntyre

Supervisor: Dr. Hashim Islam

I have had the privilege to call Kelowna home for all my life.  I have always enjoyed physical activity such as weight training, and outdoor activities like hiking and playing soccer.  Spending time outdoors has fostered my passion for life sciences and is a big reason for why I am pursuing a biology degree at UBCO.  After my undergraduate degree I hope to continue my academic path and do a masters degree.

I am working with Dr. Islam in the Translational Metabolic Physiology Lab. My research focuses on how sulforaphane—a natural, anti-inflammatory compound—impacts immune cell metabolism.  Mitochondria serve as important metabolic hubs which play large roles in our metabolism and immune function.  Sulforaphane shows potential to be a natural method for improving mitochondrial function and reducing chronic inflammation, therefore improving our metabolic health.  The findings of my research may provide new insights into how sulforaphane can be used in the prevention and management of chronic metabolic diseases.

Arwyn MacIntosh

Supervisor: Dr. Hashim Islam

My name is Arwyn MacIntosh. I am from Thunder Bay, ON, with future career aspirations in clinical research for metabolic health and preventative medicine. This summer, I am working on a research project under the supervision of Dr. Hashim Islam in the Translational Metabolic Physiology Lab. Our study investigates how nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation affects mitochondrial function in immune cells from pre- and post-menopausal females.

This project is important because menopause increases the risk for metabolic disorders, in part due to changes in mitochondrial health. By exploring whether NMN can improve immune cell mitochondrial function, our research could help inform future clinical trials for safe, accessible interventions that support metabolic health during menopause. Through this work, I hope to contribute to research that improves health outcomes for underrepresented and at-risk groups.

Charlie Kanuka

Supervisor: Dr. Jonathan Little

My name is Charlie Kanuka. I grew up in North Vancouver, B.C. and am very fortunate to have called Kelowna my home for the past three years of my undergraduate degree. My passion for exercise metabolism grew exponentially throughout my years at UBCO. All starting at the root of pursuing a career in medicine and helping those suffering from complex chronic illnesses. Working with Dr. Jonathan Little I am researching changes in immune cell phenotype during a 48-hour fast and a 48-hour fast with exercise. Specifically, whether we see a phenotypic shift in certain monocytes towards a more anti-inflamatory make up. I intend to take this knowledge to further advance my career to one day help discover new treatments for underepresented individuals with complex chronic illness.

Isla MacPherson

Supervisor: Dr. Brian Dalton

I’m grateful to have grown up in Kelowna, BC, but chose to go across the country for my undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, where I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science Honours in Human Kinetics while playing varsity field hockey. After completing my degree, I hope to attend medical school and pursue a career in orthopedics or sports medicine.

My interest in human performance, particularly the factors influencing strength and power, has been developed through a lifelong involvement in sports. This passion led me to research, where I connected with Dr. Brian Dalton and joined his lab for the summer. The study I am working on investigates the effect of circadian rhythm on neuromuscular function. By measuring rate of torque production and peak power at different times of day, our study aims to identify when individuals may be physically strongest. This research has the potential to inform athletic training schedules and rehabilitation practices, aligning performance with the body’s natural rhythms.

Anthony Salvati-Taylor

Supervisor: Dr. Ali McManus

”My name is Anthony Salvati-Taylor, and I’m originally from Kamloops, BC. I moved to Kelowna in 2023 to begin my studies at UBC Okanagan, where I hope to one day be a pediatric health researcher or pursue a clinically related profession working with children, such as occupational therapy or a physician assistant.

I am currently working in the Pediatric Exercise Research Lab (PERL) under the supervision of Dr. Ali McManus on the MOTAFIT study, which explores how pubertal hormones influence vascular function in adolescents. Our team is assessing salivary hormone levels alongside vascular health markers like flow-mediated dilation in youth. One of the primary objectives of this research is to determine whether saliva can be utilized as a suitable, non-invasive, and valid index of hormonal change in puberty, an index that can reduce participation barriers and make pediatric research more inclusive.

This study is significant because puberty is a critical window for the establishment of long-term cardiovascular and metabolic well-being, yet much of the existing research has relied upon invasive blood sampling, possibly limiting who can or will participate. By making hormone testing less invasive, our research aims to enable more diverse populations of adolescents to be included in health research.

I am dedicated to the incorporation of equity, diversity, and inclusion into research as well as practice within healthcare. This project has been an incredible experience to develop my abilities, work on something meaningful, and build on an area that is closely related to my personal values and long-term goals.”

Miyah Kailey

Supervisor: Dr. Brian Dalton & Dr. Kathleen Martin-Ginis

My name is Miyah Kailey and I was raised in Airdrie, Alberta. With a longstanding passion for education and research, I chose to complete an honours thesis in Dr. Brian Dalton’s Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics (SPIN) lab. My research focused on the effects of acute edible cannabis intoxication on posture-cognition dual-tasking

In addition, I began working in Dr. Kathleen Martin-Ginis’ Spinal Cord Injury Action Canada (SCI AC) lab, motivated by my aspiration to pursue a career in occupational therapy. This summer, with the support from the Stober Foundation, I had the opportunity to lead a knowledge translation project for Spinal Cord Injury BC. The project centers on making information about cannabis use among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) more accessible. While cannabis presents both therapeutic potential and possible risks for this population, our goal is to provide evidence-based discussions that acknowledges cannabis as a potentially beneficial therapeutic option for certain individuals.

Despite controversial opinions surrounding cannabis use, I am sincerely grateful to the Stober Foundation for enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the SCI community. This experience has allowed me to pursue my passion for research while making a positive impact. I extent my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to support and inform a community that continues to inspire me.

Makenna Clark

Supervisor: Mary Jung

I’m Makenna Clark, and I’m from Calgary, Alberta. I decided to attend UBC Okanagan because of the university’s academic opportunities, and to support my aging family by moving closer to them. About halfway through my degree, I took a class in health psychology. I learned about applied health behaviour change theories and motivational interviewing. These concepts resonated with me because I could understand what makes people want to change. Additionally, it was interesting seeing how we can help people achieve their goals, meet them where they are at, overcome obstacles, and become more confident in themselves to make positive changes.

One of the projects I am assisting with delivering is “Efficacy of movement breaks in real-world settings.” Physical inactivity in adults is an independent risk factor for various negative health outcomes, such as chronic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, inactive adults are asked to complete four short (60-120 seconds), intense workouts throughout the day, five days a week, for 12 weeks. My role in the study is delivering one-on-one coaching to the participants. During my training for these coaching sessions, I have learned how to be curious about the participants’ goals and values. How to explore their strengths and understand what they are coming into the study with, what is motivating them to make these changes, and what barriers they face. After understanding the participants’ barriers and facilitators, I can tailor the intervention to fit into their daily life, making it more likely that they can follow through on their goals and adhere to the study.

Emma Shipalesky

Supervisor: Miho Asano

I’m originally from Fort St. John, British Columbia, I moved to Kelowna to pursue an undergraduate degree. After my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue medicine, and potentially go back up north to practice.
This summer I am working with Dr. Miho Asano to investigate elder orphans (EO) within our community and their wellbeing. The purpose of this study is to identify the gaps between the literature and what is currently out there (support programs) for EO living without adult advocates. This is important because the number of EO is expected to continue growing worldwide, including Canada. EO can be socially and/or physically isolating without available known families, designated surrogates, or caregivers. The existing literature on EO, although limited, has a growing emphasis on the importance of supporting them as they often experience more complex psychosocial, physical and medical issues. The new knowledge generated from this project will be used for the future development of a program (e.g., health promotion, wellness and education programs) to continue supporting EO and their community, locally in Kelowna.

Meet the 2021 SURF Trainees

Meet the 2022 SURF Trainees

Meet the 2023 SURF Trainees

MEET THE 2024 SURF TRAINEES

PAIGE Reekie

Supervisor: Brian Dalton

I am very fortunate to have been raised in the beautiful Okanagan, and to have completed four years of my postsecondary education as an HES student here at UBC Okanagan. Having a professor as a mom, I have been around the university since a young age, and have known since childhood that I was destined to be an academic. Particularly in my teenage years, I fell in love with neurophysiology and longed to learn more about how the body moves.

I first had the opportunity to get involved in research last summer, when I began to plan my Honour’s Thesis with Dr. Brian Dalton in his Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics (or SPIN) Lab. Since working with Dr. Dalton, I have had the opportunity to design, lead, and pilot a study investigating the effect of passive ankle exoskeletons on standing balance control. In other words, we are looking at a novel ankle brace to see if it could be used to improve postural control in people with balance deficits. This summer, I will finish data collection and hopefully complete a manuscript which we can submit for publication in the fall.

As an individual living with a movement disorder, I am highly passionate about disability research and hope that I can use my experiences to offer a unique perspective to a field dominated by primarily able-bodied professionals. After graduation next spring, I hope to build upon my current experiences and pursue my dream career as a pediatric physiotherapist and rehabilitation researcher. I hope that this will allow me both to use my education to help kiddos in the clinical setting, while also being able to continue my involvement in the world of academia.

Leah Kinahan

Supervisor: Mary Jung

I grew up in Spruce Grove, Alberta before moving to Kelowna to attend UBC Okanagan. Growing up as an avid long-distance runner and competitive soccer player drove my interest and passion for health and wellness, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences. I will be specializing in Clinical Exercise Physiology. This specialization highlights my deep-rooted passion for understanding human physiology and how the human body responds to exercise, aligning with my future aspirations of pursuing medical school and specializing in cardiovascular surgery.

One in five Canadians have prediabetes, a clinical condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by up to 70 per cent within five years. Lifestyle modifications aimed at diet and exercise behaviours are proven to prevent the onset of T2D. The Small Steps for Big Changes Program is designed to teach individuals how to be independent exercisers and how to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise. My research will focus on socioeconomic status and carbohydrate intake, as there is a need to explore food security status in diabetes prevention programs. This exploration will address challenges such as the affordability of optimal diets and achieving long-lasting dietary behaviour change for sustained T2D risk reduction. The findings could provide valuable insights for community-based diabetes prevention programs, highlighting the importance of integrating strategies to mitigate food insecurity.

Daniel MacCallum

Supervisor: Rob Shave

I grew up in a small town called Sussex, New Brunswick. I slowly made my way across the country and in the process have developed a passion for learning about human physiology. I intend to complete my undergrad at UBC Okanagan in the Spring of 2025, and continue my studies in Exercise Science research. In the future, I hope to use my education to help young people from all backgrounds pursue health and performance in the activities that they love.

Raj Ahluwalia-Pullam

Supervisor: Mary Jung

My hometown is St. Albert, Alberta. I moved to Kelowna to pursue my undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Sciences. Following my undergraduate degree, I hope to continue on to do a masters degree related to health science.

One of the research studies I am assisting with data collection on, is testing the efficacy of a community-based diabetes prevention program (Small Steps for Big Changes, SSBC). In addition, as part of this project I aim to explore whether eating time influences eating motives and self-reported hunger levels among individuals with prediabetes before participation in a diabetes prevention program (SSBC). Understanding the impact of eating time on eating motives and satiety may inform the development of dietary recommendations for T2D prevention.

ALIYA Mottus

Supervisor: Neil Eves

While home is in Rolleston, I have spent the last four years studying at the University of Otago in Dunedin. Following this opportunity, I hope to pursue a career as a clinical exercise physiologist as both a practitioner and researcher. By working in both realms, I would be able to work with populations first-hand to find new ways of care and management.

Working with Dr. Neil Eves, I will contribute to The UBC Long-distance Triathlon Adaptations Study: The ULTRA Study. This study will investigate changes in exercise ventilatory reserve, breathing patterns, operational lung volumes, diffusion capacity and the work of breathing in previously exercise naïve females compared to males at the 6-month time point (compared to baseline) during one-year of intensive endurance exercise training. This project will improve our understanding of differences in how the respiratory system adapts to exercise in females compared to males. Additionally, it may provide information on how sex differences influence the development and presentation of different respiratory conditions.

Madison Sagert

Supervisor: Jenn Jakobi

I grew up on a farm in Minitonas, Manitoba. After high school, I moved to Regina for my post-secondary studies. I am a competitive curler having represented Manitoba and Saskatchewan at two different national events, including the 2023 Canada Winter Games. I am most interested in strength training and nutrition. My intended career path changes frequently, but one thing for certain is that I want to help people achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I plan to become a certified exercise physiologist and personal trainer, and potentially enroll in a graduate program to work in the medical field.

This summer, I am investigating muscle and strength differences between limbs in older adults, and whether this imbalance affects their functional ability. I am also interested in how these imbalances originate, for example, the overuse of one limb in a past occupation or as a young athlete. Understanding limb differences is important for all ages to prevent injuries, specifically falls in older adults. The data I collect and analyze this summer may guide me toward future projects studying the creation of exercise programs to address interlimb asymmetries.