Allyssa Costerton-Grant, MM, BAPC

(She, Her, Hers)

Associate Director, Industry Partnerships & Alumni Development

Faculty of Management
Office: EME 4157
Email: allyssa.costerton-grant@ubc.ca


 

The School is pleased to share with you the 2021/2022 Human Kinetics Student Association executive team.

President: Cara Johnston

“My name is Cara and I am in my fourth and final year of Human Kinetics. I grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta before moving to Kelowna for university.  This year, my goal is to bring a sense of community back to the student body. I plan to do this by working with the team to organize plenty of social and academic/research driven events, HK clothing/merch, Big White weekends, putting on a grad to remember, and more.”

 

 

 

Vice President: Sofia Samper

“I am a 4th year (CEP stream and minoring in pscyhology) student from South Surrey, B.C.. With all the challenges we have faced over the last year and a half I hope to bring the student community closer together by providing social and academic opportunities for everyone!”

 

 

 

Secretary: Kenedy Olsen

“I am in my fourth year of human kinetics with a major in clinical exercise physiology and a minor in psychology! I grew up on Vancouver Island in a town called Courtenay. This year I hope to increase the presence of the human kinetics student body in the community of Kelowna and work toward having new social events for HK students.”
 

 

Treasurer: Grace Halpin

“Hi! My name is Grace and I am the treasurer for the HKSA this year! I am originally from Calgary, Alberta. I am in my second year of Human Kinetics and have plans of going into medicine or occupational therapy after my degree is complete. Within this position, I am hoping to get lots of feedback from students as to where we can best support them and what they want to see happen this year. I hope to create a stronger feeling of community within the faculty of Human Kinetics by planning fun social and academic events with the team. ”

Training & Engaging Academics in their Classrooms to positively impact Health, Education, &  Resiliency of our Students

What is the TEACHERS Project?

A project designed to train and support faculty to address well-being in their classroom with simple, evidence-based interventions including:

  • Activities
    Intentional Arrivals
    Movement breaks
  • Instructor Approaches
    Intentional kindness/compassion
    Transparency/info around assignments
  • Course Logistics
    Input and control over tasks
    Positive, proactive and inclusive language

Download the toolkit.

Who was involved? 

Faculty from multiple universities including UBCO, UBCV, Capilano University and SFU came together to support student well-being by implementing interventions into their classrooms.

Why is well-being in the classroom important?
Students are more vulnerable to a decline in health and well-being during the beginning of their university careers when academics can be overwhelming and social isolation is common. Students are more likely to achieve academic success, experience personal growth and develop independence with increased resiliency when they have a social support system and maintain positive health and well-being.

Contact Dr. Sally Stewart to learn more.

Position Classification: Student Appointment – Part Time, Temporary

Dates/Schedule: September 20 – Dec 31: Up to 12 hours per week

Position/Business Title: Student Rapid Testing Assistant

VP/Faculty:  Faculty of Health and Social Development (FHSD) | Provost & VP Academic

Department: Health and Exercise Sciences

Location: UBC Okanagan Campus

Compensation: $20.00 / hour

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for supporting the FHSD (UBC Okanagan) Rapid Screening Program.

Organizational Status:

Reports to the Director, School of Health and Exercise Sciences

Major Responsibilities:

  1. Rapid Test Program Coordination and Supervision of Testing
  • Attending and providing testing support for rapid screening, including signing in students, conducting rapid testing, and reporting confidential results to students.
  • Provide general administrative support to the FHSD Rapid Testing program
  • Maintain records, correspondence and communication; adhering to strict confidentiality in relation to personal information
  • Ensures that testing space is well maintained; assess and maintain inventory of Rapid Testing consumable supplies and test kits
  • Ensure the effective day-to-day functioning at Rapid Testing Program
  1. Supports COVID-19 Infection Control Measures
  • Communicating COVID-19 control measures to student members of the School of Health and Exercise Sciences
  • Responding to inquiries about the Rapid Screening Program by members of the School and Faculty

Performs other duties as required

Supervision Received:

Reports to the Director, School of Health and Exercise Sciences

Supervision Given:

No supervision.

Working Conditions:

Required to attend rapid screening program to conduct tests

Qualifications:

  • Must be a current Full Time Student at UBCO
  • Preference given to students in health services field (Medicine, Nursing, HKin, etc)

The Tri-Agency grants include three funding agencies: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Tri-Agency grants are designed to support and promote high-quality research in a wide variety of disciplines and areas. This year six PhD trainees in the School of Health and Exercise students were awarded funding to pursue their research at UBC Okanagan.

PhD students

SSHRC

Kaela Cranston
Emily Giroux
Megan MacPherson

CIHR
Kelsey Wuerstl

NSERC
Courtney Brown
Paige Copeland

 

Bachelor of Human Kinetics alum receives authorship from undergraduate research experience

Having your research declined by research journals is a regular occurrence for academics. Peer-review subjects an author’s scholarly work to the scrutiny of experts in the same field. With the aim to ensure academic scientific quality, academics regularly face rejection.  Yet, for alum Jenna Benbaruj, meeting the rigour of the academic review has become routine. During her undergraduate experience at UBC Okanagan, Benbaruj contributed to and received authorship on three peer-reviewed publications during her undergraduate experience.

A feat that her Honour’s project supervisor Associate Professor, Dr. Glen Foster attributes to her enthusiasm for research. A passion which began when Benbaruj began working with Dr. Foster in the third year of her undergraduate degree in human kinetics.

“I was immediately drawn to Foster’s innovative work in cardiovascular and exercise physiology,” says Benbaruj who was thrilled when Foster accepted her into a research-based undergraduate course in his lab. A project that hooked Benbaruj on research.

“Participating in research sparked my curiosity and led me to pursue more independent learning, and I found myself researching on the side to help answer the questions I had,” explained Benbaruj of the transition from course-based work to hands-on involvement with research for her Honours project.

“One of my favourite parts about research is being able to just sit down with other researchers and bounce ideas back and forth.”

Benbaruj suggests that conversations with Dr. Foster and others in the lab created meaningful learning experiences that every undergraduate student should consider. Her advice is to take the first step by reaching out to a TA or professor.

“There are way more opportunities than you may realize,” says Benbaruj who is now taking on her own new opportunity as a Master’s student at UBC Vancouver.

While Benbaruj’s enthusiasm for research will surely spur many publications in the coming years, she will always reflect on her first peer-review experiences under the guidance of Dr. Foster.

“The peer-review process can be a little daunting because they provide very thorough feedback, which can feel critical at times,” says Benbaruj of the lessons the process provided.

Her advice is to thoughtfully consider every piece of feedback you receive, but be sure to stand up for your opinion when it counts.

For Benbaruj, at the start of her graduate degree she can count 3 publications on her record.

Troy Stuckless completed his Master of Science under the supervision of Dr. Glen Foster in 2018.

Troy Stuckless has won the Early Investigator Prize in the Cardiovascular category from The Journal of Physiology for the paper Acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia and sympathetic neurovascular transduction in men. The early investigator initiative is designed to reward early career authors who publish outstanding research papers in The Journal.

The paper was based off Stuckless’s Masters research in the CardioPulmonary Laboratory for Experimental and Applied Physiology under Dr. Glen Foster’s supervision. An experience that shaped Stuckless’ approach to his current studies at University of Toronto where he is studying to be a Doctor of Dental Surgery.

“In addition to giving me a deep understanding of integrative human physiology, the experience taught me a lot about teamwork through collaborations with researchers across Canada,” says Stuckless.

Stuckless explains that succeeding in Glen’s laboratory required a strong work ethic and attention to detail, both of which have helped him prepare for a career in dentistry. Stuckless will graduate in 2022, and is honoured to have received such a noteworthy prize.

“Beyond the recognition, I’m thrilled that my research is having an impact on the field,” says Stuckless of the impact that the publication has had.

“People are reading my ideas and building on them, which I find incredibly exciting.”

Gabriel Dix was a much loved, admired and respected member of the School. He was a graduate of both the Bachelor of Human Kinetics and the Masters of Health and Exercise Sciences. Gabriel will be missed immensely, but his influence will remain, and his memory will be cherished amongst his friends and colleagues here at UBC Okanagan.

On behalf of Gabriel’s family, we extend an invitation to join a celebration of Gabriel’s life.

Celebration of Life Service
Gabriel Dix

July 31, 2021
10 -11 a.m.
The Courtyard,
University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way
Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7

Please share this invitation with those in our community who you think would like to join.

The family welcomes a contribution to a scholarship which is currently being established as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers.
give.ubc.ca/memorial/gabriel-dix

 

Coursework results in resource for students, faculty and staff.

With the goal to provide education and inspiration for healthy eating choices, Dr. Sally Stewart teamed up with campus partners to create the UBCO Cookbook. Together with UBCO Food Service’s Julie Stachiw, RD, students in Dr. Stewart’s 3rd year nutrition course  developed a cookbook which marries delicious recipes with evidence-based nutrition tips. Developed over the period of several years, the collection of recipes are designed to be simple and nourishing.

“I am incredibly proud of the students for putting together a collection of recipes that will help fuel their fellow students’ health, happiness, and academic success,” says Dr. Stewart.

The cookbook is now available at https://food.ok.ubc.ca/ubco-cookbook/.

 

 

Virtual 2-day event unites Schools from both campuses to celebrate research

On May 11th and 12th, UBC Vancouver’s School of Kinesiology and UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences partnered to host the annual, student-led conference for graduate student research. The 2-day event is organized by the Graduate Student Societies. This year it showcased 61 presentations from graduate students across both campuses.

The event also features keynote events, physical activity breaks, and social opportunities. On Day 1,  Alex Hutchinson, National Magazine Award-winning journalist presented his talk Beyond Clickbait: Navigating the Challenges of Science Communication and Vancouver-based Yoga Teacher, Neo BaJaafar, hosted a yoga session. On Day 2, the event welcomed a diverse academic-industry panel hosted by Business Development Specialist, Dr. Kennefick, with Mitacs; and, Powwow Dance Workshop with Angela Gladue.

The event also recognizes outstanding presentations through its short oral and long oral presentations, as well as the People’s Choice awards. Congratulations to all 2021 awardees:

Day 1

People’s Choice: Tineke Dineen

Long Oral Presentation

1st  – Kaela Cranston

2nd  – Josh Bovard, Helena Neudorf, Deanna Kanagasingam

Short Oral Presentation

1st: Michael Leahy

2nd: Robert Shaw

3rd: Hira Niazi, Naomi Maldonado-Rodruigez, Kara Crampton

Day 2

People’s Choice: Liisa Wainman

Long Oral Presentation

1st  – Paige Copeland

2nd  – Luke Peddie, Kaja Falkenhain

Short Oral Presentation

1st. Hannah Goodings, Justine Magnuson
3rd: Liam Foulger

 

 

Job Classification:
Depending on their program (Masters or PhD) Graduate TA’s will be ranked at the level of GTA I or GTA II

Course Openings:
Various courses within the Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Nursing curricula
Student Eligibility: Must be registered in a Master’s or PhD program
Salary: Markers, GTA I, GTA II per BCGEU agreement

Application Deadline: May 23, 2022

Duties and estimated hours of work:

GTA duties may include the following:

  • Marking assignments and exams
  • Managing discussion/tutorial periods
  • Teaching labs/tutorials under supervision of faculty
  • Invigilation duties
  • Academic assistance to students in office hours Estimated hours of work per term: 192

*Positions and the number of hours assigned to GTAs are subject to funding*

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Please complete the application form and a cover letter with a statement of relevant experience and a statement of all other academic funding for the academic year 2022-2023 (including scholarship and research assistantship funding). Please return these documents by email to Carli Tingstad carli.tingstad@ubc.ca by May 23, 2022.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity.

Click the link below to download the application form

HES_TA_Application_Form_2022_23