Graduation 2020

Last Lecture

Wall of Wisdom

Carolyn M. Barakso, a graduating student in the Kinesiology and Health Science Program finished her 4th year with an overall 94.4% average. She has spent the past year working as a research assistant with the UBC Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre and volunteering with the VGH Emergency Department, SPH Heart Rhythm Research Group, and UBC Active Kids. Her involvement with the Kinesiology Undergraduate Society for 2019/2020 includes being a Grad Committee Member, Campus KINnections Mentor, and KIN Camp Leader. Past awards include the Trek Excellence Scholarship, William B. McNulty Kinesiology Scholarship, and Physical Education Alumni and Kinesiology Faculty Scholarship. Her other personal accomplishments include solo thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Carolyn plans to follow up her undergraduate degree with a career in health care.

Stefan G. Scavazza, a 4th year student in the Physical Health and Education stream has an overall 78% average. Over his years studying kinesiology, Stefan has spent time coaching soccer at the club and recreational level. Through the Kin program at UBC, Stefan found a passion for inspiring others to be active and making physical activity accessible to all. Stefan plans to gain more experience and work for the City of Richmond as an instructor and recreation planner. Lastly Stefan would like to thank his family for the support through his education which led to his success.

Adrian Taddei, fifth year student in the Interdisciplinary stream. During his undergraduate degree, Adrian worked as a Support Worker, Behaviour Interventionist, Rehabilitation Assistant and a Student Athletic Trainer with the UBC Men’s Soccer Team. His past awards include the TREK Excellence Scholarship and Bob Hindmarch Award. Adrian plans to follow up on his undergraduate degree with further studies in a Master’s of Science Degree in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University.

Henry is a UBC Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award winner who worked under the supervision of Darren Warburton in the Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation lab. During his time as a graduate student, Henry worked on a UBC TLEF project to co-create and deliver a blended-learning course specializing in Indigenous Health and Wellness.
Henry worked with the Health and Fitness Society of BC to co-create knowledge translation resources that promote culturally safe messaging for members of the Indigenous community in physical activity participation. These resources were shared with the broader community, and included organizing local walk/run events, facilitating community-based experiential learning placements for undergrads, and hosting the 6th and 7th annual National Indigenous Physical Activity and Wellness Conference.

Past awards include the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health Knowledge Translation Award, Canadian Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Student Abstract Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Indigenous Gender and Wellness Idea Fair and Learning Circle Travel Award, Donald and Ellen Poulter Scholarship, William B. McNulty and Captain C. Y. Wu Kinesiology Scholarships, Kinesiology Head of Class Award, and the Trek Excellence Scholarship.