The School of Kinesiology is excited to highlight the work of Dr. Gabriel Zieff, a postdoctoral fellow funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Killam Trusts. Dr. Zieff has been conducting interdisciplinary research that bridges kinesiology and clinical psychology, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of movement sciences in understanding mental health and well-being.
Currently, Dr. Zieff is based in the Fitness, Aging, and Stress (FAST) Lab within the School of Kinesiology and is co-supervised in the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Lab in the Department of Psychology. This dual affiliation allows him to explore research questions that go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, particularly in the realm of stress, self-compassion, and early life adversity.
This month, Dr. Zieff will be presenting his latest research at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. His work focuses on how self-compassion influences biological and psychological responses to acute stress in adolescents. Additionally, he is investigating how exposure to early life adversity—such as neglect and abuse—may shape this relationship.
Dr. Zieff’s research has the potential to inform interventions that enhance resilience and stress management strategies among young individuals. His work contributes to a growing body of literature that underscores the importance of mental health as a protective factor against stress-related health outcomes.
We look forward to Dr. Zieff’s upcoming presentation and the continued impact of his work in both the kinesiology and psychology communities. To learn more about his presentation at the Society of Behavioural Medicine’s Annual Meeting, visit the conference website.
Click the links below to read Dr. Zieff’s ‘Research Recaps’:
KIN 500L: Clinical Management of the Injured AthleteSessional Lecturer Position
The School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a part-time sessional lecturer for the following positions in the 2025/2026 Academic terms.
The successful candidate will deliver core lectures; organize and run lab sections; organize tests, mid-term exams, and grading; and hold office hours weekly, working with the Academic Director on course-related matters, attending subject area meetings, as well as follow up appointments, where applicable.
Applicants should include with their letter of application a CV and the names and email addresses of three references.
All positions are subject to enrolment, funding and will be governed by UBC Agreement on Conditions of Appointment for Sessional and Part-time Faculty Members.
Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in Kinesiology or related fields of study is desirable. The position is dependent on final enrollments, is subject to availability of funds and will be governed by the University of British Columbia’s, ‘Agreement on conditions of appointment for Sessional Lecturers’. The current salary is $9,341.29 per 3-credit course.
KIN 500L (Seminar) Special Topics in Kinesiology: Clinical Management of the Injured Athlete (3-credit course).
This course is designed for students who want to work with athletes and active individuals in a clinical setting. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively recognize and manage musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. Active, movement-based therapies form the central core of our approach to sports injury rehabilitation. There is an emphasis on secondary and tertiary injury prevention strategies. (Please note that primary injury prevention is covered in KIN 500K.) In this course we will discuss the evolution of evidence-informed care and emphasize the importance of utilizing a person-centred approach and shared decision making in your practice. For more information, see course outlines at: https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/graduate-programs/current-graduate-students/
Term Dates:
January 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Class Format:
In-person learning
This advertisement as well as further information about the School of Kinesiology is available on the School of Kinesiology website at https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/. Information on the employment environment in the School of Kinesiology is available at https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/careers/ and also that of the Faculty of Education https://educ.ubc.ca/education-careers/. All positions are subject to final budgetary approval. Applicants should submit their application including a CV online to:
Dr. Robert Boushel
School of Kinesiology, UBC
210 – 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Review of applications will begin Apr 5, 2025. All applications received by April 4, 2025 will receive full consideration.
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized and integrated into current structures, planning and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process, UBC will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in the selection process.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
Dr. Daniel Gamu was selected to receive an abstract award from Physiological Genomics journal at the 2024 Integrative Physiology of Exercise conference held by the American Physiological Society. The award recognizes his research on “The Homologous Lysine Acetyltransferases CBP and p300 are Required for Adult Mouse Brown Fat Homeostasis.”
Additionally, his December publication in AJP-Endocrinology and Metabolism, titled “Maintenance of Thermogenic Adipose Tissues Despite loss of the H3K27 Acetyltransferases p300 or CBP” was named a top original research article. More details are available at PubMed.
Dr. Erica Bennett has recently been awarded the 2024 North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Early Career Distinguished Scholar award. NASPSPA gives awards to scholars in recognition of contributions to research areas represented within NASPSPA and in recognition of significant contributions to the development and growth of NASPSPA.
Congratulations to Dr. Erica Bennett for this well-deserved recognition!
Active Kids is set to embark on an exciting and impactful term, with over 100 kinesiology students contributing as coaches, volunteers, or in administrative roles. This term promises a host of initiatives and events designed to support our participants, community, and academic partnerships.
This term, we will honour the contributions of our student leaders at the annual Kinesiology Leadership Breakfast in April, an event recognizing the dedication and efforts of our team. Additionally, our coach training workshops will provide participants with the tools and knowledge needed to continue delivering exceptional programming.
With an anticipated 700 weekly visits to our recreational gymnastics programs at the Osborne Center, we are delighted to foster active participation within the community. Our High School Competitive athletes, numbering 25 this term, will compete in local events with aspirations of representing their schools at the provincial tournament.
Active Kids continues to promote health and fitness across the community by offering soccer, basketball, and multi-sport physical literacy programs at the Wesbrook, Dunbar, Acadia Park, and Musqueam Community Centers. Through our collaboration with the Vancouver School Board, we are also proud to provide after-school physical literacy programs at Norma Rose, General Wolf, Emily Carr, and Bayview Elementary Schools.
In partnership with the University Neighborhoods Association, Active Kids will host an open house as the first significant step toward establishing the Newcomers to Canada Physical Activity Program. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering inclusivity and promoting physical activity within diverse communities.
We are thrilled to collaborate once again with Dr. Jasmin Ma, offering Kin 351 students the opportunity to engage with Active Kids programming as part of their coursework. This partnership bridges academic learning with practical experience, enhancing the educational journey of our students.
Active Kids remains a proud partner in facilitating research within the kinesiology field. Faculty members and graduate students are encouraged to connect with us to explore opportunities for research participation within our vibrant community. For inquiries, please contact us at info.activekids@ubc.ca.
Updated Contact Information and Office Hours
To better serve our participants and the community, Active Kids has revised its office hours and updated contact information:
Dr. Eli Puterman recently became a 2024 Peter Wall Legacy Award Recipients. In collaboration with other UBC faculty members, the award of $200,000 was granted for the project, Human-centered design for sustainable transportation in British Columbia: An inclusive approach to infrastructure design based on diverse experiences of walking and cycling.
Wall Legacy Awards are awarded to a wide array of scholarly programs that will generate meaningful solutions to major sustainability challenges in BC and around the world.
Dr. Guy Faulkner has received a Highly Cited Researcher 2024 Award in the field of Social Sciences, marking the fifth consecutive year that he has received this award.
With an impressive 522 publications and a total of 19,176 times cited, this award signifies that Dr Faulkner’s work has been frequently referenced by peers, indicating substantial impact and contribution to his area of research.
Highly Cited Researcher Awards are awarded to one in every 1000 of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists.
Congratulations to Dr. Faulkner on this well-deserved recognition!
It is with sadness the School has recently learned that Alena Branda, Senior Instructor Emerita of Human Kinetics passed away July 4, 2024. Alena was 87 years old and lived in West Vancouver. She retired from the School in 1996. Alena was an exceptional gymnastics coach. UBC’s 1969-70 women’s gymnastics team, coached by Alena, won the Western Canada Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and competed in the first-ever national championships for women under the auspices of the newly founded Canadian Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CWIAU). The team included physical education student and 1968 Olympian Sandra Hartley. She is predeceased by her husband, Ladislav Branda in 2021.
Our sincere condolences to her family.
Sincerely,
Robert Boushel Director and Professor UBC School of Kinesiology
The UBC School of Kinesiology is proud to highlight its contribution to the development of the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization, the first credential of its kind globally. This initiative, launched by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), equips qualified exercise professionals with the tools to support individuals living with depression through evidence-based exercise interventions.
The specialization was developed with expertise from UBC Kinesiology faculty, including Dr. Madelaine Gierc (PhD Clinical Psychology) and Dr. Guy Faulkner (PhD Exercise Psychology), both of whom are leaders in the intersection of physical activity and mental health. This training provides exercise professionals with the skills to deliver tailored exercise prescriptions to individuals managing depression, reinforcing exercise’s role as a cornerstone in mental health care.
Dr. Faulkner expressed his enthusiasm for the program:
“Exercise has been recognized in Canada as a stand-alone treatment for depression since 2016. Exercise professionals have a vital role to play in supporting individuals with depression in starting and maintaining exercise habits. This new evidence-based training certification will help instil knowledge, confidence and skills among these key specialists and will bridge the gap between mental health care and exercise science.”
There is robust evidence supporting exercise as an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate depression, standing on par with psychotherapy and medication. The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT), in its 2016 and updated 2024 guidelines, recommends exercise as a first-line treatment for these cases.
The new specialization addresses the growing demand for mental health resources and positions exercise professionals as key contributors to multidisciplinary care. It is particularly relevant for professionals working with:
Individuals with depression seeking an alternative or complement to traditional treatments.
Pregnant or postpartum clients, for whom exercise can mitigate perinatal depression risks.
Clients managing chronic health conditions, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, where mental and physical health are interconnected.
This credential aligns with the UBC School of Kinesiology’s commitment to advancing public health and well-being. As Dr. Faulkner emphasized, integrating exercise science into mental health care enables individuals to build resilience, connect with their communities, and thrive.
For more details about the specialization, visit the CSEP website.
Through initiatives like this, UBC Kinesiology and CSEP are leading the way in redefining how exercise professionals contribute to mental health care, fostering healthier individuals and communities.
