My name is Maddison Chow and I am a 5th year Kinesiology student in the Health Sciences stream, minoring in Biology. I am currently a mentee in the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (IURMP), which provides a four-month opportunity for Indigenous students to explore the world of research through partnership with a UBC faculty member.
As an undergraduate student, I had struggled to find an area of study that I was truly passionate about. IURMP sounded like a wonderful chance to gain hands-on experience, connect with prestigious professors, and conduct interesting research that could help benefit and empower Indigenous communities. Eager to find a research interest that clicked with me, I took the plunge and signed up!
Through the IURMP, I have focused on assisting with community-based initiatives and daily activities in the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology (ISK) laboratory. One of the greatest aspects of the IURMP is being able to take Kinesiology knowledge and theory out of the classroom, and into a practical setting — like learning how to conduct a VO2max test! In addition to gaining hands-on practice, a valuable experience has been learning all about community health & wellness, and the importance of developing culturally safe programs to better the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Thankfully, I have been paired with exceptional mentors who have listened to my interests and created a personalized plan for my education in IURMP. The leadership and support of Dr. Darren Warburton and Dr. Shannon Bredin, as well as the mentorship and wisdom of Dr. Rosalin Miles, have been instrumental to my undergraduate learning experience. As a Métis student in Kinesiology, I am grateful to be able to assist with their research. Their work unites my history with my educational passions, while showing tangible and direct impact on the Indigenous community – as a result, this research is very important and dear to my heart.
After graduation, I would like to further my education by pursuing graduate studies in either Physiotherapy or Experimental Medicine at UBC.