The Canada Research Chairs Secretariat has issued its public announcement of newly appointed Chairholders and it is our great pleasure to congratulate Dr. Eli Puterman on his appointment as Canada Research Chair.
Dr. Eli Puterman, Associate Professor, School of Kinesiology, has been appointed as a Tier II CRC in Physical Activity and Health. Dr. Puterman joined the Faculty in July 2015 and was previously an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Puterman studies how adversity experienced across the lifespan – starting in childhood all the way through older adulthood – accelerates the aging of our immune system. His research demonstrates that physical activity is a powerful behavioural factor that has the potential to delay immune aging in individuals who experience high degrees of adversity across their lifetimes. Dr. Puterman’s research has repeatedly demonstrated that the impact of adversity on aging and disease development is more pronounced in individuals who are less physically active and significantly reduced or eliminated in those who are more physically active. Dr. Puterman’s research seeks to deepen our understanding of how physical activity promotes biological and psychological resiliency in highly stressed individuals who are most at risk for accelerated immune aging. By identifying how and for whom physical activity leads to psychological and biological benefits, Dr. Puterman’s goal is to develop behaviour change intervention strategies specifically designed for individuals living with high levels of adversity, before disease develops. His research will help to maximize our capacity to improve the health of Canada’s youth and adult populations who are at greatest risk for accelerated immune system aging and disease development.
The Government of Canada established the Canada Research Chairs program to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising scholars. Chairholders aim “to achieve research excellence” and to improve “our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people.”
Awards and Achievements, Research
One of British Columbia’s greatest athletes, Ted Hunt graduated from UBC with a Physical Education degree in 1957, an MPE in 1961 and a PhD in Education, in 1976.
Hunt was both a standout rugby player – of international calibre and one of the country’s best ski jumpers. He won Big Blocks in both rugby and in skiing and at age 20 represented Canada at the World Ski Jumping Championships in Sweden.
During his studies, Hunt represented Canada in international rugby matches while also playing intramural sports. In the summer he played lacrosse, twice winning the Canadian championship Mann Cup with the Vancouver team.
In his graduating year, Hunt received the Bobby Gaul Award as UBC’s athlete of the year. At the same time, he was selected as the province’s Athlete of the Year. That summer (1957) Hunt tried out with the BC Lions football team and not only made the team but was named the Lions’ Rookie of the Year. The following year, he was selected the team’s Outstanding Canadian Player of the Year.
Hunt’s impressive athletic accomplishments were followed by an extensive teaching career in Vancouver high schools as well as that of an author of both novels and educational books.
In retirement, he served nine years as School Board Trustee, and for 20 years as director of The Students’ Emergency Fund which he began with Brenton Kenny.
Hunt has authored several books: In The Company of Heroes, which became the Indigo Finalist for Dramatized History. He has also authored three books on golf, Ben Hogan’s Magical Device, Ben Hogan’s Short Game Simplified, and Ben Hogan’s Tips For Weekend Golfers. His most recent work was written for Canada’s national seven a-side rugby teams: Creative Backfield Rugby Canadian Style.
Dr. Hunt has been acknowledged with induction into both the UBC and British Columbia Sports Halls of Fame. He is featured as one of Education’s 100 as part of the UBC Faculty of Education’s Year of Alumni celebrations.
Bill McNulty is known for service to his community as a teacher, sports aficionado and city councillor. His story begins as a member of the UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) class graduating in 1968 with a Masters in 1970. During the 1960s UBC’s Intramural Program was under the auspices of the School of Physical Education and it was Bill McNulty who was the student “in charge” of this program. In ensuing years he has maintained engagement with UBC through his Bill McNulty Scholarship in Kinesiology and his service on the university Senate.
As a teacher, Bill was most notably a teacher and counsellor at Vancouver’s Magee High School. He also has a passion for sports particularly track & field and for years has researched and documented the track & field accomplishments and records of BC athletes including some of the more obscure and forgotten. He has long served as a resource for such information. In addition he has researched and written on subjects of community interest including a book on the history of Steveston, the proceeds of which are intended for the Japanese tsunami relief effort.
McNulty is perhaps best known for his long service – two decades – as City Councillor for the City of Richmond. He is one of the few from Physical Education to make a name for themselves in politics. Together with his work on council, Bill has been an appreciated supporter of the Arts and has been made an honourary member of the Richmond Community Arts Council.
Through his energy and passion, Bill continues to maintain engagement and generate his unique contributions.
Bill was recently featured as one of Education’s 100 as part of the UBC Faculty of Education’s Year of Alumni celebrations.
Marilyn Pomfret (1932 – 2019) is one of the most celebrated of UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduates. She has been inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, UBC Sports Hall of Fame, named a YWCA Woman of Distinction and is a recipient of a UBC Alumni Association Achievement Award.
A 1954 UBC graduate, Marilyn taught high school, primarily in West Vancouver, for nine years. She then returned to UBC to teach in the Department of Physical Education at the same time taking on the position of Head Coach of UBC’s women’s volleyball team. During her eleven years as a coach she guided her team to three Western Canadian championships and two CIS titles including UBC’s first in women’s volleyball.
While teaching and coaching at UBC Marilyn assumed the role of UBC’s women’s athletic director where she became acknowledged as a true “Builder.” Her dedication to the principals of equality and co-operation led to more athletic opportunities for female athletes, more women participating and more equal funding.
On the Board of Directors of both Canada West and CIS Athletic Associations, Marilyn, in 1986, was awarded the Austin-Matthews Award for outstanding contribution to the development of university sport in Canada.
UBC’s most prestigious female athletic award, given to the year’s outstanding female athlete, was in 1985 re-named in Marilyn Pomfret’s honour.
Marilyn and her late husband Jack continued to be active after retirement in curling and were often seen at UBC events such as Big Block/Hall of Fame where she presented her annual award.
Marilyn is featured as one of Education’s 100 as part of the UBC Faculty of Education’s Year of Alumni celebrations.
As part of the annual Kin Week, our feature Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. This is your opportunity to engage with potential employers and see what you can do with your Kinesiology degree.
The Faculty of Education Staff Holiday Party will be held Wednesday, December 9th from 12-3pm at the Osborne Gym located at 6108 Thunderbird Blvd.
Please complete the following RSVP form by December 4.
