KIN Spotlight: Dr. Gabriel Zieff

KIN Spotlight: Dr. Gabriel Zieff

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’:

How are non-work-related sitting behaviours linked to current and future high blood pressure and diabetes in middle aged adults?
Does the ratio of lower-body blood vessel stiffness to upper-body (central) blood vessel stiffness predict cardiovascular disease?

Sessional Lecturer Position (Work Integrated Learning)

KIN 475: Physical Activity Counselling and Prescription for People with Spinal Cord Injury

The School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a part-time sessional lecturer in the 2025/2026 Academic year, terms 1 and 2. This is a Work Integrated Learning course.

View the full job posting here

Review of applications will begin September 1, 2025. All applications received by August 31, 2025 will receive full consideration.

Dr. Daniel Gamu receives Abstract Award and Top Research Article

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.

Congratulations Dr. Daniel Gamu!

Dr. Erica Bennett awarded Early Career Distinguished Scholar Award

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!

UBC Active Kids Look Forward to the New Year

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:

  • Office Hours:
    • Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    • Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • New Email: info.activekids@ubc.ca
    • Please note that we will no longer be reachable at kin.outreach@ubc.ca

For additional information or inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out.

McIntyre, Deanna

Development Officer

Email: deanna.mcintyre@ubc.ca

Phone: 604 822 0134

Office Address: 2601B – 2125 Main Mall, Neville Scarfe Building

Dr. Eli Puterman awarded Michael Smith Health Research BC 2024 Reach Award

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.

In addition, Dr. Puterman was granted the Michael Smith Health Research BC 2024 Reach Award for his collaboration with community organizations to mobilize knowledge on healthy(ier) aging to older adults across BC. The Reach Program provides funding for teams of researchers and research users to support the dissemination and effective uptake of research evidence.

Congratulations to Dr. Eli Puterman for his achievements!

Dr. Guy Faulkner receives Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2024 Award

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!

In Memoriam: Alena Branda, 1937 – 2024

Dear Members of the School,

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

UBC School of Kinesiology Collaborates on World-First Credential for Exercise and Depression Specialization

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.

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