Congratulations to KIN faculty members, Jasmin Ma and Mark Beauchamp for their newly published study

Congratulations to KIN faculty members, Jasmin Ma and Mark Beauchamp, along with Theresa A Floegel, Linda C Li, Jenny Leese, Mary A De Vera, Jack Taunton, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Kelli D Allen, for their newly published study, “Tailored physical activity behavior change interventions: challenges and opportunities.”

This article asks: how do we see the way forward for tailored physical activity interventions?

And suggests:

Improving engagement of those who the research is intended for, and
Understanding the ethical impacts of using technology to support tailoring

Read the article: Tailored physical activity behavior change interventions: challenges and opportunities.

Spotlight on UBC School of Kinesiology Student Engagement Officer Emily Speidel (BKin ’18)

Meet our new Student Engagement Officer, Emily Speidel! As a KIN alum who graduated in 2018, Emily is deeply familiar with life as a KIN student and has a passion for student development outside of the classroom with a focus on supporting students through transitions. Emily has a strong background in student affairs and has experience creating meaningful growth and learning opportunities for students. Emily most recently served as an undergraduate Associate Academic Advisor in the School and brings a unique lens to the needs and desires of Kinesiology undergraduate students.

As the Student Engagement Officer, Emily has been instrumental in training this year’s KIN student Orientation Leaders and looks forward to meeting all new-to-KIN students on Imagine Day! If you’re looking to get involved with UBC KIN or at UBC in general, Emily is here to help!

Emily states, “I am excited to get to know you all over the year and to engage you in all the upcoming student events the School will be hosting. My passions lie in relationship building and developing supports for students, so please don’t hesitate to approach me with your ideas and questions, or just to say hi!” Keep an eye on the KINformed newsletter for regular updates on events and programs, and check the KIN web calendar here for details.

Feel free to contact Emily to introduce yourself at emily.speidel@ubc.ca.

Rainforest Trail Run recognizes Angela Chalmers as the first indigenous athlete to win an Olympic medal for Canada

Angela Chalmers won the gold medal in 1994 Commonwealth Games 3000m in Victoria

Angela Chalmers is one of Canada’s greatest track and field athletes. She has just been inducted into Athletics Canada’s Hall of Fame. Angela is an Olympic medalist, who through hours of training, perseverance and personal sacrifice, rose through the ranks of track and field to become one of the best in the world. She is a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist earning medals at the 1990 Auckland Games and the 1994 Victoria Games in the 1,500 and 3,000 metre events. In 1992, she won a Bronze Medal at the Barcelona Olympics in the 3,000 metre event and a Silver Medal at the Pan American Games in Indianapolis in 1987. Angela Chalmers is also an extraordinary role model for Aboriginal children, who generously gave precious time to visit reserves to speak to the young people of these communities. Born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1963 to a Sioux mother and Scottish father, Angela moved to Nanaimo and then to Victoria, B.C. as a young girl.

My mother is Sioux from the Birdtail Sioux Reservation. I am status Indian and a member of that band. But I also feel my roots on Vancouver Island because my dad was born in Victoria and my aunts, an uncle and cousins live there.”

Upon graduation from high school, she accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Northern Arizona University where she earned All-American Honours eight times and was an NCAA cross country champion. Since 1990, Ms. Chalmers lived and trained in Victoria.

In 1994, the 30 year old Chalmers successfully defended her 3,000 metre crown at the Victoria Commonwealth Games. In front of her hometown crowd at Centennial Stadium, she broke the Canadian and Commonwealth records, another historic achievement. She remains the only woman in Games history to successfully defend the 3,000-metre crown.

Angela has also acted as a respected spokeswoman for Aboriginal empowerment throughout her involvement with sport and has actively campaigned against drug and alcohol abuse. In 1995, she received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Sports.

She was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (2001), the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (2004) and In Her Footsteps..Celebrating Women in Sport (2006).

The School of Kinesiology is a supporting partner of the Rainforest Trail Run. To read more, Click Here.

Jalalpoor, Philip

BKin, 2018

Philip played on the varsity basketball team for 3 years during his time at UBC. After graduating in 2018, he moved to Europe to start his professional basketball career. After seasons in Spain, Austria, and Germany, he was able to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Next to playing professionally, Philip is also finishing a Master’s degree in Sport business Management and eventually hopes to use his experience to help shape the next generation of athletes after his career.

Jalalpoor, Mackenzie

BKin, 2018

Mackenzie played on the varsity softball team for 4 years during her time at UBC. After graduating, she moved home to Windsor, ON to complete her Master’s of Business Administration (MBA). She now works as the Brand Development and Digital Marketing Coordinator for Infinit Nutrition Canada, a local sports nutrition company and has her own company called ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ where her mission is to spread light to others by sharing perspective.

KIN Senior Orientation Leader: Gabriella Goodger

Gabriella Goodger is a second-year student in the multidisciplinary stream. After she graduates, Gabriella plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine.

Gabriella will be a KIN Orientation Leader this September 2021. She says, “Having attended online Jumpstart due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my orientation leaders were integral parts of creating a fun, welcoming, and comfortable environment, despite it being online. I understand the importance and impact of having an enjoyable and engaging first week of university and I am passionate about making this possible for all the new UBC students.”

She reflects on her decision to join UBC KIN, “KIN is unique because it is made up of a myriad of driven, intelligent, and hardworking people who manage to let their creativity and passion shine through in all their endeavors. The School of Kinesiology also offers classes that satisfy a vast array of interests, from sport psychology to biomechanics. I was drawn to the KIN program here because of its reputation as a small, tight-knit community. Upon entering the program, I was anything but disappointed. The professors truly care about the students and wish to see them succeed. I also noticed that the students themselves share so many common interests and are eager to form lasting friendships with one another.” Gabriella says that her favourite classes so far have been ‘Physiology System I’ with Professor Tania Lam, and ‘Anatomy’ with Professor Anne Lasinsky. She also used to play volleyball competitively, but now focuses mainly on strength and conditioning training.

This September, Gabriella will also be a UBC Varsity Athlete Student Trainer and hopes to become involved in some clubs on campus now that school is back in person. Outside of UBC, Gabriella works at the KidSafe Project Society, a non-profit organization that provides a safe space for vulnerable children living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside during school breaks. “As an Activity Leader there, I am in charge of providing the kids with a day where they are guaranteed food, safety, and fun.”

KIN Senior Orientation Leader: Jason Lin

Jason Lin is a second-year student in the multidisciplinary science stream. When he graduates, Jason plans on continuing his education and eventually pursuing a career in physiotherapy.

Jason will be a KIN Orientation Leader this September 2021. He says, “Being a KIN Orientation Leader is an exciting opportunity for me to welcome incoming kinesiology students to the beautiful UBC campus and introduce them to the warm and welcoming KIN community here at UBC.”

Jason reflects on his decision to join UBC KIN, “it is a well-rounded program that touches on a wide range of kinesiology-related subjects which will set you up for your future. I was drawn to the KIN program at UBC because it provides endless opportunities to grow not only as a student, but also a person.” Jason says that his favourite classes have been Human Anatomy (KIN 110) and Systems Physiology (KIN 131, KIN 132). Outside of academia, Jason plays junior level hockey for the Richmond Sockeyes. He says, “I am a coach for UBC’s hockey and skate programs, and I recently started a community project that is funded by the Kinesiology Undergraduate Society (KUS) and the School of Kinesiology called Sport4U, which seeks to give everyone in the community a chance to participate in sport by providing affordable sporting equipment.”

Jason is also a volunteer at two physiotherapy clinics, East Vancouver Sports Rehabilitation Clinic (EVSRC) and Kids Physio Group, where he shadows physiotherapists and provides assistance during their treatment sessions. “At EVSRC, I help out in kinesiology and strength and conditioning sessions in the Essentials of Athletics gym, where I also observe, make suggestions, and coach exercises.”

KIN Senior Orientation Leader: Priya Dhaliwal

Priya is a third-year student in the neuromechanical and physiology sciences stream. She plans to pursue a career in health care after she graduates and says “I think it’s best to follow my heart and see where my studies take me. My advice for all students out there is to be yourself and let your passions guide your career.”

Priya will be a KIN Orientation Leader this September 2021, where she will be able to “help support new students to UBC and make their transition into university as smooth as possible. Entering a new school is always a big nerve racker, and especially if it is such a renowned school like UBC. The idea of being able to provide a safe and welcoming environment for new UBC students enlightened me to becoming a Senior Orientation Leader.”

Priya reflects on her decision to join UBC KIN, “What makes kin a unique program is that it is a field of study where there’s a very hands-on approach to learning about the body and we can apply that knowledge to our everyday lives. This creates more engagement in the field, as we can connect what we are learning to our personal lives.” Priya has also played field hockey for the past 13 years, playing up to the provincial level, and was a member of the UBC women’s junior varsity hockey team for the last 1.5 years. She has been coaching field hockey and supports initiatives for the students against covid club.

When asked about the most important thing she has learned in KIN, Priya says “KIN has taught me that as a person, you are like no other. You are unique and that means that you can do things at your own pace. Life is not a race unless we make it one. Be yourself and if you need more time, take it.”

Mohammed, Paula

Paula completed her undergraduate degree through the BHK Sport Management program with the goal to have a career that combined business and sport. Paula had always dreamed of being in the Olympics or running the Olympics. As her dream evolved, she says, “by my realizing that what I love is creating experiences for people, experiences that move people and can cause a shift in how they think or feel resulting in lifelong memories.”

Paula reflects, “I have some great memories of UBC. I was involved in Intramurals and had a great time working on the events and doing the PR. Nestor Korchinsky was a visionary who inspired me and helped me launch my career. I was a member of the UBC track team and belonged to a sorority.” Paula believes that her time in Kinesiology taught her time management, to be curious and open doors to new opportunities, and to to get involved in community. For example she says, “I spent 6 months backing in Europe between 3rd and 4th year and ended up with credits for a full-year course and a $5,000 grant to attend a conference at Cambridge university. A big part of what helped grow my career were the people I met.”

Upon graduating, Paula says, “In the 90’s, event management barely existed as a career and there were very few opportunities in Vancouver to work in the field of sports marketing. I was lucky to secure a job with the one sport marketing company in the city at that time.” She continued to work as an independent contractor and on numerous projects as an Event Producer, Event Director, Event Manager and more over the next seven years. Some highlights of her career at that time include working on the Freestyle skiing world cups, culminating in the Freestyle World Championships, producing the first Big Air and ¼ Pipe shows in Whistler, being a part of the Vancouver Sun Run team, holding contracts with the PNE Entertainment department, and traveling to Portugal to work at the Expo in Lisbon in 1998. Paula became a business owner upon accepting the position of Director of Event Marketing for Tourism Whistler, and gained experience working in the non-profit organization, Arts Umbrella. “This led to 10 years of being the Event Director for numerous not-for-profit galas and events in the city.”

Paula founded In My Kitchen Inc, three years ago and reflects, “Growing up in a culturally diverse household with many passionate cooks, I came to cherish the experiences I had around the kitchen table, and that is how In My Kitchen was born. Pre-COVID, people would sign up at inmykitchen.ca with one of our passionate and knowledgeable home cooks. Everyone would cook a menu together and then sit down and share the meal, share stories, and learn about another culture.” Through these experiences, Paula and her team hope to create meaningful cross-cultural engagement.
She states, “The learning curve was very steep as I learned how to operate and run an e-commerce business. We had 5 hosts and we were about to launch 7 more hosts when COVID hit. After 2 months, we jumped off the cliff into the world of online zooms. Another steep learning curve, but we kept putting one foot in front of the other and overcame our fears. We are now expanding our team and growing our business. The online element has proven to be quite a successful business model and has opened up more doors for us to pursue more opportunities.”

Paula has even larger goals for her business. “I want to take In My Kitchen global, so no matter where you travel, you can sign up for an In My Kitchen experience and cook with a passionate and knowledgeable home cook who will share their heritage recipes and culture.”

KIN Senior Orientation Leader: Naina Dhiman

Naina is a fourth-year student in the interdisciplinary stream. After she graduates, Naina hopes to pursue a Masters of physiotherapy

Naina will be a KIN Orientation Leader this September 2021, where she will be “working alongside other KIN orientation leaders to help facilitate a positive, welcoming, and impactful start for the incoming students at UBC!” She says she was drawn to apply to be a senior OL due to her own experience participating in virtual imagine day last year. “Being a transfer student at UBC during a pandemic was a nervous adjustment; however, Imagine Day was such a great start and allowed me to meet people who were experiencing things just like me!”

Naina volunteers at Neuromotion, a neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic. She says, “volunteering here has been a really great experience and allowed me to learn lots about traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injury and strokes.” One of her jobs outside volunteering here includes working as a community support worker.

When asked about the most important thing she learned in KIN, she reflects, “I think the most important thing I have learned while in KIN is the importance of taking care of your body, mind, and overall health.” Naina says, “my goal for the last year of my degree is to find new ways to get involved on campus and enjoy in person classes again.”