KIN Case Competition 2021

At the first KIN Case Competition, held in January 2021, teams of students worked together to analyze a Kinesiology-related business case and devise the best solution to the problem. Each team was tasked to review the history and data provided by a partner organization. They were then required to strategically analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the Kinesiology-related business and provide actionable solutions and recommendations based on the organization’s needs. A group of panelists then judged and determined the best solution proposed by a team.

The idea for the KIN Case Competition was the brainchild of a group of BKin students who all shared the same idea of creating such an event. Kinners, Ahmed Masood, Patricia Melgar, and Cameron Lee came together to organize the Case Competition as each one believed that such a competition would be incredibly beneficial for the School. When asked why they thought a business Case Competition would be so beneficial Cameron Lee states, “the purpose of integrating business and kinesiology is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about what healthcare businesses look like, and to allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world healthcare job setting.” Students develop important soft skills such as public speaking, team collaboration, case analysis, problem-solving, and presentation slides. Case competitions are a great way for students to learn more about a particular industry, connect with faculty and professionals, and tap into their creative-side.

This year’s competition was a great success, with 70 student registrants, a partnered local physiotherapy clinic (PhysioCollective), and lots of positive student feedback. The KIN students who stepped up as coordinators and advisors this year were Ahmed Masood, Patricia Melgar, Eunice Lui, Natascha Lam, Sharon Leung, Davin Hu (AVP Academic), Morgan Lorenz (AVP Academic) and Cameron Lee (VP Academic). Cameron comments, “we plan to run the competition in the upcoming years, with the possibility of opening it up to other academic Kinesiology programs across the country. Students should definitely consider joining this insider opportunity to practice problem-solving cases that healthcare businesses must deal with on a regular basis.”

“A common problem that students face once they’ve graduated and are looking for work, is that they don’t have applied knowledge and skills to prepare them for real world jobs, and I firmly believe that the KIN Case Competition can help fill that gap. This competition is meant to be beginner-friendly and welcomes students that have no prior case competition experience under their belt,” states Cameron.

Should a student place well in the competition, they will not only emerge with possible monetary winnings but they’ll make connections with KIN partner businesses and professionals, and be given the opportunity to pursue the implementation of their proposed solution. The competition can also help form short and long-term partnerships between the School and external organizations, facilitate connections between faculty and students, and bring a different dimension to the UBC KIN academic experience.

Brandon Lam (BKin 2020) supported the partnership between the KIN Case Competition Team and the partnered physiotherapy clinic, PhysioCollective, where he works as a kinesiologist. As an outcome of this competition, the School and PhysioCollective have formed a positive working relationship, which will be beneficial for undergraduate students who seek future work placements. In the coming year, the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA) will be looking into creating a national-wide Kinesiology Case Competition, and the University of Alberta will also be implementing a KIN Case Competition into their practicum. The undergraduate academic experience is changing, and it is exciting to see that the UBC KIN Case Competition contributed towards this important development!

New Publication Alert

May 5, 2021 – New paper out detailing the results of a web-based and in-person risk reframing intervention to influence mothers’ perceptions of risk and change parenting behaviours. Read it here!

Patrick Wu

Patrick Wu is a Master of Kinesiology student whose focus is on investigating “practical ways to drive behavioral change and to advance the world of strength and conditioning.” His passion is Olympic-style weightlifting which he practices 5-6 days a week! He loves it so much that he has started his own strength and conditioning business and hopes to grow into the private sector after he graduates. “I believe that strength training can be beneficial to almost all individuals, and I want to continue spreading this message in my work.”

Pat completed his BKin at UBC and says “the MKin program presented a great opportunity to improve my understanding of coaching.” When reflecting on his undergraduate experience, Pat states, “I want to do a shout-out to my friends in UBC Cheerleading who train next door in Osbourne. My years on the Cheer team gave me a great group of friends.” Some of Pat’s favourite classes were KIN 303 and KIN 461 (now 424). “I have to thank Barry Legh and Dr. Anne Lasinsky, who were not only great instructors, but also gave me great direction when I wanted to pursue graduate school.”

Pat currently works as a teaching assistant at UBC. “Being a TA has shown me how much I love to teach kinesiology. It has taught me how to organize a lesson plan and answer academic level questions. Perhaps there is a route for me in teaching in the future!” As a Graduate Assistant in strength and conditioning, he supervises sessions for varsity athletes. He has also served as a senior trainer with BodyWorks and mentors undergraduate students. As a mentor he coaches students to translate their academic knowledge into practical coaching skills.

When asked about the most important thing he learned at UBC, Pat says “you will never know enough in this industry. It is important to be critical of theories while being open minded! Be very wary of anyone who claims that there are always absolutes in research and practice.”

Anika Cheng

Anika is a fifth year Kinesiology student in the interdisciplinary stream, who is set to graduate in June 2021. She is an active member of the KIN community, having participated in the Co-op, Work-learn, and KIN Mentorship programs. After graduating, Anika is excited to start a Master’s in Occupational Therapy at UBC.

Anika and her teammates recently won the UBC 2021 and Canadian Semi-finals for Map the System. Map the System is a global competition that challenges students to think differently about social and environmental change. As a result of her wins, Anika will compete with her fellow team members (a group of LFS students who she met in a UBC public health nutrition course) against 7 other teams in the Canadian finals on May 7th, 2021. She says of her win, “It’s been a very stressful and exciting time for all of us preparing for the UBC and National competitions!”

Her group’s topic emphasizes the importance of food insecurity. She says, “British Columbia is often overlooked in this topic since we have one of the lowest percentages of food insecurity in the country. However, even with this low percentage, we still have over half a million food-insecure people, with the majority of this group being Indigenous Peoples. Food insecurity discourse often focuses on rural and northern areas rather than urban areas, which is why our group aims to emphasize the importance of urban Indigenous food insecurity.”

On May 7th, the top 8 Canadian MTS teams will be rewarded for their hard work, research and learning. A celebratory Showcase provides an opportunity for viewers to vote for an Audience Favourite. “If we end up placing in the top 4, we will then move on to the Global Finals held at Oxford University in June.”

We are rooting for you Anika!

KIN Students Shine at the 2021 Thunderbird Big Block Awards

On April 15, 2021, for the second consecutive year, the Big Block awards gala was moved online to allow for a safe, virtual gathering experience for Thunderbird student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and fans to celebrate what has been a most unique and challenging year. Congratulations go out to the many KIN students who took home Big Block Awards!

Congratulations go to these three KIN students for representing peer recognition for outstanding qualities and achievements in individual athletes!

Women’s hockey team member, Margaret Pham, winner of the 2021 May Brown Trophy.

Student baseball trainer, Lief Olsen, winner of the 2021 Carolyn Dobie-Smith Award.

Women’s rugby team member, Kendra Roberts, winner of the 2021 Buzz Moore Leadership Award.

The following KIN students received ‘Stand Out ‘ awards at the UBC Virtual Big Block Awards event – a one-time honour for 2020-2021.
The Stand Out recognition highlights one exceptional athlete from each varsity team, celebrating who has had the most impact on their T-Bird teams this past year. Of the 22 student athletes who won, 10 were from KIN! Congratulations to:

Brian Wallack – men’s basketball
Hannah Eborall – women’s field hockey
Zack Vint, men’s football
Sonja Tang, women’s golf
Katie Clark, women’s rowing
Madison Gold, women’s rugby
Sam Hughes, men’s rugby
Michelle Jang, women’s soccer
Cassa Courtney, women’s softball
Egidio Cantarella, track and field

To read more about the Big Block event, click here.

Chris Evans

Evans, Chris

After working in Community Centres in Richmond and Vancouver, & GF Strong Rehab. Centre; I switched to the Computer/I.T. field (22 years now). I started at Shaughnessy Hospital as a Computer Operator then Systems Analyst. My career also includes roles such as Technical Support Analyst & Systems Engineer at various large-scale data centres incl. MDA, SFU, & Crown Packaging Ltd. My UBC Degree prepared me well for the few career changes I’ve had to make.

I was fortunate to live on campus at VST, which allowed me to enjoy the many sports-related activities I became involved in. Intramurals, the Aquatic Centre and Storm-the-Wall events were highlights for me. Too many excellent Professors and instructors to list – all very good! Sadly many that taught me have passed away recently; incl. Jack Pomfret, Bob Laycoe, and recently Dr. Richard Mosher; who all inspired me.

Originally I had planned to be a Teacher. I worked a few years in community centres in Richmond and Vancouver, but later I switched careers, studied at BCIT and have worked 22 years in the Computer/I.T. field primarily as a Technical Analyst and Systems Engineer. My education and experiences at UBC have helped me to realize my life ambitions tremendously! My Grandmother was in the first graduation class at UBC in 1916 – Grace Miller. All of my siblings and many relatives have attended UBC. The unique combination of courses I took at UBC has allowed me to seek out and obtain numerous career opportunities. I actually started my Degree in Science and then switched, graduating with a B.P.E. but kept taking science courses (Chemistry, Physics mainly) and Math for the entire duration of my five years at UBC. UBC’s outstanding reputation has always assisted me in my life goals.

My hobbies include various sports, naval history, genealogy & model building to name a few. I currently volunteer at the Museum of Anthropology as an educator for various First Nations programs. Past volunteer experience includes Vancouver Molson Indy, Sun Run, various fun runs, Vancouver Int’l Marathon to name a few.

My advice to Kinesiology students would be, supplement your studies with courses in other Faculties if you can; such as Computer Science and Science. Volunteer as much as your time allows you: e.g. Vancouver Sun Run, Vancouver Marathon, Community Centers.

In Memoriam: Emeritus, Dr. Richard Mosher, 1944-2021

Dear Members of the School,

It is with deep sorrow that I share the sad news that Emeritus, Dr. Richard (Dick) Mosher passed away on Apr 24, 2021. Dick was an Associate Professor Emeritus in the School of Kinesiology, this, in addition to his celebrated coaching career as head coach for both the UBC Thunderbirds men’s and women’s soccer programs. Dick retired from the School of Kinesiology in 2012 having been a faculty member in the School of Physical Education and Recreation (School of Kinesiology) since 1975 as a human growth and development specialist. Dick successfully balanced a scholarly research career, including providing valuable insight into ushering the School from its primary origins as a training ground for physical education teachers and coaches to a comprehensive hub of interdisciplinary learning and research that exists today.

Along with the development of a Coaching Science option, Dick integrated and cultivated the Masters in Human Kinetics (Masters in Kinesiology) program. This program has attracted students from across Canada and worldwide. The program continues to be a proven success no less to the influence and direction provided by Dick. In his early days as an undergraduate student in the School, Dick was a standout soccer player graduating in 1966 with a BPE. He spent fifty years of his life at UBC as a scholar, researcher, mentor, advisor, administrator, supervisor, leader, and renowned coach. No small feat.

Our deepest condolences to the Mosher family.

Dick will be greatly missed by all of us, friends and colleagues.

Robert Boushel
Director and Professor
UBC School of Kinesiology

To submit condolences and memories for Dr. Mosher, click here, and your memory will appear here within 24 hours.

Dr. Bill Sheel has been appointed as a Distinguished University Scholar

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Dr. Bill Sheel, Professor in the School of Kinesiology, has been appointed as Distinguished University Scholar at UBC for his innovative research examining the intersection of age, sex and gender and the effects of exercise on human health.

This appointment is made to a select group of ten exceptional University faculty who have distinguished themselves as scholars in research and/or teaching and learning. The designation is conferred by the President on the recommendation of a University adjudication panel. DUS awardees receive an annual salary stipend of $20,000 and a one-time research allowance of $20,000.

Congratulations Dr. Bill Sheel on this outstanding career achievement!

AccordionExampleGradResearchDay

08:15 - Joshua Bovard - Sex-differences in exercising hemodynamics: role of exercising muscle mass

Joshua Bovard, Daniele A. Cardinale, Filip J. Larsen, Emma Reiter, Mads Jensen-Urstad, Erik Rullman, David Morales-Alamo, Bjorn Ekblom, Jose A. L. Calbet, Robert Boushel. To determine their consequences on exercising hemodynamics with large (e.g., 2-leg cycling (BIKE)) vs. small (e.g., 1-leg knee extension (KE)) muscle mass.Healthy young subjects (4M, 3W) completed BIKE and KE exercise tests.
The femoral artery and vein were catheterized to measure leg blood flow (Q), CaO2, and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Vascular conductance (VC), O2delivery, and leg O2uptake (VO2) were calculated. Measures were normalized to right leg (BIKE) or quadriceps (KE) lean mass. Whole body VO2was measured with a metabolic cart. Men and women were compared at similar and maximal work rates. Body mass was greater in men (M: 80±6 vs. W: 59±12 kg, p=0.03). Although quadriceps mass (3.3±0.2 vs. 2.0±0.3 kg, p less than 0.001) and CaO2were lower, women had a higher mass-specific Q, VC (p=0.054), O2delivery, and leg VO2to maintain whole body VO2during similar KE (Table 1).
These differences were maintained during maximal KE, at which women tended to achieve a higher mass-specific work rate (21±2 vs. 25±3 W·kg-1, p=0.10). They were also apparent during similar BIKE despite a lower leg lean mass in women (8.7±0.3 vs. 5.3±0.7 kg, p less than 0.001). However, the differences were no longer present during maximal BIKE when mass-specific work rate was similar (21±2 vs. 20±2 W·kg-1, p=0.70) and whole body VO2was lower in women.These findings highlight a greaterhemodynamic capacity for women to overcome differences in CaO2and maintain whole body VO2at similar work rates during exercise. They also implicate the quantity of exercising muscle in facilitating the greater hemodynamic capacity and mass-specific workrate during maximal exercise with a small but not large muscle mass.