Ava Katz

Ava Katz

Ava Katz, Kinesiology student.

Ava rouses us to think beyond ourselves. Her service to the community models initiative and leadership as she reaches out to help those who are more vulnerable and who need assistance at this challenging time.

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I am originally from Winnipeg but moved to Vancouver a few years back. My interests are varied but include playing sports (Ultimate Frisbee) which I’ve played for upwards of 4 years, having been captain for 2. I thought it prudent to see what the first year at UBC would look like before resuming that hectic sports schedule.

My goal for the future is to apply to medical school once I graduate and specialize in Thoracic or Cardiac surgery. My passion for helping others, along with my interest in the human body and how it functions, has led to my interest in Kinesiology and medicine. Although it seems like a lofty goal, I cherish memories of my grandfather who was also a Doctor and feel he’d be immensely proud of me which pushes me to continue striving for the future.

I currently live with my 91-year-old grandmother, my dad, sister and mom, who has recently developed a heart issue known as Acute Pericarditis. As we have all heard, those with underlying health issues are particularly susceptible to the virus, as are the elderly. As the COVID-19 spread, I realized that my mom could not go into the stores or take the chance of exposure at this time. Everyday seems to bring new information about people not having the ability to buy groceries and other essentials for themselves. I know that seniors homes have some support, but what about the seniors who live on their own, or others who are health compromised? I felt that as long as I took precautions, being the errand-runner seemed a sensible thing for me to do because I am not the demographic most at risk.

I made a post on Facebook letting people know that I would do grocery shopping, pick up other items they may need like prescriptions, and deliver it to them in a contact-free manner, free of charge. I felt that priority should go to the elderly and those who could not go out themselves. I also asked that people share the post in hopes they would spread the word to those who may not necessarily be on Facebook or have access to a computer.

I am fortunate to have a car that allows me to go from store to store when stock it low. I found that there were those who simply needed medical supplies and prescription pick-ups and I was happy to be of help. I also had friends coming back from various universities who quarantined with their families, but their grandparents were not in seniors homes and didn’t have the support around them. Friends then forwarded their grandparents contact information to me and I was able to reach out.

I feel it is vital that we stick together and support each other during this time. The virus seems to have allowed for a silver lining in that we are all in the same boat, so-to-speak, and we need to be able to rely on each other, even strangers, to help us get through this as best as possible. I feel blessed that I am in a position to help, not just those in my immediate family, but other’s loved ones.

Coverage by Daily Hive News – Class act: UBC first year student shops for seniors during the pandemic – Click Here

Parelkar, Soham

After graduating with his Bachelor in Kinesiology in 2018, Soham immediately enrolled in the Master’s in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. He is currently studying the skills and knowledge to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control chemical, physical and biological hazards in workplaces and community environments. Graduates from this program often work in careers such as cancer researchers, health and safety managers, policy analysts, and occupational hygienists. Soham sees connection between the broad field of occupational health and kinesiology in ergonomics. Ergonomists apply their knowledge of musculoskeletal function and how humans interact with their environment to make the workplace safer and more efficient. Now in his final semester, he had the opportunity to work at a health authority assessing worker noise exposure and recommending controls this past summer, and it had been a rewarding journey.
During his undergraduate studies, rather than sticking to physical health-focused electives, he chose diverse topics such as biomedical ethics, history, and global nutrition. Soham believes that the option to pick wide-ranging courses in the kinesiology program enhanced his experience in two primary ways. He says: “Firstly, the autonomy to study various subjects and think about the interconnectedness of fields vastly increased the intellectual stimulation I received. Secondly, the amazing opportunity to engage in dialogue with peers in different programs opened up my mind to newer perspectives.”
When asked about his extracurricular involvements in school, Soham focused primarily on tutoring kinesiology undergraduate students who had various conditions that affected their learning abilities. “The months I spent working with such individuals made me aware of not only the challenges faced by some of my fellow peers, but also their incredible ability to recover and empower themselves through the recovery process… The study of human movement is also intricately connected to the concept of ability, and my job as a peer tutor was a key bridge to see this concept in a new light”. Overall, Soham credits the academics and extracurricular activities he took part during his undergraduate studies of not only gaining skills for future careers, but also inspired him to think critically how he can personally enact change.

Advice for peers and students:

Originally intending to pursue typical, traditional options such as medicine and physiotherapy, I had never really considered occupational hygiene as an option. However, a chance elective in occupational health in my 3rd year of undergraduate studies in Kinesiology led to an unexpectedly rewarding career path. Being open to different opportunities and taking electives can be a life-changing experience!

Abele, Natalie

Natalie is a UBC graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Geography. She is incredibly passionate about sport, and about inclusion specifically. She currently works at viaSport British Columbia as the Manager of Research & Social Innovation. Her responsibilities include coordinating research, data collection and analysis; evaluating and amplifying the impact of priority projects; and bridging connections between research and practice. Within this she leads several priority projects aimed at increasing participation of underserved populations. Notably, she successfully managed the implementation of a foundational inclusion training called All Youth Matter. The program was developed by viaSport to equip sport and recreation leaders to make a difference in the lives of diverse youth in their community, and has now been delivered to over 1200 participants in more than 65 workshops around BC. On campus, the training has been implemented for students in KIN 160 and for staff within UBC Recreation. For more information, please visit www.allyouthmatter.com

Prior to viaSport, Natalie has worked as a Research Assistant at UBC with Dr. Andrea Bundon, and as the Sport + Rec Editor of the campus newspaper, The Ubyssey. More recently, she worked as an Account Manager for Tribe Solutions Inc, the official merchandise partner of the International Triathlon Union and World Triathlon Series. In her free time, you can find Natalie underwater, up in the mountains, or playing, watching, and/or talking about sports. You can follow her journey on twitter at @natalieabele
 
Advice for peers and other students:

Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors and TA’s! Be curious, and share your ideas. They’ll be more likely to remember you, write you more detailed reference letters, and you never know, they may even hire you someday!

Get involved on campus. The connections you make and the experiences you have outside of the classroom will be more important than your grades.

Also, go to Thunderbirds games! UBC has some of the best varsity sports teams in the country.

Evan Dunfee

Evan Dunfee, BKIN 2014, Team Canada athlete Track and Field, 50km race walking event.

Evan Dunfee is recognized as a KIN Community Champion for serving as a model of grace in the face of adversity during the COVID-19 outbreak and for inspiring us to serve the greater community.

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My name is Evan Dunfee, I graduated from UBC with my BKIN in 2014 and I am currently pursuing my athletic goals with Team Canada in the Track and Field event of 50km race walking. I have dreamed about becoming an Olympic athlete since I was 9 years old, and it has been a goal I’ve chased day-in and day-out for the last decade of my life. Sport has helped me grow, it has taught me about teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, perseverance and goal-setting. Sport is also what lead me to university and allowed me to fall in love with academics.

In 2016, my dream of representing Canada at the Olympics came true. I finished 4th in the 50km race walk. Most recently, in 2019, I won the bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships – my first individual global medal to go along with my two World Team silver medals won in 2014 and 2016 with UBC teammates Inaki Gomez and Ben Thorne.

When I was a kid I defined success as winning and everything else as failure. Luckily through sport, and with the help of some great and patient coaches, I have since learned to redefine what success looks like. While my goals remain the same, I want to break world records and win Olympic gold medals; I no longer define success by whether or not I achieve those things, rather by how far the pursuit of those goals takes me. As 2019 came to a close, I had my sights set firmly on the Tokyo Games in 2020 with the belief that I could stand atop the podium in August.

In March, the International Olympic Committee finally decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games until 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic wreaking havoc on the world. Days earlier the Canadian Olympic Committee had announced that they would not be sending a team to the Games in 2020 and urged for a postponement. Everything I was working towards was suddenly on hold, and up in the air. My first reaction, surprising even to myself, was one of pride. I was incredibly proud to represent a team that puts the collective good first. Our leadership stepped up as global role models giving us, the athletes, the opportunity to step up to be role models in our own communities.

When we wear Canada across our chests we get to be ambassadors for all the good that Canada stands for. While the Olympics have been pushed up by one year, the fire inside me still burns bright. And when 2021 rolls around, I’ll stand on that start line, Canada spread across my chest, somehow even more proud than I thought possible to be able to represent this great country.

And finally, in these uncertain and often anxious times, the best advice I’ve learned from my 20 years in sport is to never underestimate the power of a solo walk to clear your mind and reset. It’s exercise for the mind and body and I often find myself doing two of them a day.

Maliha, Kate

Prior to attending UBC, Kate worked in fitness club management as the Fitness Director of The Sussex Club in Ottawa, and as the Fitness Programs Manager of the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club. While working in the fitness industry, Kate developed a passion for helping those who are marginalized or challenged by negative cultural experiences of exercise. One important project included working with young women who had body image and eating disorders. The program consisted of visualization, dance, artistic expression, and mindfulness practices. During this time, Kate realized there was also a need to address the challenges of another marginalized group; older adults engaged in normative fitness practices.

A desire to explore the benefits and challenges of older adults participating in fitness programs led Kate to pursue her master’s degree in the socio-cultural stream. She is grateful to her mentor Dr. Laura Hurd, whose research examining the embodied experiences of older adults was greatly influential. Kate was also guided by the work of Dr. Patricia Vertinsky and Dr. Mark Beauchamp, which provided historical and psychological context. Kate’s master’s research study investigated socio-cultural aspects and benefits of exercise for older adults, with findings emphasizing the important role of social support in peer-group exercise programs. Another highlight of Kate’s experience under Dr. Hurd’s mentorship was co-authoring work published in Aging & Society.

After graduating in 2010, Kate founded Love Your Age Fitness Inc. Bringing her education into practice, Kate and her team have developed inclusive, unique and creative exercise spaces and programs for older adults. Kate continues to be influenced by UBC researchers in Kinesiology and in related fields of psychology, physiotherapy, and neurology, such as Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose’s work on exercise and cognition.

With a mandate to be both inclusive and innovative, in 2014 Kate and her team created their first version of the current Brain & Body program, prior to the wider availability of similar industry offerings. In addition to exploring new ways to help marginalized older adults, other recent projects include implementing socially inclusive, interactive and multi-modal exercise classes in various natural spaces.

Professor Guy Faulkner on Keeping Fit During COVID-19 Isolation


“Often when we are in situations like the one that we’re currently in, we may lose interest in doing things because we may not be able to access them,” he says. “Then we are inactive, which then that reinforces a sense of not being able to do the things that you we enjoy.”

Click here for more.

Eveline Pasman’s PhD Research Journey: Interplays in Brain, Balance and Parkinson’s Disease

My name is Eveline Pasman and I’m an international student from The Netherlands about to finish my PhD in Kinesiology. My PhD is focused on increasing our understanding of what areas of the brain control healthy balance and how these areas are affected in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

My interest in neurology and neuroscience started at a young age, as I grew up in a healthcare-oriented family. Following in my dad’s footsteps, I went to medical school in my hometown Nijmegen (The Netherlands).

My first exposure to doing research was when I completed a research internship of 9 months at UBC’s School of Kinesiology in 2008/2009. The decision to do this internship in Vancouver was a deliberate one. When I was 10 years old, my parents took me to Canada for a family vacation. It was when we visited Vancouver that I informed my family that I intended to live in Vancouver someday.

The opportunity to complete my 9-month research internship in Dr. Mark Carpenter’s lab was more random. It turned out one of the neurologists my dad worked with was an old friend of Dr. Carpenter and was willing to put me in touch with him. In Dr. Carpenter’s Neural Control of Posture and Movement Lab, I investigated the effect of fear and anxiety on balance control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Previous research had shown fear and anxiety influence balance control in healthy young and older adults, but it was unclear if this was also the case in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The results of my study were published in an article titled, “Balance problems with Parkinson’s disease: are they anxiety-dependent?” in the journal Neuroscience.

After completing the research internship in Vancouver, I headed back to the Netherlands to finish medical school. During the last year of clinical internships, I focused on caring for patients with neurological problems, while continuing to be involved in research related to balance problems in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. My exposure to research during medical school solidified the idea that doing a PhD was the right path for me. I was happy to learn that Dr. Carpenter was open to me coming back to Vancouver to start my PhD and continue doing research on balance control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects 1 in 500 Canadians. Balance problems and resultant falls are very common and debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, most treatments currently used for Parkinson’s disease do not alleviate, and sometimes even worsen, the balance problems. The ultimate goal of my PhD research is to identify regions of the brain that could serve as new targets for treatment interventions in Parkinson’s disease. Investigating the brain regions involved in balance control is complicated by the fact that most MRI scanners are horizontally based. For my PhD we, therefore, designed and custom-built a balance simulator. The balance simulator allows participants to perform balancing tasks while supine in the MRI scanner.

We recently showed the balance simulator was easy to use for both healthy elderly participants as well as individuals with Parkinson’s disease. In addition, we showed differences in upright standing balance control between healthy participants and individuals with Parkinson’s disease could also be detected using the balance simulator. The results of our work were published in an article titled, “A novel MRI compatible balance simulator to detect postural instability in Parkinson’s disease” in the journal Frontiers in Neurology. I’m currently analyzing and interpreting the brain activation data we were able to collect in healthy participants and individuals with Parkinson’s disease using our balance simulator in the MRI scanner. We hope to identify key regions of the brain that are contributing to balance problems in Parkinson’s disease and that might be used as targets for new treatment interventions.

Student profile: Nikol Grishin on her Special Olympics BC community project

Hi! My name is Nikol and I’m in my final year in Kinesiology, specializing in Health Sciences. Many of you may already know me as the KUS President! However, in my downtime I unwind by attending spin classes, spending time with friends and loved ones, and spending time on one of my guilty pleasures – binge-watching reality TV! My main interests in Kinesiology lie within the realm of physiology, but some of my fondest undergrad memories have been the many opportunities for personal growth on an academic and personal level, particularly through leadership positions.

This year, another opportunity for leadership appeared when I was honoured to win the UBC Chapman and Innovation Grant, which offers UBC students the opportunity to initiate meaningful community projects to tackle issues affecting underrepresented populations in their local communities. I decided to implement a program with the aim of breaking down the barriers for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their capabilities. In this program, I invited Special Olympics BC (SOBC) athletes to teach their sport to students in five Lower Mainland elementary schools.

I knew that I wanted to work with SOBC from the beginning. Earlier in the year I heard SOBC Community Development Coordinator, Chelsea Rogers, speak in class about leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities. I thought their work was phenomenal! Sports have been an important part of my life for a long time, and even as a kid, inclusiveness was very important to me. I had witnessed many instances where children were being excluded from activities because they were different. In high school, standing up for these individuals resulted in a lot of arguments and long-lasting tensions between friends, because being popular was more important than treating everyone with respect. To me people are people – we are all different in our own ways, so to exclude someone because of something that makes them unique was absurd. Because of this, I thought it was especially important to implement the program in Elementary schools to instill values of inclusiveness and acceptance in our younger generations.

It was incredibly inspiring to see the warm response from the participating students and teachers, and the thoughtful leadership by the Special Olympics athletes. Though you could tell some athletes were a little nervous at the start, they gradually became more confident and did a great job of making students feel welcome, included and comfortable. A lot of students looked up to the athletes. I heard many of them talking to the athletes and asking questions about their sport experiences. One class even came prepared with papers and pens and asked for the autographs of all the athletes. It was an amazing thing to see!

Piloting this project has been a great way to wrap up my undergraduate experience. In the future, I plan to pursue an MSc in Kinesiology here at UBC. And then, depending on how I enjoy research, I will either pursue Medicine, a PhD, or maybe even an MBA – who knows! Check back with me 3 years from now to see where my journey takes me.

Maddison Chow on Indigenous Student Research in Kinesiology

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.

 

 

Dr. Guy Faulkner speaks about physical activity and mental health

Mar. 2, 2020 – Dr. Guy Faulkner, Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Public Health Agency of Canada (CIHR-PHAC) Chair in Applied Public Health, speaks on how physical activity can alleviate mental health issues. Watch it here!

 

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