Dr. David Wright Secures CIHR Grant for Novel Antipsychotic Side Effects Study

Dr. David Wright Secures CIHR Grant for Novel Antipsychotic Side Effects Study

Dr. David Wright, in partnership with Dr. Margaret Hahn from the University of Toronto, has secured a significant grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) for their project titled “Targeting the Exercise-Inducible Signalling Factor FGF21 as a Novel Approach to Alleviate the Side Effects of Antipsychotics.” This initiative addresses a pressing need within mental health treatment.

Dr. Wright’s research revolves around lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and ketogenic diets, to uncover molecular mechanisms that could be harnessed for therapeutic purposes in mitigating the adverse metabolic effects induced by antipsychotic medications in individuals with schizophrenia. Over the course of the next five years, the project will conduct a series of experiments to delve into the underlying mechanisms behind the positive effects of these interventions, with the ultimate aim of enhancing patient health outcomes.

The CIHR Project Grant Program is committed to advancing health-related knowledge and outcomes by providing support to research projects across diverse stages and disciplines. It promotes innovative approaches and encourages the translation of discoveries into practical applications, including potential commercialization.

UBC School of Kinesiology is Ranked 1st in North America and 3rd Globally According to the QS World University Rankings 2024

According to the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Rankings, the UBC School of Kinesiology, together with the UBC Okanagan School of Health and Exercise Sciences, holds the top position in North America and is ranked third globally for sports-related subjects.

The QS University Rankings, renowned for their rigorous assessment methodology, have evaluated 1,500 institutions spanning 104 locations worldwide. This milestone marks the 20th annual instalment of these rankings, which assess universities based on four key performance indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, and H-index. Of these indicators, academic reputation carries the most weight, reflecting the quality, communication, and global impact of a university’s research endeavours.

In this year’s rankings, the School of Kinesiology within the Faculty of Education has achieved an exceptional score of 90.8 out of 100 for sports-related subjects. This accomplishment underscores our unwavering dedication to academic and research excellence. Moreover, it reaffirms our commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments for all individuals.

For further insights into the QS World University Rankings, explore their 2024 rankings by subject webpage. Additionally, to gain a deeper understanding of the methodology behind these rankings, please visit their methodology webpage.

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KIN Student Leadership Breakfast 2024

The School of Kinesiology held its annual 2023-24 Student Leadership Recognition and Awards Breakfast on April 5, 2024 at the Jack Poole Hall, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. Student Engagement Officer, Emily Speidel hosted the event, featuring an address by the School’s Director, Robert Boushel.

These awards celebrate the exceptional contributions of Kinesiology students throughout the academic year, honoring their commitment to exceeding expectations in their roles. Recognitions are divided into three categories:

  • Community Engagement Award: Recognizing students who have invested significant time and effot into roles that positively impact the health and well-being of the individuals and communities they serve,
  • Student Experience Award: Recognizing students who have dedicated themselves to enhancing the holistic undergraduate experience within Kinesiology.
  • Qwasen Graduating Student Leadership Award: Recognizing graduating student leaders who have shown outstanding dedication and leadership through their roles within the School of Kinesiology or the KUS during their time at UBC.

Congratulations to all recipients! View the full list of award recipients.

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Yeung, Clarice

Communications and Events Coordinator

Email: clarice.yeung@ubc.ca | kin.communications@ubc.ca

Phone: 604-827-1652

Office adddress: 2223 – 5955 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1

  • Primary contact for the School of Kinesiology’s website
  • Internal and external communications (newsletters, social media)
  • Graphic design, web design, marketing
  • Major school events coordination

Rathanaswami, Kiruthika

Program Manager, Active Kids

Email: kiruthika.rathanaswami@ubc.ca

Phone: 604 827 2454

Office address: B1104 – 5955 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1

  • Community program and partner management
  • Student staff management, development and training
  • Active Kids program design and delivery

Dr. Eli Puterman elected to the Royal Society of Canada

School of Kinesiology Associate Professor, Dr. Eli Puterman, is among ten UBC faculty members who have been named by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) as new Fellows and new Members of the RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists for 2023.

Dr. Puterman was announced by the RSC as a Member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The College is the first of its kind in Canada, providing a system of multidisciplinary recognition for the emerging generation of Canadian intellectual leadership.

“It is an honour to be nominated to the RSC College and to be included in a cohort of experts seeking to advance an improved vision of Canada that resonates across so many fields of scientific and artistic explorations,” says Dr. Puterman. “I look forward to meeting many other Canadian leaders seeking to support the health and wellbeing of people across the country.”

Dr. Puterman will be welcomed to the 2023 class of new Members of the RSC College at the RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement ceremony in November.

Read the RSC Announcement

Citation courtesy of the Royal Society of Canada

Since 2015, Dr. Puterman has served as the Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Health. His research program develops and implements physical activity and exercise programs in collaboration with and for hard-to-reach and high-stress individuals to determine how such programs can improve mental and physical wellbeing.

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Dr. Guy Faulkner inducted as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Kinesiology Professor, Dr. Guy Faulkner has been elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Science (CAHS) for 2023.

Election to the Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community. Dr. Faulkner is among 48 new Fellows who are recognized by this honour for their rich and varied expertise.

“I would like to personally congratulate all the applicants that were elected as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences for 2023. This recognition reflects their dedication and excellence in their field,” said Dr. Jan Sargeant, Chair of the CAHS Fellowship Committee. “We look forward to having their expertise further enrich the work of our Academy.”

Read the CAHS announcement

Citations courtesy of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Coupled with a broader research interest in public health, Dr. Faulkner’s research has focused on two inter-related themes: the development and evaluation of physical activity interventions; and physical activity and mental health. He was founding editor of the journal ‘Mental Health and Physical Activity’, which fosters the inter-disciplinary development of this research field. He led the development of, and currently coordinates, the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey, which is a health and wellbeing surveillance platform for the postsecondary sector.

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Basra, Mallika

Outreach Registration Office Supervisor

Email: mallika.basra@ubc.ca

Phone: 604 822 0207

Office Address: B1502 – 5955 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1

Acharya, Talisa

Student Advising Assistant

Email: talisa.acharya@ubc.ca | kin.advising@ubc.ca

Office address: 2212 – 5955 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1

Gamu, Daniel

Assistant Professor

Email: daniel.gamu@ubc.ca

Address: War Memorial Gym, Room 35 | 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

Other Address: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Publications: Google Scholar, PubMed

Education

University of British Columbia, 2023, Michael Smith Postdoctoral Fellow (Medical Genetics)

University of Waterloo, 2017, PhD (Kinesiology)

University of Waterloo, 2011, MSc (Kinesiology)

Western University, 2007, BSc (Biology)

Courses Taught

KIN 232 Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Health

Research Area

Research Interests

  • Skeletal muscle plasticity
  • Exercise physiology/metabolism
  • Biological determinants of energy expenditure
  • Obesity/diabetes pathophysiology
  • Epigenetics

Publications

See Google Scholar and PubMed for a list of current publications.

Research and Teaching

Broadly speaking, our lab examines cellular mechanisms controlling the malleable nature of both skeletal muscles and adipose tissues, two organs important for modulating energy consumption and storage. In particular, we are interested in how histones, the proteins that help package our DNA neatly inside of the nucleus, regulate gene programs important for determining muscle/adipose development and metabolism, including adaptations to exercise training and perturbations in energy balance. We use numerous cellular and molecular techniques, coupled with deep metabolic phenotyping, to tease apart how post-translational modifications to histones impact these variables in the context of health and disease. Our work spans numerous levels of investigation, from cell, tissue, to whole organism.

Potential Students

Enthusiastic and team-oriented undergraduate and graduates students are encouraged to contact me at the address above. I am deeply committed to building and fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive research team and lab environment, where trainees feel comfortable and supported pursuing their goals and ideas. I strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups, including (but not limited to) racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and persons with disabilities to apply within. 

View all faculty