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.
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!
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:
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.
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!
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
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.
The War Memorial Gym holds a special place in the history of the UBC School of Kinesiology and the university community as a whole. Built in 1951 to honor the memory of UBC students, alumni, and faculty who served and sacrificed during both World Wars, the gym stands as a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and gratitude. It’s more than just a facility for athletic pursuits; it’s a space where we gather to reflect on the values of courage, service, and dedication that those before us exemplified.
On November 8, flags on both campuses will be lowered in recognition of Indigenous Veterans Day. The national day recognizes the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who have participated in Canada’s military efforts.
National Indigenous Veterans Day (also known as National Aboriginal Veterans Day) is a memorial day observed in Canada in recognition of aboriginal contributions to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The day was first commemorated in 1994. Indigenous veterans had to overcome many obstacles to serve Canada in these wars, including adjusting to new cultures, sometimes learning to speak new languages (usually English) and travelling long distances to enlist.
On November 11, flags on both campuses will be lowered in recognition of Remembrance Day. The national day honours those who have served and continue to serve in times of war, military conflict and peace. All are invited to attend the UBC Remembrance Day ceremony at War Memorial Gym on November 11. This year, 2024, marks the 74th year that UBC has hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony, and will feature short readings, remarks from special guests and musical performances by UBC’s School of Music.
Gathering in the War Memorial Gym on Remembrance Day connects us not only to the legacy of UBC’s past but also to the larger commitment to peace and resilience. It’s an opportunity for our community to unite in respect and reflection, carrying forward the values that our school—and our veterans—uphold.
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Dr. Jack Taunton passed away yesterday. Jack was an Emeritus Professor at UBC, jointly appointed in the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education and the Division of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Department of Family Practice, and Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Taunton was a dedicated physician, accomplished scholar and visionary leader in the field of sports medicine. He was a cherished mentor and friend to many. His leadership and dedication to advancing medical care for athletes and to establishing the field of sports medicine as a medical discipline was remarkable; he co-founded the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic, the first clinic of its kind in Canada (with Doug Clement and Don McKenzie), served as Chief Medical Officer for Team Canada for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Chief Medical Officer for the Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympics/Paralympics in Vancouver, and Medical Officer for Canada at the Los Angeles (’84), Seoul (’88) and Barcelona (’92) Olympics, and Commonwealth Games. Jack was also highly active in promoting exercise and health in the community, having co-organized the Vancouver Sun Run along with his wife Cheryl, and was actively involved in philanthropy.
Jack’s tireless devotion to the health of athletes and the community was evident to all who knew him — he was recently working to organize medical team support for the upcoming Invictus Games 2025 Vancouver/Whistler. Jack received many honours for his life’s work, including induction into the 2018 Olympic Oval Wall of Fame for his significant contributions to sport and appointment to the Order of Canada in 2024 in recognition of his contributions to sports medicine and the broader community.
Jack will be missed by all who knew him. Our deepest condolences to the Taunton family and friends, and thinking of all of you who knew Jack, as I know this is a big loss to the Kinesiology community.
Memorial details will be shared once finalized.
Sincerely,
Robert Boushel Director and Professor UBC School of Kinesiology
