Nov. 14, 2017 – New paper out by Dr. Guy Faulkner examining school- and student-level characteristics associated with likelihood of students’ meeting the Canadian physical activity guidelines in the COMPASS study. Read it here.
Congratulations Negin Riazi!
Nov. 10, 2017 – Congrats to PhD student Negin Riazi who successfully completed her comps.
Job, Christiane
Christiane “Chrissy” Job graduated from UBC in 2008 with a Masters of Arts in Kinesiology followed by her PhD at the University of Calgary. With high energy and a dynamic personality, Chrissy played Varsity basketball at UBC under coach Deb Huband while at the same time pursued academia under the tutelage of UBC’s Dr. Patricia Vertinsky. Chrissy’s lauded research focused on the intersection of sociology of sport, feminist theory and sport history. Her particular interest over the years has been the narratives of older women athletes – such as former UBC star athlete Ruth Wilson – with the aim of creating new policies and practices for promoting and inspiring older athletes.
More recently Chrissy has taught at the University of Calgary, has started a family and is now working in the medical field as a Research Director at the School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Even though it is still early in her career it will be her passion for whatever she pursues, whether it be the awareness of sport history and those who comprise it or the promotion of healthy practices, that will be the force that leads ultimately to social value.
According to her mentor Patricia Vertinsky, “. . . she is as exuberant and happy as ever and doing really well.”
Smith, Arnie
Arnie Smith, Physical Education graduate, 1962, provided another example of the unique and varied experiences those from this faculty have undertaken. While at UBC Arnie played Thunderbird football under coach Frank Gnup and following graduation had a tryout with the Montreal Alouettes. He then quickly embarked upon a teaching and coaching career in Vancouver.
In June 1977 there was an urgent need for appropriate schooling for young children of Canadian parents working in Iran. Arnie was selected to be the principal of a school in northeast Iran, find teachers, materials and a suitable building for all grades K to 12. Under difficult circumstances Smith was successful in pulling this challenge together. However in the fall of 1978 anti-Shah riots, arson, demonstrations and strikes ravaged the country. With the country in turmoil all Canadians were told in the spring of 1979 to quickly evacuate Iran with only one bag per person.
As a teacher, Arnie recalls this as an experience of a lifetime. It was “. . . such an adventure I would never pass up . . . we had a cultural immersion and learning experience.”
With his Masters of Education, Smith continued to teach, coach and administrate on the North Shore until retirement. Later, while living in the Okanagan, Arnie hosted events for UBC Okanagan before relocating to Ontario. In 2017 Arnie was pictured in Trek magazine along with president Ono as the two connected at a UBC alumni event in Toronto.
– Fred Hume,
October 2017
Eric Dorflinger, Peer Advisor
Expected graduating year: 2019
Degree: BKIN
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
What got you interested in being a Peer Advisor?
As an international student, entering UBC was a very challenging yet enjoyable experience. During my first year at UBC, the advising office was a great place to discuss my courses as well as my future ambitions. Now, as a peer advisor, I very much enjoy being in a position where I am able to help students excel in their academic pursuits.
What is your favourite KIN Memory?
KIN Camp in Squamish during the Fall of 1st year.
What was your favourite KIN course?
Kin 389 and KIN 351
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to hike and skateboard. I have been playing the piano for 14 years.
What do you want to do after graduation?
I am interested in a career in rehabilitation. I am currently a Student Athletic Trainer with the varsity baseball team.
Kinesiology Mentorship Program Launches for 2017/18
On October 24th, the Kinesiology Mentorship Program celebrated 9 years of mentorship, and hosted its annual kick-off event celebration at Cecil Green Park House, sponsored by AlumniUBC.
Photo credit: Charlie Gunn
The Kinesiology Mentorship Program brings together senior student mentees and alumni mentors over a five-month period, to engage in career building experiences, develop professional skills, expand their networks and explore their personal and professional identities.
This year’s cohort of 22 mentees features students pursuing Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, ranging from 2nd to 4th year. Together, they have been paired with alumni mentors that include graduate students in Medicine, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy as well as a wide variety of industry professionals in some of the following areas: Kinesiology/Movement Specialists, Rehabilitation, Sport Management, Sport Coaching, Exercise Physiology, and Chiropractic.
The event began by welcoming 22 alumni back on campus; many of whom have been mentoring in the program for 3 years or more. In true UBC Kinesiology style, a heightened level of energy and enthusiasm was sustained throughout as alumni reconnected with former classmates, mentoring pairs exchanged stories with each other over dinner and program participants got to know each other better by participating in a fun and interactive game of speed networking.
The Kinesiology Mentorship Program runs from October to March annually. For more information on the Program, click here.
Stand@Home: Home-based Standing Desk Study Recruitment
Do you want a FREE standing desk? Want to try a standing desk before purchasing one?
Dr. Guy Faulkner, UBC Professor in the School of Kinesiology, and the Population Physical Activity Lab is seeking participants for a study aimed at evaluating the perceptions, usability, and acceptability of low-cost standing desks in the home environment.
Each participant will receive a free cardboard standing desk and will be asked to complete one online survey and two phone interviews over a period of 6-months. At the end of the study, the desk will be gifted to you to keep!
To be eligible to participate, you must reside in the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA) residential areas or be a UTown@UBC resident and be between the ages of 18 to 65 years.
Please contact the Pop-PA lab at pop_pa.lab@ubc.ca to receive more information or to sign up for the study.
Tristan Mascarenhas, Peer Advisor
Expected graduating year: 2019
Degree: BKIN Interdisciplinary Stream
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
What got you interested in being a Peer Advisor?
I have been involved with the KPAC program in the past as an academic coach, which helped me develop a passion for helping others with regards to education. Furthermore, I understand that being a university student can be stressful; I am proud to have the opportunity to guide students through their degrees, help reduce some of that stress, and collaborate with a supportive advising team in the process.
What is your favourite KIN Memory?
I had a wonderful time at Day of the Longboat in each of the last two years I participated. Paddling with KIN friends against other KIN teams made the competition both friendly and enjoyable.
What was your favourite KIN course?
It is quite hard to choose one course, but Kin 261 and 389 are two courses I really liked.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time you can find me going for runs around my neighbourhood, bicycling with friends, or watching hockey on TV.
Why did you choose Kinesiology at UBC?
I had the pleasure of hearing about the UBC’s Kinesiology program in high school from some teachers who graduated from the program. Hearing about the opportunity of blending my love for sports with science interested me in applying, which was one of the best decisions I have made.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I would love to pursue a career related to rehabilitation science.
UBC Kinesiology Faculty and Research Assistants take top spot in UBC Rec’s Para Sport Games
Dr. Andrea Bundon, Dr. Carolyn McEwen, and a team of research assistants and friends competed in UBC Rec’s Para Sport Games, claiming first place in the Staff Division. Congratulations!
Photos from the event are below.
Currently recruiting for exercise & depression study!
Oct. 21, 2017 – The Pop-PA lab is currently recruiting for the “Exercise and depression: Moving from efficacy to effectiveness” study. We are looking to recruit:
- Mental health professionals who work with adults with depression. We will ask you about new treatment guidelines, your experience with exercise and physical activity for this population, and preferences for a new resource that you can use in practice.
- Adults aged 18-65 years with a current or former diagnosis of depression from a healthcare provider. We will ask you about your experience with physical activity and preferences for making a new resource that your health professional can use with you.
This is a UBC study and consists of a single 30-45 min one-on-one phone OR an in-person interview. You will receive a $20 gift card for your participation.
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If you have any questions or are interested in participating in this study, please contact:
Krista Glowacki (research coordinator)
krista.glowacki@ubc.ca OR 604.822.5288 OR 604.822.4940