Stanley Chow, BKin
Graduating year: May 2020
Hometown: Singapore
Stream: Bkin Interdisciplinary Stream
Employed by: Vancouver Summer Program
Position: Program Assistant
Stanley Chow is currently completing a co-op placement with the Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) in Kinesiology, a multifaceted one month project that aims to deliver a comprehensive course for International students around the world.
The VSP offers a wide array of activities which range from conducting skinfold labs to dragon boating along the waters of False Creek. The program seeks to create an enjoyable and enriching experience both academically and culturally for the International students.
As the program assistant, Stanley is part of a team responsible for the coordination of the VSP, ensuring that the logistical aspects of the program are fulfilled.
Stanley explains,”Within the VSP are a multitude of mini-projects that need to be completed prior to the start of the program. For example, I assist in the preparation of course material, scheduling, and the general organization of events for the program. This includes liaising with program administrators, faculty, student ambassadors and external organizations. When the program begins, I will help ensure that the day-to-day activities are running smoothly. Being an international student myself, it feels great to be part of a project that aims to create an enriching experience for other international students. It really creates a sense of giving back, being able to help these students engage in Canadian culture and share the experiences that I went through when I first arrived in Vancouver”.
Stanley is particularly looking forward to witnessing his projects come to fruition, “Though the planning phase of the program is quite enjoyable and exciting, I imagine that watching the program take off after weeks of preparation is going to be even more rewarding. In addition, I cannot wait to meet the students coming in and make some new friends!”
Where can people go to learn more about the VSP and how can they get involved?
The Vancouver Summer Program is a university-wide event that happens every summer! Volunteering with the VSP is a great way to get involved. Alternatively, students can apply to be a Student Ambassador to really engage with the students by taking them around the city. It is always exciting to meet new people, even more exciting when they come from all around the world! Find out more and get involved here.
Advice for future co-op students:
- Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone for jobs! I find that one of the most valuable experience from working as a program assistant is transferable job skills. Many of us are keen on working within very specific fields such as clinics or hospitals, but I find that the social and administrative skills I picked up from a discipline-driven job are extremely transferable to virtually any work space.
- Variation in experience is never a negative thing and can always help contribute towards your growth as a student and a professional worker.
- Embrace the change! Part of being in co-op is learning to manage a quick change of flow and work environments. From taking four to five courses a term to working 40 hours a week can be unsettling at first. As the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Always stay positive and try to make the best out of the situation to create an enjoyable co-op experience.
Human Physiology: Fatigue, Proprioception, Respiration
UBC School of Kinesiology offered a new Summer Graduate Course this term, led by visiting Professor Dr. Simon Gandevia.
This 3-credit course, which ran as a mini-workshop May 24th – May 27th, focused on the examination of the human physiological processes under three themes; central and peripheral muscular fatigue, proprioception and hand function, and respiratory function. The course featured a daily keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Gandevia.
Dr. Gandevia has published more than a hundred papers in the Journal of Physiology and two Physiological Reviews, one on supraspinal muscle fatigue and the other on proprioception, as well as critical reviews on respiratory control and dypnea. He is currently the Deputy Director and Foundation Scientist with NeuRA, and a Senior Principal Research Fellow with National Health and Medical Research Council in Sydney, Australia.
The daily lectures by Dr. Gandevia were accompanied by lectures from guest speakers:
Dr. Chris McNeil (Assistant Professor, UBC – O, School of Health and Exercise Sciences), Dr. David Collins (Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, The University of Alberta), Mr. Yannick Molgat-Seon, Ph.D. candidate working with Dr. Bill Sheel at the UBC, School of Kinesiology.
Dr. Tim Inglis, Dr. David Collins, Dr. Simon Gandevia, Dr. Chris McNeil and Mr. Yannick Molgat-Seon
While 8 students were taking the course for credit, the lectures and demonstration laboratories were attended by between 35-50 students. On the first day, the Faculty and students had a two-hour laboratory demonstration on the different types of cortical, corticospinal and peripheral stimulation (Brachial plexus stimulation).
On the last day of the course, the 8 students registered officially in the course had to give a 15-minute public presentation of their chosen research area, based on the nature of the course. They are to required to hand in term papers based around their presentations on June 12th, for final grade completion.
Dr. Simon Gandevia also was a speaker in the Distinguished Speaker Series on May 30th entitled, “Research and reproducibility: messages from Charles Darwin”, and spoke to a full crowd at the Rudy North Theatre in the Centre for Brain Health.
KIN 481 to be offered online in 2017
For the first time, the popular KIN 481 Sport Marketing and Communication will be offered online in 2017, Term 2.
The online format gives you more flexibility in scheduling and managing your time. The course content will be delivered in the video format which means you can review the material as often as you need. Plus, there will be in-depth online discussions in small groups and other online activities.
Interested in learning more? Contact our advising office.
Allen Agco, Bkin
Graduating year: May 2017
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Employed by: UBC Athletics and Recreation and FC Vancouver Whitecaps
Stream: Kinesiology
Allen initially joined co-op with a physio career in mind. However, along the way, his aspirations began to shift towards a career in digital/social media and marketing with a sports element. It was this change, he says, “that led me to two unforgettable co-op placements”.
Allen’s first co-op placement was with UBC Athletics and Recreation as the Sports Marketing, Promotions and Sponsorship Assistant to the Manager of Marketing & Communications and the Senior Manager of Business Development for an 8-month term.
This was his first experience working in an office setting, and he reports thoroughly enjoying it. From event planning for major events like Homecoming, to being in charge of running booths at various events including KitsFest, Imagine Day, and BC Lions tailgates, Allen reports this work as rewarding. He credits it with provided him with a new and valuable perspective in planning for major events.
Allen’s second placement was with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for a 4-month summer term. Working as the Marketing Intern for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Allen describes this as “the best work experience I have had the pleasure of being a part of. The fast-paced environment, coupled with the passionate staff, has inspired me to pursue a career working for a professional sports team”.
Highlights from working with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC include being in charge of running their social media channels, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook Live on game days; the overall team-oriented atmosphere with supportive management; and finally to having the creative freedom to put out any ideas – no matter how wild they may be – it was an overall amazing experience.
Two Kinesiology Students Receive Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Awards
Alison Williams, UBC School of Kinesiology PhD Student and Freda Warner, School of Kinesiology PhD Student, both received Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) Rising Star Awards.
The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Rising Star Awards are designed to support tomorrow’s research leaders; these awards recognize outstanding contributions by VCHRI research trainees to research excellence, service as role models, and other contributions to the VCH research community.
Alison Williams
Award: Rising Star
Supervisor: Dr. Tania Lam
Area of Research: Kinesiology
Alison has been recognized for her support to trainees in their graduate training and education and for taking initiative to independently improve her own skillset, enhancing the overall productivity of the research programs she’s involved in. Her peers note her enthusiasm is infectious and that she brings strong technical, analytical, and organizational skills to her research in rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.“It’s been an absolute joy to work within the spinal cord injury research community,” says Alison. “I’m excited and hopeful that my research examining pelvic floor muscle function after spinal cord injury will have meaningful impact on the way clinicians approach bladder dysfunction after neurological injury.”
Freda Warner
Award: Rising Star
Supervisor: Dr. John Kramer
Area of Research: Kinesiology
Freda has a combination of both academic and leadership skills that have set her apart as a trainee. She has achieved notable academic success while also working on several research projects, and has an outstanding publication record for a second-year PhD student. Her colleagues say she brightens the lab at ICORD and is refreshingly positive. With a unique background in both statistics and biology, Freda has already been able to develop a niche during her PhD and her research examines spinal cord injury at the intersection of other health issues, including pain.
Freda’s advice to aspiring trainees is to invest time into relationships as well as their research. “I find my topic extremely interesting but I also really enjoy working alongside my lab mates and appreciate the support I receive from my supervisor. These are important factors as you’ll be spending a lot of time in that environment with them!”
Read the full story, as posted on vchri.ca here.
Gordon Matheson: ‘I really like fixing things that I believe are broken’
Globe and Mail
By: Janice Paskey
May 20, 2017
The Globe and Mail recently spoke with UBC Kinesiology alumnus and sports medicine expert Dr. Gordon Matheson, MPE 1986, PhD 1991, who is working with UBC to create a new master’s program in disease prevention.
Link to full text.
Rick Hansen donates glove to Canadian Museum of History
Radio-Canada
By: Levon Sevunt
May 22, 2017
UBC Kinesiology alumnus Dr. Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C, BPE ’86, LLD ’87, is donating one of his Man In Motion World Tour gloves to the Canadian History Hall, Radio Canada reported.
Hansen became the first person with a physical disability to graduate from UBC with a degree in physical education.
Link to full text.
Story via UBC News.