A team of researchers focused on revitalizing Indigenous food systems and promoting Indigenous food sovereignty have received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The award provides $249,470 for a research project, Indigenous food sovereignty community well-being amidst a pandemic. The nominated principal investigator is Dawn Morrison with co-leaders Dr. Lisa Bourque Bearskin, Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University and an inaugural CIHR Chairholder in Indigenous Health Research for Nursing in British Columbia, Dr. Jeff Corntassel, Associate Professor in the School of Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria, and Dr. Hannah Wittman, Professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia.
The project will look at how Indigenous food sovereignty and Indigenous land based health and wellness interfaces with the medical response to COVID.
Dr. Tamara Cohen’s Nutrition and Eating Behaviour (NEB)-laboratory invites applications for a part time Research Associate (75%) with an anticipated start date of July 18, 2022. The position is located in the Food, Nutrition and Health Program in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (Vancouver campus) (lfs-ps-2023.sites.olt.ubc.ca)
The NEB-Lab research program focuses on eating behaviours throughout the lifespan, with the goals of improving dietary habits. To do so, we base our research on theoretical frameworks and apply them to the nutrition / dietary context. The NEB-Lab team is also involved in creating nutrition education tools and resources with the goals of educating people about healthy eating and then assessing the tool’s impact on changing diet.
The successful candidate will (1) support the research related to the iCANPlate CIHR-funded project, including and not limited to developing methodologies for a large scale RCT to test iCANPlate and support the study’s deployment; (2) support other research activities from the Cohen lab; (3) co-supervising graduate and undergraduate students involved in all Cohen lab projects, but prioritizing those involved with iCANPlate; (4) correspond with collaborators regarding the project updates; (5) write reports and scientific manuscripts related to the projects; and (6) support grant applications.
Candidates must have a PhD in nutrition, or similar, with 5 or more years research experience in nutrition and/or dietetics. Candidates must have experience conducting randomized controlled trials, manage data collection, and demonstrated abilities in programming and data analysis. Previous experience with qualitative methodologies is required. Research experience with clinical nutritional trials is preferred.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Tamara Cohen, Food, Nutrition and Health Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4; or electronically (e-applications are encouraged) to tamara.cohen@ubc.ca. The application deadline is July 8, 2022. Only those asked for an interview will be contacted.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Congratulations to this year’s graduates! We are immensely proud of all our students and excited to share their accomplishments.
Cody Rector
Cody Rector (BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health)
Double major: Food and Nutritional Sciences
When meeting Cody Rector, it’s clear he has a strong passion for food.
A UBC Centennial Scholar, Rector is graduating with a double major in Food and Nutritional Sciences, finishing his undergraduate program a year earlier than most people. This fall, he plans to continue his study of food in UBC’s Master of Food Science program.
Erik Thies is graduating as an Academic All-Canadian Athlete in Track and Field. He’s proven himself in the classroom, as a Dean’s List honour student, and on the field as a varsity athlete in Race Walk.
At the time of this story, Thies is waiting for the Royal Canadian Air Force to confirm his acceptance to join training sessions this fall. Already, he has successfully passed the Air Force aptitude tests, but before they move forward they require his bachelor degree to be conferred at convocation, which takes place June 2.
Rachel Chan recalls an important lightbulb moment in her undergraduate years: in 2020 her understanding of the multiple factors that impact a person’s health became crystallized.
“I came into this thinking nutrition was just about the body,” says Chan. “But social determinants can be equally important on health outcomes for individuals and communities. This expanded my thinking and I began to look at problems on a macro-level and, even today, I’m able to analyze every issue with a wider perspective.”
She plans to apply systems thinking to her new job. Now back in her hometown of Hong Kong, Chan is working with a team to expand the presence of a Berlin-based social innovation and impact advisory across Asia.
During her time at UBC, Zahra Fazal was determined to create a community for students like her. In her first year, Zahra struggled to adjust to university after moving from her hometown in Morogoro, Tanzania. She found it difficult to access resources and find support systems for first generation low income (FGLI) students.
Zahra was inspired to create the AMS First Generation Student Union (FGSU) after she learned that her friends were considering whether university was worth it: “I know how hard it was for students like me to get to university and even make this step, so I didn’t want anyone to drop out because of that.”
During her time at UBC, Zahra Fazal was determined to create a community for students like her.
In her first year, Zahra struggled to adjust to university after moving from her hometown in Morogoro, Tanzania. She found it difficult to access resources and find support systems for first generation low income (FGLI) students.
Zahra was inspired to create a club after she learned that her friends were considering whether university was worth it: “I know how hard it was for students like me to get to university and even make this step so I didn’t want anyone to drop out because of that.”
These experiences became the building blocks for the community she wanted to create: “A lot of those stories shaped my experience in creating the club and trying to ensure that there’s access to opportunities, mentorships, and support systems to make sure that students like me are retained within the system, especially within STEM fields where income tends to be a big driver in what opportunities you can access.”
In 2019, Zahra founded the AMS First Generation Student Union (FGSU) and shortly after, they launched a podcast, The Torchbearers, to highlight first-generation university students and faculty members at UBC. From there, they began making an impact beyond UBC.
During her time with the FGSU, they helped Langara College establish a club and together with a provincial grant, created videos to raise awareness about intercultural and immigrant identities in Canada.
They also collaborated with universities across Canada to organize the GenOne Conference, where Anne Kang, Minister for Advanced Education and Skills Training, was featured as a keynote speaker.
One of Zahra’s proudest moments was when UBC instituted a scholarship that acknowledges first generation students and provides full funding for their education.
Since then, the club has been involved in several recent projects, including advocating for food security at UBC, pilot testing the UBC Food Hub and their low-cost grocery store, and advocating for provincial-level policy changes.
These are the types of changes that Zahra wants to see – ones that are rooted in policy and therefore, more sustainable: “As the leadership changes, as students come and go, there is a commitment on a university-level to ensure that students are supported.”
In the fall, Zahra will be attending Stanford University as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar to pursue a master’s degree in epidemiology and clinical research. Her long-term research focus is data-driven policy change for health equity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tips for first year students:
For students who are struggling to find a community at UBC, Zahra says that feelings of discomfort and uncertainty have resulted in her greatest learning experiences: “I think in those moments of discomfort is where you find people who are willing to help, who are willing to do everything they can to stand up for your story and your experience and I think that there are so many people like that at UBC.”
Rachel Chan recalls an important lightbulb moment in her undergraduate years: in 2020 her understanding of the multiple factors that impact a person’s health became crystallized.
“I came into this thinking nutrition was just about the body,” says Chan. “But social determinants can be equally important on health outcomes for individuals and communities. This expanded my thinking and I began to look at problems on a macro-level and, even today, I’m able to analyze every issue with a wider perspective.”
She plans to apply systems thinking to her new job. Now back in her hometown of Hong Kong, Chan is working with a team to expand the presence of a Berlin-based social innovation and impact advisory across Asia.
“Our goal is to build a new economy that is sustainable, equitable and innovative.”
She’s excited to be training entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to be more purposeful as they navigate current challenges – ranging from increasing their understanding of gender and diversity to handling hybrid work to incorporating climate change policies.
One of her organization’s upcoming campaigns is to improve the health and well-being of Hong Kong residents by re-imaging building technology and design. Chan says they are preparing an incubator and a summit about sustainable living that will include architects, engineers and anyone from the public who wants to have input into how high-rise living can be improved.
Working as the LFS Undergraduate Society AMS Representative has made it easier for Chan to understand how the workplace functions through teamwork and understanding the nuances of interpersonal communication, which is especially helpful when working across time zones.
Tips for first year students:
Chan was only in Vancouver for the first two years of her program due to the pandemic but she was involved in clubs right from the start, including A Capella Club. She encourages students to join clubs in order to make connections with like-minded people. Also, as a student from outside of B.C., she took time to explore Vancouver and the beautiful campus, especially the forests and beaches.
Erik Thies is graduating as an Academic All-Canadian Athlete in Track and Field. He’s proven himself in the classroom, as a Dean’s List honour student, and on the field as a varsity athlete in Race Walk.
At the time of this story, Thies is waiting for the Royal Canadian Air Force to confirm his acceptance to join training sessions this fall. Already, he has successfully passed the Air Force aptitude tests, but before they move forward they require his bachelor degree to be conferred at convocation, which takes place June 2.
Thies has been planning this next chapter since high school, and is more than ready to commit to 3-4 years of Air Force training: “I know that it would be lots of running, training and getting up at 5 in the morning so that you can learn basic military skills,” he says.
In the meantime, Thies has plenty of other high stakes adventures to keep him occupied. He has qualified for both the Cascade Conference Championships in Oregon and the 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in Alabama, both taking place in May. This will be his last chance to represent UBC, and he’s happy that track and field competitions resumed in March 2022 just in time for the outdoor season. COVID-19 halted all in-person competitions for two years.
During his time at UBC, he learned how to study in a way that suits his strengths.
“I’m not a great reader so I found that audiobooks work really well for me, and I could time listening to them when I’m training.”
Also, through his program, he’s learned how the food systems works and how to make conscious decisions when choosing his protein-rich diet, which is important as an athlete.
Tips for first year students:
In first year, the most important thing to know is how to learn, as getting the same grades as you did in high school may be hard, Thies says. Figure out how you learn best, then you’ll be good. And remember to take care of your mental health – it’s not worth sacrificing that for grades.
When meeting Cody Rector, it’s clear he has a strong passion for food.
A UBC Centennial Scholar, Rector is graduating with a double major in Food and Nutritional Sciences, finishing his undergraduate program a year earlier than most people. This fall, he plans to continue his study of food in UBC’s Master of Food Science program.
Rector will work under the supervision of Assistant Professor John Frostad, who is skilled at navigating through complex challenges to find novel solutions. Frostad’s research expertise combines chemical engineering and food science, and Rector has worked with him for the past two years.
“I’m excited to be allowed to play in this sandbox,” says Rector. “I did an undergraduate project with John on space food. Between my program and what I learned in research, it’s clear to me that nutritional sciences does a great job of identifying problems, while food scientists are equipped to actively solve those problems.”
Rector hopes to one day start his plant-based food production company. He’s already testing the waters, alongside a fellow classmate, to create a line of pickle products that he hopes to launch in the near future.
Before coming to UBC, Rector had earned his Red Seal in Culinary Arts in Prince Edward Island. However, when he looked ahead, he imagined long hours and relatively low pay if he stayed in restaurant kitchens, so he decided to pursue university.
“It was a simple decision to come to UBC. I didn’t have to think too hard about it. UBC has a strong food science program and, as a large university, I knew I could make connections to people and find opportunities.”
Indeed, Rector has made a number of connections. He is general manager of LFS’s Agora Café, where he was part of a small team that created a new governance structure to encourage food security for students and promote the long-term sustainability of the student-run business. Rector was also involved in other parts of campus as the co-president of the Food Science club, and a member of UBC’s Student Alumni Council.
Tips for first year students:
As someone who has worked within the university environment to manage clubs and Agora Café, Rector has learned some secrets to keep initiatives moving forward. He says don’t be afraid to send emails and then knock on doors for answers – he’s never been turned down by someone when he knocked on their door and asked for a minutes of their time.
Dr. Rickey Yada, Dean and Professor, visits Dave Robinson who is mentoring students in an Indigenous directed studies course at Britannia Secondary School in Vancouver. About a dozen students are enrolled and will earn high school credits towards social studies, math and physics by learning carving practices on treated logs. This is part of the Vancouver School Board’s Treasure Boxes Project. The photos are taken at šxʷqʷeləwən ct (One Heart, One Mind) Carving Centre at Britannia Community Centre, which is adjacent to the school.
Dean Yada and Robinson
Carving Samples
Dean Yada and Robinson with a finished carving
Robinson completed NITEP, UBC’s Indigenous Teacher Education Program, and is a former carver-in-residence at UBC Farm. He is now pursuing a PhD through UBC’s Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems program under the supervision of Dr. Yada and Professor Eduardo Jovel.
Spring graduation is just around the corner, and our students are preparing to launch themselves into exciting new careers. Guiding them through their journeys is Career Strategist Rob Kim, who was named one of LinkedIn’s top voices in Jobs and Careers in the United States and Canada recently.
Kim’s own career path has always centered itself around fostering growth with students. First working as a high school teacher in the public and private systems, then as an instructor of chemistry and physics at Capilano University, and finally landing at LFS Student Services Centre.
He attributes much of his own growth to being introspective and open-minded about change. Kim admits that he never thought he’d be a career strategist.
“I literally didn’t think about this job direction until the person who hired me referred me to the posting,” he says with a laugh. “But it’s all about identifying what you want out of your current situation and not growing complacent.”
Like anyone else, Kim had his doubts about pivoting towards a new career. He had started at UBC working in student engagement, and was asked to join the career development team meetings. When the job was first posted, Kim looked at it and didn’t think it was a fit. However at the encouragement of the career development manager, he took the plunge.
“When someone believes in you, it’s amazing how much confidence that can give you,” Kim says.
Kim explains that most people visualize their careers as a straight line. However, he points out the high irony in a faculty of scientists striving for certainty.
“Science is an entire branch of failure,” he says. “You make a hypothesis, perform an experiment, and prove yourself wrong. But it’s through trial and error that you get closer to the truth. That’s what a career is. No certainty, only closer and closer to the ideal.”
When asked about his new LinkedIn fame, Kim is sheepish about the attention. He began posting on LinkedIn as a learning exercise. Along with the greater reach of webinars and workshops on the platform, Kim saw his posts as a way to lead by example. How could he ask students to network and post without doing the same himself?
Kim’s first posts were about his colleagues, celebrating wins and writing towards a UBC audience. Nowadays his voice speaks to his younger self, giving advice and empathy to others navigating their careers.
Since being featured, Kim hasn’t seen much change besides a boost to his following and a few more conversations. He wants to ensure that his posts and habits do not change with this spotlight. His current goal is to post two to three times a week, trying out different storytelling and letting go of perfectionism.
His current project is Career Carrots, a podcast that helps students navigate their careers by listening to stories from different points of view.
As a podcast fan since the early 00s, Kim lights up when he talks about Career Carrots.
“If at least one person listens, that’s enough for me,” Kim says. Although of course, his unique storytelling has brought in much more than just one view. Currently, an average of 60 people listen to each episode. “I want to show that it takes a little courage to try something new and be bad at it at first. It’s all about growth and letting your project become what it becomes.”
Kim’s biggest lesson throughout his career as a teacher, a career strategist, and now a content creator, is to be kind to yourself.
“Surprised when something isn’t the right fit? That’s a lot to put on yourself,” he says. “You were trying. You did your best. Enjoy the process and let go of your expectations.”
Detecting Insects is Getting High-Tech on UBC Campus
Juli Carrillo and Quentin Geissmann with “Sticky Pi”
A new Campus as a Living Laboratory project will enable UBC researchers to monitor insects in real-time, on a scale never done before.
“This project promises to help us understand insect biodiversity, which we know is both crucial to ecosystems, and affected by human activities,” says Juli Carrillo, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and lead researcher of the Digital Detection Web for On-Campus Insects project.
Understanding insects in real-time
Monitoring insects has been a time-consuming and inaccurate process. Farmers and scientists capture a small fraction using sticky cards – simple sheets of paper with glue that are placed out in the field. Traditionally, these are retrieved weekly and the trapped insects are manually identified. In order to dramatically improve the process, Postdoctoral Fellow Quentin Geissmann has developed a technology called “Sticky Pi” that automates this monitoring and scales it up significantly.
Sticky Pi is a “smart” trap with a camera that takes pictures every 20 minutes. It uses deep learning – a subfield of machine learning using algorithms – to automatically identify insects, in real-time.
“There are two main impacts of scaling up insect biodiversity monitoring.” says Geissmann. “First, we save many precious hours of work through automation. Second, and more importantly, because we acquire data in real-time, we can see new patterns. For instance, we are very interested in the time of the day insects are active and how they respond to weather variations.”
More than 50 Sticky Pi traps will be deployed across UBC campus, from residential areas to the fields and forest of the UBC Farm, allowing for a new understanding of insect biodiversity in these different ecosystems.
Global impact
A pilot program using Sticky Pi has already had an impact beyond UBC, showing its potential to serve as an early alert system for new pests. The team confirmed the arrival of an invasive insect that is native to Europe, the strawberry blossom weevil, which damages berry crops by feeding on the flower buds of host plants. The weevil is listed as an urgent concern for Canada and can affect trade policy with the U.S.
Researchers across the globe are invited to use the technology and deep learning tools, which are open-source and open-hardware: “We built the hardware on top of the fantastic Raspberry Pi microcomputer and used 3D-printing, which keeps our work accessible,” says Geissmann. “People all over the world can freely build, use and adapt the different parts.”
Involving the UBC campus community
A close up of Sticky Pi’s data collection
Now the researchers are inviting the UBC campus community to join the project.
Community members are encouraged to “adopt a Sticky Pi” by using a team-built mobile app to ‘harvest’ the data themselves. The team will host entomology workshops where community members will learn and help annotate images of insects, which trains the algorithm. The team will also connect diverse groups from farming and computer sciences through “hackathons” to prototype original solutions to problems in biodiversity and agriculture.
This project will not only create baseline data for UBC Campus and the UBC Farm on insect biodiversity but will monitor change and improve future management decisions. There are implications for many different communities.
“This project addresses the pest monitoring needs of growers and improves existing technology for researchers,” says Carrillo. “But it also benefits the greater community by increasing our understanding of the land and space in which we live.”
