Faculty Advisory Board members receive Order of British Columbia

Faculty Advisory Board members receive Order of British Columbia

August 17, 2021

Faculty Advisory Board members receive Order of British Columbia

August 17, 2021 – Congratulations to two LFS Faculty Advisory Board members – Arran and Ratana Stephens – on receiving the Order of British Columbia. This is the highest form of recognition in the province, given to those who have served with great distinction and excelled in any field that benefits British Columbians and others.

Arran Ratana Stephens Natures Path

Arran & Ratana Stephens

Arran and Ratana are co-founders and co-owners of Nature’s Path Organic Foods. Their business has grown into one of the world’s largest organic food manufacturing and distributing companies, with 650 employees and sales in 50 countries. Built on the philosophy of ethical business practice, sustainability, and altruism, Nature’s Path Organic Foods has received numerous awards, including B.C.’s Top Employer by the Vancouver Sun (2010-2016), Canada’s Top Employer by The Globe and Mail (2014-2017), in addition to leadership and marketing awards.

The Stephens have served B.C. by working with many institutions, charities and non-governmental organizations. Some that have benefited from their philanthropy include UBC, University of Victoria, Vancouver General Hospital, B.C. Children’s Hospital, and Greater Vancouver Food Bank. To recognize their philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals gave them the Giving Heart award in 2016.

At LFS, they continue to be trusted advisors, serving on our Faculty Advisory Board, and dedicated supporters of our vision to balance our food system and planetary health to create a better world. Our Faculty has greatly benefitted from Arran and Ratana’s insight and we have been proud to work with them over the years. In 2021, they also won an alumniUBC Alumni Achievement Award in the category of Honorary Alumni.

Congratulations to Arran and Ratana and to the other 14 recipients! Learn more about the Order of British Columbia and the newest appointees.

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Three LFS Projects Receive Over $3.5 Million in Funding from the BC Knowledge and Development Fund (BCKDF)

August 13, 2021

Three LFS Projects Receive Over $3.5 Million in Funding from the BC Knowledge and Development Fund (BCKDF)

As part of a concerted effort to drive innovation and economic growth in the province, the provincial government has invested nearly $25 million into post-secondary research projects through the BC Knowledge and Development Fund (BCKDF). This funding will provide 34 research projects access to cutting-edge technology and equipment.

Vivien Measday

We are proud to announce that three research projects from our faculty received a combined amount of over $3.5 million from the BCKDF. Congratulations to Drs. Vivien Measday, Alexandra Protopopova, and Risa Sargent! Below is a list of the funded projects with short summaries of the research.

Research Projects

  • MiDAS Microbial Diversity Expansion for Applied Sciences

    $3,276,459 BCKDF contribution

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Thibault Mayor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Dr. Vivien Measday, Wine Research Centre

    This BCKDF award supports the development of new technologies that will expand the use of yeast for bioprocessing applications that benefit the environment, economy and health of British Columbians. These applications include the foods and beverage industry (e.g. wine, beer, dough), removal of pollutants from the environment and the production of non-animal proteins, enzymes and new medicines.

    Read more about this project here.

  • Laboratory for Human-Animal Interaction and Companion Animal Welfare

    $125,000 BCKDF contribution

    Principal Investigator: Dr. Alexandra Protopopova, Faculty of Land and Food Systems

    This BCKDF award will help establish a state-of-the-art observation laboratory at UBC that will study the relationship between people and companion animals. By generating new discoveries in human-animal interactions, the laboratory will help transform the companion animal industry and promote animal welfare.

  • Plant-pollinator and global change lab

    $123,454 BCKDF contribution

    Principal Investigator: Dr. Risa Sargent, Faculty of Land and Food Systems

    This funding will help deepen our understanding of the threats facing wild bees and the extent to which these threats can be mitigated through changing land use practices. The knowledge gained will help protect critical pollinators that support healthy ecosystems and many of B.C.’s most important crops.

Read the government news release here, and the UBC specific news release here.

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Research Associate (Food Science)

August 11, 2021

Research Associate (Food Science)

Posted August 11, 2021

Job Summary

Dr. Derek Dee’s laboratory invites applications for a part time Research Associate (60%) three days per week with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2021. 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)

Our laboratory has recently acquired a dual-trap optical tweezers system (Lumicks C-trap G2) to be used for studies of protein folding, aggregation, and interaction with other molecules. The research questions focus on aspects of food science (e.g., food-related enzymes and protein aggregation) and health (e.g., protein misfolding disease).

The successful candidate will (1) perform research, using optical tweezers, to study questions related to protein structure described above (2) become an expert in the use of the C-trap, and provide training to other users; (3) prepare protein samples, attach DNA handles, prepare functionalized beads, and prepare other reagents as needed for single-molecule studies with optical tweezers; and (4) prepare manuscripts and help write grant proposals.

Candidates must have a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biophysics, or similar, with 5 or more years research experience in biophysics using optical tweezers. Candidates must have experience using, calibrating, and maintaining optical tweezers, and demonstrated abilities in programming and data analysis. Previous experience with preparing samples for single-molecule studies with optical tweezers is required. Research experience with proteins is preferred, along with experience with Python, or a desire to learn Python for writing instrument control scripts.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Derek Dee, Food, Nutrition and Health Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4; or electronically (e-applications are encouraged) to derek.dee@ubc.ca. The application deadline is September 15, 2021. 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.

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Andrea Frommel

August 3, 2021

Andrea Frommel

Assistant Professor, Applied Biology and Chair in Sustainable Aquaculture

 

604-827-0395

andrea.frommel@ubc.ca

131-2357 Main Mall

https://frommel-lab.landfood.ubc.ca/

Education

BSc University of California at Santa Cruz

MSc University of Southern Denmark

PhD Hemholtz Center for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany

Research

My research bridges climate change, fisheries and sustainable aquaculture, with a focus on early life stages of finfish. With the rapidly expanding aquaculture industry, the future of the industry is dependent upon increasing its sustainability. This includes minimizing environmental impacts, shifting to sustainable feeds and maximizing fish welfare. I am interested in three main areas:

  • Effects of climate change on commercial fish species in fisheries and aquaculture: I am interested in what determines their survival, health, condition and growth potential under different environmental parameters, i.e. elevated CO2 concentrations, such as naturally occurring with ocean acidification but also common in high density rearing environments and recirculating aquaculture systems.
  • Alternative sustainable feeds in hatcheries: To become more sustainable, finfish aquaculture is shifting away from fishmeal and fish oil- based diets. But the nutritional requirements and implications of a shift to sustainable plant-based diets still has large knowledge gaps, especially in the early life stages. I am interested in exploring ingredients for sustainable feeds from a mix of plant sources, marine algae and insect proteins for the use in larviculture.
  • Fish welfare in aquaculture: Fish welfare needs are highly species and life stage specific and include parameters such as tank size, shape and color, substrate addition and light intensity. I am interested in examining fish welfare practices that can easily be implemented by hatcheries and aquaculture facilities to minimize stress, aggressiveness, cannibalism and size dispersion to optimize both fish welfare and production.

I welcome students interested in a project in these areas and have partnerships with local NGOs, government and industry, as well as international universities and organizations.

Selected Publications

For a full list of publications, please visit Andrea Frommel’s Google Scholar page.

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Yolanda Masacha

July 29, 2021

Yolanda Masacha

About

 Undergraduate Student
DegreeBachelor of Science in Applied Biology
MajorApplied Animal Biology
HometownHarare, Zimbabwe

Yolanda Masacha's love for biology and animals drew her to the Applied Biology program. Her time in LFS has been a "beautiful challenge," giving Yolanda the opportunity to learn about and discover interests she didn't know she had, such as food justice and compassionate conservation, as well as to develop her professional skills. Since moving to Vancouver, Yolanda has fallen in love with late sunsets, the many hiking trails, the cherry blossoms, and the cat cafes in the city.

What are three adjectives that describe you?

Bubbly, passionate and gentle

Why did you choose to attend UBC?

I was awarded the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Award in 2017 which gave me the amazing opportunity to come to UBC. When I was in high school I wanted to pursue a career that involved solving real world problems, especially for my home country Zimbabwe. As a biology enthusiast and animal lover the Applied Animal Biology program in LFS matched my interests and offered me a broad spectrum of opportunities. I also wanted to explore the world. UBC being in Vancouver, a very beautiful city, was the icing on the cake.

What has been the best part of your university experience so far?

The best part of my university experience has been meeting and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. I have become more self-aware and conscious of the world around me. Through courses such as the LFS Core Series (LFS 100, 250, 350 and 450), I have had discussions on sensitive topics affecting the world today and that has challenged me to think out of the box. The different opportunities that I have been involved in: working in residence life, community projects, and volunteering (to mention a few) have all built my awareness through the valuable interactions I have had.

You've lived in residence your whole time at UBC - tell us what makes res life so special!

I have lived in residence all my years at UBC and I also worked as a first-year Residence Advisor (RA) for two years. The best part of living in residence is that there are social events and programs where you get to interact with others and build friendships. Communities are built to give every resident a sense of belonging, which was very important for me as an international student. Some of the close freindships I have made have been through living and/or working in residence! Learn more about UBC housing here.

What advice would you give a student who may be moving away from home to come to UBC?

The transition to UBC was very challenging for me as it was my first time away from home and Africa. I had to get used to the food, weather and living in residence all while navigating my classes and role as a student. UBC and LFS orientation programs, residence community-building events, LFS|US events, advising appointments in LFS Student Services, UBC Counselling Services, friends, and long video calls with family back home helped me slowly embrace the new experience and manage homesickness. I have had so much support over the years and that has built my confidence!

Interested in studying in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems? Learn more here!

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Deans Message for LFS Community Connects: July 2021

July 22, 2021

Deans Message for LFS Community Connects: July 2021

Dean Rickey Yada

Summer is well underway and I hope that everyone is staying safe, especially in this record-breaking hot and dry weather.

As UBC campus attractions are open (some with restrictions), I invite those of you in the Lower Mainland – and those of you who may in town this summer – to come by and visit! We welcome you to return with your family and friends, and explore the special places on campus that can help you unwind and escape.

• UBC Farm is running its Saturday Farmer’s Markets selling certified organic produce and free-range eggs. Local vendors join the Saturday market, so you can support local artisans. UBC Farm also runs a smaller Tuesday evening market.

• UBC Botanical Garden provides a view into plants from every corner of the world. If you’re not afraid of heights, you can trek along the tree canopies via the Greenheart TreeWalk.

• Museum of Anthropology (MOA)’s current exhibit marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese earthquake and ensuring tsunami that caused damage to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Titled A Future for Memory: Art and Life after the Great East Japan Earthquake, this exhibit will be at the UBC MOA until September 19.

• Beaty Biodiversity Museum is Vancouver’s only natural history museum and, especially for young kids, it can offer a treasure trove of fish, fossils, birds and bugs.

• The Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery is a nationally acclaimed contemporary art gallery offering free admission and more than 4,500 artworks.

These are some of the attractions at UBC. If you want to view more, I invite you to visit this page: visit.ubc.ca/.

In the meantime, I wish you the best for summer. Take care and stay well.

Cheers,

Rickey Yada

Professor and Dean

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GradUpdate – In this issue, Syllabus and Course Design with Inclusion in Mind, Abstract Writing, Exploring Zoom, Visualization with R, DIY Media Series, and more!

July 19, 2021

GradUpdate

In this issue, Syllabus and Course Design with Inclusion in Mind, Abstract Writing, Exploring Zoom, Visualization with R, DIY Media Series, and more!

Events and Opportunities

The following highlights some upcoming events. Please find more on community.grad.ubc.ca and grad.ubc.ca/current-students/professional-development

ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND SUCCESS

Final Thesis Formatting Workshop
Recording available until Aug 31 Access here

Equity and inclusion in action: Summer STEM series
Wednesdays, 12:30 – 2:00 PM | Remaining events include:

  • Syllabus and course design with inclusion in mind – Jul 28
  • How to cultivate an inclusive community for equity-deserving groups within STEM departments – Aug 4
  • Challenges for people in power. Navigating the increasingly complex EDI terrain with grace and humility – Aug 11
  • Using data and evidence to advance EDI in STEM – Aug 18

Learn more about each session and register here.

CAREER EXPLORATION

p/t internship opportunity: Canadian Quest Logistics
Software Engineering | Apply by Jul 27 Learn more

Interview Preparation Strategies
Monday, Jul 26 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM Register

Webcasts: Networking, Rethinking Conflict, Giving Feedback, Managing Anxiety, and more.
Check out Alumni UBC’s webcast archive

RESEARCH SKILLS

Introduction to blockchain research skills
Monday, Jul 26 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM Register

NVivo part 1: getting started with NVivo
Monday, Jul 26 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM Register

Introduction to Docker
Wednesday, Jul 28 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM Register

Systematic & Scoping Review Workshop Series: Tools, Screening Criteria, and Appraisal
Wednesday, Jul 28 | 1:00 – 2:45 PM Register

NVivo part 2: classification and datasets
Wednesday, Jul 28 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM Register

Visualization with R
Friday, Jul 30 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM Register

TEACHING DEVELOPMENT

Exploring Zoom
Tuesday, Jul 27 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM Register

WordPress & Wiki Clinic (Drop-In)
Thursday, Jul 29 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM Register

UBC Digital Media Community of Practice DIY Media Workshop Fall 2021 Series
A series for UBC instructors and staff | various session times | events include:

  • Introduction to Adobe Creative Suite – Sept 30
  • Introduction to the Creative Brief – Sept 21
  • Scripting and Storyboarding – Sept 23
  • Introduction to Production – Sept 28
  • The Art of the Video Interview – Sept 30
  • Introduction to Podcasting – Sept 30
  • Introduction to Post-prodcution – Oct 1

Learn more and register.

WRITING AND COMMUNICATION

Writing in STEM: Foundational Workshop in Representing Things and Experiences and Ordering Information
Thursday, Jul 22 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Register

Abstracts: Writing
Tuesday, Jul 27 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Register

Navigating Science Publication
UAlberta session | Tuesday, Jul 27 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM PDT Learn more

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MFRE News Post: A Career Path as a Research Analyst

July 16, 2021

Beyond MFRE: Nick Gemperle, Ipsos

Beyond MFRE is a series of interviews focusing on alumni and their life after our master’s degree. This week we put a spotlight on Nick Gemperle, an MFRE alumn currently employed as a Research Analyst with Ipsos, a world-renowned market research firm. Passionate about issues related to sustainable agriculture and climate change, Nick juggles his full-time job with a seat on the board of an NGO.

Thank you!

Best,

Paulina Gonzalez Miranda  MFRE
Educational Researcher
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus| Musqueam Traditional Territory

paulina.gonzalez@ubc.ca
https://mfre.landfood.ubc.ca/

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Webinar Recording: How Research and Innovation Drive the Food Industry

July 5, 2021

Watch Now! Webinar: How Research and Innovation Drive the Food Industry

The food industry moves at the speed of innovation. Every year, innovations in food processing are providing us with more food products that extend shelf life, increase nutrient density, provide greater safety for consumers, and help companies stay ahead of trends – while also creating healthier alternatives and a reduced environmental footprint.

Watch the video above to learn more about food innovation at UBC and how industry partners work with our researchers to move BC forward. Hear from UBC researchers Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh and Dr. Siyun Wang, along with industry partners, on how they collaborate to create innovative products. The UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems is home to food, nutrition and health research with several clinical labs, a sensory lab, a culinary lab and a food-grade pilot plant facility, which includes equipment specifically for food engineering/processing experiments.

Presented in partnership with alumniUBC

Host and Moderator

Dr. Rickey Yada, BSc (Agr) ’77, MSc ’80, PhD ’84– Dean and Professor, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Speakers

Dr. David Kitts, BSc (Agr) ’74, MSc ’76, PhD ’81 – Associate Dean, Research & Professor, Food Science
Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh – Food & Beverage Innovation Professorship & Assistant Professor, Food Processing
Dr. Siyun Wang – Associate Professor, Food Safety Engineering
Paul Wong, BSc (Agr) ’79 – Vice President R&D and Operations, Daiya Foods
Carmen Wakeling – CEO & Co-Owner, Eatmore Sprouts & Greens Ltd.

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Assistant Professor in Food and Resource Economics

June 30, 2021

Assistant Professor in Food and Resource Economics

Posted June 30, 2021

The Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (lfs-ps-2023.sites.olt.ubc.ca) is seeking candidates for a full-time, tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor within the Food and Resource Economics Program. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or be nearing completion) in Economics or a related discipline, possess demonstrable skills in econometric analysis, the analysis of large datasets, and must specialize in one of the following areas: agriculture, environment, food, health, or natural resources. Candidates with skills such as cloud computing, machine learning, or spatial data analysis are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants need to demonstrate their potential in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels.

The successful candidate will be expected to (a) develop an independent, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; (b) foster active collaborations in research and teaching within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) (example areas such as plant science, soil science, animal biology, environment, or food, nutrition & health); and (c) teach courses related to econometrics and data science at the graduate and undergraduate level in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

Applications must be made through the University of British Columbia’s Human Resources online careers page. Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter that briefly summarizes their skills as relevant to this position description and their interest in joining Food and Resource Economics, and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) three references; (4) a statement describing their five-year research plan (1-2 pages); (5) a statement of teaching philosophy with evidence of potential for effective teaching (1-2 pages); (6) a statement (up to one page) identifying the candidate’s past and/or their potential future contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion; and (7) a job market paper, or representative publication(s).

Priority will be given to applications received by November 15th, 2021 however the search will remain open until filled. If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the Chair of the Selection Committee c/o melanie.train@ubc.ca.

Applicants are also asked to complete the following equity survey. The survey information will not be used to determine eligibility for employment, but will be collated to provide data that can assist us in understanding the diversity of our applicant pool and identifying potential barriers to the employment of designated equity group members. Your participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential. Survey link here.

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 B.C. 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 of Canada will be given priority.

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