LFS Graduate Students invited to 'Eating City'

You Can Tell a Lot About a Cow from Their Hair

Sept 8, 2015

If you can measure stress in human hair, could you do the same in cow hair? One LFS grad student, Tracy Burnett, decided to find out as part of her master’s degree research.

“Cortisol is a stress hormone,” said Burnett, an Animal Reproduction PhD student, supervised by Prof. Ronaldo Cerri. “By measuring the amount of cortisol in cows’ hair, we have the potential to tell if the dairy cows have experienced chronic stress.”

In a paper published in the Journal of Dairy Science, Tracy’s research showed that dairy cows afflicted with multiple diseases had higher hair cortisol concentrations than those of healthy animals, which could mean that these animals were experiencing chronic stress. This method is novel because, unlike blood testing where cortisol measurements can become distorted if the cattle become stressed during the process, using hair samples is not invasive.

“Lactating dairy cows are often faced with stressful situations such as a change in their housing environment or feed type, or having to produce a high amount of milk right after giving birth,” she said. “It’s important to research the effects different challenges have on dairy cows so we can develop practices that are associated with less acute and chronic stress.”

As an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Tracy discovered the courses she loved most were centered on reproductive physiology and animal welfare. During her third year, she worked at the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre ­– an opportunity that sparked her interest in dairy cattle research and led her to pursue her PhD. Her research currently focuses on increasing the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle while minimizing the use of fertility protocols.

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STLHE 2015 Conference

Aug 18, 2015

“In the educational environment, there’s been a push to focus on the development of life-long learners,” said Hammond. “This project began as a means to acquire deeper understanding of the ways in which students transition from instructor-directed to student-directed learning paths.”

Results from a pre/post survey conducted in FNH 490 during Fall 2014 served as a catalyst for conference attendees to discuss the successes, challenges and strategies associated with students engaged in self-directed learning (SDL). Out of this discussion emerged the idea of offering students greater SDL opportunities early in and throughout a 4-year academic program.

“The landscape of teaching and learning is always changing,” said Hammond, who also recently received SoTL research seed funding from CTLT. “Identifying facilitators, barriers, excitement for and resistance to adopting greater autonomy in learning can inform course and academic program design.”

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Students dig deep into soil science with mobile game

Aug 11, 2015

By Corey Allen , UBC News

Armed with iPhones, dozens of first and second-year students walk into the forest at the University of British Columbia. The students are on a scientific quest to better understand the ground beneath them; learning about soil by playing a mobile game.

The game is an innovative attempt to teach introductory soil science. It’s also an example of flexible learning, academic-speak for switching up the traditional lecture and teaching subjects in new ways, often with the help of technology.

“Most of my students are from a generation of mobile users, so they still get to use their beloved devices while they learn about the forest floor and the importance of soil,” said Associate Professor Maja Krzic, a soil scientist cross-appointed in UBC’s Faculty of Forestry and Faculty of Land and Food Systems. “It’s a brilliant teaching trick.”

Using smartphone GPS, the game (called the Forest Humus Forms Quest) directs students to find different types of soil and plants in the forest. Along the way, they must answer a series of questions (for example: What plant structures are responsible for the mixing of the organic and mineral horizons at this site?) They receive points for each correct answer, eventually logged onto a scoreboard shared by the class.

Students who complete the quest receive a bonus mark for one-third of a lab assignment. It’s a miniscule increase to their overall grade but Krzic said the students who do play the game find it worthwhile.

“Students come to appreciate the beauty of the science a lot more,” said Krzic. “The game creates a sense of exploration and discovery not usually found through a traditional lecture.”

Krzic developed the game for the course she teaches, Introduction to Soil Science, with help from land and food systems researcher Julie Wilson, graduate student Darrell Hoffman and 14Oranges Software Inc., based in Richmond, B.C.

In the course, students learn about the physical, biological and chemical properties of soil. Krzic hopes they will walk away from the course knowing how to classify different soil types, among other things. This is where the mobile game can help students learn and retain the course content more easily.

This story originally appeared in UBC Reports. It is re-published here with permission.

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Natalie Lim, LFS Undergraduate Advising Officer

Jul 22, 2015

LFS Work Learn student Jennifer Wu sat down with LFS Undergraduate Advising Officer Natalie Lim to learn more about her background in home economics and education, and why she loves working with LFS students.

I understand that you graduated with a BA in Family Studies and BEd in Home Economics, and then became a teacher with VSB. Have these experiences influenced your decision to become an Undergraduate Academic Advisor in any way?

Yes, they have! I have always enjoyed working with students and working with them in the secondary school level has provided me with insight on how I can best help them in their next stage in post-secondary studies. My background in the social sciences and education has given me greater clarity on the academic and non-academic complexities our students face today.

What is your favourite part about being an Undergraduate Academic Advisor?

Being able to see a student’s growth and development from 1st year to 4th year. I have seen some of our students from the beginning to the end and it is an honour to be a part of that journey with them and see how much they have grown since their first year at UBC.

What does a regular workday look like for you?

Hmm, there isn’t a typical work day in the LFS Student Services Office! I think that’s one of the great things about being an Academic Advisor in LFS – your work varies. I don’t think there is a day where I haven’t answered an email or a phone call or had a face to face meeting with a student but sometimes there will be meetings or designated time set aside to work on projects, events, initiatives, etc.

Seeing as one of your specializations was Home Economics, could you share a favourite recipe of yours with us?

I have a go-to recipe for chocolate chip banana bread – I usually reduce the amount of chocolate chips in the recipe and instead, sprinkle it on top of the banana bread batter before putting it in the oven so there’s a nice layer of chocolate on top.

I’m always willing to try different things and to be honest, you cannot go wrong with Canadian Living recipes.

Is there a restaurant in Vancouver you would recommend/is your favourite?

I’m a fan of the ahi tuna tacos at Joey’s; a friend introduced me to Kishimoto on Commercial Drive for sushi that is well worth the wait; if I feel like splurging a little, I love the lamb popsicles at Vij’s but also enjoy the Indian buffet at Saffron on Kingsway; I will never tire of the deep fried brie at Guu in Gastown; and I will never say no to Phnom Penh in Chinatown!

Are there any special events or festivals in Vancouver that you love to attend?

I went to the Gluten Free Expo a couple of years ago and was impressed with the tasty gluten-free alternatives available out there! It was a great way to try new things and am now a consistent consumer of some of those products I was introduced to at the Expo.

I love checking out farmer’s markets and I am lucky that I live one block away from one on weekends. I also try to see something at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the Vancouver Jazz Festival, if I can. And of course, I cannot get through one summer without going to the Night Markets in Richmond (my source for cheap socks!). I’m excited to try some of the new night markets this year (Plaza of Nations, North Van Shipyards, Surrey).

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Joel Liman, LFS Aboriginal Student Coordinator

Jul 15, 2015

LFS Work Learn student Jennifer Wu sat down with LFS/Science Aboriginal Student Coordinator Joel Liman to discover what inspires him about working with the Faculty.

How long have you been with the Faculty of Land & Food Systems?

I’ve been with LFS for a year and a half. I’m also an alumni of the Faculty as I completed a Masters of Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems.

What is your role as LFS Aboriginal Student Coordinator?

I outreach to Aboriginal communities and participate in projects that promote Aboriginal students’ education and careers. I’m also in charge of recruitment for older Aboriginal students who are considering enrollment in the Faculty of Land & Food Systems and the Faculty of Science. I’m a Student Advisor for special programming and degree programs as well.

What piece of advice do you often give to students?

I always encourage my students to remember their dreams and passions and to never lose sight of them. I also remind them to set realistic academic goals.

Are you part of any committees/organizations within and outside of UBC?

I am part of various Aboriginal initiatives at UBC, such as the Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Committee for the Centre for Excellence and Indigenous Health, and the Aboriginal Strategic Initiatives committee.

I understand that your Masters of Science research was focused on botany and traditional knowledge. How did you become interested in these subjects?

In high school, I worked with a mentor who was an Aboriginal traditional healer. I became interested after getting the chance to work with him and learning about traditional plant medicines.

What does a non-workday typically look like for you?

I love to hang out with my family. I love music as well and play a variety of instruments, but mostly guitar.

If you were to choose between the two superpowers, super strength or ability to fly, which one would you choose to have?

I would choose the ability to fly. It would be nice to see what the world is like from that perspective.

Are there any special events or festivals in Vancouver that you love to attend?

I like to play music and watch music performances, so I really like the Folk Fest. I also love going to Italian Days and the Car Free Festival in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood.

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