UBC School of Health & Exercise Sciences

Celebrating excellence at last Friday’s Honours & Special Awards reception 🎓✨ Congratulations to all our outstanding students—we’re so proud of you! 👏

Congratulations to FHSD’s 2025/2026 Outstanding Instructors! Recipients of this award have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting student success in their classrooms, creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences that benefit students. Congratulations to Shirley Chau, Heather Gainforth, Laura Mercer, Alex Santos and Charlene Strumpel! Well done to all of you.

Cigarette smoking cessation support for people living with spinal cord injury: Co-designing a blueprint for an e-learning course for peer health coaches

Link in our bio!

We’ve been delighted to continue hosting fun and engaging monthly events for international students. From scenic hikes to lively Friday night board game sessions, these gatherings have created meaningful opportunities for connection and belonging. One of the highlights of the season was our “Waffles and Warm Exam Wishes” event, where members of the FHSD EDI Committee prepared fresh waffles for students. It was a wonderful success and a great reminder of how impactful it is when faculty and staff come together to support students.

Obesity research is on the increase, but UBCO study reveals surprising find
Study of energy expenditure and dietary intake reveals clinical animal research outpaces studies on humans

Dr. Sarah Purcell, an assistant professor with UBC’s Southern Medical Program and UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences, researches energy metabolism, dietary energy requirements, body composition and obesity.

Link in our Intro!

Congratulations to our Undergraduate Honours Thesis Students on their final presentations!

Minutes matter most when exercising to control blood sugar
UBCO study says longer, not stronger, is the key for people with Type 2 diabetes

“Extending an average workout from 30 to 45 minutes was linked to about 0.3 per cent reduction in glycated hemoglobin,” explains Dr. Little. “That may seem small, but over multiple sessions each week, it could make a meaningful clinical difference. It can also add to the benefits of other lifestyle changes and medical treatments.”

Link in our Intro!

Minutes matter most when exercising to control blood sugar - UBC's Okanagan News UBCO study says longer, not stronger, is the key for people with Type 2 diabetes

Are you an international undergraduate or graduate student, or a postdoctoral fellow in the FHSD?

Did you complete an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or Exercise Science in Canada? We want to learn more about what you do now and pathways following a Kinesiology undergraduate program! Follow the QR code on the poster or link here to verify eligibility and learn more about the study: https://forms.gle/cAw4Zhcg2LwRET2u5

This research project has been reviewed and received clearance by the Research Ethics Office at The University of Alberta (Pro00160845) ”

UBC Okanagan is pleased to host two events on March 26 featuring a visiting delegation from Hong Kong’s leading organizations for trade, investment promotion, and global partnership development.

Who You’ll Meet

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) – The official representative of the Hong Kong SAR Government in Canada, promoting Hong Kong–Canada economic and trade relations.

Invest Hong Kong (Canada) – The Hong Kong’s government investment promotion agency offering free, customized support to help businesses set up or expand in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) – An organization dedicated to promoting global trade and providing business‑matching and market‑access platforms for local companies.

These three organizations help position Hong Kong as a “super‑connector” linking businesses with markets across Asia.

Event 1: The Okanagan–Hong Kong Innovation Corridor

12:30–2:00 PM | UNC Ballroom, UBC Okanagan

Join UBC Okanagan, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC), and the Hong Kong delegation for a moderated discussion on how Cross-Pacific partnerships can fuel regional and global innovation ecosystems.

Free event and light lunch provided. UBCO students are encouraged to attend!

Register:
https://lnkd.in/gVkXVK2E

Event 2: Commerce ConneX at UBC Okanagan
5:00–7:00 PM | UNC Ballroom

Attendees at Commerce ConneX at UBC Okanagan will be able to:

Connect directly with senior leaders from Hong Kong’s trade, investment, and business‑development organizations

Explore business‑matching, partnership, and expansion pathways relevant to Kelowna businesses

Discover how UBC Okanagan supports business innovation, applied research, and talent development

Register:
https://lnkd.in/gEFarSsn

UBCO community members including students can purchase tickets at the Kelowna Chamber member rate $15.

This is a 19+ event, no tickets available at the door.