UBC Assoc. Prof. of Economics John Janmaat is studying water supply and resource partnerships in the Okanagan to help address water resource challenges around the globe.
Full week of activities highlights students, faculties and projects that matter
Ever wonder what researchers at UBC’s Okanagan campus do? It’s more than the stereotypical image of someone wearing a white lab coat and peering into a microscope looking at slides.
And now is the time to find out. Celebrate Research week runs from Monday to Friday, March 4 to 8. Researchers and students from all faculties want to share what they are working on and explain why it matters. The theme for this year’s week of events is Resonate — and Miriam Grant, vice-provost research notes that the work being done in labs at the university resonates not only in British Columbia but around the world.
“Creating new knowledge and sharing it widely are key pursuits in all UBC research. Every day, our students and their professors are expanding our understanding of the world and our place in it,” adds Grant. “Over the past year, more than $11.7 million has been awarded to faculty and students, supporting more than 480 research initiatives at this campus.”
Since 2005, more than $48 million has been awarded to researchers at UBC’s Okanagan campus. That funding has made it possible for faculty and graduate students to delve into thousands of research projects where they have been able to investigate topics ranging from the benefits of microscopic plant root fungi, to how your body adapts to hypoxia at high altitudes, to the psychology of telling lies, or ways to predict and prevent infrastructure failure.
Events carry on throughout the week and range from a celebratory lab opening, to presentations, exhibits, panel discussions, book launches, and tours. The Research Rodeo promises to be a highlight as students take to the stage for fun and fame. They are given three minutes and allowed just one slide to demonstrate to the audience why their research matters. The audience will help decide the winner. Everyone is invited, and seating is on a first-come basis.
On a more serious note, on Thursday, March 7 at 5 p.m., a panel of experts will discuss diabetes intervention and ways to prevent and manage the disease. The panel will be moderated by CBC Daybreak host Chris Walker. This event takes place at the Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna.
To wrap up the week, PechaKucha promises to be an exciting 90 minutes. At noon on Friday, March 8 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. The format will be concise and fast-paced, powered by multiple-speakers and creative ideas from the Community, Culture, and Global Studies of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences.
“This is a thriving community of talented research faculty, undergraduate and graduate students whose ideas, discoveries, and innovations seek to advance our community and our society,” says Grant. “From the classroom to the field, from research labs to real-world application, join us and discover compelling research, new ideas, and possibilities.”
Tune into CBC Daybreak South each weekday morning during Celebrate Research Week. Between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., host Chris Walker will interview UBC researchers and students about their projects, the great ideas being generated, discoveries being made and ultimately the knowledge that is being advanced all at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
For more information about Celebrate Research Week at UBC’s Okanagan campus, visit: www.ubc.ca/okanagan/celebrateresearch/schedule
Wine researchers Cédric Saucier, associate professor and head of Chemistry at UBC’s Okanagan campus and Adéline Delcambre, a post-doctoral fellow, have discovered 14 previously unknown compounds in red wine and grape seeds.
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Capture, opening reception — exhibit by third and fourth year photography students
6 to 9:30 p.m.
View various expressive and investigative approaches to photography, and chat with the photographers.
Location: Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Research Matters — Extraordinary Ideas by Exceptional Researchers
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where can you learn about four exciting research topics, delivered by four experts, in one hour on one night? Research Matters presents UBC professors Mike Woodworth, Christine Schreyer, Jonathan Holzman and Christopher Schneider.
Location: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
Official Opening —Behavioral Research Lab
9:30 to 10 a.m.
State of the art equipment in the Behavioral Research Lab and Interview Room will open up new research possibilities for faculty and students, and collaborative research with regional and global partners.
Location: Richard S. Hallisey Atrium, Engineering, Management and Education building, UBC’s Okanagan campus
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
MORE unveiling
10:15 to 11 a.m.
Be on hand for the unveiling of Mapping Okanagan Research Engagement (MORE). Research Services representatives and map developers invite to you discover our research—it’s all over the map!
Location: Students’ Union Theatre, Peter J. Meekison Student Centre, (University Centre), UBC’s Okanagan campus
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Research Rodeo
Undergraduate students: 12 noon to 1:45 p.m.
Graduate students: 2 to 3:45 p.m.
With three minutes on the clock and armed with one slide, research knowledge and their passion, competitors will take their turn to tell judges, the audience, and the world why their research matters.
Location: University Centre Ballroom, room UNC200, UBC’s Okanagan campus
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Faculty of Education Book Launch
4:30 to 6 p.m.
Join the Faculty of Education and UBC Bookstore for the launch of three books that explore the nature of genuine learning contexts. Enjoy enlightening conversation on this topic, along with wine and cheese. Location: Administration building, Okanagan Room (ADM115), UBC’s Okanagan campus
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
The Plant Intelligence Project
11 a.m. to noon
Creative writing students from the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies take a novel approach to discovering their emerging voice as writers with research blending plant metaphors and plant science. The Plant Intelligence Project showcases their works-in-progress, connecting literary and scientific ways of looking at plants.
Location: Lower foyer, Charles E. Fipke Centre for Innovative Research, UBC’s Okanagan campus
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
What is the purpose of public education?
noon to 1 p.m.
Take part in this discussion, as CBC radio does some field research about where education is going and where it needs to go. Led by CBC Daybreak host, Chris Walker , a panel of experts including UBC Faculty of Education Dean Lynn Bosetti, teachers, academics, parents and students are invited to have a say.
Location: Streaming Café, 596 Leon Avenue, Kelowna
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
Stopping the diabetes epidemic — What will it take?
5 to 7 p.m.
Nine million Canadians are now living with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Is a healthy lifestyle enough to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes? Moderated by Chris Walker, host of CBC Daybreak, join a panel of local experts in a discussion about interventions to prevent and manage the risk factors for diabetes.
Location: Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
PechaKucha
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Don’t miss PechaKucha. 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (6 min. and 40 sec. in total). The format will be concise and fast-paced, powered by multiple-professors and creative ideas from the Community, Culture, and Global Studies unit of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences.
Location: Students’ Union Theatre, University Centre building, UBC’s Okanagan campus
MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Faculty Publications Exhibit
Visit the Library during Celebrate Research Week to view a selection of exciting and enlightening research in the Faculty Publications Exhibit. Brief biographies will accompany each publication, providing insight into the researcher behind the research!
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