September 25 2023 | DIGEST NO. 365
BPK Welcome Lunch, Sept 27th
The Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology would like to invite you to our Annual Welcome Lunch on Wednesday, September 27th from 12:00- 1:30 pm! This is an event for new and current Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology students, faculty and staff. The lunch will be held at the BPK Student Lounge K8000. Please bring a donation of $5.00 or more in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
NOTE: BPK Lounge will closed from 11:30am- 1:30pm for BPK's Welcome Lunch
Deep Dives: Why is #MentalHealth Trending?
SFU Public Square has a new and exciting event series – Deep Dives! For their first instalment, they are asking “Why is #MentalHealth Trending?”. The demand for youth mental health supports has surged in Canada since the onset of the pandemic, but with long wait times, limited availability by service providers, a lack of affordable options, and many other barriers to access, people are not finding the care they need.
This event will explore this rising demand for mental health support, the driving force behind this surge, and the role that social media plays in discussions on mental health. The free event brings together panelists and audience to explore these questions – and they want to hear your thoughts! Join SFU Public Square for this timely and important conversation by following the link below!
BPK 343, BPK 455 and BPK 482 Enrolment Information
SFU is required by law to ensure that every student registered in a practicum that involves working with children or vulnerable adults undergoes a CRRA Criminal Record Check. The University must submit consent forms with payment to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. SFU is prohibited by law to permit students to work with children or vulnerable adults without a CRRA Criminal Record Check. List of BPK Courses requiring a CRRA Criminal Record Check is as follows:
- BPK 343 – Active Health: Assessment & Programming
- BPK 445 – Advanced Cardiac Rehabilitation
- BPK 482 - Ergonomics and Rehabilitation
The Criminal Record Check is coded as a prerequisite for the above courses and cannot be waived by law.
Please refer to the process for Criminal Records Check on SFU Student Service website here: https://www.sfu.ca/students/criminalrecords.html
By law, SFU cannot accept CRC's done through other agencies including the RCMP. Students with criminal record checks conducted through agencies other than the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General are still expected to fulfill this requirement. Further, the process for a Criminal Record Check must be undertaken by SFU only.
Since the document is valid for 5 years, it would be a good idea to get it done far in advance of your enrollment for any of the listed courses as the processing time can vary.
*Note: Enrollment appointments for Fall 2023 classes begin July 2023
Secure Your Spot in BPK 447 - Neuroplasticity
Immerse yourself in the riveting world of neuroplasticity with BPK 447. This course dives into neuroplasticity, studying how the mammalian brain adapts to conditions like blindness, poverty, stress, and technology.
Perfect for all students, BPK 447 is especially beneficial for BNEU majors as an alternative to BPK 415 (returning Spring 2025).
Prerequisites: BPK 306 or BISC 305. BPK 423 graduates, please note: this course does not offer additional credit.
Spots are available! For more information refer to the course outline.
Personal Trainer Certification Programs 2023
Here are the best personal trainer certification programs of 2023 according to experts. If you are passionate about fitness and want to help other reach their health goals, you may considering a career as a personal trainer.
Click here and learn more about these programs.
Semester in Dialogue is back! Upcoming Course: Fall 2023 The Future of Healthcare
Courses: DIAL 390 and DIAL 391 (10 credits total)
Prerequisite: 45 units
Location: SFU’s Harbour Centre Campus (Room 3050)
Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM – 4 PM
The Semester in Dialogue is a unique program at SFU, is perfect for students looking for a completely different type of experience during their studies.
The program will provide students with an opportunity to practice skills like dialogue, active listening, self-reflection and working in teams while tackling some of the more wicked problems facing healthcare in our collective future.
Two $1500 scholarships/awards are also on offer!
BCIT Environmental Public Health program
The BCIT Environmental Public Health program trains students to become health inspectors and environmental health professionals. Through legislation, education, and promotion, BCIT graduates work with people in almost every industry to safeguard public health. Our students gain current, practical experience to become certified and start working as soon as they graduate.
About the Program:
- Two year, full-time Bachelor of Environmental Public Health program
- Small class sizes provide individual support
- Lectures, field trips, and research deliver a solid theory-based education
- A three-month practical experience at a BC health agency offers direct field experience
This program is for individuals who:
- Like working with teams to problem solve and manage conflict in a public health setting
- Enjoy a flexible work environment that changes daily
- Are interested in building strong communication skills
- Have two or more years of post-secondary education
The need for environmental health is everywhere. From law enforcement, consulting, and legislation, to government and quality assurance, public health jobs are critical to keeping people safe.
Women's Health Research Catalyst Grants 2023
The Women’s Health Research Institute, in collaboration with the BC Women’s Health Foundation, is delighted to announce the 2023 Catalyst Funding Opportunity. This funding opportunity aims to advance knowledge in the field of women's and/or newborn's health. A total of seven grants, each valued at $25,000, will be awarded to support innovative research projects. Among the seven grants, one will be specifically dedicated to supporting a biomedical health research project involving investigations in female animals.
Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by September 6, 2023, at 11 pm PDT. The application deadline is set for October 10, 2023, at 11 pm PDT. The anticipated notice of decision will be provided by November 30, 2023. Successful applicants will have the funding start date set for December 1, 2023.
For application details, please visit: https://whri.org/our-services/womens-health-research-institute-catalyst-grants/
Participants Needed for Research on Visually Guided Walking
Gemma (MSc student in BPK) is recruiting participants for her thesis experiment. If you are interested, please contact her.
In addition to the poster (click to enlarge), note the following when deciding if you are interested:
You should NOT participate in this study if one or more of the following applies:
- Your age is greater than 40 or less than 19 (or less than 18 for an SFU student)
- You have any known visual disorder other than one that can be corrected with lenses
- You have a musculoskeletal (e.g., arthritis) or neurological (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease) disorder that affects your movement or balance
- You are allergic to rubbing alcohol or adhesive
- You have participated in a research experiment using prism glasses before
- You are not vaccinated against COVID19
Your decision on whether to participate will not influence your grades in any coursework or benefit you in terms of status or success in any class.
Contact information: Gemma Malagon / gemma_malagon@sfu.ca
Supine-to-stand versus Supine-to-Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP), Cardiovascular/Musculoskeletal Baroreflex Responses (#30001262)
We are looking for healthy, able-bodied participants aged 19-35 years to come to the Aerospace Physiology Laboratory (APL) to undergo supine-to-stand and supine-to-lower body negative pressure (LBNP) testing protocols.
Your participation in this study will involve…
- 1 lab visit (no longer than 1 hour) at SFU’s APL where you will be lying on your back and standing on a force platform.
- 1 lab visit (no longer than 1 hour) at SFU’s APL where you will be lying on your back inside a LBNP chamber from below the hips.
Both visits will be measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle activity.
Your contribution helps us improve our understanding if LBNP accurately mimics heart and muscle responses that are seen with quiet standing after laying down.
For more information, please contact APL via email or telephone:
Email: LBNP2022Study@gmail.com
Telephone: 778-255-3904
OurHearts Initiative at Skeena House: Volunteers Needed!
Founded in 2020 by Keith Wu, Arian Sadigpour, and Nathan Lee, OurHearts has been dedicated to bridging health disparities at Skeena House, a Vancouver initiative for those facing homelessness. OurHearts primarily serves the Indigenous Peoples, addressing challenges from discrimination to intergenerational trauma. Through art therapy, they have built a strong community and trust among Skeena House residents.
Now, OurHears is launching two new projects and need your help!
📌 Application Link: Apply Now
📌 Deadline: September 29th, 23:59 PST
📩 For more details, reach out: ourhearts.bc@gmail.com
Surrey Knights Jr Hockey is Hiring
They are looking to hire 1 or 2 Fitness Trainers for their Hockey Club this season.
Position Title: HEAD TRAINER / EQUIPMENT MANAGER of a Jr A Hockey Club
Requirements:
- Must be able to attend all of the 48 Game Schedule or 1/2 of the Schedule if we have 2 people
- They will get you Hockey Canada Certified
- Athletic Therapy is an asset
If you are interested, please send your resume to GerryLeiper@gmail.com or contact Gerry for more details (The seasons will start Sept 1st).
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Science Alive is Hiring Two InSTEM Instructor Positions
SFU Applied Sciences Outreach offers fun, engaging workshops and resources that encourage youths to explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, and Mathematics (STEAM). They aim to not only enhance STEAM literacy among youths in BC, but also foster an appreciation of how science can be used to make sense of the world we live in and improve how we do things.
Two positions currently hiring:
1) SFU Applied Sciences Outreach Hiring- InSTEM Instructor
2) SFU Applied Sciences Outreach Hiring - Haida Gwaii 2023
Applicants are encouraged to apply for both positions, as they are related and offer a great opportunity to continue to develop leadership and facilitation skills!
Join the Indigenous Tutoring & Mentoring Program (ITMP)
Eager to make a meaningful impact? ITMP is on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers! Originated by SFU students, ITMP offers invaluable 1-on-1 Zoom tutoring and mentoring for Indigenous youth (K-12) throughout British Columbia. Dive deeper into our program's mission here. While we strongly encourage Indigenous students to join, we welcome everyone to be part of our growth journey.
📌 Tutor Requirements:
- Complete a Canvas tutor-training module.
- Attend an Indigenous Cultural Safety Workshop (either Sept 27 or Sept 28, 9am-11:30am).
- Successfully pass a Criminal Record Check.
Post-training, we'll pair you with students matching your expertise. Opt for flexible online sessions of 1-2 hours per week, tailored to your schedule. Every hour counts and earns you credit on your co-curricular record. Keen to tutor? Apply by Sept 8th here.
📌 Admin Roles Up for Grabs: We're expanding our admin team, especially eyeing blog writers for our website. Check out the detailed role descriptions [here](Admin Role Descriptions). Fancy joining as a writer or admin? Apply here.
Got questions? Drop a line at indigenoustutoring@gmail.com.
Fraser Health Crisis Line Volunteer Opportunity
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? Why not start now!
The Fraser Health Crisis Line is recruiting volunteers to provide assistance to people in the region who are experiencing emotional distress. No previous experience is needed as extensive training and ongoing support is provided. If you are interested in learning more about this challenging and rewarding opportunity,the first step is to review the information on our website and then attend a Zoom Information Session. Please go to www.options.bc.ca and click on Get Involved -> I Want to Volunteer -> Crisis Line. Here you will find the dates and Zoom links for the up-coming sessions.
Many volunteers report that their Crisis Line experience was significant in helping them reach their educational and/or career goals, including acceptance into Graduate Programs, Policing, Medical School, E-Comm 911, Social Work, Mental Health and related fields. Volunteers also tell us that they find the Crisis Line to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, as they are truly making a difference.
Spotlight on Vanier Scholar: Normand Richard
Diving into the intricacies of the female cardiovascular system, Normand Richard, a doctoral student in Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, stands out as a 2023 Vanier Scholar. His focus on understanding exercise scenarios promises to bring invaluable insights to the field.
Get to Know BPK’s New Chair
About Dr. Peter Ruben: He became interested in ion channel biophysics while studying learning in a marine invertebrate, a sea slug called Aplysia californica, for his PhD project at the University of Calgary. He went from Calgary to Stanford University’s marine biology lab in Pacific Grove, California, where he continued to work with marine invertebrates as a model system for ion channel biophysics. After 4 years at Stanford, Peter moved to the University of Hawaii where he spent 10 years studying ion channels in crabs and crayfish. In 1995, he moved to Utah State University where he shifted his research focus to study the biophysics of inheritable diseases caused by mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels. Peter came to SFU in 2006 to be Chair of BPK and continued his research on sodium channels. After 5 exciting years as Chair, he served as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Science for 6 years. In 2018, Peter went back to research and teaching for 5 years before agreeing to be Chair of BPK for a short term of 14 months. Peter’s life is not all about work. Living in all those beautiful places, he has found ways to keep physically active: climbing and skiing in Alberta, rock climbing in California, surfing in Hawaii, climbing and skiing in Utah, and all of those activities in British Columbia. Peter enjoys spending time with his family, particularly on ski holidays.
From Classroom to Clinic: Gaining Practical Experience in Kinesiology
OLC Stories
"Some examples from my current co-op position include understanding how the role of the practitioner fits into a patient’s treatment plan, the importance of health insurance in patient care, and learning about different types of business models in private practice."
Featuring Elena Selles, BPK student
BPK Lab and SFU Strength and Conditioning Partner in Running the First Annual PoCo Sports Festival Physical Literacy Combine
On Saturday July 15, members of BPK’s Laboratory for Quantitative Exercise Biology and SFU Strength and Conditioning partnered to run the first annual PoCo Sports Festival Physical Literacy Combine at Gates Park in Port Coquitlam.
The Sports Festival was organized by the Port Coquitlam Sports Alliance, which consists of local sports associations, School District 43, and the City of Port Coquitlam. The Alliance has been successful in attracting sporting events, sports organizations, and physical literacy initiatives to Port Coquitlam.
The idea for the combine was to encourage youth from the Port Coquitlam community to test the fitness components of strength, power, and speed. Following a warm-up, participants completed the following five tests: 20-m sprint run, vertical jump, backwards overhead medicine ball toss, 20-m slalom run, and isometric midthigh pull (a measure of whole-body strength).
Dr. Dave Clarke, the director of BPK’s Laboratory for Quantitative Exercise Biology, a resident of Port Coquitlam, and coach and Board member for the Port Coquitlam Ridge Meadows Ringette Association, recruited members of his lab and SFU Strength and Conditioning to conduct the testing. The testing team was led by Kris Robertson, Head Coach of SFU Strength and Conditioning, and consisted of the following individuals:
- Luke Everard, BPK MSc student and Assistant Coach, SFU Strength and Conditioning
- Tom Clifford, Assistant Coach, SFU Strength and Conditioning
- Jared Kengkengan, SFU kinesiology major, SFU Strength and Conditioning intern
- Aaron Arnold, SFU Strength and Conditioning intern
Jared’s contribution to the event served as a component of a directed studies course that he is conducting this summer under the co-supervision of Clarke and Robertson. Jared curated testing data from the literature to establish normative standards for males and females of various age ranges. He then developed a handout for each participant on which their results were recorded and that listed the standards against which participants could evaluate their performances.
The event exceeded expectations: despite minimal advertising, approximately 90 people of all ages were tested during the four-hour-long event. The participants enjoyed the experience, with some returning to repeat the testing! Parents expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and for gaining insight into options and opportunities to engage their children in sport. In return, members of SFU BPK and Strength and Conditioning gained valuable practical experience in athlete testing and in community engagement.
DISCLAIMER: The Department of BPK is forwarding these opportunities as we receive them, however we strongly encourage you to research and obtain information regarding the reputation of organizations, the terms and conditions of employment or service, as well as to understand your rights and responsibilities. The Department does not endorse any specific individuals, organizations, products, programs or services. If you see any suspicious postings or hiring practices, please notify us immediately at bpk_engage@sfu.ca.