GSS Holiday Hampers – Applications and Donation Drive Now Open!

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With the holiday season fast approaching, we are delighted to announce that applications for the GSS Holiday Hampers are now open! This initiative provides essential support to UBC Vancouver graduate students facing financial challenges, helping make the holiday season a bit brighter for them and their families.

As in previous years, each hamper is carefully assembled to address the unique needs of each student. We kindly ask that you share this opportunity with your graduate students to ensure those who may benefit are aware. Applications will be open until November 18th, and selected applicants will be notified in early December. The sign-up form is available here.

In addition to sharing this announcement, we would be grateful for any contributions toward the hampers. Donations of holiday-themed items are welcome at the GSS Office (452-6371 Crescent Rd, Thea Koerner House 4th Floor Penthouse, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2) until November 27th, 2024. Items such as gingerbread kits, good-quality chocolates, holiday treats, family games, toiletries, and more are greatly appreciated, especially items suitable for student families.

For questions, please feel free to contact us at officeassistant@gss.ubc.ca. Thank you for helping us make this initiative a success and for supporting graduate students at UBC during this special season.

Warm regards,

Negar Mousavi, M.Sc. (She/Her/Hers)
Office Assistant
E: officeassistant@gss.ubc.ca

Thea Koerner House
225 – 6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver
T: 604.822.3203gss.ubc.ca

IRES Seminar Series: Thurs, Nov 7 with Jerry Achar and Aaron Aguirre

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Next week’s IRES Seminar is back in the Beaty Museum Allan Yap Theatre.
November 7, 2024: IRES Student Seminar with Jerry Achar and Aaron Aguirre
Time: 12:30pm to 1:20pm
Location: Beaty Museum Allan Yap Theatre (Basement, 2212 Main Mall). Please check in at front desk on main floor before going downstairs.
No food or drinks allowed in the Theatre.
Click here for Zoom link. Zoom will be terminated if we encounter tech problems 5 to 10 mins into the seminar.
Conservative Consensus QSAR prediction of rat acute oral toxicity of chemicals: implication for decision-making under conditions of uncertainty

 

Talk summary:

Acute oral toxicity (AOT) is required for regulatory classification and labeling of chemicals according to the United Nations Global Harmonized System (GHS). With the advances in toxicology towards alternatives to animal testing, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models have been developed to support AOT predictions. However, uncertainty associated with the use of these models hinders their utility for AOT predictions. Consequently, when used to assign health-protective (conservative) AOT values to chemicals, it is advised that one should apply a model with low incidences of predicting chemicals to be less toxic than the corresponding animal data imply. In this talk, Jerry will present a study that compares the prediction performance of a consensus approach (combination) of two QSAR models against these individual models for the prediction of conservative AOT of a diverse and large number of chemicals. To this end, the number of conservative predictions and prediction capacity for AOT hazard identification (according to the GHS criteria) will be used for the performance evaluation.

 

  Jerry AcharIRES PhD candidate                                                                                                                              

Bio:

Jerry Achar is a Ph.D. candidate in Gunilla Öberg’s Egesta Lab. His research interests intersect chemical risk assessment, human health, and toxicological risk prediction using new approach methodologies (NAMs). His Ph.D. research focuses on the application of in silico toxicology methods for chemical risk prediction and analysis of uncertainty associated with the methods and their predictions. This research is supported by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program. Before UBC, Jerry completed his BSc. in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University and his MSc. in Environmental Engineering from Korea University.

The Twilight Zoning: Influences of Urban Land Use on Bat Activity in the Metro Vancouver Region

 

Talk summary:

Bats are facing conservation concerns ranging from disease, wind turbine collisions, and habitat loss. Urban greenspaces have been identified as hotspots for bat foraging during the reproductive phase of their life cycle. However, it is difficult to identify critical habitat for bat species due to limited information on how urban landscape features influence bat activity. Through a series of acoustic sampling across Metro Vancouver, we aimed to answer what landscape features are associated with high bat activity. Over 80,000 confirmed bat passes through two summer seasons at 21 parks and surrounding landscapes. The presence of a freshwater source and the amount of vegetation near parks were key landscape features in predicting bat activity. While greenspaces may provide habitat islands for some bat species, our results provide an opportunity to target urban bat management that can contribute actively to regional sustainability initiatives while also promoting human-wildlife coexistence in urban spaces.

 

Aaron AguirreIRES MSc student

Bio:

Aaron Aguirre (he/they) is a MS student in the Connected Human and Natural Systems Lab and the Mitchell Multifunctional Landscape Lab advised by Dr. Kai Chan and Dr. Matthew Mitchell. Prior to joining the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES), they received their BS in Fisheries and Wildlife. Their current research focuses on how urban bat populations are impacted by land-use with the goal to inform bat conservation with regards to land development and foster an appreciation for urban wildlife.

 

See you on November 7!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

Bonnie Leung

RES Program Support (she/her/hers)

Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES)

University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus | Musqueam Traditional Territory

Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory (AERL Building)

Room 429 – 2202 Main Mall | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z4 | Canada

 

Email: bonnie.leung@ubc.ca

Tel: 604-822-9249

UBC RDC: Recruitment for Statistical Assistant position

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PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT – STATISTICS CANADA
STATISTICAL ASSISTANT
RESEARCH DATA CENTRE PROGRAM

The Research Data Centre (RDC) Program is part of an initiative from Statistics Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and university consortia to help strengthen Canada’s social research capacity and to support the policy research community.

Organization: Statistics Canada, Research Data Centre Program. Information on the RDC program can be found at the following link: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/microdata/data-centres

Position: Statistical Assistant
Location: University of British Columbia Research Data Centre
Rate of pay: $57,217 – $61,761 per annum, prorated. (Approximately $29.34 – $31.67 per hour)
Tenure and work schedule: Part-time as needed approximately 8 hours per week up to a maximum of 11.75 hours per week. The incumbent’s schedule should be reasonably flexible.

Language requirement: English essential

Job description: The Statistical Assistant is a Statistics Canada employee on site at the University of British Columbia Research Data Centre (UBC RDC). Under the supervision of the RDC Senior Analyst located at UBC, the Statistical Assistant is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of data security and access in the centre are in accordance with Statistics Canada policies and procedures for conducting research in an RDC. This includes, but is not limited to:

– Monitoring the effectiveness of and maintaining the integrity of the security systems in the RDC.
– Performing administrative duties such as preparing administrative reports, contract preparation, corresponding with researchers, working with university IT and facility staff, ordering supplies, and other related duties under the supervision of the RDC Analyst.
– Provide basic assistance to researchers on the use of the computer network, statistical software and Statistics Canada policies and procedures for conducting research in the RDC.
– Conduct other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

– Enrolled in, or completion of a degree program specializing in economics, health sciences, demography, geography, statistics, sociology, or a related field.
– General knowledge of the Windows operating system.
– Good working knowledge of Microsoft software with particular emphasis on Teams, Excel, and Word.
– Previous work experience in administration and client services.
– Ability to work independently.
– Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
– Willingness to become functional, as needed, in the use and application of statistical software packages.

Assets:

– Graduation with a bachelor’s degree specialization in economics, health sciences, demography, geography, statistics, sociology, or a related field.
– Experience in the processing and analysis of Statistics Canada microdata or equivalent data sources.
– Experience with at least one of the following statistical software packages: Stata, SAS, R, SPSS.

Personal suitability:

Effective interpersonal relationships, Judgement, Initiative, Reliability

Obtaining and maintaining the security status of Enhanced Reliability is a condition of employment.
Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada.

To apply:
Send your curriculum vitae, cover letter and names of three referees by email to wendy.kei@statcan.gc.ca

CVs and cover letters should be received at the above email address by November 21, 2024.

THESIS DEFENSE – MSC – FOOD – SHELYN WONGSO

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Announces

The Oral Examination for the Degree of

Master of Science
(FOOD)

Shelyn Wongso

“Characterizing Genes Involved in Bacteriophage Resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis”


Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 – 4:00 PM

 Exam Location: FNH 220 (Hybrid)

EXAMINING COMMITTEE

Chair: Dr. V. Kontogiorgos

Supervisory Committee:
Dr. S. Wang– Supervisor
Dr. V. Measday– Committee member                                                                                                    Dr.  K. Fong– External Member

Defense Committee Composition
Dr. S. Wang – Supervisor                                                                                                                      Dr. K. Fong– Committee member                                                                                                          Dr. L. Guan – External Examiner

 

GradUpdate – National Career Symposium, Finding and Applying for a Job, Doctoral Exam and Defence Procedures, Masters Writing Retreat, Why Think Deeply About Pedagogy?, Writing a Statement of Intent and Purpose, and more.

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In this issue, National Career Symposium, Finding and Applying for a Job, Doctoral Exam and Defence Procedures, Masters Writing Retreat, Why Think Deeply About Pedagogy?, Writing a Statement of Intent and Purpose, and more.

Registration now open

National Career Symposium for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Online | Tuesday – Thursday, Nov 19 – 21 | 10 am – 1 pm PST
5th annual Graduate and Postdoctoral Development Network event
Free, through UBC’s Sponsorship| Sessions include:

  • The Psychology of Focusing on What Matters, by Professor Joe Kim, PhD, McMaster University (Keynote)
  • Career Decision Making: The Role of Values
  • Research Your Career: How You Can Act on What We Know About PhD Job Outcomes
  • Effective Strategies for Tackling Networking Conversations
  • L’élaboration du dossier de candidature professionnel – Points de repères
  • Determining Psychological Safety in Your Future Workplace
  • The Future of (Your) Scholarship
  • Panel: Exploring Careers in the Public Sector
  • Panel: What I Learned from Serving on a Faculty Search Committee

Agenda Register

Finding and Applying for a Job
Online | Wednesday, Nov 6 | 11 am – 12 pm

Register

Doctoral Defence: Doctoral Examination and Defence Procedures
Online | Thursday, Nov 7 | 2 – 3:15 pm

Register

Joining the Scholarly Conversation: An On-Campus Writing Retreat
In-person, for Master’s students | Wednesday, Nov 13 | 10 am – 3 pm

Register

Seats available

Assertiveness: Speaking Up for Yourself in Difficult Conversation
In-person | Wednesday, Oct 30 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Register

Applying for Scholarships for Your Master’s Program
Online | Friday, Nov 1 | 11 am – 12 pm Register

Events and Opportunities

A selection of upcoming events are highlighted below. 
Visit  community.grad.ubc.ca and grad.ubc.ca/current-students/professional-development for our full events calendar.

ACADEMIC

Voices for Health Equity
A UBC Health and Public Scholars Initiative event with presentations, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities
In-person | Monday, Nov 4 | 1 – 5 pm Register

Using Zotero for Citation Management
Online | Monday, Nov 4 | 4 – 5:30 pm Register

Creating and Managing Your Academic Profile – Profile Tools
Online | Tuesday, Nov 5 | 1 – 2 pm Register

FIRETalks: Climate Justice
In-person | Graduate students present their research on Climate Justice from different disciplinary perspectives. Wednesday, Nov 6 | 12 – 1 pm Register

CAREER

GAA position: Centre for Community Engaged Learning
$31.18/hr, 14 – 20 hrs/week | Nov 2024 – Jul 2025 | Role will support/implement a project that will help to better understand the experiences of students with disability in community engaged learning and to support inclusive and equitable education in this context. Learn more and apply by Nov 14

Mastering the Elevator Pitch
Online Mitacs training | Thursday, Nov 7 | 12 – 2 pm | Mandatory online pre-requisite “Boost your career” (identify core skills and competencies as well as transferable skills for a non-academic path).
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

LEADERSHIP

Applying the principles of sound leadership and team building
Online Mitacs training | Wednesday, Nov 5 | 10 am – 12 pm | Mandatory online pre-requisite “High performing leadership and teams”.
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Cultivate creativity in your work
Online | Wednesday, Nov 6 | 12 – 1 pm Register

RESEARCH

Introduction to Machine Learning: Classification and Clustering
Online | Thursday, Nov 7 | 11 am – 1 pm Register

Data Bites – Introduction to Data Management Plans (DMPs)
Online | Thursday, Nov 7 | 12:30 – 1:15 pm Register

TEACHING

Conversations in Pedagogy: Why Think Deeply About Pedagogy?
In-person | Wednesday, Nov 6 | 1 – 2:30 pm Register

WORK WITH OTHERS

How to Apply for a CCEL Grant
The Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) grants support students in co-designing and implementing impactful initiatives that directly address community needs. Applications open Nov 1. Grant details
Online info session | Thursday, Nov 7 | 12 – 1 pm Register

WRITING AND COMMUNICATION

Writing a Statement of Intent and Purpose: Crafting Your Scholarly Identity
Hybrid | Wednesday, Nov 6 | 10 am – 12 pm Register