Melanie Dickie, Mihai Covaser and Samantha Krieg are UBCO’s top award winners.

It’s graduation at UBC Okanagan and students are being celebrated by faculty, staff and their families.

With the pomp and circumstance, the piper, the proud families, celebrations and packed audiences, come a number of awards presented to students and faculty during the two days. For the students, the awards are based on academic merit—simply being the best they can be.

Governor General Gold Medal for Academic Excellence

A chance encounter at a conference with Associate Professor Adam Ford brought Dr. Melanie Dickie to UBC Okanagan, continuing on a path that would eventually be a gold medal journey.

“It was a bit of serendipity, a bit of curiosity and a lot of shared values when I first met Dr. Ford in 2019. It was one of those classic hallway conversations—brief but energizing—where you realize someone else is thinking about the same big questions you are. We were both interested in how science can move the needle in real-world decision making.”

Dr. Dickie, who received her doctorate in biology after conducting years of research with UBCO’s Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab, is UBCO’s 2025 winner of the Governor General Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. The gold medal is awarded annually to the student with the highest academic standing graduating from a master’s or doctoral program.

Originally working with the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, Dr. Dickie had become familiar with Dr. Ford’s work through social media, where their professional interests overlapped in land use, conservation policy and the role of Indigenous leadership in ecological stewardship.

But after that chance conversation, she made the leap to UBCO to tackle “applied, gritty, make-a-difference kind of science.”

“It wasn’t just that the research fit, it was that the lab culture encouraged asking hard questions, working collaboratively and staying rooted in real-world effects,” she adds. “My time at UBCO has been transformational. Working with Dr. Ford and the lab has sharpened my thinking, expanded my skill set and pushed me to a new level as a researcher. It’s been one of those rare experiences where my gut feeling that something is ‘the right fit’ actually turns out to be true.”

Dr. Dickie, who was named a UBCO researcher of the year in 2023, is now back at the monitoring institute but has fond memories—including making Taylor Swift friendship bracelets with fellow researchers while camping—of hard work, driven research, lengthy Zoom calls and lasting friendships that add to the special honour of earning the gold medal. Her ongoing research will continue to cross paths with the Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab and she will remain connected to the team.

“My time at UBCO helped me grow, and that’s changed how I approach my work—and how our team works together. I’m excited to be continuing to collaborate with Dr. Ford. We’re still focused on what first brought us together: using strong ecological theory to inform applied research that directly supports transparent, data-driven decisions—especially in landscapes where people and wildlife intersect every day.”

Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

For many, Mihai Covaser is a prime example of the value of always putting the emphasis on what we can do, rather than what we cannot do.

Covaser, who graduated from UBCO yesterday with a Bachelor of Arts double major in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics, and French, is a top student and recognized leader in BC and Canada. Born in Bucharest, his family moved to Canada when he was young, eventually relocating to West Kelowna. Covaser graduated from Kelowna Secondary School in 2021 as class valedictorian with a dual dogwood diploma in French immersion.

When it came time for post-secondary studies, Covaser’s community involvement and career goals encouraged him to stay in the Okanagan.

“I chose UBCO in part to stay in my hometown and continue my community work, but I was also attracted to the philosophy, political science and economics program,” he explains. “It’s unique in its interdisciplinary approach and seemed perfectly situated to prepare me for my career goals in law.”

It’s also where Covaser continued to thrive. When he graduated yesterday, he was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The medal is offered annually to a graduating student who demonstrates academic merit and contribution to the life of the university and their community.

While at UBCO, Covaser created the Help Teach podcast, which he continues to produce and host, and worked as a language and writing tutor as well as a student ambassador. In addition, Covaser is an ambassador and director at the Rick Hansen Foundation—planning events that highlight accessibility and inclusion and guiding the organization—while also playing in a band and getting exceedingly high grades.

Not only is Covaser UBCO’s 2025 winner of a Lieutenant Governor’s medal, but he is also the recipient of the $10,000 Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Leadership Prize. Available to graduating students in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Science and Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, this donor-funded award recognizes students who have excelled academically and shown leadership while completing their degrees.

The award will come in handy when he moves to McGill University to begin the bilingual Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor program, where he will earn two degrees upon completion; the first degree in common law, the other in civil law.

“I have gained a deep curiosity for constitutional law and legal theory throughout my undergraduate studies,” he says. “While I haven’t chosen a specific field of law yet, I’m most interested in constitutional law and government work, entertainment law, human rights law and the functioning of the Canadian judiciary.”

Along with the medal and Pushor Mitchell recognition, he has also been presented with the Walley Lightbody Award in Law, the Amal Alhuwayshil Award in Campus Engagement and Leadership as well as the Petraroia Langford LLP Award in Legal Studies. He also received the University of British Columbia Okanagan Medal in Arts, which is awarded to the head of the graduating class with a BA degree.

Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering

There was a time in her life when Samantha Krieg, who struggled in high school, didn’t think the world of academia was in the cards.

Now, the newly minted civil engineering graduate is not only one of UBCO’s top award winners, but she’s about to embark on her doctoral studies in structural engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

“After researching countless career paths, everything from interior design to urban planning to food science, I landed on engineering,” she says. “What made me fall in love with it is finding creative solutions to real-world problems to help people and the environment.”

Krieg transferred to UBCO from Montreal’s Concordia University four years ago. Coming from a university of more than 40,000 students, Krieg appreciated UBCO’s smaller class sizes, and this helped her find opportunities for engagement in extracurricular activities and undergraduate research.

Part of this undergraduate research included work in Dr. Lisa Tobber’s Advanced Structural Simulation and Experimental Testing Group—a team that focuses on the social, environmental and economic factors behind today’s engineering problems. Krieg has a strong interest in climate change, a passion for sustainability and wants to research how the environmental impacts of large buildings can be reduced.

Krieg is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering. Named for electrical engineer and educator Dr. Gordon Springate Sr., this donor-funded award is presented annually to a School of Engineering graduate who has demonstrated a material contribution to their community outside of their program.

“I struggled in high school and always felt like I was not the person to succeed in STEM,” she says. “Throughout university, I have found confidence in my passion—using engineering to battle climate change while uplifting the people who need it most. This award will help me boldly pursue that passion.”

Krieg will continue this passion while she works on her doctorate in New Zealand analyzing trade-offs between embodied carbon reductions and earthquake resilience for concrete buildings.

“My interest in climate change mitigation, social equity and their intersection with the built environment drives me to become a structural engineer focusing on sustainable, earthquake-resilient buildings,” she adds. But my experiences as a woman in engineering and a student with a disability inspire me to empower others.”

Heads of Graduating Class

University of BC Medal in Arts: Mihai Covaser
University of BC Medal in Education: tum Marchand
University of BC Medal in Engineering: Conor Manahan
University of BC Medal in Fine Arts: Cady Gau
University of BC Medal in Human Kinetics: Simoné Kruger
University of BC Medal in Management: Shelby Frederick
University of BC Medal in Media: Juan Ablan
University of BC Medal in Nsyilxcn Language: Skye Fay
University of BC Medal in NłeɁkepmx Language: Sunshine O’Donovan
University of BC Medal in Nursing: Mackenzie Themens
University of BC Medal in Science: Zahra Kagda

The post UBCO students shine with top honours at graduation appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

Melanie Dickie, Mihai Covaser and Samantha Krieg are UBCO’s top award winners.

It’s graduation at UBC Okanagan and students are being celebrated by faculty, staff and their families.

With the pomp and circumstance, the piper, the proud families, celebrations and packed audiences, come a number of awards presented to students and faculty during the two days. For the students, the awards are based on academic merit—simply being the best they can be.

Governor General Gold Medal for Academic Excellence

A chance encounter at a conference with Associate Professor Adam Ford brought Dr. Melanie Dickie to UBC Okanagan, continuing on a path that would eventually be a gold medal journey.

“It was a bit of serendipity, a bit of curiosity and a lot of shared values when I first met Dr. Ford in 2019. It was one of those classic hallway conversations—brief but energizing—where you realize someone else is thinking about the same big questions you are. We were both interested in how science can move the needle in real-world decision making.”

Dr. Dickie, who received her doctorate in biology after conducting years of research with UBCO’s Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab, is UBCO’s 2025 winner of the Governor General Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. The gold medal is awarded annually to the student with the highest academic standing graduating from a master’s or doctoral program.

Originally working with the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, Dr. Dickie had become familiar with Dr. Ford’s work through social media, where their professional interests overlapped in land use, conservation policy and the role of Indigenous leadership in ecological stewardship.

But after that chance conversation, she made the leap to UBCO to tackle “applied, gritty, make-a-difference kind of science.”

“It wasn’t just that the research fit, it was that the lab culture encouraged asking hard questions, working collaboratively and staying rooted in real-world effects,” she adds. “My time at UBCO has been transformational. Working with Dr. Ford and the lab has sharpened my thinking, expanded my skill set and pushed me to a new level as a researcher. It’s been one of those rare experiences where my gut feeling that something is ‘the right fit’ actually turns out to be true.”

Dr. Dickie, who was named a UBCO researcher of the year in 2023, is now back at the monitoring institute but has fond memories—including making Taylor Swift friendship bracelets with fellow researchers while camping—of hard work, driven research, lengthy Zoom calls and lasting friendships that add to the special honour of earning the gold medal. Her ongoing research will continue to cross paths with the Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab and she will remain connected to the team.

“My time at UBCO helped me grow, and that’s changed how I approach my work—and how our team works together. I’m excited to be continuing to collaborate with Dr. Ford. We’re still focused on what first brought us together: using strong ecological theory to inform applied research that directly supports transparent, data-driven decisions—especially in landscapes where people and wildlife intersect every day.”

Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

For many, Mihai Covaser is a prime example of the value of always putting the emphasis on what we can do, rather than what we cannot do.

Covaser, who graduated from UBCO yesterday with a Bachelor of Arts double major in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics, and French, is a top student and recognized leader in BC and Canada. Born in Bucharest, his family moved to Canada when he was young, eventually relocating to West Kelowna. Covaser graduated from Kelowna Secondary School in 2021 as class valedictorian with a dual dogwood diploma in French immersion.

When it came time for post-secondary studies, Covaser’s community involvement and career goals encouraged him to stay in the Okanagan.

“I chose UBCO in part to stay in my hometown and continue my community work, but I was also attracted to the philosophy, political science and economics program,” he explains. “It’s unique in its interdisciplinary approach and seemed perfectly situated to prepare me for my career goals in law.”

It’s also where Covaser continued to thrive. When he graduated yesterday, he was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The medal is offered annually to a graduating student who demonstrates academic merit and contribution to the life of the university and their community.

While at UBCO, Covaser created the Help Teach podcast, which he continues to produce and host, and worked as a language and writing tutor as well as a student ambassador. In addition, Covaser is an ambassador and director at the Rick Hansen Foundation—planning events that highlight accessibility and inclusion and guiding the organization—while also playing in a band and getting exceedingly high grades.

Not only is Covaser UBCO’s 2025 winner of a Lieutenant Governor’s medal, but he is also the recipient of the $10,000 Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Leadership Prize. Available to graduating students in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Science and Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, this donor-funded award recognizes students who have excelled academically and shown leadership while completing their degrees.

The award will come in handy when he moves to McGill University to begin the bilingual Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor program, where he will earn two degrees upon completion; the first degree in common law, the other in civil law.

“I have gained a deep curiosity for constitutional law and legal theory throughout my undergraduate studies,” he says. “While I haven’t chosen a specific field of law yet, I’m most interested in constitutional law and government work, entertainment law, human rights law and the functioning of the Canadian judiciary.”

Along with the medal and Pushor Mitchell recognition, he has also been presented with the Walley Lightbody Award in Law, the Amal Alhuwayshil Award in Campus Engagement and Leadership as well as the Petraroia Langford LLP Award in Legal Studies. He also received the University of British Columbia Okanagan Medal in Arts, which is awarded to the head of the graduating class with a BA degree.

Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering

There was a time in her life when Samantha Krieg, who struggled in high school, didn’t think the world of academia was in the cards.

Now, the newly minted civil engineering graduate is not only one of UBCO’s top award winners, but she’s about to embark on her doctoral studies in structural engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

“After researching countless career paths, everything from interior design to urban planning to food science, I landed on engineering,” she says. “What made me fall in love with it is finding creative solutions to real-world problems to help people and the environment.”

Krieg transferred to UBCO from Montreal’s Concordia University four years ago. Coming from a university of more than 40,000 students, Krieg appreciated UBCO’s smaller class sizes, and this helped her find opportunities for engagement in extracurricular activities and undergraduate research.

Part of this undergraduate research included work in Dr. Lisa Tobber’s Advanced Structural Simulation and Experimental Testing Group—a team that focuses on the social, environmental and economic factors behind today’s engineering problems. Krieg has a strong interest in climate change, a passion for sustainability and wants to research how the environmental impacts of large buildings can be reduced.

Krieg is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering. Named for electrical engineer and educator Dr. Gordon Springate Sr., this donor-funded award is presented annually to a School of Engineering graduate who has demonstrated a material contribution to their community outside of their program.

“I struggled in high school and always felt like I was not the person to succeed in STEM,” she says. “Throughout university, I have found confidence in my passion—using engineering to battle climate change while uplifting the people who need it most. This award will help me boldly pursue that passion.”

Krieg will continue this passion while she works on her doctorate in New Zealand analyzing trade-offs between embodied carbon reductions and earthquake resilience for concrete buildings.

“My interest in climate change mitigation, social equity and their intersection with the built environment drives me to become a structural engineer focusing on sustainable, earthquake-resilient buildings,” she adds. But my experiences as a woman in engineering and a student with a disability inspire me to empower others.”

Heads of Graduating Class

University of BC Medal in Arts: Mihai Covaser
University of BC Medal in Education: tum Marchand
University of BC Medal in Engineering: Conor Manahan
University of BC Medal in Fine Arts: Cady Gau
University of BC Medal in Human Kinetics: Simoné Kruger
University of BC Medal in Management: Shelby Frederick
University of BC Medal in Media: Juan Ablan
University of BC Medal in Nsyilxcn Language: Skye Fay
University of BC Medal in NłeɁkepmx Language: Sunshine O’Donovan
University of BC Medal in Nursing: Mackenzie Themens
University of BC Medal in Science: Zahra Kagda

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It’s been 20 years of caps tossed and applause as UBCO celebrates the class of 2025.

This week more than 2,600 students will graduate from UBC Okanagan—the largest graduating class the Okanagan campus has celebrated since opening its doors in 2005.

“Graduation is always exciting, but here at UBC Okanagan, where we’re a close-knit community, it’s truly special,” says Dr. Lesley Cormack, Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. “Our exceptional programs, research opportunities for students, and commitment to student success help foster an inclusive and empowering environment. The heartfelt cheers at graduation come from the fact that everyone genuinely knows and cares for each other.”

It’s been two decades of milestones and growth for UBCO. When the campus opened its doors in 2005, there were 3,500 students. Today, there are nearly 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 137 programs. The campus itself has also grown significantly over the past 20 years, with the addition of new lecture theatres, student residences and cutting-edge research facilities.

UBC’s graduation traditions began in Vancouver in 1916. While many continue at UBC Okanagan, the campus has added its own flair, including a bagpiper-led procession and cap tossing—which ended up being revived in Vancouver after President Benoit-Antoine Bacon experienced it while presiding over UBCO’s 2024 ceremonies.

“A UBC grad ceremony is special regardless of which campus it takes place on,” says Dr. Cormack. “However, it is especially rewarding to celebrate with traditions that are unique to UBC Okanagan and our history as a campus.”

Graduation 2025 begins Thursday morning with students in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies donning gowns and mortarboards to mark a major milestone in their lives. Ceremonies continue Friday with students graduating in the Faculty of Health and Social Development, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Management, and the School of Engineering.

A significant milestone this year is the first cohort of five students who will receive their Bachelor of Nłeʔkepmx Language Fluency degrees. In direct alignment with UBC’s commitment to reconciliation, the BNLEK to creates new speakers in communities whose languages are critically threatened.

This year will also mark the third cohort of Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency graduates. Dr. Cormack says the university is honoured to play a role in language preservation and there are plans for more language programs to be introduced in the future.

“Language and culture are deeply intertwined,” she says. “Preserving and revitalizing the precious Indigenous languages of British Columbia is essential to reconciliation and reversing the harms of past attempts to erase Indigenous cultures. I’m incredibly proud of our inaugural BNLEK graduates for their perseverance and deeply grateful to the dedicated faculty, staff and community partners who bring this program to life.”

A look back at UBC Okanagan’s milestones during the past 20 years can be found here: ok.ubc.ca/20-year-anniversary

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Dr. Stephen McNeil was named one of Canada’s Top 10 and presented with the 2025 3M National Teaching Fellowship Monday.

UBC Okanagan’s Dr. W. Stephen McNeil is now officially one of Canada’s top educators, earning a 2025 3M National Teaching Fellowship on Monday. 

Presented to only 10 educators each year, the fellowship is considered one of the country’s highest honours for post-secondary instructors, recognizing their exceptional contributions to educational leadership, teaching excellence and educational innovation. 

Dr. McNeil, Associate Professor of Chemistry, says the classroom is just the beginning of a student’s university learning experience. He strives to help students develop transferable skills to help them become meaningful global citizens, regardless of their future careers. 

“Science teachers like to believe we’re training the next generation of scientists, but in terms of student numbers and an overall contribution to society, this is far from our principal task,” explains Dr. McNeil.  

“More importantly, we’re training people how to think like scientists, and how to interpret ideas and data in their daily lives. I’ve come to realize that my role as an educator is to prepare scientifically literate citizens as well as capable scientists. This has enormous impact on what I choose to teach, and how I choose to teach it.” 

A founding member of UBC Okanagan’s faculty, Dr. McNeil joined the Department of Chemistry in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science (previously the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences) in 2005 when the campus first opened its doors. Since then, he has fostered a strong reputation for educational innovation and has advanced his inclusive teaching style grounded in learner-centred approaches. 

“It’s a great honour to be named a 3M National Teaching Fellow,” says Dr. McNeil. “This recognition reflects the incredible support I’ve received from my colleagues, my students and the UBC Okanagan community. I’m deeply committed to creating engaging, inclusive and meaningful learning experiences, and I’m grateful that my work has been recognized in this way.” 

This award marks the first time an instructor from UBC Okanagan has received a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, building on the many impressive accolades Dr. McNeil has received over the course of his career. These past recognitions include the Open Education Resources Excellence and Impact Award (2024), the West Coast Teaching Excellence Award (2023), the Chemical Institute of Canada Award for Chemistry Education (2019), the Killam Teaching Prize (2018) and the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (2009).  

He was also named a UBCO Teaching Fellow for 2024–25 and continues to play a leading role in supporting and growing UBC Okanagan’s teaching and learning culture.  

“This award is a well-deserved recognition of the passion and dedication to teaching that Dr. McNeil has continuously brought to UBC Okanagan since its earliest days,” says Dr. Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, at UBC’s Okanagan campus. “His willingness to embrace innovation and try new approaches has led to truly transformative learning experiences that have supported students in his classroom and across our campus, helping to shape the learning environment we are so proud of today.” 

With this award, Dr. McNeil joins a distinguished group of Canadian educators who are celebrated for teaching excellence and educational leadership. The 3M National Teaching Fellows will be formally recognized at the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2025 National Conference this June in Saskatoon. 

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Dr. Isaac Li, along with students David Bakker and Micah Yang, prepare an experiment as they work to understand counter-intuitive biological interaction—like catch bonds—and how cells physically interact with each other.

In a first-of-its-kind breakthrough, a team of UBC Okanagan researchers has developed an artificial adhesion system that closely mimics natural biological interactions.

Dr. Isaac Li and his team in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science study biophysics at the single-molecule and single-cell levels. Their research focuses on understanding how cells physically interact with each other and their environment, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative tools for disease diagnosis and therapy.

Two of Dr. Li’s doctoral students, Micah Yang and David Bakker, have engineered a new molecule that could transform how cells adhere to and communicate with one another.

Micah Yang, the study’s lead author, explains that all cells have a natural “stickiness” that enables them to communicate, join together and form tissues. Unlike everyday glues, which tend to release more easily under increasing force, many cellular adhesive interactions behave oppositely—the harder you pull, the stronger they hold. This counterintuitive self-strengthening stickiness, known as a catch bond, is crucial for facilitating essential biological functions and keeping you in one piece.

Yang’s innovation involves a pair of DNA molecules designed to replicate this catch bond behaviour.

Dubbed the “fish hook” for its distinctive structure, this DNA-based system consists of two components: the fish and the hook. Using complementary DNA base-pair interactions, the system functions like a fish biting a hook, forming a catch bond. The bond’s behaviour can be precisely fine-tuned by modifying the DNA sequences of the fish and the hook, enabling control over its strength under varying forces.

“Catch bonds play critical roles in systems like T-cell receptors and bacterial adhesions, which are key to immune responses, tissue integrity and mechano-sensing—a cell’s ability to detect and respond to physical forces,” says Yang. “Nature has perfected these interactions over millions of years, but replicating their dynamic properties synthetically has been a major challenge—until now.

The study, recently published in Nature Communications, highlights the advantages of this novel DNA-based system.

“The tunability of this system is a significant advancement over previous artificial catch bonds,” says Yang. “The ability to precisely control the bond’s force-dependent behaviour makes it an ideal tool for studying biological interactions and developing innovative materials.”

Potential applications of the fish-hook bond are vast, says Yang.

In materials science, the design could inspire the creation of responsive materials that become stronger under stress, making them ideal for wearable technologies or aerospace applications where durability is critical.

In medicine, this approach could improve drug delivery systems or tissue scaffolds by enabling them to interact with cells in a force-sensitive manner, mimicking natural biological processes.

While the development of artificial adhesion bonds is still in its early days, Yang sees it as an exciting step in biomimetic engineering—an approach that seeks to replicate the efficiency and adaptability of natural systems. This work opens up new possibilities for designing materials that mimic or enhance natural biological processes.

“By mimicking biological interactions like catch bond, scientists are not only learning more about how these systems work in nature, but they are paving the way for new technologies that are capable of enhancing human life.”

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Dr. Deanna Gibson’s research in gut microbiome research is paving the path for a new class of therapeutics that can harness beneficial bacteria to treat inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and mood disorders.

Groundbreaking technology created by a UBC Okanagan biology professor is leading the development of new medicine that can help improve gut health.

Dr. Deanna Gibson, with UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, leads a research lab that investigates the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and human health.

Dr. Gibson is a leading authority in gut microbiome research and is also a driving force behind Melius MicroBiomics, a biotech company focused on harnessing the power of the gut microbiome for improved health.

Now, her entrepreneurial spirit and deep expertise are propelling the company to the forefront of the field by developing innovative therapies for various health conditions, explains Rob Emlyn, CEO and Co-Founder of Melius MicroBiomics.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with UBC, a global leader in scientific innovation,” Emlyn says. “This agreement will significantly advance our Genetically Engineered Microbial Medicine (GEMM) platform, and bring us closer to developing transformative treatments for patients in need.”

Dr. Lael Parrott, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Dean pro tem, says this partnership is a good example of how research conducted at UBCO can make a real-world impact. She credits Dr. Gibson’s innovation and enterprise to improve human health by leveraging the power of the human microbiome.

“Dr. Gibson’s work has contributed to the understanding of how these trillions of microbes influence digestion, immunity, brain function and chronic diseases,” adds Dr. Parrott. “Her passion for unravelling the mysteries of the gut microbiome and her commitment to improving human health demonstrate she is a forward-thinking innovator.”

GEMM is a novel class of therapeutics that harness the natural powers of beneficial bacteria to treat a range of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and mood disorders. By incorporating the licensed platform technology into bacteria, Melius MicroBiomics aims to enhance the efficacy and competitiveness of these engineered bacteria within both the human and animal care industries.

“The technology provides an innovative opportunity to use our gut microbiome as a tool in helping to treat chronic inflammatory conditions,” says Dr. Gibson, who is also Chief Scientific Officer and a Co-Founder of Melius Microbiomics.

Melius MicroBiomics is a Vancouver-based biotechnology company with a research lab in Kelowna that is dedicated to discovering and developing innovative microbiome-based therapies.

The company is committed to translating cutting-edge microbiome research into impactful therapies, says J.P. Heale, Managing Director of Innovation UBC, adding the GEMM products represent a promising approach that can address complex diseases with unmet medical needs.

“At UBC, we are committed to building collaborations and spinoff companies that can advance groundbreaking research to generate meaningful impacts in areas such as global health,” says Heale. “Through this agreement, we are excited to see how this UBC research discovery could make a significant contribution to the development of therapies that have the potential to address complex diseases and improve patient and veterinary outcomes.”

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The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science invites the community to a public presentation titled Climate Change, Forest Fires and Water: An Ecohydrological Perspective.

What: Climate Change, Forest Fires and Water: An Ecohydrological Perspective
Who: Dr. Keith Smettem, Emeritus Professor, University of Western Australia
When: Thursday, September 12, 7 to 8 pm
Where: Kelowna Innovation Centre, 460 Doyle Ave.

After the forest fires and then landslides of 2021, the connection between wildfires and destructive water events is a vivid reality for many people living in BC.

Now, UBC Okanagan is bringing in an Australian expert who can explain the science between climate change, wildfires, water management and how they can permanently change landscapes.

Dr. Keith Smettem, Emeritus Professor, University of Western Australia, is a world leader in ecohydrology—the study of how the movement of water impacts the land.

Hosted by UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, Dr. Smettem will detail the connections of climate change, forests and water with his knowledge in ecohydrology. He will also discuss potential mitigation strategies for the Okanagan Valley.

Dr. Smettem has extensive experience in catchment hydrology, plant water use, irrigation management, water resource assessment and soil physics. He is currently funded by the National Research Foundation of Luxembourg as a visiting international expert, working on issues relating to water quality and development of new environmental sensor systems.

The event takes place Thursday, September 12 at the Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna. A Q&A will follow, with the evening concluding with a brief reception. This is a free community event, but pre-registration is required.

To register, visit: events.ok.ubc.ca/event/climate-change-forest-fires-and-water-an-ecohydrological-perspective

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UBCO honoured more than 2,400 graduates last week along with top academic achievers Jordan Bird, Liam Krebbers, Oluwaseun Akinloye, Jacob Sol and Joanna Fear.

Inspired by previous UBCO top students as he began his master’s degree a few years ago, Jordan Bird—this year’s winner of UBC Okanagan’s Governor General Gold medal—has now reached their heights.

While completing his master’s degree, Bird worked under the supervision of Dr. Glen Foster and was also exposed to the work of previous UBCO graduates Drs. Mike Tymko and Ryan Hoiland—both won the Governor General Gold medal in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The Governor General Gold Medal is awarded annually to the student with the highest academic standing who is graduating from a UBCO master’s or doctoral program. This year, Bird, who received the university’s top award as he graduated from the School of Health and Exercise Sciences with a Master of Science degree, admits he had excellent role models and support throughout his studies.

“My undergrad mentor Dr. Trevor Day would always tell me that science is about people. You look at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences and realize it is a really special place because of both the quality of people you work with and the quality of research conducted. When you look at former students like Drs. Tymko and Hoiland—who are phenomenal people and academics—it’s no secret that you get to work and learn from really great people at UBCO,” says Bird. “If you work with genuine people who care about facilitating each other’s success while also working hard, good things happen.”

Bird didn’t plan on continuing his studies, but after meeting researchers such as Drs. Hoiland and Mypinder Sekhon—who were conducting research at UBCO—he decided to work on his doctorate and moved to UBC Vancouver to study under them.

“While it has been a transition to a new field of study, the most important thing to me is doing good work with good people,” he says. “The people at UBC and UBCO are ambitious, supportive, humble and enthusiastic. I’m just incredibly lucky to be able to work with such amazing groups throughout grad school.”

Bird, who plans to pursue either medicine or critical care research, was presented with his Governor General Gold medal when he graduated Friday morning.

Also graduating Friday, was Liam Krebbers, who is heading straight into his doctoral program. Along with receiving the School of Engineering Medal of Excellence, he was also presented with the Governor General’s Silver Medal for his high academic accomplishments.

The Governor General’s Silver Medal recognizes undergraduate students who have achieved the top academic record throughout their university careers, while the UBCO Engineering medal goes to the campus’ top graduating engineering student.

Krebbers also won an Ivy League entrance scholarship and will begin his doctoral studies in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton.

“I’m incredibly grateful for all the awards, encouragement and opportunities I received at UBC and am so excited to continue my journey at Princeton this fall,” says Krebbers.

Over the past two years, through his undergraduate research work with Dr. Sina Kheirkhah, an Associate Professor with the School of Engineering, Krebbers seized every opportunity to learn about combustion, laser-based diagnostics, fuel flexible technologies and published several research and conference papers along the way.

He has his sights set on becoming a researcher and professor.

Like many who graduated from UBCO last week, Oluwaseun Akinloye didn’t have a high school graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic and her first year of studies at UBCO was virtual. When she did eventually arrive on campus from Calgary, she immediately got involved participating in ski outings, and joining organizations like the African Caribbean Student Club (ACSC).

However, even though she was working as a residence advisor and peer mentor, Akinloye felt isolated. While the ACSC helped her feel heard and understood, and validated her need for connection, she also saw a void and felt there was something she could offer in return.

In her third year, Akinloye spearheaded various Black History Month events, including one event that attracted more than 250 participants. This was a foundational step in the establishment of the Black Student Association (BSA).

“As co-founder and inaugural president of the BSA, I confronted the isolation that many black students felt in the Okanagan. We recognized a gap that needed bridging—the ACSC was thriving, yes, but its presence did not negate the need for the BSA, which addresses a broader spectrum of Black identity than the ACSC, recognizing that not all people of African or Caribbean descent identify as Black and not all Black individuals are African or Caribbean.”

She also established the first BSA student art exhibit on campus to feature works solely by Black students. But she didn’t stop with art and academics, introducing monthly “Let’s Agree to Disagree” forums which offered a platform for all students to voice their thoughts on a wide range of topics, from everyday pop culture to critical global issues.

As she graduated from the School of Health and Exercises Friday, Akinloye was presented with UBCO’s Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The medal is offered annually to a graduating student who demonstrates academic merit and contribution to the life of the university and their community.

Akinloye notes she is proud of her accomplishments, the BSA has bloomed with growing membership and she feels she has made a significant difference to life at UBCO. Later this year she will take her Medical College Admission Test and begin applying to different schools.

While medals and accolades were handed out during the two days of ceremonies last week, many students were also presented the scholarships and recognition for their work in and out of the classroom.

Jacob Sol, who crossed the stage to pick up his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Friday afternoon not only picked up his parchment, but also received the 2024 Gordon Springate Sr. Award.

The Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering is presented annually to an engineering graduate who has demonstrated a material contribution to their community outside of their program. The $15,000 award—the single largest donor-funded award for an undergraduate student at UBC Okanagan—is named for Dr. Gordon Springate Sr., a mechanical engineering and educator committed to giving back to his field and his community.

True to the intentions of the award, Sol’s time at UBC has been spent making an impact.

During his first semester at UBCO in fall 2020—a time when the world was grappling with COVID-19—Sol was laser-focused on another threat to the globe.

“It dawned on me early in my studies that stormwater contamination is a hugely significant environmental issue, both in our local communities and worldwide. With our water systems being so precious in the Okanagan, and all over the world, I saw there was a need and a way for me to make a positive impact,” explains Sol, who credits his father for inspiring him to take an interest in the ocean and aquatic environments from a young age.

Sol developed the idea for a smart integrated stormwater decontamination and flood monitoring device which allows for real-time data collection and informed decision making. He and his classmates would go on to work with a number of community partners, including the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the City of Kelowna. In June 2020, Jacob’s team presented its idea in the final AquaHacking pitch competition and was awarded second place in Western Canada.

Along the way, Sol balanced keeping the research project afloat while maintaining outstanding grades and being a member of the UBCO Heat men’s soccer team.

“It’s not always easy juggling everything, but my time at UBCO has been rewarding because I’ve had these opportunities to get involved outside the classroom,” says Sol. “I’m very proud I’d been able to make difference through and I hope through my graduate studies I’ll be able to continue to build on the idea.”

Sol will be using the award as he enters graduate studies at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands.

“The opportunity to study at TU Delft is life changing. I’m incredibly grateful to the Springate family for this support, which is helping to make my dream possible.”

On Thursday, another student—one who is used to being a top winner—was also recognized for her academic achievements. Joanna Fear earned her Bachelor of Science degree and was also named winner of the Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Medal Leadership Prize—one of the highest awards available for a student in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Sciences.

For more than 15 years, the $10,000 prize has recognized a top graduating student who has excelled academically and shown leadership while earning their degree. Fear has done that and a bit more—she is also one of Canada’s top female triathletes and competed for Canada at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before retiring from the sport.

“I want to thank the people who helped to get me to UBCO after the Tokyo Olympics. Coach Malindi Elmore was an incredible mentor as I navigated retirement from a sport that I had done full-time for over a decade,” says Fear.

Fear, who has been accepted to the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, was surprised when she heard she had won the award. The support provided by this award will allow her to move begin her medical training this September.

“I am truly honoured at having been selected, and I will continue to be a leader both on and off the field of play,” she adds. “I feel deeply privileged to have won this award and I hope to make the UBCO community.”

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Graduates toss their caps as their ceremony comes to a conclusion at one of three graduation ceremonies at UBCO Thursday.

When Liam Krebbers crossed the stage to receive his degree at UBC Okanagan’s final graduation ceremony today, it was a brand-new experience for him.

Like many of his classmates, Krebbers graduated high school in June 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time of isolation, protective masks and cancelled or modified celebrations.

“I graduated high school during the time of online and physically distanced ceremonies,” says Krebbers.  “I walked across the stage in a nearly empty arena, 15 minutes apart from my friends. I’m very excited this year to be part of an actual graduation ceremony and I’m looking forward to graduating with all my friends.”

Krebbers was one of 2,400 graduates celebrated Thursday and Friday at UBCO—the largest number of graduating students since the university campus was established in 2005.

For many students, notes Dr. Lesley Cormack, UBCO’s Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, it was their first opportunity to cross that stage in front of a jam-packed audience.

“We are incredibly excited to celebrate graduation every year, but this year is particularly meaningful as many of the students graduating did not have a traditional high school graduation due to the pandemic,” says Dr. Cormack. “Ceremonies like graduation provide opportunities for connection, signify our collective values and allow us to come together to celebrate the hard work that has gone into obtaining a UBC degree.”

Along with conferring more than 2,400 doctoral, master’s and undergraduate degrees, UBCO celebrated a number of top academic awards, teaching excellence awards and the conferring of seven Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency (BNFL) degrees. This is the second cohort of students to graduate from the BNLF program, the first being last year after the degree program was introduced in accordance with UBC’s commitment to truth and reconciliation.

During graduation, UBCO also celebrated three people who have been instrumental in the growth of the campus and the community with honorary degrees.

Dr. Deborah Buszard, who served as Interim UBC President from 2022 to 2023, and UBCO’s Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for eight years before that, was presented with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Thursday morning. Ian Cull, former UBCO Associate Vice-President, Students was also presented with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Thursday afternoon. Kelowna entrepreneur Ragwa Gopal, a leader in British Columbia’s tech and innovation community and founder of Accelerate Okanagan in 2012, was presented with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Friday morning.

Honorary degrees are awarded by universities to recognize people who have made substantial contributions to society at the provincial, national or international levels. Dr. Cormack noted all three honorary degree recipients have made a significant difference to the Okanagan region, the community and UBCO since it first opened 19 years ago.

In all, six ceremonies took place yesterday and today, and the students of 2024 were celebrated loudly and proudly by their families, fellow students as well as UBCO faculty and staff.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the UBC Okanagan Class of 2024 for their hard work, perseverance and determination,” adds Dr. Cormack. “They are going out into a world as change makers and it desperately needs them. We are proud of them and can’t wait to see what they achieve.”

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UBCO researchers are urging the province to come up with a use management strategy for provincial parks due to concerns about overuse as the parks’ popularity, and BC’s population, continue to increase. Pictured: Saysutshun Provincial Park. Photo by Lyle Wilkinson on Unsplash.

The very thing that makes BC’s pristine provincial parks so popular—nature, serenity, wildlife, the great outdoors—may be in danger of irreparable damage as park use continues to grow alongside the province’s population.

In fact, UBC Okanagan researchers say finding a balance between ecological integrity and public enjoyment of provincial parks is a pressing issue that is likely to escalate with population growth and climate change.

Dr. Michael Noonan is head of UBCO’s Quantitative Ecology Lab in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science. His team’s latest research examines the future of BC’s bustling provincial park system and suggests that as the climate continues to warm, parks will feel the brunt of increased use.

“The problem isn’t going to go away,” he adds. “Parks will suffer from overcrowding, and there will be more human-wildlife conflict in these parks. We’re calling for better education that needs to start now, not in a few years.”

Dr. Noonan cautions that finding a balance between providing recreational opportunities and preserving a safe environment for wildlife will be challenging.

“Our provincial parks have a dual mandate,” he says. “They are areas for people to use for recreational purposes, but they’re also meant as protected places for wildlife. People will often use parks based on the weather—it’s a nice day; let’s get out for a hike. The warmer the weather, the busier these parks are going to get.”

Their study, published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, analyzed the daily usage of more than 249 BC provincial parks. The study’s lead author, undergraduate student Dayna Weststrate, says that management plans have already been implemented to control overuse in highly populated areas.

Crowds bring other potential issues, such as noisy parking lots, damage to sensitive off-trail areas, increased littering and more frequent encounters between visitors and wildlife.

Some parks already require a day-use permit to regulate the number of people allowed to access trails, picnic areas and lakes.

“We tend to be typically reactive with our parks, but I’m suggesting that now is the time we start planning for the future,” Weststrate says. “Instead of reacting to overcrowding when it happens, let’s plan for the future now.”

Along with concerns about heavier park use due to population growth, the study also points to another ramification of overuse—climate change will have ecological consequences that can affect park attendance.

As the climate continues to change, it is expected that wildlife will adjust the timing of their migration or reproduction patterns. This, in turn, may lead to changes in the busiest months for park usage. Such changes could have an impact on mating habits and the reproduction of several species.

Weststrate says the study is an opportunity for the province to start planning for the future sustainability of BC parks. She notes that if proper plans are not in place, climate change-driven increases in attendance and human-wildlife interactions risk the sustainability of nature-based tourism within BC’s protected areas.

“Some of the projections do seem bleak, but they are not yet set in stone,” she adds. “The future of BC’s parks depends upon our ability to maintain a healthy balance between tourism and conservation. Park managers should use these findings to plan for more visitors and avoid cases of human-wildlife conflict, ultimately sustaining the viability of nature-based tourism.”

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