Inclusive Excellence

I am a microbial ecologist focusing on host-microbiome interactions in wildlife. Since starting at UBCO in August, my research has used primate and songbird systems to characterize the relationship between ecological stressors and gut microbiome dynamics.

In my time at UBCO, I have supported EDI by advocating for diverse candidates as part of a biology department hiring committee. I also will be incorporating materials from the Microbes & Social Equity Working Group into the microbiology courses I’m teaching.

Laura Grieneisen
Assistant Professor

I am a cell and molecular biologist with a focus on understanding the basic molecular mechanisms underlying cancer. Since joining UBCO as a lecturer, my focus has mainly been on teaching, and I have been teaching courses at both lower and upper levels of the undergraduate programs offered by the Biology Department.

Creating an inclusive environment for students both inside and outside the classroom is at the fore of my teaching philosophy. My work as a member of various committees and working groups, including the Biology Department’s EDI committee, is directed at promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at various levels at the university.

Brendan D’Souza
Lecturer

I am a plant molecular biologist and biochemist, investigating the molecular and biochemical basis of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (natural products) in herbal and medicinal plants. Typical projects in my group involve identification, cloning and functional characterization of structural and regulatory genes.

I am a Lung Cell Biologist focusing on establishing 3D bioartificial or biomimetic tissue models to understand how abnormal multicellular and multiorgan interactions contribute to chronic lung diseases.

It is abundantly clear that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is important for academic excellence. I have been involved in a webinar discussing black scientists’ perspectives on science and systemic racism and have been part of different EDI committees focused on improving representation at UBC. In my personal research and teaching, I strongly promote and advocate for EDI through principles such as a diverse research team and highlighting the contributions of historically marginalized groups to science.

Emmanuel Twumasi Osei
Assistant Professor

I am a nutrition scientist focusing on human energy balance (i.e., dietary intake and energy metabolism). The aim of my research is to characterize energy metabolism, body composition, and appetite in people with chronic disease to create personalized nutrition recommendations.

I am committed to learning from diverse voices and pursuing efforts to uphold equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in my teaching and mentorship. I do this by completing informal and formal EDI training (and encouraging my trainees to do the same), recruiting team members using advertisements with non-gendered language posted within and outside the university, openly discussing work-life balance practices, and using several methods of content delivery to help support diverse learners in the classroom.

Sarah Purcell
Assistant Professor