LFS Today Feb 1, 2022

 News  

COVID-19 Resources – one-stop information

The LFS operations team has consolidated COVID resources from UBC and the BC CDC. As many procedures have been updated in the last month and as we prepare for a return to predominantly in-person teaching, they have provided links to find information on new campus rules and safety plans, where to pick up rapid antigen tests on campus, COVID-19 reporting and contract tracing rules, business continuity templates, and more. Visit the LFS intranet:
https://lfs-my.sites.olt.ubc.ca/operations/covid-19-resources/

If you have any questions or further inquiries, you can email LFS operations:
lfs-mcm-ops@lists.ubc.ca

LFS in the News

LFS made the news for its Food Science and Technology program. University Magazine, US News

February is Move UBC Month

Join the Move UBC Challenge to learn more about physical activity, exercise, what they both mean and how you can lead a more active lifestyle. Getting more movement in your day doesn’t have to be a daunting task! This challenge will guide you through the 24-hour movement guidelines, important factors contributing to your overall health, and you’ll be entered to win amazing prizes!

Learn more and register here.

 Events  

Today – Research and Teaching Seminars – Food and Resource Economics

Joakim Weill, PhD Candidate, Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis
Research Seminar:  Perilous Flood Risk Assessments
February 1, 10:00-11:30am
Register here:
https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Esfuyopz8sGtx_8VgCwdoLKvib9PD7GHhg

Molly Sears, PhD candidate, Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley
Teaching Seminar: Emerging Tools for Data Analysis in Economics: A Primer on Decision Trees
February 1, 2:00-3:00pm
Register here:
https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Atc–srDktGt0XsTY17yDew78PTeuP5UNN

Feb. 2 – FNH Graduate Seminar

FOOD
NO Seminar on Feb 2

HUNU

Guest Speaker:  Andy Amandeep Bains
Topic: Examining the efficacy of a virtual multi-disciplinary 10-week family-based behavioural lifestyle intervention in children and adolescents: A pilot study
Chair: Hadis Mozaffari
Question Askers: Tony Yang and Raihan Hassen

Link for feedback for each of the presenters:  
https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbYqWEhWaumnb5r

Zoom Info for HUNU graduate students:
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69152310622?pwd=QldNL2Frd2ZPUG0yNzFzbHlDVXh3UT09

Meeting ID: 691 5231 0622
Passcode: 650191

*For general Seminar info, resources and schedule, please see the FNH Graduate Seminar Series webpage: https://www.landfood.ubc.ca/graduate/graduate-seminars/fnh-graduate-seminar-series/

 Deadlines  

Mar. 4 – Staff – submit your Professional Development Fund claims

Don’t forget to use available professional development (PD) funding and submit claims in Workday by Mar. 4. PD funds are intended to support learning activities that will enhance your workplace knowledge or skills and support your career growth at the university. Claims will be accepted in Workday on a first-come, first-served basis, until the annual funding pool is exhausted or by Mar. 4, whichever comes first.

Learn more

Mar. 11 – NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Eligible faculty members may apply for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program. Through these awards, you can receive a wage subsidy of $6,000 to hire an eligible student to work on research and development in your lab.  Professors gain valuable help in furthering their research while supporting students in their learning.

The LFS quota for the NSERC USRA has been announced by the UBC Centre for Student Involvement and Careers (CIS&C). The Faculty of Land and Food Systems has 4 NSERC USRA 2022-23 awards. These awards can be held in the summer (May – August 2022), fall (September – December 2022) or winter (January – April 2023) terms.

The LFS internal deadline for the NSERC USRA is Friday March 11, 2022; the LFS evaluation criteria and process are available on the LFS Research Support website.

Similar to last year, UBC will continue to have non-NSERC grant holders receive approval from their Associate Dean or appropriate designate as part of the application process.

Continuation of accommodations due to COVID-19:

• Remote supervision of projects will be permitted. Supervisors must hold regular meetings with USRA holders via phone or video calls.
• Work terms do not need to be 16 weeks long, and can be less than 12 weeks.
• Full value ($6,000) of the award will be honored once application is approved by NSERC.
• For the student’s salary, Faculty Supervisor are no longer required to top-up 25% of the award value. However, NSERC requires that the supervisor pays a minimum salary of $6,000 regardless of the length of the award term and BC’s minimum wage requirements must be met. The minimum wage in BC is currently $15.20 per hour.
• For faculty members who intend to apply to the NSERC USRA, please ensure that COVID-19 safety measures and considerations as well as contingency plans are included when submitting their application. Questions we would encourage faculty to consider: Will the USRA be feasible given the COVID-19 safety plans as per Faculty/School/department? Can the USRA be done safely?

Additional information about the program can be found on the Faculty and Staff webpage. Student eligibility information is available on Student Services website.

Please contact LFS Undergraduate Student Research Awards lfs.nserc-usra@ubc.ca if you have any questions.