Since its launch in 2011, the PDF Travel Awards have helped many UBC PDFs attend conferences to present their work, enriching their PDF experience and helping anchor them within the academic world. Please read below to find out more about past award recipients.
|
Name |
Department, Faculty |
Conference - Date Attended |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter FY 2022/23 Q4: | |||
| Dr. Vincent Gosselin Boucher | School of Kinesiology; Faculty of Education | American Psychosomatic Society 2023 Annual Meeting - March 2023 | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Dr. Claire Hales | Department of Psychology; Arts | Winter Conference on Brain Research - January 2023 | Snowbird, UT |
| Dr. Vaseem Shaik | Department of Mechanical Engineering; Faculty of Applied Science | APS March Meeting - March 2023 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Quarter FY 2023/24 Q1: | |||
| Dr. Osei Boakye Fordwour | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Faculty of Medicine | American Society for Mass Spectronomy - June 2023 | Houston, TX |
| Dr. Mona Hamoda | Department of Oral Health Sciences; Faculty of Dentistry | Canadian Sleep Society National Conference 2023 - April 2023 | Ottawa, ON |
| Dr. Ana Mikolic | Department of Psychology; Faculty of Arts | The Annual Symposium of the National Neurotrauma Society (NNS) - June 2023 | Austin, TX |
| Dr. Matthew Scott | School of Kinesiology; Faculty of Education | Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network - May 2023 | Manchester, England |
| Dr. Rafal Skiba | Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine | The 2023 Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society - May 2023 | Toronto, ON |
| Dr. Jie (Adam) Wu | Department of Wood Science; Faculty of Forestry | 45th Symposium on Biomaterials, Fuels and Chemicals - May 2023 | Portland, OR |
| Dr. Fubiao Zhen | Department of Language and Literacy Education; Faculty of Education | American Educational Research Association Annual Conference - April 2023 | Chicago, IL |
| Quarter FY 2023/24 Q2: | |||
| Dr. Camila Cavalli | Animal Welfare Program; Faculty of Land and Food Systems | 8th Canine Science Forum - July 2023 | Budapest, Hungary |
| Dr. Miffy Cheng | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Faculty of Medicine | European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Congress - October 2023 | Brussels, Belgium |
| Dr. Ryan Falck | School of Biomedical Engineering; Faculty of Medicine | Alzheimer’s Association International Conference - July 2023 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
| Dr. Dawei Luo | Department of Forest Conservation Sciences; Faculty of Forestry | Forest Genetics 2023: Discovery & Innovation in Changing Climates - July 2023 | Vernon, BC |
| Dr. Richard Morrow | School of Population and Public Health; Faculty of Medicine | CASL Single Topic Conference - HBV - 2023 - September/October 2023 | Calgary, AB |
| Dr. Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi | Department of Civil Engineering; Faculty of Applied Science | 2023 International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) World Congress - September 2023 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Dr. Nathan Reis | School of Kinesiology; Faculty of Education | International Congress of Behavioural Medicine - August 2023 | Vancouver, BC |
| Quarter FY 2023/24 Q3: | |||
| Dr. Sarah Dickson-Hoyle | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences; Faculty of Forestry | 10th International Fire Ecology and Management Conference - December 2023 | Monterey, CA |
| Dr. Seyyedmilad Ebrahimi | Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Faculty of Applied Science | IEEE International Conference on Modelling Simulation & Intelligent Computing (MoSICom 2023) | Dubai, UAE |
| Dr. A.J. Lowik | Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity; Faculty of Medicine | Canadian Research Data Centre Network 2023: Leveraging Data, Research and Policy Collaborations - November 2023 | Hamilton, ON |
| Dr. Vivitskaia Tulloch | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences; Faculty of Forestry | PICES: North Pacific Marine Science Organisation - October 2023 | Seattle, WA |
Quarter FY 22/23 Q4
Dr. Vincent Gosselin Boucher
American Psychosomatic Society 2023 Annual Meeting - March 2023
This was my second time attending the American Psychosomatic Society's annual conference, the last being in Washington DC in 2019. As a postdoctoral fellow having received many awards, I had the chance to mentor graduate students at the conference. On Thursday night, I participated in a Round Table on funding applications. Mentoring is very important to me and this is why I want to share experience with future generations of researchers. I was able to discuss and give feedback to several young researchers. Also, I had the chance to discuss with several researchers from Canada and other countries. The conference allowed me to learn about the latest research in the field of psychosomatic sciences, a multidisciplinary field that includes public health, exercise science, health psychology, biology, and so on. Finally, I presented the results of my first study as a postdoctoral fellow with Pr Eli Puterman. An Unforgettable experience marking a great step in my academic career.
Dr. Claire Hales
Winter Conference on Brain Research - January 2023
The PDF Travel Award enabled me to attend the Winter Conference on Brain Research 2023 for the first time. The excellent science and networking opportunities I experienced mean I hope to attend again in the future. The plenary lecture, entitled "Race and the Brain: Insights From the Neural Systems of Emotion and Decisions" was a thought-provoking start that led to valuable discussion throughout the rest of conference about how we can improve diversity, inclusion and equity in neuroscience. I learnt about some cutting edge research in my field during the focused panel sessions, leading to new ideas I hope to incorporate into my research. I also presented a poster about my recent work using computational modeling to probe cognitively effortful decision making in rodents. The conversations I had during my poster session provided beneficial suggestions for further anaylses I can incorporate into the manuscript I am currently writing on this research, and also led to me being included on a minisymposium panel for the upcoming Society for Neuroscience conference. Furthermore, along with peers I met at the conference, I plan to submit a panel session for next years Winter Brain on the use of computational models in psychiatry research.
Dr. Vaseem Shaik
APS March Meeting - March 2023
The PDF Travel award enabled me to attend the recent APS March Meeting in Las Vegas. This is the largest physics based conference, and hence it covers almost all areas of physics research. As I primarily work on fluid dynamics, the diversity of the conference influenced me to attend talks on not just the fluid dynamics but also on the non-equilibrium statistical mechanics which is my secondary area of research. I attended talks by several pioneers as well as early career researchers in this field, exchanged ideas and formed long lasting bonds. My talk placed in the fluid dynamic session was very well received, with multiple follow-up questions. I am in the process of addressing some of these questions in the paper I’ve been working on. Besides research and academia, I also attended discussion on whether academia is for me, and how to explore options outside academia. I even talked with the hiring panel at various national labs, and some companies to know about their openings. Overall, although exhausting, this conference was intellectually stimulating and has left me with a broader (hopeful) perspective towards research within or outside academia.
Quarter FY 23/24 Q1
Dr. Osei Boakye Fordwour
American Sociey for Mass Spectrometry - June 2023
Attending the prestigious American Society for Mass Spectrometry conference in Houston, made possible by the PDF travel grant and the support of the Foster Lab, was an incredible opportunity for me. This was my first international conference and it marked a significant highlight on my year thus far. The conference provided invaluable insights and inspiration for my work. One of the standout experiences was participating in the preconference course on Native Mass Spectrometry, where I delved into the potential of this approach in studying membrane proteins, which are the major targets for numerous drugs. This course provided me with valuable insights and innovative ideas to advance my research. Interacting with fellow presenters and experts throughout the conference was truly enlightening. Their diverse perspectives and range of methodologies provided a fresh lens through which I could view my own research giving me ideas and possibilities for tackling the problems I face in my work. Moreover, the poster sessions offered invaluable networking opportunities with peers and industrial expects. This has paved way for potential collaborations and even future internships. These promising professional relationships have the potential to amplify the impact of my work and contribute to the advancements in the field. This opportunity for participation in ASMS was transformative, enabling me to stay at the forefront of mass spectrometry and drug discovery research. The connections forged with fellow researchers and industrial experts has had profound impact on my academic and professional trajectory. I am immensely grateful for the PDF travel fund's support in making this exceptional experience possible.
Dr. Mona Hamoda
Canadian Sleep Society National Conference 2023 - April 2023
It was my great pleasure to attend and present at the Canadian Sleep Society's national meeting. The Canadian Sleep Society includes members of diverse backgrounds including physicians, nurses, sleep technologists and dentists. My oral presentation covered my recent research into the Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Mandibular Advancement Splints and Combination Therapy on Blood Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients which was part of a Multi-center Randomized Clinical Trial. This national meeting provided a unique opportunity for me to connect with members of my research team who are not located in BC. Additionally, the meeting provided me with an opportunity to interact closely with researchers in my field which may open the door for future collaborations. A major highlight of the conference was a special session on dental sleep medicine which is the focus of my research.
Dr. Ana Mikolic
The Annual Symposium of the National Neurotrauma Society (NNS) - June 2023
It was my great pleasure to attend and present at the Canadian Sleep Society's national meeting. The Canadian Sleep Society includes members of diverse backgrounds including physicians, nurses, sleep technologists and dentists. My oral presentation covered my recent research into the Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Mandibular Advancement Splints and Combination Therapy on Blood Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients which was part of a Multi-center Randomized Clinical Trial. This national meeting provided a unique opportunity for me to connect with members of my research team who are not located in BC. Additionally, the meeting provided me with an opportunity to interact closely with researchers in my field which may open the door for future collaborations. A major highlight of the conference was a special session on dental sleep medicine which is the focus of my research.
Dr. Matthew Scott
Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network - May 2023
Being awarded the PDF travel funding provided me the opportunity to disseminate my research findings at the Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network in Manchester, England. This was the first time I had attended this conference and doing so provided a unique opportunity for me to share my findings with some of the leading researchers and practitioners in skill acquisition who are based in the UK and Europe.
My oral presentation covered the effects of dyad practice (i.e., practicing a skill with a partner) on skill acquisition, and how different opportunities to interact with a partner may moderate learning. The research was welcomed by the attendees and generated plenty of interest in the area. Furthermore, I found the research being presented by other attendees to be of excellent quality and informative to my current reseach.
In general, I found this to be a helpful and thought provoking experience which may lead to future international collaborations and will undoubtedly improve the quality of my future research.
Dr. Rafal Skiba
The 2023 Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society - May 2023
I attended the 2023 Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), where I presented a poster titled "Explaining Individual Differences in Cognition from Symptoms of Schizophrenia." The poster garnered significant attention; it also received an Early Career Award. As a presenting author, this conference surpassed any previous experience, providing unprecedented exposure and networking opportunities. I met numerous potential collaborators who showed keen interest in my research, expanding my professional network and opening doors for future collaborations. The congress showcased cutting-edge advancements in brain and medical research on schizophrenia. Engaging with leading researchers deepened my understanding of the latest breakthroughs and inspired further investigation. Among the intriguing topics, the normalization of data regarding negative symptoms in schizophrenia stood out, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to enhance patient outcomes. Additionally, interacting with experienced researchers enriched my perspective on the field and inspired me to aspire to their level of accomplishment. In conclusion, the SIRS conference was a transformative experience. The recognition for my poster presentation, the valuable collaborations formed, and the knowledge gained will shape my future endeavours in advancing our understanding of schizophrenia.
Dr. Jie (Adam) Wu
45th Symposium on Biomaterials, Fuels and Chemicals - May 2023
Enzyme-mediated biorefinery of biomass involves multiple steps, including biomass pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis (the bio-deconstruction of the plant cell wall), and fermentation. From my perspective, the primary focus of the 2023 SBFC is the utilization of fermentation techniques to obtain bio-based products, whereas there was less emphasis on the pretreatment of biomass and enzymatic hydrolysis. A large portion of the posters and presentations relates to fermentation, encompassing topics such as the breakdown of organic waste and lignin/black liquor through the use of bacteria and fungi, particularly oleaginous yeasts. Additionally, alcohol fermentation is explored for the production of biofuels. The primary fermentation products are alcohols, which have been used as a biofuel blended with gasoline. However, these alcohols cannot be used directly as fuels, thus requiring other technologies to convert them into drop-in biofuels that are functionally equivalent to fossil fuels. This was also a focus of SBFC, where a dedicated session was held to emphasize sustainability and advances in the catalytic upgrading of small molecules derived from fermentation. Furthermore, there was evident interest in reducing plastic pollution, as demonstrated by the presentation of research on plastic-degrading microorganisms and bio-based materials. These facts, in my opinion, suggest that SBFC is expanding to encompass a broader biorefinery concept, and there is potential for it to grow even further as each section attracts more participants in the future
Dr. Fubiao Zhen
American Educational Research Association Annual Conference - April 2023
With the support of the Postdoctoral Fellows Office, I had the chance to present my research findings in the annual conference of American Educational Research Association. It was such a valuable experience as I reported my research investigating English learners' content knowledge learning in a economically-challenged school districts and received feedback from many colleagues and scholars who were also conducting research in the relevant area. I also had the chance to attend lectures of some of the most prestigious researchers, scholars and philosophers in education area. Their discussions and lectures were very inspiring in interrogating consequential education research in pursuit of truth. This was a great experience for me to interact and communicate with some of the most active and intelligent educational researchers from not just America, but also many other places all around world including Asia, Europe, and Africa. I won't be able to make it without the financial support of our Postdoctoral Fellows Office.
Quarter FY 23/24 Q2
Dr. Camila Cavalli
8th Canine Science Forum - July 2023
The PDF Travel award enabled me to attend the 8th Canine Science Forum which was held in Budapest, Hungary. This interdisciplinary conference is held biannually in Europe since 2008 and it is the main international meeting devoted to the biology, ecology and behaviour of dogs, wolves and related canids. I am extremely honoured to have been able to attend to this conference which is fundamental to my field of study, and share the research my team and I conducted at UBC with researchers from all over the world. My presentation on the effect of mood on learning and stress resilience in domestic dogs was well received by the attendees and generated very interesting discussions both during the panel and afterwards during the coffee breaks. The meeting also provided me with the opportunity to connect with canine researchers from across the globe. I was thrilled not only to learn about their most recent studies, but also to hear their perspectives and advice on some of my upcoming research ideas.
Dr. Miffy Cheng
European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Congress - October 2023
The European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ESGCT) Annual Congress is a renowned global forum for presenting advancements in gene therapy and delivery. I presented my research, “Induction of Bleb Structures in Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations of mRNA for Enhanced Transfection Potency,” focusing on the development of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with increased transfection efficiency by incorporating 'bleb' structures. This presentation allowed for valuable discussions with peers about the potential of these structures in improving transfection both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the conference facilitated the reconnection with international collaborators, sparking discussions for new research projects. A notable experience was attending a plenary talk by MIT's David Liu, who discussed groundbreaking developments in prime editing technology and gene editors, highlighting significant advancements in gene editing. The ESGCT conference in Brussels was not only an opportunity to present my work from UBC but also a platform to engage with the latest innovations in gene therapy. It was an enriching experience, combining a collaborative atmosphere with exposure to pioneering research in gene editing.
Dr. Ryan Falck
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference - July 2023
Attending Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2023 will help me achieve my overall career goal to become a leader in the field of healthy cognitive aging. As a postdoctoral fellow, my research investigates how machine learning may be useful for identifying signs of cognitive decline. Specifically, the research which I presented at AAIC 2023 examined the capability of a machine learning algorithm for predicting cognitive function from 24-hour wrist actigraphy data – a field measure for identifying sleep-wake disturbances. These data are of particular interest to researchers investigating how we can harness the power of “big data” and artificial intelligence to identify individuals at greater risk for cognitive decline and dementia. My poster was well received and I interacted with many fellow researchers who were interested in my results. Through the support of this travel award, I was also exposed to the most recent developments in dementia research and networked with future collaborators from across the globe. For example, I am now working with a new collaborator on a paper discussing the current gaps in our understanding about how exercise can promote older adult cognitive health. I am thus truly grateful for the support of this award which has allowed me to share my most recent scientific work, as well as further my career as a healthy cognitive aging researcher by developing new partnerships and learning about the latest scholarly findings.
Dr. Dawei Luo
Forest Genetics 2023: Discovery & Innovation in Changing Climates - July 2023
This conference was a remarkable event. Drawing participants from various corners of the globe, including Canada, USA, South Korea, and Poland, this international gathering brought together hundreds of excellent scientists. During the conference, I had an opportunity for doing a oral presentation of my research on "Local Adaptation of Trees to Forest Pests". Throughout the conference, I found myself immersed in a vibrant atmosphere of intellectual exchange, meaningful discussions and fruitful interactions with experts in the fields of forestry, ecology, and genetics. This great opportunity opened new horizons of knowledge and deepened my understanding of the subject matter. The wealth of ideas and insights shared during the conference proved to be invaluable, and I embraced the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in the research community. Participating in this event was an enriching experience, and I am truly grateful for the chance to contribute my work and learn from such distinguished experts. At last, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Postdoctoral Fellows Office for granting me the travel award that made this invaluable experience possible. It is through such support that young researchers like myself can foster our passion for science and make meaningful contributions to our respective fields.
Dr. Richard Morrow
CASL Single Topic Conference - HBV – 2023 - September/October 2023
In the fall of 2023, I travelled to Calgary to attend the CASL Single Topic Conference on HBV (hepatitis B), which focused on the theme, “Progress Toward Hepatitis B Elimination in Canada.” An important part of the context for this conference is that Canada has endorsed the World Health Organization goal of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030. I am conducting research through the UBC School of Population and Public Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis B testing and treatment in BC. Attending the conference allowed me to present preliminary findings from our research in a poster entitled “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic–related measures on testing for hepatitis B in British Columbia, Canada: an interrupted time series analysis.” It was timely for me to attend this conference in the early stages of my research in this area. The conference allowed me to broaden my knowledge of current research and debates about management of hepatitis B and strategies to eliminate hepatitis B. A highlight was taking part in a workshop on the theme of hepatitis B and public health.
Dr. Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi
2023 International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) World Congress - September 2023
Receiving the FY 23/24 Q2 PDF Travel Award was truly humbling. It allowed me to participate in the 2023 International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) World Congress, held from September 10-13, 2023, at the InterContinental Dubai - Festival City in Dubai, U.A.E. This annual event gathers professionals worldwide from academia and industry in the UV field. At the congress, I presented my research on Rainwater Disinfection using Biosand/Charcoal and UV Light Emitting Diodes conducted in Kisii, Kenya. This vital work, supported by my PI, Dr. Sara E. Beck, aims to provide safe drinking water to marginalized communities. I also had the privilege of leading a discussion titled "Ask Me Anything," organized by IUVA young professionals. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to network with UV industry and institution representatives from Canada, the USA, Japan, China, and Australia. The congress enriched my knowledge through presentations and discussions with fellow attendees. I'm immensely grateful to PDFO for their support, as it made attending this event possible.
Dr. Nathan Reis
International Congress of Behavioural Medicine - August 2023
I provided an oral presentation on the results of a secondary analysis of data collected from the Fitness, Aging, and STress (FAST) randomized controlled trial at ICBM. Specifically, my oral presentation was on whether a 24-week aerobic exercise program improved sleep outcomes, both objectively and subjectively, of family caregivers. Findings indicate that the exercise program did not alter sleep outcomes across all parameters, but we believe that our null findings, in part, might be due to family caregivers representing a population that experiences regular sleep disruptions that supercede the potenial effects of exercise on sleep. I presented to a group of roughly 25-30 scholars, and was asked several important questions about the study (e.g., "Who were the family caregivers predominately caring for?"). Overall, this was a very positive experience, and provided me the opportunity to polish my presenting skills. Notably, all of my conference-based presentations were previously on research that I led, but in this case, I presented findings of work led by a colleague (i.e., Dr. Eli Puterman) in an area that I have little background in. As such, I was pushed out of my comfort zone as a presenter, and gained valuable experience in expanding my scope in research. I am very grateful to have had this experience.
Quarter FY 23/24 Q3
Dr. Sarah Dickson-Hoyle
10th International Fire Ecology and Management Conference - December 2023
This conference brought together over 850 fire scientists, managers, practitioners as well as Indigenous knowledge keepers for workshops, field visits and three days of sessions around the theme of "Igniting connections: celebrating our fire family across generations, cultures and disciplines". The conference started with workshops; I attended the full day workshop on "A collaborative framework for fire, archaeology and culture history: past, present and future". The focus of this workshop, on fire effects on cultural resources, was particularly relevant for my ongoing work with First Nations in BC who are developing monitoring and management approaches to protect cultural resources from wildfire and other land uses. During the main conference, I presented a poster presentation ("Fire severity drives understory plant community dynamics and the recovery of culturally significant plants in British Columbia’s interior dry forests"), an oral presentation ("‘Walking on two legs’: applying an Indigenous framework to guide collaborative research in fire-adapted territories") and co-facilitated a 'Fire Circle' discussion ("Guiding principles for transdisciplinary fire research"). I also attended a wide range of sessions on Indigenous fire stewardship, post-fire ecosystem recovery, and vegetation fire ecology. In addition to supporting our lab’s delegation of graduate students, I made and strengthened connections with key researchers and potential collaborators from the United States, Australia and Europe.
Dr. Seyyedmilad Ebrahimi
IEEE International Conference on Modelling Simulation & Intelligent Computing (MoSICom 2023) - December 2023
The IEEE MoSICom 2023 was held in the city of Dubai gathering many delegates from academia and industry in the BITS-Pilani University at their Dubai Campus. The focus of the conference was on the latest fundamental advances in modelling, simulation, and intelligent computing for the state-of-the-art practices in Electrical Engineering. My field of research is also in the area of developing numerically efficient models of electrical systems for power systems simulation programs; and the MoSICom 2023 conference was the right place to showcase the achievements of our research group. I attended the conference and presented the results of our recent research on “Enhanced average-value modeling of voltage-source inverters in variable frequency drives for efficient simulation of marine propulsion systems”. Our work received excellent feedback from the attendees and we could discuss many aspects of the work for future research. I was able to connect with many students and researchers in this field and we would exchange valuable thoughts and ideas. It also opened up the possibility for future collaborations with researchers in other universities and relevant R&D companies. Overall, this was a unique experience that became possible with the support received partly from the Postdoctoral Fellows Office (PDFO).
Dr. A.J. Lowik
Canadian Research Data Centre Network 2023: Leveraging Data, Research and Policy Collaborations – November 2023
The CRDCN Conference brought together researchers, policymakers, data scientists, trainees, and others from across Canada who generate and make use of large datasets in their quantitative social and health sciences work. The event included insightful panels with representatives from Statistics Canada and other government agencies who collect population-level data, and concurrent paper sessions focused on the use of those datasets in the areas of immigration, taxation, health, economics, and education. My paper, “Strategies for Gender/Sex Precision, Accuracy and Inclusion in Research” introduced attendees to the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity Research Equity Toolkit, Gender & Sex in Methods and Measurement. The presentation described challenges associated with working with pre-existing datasets that contains measurement and data collection-related shortcomings; for example, where large datasets conflate gender and sex, treat these facets of personhood as binaries, or do not allow for disaggregation of intersex, endosex, cisgender and transgender people. It encouraged attendees who collect these data to do so with accuracy, precision, and inclusion as guiding principles; it encouraged attendees who use these data, to do so in ways that expose the methodological and measurement shortcomings, and to transparently document the impact of those shortcomings on their findings and analyses.
Dr. Vivitskaia Tulloch
PICES: North Pacific Marine Science Organisation - October 2023
I recently attended the Annual Meeting of PICES: North Pacific Marine Science Organisation in Seattle (PICES-2023) that ran from 22 to 27 October at the Westin Hotel Conference Centre. PICES is an intergovernmental science organization that promotes and coordinate marine research in the North Pacific and its adjacent seas. Its present members are Canada, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America. The theme of the conference was to connect science and communities for sustainable seas.
I was invited to talk in the opening plenary session of the Science Board, as the winner of the first Early Career Ocean Professional Award. My talk, titled “Application of a Social–Ecological–Environmental System Framework to address and manage future climate change impacts on threatened killer whales and their Pacific salmon prey”, highlighted the need for more effective climate-informed management strategies that transcend jurisdictional and disciplinary boundaries, and improved compliance and enforcement of legally-binding guidelines to improve resiliency of killer whales, Pacific salmon, and dependent human communities to future change.
There were over 400 attendees from around the world, and I enjoyed the presentations focused on solving pressing climate change issues facing fisheries and marine species in the North Pacific region. Stemming from my presentation, I had some successful side meetings with delegates from Oceans and Fisheries Canada (DFO), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA, USA) and the Northwest Fisheries Science Center USA, focused on building existing and new collaborations with scientists to further salmon and killer whale ecosystem modelling research.