Prospective Students and Postdocs

Our Mission

Exercise, Metabolism and Inflammation Lab (EMIL) is a research laboratory in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences in the Faculty of Health and Social Development located at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna. We conduct human experimental studies and lead clinical trials using a “molecule-to-human” approach to study how different nutrition or physical activity interventions impact metabolic, cardiovascular, and immunology outcomes relevant to type 2 diabetes. We are a group of researchers with different backgrounds such as kinesiology, nutrition, public health, physiology, medicine, and biology who conduct research using various methodologies.

Our research falls into three streams:

1) Determining how different types of exercise impact cardiometabolic health, chronic inflammation, and immune function with a particular focus on individuals with, and at risk for, type 2 diabetes;

2) Evaluating the impact of dietary interventions in the prevention, treatment and (especially) remission of type 2 diabetes:

3) Understanding the mechanisms, and systemic consequences, of chronic low-grade inflammation.

Our Aim

To optimize diet and exercise interventions for the prevention, treatment, and reversal/remission of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Our Values

We strive to build a community in which human rights are respected, and equity and inclusion are embedded in all areas of academic, work, and campus life. We welcome members from all backgrounds to stimulate a diverse and inclusive environment.

 

Information for Prospective Students

EMIL welcomes undergraduate student volunteers interested in doing research!

If you are looking to gain experience in human/clinical research involving one of the lab streams, you are welcome to apply. Tasks may include interacting with participants, data entry, delivering surveys and questionnaires, conducting basic experiments in the wet lab, developing literature reviews, and presenting projects in small events and lab meetings. You will be supervised and trained by a senior lab member in your day-to-day experience to help you gain confidence and improve your research skills. Major formal opportunities include:

 

  • The BHK Honours Thesis enables high-achieving students in Health and Exercise Sciences to gain additional research experience through the completion of an honours thesis.

Student Contact / HES Undergraduate Office

Email: hes.undergrad@ubc.ca

Office: ARTS 331

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please send your application package (including Application Form, CV, transcript, and class schedule) any questions/requests to jonathan.little@ubc.ca

 

Information for Prospective Graduate Students and Postdocs

EMIL is always recruiting enthusiastic graduate students and postdocs whose primary interests are related to exercise, immunology, or nutrition with studies ranging from healthy individuals to people living with type 2 diabetes.

Here is a link to all the information regarding admissions to the graduate program at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences-UBCO: https://hes.ok.ubc.ca/graduate/health-exercise-sciences/

Here is a link with information regarding the postdoctoral appointment at UBC Okanagan: https://gradstudies.ok.ubc.ca/postdocs/

What we look for in a prospective graduate student and postdoctoral scholar:

  • A strong match between my research program and your research interests.
  • Competitive applicants to our program have accrued independent research experience, such as an honours thesis (or equivalent). They also have experience presenting their research at academic conferences and/or have peer-reviewed publications.
  • Past research experience related to exercise, nutrition or immunology who have experience with methodologies used in the lab (e.g., exercise prescription, physiological monitoring, dietary analyses, flow cytometry, ELISA, continuous glucose monitoring, PBMC isolation, cell culture, etc.)
  • Strong letters of recommendation. A strong letter typically will be written by someone who knows you well, who can speak to your experience, skills, and abilities, as well as your academic potential for success in graduate school.
  • Evidence of strong communication, both written and oral. This will be assessed by asking you to write a 1-page research proposal on a topic that interests you and that you think you might be able to complete in our lab.
  • Ability to work well collaboratively and independently.
  • Computational/statistical skills or a keen interest in learning these skills and evidence of potential to do so.
  • External funding from government agencies. This funding can substantially boost the competitiveness of an application. Eligible students and postdocs are strongly encouraged to apply for Canadian Tri-Council Graduate Scholarships if they are Canadian or permanent residents of Canada.
  • More information about tuitions and awards for graduate students: https://gradstudies.ok.ubc.ca/tuition-awards-and-finance/
  • More information about fellowships and awards for postdoctoral scholars: https://www.postdocs.ubc.ca/awards-funding

If you are interested in joining our lab, please send your application package (including EMIL-Application-Form_grad and postdoc and CV) any questions/requests to jonathan.little@ubc.ca