Nathan Skolski

Email: nathanskolski@okmain.cms.ok.ubc.ca


 

Wesley Zandberg, assistant professor of chemistry at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

Wesley Zandberg, assistant professor of chemistry at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

New, highly accurate test offers results in hours rather than in days

Wine producers and grape growers have a new, powerful tool at their disposal to help manage the impact of grapes exposed to smoke from forest fires.

Researchers from UBC’s Okanagan campus have devised a new analytical test to precisely and accurately measure the amount of volatile phenols–compounds absorbed by grapes when exposed to smoke that can impact wine flavour–that are present in the fruit prior to wine production.

“Until now, detecting these smoky compounds in grapes required fermenting a small sample over at least ten days and relying on subjective measures like taste and odour,” says Wesley Zandberg, assistant professor of chemistry at UBC’s Okanagan campus. “We’ve developed a test that detects the exact amount of volatile phenols present in the grape. There’s no need to ferment them first and we get results within a matter of hours.”

According to Zandberg, wine grapes that are exposed to smoke from wildfires absorb and metabolize volatile phenols in their skin, which may affect the taste of the wine later on. He says wine producers and grape growers utilizing subjective measures currently have to wait one or two weeks to find out if their grapes are suitable for wine-making. Meanwhile, costs and risk mount as their crops sit on the vine.

“By accurately and quickly measuring the presence of volatile phenols, we’re offering a much better tool to help vineyards and wineries manage the risk from smoke exposure,” says Zandberg. “By knowing precisely whether and by how much each crop has been impacted by smoke exposure, growers and winemakers alike can make informed decisions about whether the grapes should be used or abandoned altogether.”

Zandberg and his PhD student Matthew Noestheden, working in collaboration with several local vineyards and a Kelowna-based analytical company Supra Research and Development, have developed their test after a thorough review of all scientific literature on how Vitis vinifera–the plant that produces wine grapes–absorbs and metabolizes the smoky-flavoured compounds. They then used a series of chemical techniques to isolate the metabolized volatile phenols and measure them to a high degree of accuracy.

But Zandberg is also quick to point out that many wines are aged in smoked oak barrels that contain volatile phenols, so their presence is not necessarily a bad thing.

“We can also apply our technique after the grapes have been fermented and aged to measure phenol levels in the wine itself. This could be hugely beneficial in helping winemakers determine whether wines have enough smoky compounds to match their desired flavour profile after aging in smoked barrels.”

The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and was supported by funding from Mitacs, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council and the British Columbia Grape Council.

PhD student Matthew Noestheden.

PhD student Matthew Noestheden.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world. For more visit ok.ubc.ca.

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Discussions consider ideas like voice, creativity, collaboration and cohesion

Most individuals would say their identity consists of much more than what meets the eye. According to researchers at UBC’s Okanagan campus, the same can be said for wine territories.

The public is invited to take part in British Columbia as a Wine Territory: Catalyzing Shared Understanding of its Identity, a series of talks that will explore various aspects of the wine territory beyond beautiful landscapes and stunning vistas. Ideas on creativity, voice, collaboration and cohesion will be examined.

“Universities bring together different approaches to knowledge, and these public talks are intended to spark discussion on economic development in the Okanagan,” said Roger Sugden, one of the researchers on the project. “The speakers bring a range of local and global expertise, and will shed light on a range of issues that impact the identity of British Columbia as a wine territory.”

Four public talks have been scheduled at Penticton Public Library:

  • “Creativity, Universities and Regional Socio-Economic Development,” Roger Sugden from UBC’s Okanagan campus: Thursday, Oct. 12, noon to 1 p.m.
  • “Collaboration and Understanding in a Successful Wine Cluster,” Paul Davies from UBC’s Okanagan campus: Thursday, Nov. 9, noon to 1 p.m.
  • “Creativity and Voice in a Successful Economy,” Silvia Sacchetti from University of Trento in Italy: Thursday, Nov. 23, noon to 1 p.m.
  • “Identity and Cohesion in a Successful Wine Cluster,” Jacques-Olivier Pesme from KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux, France: Thursday, Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The public talks accompany Refractions: Appreciating the British Columbia wine territory, an exhibition on display at the Penticton Public Library until Nov. 30. Both the talks and the exhibition are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

The initiative is part of the UBC-KEDGE Wine Industry Collaboration, a partnership amongst UBC’s Okanagan campus and KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux, France, to help strengthen cooperation in the wine industry, enhance export readiness, and develop a globally recognized identity. The exhibition is supported by UBC’s Regional Socio-Economic Development Institute of Canada (RSEDIC) and Faculty of Management.

For more information about the exhibition and public talks, and the UBC-KEDGE Wine Industry Collaboration, visit: ubckedgewine.ca/2017exhibition

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world. For more visit ok.ubc.ca.

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The City of Kelowna and UBC’s Okanagan Campus have a new tool in place to help guide their continued cooperation well into the future.

“The Memorandum of Understanding signed today recognizes the value of our long-standing relationship with UBC and formalizes coordinating of our collective efforts,” said Mayor Colin Basran, City of Kelowna. “The agreement gives future staff, councils and boards direction and the permission to continue to leverage that partnership for the benefit of all residents.”

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the City’s and UBC Okanagan’s enhanced collaboration on a broad range of issues designed to positively influence regional economic development and contributions to creating a livable, prosperous and sustainable region. This agreement will provide a framework to further their common interests in research and innovation, community engagement, infrastructure, and risk management.

“UBC’s Okanagan campus is a devoted and integral part of the cultural and economic fabric of the Okanagan Valley,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard. “This MoU is a formal recognition of the long history of collaboration that we have with the City of Kelowna. By further developing this relationship, we hope to tackle the challenges of tomorrow by advancing the skills, talent and ideas of our community today.”

The MoU will remain valid indefinitely and will be managed by a designated Steering Committee with representation from both the City and UBC. The Steering Committee will be co-chaired by City and UBC appointees and the agreement will be reviewed periodically.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world. For more visit ok.ubc.ca

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The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, will host a Town Hall at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus this Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.

The University of British Columbia is delighted to welcome Prime Minister Trudeau (BEd’98) on his first visit to UBC as Prime Minister.

The public and all UBC students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to meet the Prime Minister at this special town hall in the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium.

Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.‎ (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
Location: UBC Okanagan Gymnasium – 3211 Athletics Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7

Online RSVP recommended

Please arrive early as this event is first come, first serve. Parking is available on campus; normal parking rates apply.

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First-year elective at UBC Okanagan introduces health competencies

UBC Okanagan students have a new elective course to consider this fall, as the university introduces the HEAL 100 course on health and wellbeing.

Developed over the past year by the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, HEAL 100 offers an in-depth look at health studies with an emphasis on student health – focusing on education, research and their impact on a variety of student health issues.

“The course is for first-year students, when they’re making that big transition to university,” says Sally Stewart, senior instructor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences. “We want to give students the tools and techniques to really thrive in a university environment. We already offer health programs – human kinetics, nursing, and facets of health and wellbeing in psychology courses, for example – but this course is more for students to develop health competencies.”

A broad-based course, HEAL 100 explores all the dimensions of wellbeing and health including physiology, nutrition, mental health and wellbeing, sleep, and mindfulness.

In 2015, post-secondary institutions from around the world gathered at UBC Okanagan to develop an international charter for health-promoting universities and colleges. Known as the Okanagan Charter, the document is a commitment to embed health in campus policies and services, to create environments which support health and personal development, and to become communities with a culture of well-being.

“This course specifically is a way of putting wellbeing as a top priority for our UBC students,” says Stewart. “We want students to be well, so they can do well in their university life. Wellbeing is linked to academic success.”

Stewart notes that no matter what type of work graduates go into, they will take with them the health competencies learned through the HEAL 100 course.

“To me, that’s another huge benefit of this course,” says Stewart. “It can have long-term health implications in our broader community for years to come.”

Other than students in the Human Kinetics program, students from any faculty at UBC Okanagan may register for HEAL 100. Details are posted in the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar.

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Master of Management students tour downtown Kelowna with City of Kelowna Director of Business and Entrepreneurial Development Robert Fine as part of their two week-long summer intensive.

Master of Management students tour downtown Kelowna with City of Kelowna Director of Business and Entrepreneurial Development Robert Fine as part of their two week-long summer intensive.

Students connecting with Okanagan enterprises in July

Professional graduate education is being reimagined right now at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

The Faculty of Management welcomed its first cohort of students into its Master of Management (MM) program this week. The 25-month, part-time program is designed to be accessible for working professionals from any sector worldwide, and is delivered through a blend of online and in-person learning.

“The Master of Management is unique in its emphasis on problem-based learning where students are engaged directly with the many types of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, confronting contemporary challenges associated with economic and social development,” said Mike Chiasson, curriculum lead for the Master of Management. “By exploring multiple perspectives through open inquiry, students are learning a way of thinking that will help them lead these organizations through important economic and social development challenges in the future.”

The program launched in June with initial readings and online discussions around topics such as leadership, sustainability, globalization, competitiveness, and problem-based learning, building up to the first “intensive in-residence” session. The first intensive in-residence session has included field studies with organizations throughout the Okanagan, involved in wine, research and development, health, technology, forestry, government, First Nations, and the food and beverage industry.

Students come from a variety of regions including: Japan, Pakistan, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Their professional backgrounds include areas such as engineering, education, entrepreneurship, technology, health, finance, tourism and operations.

“We have a fantastic cohort of people, and we’re already forming a bond. That’s what I was really hoping for,” said Roger Bizzotto, one of the Master of Management students. “We have been visiting local partners and listening to what their challenges are. When we ask questions, and discuss it as a group, that brings out new ideas and perspectives you hadn’t considered before. That’s when you can see how this local situation is actually global. It puts the learning into context, and it helps you absorb it that much more.”

Instructors also bring a diverse range of expertise to the program, coming from UBC’s Faculty of Management, Faculty of Education and Department of Psychology, as well as international partners at the KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux, France, and Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness in San Sebastián, Spain.

To learn more about the program, visit mm.ok.ubc.ca.

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Appreciating the British Columbia wine territory, an “exhibit trail” experience at several wineries, kicked off this month and will run until the end of August.

Appreciating the British Columbia wine territory, an “exhibit trail” experience at several wineries, kicked off this month and will run until the end of August.

“Exhibit trail” at wineries encourages discussion and dialogue

Scholars at UBC’s Okanagan campus are bringing wine industry dialogue into BC communities this summer with an “exhibit trail,” or multi-location exhibition, at wineries throughout the province.

Refractions: Appreciating the British Columbia wine territory kicked off this month and encourages residents and visitors to explore the BC wine territory identity and its impact on regional development.

Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the exhibition features archival and contemporary photographs, poems, quotes, art installations and collage – a collection that was initially presented at the Wine Leaders Forum held this spring in the Okanagan.

“We use visual elements such as photos and collage to stimulate thinking and discussion,” says Roger Sugden, Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Management and lead researcher on the project. “We hope that through the exhibition, people will deepen their appreciation of the wine territory and their understanding of the different elements that contribute to its success.”

Seven wineries across BC are taking part in the exhibition: Cherry Point Estate Wines (Vancouver Island), Northern Lights Estate Winery (Prince George), Okanagan Crush Pad (Summerland), Quails’ Gate Winery (Kelowna), Summerhill Pyramid Winery (Kelowna), The View (Kelowna) and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards (Oliver).

The exhibition connects participating wineries in a trail-like journey, providing the possibility for people to experience specific pieces at different sites. The display features a banner providing background on the project and posing questions as an invitation to share views about the territory.

The initiative is part of the UBC-KEDGE Wine Industry Collaboration, a partnership amongst UBC’s Okanagan campus and KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux, France, to help strengthen cooperation in the wine industry, enhance export readiness, and develop a global identity. The exhibition is supported by UBC’s Faculty of Management and Regional Socio-Economic Development Institute of Canada.

For more information about the exhibition, including a map of the exhibit trail, and the UBC-KEDGE Wine Industry Collaboration, visit ubckedgewine.ca/2017exhibition

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More than 1,650 students will receive their degrees at UBC’s Okanagan campus this week.

More than 1,650 students will receive their degrees at UBC’s Okanagan campus this week.

For many, it’s one of the biggest milestones of their lives—graduating from university. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, nearly 1,650 students will reach that milestone this week as the university gears up for six convocation ceremonies.

Convocation starts Thursday, with four ceremonies, and wraps up Friday with two additional ceremonies. During these two days, UBC will confer 33 doctoral degrees, 148 master degrees, 1,465 undergraduate degrees and an honorary degree to Canadian artist Alex Janvier.

This is the twelfth graduating class at UBC’s Okanagan campus and the number of graduates has more than tripled since 2006, when UBC Okanagan’s very first graduating class of 468 crossed the stage.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Okanagan campus Deborah Buszard says this year’s graduates join the more than 325,000 alumni who have successfully graduated from UBC and continue to be members of the UBC community.

“Members of this, our twelfth, graduating class have already shown themselves to be accomplished change-makers and innovators on campus and in the community,” says Buszard. “They are extraordinarily talented and I have no doubt they will be a force for positive change wherever they go.”

While Convocation is a time to celebrate students, UBC also recognizes outstanding faculty at the event. Ramon Lawrence, an associate professor in Computer Science and Christine Schreyer, an associate professor of anthropology, will be presented with the Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation. And Security Manager Michael Gesi will be presented with the President’s Service Award for Excellence.

Convocation ceremonies will be webcast live at: graduation.ok.ubc.ca/event/live-webcast

Thursday, June 8

8:30 a.m.—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for students in: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Freshwater Sciences, General Studies (Science), Interdisciplinary Studies (Sciences), Microbiology, Zoology

11 a.m.—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences 
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for students in: Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Gender and Women’s Studies, General Studies (Arts), Geography, History, Indigenous Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies (BSAS – Arts), International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics

1:30 p.m.—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences & Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for students in: Art History, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, English, French, Interdisciplinary Performance, Interdisciplinary Studies (FCCS), Philosophy, PPE, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Visual Arts

4 p.m.—Faculty of Applied Science: School Of Engineering
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for students in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Friday, June 9

8:30 a.m.—Faculty of Education; Faculty of Management
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Management

11 a.m.—Faculty of Health and Social Development: School of Health and Exercise Sciences; School of Nursing; School of Social Work
All Ph.D., master, or undergrad degrees for Human Kinetics, Interdisciplinary Studies, Nursing, and Social Work

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Avcorp CEO Peter George (right) discusses the new Learning Factory partnership with UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deborah Buszard and Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains (left).

Avcorp CEO Peter George (right) discusses the new Learning Factory partnership with UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deborah Buszard and Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains (left).

Avcorp Industries and the University of British Columbia have agreed to explore the establishment of a Learning Factory for Advanced Composites at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

The two parties, represented by Avcorp CEO Peter George and UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard, signed an MOU today at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

“Avcorp Industries is committed to exploring the establishment of an aerospace industry-first Learning Factory in a way which will push the boundaries of advanced composite manufacturing as well as provide a platform for a new level of research and training in British Columbia,” says Peter George, CEO of the Avcorp Industries Group. “We are looking forward to working with the UBC-based Composites Research Network in an initial focus on aerospace applications of composite materials and optimized manufacturing processes.”

Avcorp Industries is a leading supplier of integrated composite and metallic aerostructures, based in Delta, BC.

“BC’s economic success is due in part to our diversified economy—and this MOU will lead to the exploration of innovative opportunities for Kelowna and area,” says Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country. “Congratulations to Avcorp Industries and UBC on this important partnership, which will provide great training opportunities for students as well.”

“Composite manufacturing is a growth industry,” says Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country. “This Learning Factory concept provides a solid opportunity for employment, education and innovation. It would also further solidify Kelowna-Lake Country as one of Canada’s premier aerospace clusters.”

The Learning Factory will integrate industrial production with learning and research and provide UBC students and faculty with new opportunities for research, knowledge translation, and hands-on experiential learning. The Learning Factory will also provide technical and skills training opportunities for students from partner institutions, such as Okanagan College.

Through the development of a composites research and production facility at the UBC Okanagan Innovation Precinct, as well as an integrated digital simulation facility at UBC’s Vancouver campus, the Learning Factory will provide Avcorp Industries enhanced ability to evaluate and improve manufacturing efficiency.

“UBC is committed to bold new types of partnerships that create unique research, learning, and job creation opportunities,” says Buszard. “We are excited to take our discussions with Avcorp to the next level. We see this project as key to our ambition to help transform and diversify the regional resource economy to one that is driven by innovation.”

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