We are pleased to announce the recipients of the President’s Service Awards for Excellence and the President’s Staff awards, presented by the university annually to recognize staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement and excellence within the UBC community.
President’s Service Awards for Excellence
The President’s Service Awards for Excellence are presented each year to up to five outstanding staff members. The PSAE acknowledges staff who have made outstanding contributions to UBC, and who excel in their personal achievements.
The 2026 President’s Service Awards for Excellence recipients are:
- Abigail Overduin, Manager, Ergonomics & Accessibility; VP, Human Resources
- Caroline Chadderdon, Assistant to the Associate Dean, Faculty; Faculty of Arts, Dean’s Office
- Cindy Nahm, Assistant Dean, Students; Faculty of Science, Dean’s Office
- Steve Manuel, Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball, UBCO Heat; UBCO Athletics & Recreation
- Viola Cohen, Communications and Marketing Strategist; UBCO University Relations
President’s Staff Awards
The President’s Staff Awards at the Vancouver campus recognize the personal achievements and contributions that our staff make to UBC, and to the vision and goals of the university.
The 2026 President’s Staff Awards recipients are:
President’s Staff Award for Leadership
- Jackie Chambers, Teaching & Learning Manager, Beaty Biodiversity Museum; Faculty of Science
- Rockne Hewko, Academic Support Manager, Student Academic Services; Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- Shannon Sterling, Assistant Dean, Office of Student Academic Services; Sauder School of Business
President’s Staff Award for Emerging Leadership
- Cecilia Langill, Student Engagement Officer; Faculty of Arts
- Ola Kulesza, Organizational Development and Learning Specialist; VP, Students
President’s Staff Award for Nurturing a Strong and Vibrant UBC Community
- Bailey Kew, Manager, MEL MHLP Programs; Dean’s Office, Faculty of Applied Science
- Joanne Denny, Research Assistant/Tech 4 Biology Program; Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology
- Ryan Bouma, Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience; Faculty of Science
President’s Staff Award for Discover and Innovate for Impact
- Kayley Redgers, Clinical Placement Lead; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Practice, Midwifery Program
- Mary Anne Lyons, Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Integrated Sciences; Faculty of Science
President’s Staff Award for Collaborative Excellence
- Dr. Sharon Wu, Andy Lam, Diana Au-Yeung, Elisa Herman, Jackie Cheung, Leeann Liew, Lis Boyan, Lynn Chia, Molly Chen, Randy Yan, Dr. Richa Anand-Wong, Ryan Chou, Institutional Programs Office (IPO)
- Akshay Singh, Iris Cheung, Michael Chuang, Samuel Wollenberg, Research Security Team
President’s Service Awards for Excellence
The President’s Service Awards for Excellence (PSAE) are presented each year to up to five outstanding staff members from across the university. This is the top award presented to UBC staff.
The PSAE recognizes staff who make outstanding contributions to the university. This award honours those who excel in their area of work and in personal achievements, who exemplify positive contributions to UBC and our communities through personal volunteerism, and position UBC as an engaged local and global partner. These individuals improve the value, efficiency, inclusivity and equity, and sustainability of the services they provide by building respectful environments. They maintain a high quality of service to their clients and embrace UBC’s values of excellence, integrity, respect, academic freedom, and accountability. They create an inclusive, vibrant and welcoming community at UBC.
Abigail Overduin
Manager, Ergonomics & Accessibility
VP, Human Resources, Workplace Health Services
Abigail Overduin (she/her) helps transform how accessibility, inclusion, and workplace wellbeing are understood at UBC, creating opportunities for faculty and staff to thrive.
Service excellence
Under Abigail’s leadership, what began as a single ergonomics position has grown into a university-wide movement: today, more than 150 ergonomics representatives support departments across UBC. Her commitment to service is reflected in the success of the Centre for Workplace Accessibility (CWA), where 100% of clients reported that it positively contributed to their experience as employees and increased their confidence in participating in the workplace.
Driving positive change
Abigail helped guide the CWA from pilot to a permanent office while championing disability inclusion and awareness. From launching initiatives such as Disability at Work 101 to strengthen understanding of disability in the workplace, to developing accessible ergonomic resources and virtual Ergo Your Posture sessions during the pandemic, she has consistently created people-centred solutions for employees to feel included and supported to participate fully in the workplace.
Impact across communities
Abigail has helped embed accessibility across all types of roles, work environments and experiences. Whether addressing accessibility in parking lots, washrooms, or campus buildings, she brings people together to find practical solutions that create meaningful change. Her collaboration with UBC Student Housing on an innovative stair-climbing dolly solution, later highlighted by WorkSafeBC, reflects her ability to turn complex challenges into lasting improvements. Through advocacy, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion, Abigail continues to make UBC a better place to work, learn, and belong.
Learn more:
Caroline Chadderdon
Assistant to the Associate Dean, Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Dean’s Office
Caroline Chadderdon (she/her) combines exceptional professionalism with a passion for bringing people together. She integrates wellbeing, sustainability, and Indigenous reconciliation while creating a sense of community at UBC.
Service excellence
As Assistant to the Associate Dean, Faculty, Caroline contributes to the smooth functioning of the office by supporting complex faculty processes with professionalism, sound judgment, and care. Her understanding of academic policies, empathy for the student experience, and ability to navigate sensitive situations have made her a trusted colleague and valued contributor to the success of the Faculty of Arts.
Driving positive change
An advocate for workplace wellbeing and community connection, Caroline has created opportunities for colleagues to build relationships, support psychological health and safety, and engage in shared learning through projects funded by the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund. Most notably, she developed a series of walking tours that combined physical wellbeing with engagement in Indigenous knowledge, helping to advance a more inclusive, respectful, and culturally aware workplace.
Impact across communities
Caroline’s impact extends far beyond her formal role. She led cross-campus efforts to reduce bird collisions in the Buchanan buildings, bringing together researchers, students, and community partners to address both ecological and workplace wellbeing concerns. She also secured funding through the Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Fund to support a Musqueam public artwork project that promotes learning while creating a lasting visual acknowledgement of the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory on which UBC stands. Through these initiatives, Caroline continues to strengthen connections between people, place, and community.
Learn more:
Cindy Nahm
Assistant Dean, Students
Faculty of Science, Dean’s Office
Throughout her 28-year career at UBC, Cindy Nahm (she/her) has transformed the student experience by strengthening services, advancing equity, and leading transformative institutional change.
Service excellence
As Assistant Dean, Students in the Faculty of Science, Cindy provides leadership for services supporting more than 10,500 students. She has built a reputation for navigating complex student matters with fairness, rigour, and compassion, from admissions and academic appeals to student wellbeing and academic integrity. Her student-centred approach helped shape a collaborative advising model that has since been adopted by post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.
Driving positive change
Cindy’s career is marked by institutional transformation. She has led major initiatives that modernized student systems and services, including serving as the Faculty of Science’s Primary Transition Lead for Workday Student. She also established the Faculty’s Embedded Counselling and Wellbeing Program, bringing crisis intervention and mental health support directly to students, and played a key role in implementing reforms to UBC’s Academic Concession Policy, improving accessibility and reducing barriers to support.
Impact across communities
Cindy’s leadership in Indigenous student support is among her most impactful contributions, including the UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership, the CEDAR Indigenous youth STEM outreach program, and Indigenous tutoring supports for Science students. Together, these programs strengthen pathways and transitions into STEM, expand opportunities, and help Indigenous learners achieve their full academic potential. Through collaboration and sustained leadership, Cindy continues to shape a more equitable and supportive educational experience for students across UBC.
Learn more:
Steve Manuel
Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball, UBCO Heat
Steve Manuel (he/him) has dedicated more than 25 years to helping UBC’s student-athletes realize their full potential. Through coaching, mentorship, and community stewardship, he has built a legacy that extends far beyond the volleyball court.
Service excellence
Steve has played a defining role in the growth of athletics at UBC Okanagan, helping guide the university’s transition into Canada West and U SPORTS while establishing one of Canada’s most respected women’s volleyball programs. While his teams have earned numerous provincial and national accolades, he is equally known for fostering an environment where academic achievement, personal growth, and athletic excellence are valued in equal measure.
Driving positive change
Under Steve’s direction, the UBCO Heat Volleyball program has become a cornerstone of youth sport engagement in the region, reaching more than 1,000 young athletes annually. He has also championed initiatives that support the holistic development of student-athletes, including nutrition education, mental performance training, and sport psychology workshops. To ensure student-athletes benefit from positive female role models, Steve also secured “Women in Coaching” bursaries to hire female staff, increasing representation within the program and fostering more inclusive environments.
Impact across communities
Steve has strengthened communities both locally and nationally through partnerships that connect sport, education, and personal growth. His long-standing work with Volleyball Nunavut provides experiential learning opportunities for student-athletes while expanding access to sport in northern and Indigenous communities. Through mentorship, relationship-building, and a commitment to helping others succeed, Steve continues to make a lasting impact on generations of athletes, coaches, and community members.
Learn more:
Viola Cohen
Communications and Marketing Strategist
Viola Cohen (she/her) has become a go-to leader for strategic communications while never losing sight of the human stories at the heart of UBC. Whether elevating UBC’s reputation through institutional initiatives or helping individuals share their unique stories, she ensures every communication is thoughtful, authentic, and human-centred.
Service excellence
Viola is a trusted advisor to leaders and colleagues alike, recognized for translating complex institutional information into clear, meaningful communications and solutions that support informed decision-making and strengthen community understanding. Her development of the UBCO Executive Toolkit created a centralized “one-stop shop” resource, helping campus leaders access accurate, consistent information and strengthening communications across the university.
Driving positive change
Viola has led a long-term initiative to build a more equitable communication culture. As Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for University Relations, she secured funding for training in equitable communications and trauma-informed storytelling, equipping communicators to approach their work with greater empathy, authenticity, and cultural awareness. Through her leadership, psychological safety and institutional responsibility have become embedded in communications culture, ensuring they are not just stated in policy, but lived through stories and actions in the workplace.
Impact across communities
Viola’s commitment to uplifting others while advancing the university’s mission of global citizenship is showcased in her mentorship of James Achuli, a student refugee from South Sudan. She helped him share his story with the broader campus community and provided the feedback and encouragement he needed to find his voice. By elevating individual stories and perspectives, she helps build a more connected, compassionate, and globally engaged university community.
Learn more:
President’s Staff Awards
The President’s Staff Awards recognize the personal and professional achievements and contributions that UBC Vancouver staff make to the vision and goals of the university.
President’s Staff Award for Leadership
The President’s Staff Award for Leadership is presented to staff who demonstrate a high level of problem solving, creativity or innovation. They communicate a compelling vision for their colleagues, influencing others to build consensus among individual and organizational objectives. They lead by example and display a commitment to the people at the university beyond the requirements of their job. They make UBC a better workplace and contribute to developing the leadership capacity and strengths of those around them.
Jackie Chambers
Teaching & Learning Manager, Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Jackie Chambers (she/her) leads with a clear sense of purpose: creating learning environments where natural history collections, biodiversity science, and Indigenous perspectives come together in transformative ways.
As Teaching & Learning Manager at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Jackie oversees educational and interpretive programming that reaches thousands of museum visitors, students, educators, and volunteers each year. Alongside this demanding work, she brought together more than 40 researchers, students, museum professionals, and Indigenous and IBPOC scholars to co-create BIOL 307: Natural History Collections and Biodiversity Science, an innovative undergraduate course grounded in experiential and anti-colonial learning. By creating space for diverse perspectives, Jackie fostered an unusually collaborative approach to curriculum development that enriches student learning.
Jackie has also led the Beaty Biodiversity Museum’s implementation of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, strengthening collaborations with First Nations communities and creating pathways for respectful, reciprocal partnerships. Her leadership has helped establish initiatives such as the Haida Gwaii Museum Field School and community-led educational projects that connect teaching, reconciliation, and biodiversity science.
By bringing people together around a shared vision, Jackie is helping shape a more inclusive, collaborative, and community-engaged future for teaching and learning at UBC.
Rockne Hewko
Academic Support Manager, Student Academic Services
Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Rockne Hewko (he/him) has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting UBC’s graduate education community with expertise, service-oriented leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
Throughout his career in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rock has become a trusted source of knowledge and guidance for graduate program staff across more than 90 programs. Known for his ability to navigate complex challenges with patience, humour, and clarity—whether supporting admissions, registration, graduation, or academic policy—Rock empowers others to solve problems with confidence while always keeping students at the centre of the work.
Rock’s leadership has been especially impactful during periods of significant change, including major student system transitions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of Workday Student. Recognizing the need for connection and support, he created the widely appreciated “Ask an ASM” sessions, providing graduate program staff with an open, welcoming space to share knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and build community.
What distinguishes Rock most is his commitment to lifting others up. Through generous mentorship and genuine care for colleagues, he has helped generations of graduate program staff build confidence and succeed in their roles, with many going on to leadership positions across UBC.
Shannon Sterling
Assistant Dean, Office of Student Academic Services
Shannon Sterling (she/her) is a collaborative leader who inspires others to work toward a shared vision. By fostering trust, transparency, and shared ownership, she brings people together to navigate change and create lasting impact.
As Assistant Dean of the Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS), Shannon led the integration of undergraduate and graduate student services into a unified organization grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to students. By creating a common vision and engaging staff as active partners in the process, she successfully guided one of the Sauder School of Business’s most significant organizational transformations.
Shannon’s leadership is defined by her investment in people. Through Team Days focused on reflection, strengths-based development, and shared learning, she helps staff better understand their contributions to a shared mission. She has also created opportunities for team members to take ownership of key processes and portfolios, building confidence, leadership capacity, and resilience across OSAS.
Her commitment to connection and belonging is equally evident in the student experience. Shannon led the development of the Student Engagement HUB, creating a welcoming space focused on wellbeing, community, and student engagement. By investing in both people and culture, she has strengthened the foundation for students, staff, and faculty to thrive together.
President’s Staff Award for Emerging Leadership
The President’s Staff Award for Emerging Leadership is presented to staff who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential. They take initiative, inspire and influence others, and lead through collaboration, curiosity, and action. They contribute to positive change, support the growth and teamwork of those around them, and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Cecilia Langill
Student Engagement Officer, Arts
Cecilia Langill (she/her) brings energy, creativity, and a student-centred mindset to her work as Student Engagement Officer. Through innovative programming, meaningful collaboration, and a commitment to student success, she has quickly established herself as an influential emerging leader within the Faculty of Arts.
Cecilia leads programs that enhance the experience of thousands of Arts undergraduate students by fostering connection and belonging. Recognizing a gap in support for first-year students, she developed Six Week Start, an innovative transition program that extends orientation beyond Imagine Day. She also created First Year Forward, a new event series that supports students’ academic and social transition through collaborative programming with partners across the university.
Cecilia is also a natural coach. Through her leadership of the Arts Peer Academic Coaching program and her work with hundreds of student leaders each year, she helps students build confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of belonging within the UBC community.
Whether working with students, colleagues, or campus partners, Cecilia consistently leads through curiosity, encouragement, and action. Her ability to turn ideas into meaningful experiences is helping shape a stronger, more welcoming student community.
Ola Kulesza
Organizational Development and Learning Specialist
Ola Kulesza (she/her) exemplifies the power of leadership through curiosity, collaboration, and a thoughtful approach to helping people, teams, and organizations thrive.
As an Organizational Development and Learning Specialist, Ola has become a trusted advisor and collaborator to colleagues across UBC. She is known for bringing people together, asking insightful questions, and creating inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives contribute to stronger outcomes. Whether facilitating discussions, developing leadership programming, or designing organizational development initiatives, she approaches her work with intention, empathy, and a commitment to shared success.
Ola played a key role in developing the VPS Employee Development Program, including the creation of the Manager Hub, a centralized resource supporting people managers across the portfolio. She also co-led VPS wellbeing initiatives, supporting a network of wellbeing ambassadors and developing engaging activities that foster connection, participation, and belonging. Her leadership extended beyond the portfolio through the creation of the Essentials of Leading Student Staff course, which was later expanded for use across UBC.
Through her creativity, collaborative spirit, and dedication to helping others grow, Ola is already making a significant impact as a leader in the UBC community by developing innovative solutions and inspiring those around her.
President’s Staff Award for Nurturing a Strong and Vibrant UBC Community
The President’s Staff Award for Nurturing a Strong and Vibrant UBC Community is presented to staff who strengthen and enrich the UBC experience through their commitment to connection, belonging, and wellbeing. They create welcoming and inclusive environments, foster meaningful relationships, and build communities where students, faculty, staff, and partners feel valued and supported. They advance equity and inclusion, accessibility, wellbeing, and engagement while helping to create a culture of care that enables individuals and communities to thrive.
Bailey Kew
Manager, MEL MHLP Programs
Faculty of Applied Science, Dean’s Office
Bailey Kew (she/her) creates communities where people feel welcomed, connected, and supported through her work with the Master of Engineering Leadership and Master of Health Leadership and Policy programs.
Bailey intentionally designs opportunities for meaningful relationship-building that transcend traditional networking. Through Welcome Week programming, including an interactive campus-wide “Amazing Race,” she establishes connection and collaboration as core program values. She creates inclusive networking experiences by matching students and alumni based on shared interests, providing alumni biographies, and offering tools that foster authentic connections. Through mentorship, reflection groups, and alumni engagement initiatives, she has built networks of care that strengthen resilience and belonging throughout the student journey.
Bailey’s commitment to community is also reflected in the support she provides to students. Whether helping newcomers navigate housing and childcare resources, supporting students through personal crises, or removing barriers for students with accessibility needs, she consistently places wellbeing at the centre of her work. She also developed Cultural Humility and Indigenous Realities in Canadian Healthcare, a pre-arrival learning module that helps students engage with Indigenous perspectives and Canadian healthcare contexts. Through compassion, creativity, and a deep commitment to student success, Bailey has fostered a culture of care where students feel supported not only as learners, but as people.
Joanne Denny
Research Assistant/Tech 4 Biology Program
Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology
Joanne Denny (she/her) is a cornerstone of the biology community at UBC. She has transformed the Biological Sciences Building into more than a workplace or learning environment, creating a community where sustainability, wellbeing, and compassion are woven into everyday life.
A passionate advocate for wellbeing and belonging, Joanne has been instrumental in initiatives that bring people together. As a founding member of the Zoology Wellness Committee, she secured funding for programs such as staff yoga and wellness events, creating opportunities for connection and mutual support in a high-pressure research environment.
Joanne’s impact is highlighted through her innovative Biology Community Pantry initiative. By launching building-wide recycling programs and personally returning refundable containers, she has raised funds to stock the Biological Sciences Food Pantry, creating a direct and sustainable source of support for students and staff facing food insecurity. She has also led sustainability initiatives that have diverted thousands of laboratory gloves and plastics from landfill, helping build a stronger and more environmentally responsible community. Through countless acts of service, generosity, and leadership, Joanne continues to strengthen the sense of care and belonging that defines the biology community at UBC.
Ryan Bouma
Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience
Ryan Bouma (he/him) has been instrumental in building the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience (UPN), UBC’s first tri-faculty program. Since its launch in 2022, he has worked tirelessly to ensure students feel supported, valued, and connected in what could otherwise be a highly fragmented interdisciplinary program.
Ryan designs programs and experiences that help students build relationships and a strong sense of belonging within the UPN community. From Research Info Nights and mentorship programming to information sessions and the program’s inaugural Grad Gala, he has created meaningful opportunities for students to connect with one another, faculty, and future career pathways. His efforts to strengthen collaboration with the UBC Neuroscience Association (UNA) have further helped students build lasting peer networks.
Most importantly, Ryan has become a trusted advisor and advocate for students. Known for his warmth, encouragement, and genuine investment in their success, he empowers students and helps them navigate challenges with confidence. By demystifying research opportunities and providing targeted support to first-generation scholars and other students who may lack access to academic networks, he helps make opportunities feel accessible and achievable. Through exceptional service and community-building, Ryan has helped transform a brand-new academic program into a thriving and connected student community.
President’s Staff Award for Discover and Innovate for Impact
The President’s Staff Award for Discover and Innovate for Impact is presented to staff who demonstrate creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They develop innovative approaches, processes, programs, or solutions that address complex challenges and create meaningful impact. Through experimentation, collaboration, and strategic thinking, they improve outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and communities while advancing UBC’s priorities through innovation and positive change.
Kayley Redgers
Clinical Placement Lead
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Practice, Midwifery Program
Kayley Redgers (she/her) has demonstrated exceptional innovation in addressing one of the most significant challenges facing midwifery education: ensuring meaningful clinical placements during a period of practitioner burnout, program growth, and increasing demand for training opportunities.
When the Midwifery Program faced a critical shortage of available clinical placements, Kayley reimagined the traditional placement model. She developed new placement structures that expanded learning opportunities beyond the conventional one-student, one-preceptor approach, allowing students to gain experience through a broader range of healthcare settings and providers.
Recognizing that stronger community relationships were equally important, Kayley proposed and implemented Health Authority Liaison positions across the province. These roles created a vital bridge between UBC and practicing midwives, strengthening communication, rebuilding engagement, and helping secure enough placements to support students despite mounting pressures on the healthcare system.
Kayley also led the adoption of the CORE-ELMS placement management system, modernizing clinical placement administration and improving efficiency, accessibility, and coordination for students, staff, and preceptors. Through creative problem-solving, strategic relationship-building, and a willingness to challenge long-standing processes, Kayley has helped ensure the continued success and sustainability of midwifery education at UBC.
Mary Anne Lyons
Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Integrated Sciences
Mary Anne Lyons (she/her) has transformed the student experience in the Integrated Sciences specialization through the creation of an innovative tri-mentoring model that reimagines how students design and navigate interdisciplinary degree programs.
Recognizing that the traditional mentoring model could no longer meet the needs of a growing program, Mary Anne developed a tri-mentoring approach that brings together Faculty Mentors, Alumni Mentors, and Peer Mentors to support students throughout their academic journey. By distributing mentorship across multiple perspectives, students receive guidance on curriculum design, career exploration, networking, problem-solving, and the broader student experience.
Mary Anne also established and grew the alumni and peer mentorship networks that underpin the model, creating a self-sustaining community in which former mentees often return as mentors themselves. Today, the program supports approximately 450 students through a network of more than 130 faculty mentors, 80 peer mentors, and 60 alumni mentors. The impact has been significant: degree proposals that once took months to finalize are now completed in weeks, faculty workload has been reduced, and stronger connections have been built across the Integrated Sciences community.
Through creative problem-solving and a commitment to student success, Mary Anne has developed an innovative mentorship model that strengthens learning, belonging, and community.
President’s Staff Award for Collaborative Excellence
The President’s Staff Award for Collaborative Excellence is presented to a group of staff who demonstrate exceptional team effectiveness through meaningful collaboration, shared expertise, trust and respect, inclusivity, and effective resolution of conflicts or differing perspectives. They perform synergistically to overcome significant challenges and obstacles and achieve a common goal over and above the expectations of the job – and deliver high-value, high-quality outcomes that benefit the university and/or greater community. They collaborate and contribute beyond their own unit to make UBC a first-choice place to work, research, and teach.
Institutional Programs Office (IPO)
Dr. Sharon Wu, Managing Director, Research Support Services
Andy Lam, Associate Director
Diana Au-Yeung, Senior Finance Officer
Elisa Herman, CFI/BCKDF Program Coordinator
Jackie Cheung, Senior Finance Manager
Leeann Liew, Senior Finance Officer
Lis Boyan, Financial Analyst
Lynn Chia, Senior Finance Officer
Molly Chen, Senior Finance Officer
Randy Yan, Financial Analyst
Dr. Richa Anand-Wong, CFI-BCKDF Program Officer
Ryan Chou, Senior Finance Officer
The Institutional Programs Office (IPO) team provides deep shared expertise in research development and financial stewardship to overcome complex challenges in advancing research excellence. Their exceptional culture of collaboration, shared purpose and expertise, and strong partnerships have built a collaborative model that strengthens UBC’s competitiveness for major research infrastructure funding.
The IPO team drives systemic improvement by developing innovative processes that help researchers navigate increasingly complex funding programs. By bringing together expertise across researchers, faculties, administrative units, and hospital-based research sites, the team strengthens applications and improves outcomes through initiatives such as “Test Your Concept” sessions and streamlined infrastructure planning and budgeting processes.
Their collaborative approach was particularly evident during the 2025 Innovation Fund competition, when significant program changes were introduced mid-cycle. The team rapidly adapted processes, coordinated reviewers and stakeholders, and developed new resources, ultimately supporting 33 UBC-led proposals totaling $94 million. Their coordinated efforts helped UBC achieve the highest national success rates in both projects funded and funding received.
The IPO team’s sustained success has helped secure more than $1.43 billion in infrastructure investment for UBC, supporting leading-edge research and advances in health, environmental sustainability, innovation, and socioeconomic wellbeing.
Research Security Team
Akshay Singh, Director, Research Security
Iris Cheung, Research Security Advisor
Michael Chuang, Research Security Advisor
Samuel Wollenberg, Research Security Advisor
UBC’s Research Security Team supports researchers, faculty, and staff in navigating an increasingly complex research environment while strengthening UBC’s ability to conduct world-class research securely and responsibly.
Recognizing that research security requirements are new and continuously evolving, the team has worked closely with researchers, academic units, and administrative partners to build a shared understanding of research security across the university. Through proactive outreach, tailored training, and responsive consultation, the team has engaged more than 600 researchers and staff and completed over 200 research security risk assessments. Their collaborative work helps researchers navigate complex requirements while maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and security.
The team’s impact extends beyond UBC through national leadership, communities of practice, and the successful delivery of UBC’s 2025 Research Security Conference, which brought together nearly 200 participants from more than 70 organizations to advance dialogue, partnerships, and best practices in the field. Recognized by the Government of Canada and sought after globally for their expertise, the team continues to expand UBC’s strategic partnerships and international knowledge-sharing networks.
Through collaboration, expertise, and a commitment to service, the Research Security Team enhances UBC’s research enterprise by building the trust, partnerships, and practices needed to support world-class research in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Congratulations, all!