Recipients 2024

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.

Quarter FY 23/24 Q4

Dr. Xiangjun Feng

The Association for Asian Studies (AAS) 2024 Annual Conference - March 2024

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.

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Dr. Tianyu Guo

American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2024 Conference - March 2024

Attending the ACS Spring 2024 was significantly enrich my postdoctoral experience and enhance my research at UBC.

1. This conference is an exceptional platform for networking with leading experts in chemistry and especially my decision - Cellulose and Renewable Materials, which is crucial for establishing collaborative relationships in my area and gaining insights critical to my research.
2. Exposure to the latest scientific advancements through talks and workshops will directly benefit my work at UBC, keeping it at the forefront of innovation.
3. Presenting my research to a diverse audience is not only refine my project but also strengthen my communication skills, essential for academic success.
4. The conference's focus on career development provided valuable perspectives on postdoctoral career paths, aligning with my professional growth objectives.
5. This experience was also foster a sense of community within the broader chemistry field, resonating with UBC's mission of collaborative and pioneering research.

Overall, the ACS Spring 2024  is an indispensable opportunity that advanced my career and contributed significantly to the scientific community.

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Quarter FY 24/25 Q1

Dr. Courtneay Hopper

Society for American Archaeology - April 2024

This was my first time attending the SAA's, one of the largest academic archaeological conferences with ~4000 attendees. With such a large number and variety of talks, I was able to attend a wide variety of sessions including ones on ethics, ancient diet reconstruction, as well as pedagogical development. These sessions were thought provoking and I plan to incorporate aspects into my research and teaching. Presenting my recent proteomic research, conducted at the UBC ADaPT facility, at such a well attended conference also allowed me to connect with a large number of local, national, and international peers while simultaneously gaining vital feedback from them. Participants in my invited session are also in the initial stages of compiling a journal special issue. I was also able to make important connections with researchers that have expanded my collaborative research network. I was also able to attend evening meet and greets where I was able to reconnect with colleagues at other institutions. Overall, although large conferences can be impersonal, I found this one to be a thought-provoking experience which will lead to future/new collaborations.

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Dr. Jane Komori

Association for Asian American Studies Annual Conference - April 2024

Funding from the UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office supported me to engage in a number of events at the annual Association for Asian American Studies conference in Seattle, Washington. I presented an original paper on the history of Japanese Canadian worker organizing on a panel devoted to Marxist approaches to Asian American Studies. Through my panel, I was able to engage the work of junior and scholars in my field and build new professional connections. I also chaired a panel titled “Settler Colonialism in the Commemoration & Representation of Japanese American WWII Incarceration.” In doing so, I supported the work of current colleagues studying Japanese American history and also made new connections with community-based researchers and senior scholars working in the field. I also attended stimulating panels on the history of Asian indentured labour in the Americas, Asian exclusion legislation in Canada and the United States, and the relationship of settler colonialism and environmental conservation projects in the United States and the Pacific Islands. The conference afforded me a crucial opportunity to engage with junior and senior scholars with shared research interests, develop professional connections, and present the findings of my postdoctoral research. 

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