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 2025/26 Q1: | |||
| Dr. Charlotte Eben | Centre for Gambling Research; Faculty of Arts | Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI) Conference - April 2025 | Banff, AB |
| Dr. Babak Soltannia | Department of Mechanical Engineering; Faculty of Applied Science | Department of Mechanical Engineering; Faculty of Applied Science | Albufeira, Portugal |
| Dr. Daniel Martinez Sastre | Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics; Faculty of Medicine | The Biophysical Society Annual Meeting 2025 - February 2025 | Los Angeles, CA |
| Dr. Robert Reklow | Department of Pediatrics/Respiratory Medicine; Faculty of Medicine | Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions Gordon Research Conference/Seminar - February 2025 | Pomona, CA |
| Dr. Lauren Eckert | Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries; Faculty of Science | Alaska Marine Science Symposium - January 2025 | Anchorage, AK |
Quarter FY 25/26 Q4
Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI) Conference April 2025, Banff, AB
The PDF Travel Award enabled me to attend the AGRI conference 2025 in Banff, Alberta. Since it is a conference with a special focus on research on gambling in Canada, I got to meet many important people from within the gambling field from Canada but also experts from abroad. The conference provided me with excellent network opportunities which led to a collaboration on open science in the gambling field. Especially valuable for me, was to get in contact with gambling researchers from other provinces within Canada to know where policies and legislations around gambling are currently standing. During the poster session, I received valuable feedback on my current research about emotional signals in gambling, some of which I can immediately incorporate in my ongoing research. I was mainly interested in the research on the use of AI in gambling treatment and cognitive mechanisms in sports betting and more broadly gambling. Between sessions, I had many stimulating discussions. In summary, this conference provided me with insight into the newest developments of gambling research within Canada and around the world. I was able to make new connections and extend my network.
2025 Tribology International Conference - April 2025
I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the 2025 Tribology International Conference held in Albufeira, Portugal. My oral presentation, titled "Studying the Ligand Chain Length Effect on Wear-resistance of Nano-stabilized Greases", was well-received and prompted insightful questions from experts across academia and industry. The opportunity to share my work with an international audience significantly enriched my postdoctoral experience and helped refine the framing of my research objectives. Beyond presenting, I attended multiple sessions focused on surface engineering, lubrication systems, and tribological testing innovations. I learned valuable lessons from keynote speakers on the role of advanced materials in energy efficiency and sustainability—concepts directly relevant to my ongoing research at UBC. The conference also served as a vital platform for professional development. I engaged in meaningful conversations with senior researchers, startup founders, and industry representatives, which have led to ongoing email exchanges and potential collaborative opportunities. I also had productive dialogues with individuals from European institutions regarding future research partnerships and career planning. This experience not only strengthened my technical knowledge but also helped grow my international network, both in research and professional domains. I am sincerely grateful for the support of the UBC PDF Travel Award, which made this valuable opportunity possible.
The Biophysical Society Annual Meeting 2025 - February 2025
In February 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society in Los Angeles, USA. The conference featured the most cutting-edge and up-to-date research in the fields of ion channel physiology, drug discovery, and protein structure – fields directly relevant to my postdoctoral research – and enriched my scientific perspective with new and exciting ideas. I presented a poster titled “Electrophysiological and structural characterization of the binding of the cardiac ion channel blocker UCL2077 to KCNQ1 channels” (Monday, February 17th), as well as a brief flash talk presentation with the same title as part of the platform on Voltage-Gated K Channels (Tuesday, February 18th). My work drew interest from researchers in the fields of ion channel regulation and pharmacology, inspiring me with valuable feedback to improve my work and leading to potential future collaborations. I also connected with several scientists working in both academia and industry from different parts of the work, helping me expand my professional network. I am sincerely grateful to the PDFO for contributing to this transformative experience, which has enriched my work with novel perspectives and supported the development of my scientific career.
Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions Gordon Research Conference/Seminar - February 2025
In February 2025, I attended the Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions - Gordon Research Conference & Seminar in Pomona, California. At this conference, I presented at two poster sessions on my work entitled “Assessing an optimized immunofluorescence antibody technique as an adjunctive, confirmatory diagnostic test for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.” I was also invited to deliver a one-minute, one-slide rapid preview of my poster during one of the daily oral scientific sessions. This conference brought together approximately 200 clinicians, scientists, trainees and industry partners interested in cilia and mucus, which play important roles in human health and beyond. I was immersed in daily sessions that began at 9AM until 9:30PM. There were talks from international researchers that allowed me to hear expert perspectives on ciliopathies and numerous disorders affecting mucus and its clearance, particularly in lung pathologies. I developed excellent connections at this conference, which I believe will foster collaborations in my future work completed throughout my Postdoctoral Fellowship. I am excited to follow up with this new network at upcoming meetings this summer, including the American Thoracic Society’s Annual Meeting in May.
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries; Faculty of Science
With PDF Travel Support, I co-led and presented the workshop "Gathering for Indigenous-Led Science, Management, and Practice: Shared opportunities and creative solutions in Alaska". Our workshop, focused on advancing Indigenous-led activities and governance in ecology and research, brought together approximately 20 participants representing 8-10 Indigenous Nations/Tribes, tribal governments, non-profits, and research organizations. The session created space for rich dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of maintaining and reasserting Indigenous-led approaches in environmental research, particularly in navigating colonial systems, building ethical partnerships, and protecting knowledge sovereignty. Through facilitated sessions, participants shared successes, raised difficult questions, and reflected on how power and positionality shape our work.