Chairs recognize emerging, established scholars
Six UBC Okanagan scholars are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to exceptional research and creative excellence, having been named the inaugural UBC Okanagan Impact Research Chairs.
Administered and supported by the Office of the Vice President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI), the Impact Research Chairs (IRC) program was launched in November 2025. It is designed to expand impact from UBCO research, innovation and creative activity locally, nationally and globally, and to align with key areas of focus and priority at UBC and within individual faculties.
Those appointed as Chairs will serve five-year appointments in one of two tiers: emerging scholars or established scholars.
“This new program is intended to enhance and support research and creative activity, recognize excellence and position our researchers to become and remain leaders in their fields,” says Dr. Suzie Currie, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation. “Each of the individuals named today has demonstrated outstanding commitment to their work and alignment with university strategic and academic priorities—congratulations to everyone, I look forward to their ongoing success.”
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Emerging scholars
Katrina Plamondon
UBCO Impact Research Chair in Applied Health Equity Science: From Knowledge to Action
As an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the Faculty of Health & Social Development, Dr. Plamondon’s expertise centres around how equity shapes health and social outcomes.
Focusing her work on processes and practices in global public health, health systems and health research systems, she works to engage people across sectors in advancing evidence-informed equity action for health. Her research brings diverse people together to create meaningful, collective solutions to complex challenges and helps bring a nursing voice to global public and population health.
“I’m thrilled to have been named a UBCO Impact Research Chair,” says Dr. Plamondon. “This appointment will help accelerate the scale and reach of my research program and enable UBCO to enhance its capacity to translate research into measurable equity impacts that promote population health and well-being.”
Established scholars
Phil Ainslie
UBCO Impact Research Chair in Cerebrovascular, Exercise and Environmental Health
Dr. Ainslie is a Professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences within the Faculty of Health & Social Development. His research focuses on understanding how brain blood flow is regulated in health and disease, particularly in the context of a rapidly changing environment. Alongside laboratory-based studies, he leads high-altitude field expeditions to investigate acclimatization and adaptation, with a focus on Indigenous populations in Tibet, South America and Ethiopia.
Dr. Ainslie also collaborates with historically and systemically marginalized communities affected by extreme climates to study the physiological impacts of climate change. His work has earned numerous national and international awards, and he serves on several senior scientific leadership and policy advisory groups, contributing to tangible real-world outcomes.
“This appointment will support my research trajectory and enhance contributions to UBC and UBCO priorities,” he says. “I look forward to advancing innovative and transformative work in brain health and climate resilience.”