Julian Stokes - Lead Ambassador

Hello everyone! My name is Julian Stokes. I was born and raised in New Hazelton, BC, and I moved to Prince George in 2017 to pursue my BHSc Honours degree here at UNBC. Now, I am excited to be starting my MSc in Health Sciences under the joint supervision of Julian StokesDr. Luke Harris and Dr. Tammy Klassen-Ross. My currently planned master’s thesis will use near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate the relationship between meditation and pain tolerance in relation to the possible role of this cognitive practice as a chronic pain management technique.

My current research is a progression of my earlier research experiences at UNBC, which have been centred in the Northern BC Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Research Laboratory (NBC NIRS Lab). Beginning with a URE in 2020 and continuing with my honours thesis the following semesters, I have had the opportunity to explore applications of NIRS in investigating human brain, muscle, and bone tissues.

I first chose UNBC for my undergraduate degree due to it being a top-rated small university that was conveniently close to my hometown. Since then, I have been continually amazed by the readily accessible opportunities, mentorship, and sense of community at UNBC. Having had the opportunity to experience life, classes, and research as part of the UNBC community, it was the natural choice to further my education here.

Research was an irreplaceable part of my undergraduate experience, and my only regret is that I didn’t get involved sooner! Research at UNBC has been an incredible learning experience that has helped me expand my horizons and feel as though my work is making a meaningful contribution. I look forward to working with you as one of UNBC’s Research Ambassadors.

Ahmad Jalil

Hi everyone! My name is Ahmad Jalil and I am currently undertaking my honors in Health Science at UNBC. Working with Dr. Hossein Kazemian, I am currently working on studying air quality in Prince George. Although my research is more Ahmad Jalilclosely related to environmental science, I was able to incorporate my health science knowledge within my research. I chose to study at UNBC because of how tight knit the community is and how personalized the experience was with professors as compared with my experience at other institutions in BC.

Being involved in research was a thrilling opportunity for me since, unlike previous hands-on experiences I had, like in labs, there wasn't a real answer you needed to find or a product you needed to produce. But rather you only had to justify your reasoning on why you did something which really widened my horizons.

Because of the welcoming atmosphere at UNBC and the opportunities available to student, being involved in research, I think, is an invaluable to any student! It may seem daunting to get the ball rolling, but it really isn't as it seems. I hope to be able to help you get started on your journey in research!