I was introduced to the field of occupational hygiene while attending a guest lecture by Emily Guy, an OEH program alumni, during my health sciences degree at the University of Ottawa. Her insights on the day-to-day work of an occupational hygienist inspired me to pursue a career in protecting community health by addressing occupational hazards and environmental exposure.
My absolute favourite moment at UBC was exploring the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Having something familiar to my culture on campus is not only comforting, but also exists as an important reminder to every one of the Japanese Canadian (Nikkei) history in British Columbia and their persecution by the Canadian government.
Everybody wants you to succeed! The professors in the OEH program are incredibly supportive, and will often take lots of time out of their day to help you with any roadblocks you may be encountering. Don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty or recent graduates for information, advice or support.
As a research assistant, I have investigated risk factors for young workers, public health misinformation, and the impact of the built environment on community health.
I hope that the research that I contribute to in the field of hygiene will help to identify key gaps in our understanding of occupational disease that can then be used to help inform policy that will make workplaces safer.
My goal is to work as an occupational hygienist, build relationships with workplaces and regulators, and promote strong health and safety cultures. I also aim to conduct research to identify knowledge gaps and high-risk worker groups to inform the development of prevention strategies. Ultimately, I would like to use my experience to work as an educator to others and encourage them to work in this field.