Every year, final examinations are held for more than 500 UBC doctoral candidates, and each of these examinations involves a faculty member serving in the role of Chair.
Chairs of doctoral examinations have an important function; they represent the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ensure the exam is fair and proceeds according to UBC policies, and report back to us about the proceedings and the Examining Committee’s recommendation.
In 2020, Chairs were asked to perform this key function in challenging new circumstances. In many cases, Chairing an exam was the first time they had to host a meeting in Zoom; for some, it was even their first use of Zoom. They had to negotiate rule and procedural changes to the familiar format. They coped with technical difficulties, faculty joining from remote locations and time zones, and a wide variety of interruptions from fire alarms, doorbells, pets and toddlers. Thanks to the patience, kindness and good humour of our Chairs, we have managed to support the defences of the candidates who have navigated the challenges of the pandemic to get to that final point.
Dr. Susan Porter, Dean and Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies would like to recognize the following Department of Medicine faculty members who chaired doctoral examinations between January and December 2020:
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Simon Rabkin (Division of Cardiology)
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Keith Humphries (Division of Hematology)
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Youssef Av-Gay (Division of Infectious Disease)
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Doris Doudet (Division of Neurology)
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Robin Hsiung (Division of Neurology)
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Denise Daly (Division of Respiratory Medicine)
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Vincent Duronio (Division of Respiratory Medicine)
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John Fleetham (Division of Respiratory Medicine)
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Andrew Sandford (Division of Respiratory Medicine)
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Thomas Hudson Kerr (Division of Social Medicine)
We sincerely appreciate the service they have provided, and continue to provide, to the University and in support of quality graduate education and research.