Class of 2022 Graduates

Cody Rector

Cody Rector (BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health)

Double major: Food and Nutritional Sciences

When meeting Cody Rector, it’s clear he has a strong passion for food.

A UBC Centennial Scholar, Rector is graduating with a double major in Food and Nutritional Sciences, finishing his undergraduate program a year earlier than most people. This fall, he plans to continue his study of food in UBC’s Master of Food Science program.

Read more about Cody Rector’s story here.

Erik Thies (left)

Erik Thies (BSc in Applied Biology)

Major: Applied Animal Biology

Erik Thies is graduating as an Academic All-Canadian Athlete in Track and Field. He’s proven himself in the classroom, as a Dean’s List honour student, and on the field as a varsity athlete in Race Walk.

At the time of this story, Thies is waiting for the Royal Canadian Air Force to confirm his acceptance to join training sessions this fall. Already, he has successfully passed the Air Force aptitude tests, but before they move forward they require his bachelor degree to be conferred at convocation, which takes place June 2.

Read more about Erik Thies’s story here.

Rachel Chan

Rachel Chan (BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health)

Major: Food, Nutrition and Health

Rachel Chan recalls an important lightbulb moment in her undergraduate years: in 2020 her understanding of the multiple factors that impact a person’s health became crystallized.

“I came into this thinking nutrition was just about the body,” says Chan. “But social determinants can be equally important on health outcomes for individuals and communities. This expanded my thinking and I began to look at problems on a macro-level and, even today, I’m able to analyze every issue with a wider perspective.”

She plans to apply systems thinking to her new job. Now back in her hometown of Hong Kong, Chan is working with a team to expand the presence of a Berlin-based social innovation and impact advisory across Asia.

Read more about Rachel Chan’s story here.

Zahra Fazal

Zahra Fazel (BSc in Global Resource Systems)

Major: Food, Nutrition and Health

During her time at UBC, Zahra Fazal was determined to create a community for students like her. In her first year, Zahra struggled to adjust to university after moving from her hometown in Morogoro, Tanzania. She found it difficult to access resources and find support systems for first generation low income (FGLI) students.

Zahra was inspired to create the AMS First Generation Student Union (FGSU) after she learned that her friends were considering whether university was worth it: “I know how hard it was for students like me to get to university and even make this step, so I didn’t want anyone to drop out because of that.”

Read more about Zahra Fazal’s story here.