We are delighted to announce the 2025 UBC Orthopaedics READI Awards recipients! Gael Hernandez Palmer, a fourth-year undergraduate student in Neuroscience at UBC, has been awarded the Undergraduate Research Scholarship for Indigenous and Underrepresented Students. Additionally, Kaid Van Kampen, a second-year Orthopaedics resident at UBC, has received the Tredwell Trainee READI Scholarship.
Undergraduate Research Scholarship for Indigenous and Underrepresented Students
Gael Hernandez Palmer
Fourth-year undergraduate student in Neuroscience at UBC
Project Title: How does bone age, as calculated using the Greulich-Pyle method, compare to chronological age in children from different ethnic groups in British Columbia? (Supervisors: Dr. Anthony Cooper and Dr. Harpreet Chhina)
“I am a fourth-year student in the undergraduate program in Neuroscience at UBC, and I am currently working as a co-op student under the guidance of Dr. Anthony Cooper, researching pediatric limb conditions and quality of life. I have a keen interest in child development, the relationship between music and the brain, patient engagement, and disability advocacy. I’m dedicated to translating research into practical solutions that enhance healthcare equity and improve outcomes for children and families.”
About the Scholarship
The Undergraduate Research Scholarship for Indigenous and Underrepresented Students supports a summer research term for an Indigenous or underrepresented undergraduate student on any topic of research under the supervision of a professor or clinician at the Department of Orthopaedics.
Tredwell Trainee READI Scholarship
Kaid Van Kampen
Second-year resident in Orthopaedics at UBC
Project Title: The Origins of the Orthopod Stereotype – a longitudinal survey study of medical students’ perspectives on orthopedics (Supervisor: Dr. Emily Schaeffer)
“The goal of our project is to understand the perceptions of orthopaedics as a specialty, in particular, what stereotypes are potential applicants being exposed to throughout medical school and how that may impact whether they apply for orthopaedics. Our hope is that by better understanding this phenomenon, we can better tailor initiatives that diversify the workforce in orthopaedic surgery.”
About the Scholarship
The Tredwell Trainee READI Scholarship supports a UBC Orthopaedics resident conducting a research project in the area of respect, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI). Research may be conducted over the summer term or during the scholarship term. Recipients will present their work at the UBC Orthopaedics Resident Research Day held annually in May.
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