Wondering what our students do after they graduate? Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Matthew Stork embarked on a position at Lululemon Athletica!
Matt joined the DPRG jointly with the Exercise, Metabolism, and Inflammation Lab (EMIL) as a postdoctoral fellow in 2019. His research has fostered an unique, interdisciplinary scientific approach that ranges from psychology, emotional well-being, and behaviour, to applied physiology, fitness testing, and human performance. His research has been funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Trainee Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship Award, and Mitacs Accelerate Postdoctoral Internship
As a Mitacs Accelerate Postdoctoral Intern, Matt led an industry-university research project with Lululemon. This interdisciplinary project involved an 8-week randomized controlled trial examining the real-world impact of the an mHealth app on functional movement, physical fitness, and perceptions of physical functioning.
Matt’s research with DPRG and EMIL has also focused on developing and delivering novel and practical exercise interventions such as “exercise snacks” in the workplace.
Matt recently finished data collection for a study investigating the feasibility of implementing practical and time-efficient stair climbing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and “exercise snacks” in various workplaces across UBC Okanagan. This project was a unique opportunity to explore UBCO employees’ receptivity to these forms of exercise in free-living, real-world workplace settings. Matt hopes the findings from this area of research can eventually be used to help enhance employee health, well-being, and work productivity.
This week, Matt joins Lululemon Athletica as a Senior Research Scientist. His interdisciplinary research expertise, passion for enhancing the physical and mental health of others, and appetite for innovation are a perfect fit within Lululemon’s collaborative environment. Matt has demonstrated a capacity for research excellence in his previous work with Lululemon and is excited to take on new challenges and continue to explore, learn, and grow in his new position.
Of his time at UBC Okanagan, Matt says “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with and learn from the DPRG and EMIL teams over the years. I’ve had invaluable research, learning, and mentorship opportunities while being part of these teams and I am incredibly grateful for the lasting connections I have fostered with Mary, Jon, and all members of both labs that I’ve had the privilege to come across.”