Aidan Comeau
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Early in my undergraduate studies, working as a research assistant in rehabilitation medicine sparked my interest in academic research. Having the opportunity to engage in research spanning various fields over the subsequent years cemented my passion for exercise physiology, which has led me to pursue both a master’s and now a PhD in the field. To this day, I remain fascinated by how potent a physiological stimulus exercise can be, and how the human body is able to adapt to this stressor.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
Having completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Alberta, I was eager to branch out to another institution for my doctoral studies. Given its reputation as one of the leading universities in exercise science and kinesiology, UBC was an easy choice.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
Being home to globally renowned researchers in the fields of environmental, exercise and pulmonary physiology, I felt that the Kinesiology program at UBC was well suited to help me hone my skills in these areas. My supervisor, Dr. Michael Koehle, who is a world-class expert on the interactions between the environment and exercise, was a big reason why I chose to study at UBC. UBC is also home to one of the few human ozone exposure systems in the world, which will be foundational to my thesis research investigating the interactions between exposure to ozone and exercise.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
As someone who enjoys exercising and being outdoors, Vancouver is an amazing place to call home. With its proximity to both the mountains and the ocean, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to live and study here.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I love the variety inherent in academic research. Between reading, writing, teaching, collecting data and analyzing, each day brings new challenges. Lately, much of my time is dedicated to redesigning and constructing an updated air pollution exposure system for our lab. Although technically demanding, I find the process genuinely rewarding, especially knowing that this system will support not only my own research, but also that of others.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I have been very fortunate to have had such strong mentors throughout my academic career. From working as a research assistant in the field of aging and dementia to my master’s research in exercise and respiratory function, I have continuously had mentors who have both challenged me and fostered my scientific curiosity. I attribute a lot of my success in graduate school to these figures who have taken the time to support my journey through academia, particularly during my undergraduate studies.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I take any opportunity to get outside in Vancouver, whether that means running in Pacific Spirit Park, cycling on the North Shore or open-water swimming at Jericho Beach. I also enjoy tinkering with electronics in my spare time.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Like any academic pursuit, graduate studies can be challenging. Finding a research area that I was truly passionate about has been a key reason why I still enjoy arriving at the lab every day. I also believe it’s worth considering not only a supervisor and their field of research, but also the type of lab environment they foster. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have lab mates that I can call close friends, and they have contributed considerably to my enjoyment of my PhD. Talking to existing graduate students in the lab is a great way to see if a supervisor and lab group are a good fit for you.
Learn more about Aidan's research
My doctoral research aims to understand how exercise modifies responses to ozone air pollution exposure. While it is well established that ozone exposure impairs lung function, my work will investigate whether aerobic exercise alters the dose-response relationship when compared to exposures conducted at rest. Given the response to ozone exposure is quite variable, I will also seek to develop an assessment that can quantify individual ozone sensitivity. Finally, my research will aim to understand how ozone exposure specifically modifies the mechanics of breathing during exercise through the use of esophageal balloon catheterization.