The leadership and excellence of SWITCH BC’s Board Chair in occupational health and safety is being recognized and celebrated at the University of BC (UBC) with an award in her name.  

The Roberta Ellis Award, sponsored by WorkSafeBC, honours Roberta Ellis’ longstanding support of education and training students in occupational and environmental health. 

This award goes to students who have demonstrated excellence in coursework, practicum, or research in the area of occupational and environmental health. 

Congratulations to the two 2023 Roberta Ellis Award winners in UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, Division of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH): Andrew Lichty and Robert Duffy! 

Winners 

Andrew (Drew) Lichty is an OEH student who excelled in his coursework. During his recent practicum with BC Wildfires, he conducted innovative research examining the risk of carbon monoxide exposure for wildland firefighters.  

Robert Duffy has been involved in school and community student leadership and worked at CAREX for his practicum investigating health misinformation, sex and gender differences, and capstone myths. His long-term goal is to work at WorkSafeBC in prevention or policy. 

Learn more about Roberta Ellis here: https://switchbc.ca/about-us/board-of-directors/