Allen Yang is in the thick of it, the busiest time of year for the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, and he just started. Yang, who will occupy the role of Graduate Program Coordinator for the next 18 months, has been busy processing applications and preparing admissions information for the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and looks forward to putting faces to all the names he’s learned since taking on the Coordinator role for Jennifer Campbell this month.

This is Yang’s first return to UBC, where he completed his education in biology several years ago. He was an English teacher in Japan, and has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher; most recently, he was Senior Academic Manager for Sprott Shaw Language College (SSLC).

“I’m pretty excited about this new role,” Yang says. “I enjoy working with students, and providing administrative support for graduate students means a lot of opportunity to get to know people over a long period of time. It’s pretty quiet where I’m seated (in the third floor administration area), so I hope people will come and say hello!”

This new position offers a chance for growth, and some new challenges, and Yang brings a rich history of student administrative support to the role. In his role with SSLC, he was responsible for international student service and managing teaching staff; he brings a unique and empathetic skill set to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience.

“If I could say something to the students specifically, it would be that I am excited to meet you and to work together,” he says. “I am still settling in and finding my way, but I’m looking forward to being a resource for our students!”

To connect with Allen Yang, email ubc.neuroscience@ubc.ca. Learn more about the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the program website, or follow them on Twitter.