\u201cSay yes anyway. Don\u2019t say no to opportunities simply because they might feel\u00a0intimidating to you,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have no idea where those opportunities might lead or what they might unlock in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally from Newfoundland, Holmes moved to Ontario to pursue doctoral studies after discovering a passion for research as an undergraduate and master\u2019s student.<\/p>\n
He joined Brock nearly a decade ago as the Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Mechanics and Ergonomics. He was drawn to the University by the opportunity to build a research program that bridges neuromuscular mechanics and ergonomics \u2014 two areas often studied separately.<\/p>\n
\u201cI developed skills that allowed me to really fit into both of those categories,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Since arriving, Holmes has built a research program supported by collaboration within the Department of Kinesiology and across campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone was so welcoming,\u201d he said. \u201cColleagues offered me equipment and were doing whatever they could to really help out.\u201d<\/p>\n
That support helped him\u00a0establish\u00a0his\u00a0Neuromechanics\u00a0and Ergonomics\u00a0Lab,\u00a0which examines how to stay safe while interacting with tools in the workplace.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MichelleVine-1050x700.jpg\")
<\/a>Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Michelle Vine addressed Brock\u2019s newest graduates on Tuesday, June 9 during the University\u2019s 119th Convocation. Vine received the 2026 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award.<\/p><\/div>\n
Holmes said receiving the Excellence in Research Award was both humbling and meaningful because of the Faculty\u2019s strong research community.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust to be recognized within that group, I think, is pretty special,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Like Holmes, Vine encouraged students to “be courageous, even when it seems impossible” during her June 9 Convocation address.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe willing to take a risk because often the greatest risks come with the greatest rewards,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Before joining Brock nearly five\u00a0years ago, Vine served as an evaluation specialist with Public Health Ontario, leading evaluations of ministry-funded programs while continuing academic research and teaching through an adjunct appointment at the University of Waterloo.<\/p>\n
Drawing on her experience in public health practice, program evaluation and\u00a0using\u00a0various qualitative research methods, Vine teaches primarily in Brock\u2019s online Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Her teaching philosophy\u00a0centres\u00a0on student-focused learning that supports critical thinking beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about designing courses in a way that students learn the content but also understand how it applies in practice,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To help students explore career pathways, she regularly invites guest speakers from government,\u00a0academia\u00a0and community organizations. She also collaborates with community partners \u2014 including Bethesda Services, Niagara Region and Hamilton Public Health \u2014 on evaluation projects that provide\u00a0students with\u00a0hands-on experience while supporting local partners.<\/p>\n
According to Vine, those experiences are essential preparation for careers in public health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not just one pathway,\u201d she said. \u201cYou can benefit from all kinds of different experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Learning she had received the Excellence in Teaching Award carried special meaning for Vine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a nice thing to be acknowledged for something you feel like you\u2019re working really hard at,\u201d she said. \u201cReceiving a teaching award from my Faculty is such a huge vote of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also recognized during Brock\u2019s 119th Convocation is Professor of Kinesiology Stephen Cheung, who has been awarded the title of Distinguished Professor. The University\u2019s highest honorary academic designation, the lifetime appointment recognizes full professors who have demonstrated exceptional research, scholarship or creative activity within their discipline.<\/p>\n
A full collection of Convocation photos by ceremony will be available on\u00a0Brock University\u2019s official Flickr galleries<\/a>. View recordings and livestreams of each Convocation ceremony at brocku.ca\/livestream<\/a><\/p>\n For more information and the full schedule of Brock\u2019s Spring Convocation, visit brocku.ca\/convocation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t