Upcoming Workshop at UBC Okanagan seeks to address some key strategies and solutions for property owners to reduce their risk.

In partnership with SCIUS Advisory and CoreTwo, Green Construction Research & Training Centre (GCRTC) at UBC Okanagan is hosting “Planning for the Future: Managing Real Estate Climate Risks” on November 8 from 1pm – 4pm.

The workshop will include experts in the areas of civil engineering, resiliency, urban planning, construction, and health.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of extreme climate events across the globe and here in our own backyard,” says Shahria Alam, a professor of civil engineering and the Principal’s Research Chair in Resilient and Green Infrastructure. “It’s why an event like this is so timely.

Presenters include researchers from UBC along with representatives from Interior Health, Kelowna International Airport, Streetside Developments, CoreTwo and SCIUS Advisory. They will discuss successfully managing transition risks associated with decarbonizing their portfolio and new business opportunities that can be created through being proactive in addressing these risks.

Topics will include

• assessing carbon and energy performance of buildings and portfolios;
• benchmarking against Canada’s established emission reduction pathways to 2050;
• planning and prioritizing retrofit investments; and
• deriving indicators for risk management, reporting, disclosure.

Learn more and register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planning-for-the-future-managing-real-estate-climate-risks-tickets-396241257267

New funding from UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Fund (ISI Fund) will enable relationship building with the Syilx Okanagan People in support of establishing an Indigenous-inspired natural space for teaching and learning

The Indigenous Micro-Forest project will endeavour to establish a self-sustainable, green, biodiverse ecosystem on UBC Okanagan campus, guided by Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge to reintroduce and foster native species that create green spaces and offer ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The permacultural initiative will provide students, faculty, staff, and the community a beautiful space for learning and reflection.

The proposal was co-submitted by Associate Professor Jeanette Armstrong and Assistant Professor of Teaching Alon Eisenstein along with faculty from the School of Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science. The ISI Fund seeks to advance the rights of Indigenous peoples as well as the crucial journey towards meaningful reconciliation.

“Indigenous Peoples have a special relationship with the land, and this initiative is a way of acknowledging and elevating that through the application of Indigenous traditional knowledge,” explains Alon Eisenstein, an assistant professor of teaching at the School of Engineering and one of the project team’s members.

The UBC Okanagan Indigenous Micro-Forest will support a climate-friendly culture shift through transitioning the narrative of climate action from climate harm mitigation to proactive climate stewardship. “By fostering a sense of long-term responsibility, the forest demonstrates UBC’s commitment to future generations by investing in the campus and the region’s ecosystem while promoting biodiversity and developing a strong legacy that will support nature and life,” says  Renee Leboe, manager of Engineering Academic Services. “Our students especially will benefit from having a space such as this on our campus.”

At the root of the proposal’s success is a strong and diverse team with existing relationship and collaboration with the Syilx Peoples, UBC faculty, staff, and students. Indigenous voices and perspectives will lead the project with members of the Syilx community co-creating the design and the project throughout its stages. The Forest also recognizes the integral connection of UBC with Indigenous partners, and the land with which it resides.

The Micro-Forest will be larger than several full-sized basketball courts and, while campus planning and the project team are still working out the location, it will be located near the EME Building. Planning is expected to take place over the next year as the project team collaborates with the En’owkin Centre, Knowledge Keepers and the community. The Micro-Forest will include native plants to the Okanagan, which will be selected together with the Knowledge Keepers following traditional ecological knowledge. The site preparation and planting will take between 2-5 years to ensure the project and the ecosystem are developed in a sustainable manner.

The Indigenous Micro-Forest will serve as a cultural focal point for learning about Indigenous culture and language, making them visible and prominent on the UBC Okanagan campus. In the long term, the project will contribute to the overall sustainability of the UBC Okanagan campus by proactively creating a biodiverse urban ecosystem that benefits the environmental and social aspects of campus living.

UBC’s newest student organization seeks to build and strengthen a community

It had to content with launching through the pandemic, but the UBC Okanagan chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is thriving. The success to date can, in part, be attributed to representation from members of the School of Engineering. Students, staff, and faculty have worked tirelessly to develop the local chapter that strives to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.

For engineering MASc student, Christopher Paul, the AISES was one of the reasons he decided to pursue a graduate degree at UBC Okanagan. “During my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to be participate in a number of programs facilitate by the Indigenous Centre and UBC including the Indigenous Undergraduate Mentorship Program (IUM), an NSERC Undergraduate Research  Award, and it was during my IMU when I attended an AISES conference that I really felt a connection with some like-minded people.”

Paul smiles as he recalls that first conference in Saskatoon during the spring of 2020. “It may sound cliché, but the people I met there provided me with a sense of community. I got this feeling that I belonged.”

It was a similar feeling that brought many of the founding members of the UBC Okanagan Chapter of AISES together. Each sought to share ideas and build a welcoming community.

“It isn’t always easy when you enter an institution or walk into a lab, and don’t immediately feel a sense of connectedness,” explains Joel Liman, an Indigenous Student Advisor at the School of Engineering and staff chapter advisor. “AISES provides a platform for students to come together and share their experiences and ideas with peers and prospective students.”

By not being tied to one faculty, AISES is open to students from across the Okanagan campus. Representation includes students from every faculty, all of whom are working towards building a community and spaces that are welcoming and build on the organization’s core goal of representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM fields.

Recently, Paul attended an AISES conference in Portland, and came away with a renewed motivations to continue to build and grow the local chapter. “The foundation of this organization is to inspire others through sharing and collaborating,” explains Paul. “We’re hoping that AISES will serve as a welcoming community for Indigenous students at UBC Okanagan but also more broadly a welcoming community for all.”

Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient looks to tackle climate change

Many people are satisfied to complete their undergraduate degree, and jump into the workforce, but that wasn’t the case for Jason Schultz. The second-year Mechanical Engineering student initially completed a BSc (majoring in Computer Science and a minor in Physics) at the University of Alberta before arriving at UBC Okanagan to undertake an engineering degree. “I was drawn to engineering because I really want to be part of the solution in tackling climate change,” explains Schultz.

This summer, Schultz is one of a handful of students chosen to pursue a USRA. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) program is meant to encourage undergraduate students to undertake graduate studies in natural science and engineering fields by providing research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting.

For Schultz, that means joining Dr. Alexander R. Uhl’s Laboratory for Solar Energy and Fuels (LSEF) Research. Dr. Uhl is an assistant professor and Principal’s Research Chair in Solar Energy Conversion who develops innovative solar energy conversion tools and processes that incorporate photovoltaics, solar fuels, and thin film semiconductors.

Along with Uhl, Schultz is participating in research that looks to improve perovskite solar cell stability through environmental encapsulation and real-time performance monitoring. Perovskite solar cells are ultra-thin solar photovoltiac devices that are inexpensive to manufacture and highly efficient. Between designing and building a stress testing chamber and implementing measures for improving the stability of the solar cells, Schultz is playing an important role in lab.

According to Dr. Uhl, students like Schultz are crucial to his group’s success. “We are very fortunate that our team is made up of many students like Jason who are passionate about changing the world for the better,” says Uhl. “In our lab, we are not only building innovative solar cells and components, but we are also rigorously testing them which takes time and determination, so that sort of passion goes a long way.”

“This experience will help pave the way in possible future co-op positions in the broad clean energy industry, such as a company I have already scouted out that deals with nuclear fusion,” explains Schultz. He sees the USRA as an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the photovoltaic industry and hopefully continue the journey into a Masters or a career.

“Right now I am more focused on the opportunities in the short term that enable me to start making a contribution towards addressing climate change.”

For more information about NSERC USRA opportunities, connect with a School of Engineering Academic Services Advisor.

Diana Youssefian is a civil engineering graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus School of Engineering.

What was your experience studying Engineering at UBCO?

Aside from attending a world-renowned university alongside my sister, UBC Okanagan is a close-knit community that I really enjoyed being a part of. It was easy to meet new people in and out of my program of study and seeing familiar faces everyday made my experience a rich one.

At UBCO, I chose to study civil engineering because I wanted to gain a strong  foundation in structural analysis and design. My goal now is to utilize that  knowledge in my pursuit of an architectural background. I believe my undergraduate experiences will enrich my next journey of becoming an architect.

What is it like to go to school with your sibling?

Going to school with my sister taught me many things. I learned that I should only be competitive with myself. Kiana has been a great source of support and inspiration for me because of her mentorship and excellent accomplishments. She motivated me to work harder and get involved in extracurricular activities which turned out to be one of the highlights of my university experience. We were by each other’s side for the struggles, obstacles, and achievements. It was motivating and rewarding to watch each other grow and I am very grateful for that.

Did you get involved in research? What was the research (who was the supervisor)? How was that experience?

I got involved in two very different research projects. Under Dr. Sepideh Pakpour’s supervision, I studied the effect of fungal deterioration on the physical properties of hempcrete. I learned about new sustainable building material that can be used to prevent mold to form in humid areas such as Vancouver. This project introduced me to an alternative building material that is more environmentally-friendly than conventional concrete.

During my research experience with Dr. Dr. Mahmudur Fatmi, I had the opportunity to learn new software including Vissim and ArcGIS. Using those software, I modelled a network of roads and intersections to study the contributing factors to transit delay in Kelowna. I also investigated implementing e-scooters as a sustainable mode of transportation in Kelowna. This research experience exposed me to new topics and helped me diversify my software skills.

What have been some of your favourite extra-curricular experiences?

In my first year, I joined the Concrete Toboggan Club to hone my design skills and meet new people. The next year, I became one of the team leaders. This was an opportunity for me to get out of my comfort-zone and develop my teamwork and leadership skills. During this experience,  led the team in designing the assembly of the crate to be displayed at the Technical Exhibition of the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race in Toronto. It was very satisfying to see the result of our team’s collaborative efforts and hard work. This experience allowed me to cultivate and express my artistic side while discovering my leadership strengths and weaknesses.

What have been your favourite courses and instructors?

My two favourite courses at UBC Okanagan were ENGR 410 Engineering Leadership and ENGR 542 Engineering and Society instructed by Dr. Alon Eisenstein. During university, I realized how essential it is to learn about leadership and understand our oath and responsibility, as engineers, to society.

On one hand, the course Engineering Leadership changed my perspective of leadership and what it means to lead a team. After taking this course, I practiced my new leadership style as team leader of my Capstone Project. During this experience, I witnessed how significantly my leadership approach can impact the performance of the team and outcome of the project. On the other hand, the course Engineering and Society allowed me to reflect on and question how our decisions and designs can impact society and the environment. The lessons I learned in both courses will stick with me for life.

What’s next?

My next step will be to begin pursuing education in architecture. However, I plan to work in the industry prior and I am excited to start the next step of my journey. Architecture and engineering have always been passions of mine. I particularly remember the sense of wonder I felt when visiting historical areas in Iran during my childhood. I was astonished at the choice of building materials and durability of ancient villages. While at UBCO, I learned about important topics including engineering design, sustainability and effective leadership. I aim to implement them to help design a better future for our society and environment.

Zoheb Hassan completed his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) with the University of British Columbia’s in 2019 under the joint supervision of Professor Victor Leung (UBC Vancouver), Professor Julian Cheng (UBC Okanagan), and Professor  Jahangir Hossain (Okanagan). After completing his PhD, he joined UBC Okanagan as a postdoctoral research fellow. He was a sessional instructor at UBC Okanagan from September 2019 to December 2019.

Hassan was awarded a prestigious NSERC PDF scholarship for 2020-21. His application was ranked first in electrical engineering category among all the candidates from across Canada.

What drew you to UBC Okanagan?

I am originally from Bangladesh, a small country in the South Asia region, and came to Canada in 2012 to pursue my Master’s at UBC Okanagan. Because of my long stay in UBC Okanagan campus, from a Master’s student to Postdoctoral Research Fellow, I have gained several valuable experiences. Specifically, the top-notch faculty and research facility of UBC Okanagan were the key elements that drew my attention in the first place.

Describe your research interests.

My main research interest is the resource allocation and optimization of the wireless communication network. Over the years, I have actively worked on projects related to different wireless communication systems, such as, free space optical communication systems, next generation cellular network of 5G and beyond, and aerial communication systems. I have made notable contributions in all three areas. For instance, I developed several novel adaptive transmission protocols for free space optical backhaul network. These developed protocols can substantially improve the delay of the transmitted data over free space optical backhaul network compared to the existing schemes. For the aerial communication networks, I proposed a novel algorithm by exploiting energy-harvesting through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted relays. This algorithm can substantially improve connectivity of UAV assisted Internet-of-things (IoT) network in an energy sustainable way. For next generation cellular networks, I came up with novel resource allocation schemes for mitigating interference by applying rate-splitting multiple access and reinforcement-learning empowered clustering of users. The proposed resource allocation scheme not only outperforms the existing schemes, in terms of energy-efficiency and spectral-efficiency, but also reduces the signaling overhead in the network.

What are your fondest memories of your studies at UBC Okanagan?

I have significantly benefitted, in both academic and non-academic aspects, through collaborations and discussions with my colleagues and fellow researchers at UBC Okanagan. While at UBC Okanagan, I was involved with various graduate student societies including the Muslim Student Association, Association of Bangladeshi Students, and the Engineering Graduate Student Society. These experiences enhanced both my interpersonal communication and leadership skills.

What role have Drs. Cheng and Hossain played in your academic success?

Both Professor Cheng and Professor Hossain played a significant role in my academic success. They taught me many research skills over the years, and continue to provide feedback on my work. They allowed me the freedom to work on topics that interested me, and helped me to grow as an independent researcher. They also taught me to uncover interesting research problems, and how to develop useful solutions. I have been truly blessed to have the opportunity to work under their supervision.

You continued a connection with UBC Okanagan during your PhD studies at UBC in Vancouver. Why? What was the experience like working with supervisors from both campuses?

Both campuses offer some unique advantages. For instance, the ECE department of UBC Vancouver is a large department. As a result, I benefited from research discussions with a large group of faculty and students. On top of that, ECE offers a wide spectrum of courses, and I learned some advanced concepts of wireless network optimization from these courses. On the other hand, UBC Okanagan campus offers more opportunity to connect  one-to-one with the supervisors/mentors, which is extremely important during your PhD. For this reason, after the candidacy exam of my PhD study, I spent time at UBC Okanagan campus to work more closely with my supervisors. I am truly thankful to my supervisors at both UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver for allowing me to optimize my studies through the resources of both campuses.

Now that you have completed your PhD – what is your Post-Doctoral research focused on?

I am focusing on optimization radio access networks for the beyond 5G communication systems and Internet-of-drones networks. Specifically, I am investigating the co-existence of the Internet-of-drones networks and 5G cellular networks over the same spectrum. Such a co-existence can potentially improve the problem of spectrum/bandwidth scarcity in the network. However, the interference in the network needs to be mitigated efficiently. Therefore, my aim is to develop an artificial intelligence empowered algorithm that will mitigate interference in the co-existing Internet-of-drones and 5G cellular networks.

Describe the importance for you of the funding & recognition from the NSERC Postdoc Fellow competition.

Recognition from the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow competition is a very important achievement in my academic research career. Such a fellowship will allow me to hold a PDF position at top-notch universities in both Canada and abroad, and will allow me to collaborate with top researchers in wireless communications and networks. I am grateful to the selection committee for recognizing my research potential through this prestigious award.

What are your future aspirations?

My goal is to become a faculty member at a good university, and a renowned researcher in wireless communications and networks. At the same time, I am interested in sharing my research expertise with students from my home country, Bangladesh, and training them to fully utilize their research potential.

Globalink Internship Program brings new ideas and cultures to the School of Engineering

The Geomaterials Research Group, led by Associate Professor Sumi Siddiqua, welcomed three international undergraduate students to the team this summer to collaborate on several research projects currently underway. The students are working with graduate researchers and Dr. Siddiqua investigating the chemical/biological stabilization of geomaterials, carbon sequestration in binder materials and the reuse of industry by-products.

“This is one of my favourite programs offered by Mitacs,” explains Siddiqua, “international undergraduate students get to explore the Okanagan, and Canada, while we get to benefit from their collaboration and sharing of new ideas and cultures.”

The Globalink Internship is a 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian university faculty members in a variety of disciplines at over 70 universities.

For Aditi Raj, a Mitacs intern from India, the opportunity to conduct research at UBC has been a privilege. “The project I have been working on explores the durability properties of pulp mill fly-ash geopolymer, and being from an entirely different field, I got to perform many experiments and gained various new skills, like operating the devices needed for the experiment.”

At the next workstation, Raj’s colleague (and fellow Mitacs intern from India) Nandika Girish nods in agreement. “I have learned a lot from this program. Work wise, I learned how to do various experiments, analyze data, literature review and write research paper. Personally, I earned a greater appreciation about Canadian culture, I also learned to adjust myself to a new environment, overall this program has helped me grow in all aspects and it is a great experience.”

According to Manon Esperet, a Mitacs intern from France, the program has meant a great deal to her as well. “I was able to discover a friendly city, meet people from different cultures, learn about the research environment, strengthen my engineering knowledge, practice my English, make new friends, and much more.”

All three interns expressed appreciation to Dr. Siddiqua for selecting them into her lab, and are considering applying for graduate programs in Canada including at UBC.

For more information about the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship visit https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/globalink-research-internship

Assistant Professor Mohammad Arjmand is the recipient of the 2022 Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering (CSChE) Innovation Award.

The School of Engineering’s Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Advanced Materials and Polymer Engineering, Mohammad Arjmand, has been recognized as one of Canada’s up-and-coming researchers in the field of chemical engineering. At the 2022 Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, he will be presented with the organization’s Innovation Award. The award recognizes an individual under the age of 40 for a distinguished contribution to the field of chemical engineering.

Dr. Arjmand leads the Nanomaterials and Polymer Nanocomposites Laboratory at UBC Okanagan, and leads the Plastic Recycling Research Cluster (PRRC). His core research investigates is on synthesis and engineering of multifunctional nanomaterials (carbon nanotube, graphene, graphene quantum dots, metal-organic framework, and MXene) and the development of their polymer nanocomposites (molded, 3D printed, electrospun, hydrogel, aerogel, etc.) with enhanced physical properties, i.e., electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic shielding, sensing, wastewater treatment, mechanical, thermal, and corrosion resistance.

During his academic career, Dr. Arjmand has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) Young Investigator Award (2022), Polymer Processing Society Early Career Award (2021), and the School of Engineering’s Faculty Emerging Academic Award (2021-2022) and Faculty Research Excellence Award (2020-2021).

Among his findings to date, Dr. Arjmand’s polymer electromagnetic shields have led to novel high-performance materials that are lighter and cheaper than existing commercial metallic shields. These electromagnetic shields are currently being used in various industries (such as aerospace, automotive and defense) to protect electrical devices against electromagnetic interference.

The diverse and interdisciplinary nature of Dr. Arjmand’s research has resulted in collaborations with a variety of researchers from different disciplines, such as polymer, chemical, mechanical, materials, electrical and chemistry, and different countries like Canada, United States, Germany, India, Brazil and Iran.

To learn more about Dr. Arjmand’s research visit https://npnl.ok.ubc.ca/

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) awards the 2022 Albert E. Berry Medal to Civil Engineering Professor Rehan Sadiq

A world-leading researcher, Dr. Sadiq, investigates the areas of asset management of water supply systems, environmental risk analysis and lifecycle assessment of built environment. He is an author of more than 600 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles, book chapters and technical reports. With nearly 17-thousand citations, he is among the top 100 most cited civil engineering researchers globally.

Dr. Sadiq is a professor of Civil Engineering and Distinguished University Scholar, and currently serves as the Provost and VP Academic pro tem at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. He is also a co-lead of Life Cycle Management Laboratory.

Dr. Sadiq’s research is focused on one of the most pressing issues of our time, the safety of drinking water and urban water systems. With innovative and influential research in the development of tools that enable the proactive maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of water utilities, Dr. Sadiq is transforming the way small to medium-sized communities are managing their water supplies. He was a pioneer in the development of soft computing and artificial intelligence methods to model water quality in distribution networks and environmental decision-making.

By using his soft computing and artificial intelligence-based models, municipalities are reducing costs and more importantly protecting against catastrophic events that could result from poorly maintained infrastructure. His research is used internationally to safeguard and sustain water supplies and distribution, and as a basis for policy making in asset management in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia.

The Albert E. Berry Medal is the pre-eminent award of the Environmental Engineering Division of CSCE. It is presented annually to a CSCE member who has, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, made an outstanding contribution to the field of environmental engineering in Canada.

Fang (Fiona) Fang is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus School of Engineering and an assistant professor at the Western University.

What brought you to UBC Okanagan?

I had always dreamed of studying in Canada since I was a child. To be honest, UBC Okanagan was the only University I applied to when I was looking for Universities to pursue my PhD degree. As one of the top Electrical Engineering program in Canada, UBC Okanagan undertakes cutting-edge research and works closely with industry. Luckily, I successfully got the opportunity to study at such a world-leading University. I was also attracted by the beautiful location, and I still have fond memories of my adventures in the Okanagan.

Who was your supervisor? How did you initially connect?

Professor Julian Cheng was my PhD supervisor, and he taught me more than I can say in the process of my research. I initially came to know him from the faculty website before I came to Canada. His research interests matched well with mine, so I applied to pursue a PhD in his research group. I have been fortunate to be his student and his supervision has laid a solid foundation for my career.

Describe your research while at UBC Okanagan?

My research focused on the key technologies in 5G. I designed various resource allocation algorithms to improve the energy efficiency for non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), which was then a hot topic and is still an active research topic for next generation wireless systems. My PhD research and education background at UBC build a strong foundation for my current research area. That research includes topics related to intelligent wireless communication, edge AI, and computation technologies.

What are some of your fondest memories from being at UBC Okanagan?

I will never forget my time at UBC Okanagan, as it was full of fond memories. If I must choose just a few, the first thing I missed the most after I left UBC Okanagan is the research environment. I enjoyed the research freedom in our research group, where various researchers worked on different projects depending on their interests. We shared ideas, technologies and fun moments, and tough challenges. We built a strong connection and friendship, which made the journey much more enjoyable.

I also miss the UBC Okanagan Campus, a quiet, convenient, beautiful, and peaceful campus. I enjoyed doing research at such a famous University full of diversity and equality. Everyone came from different countries and got together to study, work, and share knowledge with each other. All these attributes continue to encourage me to strive towards being a better person every day. UBC Okanagan is also where I met my husband, who was doing research in the Civil Engineering program, so UBC Okanagan has a very special place in our hearts.

Lastly, I miss the various social events on campus. For example, EGGS culture nights where everyone from different countries shows off their unqiue cultures, dances, songs, and food. It was indeed a fantastic experience.

How have your studies at UBC Okanagan prepared you for your new faculty position?

My PhD from UBC built not only a strong research foundation but also a solid academic network for my research career. The courses I took and my teaching assistant experience prepared me well for being faculty member in terms of research and teaching. Besides, the travel grant I received supported me in attending IEEE Communications Society’s flagship conferences, i.e., IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) and IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom). Those experiences provided me with opportunities to meet other experts in my field and learn the latest advanced technologies in wireless communications, which extended my academic network (a crucial element to my academic career progression).

 What the process is like in landing a faculty role?

After a long research journey (PhD in UBC Okanagan, postdoc at Lancaster University UK and Manchester University UK, and Assistant professor at Durham University UK), I finally found a excellent faculty position at Western University in London, Ontario. Before this job, I worked as a postdoc and Assistant Professor in UK for four years after graduating from UBC. I must admit that although the process of finding a faculty position in Canada is challenging due to the intense competition, it is quite enjoyable.

It has been a remarkable life experience for me to move from China to Canada to UK, and then finally back to Canada. I love exploring the world and different cultures while studying and working. It was tough at the beginning, especially when facing cultural differences but I kept trying, knowing that things would work out. My efforts finally paid off when I found this dream position. It is a position that I am confident will enable me to achieve my career goals. Thanks to perseverance and the support of my professors and colleagues, I confidently say I am ready for whatever comes next.

What type of research will you be doing in your faculty role?

With the remarkable growth of device diversity and data volume, the sixth generation (6G) wireless network will become extremely complex and crowded due to limited spectrum, increasing connection density, and diverse service demands. The critical challenge in 6G is how to intelligently support a large number of devices with limited spectrum. As an Assistant Professor at Western University, my research mainly focuses on intelligent wireless communications. My research goal is to make the current communication system smart and intelligent, which will revolutionize current communication systems evolving from the traditional “connected things” to “connected intelligence”. This will involve the cooperation of various technologies, including intelligent wireless communications, machine learning/AI, data analysis and computation technologies.

What does the future hold? 

My research aims to address the fundamental issues in intelligent wireless communication in terms of energy efficiency, communication efficiency, privacy, and security. This will bring interdisciplinary impacts to communication technologies, AI, and data analytics. The outcomes of the above research will facilitate smart city implementation throughout Canada; where big cities like Toronto and Vancouver have already initiated efforts. Meanwhile, the proposed technologies have strong potential to bring significant economic benefits to supporting organizations and the Canadian communication technology market in the near future (5-10 years).