Have an idea you’re ready to explore? Startup Sprint returns to UBC Okanagan Nov. 20–21, bringing together students, faculty, researchers and community members to explore entrepreneurial ideas and take the first steps toward turning them into ventures. 

Organized by the School of Engineering and Faculty of Management, the free event offers a weekend of hands-on learning, collaboration and mentorship. Participants will work in teams, bring different perspectives to shared challenges and gain practical experience developing and refining startup ideas. 

Event details 

• When: Nov. 20–21, 2026 
• Where: UBC Okanagan 
• Cost: Free 
• Register: https://technology-entrepreneurship.ok.ubc.ca/startup-sprint-weekend/  

“An idea is a starting point. Startup Sprint gives people the opportunity to explore what comes next—who their idea could help, what they need to learn and how to move it forward,” says event organizer Dr. Alon Eisenstein, an Associate Professor of Teaching, Technology Entrepreneurship and Professional Development with UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering. “Bringing people with different experiences and perspectives together is a big part of that process. You learn from each other, challenge your assumptions and discover possibilities you might not have seen on your own.” 

The event welcomes current and former UBC Okanagan undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers, and faculty and staff from all faculties and units. Community members from across the Okanagan are also invited to participate. 

For students and researchers, the weekend offers an opportunity to explore how their knowledge and skills could translate into a new venture. For community participants, it is a chance to connect with the campus through a shared experience and explore ideas alongside potential collaborators. 

For the Faculty of Management, Startup Sprint highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Bringing together participants with different academic backgrounds, professional experiences, and perspectives helps strengthen entrepreneurial thinking. 

Startup Sprint is supported by ETSI-BC (Economic Trust of the Southern Interior) and WeBC, through the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. 

How can advances in sustainable construction materials make their way from research labs to construction sites? An upcoming workshop hosted by UBC’s Green Construction Research and Training Centre (GCRTC) will bring together researchers, industry professionals and municipal representatives to explore that question.

Sustainable Materials for Low-Carbon Construction: Research, Innovation, and Industry Collaboration takes place November 5 at UBC Okanagan. The workshop will explore emerging materials and technologies, barriers to their adoption and opportunities for researchers and industry to work together on practical solutions.

Event details

What: Sustainable Materials for Low-Carbon Construction: Research, Innovation, and Industry Collaboration
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: UNC 200 Ballroom, University Centre, UBC Okanagan
Format: In person
Registration: Register online

“Developing sustainable materials is an important step, but their impact depends on how we put them to use,” says Dr. Shahria Alam, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the GCRTC. “By bringing researchers, government, industry and municipal representatives together, we can better understand the challenges facing construction projects and identify opportunities to move promising research into practice.”

The program will feature industry presentations, research highlights from UBC Okanagan, a networking lunch and an interactive industry–academia panel discussion. Topics will include industry needs, codes and standards, field implementation and future research partnerships.

Researchers, industry professionals and municipal representatives interested in sustainable construction are encouraged to register for a day of knowledge exchange, discussion and networking.

Speakers and panelists

Matt Dalkie — Cement Association of Canada
Dalkie is senior director of industrial decarbonization and sustainability, with international experience in cement manufacturing, concrete production and sustainability. His expertise includes low-carbon concrete, environmental product declarations and cement and concrete standards. His presentation, Industry Path to Net Zero, will explore the sector’s transition toward lower emissions.

Dr. Reza Fathi-Fazl — National Research Council Canada
Fathi-Fazl is a senior research officer and director of research and development for the Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure and Communities unit at NRC’s Construction Research Centre. His work includes seismic resilience, infrastructure rehabilitation and low-carbon concrete construction.

James Lockwood — Rapid-Span Structures Ltd.
Lockwood is a senior engineer and project development lead at Rapid-Span Structures. He brings an industry perspective on structural engineering and precast construction, alongside experience supporting UBC Okanagan student design projects.

Dean Neufeld — Kelowna Ready Mix
Neufeld is general manager of Kelowna Ready Mix, with more than 15 years of construction industry experience. He oversees operations, production, distribution and strategic planning, supporting the delivery of concrete and related materials to projects across the region.

Dr. Sepideh Pakpour is an Associate Professor with the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan.

As the climate changes, so do the conditions that shape how infections spread—and how our bodies respond. At UBC Okanagan, Dr. Sepideh Pakpour is connecting microbiome research with engineering to help create healthier, more resilient places to live and work.

In support of that work, Dr. Pakpour, an associate professor in the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan, has been awarded a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Climate Resilience and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Pakpour is one of four Chairs announced today at UBC Okanagan, seven from the Faculty of Applied Science, and 25 in total at UBC.

“Climate change is altering the conditions microbes live in, including the spaces where we spend most of our lives. My research begins with understanding what happens to microbes and to the people exposed to them under these changing conditions. What motivates me is taking that knowledge from the laboratory and using it to shape practical solutions for healthier, more resilient spaces. Collaboration is essential to bringing those solutions to life,” said Dr. Pakpour.

Dr. Pakpour and her team at the Pakpour Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiome Research will examine how climate-related stressors such as extreme heat, air pollution, humidity and reduced daylight shape pathogen adaptation and human susceptibility to infection. In her laboratory, Dr. Pakpour will lead molecular and computational investigations, from individual cells to microbial communities, to understand how pathogens adapt and how the human microbiome may influence vulnerability to infection.

Complementing this laboratory work, Dr. Pakpour and collaborators across UBC Okanagan will use controlled environmental-chamber studies to examine how heat and fine particulate exposure influence physiological, immune and microbiome responses in human volunteers, seeking early indicators of vulnerability and resilience.

Dr. Pakpour aims to carry discoveries beyond the laboratory and into the places where people live, work and receive care. Findings from her research will inform practical solutions developed with engineering, clinical and industry partners. The goal is to reduce transmission risk while improving occupant comfort and helping buildings remain resilient in a changing climate. This approach builds on an airborne pathogen biosensor developed by her research team with government partners.

Dr. Pakpour’s work connects fundamental microbiome and infectious disease science with engineering solutions for human health. She has built a research program supported by more than $10 million in external funding, serves as Associate Director for Graduate Students in the School of Engineering, and leads the NSERC CREATE program in Product Design for Human Comfort.

“Dr. Sepideh Pakpour brings people and ideas together around a clear purpose: making the world a better place by improving human health,” said Dr. Will Hughes, Director of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering. “This Chair recognizes the strength of her research and creates new opportunities for students and partners to help turn discoveries into practical solutions. Congratulations to Sepideh and her team as they carry this work forward.”

The chair is hosted at UBC Okanagan, where the School of Engineering and the Faculty of Applied Science are supporting Dr. Pakpour’s program through dedicated laboratory space, protected research time and research funding. The program advances the university’s commitment to connecting climate resilience, human health and engineering.

Training is central to the chair. Through the chair, she will mentor students and early-career researchers to work across microbiology, engineering and health research, and to carry ideas from laboratory discovery toward practical implementation. The program will also strengthen research partnerships in Canada and internationally.

“This Canada Research Chair gives me the opportunity to take our research to a different scale, connecting discoveries at the molecular level with a deeper understanding of human health and, ultimately, with solutions that can make a difference in people’s lives. Equally important to me is the opportunity to build the research capacity and collaborations needed to sustain this work well beyond the Chair’s term. I am grateful to UBC Okanagan, particularly the School of Engineering and the Faculty of Applied Science, for their support and confidence in this vision,” said Dr. Pakpour.

Further reading

Twenty-five UBC researchers announced as new and renewed Canada Research Chairs

Seven UBC Faculty of Applied Science experts announced as Canada Research Chairs

Engineering Graduate Students Society (EGSS) representatives with SoE faculty and staff at the meet and greet.

From coffee breaks on campus to snowy adventures at SilverStar, the Engineering Graduate Students Society (EGSS) is building community one event at a time.

EGSS’ new executive team is inviting graduate students across UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering to get involved, meet new people and help shape the year ahead. With upcoming events and three vacant executive positions, there are opportunities to join the fun and lend a hand.

The group recently held a meet and greet where students learned about EGSS and the opportunities it offers to build friendships, expand their networks and try something new. Students also heard from Dr. Sepideh Pakpour, Associate Director, Graduate Studies, along with faculty and staff who support the School’s graduate student community.

“Graduate studies can be demanding, and having a community around you makes a huge difference,” said Dr. Pakpour. “EGSS creates opportunities for students to connect, share ideas and strategies, and be there for one another in both the good times and the challenging times on your journey. Sometimes that support comes from a helpful conversation, sometimes it comes from simply knowing you’re not alone. We know that being part of this community will enrich your experience here and we hope even more of our graduate students experience that this year.”

Over the past year, EGSS created plenty of reasons for students to step away from their desks and spend time together.

EGSS members at SilverStar Mountain Resort, Winter 2025.

Coffee and snacks in the campus courtyard offered an easy way to meet fellow graduate students. A cricket tournament at Nonis Sports Field brought students together for some friendly competition, while a badminton tournament welcomed both competitive and recreational players.

In December, a year-end dinner with the School of Engineering brought students, faculty and staff together to share a meal and celebrate the year, including year-end reflections and congratulations from Director Dr. Will Hughes. The event was a highlight for students, faculty, and staff alike. In March, EGSS partnered with the Graduate Students’ Association for a snow tubing trip to SilverStar Mountain Resort, taking the community spirit off campus and onto the slopes.

EGSS supported the coordination of the School’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) heat, where nine graduate students practised sharing their research clearly and confidently in just three minutes. Two participants, Fatemeh Niknahad and Rubaiya Rumman, went on to represent the School at the UBC Okanagan finals, where Rumman earned runner-up and the alumni UBC People’s Choice Award.

SoE’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) heat organized by EGSS prepared Fatemeh Niknahad and Rubaiya Rumman for success at UBCO finals.

EGSS also helped create a place for everyday connection through the January opening of the EME graduate lounge in EME 3291. Beyond events, executives welcomed students at orientation and campus information booths, shared resources and represented graduate student perspectives in School and university meetings.

That work reflects EGSS’ broader role: supporting student-led initiatives, advocating for graduate student needs and building connections across the university.

The School thanks the 2025–26 executive team for the time, care and creativity they brought to serving their peers:

• Rubaiya Rumman, President
• Lixin Tu, Vice-President Finance
• Laya Feizabadi, Vice-President Events
• Olivia Margoto, Vice-President RA and TA
• Nana Adjei, Vice-President External
• Zejia Xu, Vice-President Internal

Their efforts helped students find familiar faces on campus, build friendships and feel part of the School community.

“It was really inspiring to see what our small group was able to accomplish last year, in terms of the events and the way they really brought the community together,” said 2025–26 President Rubaiya Rumman.

“I was honoured to serve our graduate student community, and I want to give a special shout-out to our incredible team: Lixin, the most amazing finance person—no number could ever escape you! Laya, the heart of our group; Olivia, our most efficient member and go-to problem solver; Nana, the best designer anyone could ask for; and Zejia, our outstanding communications expert. I am so grateful to each of them for making this year so memorable, and to our incoming leaders for the energy and fresh ideas they bring.”

One of those returning leaders is Laya Feizabadi who will once again serve as Vice-President Events.

“We learned so much last year about what brings people together, and I’m excited to build on that,” said Feizabadi. “Seeing students make connections is really rewarding. We know grad studies can be lonely at times,  but there’s a wonderful community here, and we hope students will take part as much as they can this year. There are so many possibilities ahead, and we’re looking forward to hearing what our students want, what they’re enjoying and how we can continue to make our events enjoyable for our community.”

This is echoed by Lixin Tu, who is also returning as Vice-President Finance.

“During the first year of my PhD journey, I spent most of my time in the lab focusing on my research, which left me with few chances to connect with others,” said Tu. “Joining EGSS changed that. I met new people, made new friends, and discovered opportunities beyond my research. Those experiences motivated me to become more involved and keep contributing to our graduate student community. My advice is simple: start by attending an event whenever you have the chance. That first step can lead to so much more.”

Carrying the work forward, the incoming 2026–27 executive team includes:

• Pronob Das, President
• Lixin Tu, Vice-President Finance
• Amr Ibrahim, Director at Large
• Zejia Xu, Vice-President Internal
• Laya Feizabadi, Vice-President Events
• Abdul-Mubarak Yussif Yidana, Vice-President RA and TA

“EGSS is your community, and we want you to help shape it,” said President Pronob Das. “Come to an event, share an idea or join our team. Tell us what would make your graduate student experience better and how we can support you. Last year’s executive gave us a strong foundation to build on, and your participation and feedback will help us serve our students better every year. Whether you’re new to the School or have been here for years, you have a place in EGSS.”

Watch for the full schedule of 2026-27 events on EGSS social media channels. Whether you are new to UBC Okanagan or already well into your graduate studies, these gatherings offer a chance to get to know people beyond your classes and research group.

Students who would like to help organize activities and represent their peers can also consider joining the executive.

A coffee, a conversation or a shared adventure can be the start of a friendship. EGSS invites you to come along and help make this year’s graduate student community your own.

Have an idea for a venture but not sure where to start? Wondering how your research could become a business? UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering is offering students a new opportunity to connect one-on-one with experienced entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) Drop-In sessions.

Bring a question, a project challenge or an idea that’s still taking shape. No prior entrepreneurship experience or prepared pitch is required.

“Entrepreneurs come from many different backgrounds, and there is no single path from an idea to something that makes a difference,” says Dr. Alon Eisenstein, Associate Professor of Teaching in Technology Entrepreneurship and Professional Development. “By connecting with people who have built businesses, changed direction and worked through uncertainty, students can gain new perspectives on their own ideas. We hope they leave with practical insights, greater confidence and a clearer sense of a next step they could take.”

Entrepreneur-in-Residence drop-in sessions

The upcoming lineup brings experience across technology, investment, business strategy and social impact:

• Dr. Ray Muzyka — Oct. 13, 2026: The BioWare co-founder and impact investor at ThresholdImpact brings perspectives on venture development, leadership and health innovation.
• Evangelos (“Gelly”) Gnissios — Oct. 27 and Nov. 17, 2026: The Enstrati Consulting co-founder offers experience in business strategy, finance and helping founders test and develop ideas.
• Kelsey Helm — Dec. 1, 2026, and Feb. 9, 2027: The entrepreneur, investor and SOAR Director of Operations can discuss getting started, building teams and growing a business.

Book a conversation

Sessions are free, last 20 minutes and take place on the listed Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and noon in EME 1252, the first-floor glass study room.

Visit the Entrepreneur-in-Residence webpage to explore visitor biographies and book online. Select Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the scheduler.

Appointments may be booked up to two weeks in advance to support equitable access. Check the calendar for available times. More dates for Term 2 will be posted soon to the webpage.

Your next step can start with a conversation.

First-year engineering students take the Iron Pin ethics pledge, Oct. 2026.

Hundreds of first-year engineering students took an important step in their educational and professional journeys during two Iron Pin ceremonies this month.

Wearing the Iron Pin represents a pledge to uphold the School of Engineering (SoE) Code of Ethics.

The code outlines how SoE students, faculty and staff shall act at all times with courtesy, honesty and respect to each other and society.

Led by professors Dr. Ernest Goh and Dr. Yang Cao students rose to recite the pledge, signed their names and received their Iron Pins. The pledge reads:

As a member of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering, I shall:

1. Uphold the academic integrity of the University and of the UBC Engineering degree, submitting work only when it is founded upon honest efforts and personal achievement.
2. Commit myself to advance my body of knowledge, engage in professional development, and acknowledge the importance of my lifelong learning.
3. Conduct myself with respect and integrity when interacting with all members of community and society at large and give credit where credit is due.
4. Report any hazardous, illegal, or unethical decisions or practices by any member of our community.
5. Create and maintain an environment where equity, inclusion, and diversity are valued.

Dr. Alon Eisenstein also spoke about the challenges engineers face in upholding ethics in professional settings. Drawing on the Apollo 1 and space shuttle Challenger disasters, alongside examples from the automotive sector and other industries, he explored how engineering decisions can carry profound consequences for human life and public safety.

Students also learned about the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Code of Ethics.

Taking the Iron Pin pledge marks an early commitment by UBC Okanagan engineering students to ethical conduct. Later, graduating students participate in the Calling of an Engineer, receiving an iron ring as a symbol of their ethical and professional obligations.

Read more about the role of ethics and service in engineering education in SoE Director Dr. Will Hughes’ reflection, Engineering with heart.

UBC Okanagan engineering students will want to take note of two upcoming opportunities to meet industry professionals, explore career pathways and connect with potential employers.

On Oct. 14, the School of Engineering will host an industry information session with McElhanney, followed by Fall Engineering Industry Night on Oct. 15. Whether you want a closer look at one company or conversations with a range of employers, these events can help you prepare for your next career step.

Oct. 14: Industry information session with McElhanney

Join this term’s first School of Engineering Industry Information Sessions Evening for an in-depth look at McElhanney and its career opportunities.

Students can meet company representatives, receive application tips, learn about recruitment timelines and processes, and build professional connections.

• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
• Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
• Location: EME 1151
• Cost: Free
• Refreshments: Light snacks and refreshments will be provided

Register

Learn more

Oct. 15: Fall Engineering Industry Night

Build your network and explore employment opportunities at Fall Engineering Industry Night, where engineering students can connect with industry representatives from across the region and beyond.

Students from all engineering programs can explore different industries, ask questions about potential career paths and practice their networking skills in a welcoming environment.

The event is a collaborative initiative between the School of Engineering’s Professional Development and Experiential Learning (PDEL) team and the UBC Applied Science Co-op Program.

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
• Time: 5–7 p.m.
• Location: Engineering, Management and Education (EME) Building, UBC Okanagan

Register

Learn more

Questions about either event? Contact grant.topor@ubc.ca.

Starting with Curiosity

What was I feeling? Excited? Scared? Hungry? Lost? I had taken a wrong turn somewhere, but I was almost at my destination now. I could see the entrance to the park, and the trailhead just beyond it.

More than anything, I was curious.

In truth, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect when I drove up to Woodhaven Regional Park to meet the inaugural cohort of UBC Okanagan (UBCO) Master of Design students.

As part of a group from UBCO who had been invited to speak about our careers, which ranged from communications to student services, I was there to get to know the people whose stories I’ll have the gift of sharing over the coming year.

People overuse that phrase, but as the years go by, I’ve come to appreciate more and more what a gift it is to help people share their stories.

As I pulled into the gravel lot, the group was already on the trail.

Was I late? No. Right on time.

Finding focus

With a camera slung over my shoulder, I caught up and fell into step beside a few students. They were talking about their hopes, their goals, and also their worries: for one another, their communities and a world that feels increasingly uncertain.

We agreed it was a world where change was still possible. We talked about what it might take to turn that possibility into action at scale on a more regular basis.

The conversation moved as we did. On the rocky stretches, we spoke less and listened more. We watched our footing and made room for one another to pass. I caught my toe on a root more than once. On we went. Walking in Woodhaven required me to pay attention to where I was—and to concentrate on my next steps.

I was reminded of what the poet Mary Oliver wrote in Upstream: “The work itself is the adventure. And no artist could go about this work, or would want to, with less than extraordinary energy and concentration.”

I’ve spent much of my career working with designers and creative teams. In this line, it’s easy to focus on the finished product: a campaign, a space, a service, an experience. The walk reminded me of the questions that come before any of that.

Asking questions

Who is this for?

What do they need?

What might we understand differently if we slow down, listen and spend time together?

When we reached the cabin and studio where the students will spend part of their time over the coming year, we thought about these questions and more. We had tea and talked about where and how we grew up. The conversations varied, from the finer points of foraging for mushrooms (don’t look too hard) to the satisfying timelessness of Tetris to the best place in town to grab a slice (hello, Jackknife).

It reminded me of the wonderfully chaotic conversations that most creative teams have before we get near to the wild heart of it—before we say, OK, it’s time to set off for this far-flung new place, and figure out how, under the same old stars, we will navigate.

We talked a lot about the changing world, and changing the world. We talked about how hard it is to really make an impact that helps our colleagues, our neighbours, our systems, our organizations… but also, how important it is to try.

That energy is something you can’t put into words. You can’t manufacture it. It has to flow from people who care deeply about the work, who are nervous because they don’t yet know where it will lead, or if it will be fuel enough to get there, but who are willing to find out.

It is in that moment, when we’re all curious and scared and excited and hungry and a little lost, that we are truly ready to make something together. Whether we are early, late, or right on time, it doesn’t matter. What matters is getting to that point along the way: where we know we can create something more than good, it is worthwhile.

I was beginning to understand what the Master of Design is for. It brings people from different fields together to build their practice through design, engineering and community engagement. To translate their skills with care.

Exploring what is possible

I can’t claim to know yet what each student will take from this program. That’s part of what I’m looking forward to finding out. But on that spring morning, I saw people bringing their questions and care for the world into the same conversation. I left thrilled to see what each of them will do next. How they will use their year in this program.

This September, when I stepped into the cohort’s first project showcase on campus, I saw that the feeling—that fuel—is still there. Only now it’s propelling the group forward. Ideas are sprouting. What is possible is more probable.

Inspired and shaped by the region, their projects hold broad applicability for communities far and near. From finding creative ways to illustrate the true cost of wildfires in Canada to exploring how we can make our own students feel a sense of belonging and inclusion before they arrive in the Okanagan.

Something different is happening here. By design.

As a creative professional who has spent years on the trail—sometimes wandering alone, sometimes lucky enough to have a team beside me—I’ve thought a lot about the MDes program since it launched. It fills me with pride to get to play a small role, adjacent to the magic that is happening in the classroom. To watch the designers, builders, and storytellers of today find the tools they will use tomorrow.

So, if you’re a creative type, a designer, a problem solver, an engineer (really, a human from any discipline who wants to make a difference), and if you are looking for a way to do that, consider this an invitation:

Come meet the people and places shaping the MDes, and bring your own questions.

Being curious is a good place to start.

Tyler Finley
Communications Manager, School of Engineering
UBC Okanagan

Earlier this year, School of Engineering PhD students Rubaiya Rumman and Fatemeh Niknahad took the stage at UBC Okanagan’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals. Their presentations are now available to watch in full.

Rumman showed how wood ash could help make lower carbon concrete. She presented just hours after successfully defending her PhD thesis, earning runner up and the Alumni UBC People’s Choice Award. “It was an incredible day, and I was honoured to be part of the 3MT competition,” she said afterward. Watch Rumman’s presentation, Turning waste into strength.

Niknahad introduced a microwave sensor designed to detect black ice as it begins to form. “Instead of looking at the road, I sensed it,” she shared with the audience in framing her innovative idea. Watch Niknahad’s presentation, Microwave Ice Sensor.

Read our original story to learn more about both researchers and their UBC Okanagan’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals work.

The Green Construction Research & Training Centre (GCRTC) welcomes bridge engineer Saqib Khan to UBC Okanagan for “Seismic Analysis and Design of Bridges per S6:25—An Introduction,” part of its Beyond the Blueprint guest seminar series.

This seminar will explore the principles and practical application of seismic bridge design under CSA S6:2025, including key changes from the 2019 edition. Khan will cover design fundamentals, code requirements, analysis methods, and performance and damage objectives, followed by a discussion and Q&A.

Event details

Tuesday, September 29, 2026
11:15 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
EME 4218, School of Engineering
UBC Okanagan, Kelowna

A lunch break is scheduled from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Register for the seminar

About Saqib Khan

Saqib Khan, P.Eng., S.E., P.E. is the Principal and founding partner of Spannovation Consulting Limited, with more than 26 years of experience in bridge engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, a licensed Structural Engineer and Professional Engineer in Washington State, and a Professional Engineer in California and Michigan. His extensive experience includes the analysis, design, assessment, and delivery of complex bridge and transportation infrastructure projects. He is also part of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code’s (CSA S6) subcommittee for Chapter 6 – Seismic design.