UBCO community members and guests gather around the 14 Not Forgotten Memorial.

KELOWNA, BC – Emotions ran high at UBC Okanagan’s 14 Not Forgotten ceremony on Friday, as attendees gathered to honour the lives of 14 women killed in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.  

Through tears and heartfelt words, speakers reflected on how far society has come—and how much further it must go—in addressing violence against women. 

North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma, a UBC Engineering alumnus, displayed visible emotion as she addressed the crowd.  

“It’s been 35 years since that horrific day, and yet here we are, still grappling with the same problems—violence, sexism, and systemic inequality,” Ma said.  

“Even now, there are an estimated 1,000 physical or sexual assaults against women in British Columbia every week. These acts do not exist in isolation; they are part of a continuum of discrimination that persists in our workplaces, communities, and institutions.” 

Ma also spoke of her own experiences as a young woman in a male-dominated field.  

“As a new engineer, I was told that bringing up December 6 was ‘too political’ for the workplace. But I’ve come to understand that to be a woman in this world is political. And we must stand together to confront this reality, no matter how uncomfortable it makes others feel.” 

Lesley Cormack, UBC Okanagan’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, shared how she still remembers getting an anxious phone call from a friend who simply said, “They’re shooting women in Montreal.”  

She spoke of the lost potential represented by the 14 women whose lives were cut short. “These women were brilliant, determined and full of promise,” Cormack said.  

“They were on the path to becoming engineers, innovators, and leaders. Their deaths robbed us not just of their presence, but of the immense contributions they would have made to our world.” 

Cormack urged attendees to channel their grief into action. “We remember these women not only for what was taken from them but also for the light they brought into the world. Their loss is a stark reminder that we must redouble our efforts to build a society where women can pursue their dreams without fear.”

With candles and flowers in memory of the victims, attendees joined in a moment of silence, many wiping away tears as they reflected on the tragedy and its enduring resonance. 

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is marked every December 6 across Canada. It commemorates the victims of the Montreal Massacre and serves as a call to action to end gender-based violence. 

Polytechnique Montréal announced today that Makenna Kuzyk, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Alberta is the 2024 recipient of the $50,000 Order of the White Rose Scholarship, and that the scholarship will expand in 2025.

Note to the UBC Okanagan Engineering community: this story is being re-shared here for awareness. Please share this information with any women-identifying students or graduates who may be interested in applying for the Order of the White Rose scholarship.

2023 Order of the White Rose Scholarship recipient Amelia Dai

Amelia Dai

Amelia Dai, a UBC chemical and biological engineering graduate, was awarded the Order of the White Rose Scholarship by Polytechnique Montréal in 2023.

“Regardless of which discipline we work in, I believe that the core responsibility of engineers is to apply scientific problem-solving for the sustainable benefit of society, and this includes promoting inclusivity in the engineering space to ensure voices traditionally marginalized are acknowledged,” said Dai.

Dai was the ninth recipient of the Order of the White Rose, and the first UBC graduate to receive the scholarship.

Read her story here.

About the Order of the White Rose Scholarship

The Order of the White Rose Scholarship is open to women in engineering and graduates of any engineering undergraduate program who are planning to pursue an MASc or PhD in engineering. More information on the call for applications will be available in Winter 2025.

Over the years, the white rose has become the symbol of Polytechnique Montréal’s commemorative activities. Therefore, to mark the 25th anniversary of the events of December 6, 1989, which cost the lives of 14 young women and injured several others, Polytechnique created the Order of the White Rose in tribute to the victims as well as the wounded, the families, the faculty members, the employees and the students who were forever affected by the tragedy.

Learn more at https://www.polymtl.ca/ordreroseblanche/en

Four researchers – one faculty member and three graduate students – with UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering are recipients of the inaugural Peter Wall Legacy Awards announced by UBC today.

Made possible by a ground-breaking $100+million endowment and valued at $4 million in annual funding, the Peter Wall Legacy Awards are among the largest internal research award programs in North America.  

The recipients represent a diverse array of scholarly activity and research endeavours aimed at generating real-world solutions to major sustainability challenges in BC and globally. 

“On behalf of the School of Engineering, congratulations to faculty member Dr. Alexander Uhl and students Usmita Adhikari, Thais Ayres Rebello, and Elnaz Ghahremani Rad on being among the first ever to receive Wall Legacy Awards,” said Dr. Will Hughes, Director for the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan. “This recognition speaks to your exceptional efforts to be on the forefront of sustainability research. We are very proud of you, and extend our congratulations also to your fellow researchers, colleagues, mentors and supporters who are helping you conduct this impactful work.” 

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AWARDEES 

Dr. Alexander Uhl, Assistant Professor – Team Faculty Award 

Dr. Alexander Uhl, Assistant Professor and Principal’s Research Chair in Solar Energy Conversion along with colleagues Dr. Eva Nichols (Lead PI) and Dr. Eric Lees, received a Team Faculty Award for their project “An Artificial Photosynthesis Device to Generate Green Methanol Fuel from CO₂.”  

“I am deeply honored to receive this research grant to work on clean fuels. This support comes at a crucial time when the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident in our region. I am excited to embark on this research journey with Drs. Nichols and Lees and contribute to developing sustainable solutions for our future.” said Dr. Uhl. 

As Dr. Uhl points out, methanol has recently become a focus of great interest as a sustainable fuel for the decarbonization of the transportation and shipping industries, but current methods for methanol synthesis are associated with high emissions.  

As an alternative, the team is developing a greener approach which involves transforming captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol using water and renewable energy in the form of electricity or sunlight.  

“BC is poised to participate in this green transition, yet there are scientific and technological improvements needed to meet the demand, which is expected to experience significant growth in the future,” said Dr. Uhl. 

“This project aims to remove those roadblocks exploring the chemistry, materials science, transport mechanisms, and technoeconomic analysis of the (photo)electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to methanol and emphasizing the need for advancements from multiple disciplines and perspectives,” said Uhl. 

EMPOWERING GRADUATE STUDENTS 

The awards also recognize the outstanding research contributions of graduate students at UBC. The following UBC Okanagan School of Engineering students received Wall Legacy Graduate Student Awards in 2024: 

Usmita Adhikari, Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering – Graduate Student Award 

UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies Profile 

My research focuses on developing an environmentally friendly approach towards construction of hydraulic barrier liners for hazardous municipal waste detention facilities. Conventional clay liners often suffer from shrinkage and cracking, increasing the risk of leachate seepage that can harm nearby water bodies. Traditional chemical stabilizers like cement and lime, though effective, have a high carbon footprint. To address this, my study uses sustainable biochar and a depolymerized form of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer as stabilizers. This eco-friendly enhancement in liner construction supports both waste management practices and preservation of natural environment in British Columbia and beyond. 

“I aim to develop and implement solutions that not only advance the field of geotechnical engineering but also have a meaningful and positive impact on the built environment and communities around the world. Ultimately, I aspire to be at the forefront of developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure, helping to shape a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come. As I have learned from my supervisor, I carry a profound responsibility as a woman engineer to make the journey welcoming for young girls who may decide to follow in my footsteps,” said Usmita Adhikari.

Elnaz Ghahremani Rad, Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering – Graduate Student Award 

UBCO College of Graduate Studies Profile 

My research at the Laboratory for Solar Energy and Fuels focuses on advancing solar energy infrastructure in British Columbia (BC), addressing climate change and energy security challenges. I plan to develop efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with high power conversion efficiency. Key objectives include optimizing cell stability, testing tandem architectures, and developing scalable production methods. This project could significantly contribute to creating a sustainable and resilient energy system for BC. By collaborating with industry partners, we intend to scale flexible PSCs for outdoor use, benefiting off-grid communities, and supporting BC’s transition to clean energy. 

“The Wall Award will significantly enhance my academic performance and help me develop leadership and problem–solving skills. With access to better resources and academic opportunities, I can further pursue my research interests in clean energy, which is essential for advancing my career,” said Elnaz Ghahremani Rad.  

Thais Ayres Rebello, Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering – Graduate Student Award 

UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies Profile 

My research focuses on developing an assessment methodology for the sustainability of Urban Water Systems (UWS). Building on the development of urban environments, my work aims to identify and select key indicators, while also exploring the mathematical feedback loops between these indicators. The goal is to provide stakeholders with tools to support sustainable practices. During my Ph.D., I proposed an integrated approach combining Circular Economy principles with the One Water Approach to create six pillars of sustainability, specifically tailored to the management of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. My model goes beyond traditional system analysis by considering the integration of UWS with nature and surrounding communities. 

“I am honored to receive the Peter Wall Legacy Award, an award that recognizes innovation in sustainability research. This award will significantly support my ongoing work, providing resources to deepen my exploration and impact in this field. I thank Peter Wall for his immense generosity, all UBC team members that worked hard on making this award available, as well as my supervisors (Dr. Sadiq and Dr. Hewage) and Dr. Haroon Mian, who assisted me in the application process,” said Thais Ayres Rebello. 

ABOUT THE WALL LEGACY AWARDS 

In December 2024, UBC announced the inaugural recipients of the Wall Fellowships and Wall Research Awards, funded by the $100M+ million Peter Wall Endowment and valued at a total of $4M annually.  These researchers represent a wide array of scholarly programs that will generate meaningful solutions to major sustainability challenges in BC and around the world. 

All projects align with three key areas of focus: urban sustainability, environmental protection of coastal areas, and sustainable approaches to resource-intensive industries, with a particular emphasis on the province of B.C. Research ranges from climate change to biodiversity loss, sustainable transportation, energy storage, urban water systems, biodiversity conservation, and more. More information about the awards and a full list of awardees can be found at https://walllegacyawards.ubc.ca/awardees/.  

Members of Women in Engineering (WiE) were joined by faculty, staff and students from across the School of Engineering (SoE) at UBC Okanagan to paint the E (cairn) white today.

The group gathered to paint the E for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women and the annual 14 Not Forgotten memorial ceremony to be held this Friday, December 6, which honours the women whose lives were lost in the École Polytechnique massacre.

You can view the photo gallery of the E painting on the SoE’s Flickr page.

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of the tragedy, which led the Government of Canada to assert Dec. 6 as National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

The SoE is inviting the UBCO campus community and public to join in the ceremony, remember the 14, and stand against gender-based violence.

“Participating in the remembrance of these women whose lives were stolen is a way to honour their legacy and to stand against the repetition of such tragedies,” said Charlotte Ford, a third-year electrical engineering student who will be speaking at UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering ceremony.

“As a woman in engineering, it’s a powerful reminder that we belong here, and that those women deserved their rightful place in their field. This event highlights the importance of continuing the fight for equality and representation.”

Join the ceremony

Who: UBCO students, faculty, staff, the public
What: 14 Not Forgotten ceremony
Where: UBCO Engineering, Management and Education building and amphitheatre, 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna
When: Friday, December 6, 10 to 11:30 am

All are welcome. Registration is not required. More information is available on the ceremony page.

Read more about the ceremony in the media release.

Meet Dr. Fawad Najam

Dr. Fawad Najam

Dr. Fawad Najam joined UBC Okanagan (UBCO)’s School of Engineering as a lecturer in January 2024.

His work focuses on the performance-based evaluation of built facilities under extreme loads, e.g., severe earthquakes and winds. He studies seismic resilience of innovative structural systems, site-specific seismic hazard analysis, earthquake vulnerability assessment of existing infrastructure, nonlinear modeling of structures, and other related aspects of earthquake risk.

Beside research activities, Dr. Najam also enjoys sharing knowledge through the development of “Open Educational Resources (OER).” As a strong advocate for technology integration in engineering curricula, he has developed several software-based learning tools, digital knowledge products, and interactive assessments for his courses. Currently, his freely accessible online learning resources (e.g., his YouTube channel and website) are creating a widespread impact on pedagogical choices and practices in his academic area. His passion is to “strive towards converting knowledge and research into products and actions” for a better society.

Dr. Najam was recently featured on UBC Okanagan’s Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) website for his innovative use of technology in the classroom, and his insights and tips for fellow instructors. Read Dr. Najam’s CTL Faculty Story here.

Question and Answer (QandA)

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am someone who is deeply curious about how things work. I’ve always believed that life is an endless exploration of ideas, challenges, and their solutions.

This curiosity has guided every step of my academic journey, shaping who I am today.

Outside of work, I’m someone who enjoys exploring new tech developments and constantly seeks ways to improve and grow.

What inspired you to join UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering?

The SoE offers a unique experience where all major engineering disciplines work together under one roof. This inter-disciplinary and collaborate environment attracted me to work at SoE. What intrigues me about my current role is that my potential collaborators are not restricted to my domain research. Instead, I feel like part of a bigger community of educators.

What courses you are currently teaching?

Currently, I am teaching a first-year foundational course “APSC 180 Statics” and a cross-listed final-year course “ENGR 428/528 Earthquake Engineering”. In Winter Term 2, I will be teaching another first-year course “APSC 181 Dynamics” and a graduate course “ENGR 523 Seismic Design of Structures”.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are seeing increasing adoption in higher education.

Why are you passionate about developing and using OERs in your classroom?

In recent years, the world has passed through a big transformation in the ways educational content is created, shared and used. This recent shift has several aspects and implications which have permanently altered the way we learn and teach new concepts and technologies.

If feel that in such a changing scenario, the use of OER can significantly accelerate the participatory learning process by helping educators harness the fruits of growing technological and pedagogical advancements. By strategically incorporating them in existing educational setups, we all can make a collective effort to ensure a more equitable and inclusive learning in our classrooms.

What is your approach towards technology integration in your classroom?

As an engineering educator, I have always been passionate about integrating technology to foster creativity and interactivity in my classrooms.

From encouraging students to use tech for unique knowledge demonstrations to real-time feedbacks, technology has transformed our teaching and learning experiences.

What tip you would provide to your fellow instructors?

Always practice in your teaching space, keep it simple, and stay curious about new tools to elevate student engagement. Try to use accessible platforms while staying open to advanced ed-tech as required

What is your inspiration?

In response to this question, I want to share a story once shared by Richard Feynman about a great English astronomer Arthur Eddington. The story goes like this:

“The great astronomer Arthur Eddington figured out that the stars get their power from burning hydrogen in a nuclear reaction producing helium. He recounted how, on the night after his discovery, he was sitting on a bench with his girlfriend. She said, “Look how pretty the stars shine!” To which he replied, “Yes, and right now, I’m the only man in the world who knows how they shine.” He was describing a kind of wonderful loneliness you have when you make a discovery.”

Within a narrow slice of my domain research area, I have always been fascinated about that “feeling of wonderful loneliness”.

Any advice for current engineering students?

As a first-year student, never use an equation you cannot derive. As a final-year student, never use a computer program as a black box.

What is teaching to you? Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?

I’ve spent my life asking questions about how we can design structures which not only last long, but also define us as we navigate through the future, even in the most challenging conditions.

Teaching, to me, is a way of passing on that curiosity—helping others see the world through a lens of discovery and possibility.

In next 5 years, I envision myself a successful educational leader who is passionate about making a positive impact on pedagogical choices in engineering discipline.

The Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC) Seminar Series presents:

Dis-Ownership in Climate Change and Making “Sense” of Resilience in Construction by Kh Md Nahduzzaman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Citinnov SA for Integrated Territorial Planning & Smart Cities, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco.

• Date: Wed. November 27, 2024
• Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
• Location: EME 4218, School of Engineering, UBC, Okanagan, Kelowna BC

Human behavior lies at the heart of climate change, as re-emphasized by the IPCC. This talk examines the concept of “dis-ownership” in addressing climate challenges and explores how resilience in construction can be reimagined.

Infrastructure development, including water systems, drainage, power grids, public transport, etc. faces significant economic and ecological barriers, compounded by human behaviors that prioritize individual needs over communal welfare. Actions such as over-reliance on personal vehicles, unsustainable land use choice, and disregard for ecological balance exacerbate vulnerabilities, including flooding, urban hit island, wildfires, and biodiversity loss.

This presentation is also an attempt to critically evaluate the role of “green” technologies, questioning their sustainability. For example, electric vehicles, while marketed as eco-friendly, generate substantial carbon emissions during production and require resources such as lithium, leading to water scarcity, soil contamination, and ecosystem degradation at the localities where it is extracted from. The hidden environmental costs inherently challenge the scientific and ethical foundations of these technologies as “solutions” to climate change dynamics. The inertia to change – rooted in ethical dilemmas, and behavioral resistance – arguably hinders progress of what needs to be done in finding the “sustainable” solutions to the mounting breadth of challenges. Overcoming dis-ownership requires a paradigm shift in mindset, from “us” versus “others” to a “unified” sense of responsibility.

By addressing these challenges holistically, the construction practices can be transformed to enhance resilience while fostering a sustainable future for our shared planet.

About Dr. Kh Md Nahiduzzaman

Dr. Nahiduzzaman is an Associate Professor at Citinnov SA for Integrated Territorial Planning & Smart Cities in Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco. He also held faculty positions at UBC Okanagan (Canada), KFUPM (Saudi Arabia), and KTH (Sweden). Currently, he coordinates the PhD program and TOP (Territorial Observatory Performance) Lab.

His expertise spans urban and territorial planning and resilience, smart cities, and climate risk assessment, collaborating globally across continents. He has secured over $6 million in research funding and published 80+ scientific works. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of City Development: Issues and Best Practices journal (ICCCASU), “Executive” and “Book Review” Editor of the Journal of Urban Management (Elsevier), and holds editorial roles in frontier journals, including Journal of Urban Planning and Development (ASCI), Discover Cities (Springer), etc. His recent book, “Making Sense of Planning and Development for Post-Pandemic Cities,” by Springer (2024), provides a critical roadmap for transformational planning in the post-pandemic cities.

He seats in core scientific and organizing committee in a number of international scientific events and think-tanks, notably ICCCASU (International Conference on Canadian, Chinese and African Sustainable Urbanization), ICCSA (International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications), International Conference on Real Estate Development and Management (ICREDM), the African Smart City Forum, etc..

He is also a co-chair of the upcoming “Smart and Connected Cities” track in the US-Africa Frontiers program in Kigali, Rwanda. He holds visiting professor positions at Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic, and Ankara University, Türkiye.

About the Green Construction Research and Training Center

The Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC) is multi-disciplinary research and training hub, which is the results of collaboration between the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Okanagan College (OC). The center enables a multitude of disciplines to work in a symbiotic manner to enrich and broaden all disciplines’ capabilities towards greener construction. Learn more at https://gcrtc.ubc.ca/.

Rapid growth of urban populations and associated environmental concerns are challenging city planners and developers locally and around the world to consider sustainable building systems.

In response, with new CLT and glulam timber technology, mid- and high-rise timber buildings are becoming attractive solution. Current objective-based design approaches in the NBCC 2020, however need additional provisions to cover the unique design challenges posed by such tall timber-based hybrid buildings. These challenges span from: a lack of seismic force modification factors calibrated with the notion of collapse risk, to a lack of fire performance design guidelines.

On Thursday, Nov. 28, UBC Okanagan is hosting a talk by Dr. Solomon Tesfamariam called Performance-Based Fire Design of Tall Timber Buildings: Modelling and Experimental Capability to address this topic.

Performance-Based Fire Design of Tall Timber Buildings: Modelling and Experimental Capability

Date: Thursday, Nov. 28

Time: 12 pm (noon)

Speaker: Dr. Solomon Tesfamariam

Location: EME 4218, UBC Okanagan Campus.

Light refreshments will be provided for those attending in person.

Or join via Zoom:

About Dr. Solomon Tesfamariam

Dr. Solomon Tesfamariam is a Professor and University Research Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. For over twenty years, Professor Tesfamariam has been a leader in the pedagogy and research on sustainable design of tall-timber building and decision-making tools for infrastructure (asset) management.

Prior to the University Waterloo, he was a professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) (2008-2023) where he held Principal’s Research Chair in the Resilient and Sustainable Built Environment. In addition, Professor Tesfamariam worked at the National Research Council Canada (2000-2007) on developing different decision support tools for buried infrastructure management. The unique blend of the academic and research experience has enabled Professor Tesfamariam to understand the challenges in the industry and develop unique solutions.

Professor Tesfamariam has pushed the boundary for tall timber (hybrid) building under multi-hazard design considerations. Professor Tesfamariam is a designated expert in the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). He is also a subcommittee member of CSA O86 – Engineering Design in Wood on Systems Design and Connection. His contributions have directly resulted in the expansion of tall timber (hybrid) structure guidelines and gained international recognition throughout academia and industry. His research activities in infrastructure management entail developing decision making tools for seismic risk assessment and management of civil infrastructure systems and risk-based aging infrastructure management (buried pipes, buildings, bridges, etc.).

Professor Tesfamariam has published over 210 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals (e.g., ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Structural Safety, Earthquake Spectra, and Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics) and co-edited a book “Handbook of Seismic Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure Systems”. Professor Tesfamariam is in the editorial board member of various international journals (ASCE Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Frontiers in Built Environment: section Earthquake Engineering, Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, ICE’s International Journal Infrastructure Asset Management). Read more.

About the Builder Better Cluster

The lack of affordable and available housing affects communities across the globe and is complicated by natural disasters like earthquakes or fire due to climate change. The Build Better Research Excellence Cluster is researching solutions to improve reinforced concrete for building tall, high-density housing that is more sustainable and resilient to disasters. The Build Better research cluster brings together leading researchers with expertise in optimized and resilient supply chains, material science, multi-hazard analysis, architecture, structural engineering, economics and management to help contribute to affordable, sustainable housing construction. Read more.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Okanagan Transit Alliance (OTA), and researchers from UBC Okanagan (UBCO) are inviting the community to join a free public forum next week on the topic of inter-city transportation.  

The partners will be discussing results of their recently conducted Okanagan valley-wide, inter-city transportation survey at the event, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 pm at Trinity Church.   

Event Details 

• Date: Thursday, Nov. 21 
• Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM, event starts at 5:30 PM.  
• Location: Trinity Church, Refinery Building 1905 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7V7. 
• Register: The event is free. All are welcome. Register online.  
• Light refreshments will be available. 

About the survey 

In summer of 2024, with support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, the TOTA, OTA and UBCO partnership reached out to visitors, residents, and businesses to explore their transportation habits, explore their preferences for new options, and understand the factors shaping their travel decisions. Through the Inter-Community Transportation Survey, participants evaluated five transportation solutions: Personal Vehicles, Bus, Electric Commuter Rail, Carpooling & Ridesharing, and Vehicle Rentals. Be part of the conversation as the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association unveils the survey results and navigates the future of inter-community transportation in our region. 

Following TOTA’s presentation on the results of the survey, attendees will have a chance to hear from keynote speaker and visiting scholar Dr. Holger Busche (former policy advisor to Germany’s Green Party on Energy and Transport).  

“We’re excited to welcome people to this important forum and opportunity to discuss the future of transportation in the region. Please come, be informed and have your say on next steps toward transportation connecting our communities in a more equitable, greener, safer, affordable way than driving ourselves.” – Dr. Gordon Lovegrove, UBC Okanagan School of Engineering Associate Professor and Principal Investigator for UBCO’s SMARTer Growth Research Lab.  

Meet Kasper Juel Petersen who completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in August 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Joshua Brinkeroff at UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering.

Kasper was awarded the prestigious Carlsberg Foundation Visiting Fellowship to fund a two-year postdoctoral fellowship to University of Oxford. Valued at $200,000 CAD over two years, this major fellowship will allow Kasper to advance the research he began at UBCO on mathematical modelling of thermal fluctuations in metastable fluids. He commenced his postdoctoral fellowship at University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute and Linacre College in October. Notable mathematicians associated with this historical institute include Christopher Wren and Edmond Halley.

“I’m incredibly proud of Kasper, especially the way he challenged himself, branched out into totally new and unexplored areas, never feared the unknown, and was always eager to learn new things. He was willing to explore new, unknown, and potentially dangerous paths along his PhD journey,” said Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff, Associate Professor and Associate Director – Research & Industrial Partnerships for the School of Engineering.

Read Kasper’s profile below.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Kasper Juel Petersen and I am originally from Horsens, Denmark. I recently defended by PhD in Mechanical Engineering which I started in 2019. I lived with my partner Sara in Kelowna while attending UBCO, and now live in Oxford, UK.

What drew you to UBC Okanagan and the School of Engineering?

Primarily my supervisor was the attractor—it was very important for me that a prospective supervisor and I would have aligned values. Having already worked with Dr. Brinkerhoff prior to my PhD during my MSc, I knew that we would make a great fit for my PhD and that I would get significant academic freedom to pursue my research interests. Secondly, I also came here for the access to the outdoors. Going into a prospective PhD, it was very important for me to be able to balance my research with skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing.

Describe your graduate student experience at the School of Engineering. What has been the most rewarding aspect? The most challenging?

The PhD-experience is a roller coaster for most people, and this was certainly also the case for me. My PhD project ended up revolving around a topic I had virtually no formal training in and the learning curve never seemed to plateau for a long time.

After two-three years, I started to feel comfortable with my topic, the underpinning theory, and required methodology for my project. I had as many exhilarating eureka moments after learning experiences and small successes, as I had disappointments about realizing major misunderstandings and flaws in my developed work. Furthermore, even though I was very conscientious about maintaining a healthy work-life balance throughout the program I was still challenged by that, especially towards the end of the program. Luckily, I was well-supported by my partner, family, friends, and supervisor who helped me persevere through until the end.

During my fourth year all the puzzle pieces—which I until then had perceived to be predominantly mutually incompatible—started coming together in an uncanny way, around when I ventured abroad for a research visit to the USA.

Without a doubt, the most rewarding experience of the program was the culmination of the thesis defense. It was such a pleasure and privilege to share five years of research with my committee, colleagues, family, and friends.

To my surprise, the whole event was over in what felt like a half hour. It is very much a memory that will stay with me and so I can always go back an relive it!

Kasper with fellow students and faculty at a PhD defense celebration

How has your time at UBC prepared you for your future?

Naturally, a five-year PhD is filled with opportunities for learning and growth, on personal as well as technical levels. I would say that if one actively seeks out these opportunities and is proactive in creating them, it not only qualifies you for a job in academia and industry, but it also gifts you with a wonderfully versatile skill-set that I reckon is rarely learnt anywhere else.

Notwithstanding the obvious, a PhD specializes you so much that you likely will have a hard time successfully explaining in layman’s terms what it is you do. As such, you can create for yourself a very unique professional profile only shared among a small community of professionals in your country (or sometimes the world). In addition to becoming a proficient science disseminator, writer, programmer, reader, etc. you also learn how to independently manage a complex, very long-term project (that most likely will not be “complete” at the conclusion of your PhD).

My PhD made me a more resourceful and resilient person. When I got to the forefront of my research topic, I often found myself technically stuck in so many seemingly dead-end problems. At that point, it was beneficial to be an ambivert—I possess the right amount of introversion to comfortably focus on the problem for very long periods in solitude, and extroversion to reach out to other experts that may be able to help me solve my problem at-hand. More often than not, such experts, even the busiest, are happy to informally chat over a Zoom connection.

Tell us a little about your research

I research the complex intricacies of liquids and gasses. For my PhD research I explored the physics of Brownian motion in liquids named after the Scottish botanist Robert Brown who observed that pollen suspended on a water surface over extended periods in time tend to move around due to random “thermal fluctuations” (i.e. in density and energy) and collisions with the water molecules. Despite these fluctuations being microscopic, they are very relevant in many industrial applications and biological processes. An example is phase change (boiling) where fluctuations are partially responsible for provoking the creation of a new gaseous phase (bubbles) one very small length scales and affect the ensuing “life” of the bubbles as they grow to their largest macroscopic sizes.

I developed a mathematical model of thermal noise based on the so-called Fokker-Planck equation which was intended to study the large-scale effects of such noise in computational simulation of phase changing liquids.

You were recently awarded the Carlsberg Foundation Visiting Fellowship to fund a two-year postdoctoral fellowship to University of Oxford. Congratulations. What does this award mean for your future? What will you be doing during your fellowship?

Thanks! This fellowship will be definitive for the future of my research and my academic career as it gives me the opportunity to bring my research to a complete stage where it can be applied to problems of more practical impact. I suspect that thermal fluctuations and the underlying theory regularly confounds most researchers in the topic. This was my experience, and consequently I only got to apply my model towards the end of my PhD.

For the fellowship, I will primarily continue the development of my Fokker-Planck model and extend its mathematical, computational capabilities and application. Practically speaking, this means I will be preoccupied with a lot of mathematical derivation and model formulation, as well as programming. In addition to phase change, I will be seeking out new avenues for research.

I am working out of the Mathematical Institute which houses research groups studying pure and applied mathematics with too many research topics to count, in not only biology, chemistry, and physics. I am a member of the Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (OCIAM).

I am very excited to interact with the Institute’s world-leading academics, colleagues in Europe, and local industries.

It is especially exciting to come with an engineering background and experience the ways of a mathematics department. I am sure it will be a wonderful learning journey that will get me closer to what I love doing—science!

I want to use the opportunity to sincerely thank the Carlsberg Foundation (and by extension consumers of their alcoholic beverages) for supporting my research and career.

What are your goals or next steps after your fellowship?

After my fellowship I will be pursuing a professorship.

Kasper found balance through skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing during his PhD studies.

What advice do you have for future / current engineering grad students?

The top advice from my PhD would be;

• Have a life outside of research. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of cultivating hobbies and friendships throughout your program. Any PhD program is very challenging and a long haul, and it is not sustainable to only work.
• Pursue research abroad in another world-leading research group. Generally, be proactive in meeting people and fostering relations at the university and in the research community, locally as well as abroad.
• Make a solid effort to apply for as many scholarships and fellowships as possible prior to, and during your PhD. Both in Canada and in your home country, if you were an international student, like me.
• Get comfortable with seeking technical feedback outside of your own research group. Inevitably you will be engaged with a problem specialized beyond the expertise of your group, do not hesitate to reach out to experts from other groups and universities for inspiration, both locally and abroad. In my experience, most academics are happy to share their knowledge.
• If your program and your supervisor is encouraging of it, and if your goal is to pursue and academic career, don’t be afraid to pursue challenging, unconventional, risky research directions. But have regular, transparent discussions with your supervisor and peers about the pitfalls and potential benefits of your research direction. If you identify an avenue that you can argue is worthwhile, commit fully to it and do not worry too much about the risks. I pursued a challenging and obscure research trajectory but found that it was rather serendipitous.

Engineering students at UBC Okanagan will have an exciting opportunity to gain insights into their future at Industry Night on Nov. 21. 

The popular event brings together students of all levels with industry members from across the region and beyond.  

For students, the event is not only an opportunity to learn more about the various industries and careers they can pursue with an engineering degree – it’s a chance to build invaluable connections for their future. 

“Industry night is a great opportunity to gain insights and advice from industry members about potential career paths,” says Grant Topor, Professional Development Officer for the School of Engineering. “We encourage students to take time out of their busy schedules to attend so they can make vital industry connections, expand their professional network and make a great first impression on potential future employers.” 

The event also brings benefit to the School’s industry partners as well. 

“For industry, this is a chance to meet and interact with their future workforce,” says Topor. “It’s also an opportunity to tell us about their organization’s needs and what students can expect when they step out into industry. We’re incredibly appreciative of our industry partners for their engagement with this event – it’s a great mutual opportunity for students and employers to connect and build meaningful relationships.” 

Fall Industry Night Details 

• Date: November 21, 2024 
• Time: 5-7 PM (PST) 
• Location: EME 0020 and EME 1030 (Lower and Upper Foyers), UBC Okanagan Campus 
• Dress code: Business Casual 
• Register here. 

For more information, please contact: grant.topor@ubc.ca.