In case you missed it: Watch SoE researchers make their case in three minutes
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 […]
GCRTC guest seminar: Seismic analysis and design of bridges
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 […]
GCRTC panel explores Indigenous knowledge and engineering perspectives on wildfire resilience
As communities across British Columbia confront the growing impacts of wildfire, building resilience requires knowledge and collaboration across disciplines, professions and lived experiences. The Green Construction Research & Training Centre (GCRTC) at UBC Okanagan invites the campus and broader community to an upcoming panel discussion: Indigenous Knowledge, Land-Use, Planning, and Engineering Perspectives on Wildfire Resilience: […]
From Research to Reality: How Ana Isabel Sarkis Is Rethinking How We Build Safer Structures
Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez is a postdoctoral research fellow in earthquake engineering at UBC Okanagan. Originally from Costa Rica, she has lived, studied, and worked across multiple countries, bringing a global perspective to her work on seismic resilience. Her research focuses on understanding why innovative building technologies are not widely adopted in Canada and how […]
Dr. Qian Chen named an inaugural UBCO Impact Research Chair
Dr. Qian Chen, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering with UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering, has been named one the campus’ six inaugural Impact Research Chairs in recognition of her leadership in advancing digital construction technologies and sustainable housing solutions. The new program supports researchers whose work is driving meaningful impact within communities, industries and society. […]
UBCO engineering researcher named an international leader in earthquake-resilient construction
Dr. Lisa Tobber’s collaboration with New Zealand researchers aims to strengthen the safety and resilience of prefabricated buildings A UBC Okanagan engineering researcher is helping lead an international effort to make buildings safer in earthquake-prone regions. Dr. Lisa Tobber, Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering, has been awarded a Catalyst International Leader Fellowship from New Zealand’s Royal Society Te Apārangi. […]
Building a solid foundation for sustainable communities: meet Quinn Soon
2026 UBC Okanagan engineering graduate Quinn Soon reflects on leadership, sustainability and creating impact through engineering Meet UBCO 2026 BASc Civil Engineering Graduate Quinn Soon Growing up in the Okanagan, Quinn Soon was drawn to engineering by a desire to help address some of society’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, housing affordability and community resilience. […]
UBC Okanagan engineering professors recognized with national CSCE honours
Two UBC Okanagan School of Engineering professors have received prestigious national honours from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), recognizing their contributions to research, innovation and the advancement of the profession. The awards were presented during the 2026 CSCE Annual Conference in Québec City. Dr. Shahria Alam awarded Horst Leipholz Medal Dr. Shahria Alam, Professor and Tier 1 […]
Building connections, confidence and a career in Civil Engineering
Meet UBCO 2026 BASc Civil Engineering Graduate Jeremy Laverdiere Jeremy Laverdiere’s engineering journey began close to home. Born and raised in Kelowna, he chose to pursue civil engineering at UBC Okanagan, where he combined academic achievement with hands-on industry experience and three seasons as a member of the UBCO Heat golf team. Through determination, initiative […]
More Than a Build: Inside UBCO’s Concrete Toboggan Team
Meet UBCO GNCTR, a student-led engineering design team that competes annually at the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR) against roughly 20 schools from across Canada. Founded at UBCO in 2015, the team designs, manufactures, and races a concrete toboggan carrying 5 riders, complete with a full metal roll cage, steering system, braking system, and […]