Current Students

From all around the world, our graduate students study a diverse range of topics. Learn more about some of the research conducted by our students below.

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Jeremy Allen, PhD student
Supervisor: Sarah Gergel
Start year: 2023

My doctoral research investigates the drivers of food insecurity in the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Pamir Landscape (HKPL), a mountainous region straddling eastern Afghanistan and Tajikistan, northern Pakistan, and western China. I use remote sensing to investigate how the drivers of food insecurity have changed over time, with a particular focus on the impact of armed conflict. These findings will inform humanitarian and development aid policy in the HKPL as well as in other mountain landscapes. I received my master’s degree from the University of Toronto, where I researched the environmental and social impacts of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). I completed my formal training in GIS and remote sensing in the Master of Geomatics (MGEM) program at UBC where I examined the effects of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war on the environment using remote sensing. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and skiing in the beautiful mountains around Vancouver.

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Claire Armour, PhD student
Supervisor: Nicholas Coops
Start year: 2020

My research is in Predictive Ecosystem Mapping using LiDAR. After completing my Master’s of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM), I was interested in diving deeper into research in a lab, the Integrated Remote Sensing Studio (IRSS). Before starting MGEM in fall 2019, I was living in the mountain town of Canmore, AB where I worked for Parks Canada and a local ski resort called Sunshine Village within Banff National Park. I enjoy visiting trails with my dog Otto or skiing at Whistler. I also live in a part of the city with a multitude of breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops and love to try beer or three while reading my book or trying to beat my own personal record on the NYT crosswords.

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Jen Baron, PhD student
Supervisor: Lori Daniels & Sarah Gergel
Start year: 2020

My research interests are landscape change and wildfire vulnerability. I investigate global change impacts on forest structure and function through multiple lenses, applying a systems approach across spatio-temporal scales. I investigate landscape change and wildfire vulnerability since 1950 in southeastern BC using historic aerial imagery. I assess the relative importance of topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors in driving these transitions, and use this information to build models of wildfire on the landscape. These findings will inform wildfire management, conservation, and land-use planning in the context of the Anthropocene. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, camping, and solo travel (especially in Latin America)!

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Lucy Binfield, PhD student, Department of Wood Science
Supervisors: Chunping Dai & John Innes
Start year: 2020

Originally from the UK, I began my PhD studies at UBC in September, 2020. I am interested in the socio-economic impact of specific instances of bamboo industry development initiatives in the Global South. My studies are jointly supervised by Professor Chunping Dai and Professor John Innes and I am interested in collaborations and conversations on any aspect of forestry and sustainable development. In my spare time I work in the mental health non-profit world and enjoy rock climbing and walking my dog.    

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Roy Bidhan Bhuson, PhD student
Supervisor: Dr Qingshi Tu
Start year: 2020

My research is in Sustainable Bioeconomy.

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Johanna Bock, PhD
Supervisor: Lorien Nesbitt
Start year: 2020

I am thrilled to have come across the urban forestry program and I am amazed by the hands-on approaches, the incorporation of up-to-date topics like implications of climate change to our cities or inequity in accessibility of green spaces as well as how easily different disciplines are combined to make for very interesting research teams. I have played field hockey most of my life and I plan to keep it up for as long as I can manage to hold a hockey stick! Apart from that fresh air always relaxes me, I’m a fan of walking either in my city/village or on hikes, I bike and jog, and I can’t wait to go skiing in winter.

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Soroush Aghamohamadi Bosjin, PhD student
Supervisor: Taraneh Sowlati
Start year: 2021

I completed a Master of Industrial Engineering at the University of Tehran, where I published several papers relating to my research. Coming to UBC Forestry is an incredible opportunity for me, as UBC is internationally renowned and I am motivated to work alongside my supervisor, experience new academic opportunities, and deepen the understanding of my interests, which include biomass supply chains, mathematical modelling and optimization, data science, and multi-criteria decision making. I enjoy spending time at the gym, being in nature, and visiting different and new places in the city. I look forward to what Vancouver and UBC have to offer.

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Che-Wei Chang, PhD student
Supervisor: Christopher Chanway
Start year: 2021

Ever since I was a young child, I have always been interested in plants – I started learning how to recognize them when I was in grade 1. As I grew up, I realized I was intrigued by forests so began to study forestry at the National Taiwan University. I am now looking forward to refining my research skills and pursuing my graduate degree at UBC Forestry, where I will be researching the plant-growth-promoting fungi of Spiranthes sinensis, along with rhizobacteria. I also enjoy listening to and composing music, as well as hiking.

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Jianan Chen, PhD student
Supervisor: Frank Lam & Minghao Li
Start year: 2023

My name is Jianan Chen. I come from China. I got my Master’s degree in Imperial College London majoring in structural engineering and got my Bachelor’s degree from Tongji University majoring in civil engineering.

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Mingze Chen, PhD student
Supervisor: Keunhyun Park
Start year: 2023

I was born and raised in China. I completed my Master’s in urban design at University College London. I used to work as a landscape architect in Shanghai for two years. Before studying at UCL, I got two bachelor’s degrees in landscape architecture and landscape gardening. I’m interested in using big data and machine learning interdisciplinary technology in urban nature analytics. I enjoy working with academics and urban enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, and I used to work as a research assistant and design instructor at UCL and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I decided to study at UBC Forestry because there are many professional researchers here working on the sustainability of our planet’s natural ecosystems. Outside work, I am an avid fan of poems, exhibitions, symphony concerts, traveling, and photography.

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Fleur Damen, PhD student
Supervisor: David Montwe
Start year: 2021

Before coming to Vancouver, I lived in Utrecht, the Netherlands, where I studied the effects of disturbance on wildlife and ecology at Wageningen University. My doctoral studies investigate climate change impacts on boreal forests, and I am looking forward to directly applying my project outcomes to forest management interventions. I am excited to start my PhD as I want to contribute to nature conservation through improved scientific understanding of ecosystem responses to anthropogenic disturbance. British Columbia is a beautiful place to study forestry, and I can’t wait to work with the natural resources found here. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running, and doing yoga; I have also been playing violin since I was 8 years old.

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Fazia Darkhani, PhD student
Supervisor: Sarah Gergel
Start year: 2024

I come from beautiful Afghanistan, where I studied at Badakshan University for my Bachelor’s degree before going to University Putra Malaysia for my Master’s. After that, I worked as a researcher. Besides studying, I enjoy traveling and discovering new places. I chose to do my Ph.D. at UBC because I’m passionate about urban forestry and want to find ways to make cities greener and healthier. In the future, I hope to use my knowledge to help create better policies and projects for urban environments. 

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Yue Diao, PhD student
Supervisor: Cristiano Loss
Start year: 2020

I’m a Beijinger who was born and raised in Beijing, China. Before I come to UBC Forestry, I was a student at Beijing Forestry University. When I was in the third year of my undergraduate program, I got a chance to study at UBC Forestry as an exchange student. I had a really good experience on living aboard and studying in the wood products department. Therefore, when I noticed that Dr Cristiano Loss was recruiting student who was interested in CLT structures, I thought it was a good opportunity to come back and learn more. I’m a fan of sports. I started strength training since 2019 and then doing exercises became one of the most important part of my daily life. I get energy and spirit from training. And I know more excellent people through training. I’m willing to embrace differences and be more positive. Sports changed my attitude towards life. 

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Kathleen Donaleshen, PhD student
Supervisor: Ignacio Barbeito
Start year: 2023

I grew up near the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta and eventually moved to Victoria, BC to complete both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology. While completing my undergraduate degree I developed a passion for tree biology and became interested in understanding interactions between forest species and pests. My master’s research was an interdisciplinary project, examining Douglas-fir response to a parasitic seed wasp using genomic techniques. After graduating, I moved to the US, where I worked for a private company as a research scholar, establishing a project on citrus greening disease, specifically looking at transcriptomic responses of infected citrus trees to microbial fermentation products. I eventually made my way to Istanbul, where I lived for 4 years. During this time, I volunteered and worked on several projects related to forest health, and habitat biodiversity. It was these experiences that drove my desire to pursue a doctorate degree in forest resources management. The topic of my PhD research will broadly be focussed on forest resilience and dynamics of silviculture practices that promote forest adaptation to climate disturbance, particularly in mixed forests.

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Tristan Douglas, PhD student
Supervisors: Nicholas Coops, Mark Drever
Start year: 2021

My doctoral research involves the use of remote sensing technologies to map and monitor the seasonal dynamics of microphytobenthos (MPB) between Roberts Bank and Sturgeon Bank, Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia. I completed my MSc at the University of Victoria in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, and am now looking forward to working under the supervision of Dr. Coops in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada. I hope to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts while continuing to learn and remain actively engaged in what interests me – graduate degrees are a good means for achieving these goals, and I hope to discover something completely new about estuaries, biofilms, and shorebird migration in my studies at UBC.

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Gonzalo Gavilan-Acuna, PhD student
Supervisor: Nicholas Coops
Start year: 2020

My research focuses on predicting forest productivity from single tree LiDAR metrics, for both Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus radiata plantations in south-central Chile. I have worked as a researcher for a forest company in Chile, mainly focused on sustainable forest management and soil nutrition. I am interested in acquiring new knowledge about remote sensing and am fascinated about how these technologies provide a new tool for precision silviculture management. I also love jogging when I have the time, swimming, traveling, and especially meeting people from different places. 

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Tazarve Gharajehdaghipoor, PhD student
Supervisor: Cole Burton 
Start year: 2020

My research interests are wildlife coexistence, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, biodiversity monitoring and assessment.

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Macy Gosselaar, PhD student
Supervisor: Richard Hamelin
Start year: 2023

My name is Macy Gosselaar and I am from Olathe, Kansas. I recently graduated from Mississippi State University with a Master’s of Science in Forestry and a minor in Plant Genomics. As a graduate research assistant, I analyzed the gene expression of different planting combinations of Populus deltoides clonal varieties using RNA-Sequencing technology. My master’s research project has motivated me to continue genomic research in the forestry conservation sciences at the doctoral level. I am looking forward to utilizing genomics tools to assess and monitor forest health. My hobbies include spending time outdoors, hiking and rock climbing. Following my time at UBC, I would like to continue working as a research scientist in British Columbia.

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John Gray, PhD student
Supervisor: Scott Hinch, Eduardo Martins
Start year: 2024

Research Interests: Thermal stresses associated with managed flow variability on Chinook Salmon

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Hannah Griebling, PhD student, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Supervisor: Sarah Benson-Amram
Start year: 2020

Research interests: animal cognition, animal behaviour, and urban carnivores.

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Malek Haghshenas, PhD student
Supervisor: Ignacio Barbeito
Start year: 2023

I am a PhD student in forestry and forest ecology. With a background in forestry and silviculture, I have been involved in various forestry projects with the Ministry of Forests in the government of British Columbia and multiple consultant forestry companies in BC. I holds two master’s degrees in silviculture and forest ecology, earned from the University of Tehran in Iran (my home town) and the University of Northern British Columbia. My research for these degrees focused on understanding the impacts of climate change on the growth and resilience of subalpine fir trees in Canada and Beech forests in northern Iran. I am fond of nature and ecology, and this is why I decided to continue my studies. For my current PhD program, I am dedicated to investigating the resilience of mixed forests to climate change, studying species spatial arrangement and interacting deciduous and conifer trees, and exploring aboveground biomass and carbon storage in mixed forest stands. I am a fisherman and love fishing.

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Sharayu Jakhotiya, PhD student
Supervisors: Harry Nelson & William Nikolakis
Start year: 2023

Hello! I am from Mumbai, India. I did my engineering from University of Mumbai and my MBA from University of Miami. I worked in Marketing and Corporate Acquisition for several years before I found my true interest, which was to work in Forestry. Recently, I was a part of the research team commissioned by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to study the implementation of Community Forest Resource Rights in several Indian states. Before that, I worked with the Warli tribe of Maharashtra to preserve and propagate native India plant species along with implementing agroforestry programs for economic development of these communities. I worked with ATREE and the Soliga community in BRT Tiger Reserve to understand their sustainable harvesting processes of NTFPs and its impact on livelihoods and the conservation of BRT Tiger Reserve. I love trekking and I have completed several high-altitude treks in the Himalayas and the Sahyadris. I enjoy birding, nature walks and reading fiction novels. I decided to pursue a doctoral degree to understand the complicated relationship between forest communities, conservation of tiger reserves, livelihoods and the role of government agencies and NGOs. I am hopeful that this research will play an important part in future policy development.

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Everly Jazi, PhD student
Supervisor: Keunhyun Park
Start year: 2021

Before coming to UBC, I completed a Master’s in Environmental Social Science and was a park ranger in various areas like Arctic Alaska, as well as an outdoor educator. Having previously studied equity implications of green space as a social determinant of health, UBC Forestry’s specialized program —blending environmental insights with mental health and wellbeing—spoke to my passions. I developed a framework and novel method for use in experimental research designs, and am looking forward to continuing to learn alongside experts in the nature and health realm. I am also the founder and co-convener of the International Association of People-Environmental Studies (IAPS) Early Career Researchers Network.

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Jing Jiang, PhD student
Supervisor: Tongli Wang
Start year: 2021

I have always had an aspiration and curiosity to learn new things, and coming to the Faculty of Forestry is a great opportunity to receive supervision to pursue my interests in climate models, forest genomics, and local adaptation. I had previously enrolled in two online UBC Forestry courses about sustainable forest management and spatial data collection while working as a data analyst in Calgary, Alberta; this was a very positive experience, which prompted me to pursue entry into UBC Forestry’s PhD program. I am looking forward to connecting and collaborating with other researchers, and learning how to balance academic and life commitments at once. I also enjoy staying active, playing computer games, and music.

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Vanessa Jones, PhD student
Supervisor: Jennifer Grenz
Start year: 2023

I grew up in Abbotsford, BC and began attending Trinity Western University in Langley, BC in 2015 where my interest in plants and ecology began. After graduating in 2019 and having completed a thesis studying seed germination of an invasive plant species, knotweed, I began a Master’s in Plant Science at UBC in 2020 studying plant-soil-management interactions of the same species. This led me to become more interested in the soil microbial ecology of invaded ecosystems, which I am excited to learn more about during my PhD.

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Bleriot Feujofack Kemda, PhD student
Supervisor: Cristiano Loss
Start year: 2020

My research mainly focuses on the development of robust and reliable connections for mass timber structures. I pursued a master’s of applied science in laser and resistance spot welding at the University of Québec in Rimouski, QC, Canada, before attending UBC Forestry. I am really looking forward to bring my contribution in the field of timber engineering in order to expand the limits of what is possible in timber construction; what will lead to a higher utilization of timber, and ultimately, to a more sustainable development of our cities. I am passionate about reading; and I enjoy practicing soccer, tennis, and cycling.

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Kilian Krauss, PhD student
Supervisor: Minghao Li
Start year: 2022

I completed my Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. My prospective supervisor for the PhD at the University of Canterbury decided to take up a professorship at UBC. He told me great things about the university, so I decided to follow him there. At the University of Canterbury, timber engineering was embedded in the Civil Engineering department, with only a handful of people in the timber research group. Timber seems to be a much bigger deal at UBC, and with a whole faculty specialising in timber I am looking forward to being exposed to more research in that direction. I love playing sports, mainly soccer and volleyball. If that is not happening, I spend a lot of time reading (I love a bit of historical fiction) and playing video games. Another big interest of mine is music. Through church, I have gotten involved in choral singing and I also learnt to play the cello for about 15 years.

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Rui Li, PhD student
Supervisor: Haibo Feng
Start year: 2024

Hello everyone, I am an international student from China. I hold a MASC degree in project management from UBC, an MSC degree in civil engineering from the City University of Hong Kong, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Beijing Jiaotong University. I worked as a research assistant at both KAIST and UBC for four years. At my leisure, I like working out, playing basketball, and learning new languages (can speak three languages now). 

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Yang Li, PhD student
Supervisor: Haibo Feng
Start year: 2023

My research interests lie in applying geospatial technologies to assess urban building energy systems, with the aim of achieving net-zero energy/emissions targets. My passion for sustainability was cultivated during my time at the University of British Columbia, where I gained a solid foundation through core courses. As a former sustainable strategic consultant in Guangzhou, China, I understand the importance of implementing sustainable practices in urban environments. Joining UBC Forestry, I am excited to reignite my passion for research, receive guidance from experienced supervisors, and collaborate with talented individuals worldwide. During my free time, I enjoy painting, photography, hiking, reading, and traveling. I am eager to collaborate with researchers in different disciplines to expand my knowledge and make meaningful contributions to the field of urban sustainability

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Jennifer Magel, PhD student
Supervisor: Tara Martin
Start year: 2021

My PhD research examines cumulative impacts of climate change, habitat alteration, and other anthropogenic disturbances on migratory shorebirds in the Fraser River Estuary, and aims to inform future conservation and management actions. The opportunity to work with Dr. Martin was one of the main factors attracting me to UBC’s Faculty of Forestry, and I look forward to becoming part of a close-knit community that is home to a large number of ecologists and conservation biologists. The natural world is in a very precarious position, and relies on the knowledge and dedication of scientists, activists, and policy makers to preserve it for future generations. I hope to do my part in helping to protect our planet’s biodiversity by pursuing a career as an ecologist and conservation biologist.

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Ali Maghzian, PhD student
Supervisor: Jack Saddler
Start year: 2023

I am a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Forestry, starting my program in Winter 2023, and I will work on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and drop-in fuels. I graduated my master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Tehran with a Mechanical Engineering background from my bachelor’s. During my studies, I worked on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Microalgae, and biofuel production. Also, I am interested in Renewable Energy, Energy modeling, and GHG Emissions.

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Sofie McComb, PhD student
Supervisor: Tara Martin
Start year: 2020

I decided to pursue a graduate degree as I wish to further develop my field and analytical research skills, as well as my ability to communicate scientific research effectively to academic and public audiences. Long-term, I am interested in working in an academic capacity to establish conservation priorities and develop forest management plans, and believe a graduate degree at UBC will help me achieve these goals. Before coming to UBC, I was living in Santa Barbara, California. I obtained my Master of Environmental Science from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2019, and then worked for Drs. Ashley Larsen and Andy MacDonald at the Bren School as a Junior Specialist in Ecology for the next year. I am really looking forward to being able to delve into my PhD research, and learn new tools and analytical techniques in conservation management. I am also very excited to be able to work and collaborate with all of the fantastic people in my lab and across the forestry school. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, cooking and baking new recipes, playing cello, sketching, reading, and crafting. I love yoga, hiking, and swimming, and going to museums, parks, theaters, and bar trivia.

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Camilla Moioli, PhD student
Supervisor: Dominik Roeser
Start year: 2020

I decided to pursue a graduate degree because I want to be part of the research community and give my contribution to addressing issues that are relevant to me. From a personal point of view, I chose to pursue a Ph.D. because I wished I could increase my knowledge and my technical skills. I graduated in Economics in Milan in 2017, after that I have worked for a while at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany for a while before decided to travel for almost 6 months around South-Eastern Asia. Finally, in November 2019, I decided to move to Vancouver and to start a Ph.D. The reason why I want to pursue my research goals through the UBC program is that’s international and interdisciplinary. What attracted me the most is the high level of cooperation in place through the different faculties at UBC. The interconnection between the forestry, land and food system and economic department is an incredible feature that allows students to develop a wider knowledge of the topics. In addition to that, the international opportunities that the program offers are thrilling. I am looking forward to being in such an international and stimulating environment, research on topics with high importance to me, and have the opportunity to learn from all the professors and fellow students that I will meet. I am a big fan of outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, skiing and in summer I enjoy playing beach volleyball.  I am also a book lover, in particular, I love to read stories of outstanding personalities that inspire me.

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Brent Murray
Supervisor: Nicholas Coops
Start year: 2022

Previous to starting a PhD, I was working as a consultant in Kelowna, BC as a GIS Specialist specializing in remote sensing. I enjoy being part of a team of researchers and collaborating with them to further the field of deep learning and remote sensing. I also enjoy hiking, camping, and canoeing.  

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Mohammad Khajouei Nezhad, PhD student
Supervisor: Chunping Dai
Start year: 2020

My research is in modelling of bamboo, wood-based composite materials, bamboo scrimber, mechanical properties, microstructure. I have always been enthusiastic about conducting scientific research, and this is why being a university professor has been my dream job. Going for a PhD can give me an opportunity to undertake further research in fields which I am passionate about. I was living in Shiraz which is called the ancient city of love and literature. My city is close to Persepolis (ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire) and hosts many historical monuments such as Hafez Tomb and Pink Mosque. Before joining the UBC and after obtaining my MSc degree from Shiraz University, I was working as a research and development expert in a prestigious company in my home country. My main hobbies are reading, hiking, traveling, and discovering new places.

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Jaewon Oh, PhD student
Supervisor: Minghao Li, Frank Lam
Start year: 2024

I come from Seoul, South Korea, and graduated with a BEng in Architectural Engineering, a BBA in Entrepreneurship, and an MS in Timber Engineering from Seoul National University. I enjoy playing computer games and jogging in my free time. I decided to pursue a PhD at UBC to explore state-of-the-art research in structural timber engineering. My professional ambition is to contribute to the design of innovative, high-performance timber buildings.

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Chunyu Pan, PhD student
Supervisor: Guangyu Wang
Start year: 2021

After completing my undergraduate studies at UBC, I decided to further pursue my research interests in carbon forestry and climate change by undertaking graduate studies. I am looking forward to beginning my thesis work at UBC Forestry, evaluating forestry contributions to the global carbon market. In my spare time, I enjoy playing guitar and bass guitar, and am in a metal band.

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Dane Pedersen, PhD student
Supervisor: Shannon Hagerman
Start year: 2022

Before attending UBC, I was completing my Master of Science at McGill University. I studied the transboundary network governing the endangered southern resident killer whale. I was born in raised in British Columbia and I have deep connections to this part of the world. Through UBC Forestry, I have found an opportunity to benefit the vibrant communities of this region, and by extension, the natural resources that sustain them. I can think of no greater honor than to return to my roots and serve the people and ecosystems that, for so long, served me. I love meeting new people – I am excited to return to in-person learning. I enjoy climbing, playing soccer, travelling, reading, and snuggling with my dog.

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Debbie Pierce, PhD student
Supervisor: Terry Sunderland
Start year: 2020

My research is in tropical forestry, land tenure, non-timber forest products and gender. I have considered pursuing a PhD since my time in college because I really enjoy the research process, and I feel that there is always more to discover. Forestry has also become an area that I feel very passionately about. I lived in Washington, DC for almost five years before attending UBC. I worked on forests, gender, and indigenous peoples at the World Bank for most of that time. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone and meeting in person.  I am looking forward to moving to Vancouver for all the very accessible and beautiful hiking and camping. But I also really enjoy exploring cities by biking or running.

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Kaitlyn Pike, PhD Student
Supervisor: Lorien Nesbitt
Start year: 2020

My research is in urban forest governance, green equity, community perceptions, social-ecological systems. I stumbled into urban forestry as a field of study and very quickly felt at home with its unique blend of both natural and social sciences. I was living in Chicago, IL, USA, where I completed my B.A. in Environmental Studies and my M.S. in Environmental Science. Having met a few UBC students while at ISA conferences in 2018 and 2019, it became a dream of mine to study at this world-class institution. I am looking forward to networking and collaborating with others. Having come from a university without a formal forestry department, I am excited to be surrounded by fellow tree-people. I like to exercise, hike, read, and play videogames!

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Hugo Pineda, PhD student
Supervisor: Chunping Dai
Start year: 2020

I lived in Bogota, Colombia, and I was a patent examiner before I came to UBC. I would like to do research and innovate in wood and bamboo composite materials. I chose UBC as it’s one of the best forestry faculties in the world. It has great advisors and is located in Vancouver. My hobbies include playing sports, especially rugby, trekking and biking.

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Viola Jasmine Provost
Supervisor: Hamish van der Ven
Start year: 2022

Prior to UBC, I was living in Amsterdam (Netherlands) before and did a combined MSc in Marine Biology and Science Communication. I’m excited about a variety of things: taking courses to broaden my horizon, teaching and learning from others, writing my thesis, and delving into a topic. Swimming is one of my favorite sports, as are other water-based activities. I also enjoy music and playing the violin.

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Jessica Quinton, PhD student
Supervisor: Lorien Nesbitt
Start year: 2020

My research will examine whether urban greening efforts in Canadian cities have contributed to the gentrification of areas and the displacement of residents. I decided to pursue my PhD in forestry because I am fascinated by urban forestry and urban greening and the impact they have on cities and their residents. I love asking questions and conducting research, which made pursuing a PhD a natural choice for me. Prior to attending UBC Forestry, I completed a Master of Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After graduating from my Master’s program, I moved to London (UK) where I spent a year working in science publishing and wishing I was traveling Europe instead of being in lockdown. I decided to study at UBC Forestry because of the impact this institution has had an urban forestry research. There are many brilliant researchers (both students and professors) in this field at UBC, and I look forward to being able to collaborate with them. Additionally, I was particularly interested in my supervisor’s research on green equity and wanted to work with her on a similar project. I am most looking forward to conducting my research, as I am very curious to see what results it yields. I enjoy hiking, reading, traveling, writing, jigsaw puzzles, and baking.

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Mike Stefanuk, PhD student
Supervisor: Lori Daniels
Start year: 2020

My research will be in forest-climate relationships and forest fire history. I like research! Doing a PhD seemed like a good way to keep asking the questions that I am interested in. I just came off of a year of traveling across North America in an RV. Before that I got my Master’s of Environmental Studies at Queen’s, where I examined forest-climate relationships across the Algonquin-to-Adirondacks Conservation Corridor. I’m looking forward to getting to know the forests of BC. They’re very different from back home! My hobbies include MTB, hiking, camping & general outdoors activities.

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Daniel Stewart, PhD student
Supervisor: Tara Martin
Start year: 2023

I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland on the traditional ancestral territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples. Prior to entering this field I briefly studied jazz piano and was part of a local rock band. I then turned my energy towards conservation and have since received a DiplTech in Fish, Wildlife & Recreation and BSc in Ecological Restoration from BCIT and MSc in Forestry at UBC. Since 2014 I have operated a consulting business where I have had the privilege to work with a variety of ecosystems and species in British Columbia. Botany and plant ecology are my primary interests, and over the years I have specialised on applying these disciplines to the conservation and restoration of estuaries and wetlands. I have decided to continue my education because I am passionate about estuaries and believe I can improve how we manage, restore, and create these ecosystems in the face of global change.

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Xia Sun, PhD student
Supervisor: Feng Jiang
Start year: 2021

Prior to joining UBC Forestry, I studied and did research at Tianjin University in China. I was drawn to UBC’s strong reputation, and am pursuing a doctoral degree investigating sustainable materials. I enjoy watching movies and reading novels in my free time and look forward to gaining more knowledge as I undertake my journey in a foreign country for the first time.

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Muh Syukron, PhD student
Supervisor: Dr. Hamish van der Ven and Dr. Rob Kozak
Start Year: 2022

My foci are centred on human-environmental interactions. I am interested in studying slacktivism and how this activity could drive forest and natural resources conservation agenda and foster environmental stewardship. My background in rural sociology and agriculture has also motivated me to explore women’s roles in forest conservation, community-based natural resource management, and how agroforestry impacts community livelihoods and the environment. I am from Indonesia, and prior to attending UBC Forestry, I studied my master’s program in rural sociology at the University of Missouri in the U.S. I mainly interested in the research and teaching experience to develop my professional careers. I like photography, cooking, baking, and traveling.

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Erin Tattersall
Supervisor: Cole Burton
Start year: 2022

Wildlife and wilderness have always been two of my greatest passions, and I am motivated by thinking critically about human interactions with them. I enjoy diving deep into problems and connecting with others to learn and share knowledge that can help us create more sustainable relationships with the natural world. I was living in Nelson, BC, working for the BC Public Service as a Wildlife Information Specialist. In particular, I focused on data stewardship for the Caribou Recovery Program. I am looking forward to learning about Indigenous conservation frameworks, collaborating with a wide range of research partners and forming relationships with beautiful ecosystems. I enjoy a walk in the forest with my dog, run, read, rock climb, ski, make beaded crafts, and cook.

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Vaishali Vasudeva, PhD student
Supervisor: John Innes
Start year: 2023

My educational background is multidisciplinary with degrees in Life Science, Environment Management, Remote Sensing and GIS. Before joining PhD, I pursued the Master of International Forestry at UBC in 2021. My MIF directed studies focussed on the applicability of ecological indicators for riparian health assessment in Cauvery River Basin. I studied waterbird communities in a modified stretch of Ganga River for the master’s thesis. This thesis introduced me to the world of wildlife (mammals and birds) conservation and management and I continued to work with the Wildlife Institute of India in a tiger translocation project. In addition to conservation, I am also interested in landscape-level planning for forest and wildlife management, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity-land-water linkages and nature-people relationships. For my PhD, I am studying the role of bamboo in ecosystem restoration and livelihoods in Southern India where I aim to find synergies, opportunities and barriers in bamboo plantations, land restoration and local livelihoods. I grew up in Delhi, India but now I consider different cities, including Vancouver, to be my home. When I am not working or worrying, I try to paint, watch sunsets or listen to podcasts.

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Lili Wang, PhD student
Supervisor: Feng Jiang
Start year: 2020

Research interests: cellulose nanofiber used in textiles.

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Shibo Wang, PhD student
Supervisor: Feng Jiang
Start year: 2023

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Xiaomao Wang, PhD student
Supervisor: Elizabeth Wolkovich
Start year: 2023

I was born and raised in Harbin, China, a city famous for its snow and beautiful primary forests. With my fondness for nature, I studied environmental science in my undergraduate and then continued to study ecology for my master’s study. I worked as a research assistant at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China after my graduation. My research experience is related to interaction with changing environments and plants, to be more specific, I am interested in how climate change is going to affect the plant community composition. Besides doing research, I enjoy outdoor activities and reading. I am also into sourdough bread baking. I want to pursue a PhD degree just simply because I enjoy doing research and I want to make changes to make this world a better place. I think UBC will be a great place to nurture my ambitions and dreams.

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Tijmen Witvliet, PhD student
Supervisor: Melissa McHale
Start year: 2024

Originally from Oostrum in the Netherlands, I have studied the BSc Forest and Nature conservation at the WUR and just finished the MSc Climate Sciences there as well. My internship allowed me to spend 6 months at the Urban forestry lab at UBC researching Urban Thermal Comfort on Campus and in Colorado. This was a great experience for me, meeting new people and learning about the top of the line research going on in the field. After my time there, I was fortunate enough to be offered a PhD position by my supervisor, which I gladly accepted in order to continue building up my expertise in the field. I love music, play the piano, guitar and drums and hopefully the saxophone some day as well!

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YeLing (Monica) Xia, PhD student
Supervisor: Chunping Dai 
Start year: 2020

Pursuing a graduate degree was somehow a natural choice for me. It would be a great pity for me to give up the opportunity to continue my study at UBC. To a student majoring in wood products manufacturing, the relevant industries in Canada are very worthy of learning. The relative immaturity of bamboo manufacturing in some processes has given me a broad research prospect. Meanwhile, I can feel that the wood-related knowledge I learned in undergraduate courses can be effectively applied. I’m a big fan of Japanese virtual YouTuber, and now devoting all my spare time to editing, translating, and uploading their live videos. I also do a lot of digital painting.

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Zhengyang (Lambert) Ye, MSc student
Supervisor: Tongli Wang 
Start year: 2020
I am interested in learning about climate change and chose to pursue grad school because I have a thirst for knowledge and am eager to make some differences. I was in a 3+2 international program at Beijing Forestry University and UBC Forestry. Before that, I was a student at BFU majoring in Biotechnology. I like to play video games and exercise outdoors.