Toktam Sajedi joins UBC Forestry as a Lecturer and Senior Researcher in the Department of Forest Resources Management.
Tell us about yourself and your background.
I am a forest ecologist. My research interests involve soil-vegetation-water dynamics, ecosystem carbon cycling and sequestration, sustainable forest management, and climate change impact and adaptations. I obtained my PhD from the Faculty of Forestry at UBC and have taught at UBC, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and several international institutions.
What drew you to your work?
My curiosity to understand complexities, relationships, and biological thresholds in forest ecosystems. This understanding is essential to improve the way we are managing our forests and helps to improve people’s lives, especially those who rely on those ecosystems. That’s what drives me.
What do you hope to achieve through your work here at UBC?
In my view, a shift is needed in the field of forestry. The university is where the vision for that change forms. Being part of the Faculty of Forestry’s global educational network, I hope I can better understand, envision, and facilitate that change. Also, I would like to create a broader international network for education and research for the faculty of forestry at UBC.
What attracted you to UBC and UBC Forestry?
The University of British Columbia is beautiful and has a resourceful, safe, and fun environment to study and work. The UBC’s Faculty of Forestry is a globally leading institution. With many exceptional scientists and faculty members to work with, there is plenty of room to grow. In addition, our faculty has a multicultural, professional, respectful, and warm environment which makes working pleasant.