Sawmill Quality Control Assistant – West Fraser Mills Ltd.
For my second co-op term, I have been working for West Fraser at Williams Lake Sawmill as a Quality Control Assistant. It was an amazing journey where I was exposed to many aspects of safety, quality control, data analysis, and project management.
Furthermore, I took the lumber grading course and got an A ticket. I learned how the machine centers work, how to do simulations in the Canter system, and how to conduct basic quality control work like measuring boards and troubleshooting issues. In addition, I communicated between operators and supervisors on quality issues, as well as collected and analyzed data via Excel.
For me, joining co-op is a great chance to apply what I learned from courses to real production and experience different jobs in the wood industry.
Timber Engineering and Applied Mechanics (TEAM) Laboratory Assistant – The University of British Columbia
I have been working with my supervisors at the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Timber Engineering and Applied Mechanics (TEAM) Laboratory at the University of British Columbia on understanding the structural behavior and mechanical test procedures of structural wood products. I have gained extensive knowledge by reading books provided by my supervisor, which cover procedure for various mechanical tests and structural behavior of structural wood products. I have assisted the TEAM lab in completing a range of experiments, including the screw tensile test, monotonic loading test, reverse cyclic loading test, screw withdrawal test, lumber bending test, and hardness test.
During this time, I used the mechanical test system and the Instron machine. This hands-on experience has been invaluable, allowing me to understand the basic rules and mechanical properties of different wood products.
Through my co-op term, not only have I developed my technical skills and knowledge but also gained a deeper appreciation for the practical applications of my studies.
For my first term with the UBC Co-op program, I spent a summer working as a Junior Forest Technician for Strategic Natural Resource Consultants. During my time there I was given the opportunity to participate in many different roles within the field of forestry including boundary and road traverse, layout and stream assessments but the position I enjoyed taking on the most was Goshawk Surveys.
During my time at Strategic, I assessed and collected data for nests of endangered North American Goshawks. I surveyed second-growth forest territories for feathers, pellets and other bird sign. I also became familiar with basic visual and auditory Bird ID for species native to coastal BC and took notes on what birds I observed in a territory. Later in the summer season, I had the opportunity to count how many chicks were present within a territory and observe the fledgling hawks fly the nest.
I joined the co-op program to open doors for work experiences I would not have otherwise known about. Before entering this work term I had no wildlife biology experience, now through this co-op have gained data collection skills, species ID knowledge and a broader understanding of ecology within the field of forestry.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship congratulates PhD student Kimiya Rahmani (Taraneh Sowlati, supervisor) on being the only Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship participant to advance to the 2025 UBC 3MT finals, which took place on March 14, 2025.
Kimiya previously presented her research project, “Optimizing the Slash Supply Chain for Bioproduct Production,” on March 4, where she placed fourth in the Forestry 3MT heat. Watch her presentation from the Forestry heat here.
3MT, an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland, challenges participants to explain the breadth and significance of their research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. This year, more than 119 students across campus participated in heat events.
Interdisciplinary collaborations are transforming forestry resources into the next generation of sustainable bioproducts.
Single-use plastic shopping bags may have been banned in BC since 2023, but petrochemical-based products continue to accumulate in landfills and almost every part of the food chain. Materials made from renewable resources, such as those being investigated at UBC’s BioProducts Institute (BPI), form part of the vision for a circular bioeconomy that closes the loop in the product lifecycle.
Bio-based materials are made from compounds found in biological matter, such as wood fibres. All vascular plants naturally contain cellulose and lignin, the most abundant biopolymers in the biosphere. In the lab, these compounds can be isolated and fractionated to create products with some of the highest mechanical strength or impact-absorbing properties, including foams comparable to their polystyrene and polyurethane counterparts.
Established in 2016 as a UBC Global Research Centre, BPI brings together expertise in the natural sciences, engineering, forestry, economic analysis, policy and social sciences to find solutions to address the challenges of waste and greenhouse gas emissions, both of which are contributing to the climate and environmental emergencies.
“BPI’s collaborative research is discovering how to transform the by-products of forestry and agriculture – along with ocean residues and food waste – into market-ready materials, chemicals and fuels,” says BPI Scientific Director and UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Prof. Orlando Rojas, who is also the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Bioproducts.
The research consortium streamlines the process of translating discoveries made in the lab into commercial opportunities to de-fossilize the supply chain.”
Reducing harms from plastic pollution
Petroleum-based foams and plastics are difficult to recycle and persist in the environment for anywhere from 20 to 500 years. Micro- and nano-plastics are now found throughout the environment, including in the food chain, where they can enter the bloodstream.
Unlike plastics, which break apart into smaller microplastics and nanoplastics, the particles generated by biobased foams can rapidly biodegrade back into the environment.
A BPI researcher showcases a novel ‘non-animal leather’ derived from wood. This material combines the flexibility of traditional leather, or synthetic alternatives, with exceptional strength, surpassing counterparts made from agricultural waste, mycellium or other sustainable biomaterials.
A solution spearheaded by BPI is designed to help remove microplastics from water using a combination of the natural plant compound, tannins and forestry by-products, such as sawdust and bark. Called the bioCap filter, testing of the system has shown that it can remove almost all micro- and nano-plastic particles from water. Researchers are now investigating possible applications in wastewater treatment or household water filtration.
Another product being explored is a collaboration between the BPI team and Apple Inc. The companies are in the ideation phase of a new line of bio-based foams to be used as cushioning packaging for Apple’s electronics. Orlando anticipates a steady growth in demand for sustainable product solutions such as this among other electronics companies and any other industry in need of product packaging.
“Society at large, policymakers and industry are becoming aware that non-renewable, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable products are creating pollution and waste accumulation in nature that cannot be allowed to persist,” says Orland.
“Together with the government and industry partners, BPI is working to expand the availability of marketable bio-based materials, including those from plant fibres.”
Dr. Ran Bi, BPI Senior Researcher, pours a liquid wood-derived foam onto a drainage unit. The foaming process suspends wood fibres by replacing about 70% of water with air bubbles. Applications of the foam are being explored towards the development of light-weight materials used in such things as biobased packaging and insulation materials.
Both Canada and the US are rich in fibre resources from forests, along with biomass waste from forestry and agricultural operation: all of which are prime sources of carbon, says Orland. When left to decompose or burned in fields or slash pies, this plant matter releases carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that is driving climate change – into the atmosphere.
Forestry presents an opportunity to sustainably utilize cellulose, lignin and other biomolecules extracted from slash and forest operations waste to make biodegradable renewable and less-carbon-intensive products. Agricultural feedstocks and built-up organic matter on forest floors can also be transformed into bio-based materials used for everyday purposes, including biofuels, such as the ones being developed through a collaboration between UBC and the BC-SMART Biofuels Consortium.
“Wood-fibre bio-based materials can open new markets within the forest sector and generate new value-added products.”
Among the many research and development projects underway at BPI are cellulose-based electrodes for batteries, textile filaments, carbon capture materials and smart and flexible packaging, notes Orlando.
“BPI is leveraging the capabilities of nature as a means to achieve our goal to reduce the production of waste and pollution,” Orlando says. “Using science and insights from biological processes, the knowledge base we are building is accelerating collaborations and spurring bio-innovation for a greener, more sustainable world.”
TreeRing Lab and Field Assistant – The University of British Columbia
I have been working as a Lab and Field Assistant for the TreeRing lab at UBC, where I had the opportunity to delve into post-wildfire assessments. My role involved collecting wildfire-related data, such as examining surface sub-canopy vegetation (e.g., moss, herbs, and shrubs), assessing surface fuels by counting woody materials left on the ground, and evaluating the health status of trees. This experience has not only made me proficient in fieldwork and using different field gears but also improved my problem-solving and decision-making skills as I’ve learned to adapt quickly to changing conditions and unexpected situations.
The Forestry Co-op program has been an invaluable platform that has provided me with excellent job opportunities. I truly appreciate the experience I gained this term, and I really enjoyed the stunning views of the BC interior.
During my second and third Co-op work terms, I worked with the Building Systems group at a non-profit research organization. Here are some of the projects and tasks I worked on: conducting destructive and nondestructive tests on lumber, cutting wood samples and determining moisture content/specific gravity, performing tension tests on wood brace connections, assembling metal plates onto CLT blocks, and conducting vibration E testing on lumber.
I enjoyed the hands-on work in the lab and learned more about structural testing. This experience also introduced me to Civil Engineering, which will help with future career options since I am interested in work related to wood-structured buildings.
Tuesday, March 25th (6:30 pm – 9:00 pm) Doors open at 6:00 pm
“Trees for a Changing Landscape” workshop is hosted by Wondrous Tree Fellowship, in partnership with Burke Mountain Naturalists and TriCities Urban Forest Working Group. During this time of a rapidly warming climate and unprecedented development, it is vital that every neighbourhood enjoys all the benefits that trees provide. The workshop in support of a healthy urban forest for all neighbourhoods includes presentations, information displays and giveaways:
· Towards Tree Equity (Nancy Furness – PhD Plant Ecophysiology – UBC)
· Trees for a Changing Climate (James Bobick – Red Seal Horticulturist)
· Why Trees Fail (Derek Churchill – Red Seal Horticulturist)
· Tree, plant, & compost giveaways
Location: Douglas College, 1250 Pinetree Way Coquitlam (Lecture Theatre A1470) Note: despite construction, both entrances remain open. The College is accessible via skytrain.
At UBC’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, we are shaping a sustainable, biodiverse, and inclusive future by advancing the stewardship of forests and the environment. The Faculty is Canada’s largest forestry school, welcoming over 1,600 students annually. Our innovative research, hands-on education, and community engagement are addressing some of the most pressing global challenges while empowering the next generation of leaders.
This Giving Day, we’re proud to feature the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) Renewal Project. This project will transform MKRF’s gateway entrance into a vibrant centre where the public, professionals, and students can explore science-in-action and discover the future of forest and ecosystem management.
Your gift to this project will help MKRF grow into a leading hub for forestry, conservation, and climate change research, education, and community outreach. Donations will also expand MKRF’s reach, inspiring visitors and informing decision-making to move the forestry profession forward. Join us on this transformative journey.
For generations, Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) and its Loon Lake Lodge and Retreat Centre have been places of research and learning, creating fond memories for UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship students and alumni. Also offering the popular Wild & Immersive outdoor education program for children and youth, along with many other public educational and engagement opportunities, MKRF has become a pivotal space to explore and learn about wilderness spaces.
MKRF receives over 60,000 visitors annually and its Loon Lake Centre — completed in the early 2000s — is more often than not fully booked by school groups and community organizations. With demand for its programming ever-increasing, MKRF’s present facilities are overcapacity and in urgent need of expansion.
To meet this demand, UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is constructing new facilities at the entrance to MKRF, including a Forestry Learning Centre, an Outdoor Research and Training Hub, and connecting to essential municipal services, and we need your help to make them a reality! By supporting the MKRF Renewal Project you can make possible more venues for school and community groups to gather and learn about the natural world while strengthening research, education, and community partnerships.
Every donation on Giving Day will be matched by UBC’s Academic Capital Fund, doubling your impact and unlocking challenge gifts. Together, we can transform MKRF into a hub for community engagement and knowledge enrichment.
Canadian innovations are leading the way in the commercialization and industrial production of nanocellulose.
In the race to develop products that can either be fully reused or that can biodegrade reasonably quickly, the work of Emily Cranston, a UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Prof. in the Department of Wood Science, is accelerating breakthroughs in biodegradable alternatives to petrochemical-based materials, such as plastics.
The President’s Excellence Chair in Forest BioProducts and a member of the UBC BioProducts Institute, Emily is among the leading thinkers in novel methods to produce and use nanocellulose from wood pulp. Her research has the potential to support the development of environmentally friendly plastics, biomedical devices, adhesives and electronic components, among others, with a goal to reduce waste and global carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change.
“My research deconstructs wood to get at its building blocks, isolating such things as its strongest components, or extractives with antimicrobial and antioxidant prodperties, for use in new structures and materials,” says Emily. “Down the line, we hope to transform these nanocellulose-based materials into high-value commercial bioproducts.”
Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth, and constitutes around 50% of the components of wood. Polymers are chains of repeating, smaller chemical units. For example, cellulose consists of repeating units of glucose, made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Polymers have unique characteristics and more versatility than many other compounds.
Emily’s fundamental research uses both cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibrils to push the boundaries of possibility.
Nanocellulose is derived using chemical or mechanical processes. For example, acid hydrolysis can be used to cleave apart chemical bonds within ellulose to produce rigid, rice-like cellulose nanocrystals. In addition, the process of mechanical disintegration is used to extract pliable, spaghetti-like cellulose nanofibrils.
“The nanocellulose that emerges when biomass is broken down to its simplest parts can be activated and reconstructed to produce virtually any type of material for a broad range of commercial applications, including those where plastics have traditionally been used,” explains Emily.
Dental varnishes are among the many nanocellulose-based materials that Emily and her graduate students are working on right now. Created from turmeric oil with nanocellulose and tannins – the same as those found in red wine – these varnishes could be painted onto teeth at home to prevent the build-up of plaque that can lead to tooth decay.
Emily and her team are also identifying nanocellulose applications for functional textiles – such as those with antibacterial characteristics, moisture-wicking properties or quick-drying functions. To extend the shelf life of such things as cosmetics and processed foods like dairy substitutes, Emily is investigating nanocellulose applications that encapsulate the essential oils and food oils that are prone to spoilage in these products.
“We are on the precipice of moving the building blocks of this fundamental research into applications and commercial products,” states Emily. “So far, we’ve only discovered the tip of the iceberg in terms of new uses for nanocellulose.”
