General Manager; Element Lifestyle Retirement Inc.
I handle the company’s daily marketing business, focusing primarily on promoting our soft and hard furnishings, renovations, and structural design. I also gather and document user feedback for analysis. Currently, we are in discussions and collaboration with Dr. Hung, a professor specializing in healthcare robotics at UBC. We are exploring ways to advance business automation through research and in-depth conversations, aiming to achieve goals such as energy saving and service automation.
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’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 behaviour 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 invites you to an inspiring gathering of Indigenous leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States for meaningful conversations on forest stewardship and climate action.
Over two days of engaging discussions and thought-provoking presentations, Indigenous leaders from across North America will share their deep-rooted knowledge and innovative approaches to forest stewardship—strengthening community resilience while advancing global sustainability.
This event is presented in partnership with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Duke University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, and Duke Global, along with the UBC Faculty of Forestry, UBC Centre for Climate Justice, and UBC Indigenous Research Support Initiative.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear directly from Indigenous leaders at the forefront of global climate action as they share their wisdom, experience, and vision for the future.
Feature presentations by Indigenous leaders from across North America, followed by Q&A discussions with the audience.
Event Schedule 4:30 – 5:00PM: Registration 5:00 – 7:30PM: Presentations by Indigenous leaders on forest stewardship and climate action 7:30 – 8:30PM: Reception
Day 2: Public Workshops
Forest Sciences Centre, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 8:00AM – 4:30PM
A free, full-day public workshop, Indigenous Strategies for Engaging with Forest-Based Carbon Offsetting, at UBC’s Point Grey campus will explore how North American Indigenous Peoples’ have engaged with carbon offsetting and its challenges, as well as the strategies they employ to adapt programs to their own visions for their forests and communities.
This public workshop is specifically designed for those who have backgrounds or are actively involved in Indigenous-led Forest-Based Offsetting.
Event Schedule 8:00 – 9:00AM: Registration 9:00AM – 12:00PM: Indigenous community members share their experiences and practices in forest-based carbon offsetting, followed by an audience Q&A 12:00 – 1:30PM: Lunch 1:30 – 4:30PM: Group discussions and breakout working group sessions
Discussion groups will delve into common and differing experiences in forest-based carbon offsetting by exploring typical challenges, successful strategies, and lingering questions that continue to emerge across the sector and different communities.
4:30 – 5:00PM: Summary of discussions and setting an agenda for future actions
Additional events for invited delegates will also be held on April 30 & May 1, 2025. Learn more about these events here.
UBC Forestry congratulates PhD student Kimiya Rahmani (Taraneh Sowlati, supervisor) on being the only Faculty of Forestry 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 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 n 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.
