I have been working as a summer student at Lil’wat Forestry Ventures. So far, I have done tree planting, various types of surveying, and will serve as a wildfire firefighter for the remaining weeks of this work term.
Working with LFV has given me the chance to step into the real forestry work environment, to see how Indigenous people combine traditional and modern methods to manage the forest and run a company.
This allowed me to apply my school knowledge in real-life situations, learn new skills, and meet many new people.
Throughout this experience, I have tried many new things, continually challenged myself, and discovered more about my potential.
Monika did her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington, where she worked on fungal endophytes. She obtained her PhD at the University of California at Berkeley, studying cell-to-cell communication in fungi. Her recent work examines the impact of forest fires on the soil microbiome and she is developing an experimental system for testing hypotheses about how fire-adapted fungi lay the foundation for post-fire recovery.
Tell us about yourself and your background.
I am a fungal biologist passionate about understanding the biological mechanisms that drive ecological processes. In retrospect, I’ve always been a biologist, but it took me a while to realize and embrace it. I grew up just south of San Francisco, spending summers exploring lakes in Arkansas with my cousins. My first passion was food and I initially pursued a culinary career, ultimately becoming the executive chef of a small catering company in Seattle. To this day I remain passionate about locally-sourced cuisines, but my desire to know a seemingly infinite number of details about every ingredient was my first hint that I should consider a career in science. When I’m not in the lab or the kitchen, I can be found dancing and/or doing something outside (gardening, foraging, hiking, cycling, climbing, skating, paddling, floating, camping, or just enjoying a good sci-fi novel in my hammock.)
What drew you to your work?
As a young working-class adult I cultivated a passion for both gardening and mushroom hunting. My passion for gardening was rooted in the vibrant soil microbiome, and I quickly developed a long list of questions about how fungi support plant growth and what are they doing in the environment? I read everything I could get my hands on about fungal ecology and biology, but my list of unanswered questions only grew longer. I started hanging out with my local Mycological Society to learn from grad students, professors, and other experts. This crystalized two things for me: (1) there are simply a lot of really cool unanswered questions in Kingdom Fungi, and if I need those answers, I’ll have to do the work myself, and (2) the people who are passionate about fungi are a wonderful community of fun-guys (I also adore a good pun)!
What do you hope to achieve through your work at UBC?
I aim to develop a detailed framework for understanding the relationship between fungi and fire. From genes to ecosystems, individual adaptations to community interactions, and what does it all mean in the context of fundamental fungal biology and ecosystem ecology given the current trajectory of climate change? I’m also excited to train the next generation of fungal biologists while building and strengthening the broader mycology community, both on- and off-campus.
What attracted you to UBC and UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
I’ve long admired the fungal and environmental research coming out of UBC. Forestry especially has a really incredible research community representing a broad diversity of approaches and perspectives, that I’m thrilled to now be a part of. My research is inherently interdisciplinary, and I’m excited to collaborate with my new colleagues at UBC. Beyond UBC – British Columbia is an ideal place to study both fungi and fire.
What are you most looking forward to in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
Doing awesome science with a bunch of rad people in a stunningly gorgeous place! I’m excited to learn from my colleagues and work together as a community so that we may all deepen our understanding of the natural world. My research thus far has been fairly fundamental, so I’m enthusiastic about working with the Forestry community to find avenues where my research could be applied for a direct positive impact.
Monika is a mycologist who is passionate about understanding the biological mechanisms that drive ecological processes. Our lab seeks to understand what it means to be a fire-adapted fungus, and the role(s) that these fungi play during post-fire recovery. Fire-loving fungi are highly active within days following fire, including the model organism, Neurospora crassa. To build a holistic framework of the fungal role in post-fire recovery – we work across scales, using a breadth of techniques including classical genetics, cell biology, genomics, directed laboratory experiments with synthetic communities, and field surveys.
At UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, a groundbreaking collaboration between the Bioproducts Institute (BPI) and Apple has resulted in a comprehensive white paper exploring the future of sustainable materials and bioproducts. This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the development of cutting-edge solutions that address pressing global challenges.
The Bioproducts Institute: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions
The Bioproducts Institute at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and UBC Applied Science is a leading research hub dedicated to advancing the science and technology of bioproducts. Their mission is to develop innovative, sustainable materials that can replace conventional, fossil fuel-based products. By leveraging our expertise we aim to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Collaboration with Apple: A Milestone in Sustainable Innovation
This collaboration with Apple marks a significant milestone in our journey toward sustainability. Recognizing the importance of sustainable materials, Apple has partnered with the Bioproducts Institute to explore the potential of bioproducts in their supply chain. This collaboration reflects the commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.
Sustainable Material Development: The white paper highlights the development of new, sustainable materials derived from forestry resources. These materials have the potential to replace traditional plastics and other non-renewable materials in various applications.
Circular Economy: The research emphasizes the importance of a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and recycled. By integrating bioproducts into their supply chain, companies like Apple can reduce waste and minimize their environmental footprint.
Environmental Impact: The white paper presents a detailed analysis of the environmental benefits of bioproducts, including reduced carbon emissions, lower energy consumption, and decreased reliance on fossil fuels.
Innovative Applications: The research explores various innovative applications of bioproducts, from packaging materials to electronic components. These applications demonstrate the versatility and potential of bioproducts in a wide range of industries.
A Vision for the Future
This collaboration with Apple not only highlights the potential of bioproducts but also sets a precedent for future partnerships between academia and industry. By working together, we can drive innovation, accelerate the adoption of sustainable materials, and make significant strides toward a more sustainable future.
Join BPI on This Journey
As we continue to push the boundaries of bioproducts research, we invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you are a student, researcher, industry partner, or simply passionate about sustainability, there are numerous opportunities to get involved with the Bioproducts Institute at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.
For more information about their research, upcoming events, and ways to collaborate, please visit the BPI website.
Together, we can create a more sustainable world, one innovation at a time.
About the Bioproducts Institute
BPI at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and UBC Applied Science is dedicated to advancing the development of sustainable materials and bioproducts. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with industry partners, we aim to create innovative solutions that address global environmental challenges.
Award-winning research gives viewers a bird’s eye view of Canada’s thawing north
New UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship hire, Prof. Isla Myers-Smith, was recently awarded an $8 million Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems for her international leadership and research on the impacts of climate change in northern tundra and boreal ecosystems. Her work involves collaborations with Indigenous knowledge holders from the Western Canadian Arctic, along with research institutes and government agencies within the Canadian North and around the globe.
“Receiving the Chair appointment is an amazing opportunity for me to focus on studying the ecology of Northern ecosystems and how they are impacted by climate change over the next eight years,” states Isla. “Through the research program, I will be building up a team of early career researchers, and working more closely with collaborators in the UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and communities in the Canadian North.”
Isla has spent the past 16 years pursuing innovative research in the Western Arctic. Her award-winning virtual reality (VR) research project, “Qikiqtaruk: Arctic at Risk,” showcases some of her ongoing work to quantify the impacts of climate change on Arctic landscapes.
Created in collaboration with local community members, the project takes audiences on a journey to Qikiqtaruk-Herschel Island, Canada, just off the Yukon Arctic Coast. Images from drones and ground-based LiDAR scans are transformed into three-dimensional, immersive experiences using a process called photogrammetry. Audiences travel over breathtaking frozen and tundra landscapes, getting a bird’s eye view of the impacts of climate change. Shrubs encroaching into the surrounding tundra and eroding coastlines from storms and longer ice-free seasons are brought to life through the medium of VR. Soundscapes from Arctic ecosystems and narration by Isla and Richard Gordon, senior park ranger of Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, further enhance the experience.
“The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, and that is leading to pronounced climate change impacts in the Canadian North,” states Isla. “I hope to document the rates and magnitudes of climate change impacts with my collaborators through the CERC program.”
Isla’s newly established Climate Change Ecology Research Hub brings together experts from Indigenous communities, government agencies and universities in the Western Canadian North to study how the changing climate is impacting vegetation and altering wildlife habitats and migration. The research team will also collect data on how these changes are collectively impacting the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in the Arctic. Indigenous youth interns will participate in field experiences to help accomplish research goals and inspire the pursuit of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to work on the lands of the Inuvialuit and First Nations Peoples,” says Isla. “People in the North are observing climate change play out firsthand, and they are feeling the impacts acutely.”
“We are working together with local experts to answer some of the most pressing questions in the region. As a result of this work, our new research will inform ecosystem management and deepen our understanding of wildlife habitat changes over the long-term.”
This article was originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of Branchlines Magazine. View the full issue here.
Kwang Ho Kim joins UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wood Science. His research focuses on developing sustainable biomass conversion engineering, aiming to advance technological solutions that maximize the transformation of carbon in biomass into valuable products.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Kwang Ho Kim, and I recently joined the Department of Wood Science as an Assistant Professor. Before this, I served as a Principal Researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology for 6.5 years. From 2018 to 2021, I was at UBC, collaborating on research projects.
I earned my PhD in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from Iowa State University and completed 2.5 years of postdoctoral training at the Joint BioEnergy Institute. My career journey has been extensive and fulfilling, ultimately leading me back to UBC.
What drew you to your work?
What drew me to my work is a combination of passion, dedication, and a curiosity-driven mindset. My passion for developing sustainable technologies and their potential to address pressing environmental issues has always been a great motivation in my career. This passion drives my dedication to research and development in the field of biomass conversion engineering. I am committed to advancing solutions that can make a real difference in our communities, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Moreover, my work is deeply curiosity-driven. I am constantly inspired by the desire to explore new ideas, push boundaries, and uncover innovative approaches to complex problems. This constant curiosity keeps me engaged and excited about what future holds in my field.
What do you hope to achieve through your work at UBC?
At UBC, I aim to advance scientific knowledge and develop cutting-edge technologies in biomass conversion to produce fuels, chemicals, and materials that can replace petroleum-derived products.
In addition, I am dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientists and researchers in the field of bioeconomy. I find immense fulfillment in witnessing the success of my mentees, whether they transition to industry or pursue graduate studies. As a mentor, I am committed to guiding and motivating students in their pursuit of successful careers.
What attracted you to UBC and UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
When I was at UBC from 2018 to 2021 as a KIST researcher and an Adjunct Professor in the Wood Science department, I was impressed by the passion of the people at UBC. Their dedication to addressing the climate challenges was remarkable. Furthermore, the collaborative environment, where faculty members, staff, and students worked together as a team to achieve their goals, was incredibly inspiring.
I am very excited to join UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and the UBC community. I believe that this is the best place where I can develop sustainable technologies, contribute to our communities and beyond, working with the smartest and most passionate people in the world.
What are you most looking forward to in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
I like this quote because it emphasizes the importance of collaboration. To overcome the various technical and technoeconomic challenges that have hindered the development of sustainable bioeconomy, we really need multidisciplinary approaches. The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has a diverse range of research backgrounds, and I look forward to working with colleagues from different departments to achieve our shared goals.
Water Quality and Conservation Co-op – City of Campbell River
I have been completing my second co-op term with the city of Campbell River as a part of their water department. So far during my term, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and hurdles that are associated with working at a local government. With their guidance, I have honed sharp communication skills through interacting with the public and writing professional training documents.
I am most thrilled by the audit I am currently working on. I look into records regarding the city’s water use and how efficient it is to hopefully build an argument for universal water metering.
This position would not be possible without the support that the co-op program gives to the employers and myself. The program has been an amazing guide in pulling out my full potential through these unique experiences.
For my final co-op work term, I joined the FRESH Lab in the Forest Resources Management department at UBC as a Research Co-op Student. I am involved in two projects as part of my co-op. One of my current projects involves working with a Master’s student to create a raster-based model in R that predicts Hemlock dwarf mistletoe spread at a stand level.
My other project involves performing statistical testing and analysis using R and collaborating on a forest biometrics paper. Working as a research intern here has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of technical skills including R programming, statistical analysis and data interpretation.
Working on different projects has also helped me practice transferable skills like communication and time management.
Urban foresters who manage our community green spaces are responding to the public’s demand for this essential infrastructure, especially as these areas face increased pressure from climate change and population growth. Recently, Vancouver’s iconic Stanley Park made headlines due to plans to remove trees killed by looper moths from the forest. Additionally, water scarcity and extreme heat are adding new challenges to urban landscape management. What insights can urban foresters provide about this valuable community resource, along with current and emerging best practices in the field? How do residents influence decisions regarding the living infrastructure in their neighborhoods? Watch this webcast to hear from an engaging panel of experts as they address these questions and more.
Moderator
Dr. Richard Hamelin
Professor and Department Head, Forest Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia
Speakers
Bruce Blackwell
BSF’84 and MSF’89, RPF, R.P. Bio. Principal of B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd.
Joe McLeod
BSF’01 — ISA Certified Arborist Associate Director, Urban Forestry / Specialty Parks at City of Vancouver
Accounting for Climate Change: Expanding civil engineering, wood science and accounting courses for climate relevancy by adding case-based carbon/sustainability accounting course modules Caren Lombard (Sauder), Tamara Etmannski (Applied Science), and Qingshi Tu (Forestry)
About UBC Sustainability Fellowships
Sustainability Fellowships are granted to full-time UBC Vancouver faculty members who are spearheading the development of innovative sustainability courses and programs, supported by a Sustainability Education Grant. Funding from the grant program supports curriculum development centred on transformative learning that incorporates experiential, applied and interdisciplinary sustainability education principles.
For the duration of the grant, recipients become Sustainability Fellows and join a cohort of faculty that meet monthly to exchange ideas and collaborate to advance sustainability education at UBC.
