Quantitative analysis of complex forestry datasets in various areas: tree improvement, tree plantation, experimental trials, permanent sample plots (PSPs), fertilization trials etc.
Educational research on subject-specific teaching evaluation and identify effective implementation plans.
Effectiveness of open sources for teaching and learning geospatial data analysis using Python.
Quantifying quality control tool based on machine learning approaches
Meta-modelling and meta-analysis of tree mortality, damaging agents (rust), tree growth and yield, tree fertilization
Modelling and forecasting improved genetics
Projects
Hybrid Teaching and Learning Pilot Project Current March, 2021 – August, 2021
Awards
2020 Natural Sciences Education Outstanding Reviewer, Natural Sciences Education, American Society of Agronomy
Best poster award, 3rd prize, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2015
Brenda Hanson Memorial Scholarship, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2015
Mary and David Macaree Fellowship, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2013
Wilderness Foundation Africa Representativewith Wilderness Foundation Africa Association in Vietnam
I’m excited to return to Wilderness Foundation Africa as a Wild Rhino Representative and Project Coordinator for my fourth Coop term. As the only member of this South African organization who’s working in Vietnam, I have learned how to work independently and responsibly. Because this is my second term in this position, my responsibilities have increased from establishing new connections, outreaching, and hosting school events to also include initiating new projects such as developing educational materials, hosting more formal seminars, training volunteers, and kickstarting a new comic book for Wild Rhino. Working for an NGO has taught me to become a Jack-of-all-trades and enhanced my ability to be flexible and adaptable. Everything that I do for Wild Rhino is to raise awareness about the rhino poaching crisis and to stop the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, especially Vietnam. The Forestry Coop Program has provided me with the opportunity to reconnect with the NGO that guided me to conservation in the first place as well as to gain work experience in Vietnam, my hometown.
Summer Camp Leader with North Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association in Vancouver, BC
During my first Co-op term I have been working with the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), and most closely with VanDusen Botanical Garden as a Summer Camp Leader. The VBGA was founded in 1966 by a group of activists hoping to preserve natural green spaces in a sprawling urban environment. As a Summer Camp Leader, I have been able to utilize my understanding of key plant species of British Columbia, to help educate youth about the importance of appreciating and respecting natural ecosystems of our province. During each week of camps, I help to organize and run a fieldtrip for the all the campers to visit Bloedel Conservatory where they can learn about many tropical plants and birds. The Forestry Co-op program has provided me with the key foundational skills to help me successfully enter the work force. It has been an amazing way for me to apply my academic knowledge in a workplace setting.
Farm Hand with North Shore Neighborhood House in North Vancouver, BC
During my co-op work term, I have been working as a farm hand at the Edible Garden Project. My responsibilities include helping with farm tasks such as watering, harvesting and processing as well as helping to teach and coordinate volunteers in helping with these farm tasks. I have learned a lot about how to smoothly coordinate volunteers and communicate instructions and information to others. Thanks to the support of the EGP, I have also been working on other creative projects such as making a series of fundraising veggie pronoun pins that help make the farm a more inclusive community. Through this opportunity, I have been able to learn more about how non-profit organizations work and how to engage with dedicated volunteer communities, and I look forward to applying these skills in my own career.
Summer Program Coordinator with Burns Bog Conservancy in Delta, BC
Summer Program Coordinator at Burns Bog Conservation Society. I have been in charge of planning weekend tours, summer camp learning materials, an open house for the society and educational workshops. I love working with kids and the environment so getting the chance to teach kids using nature as a classroom during the summer camp has been a great opportunity. I have also had the chance to improve my event planning skills while also building by knowledge about bog ecosystems! Being a part of co-op gave me this unique chance to get hands-on experience with the kind of work I’ve been wanting to do and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the rest of this work term.
The Faculty of Forestry Student Services is hiring 2 Forestry Peer-Assisted Study Session (PASS) Leaders for the 2023-24 academic year (September-April). Please see the attached job description for more details, and apply by Sunday, April, 16th (deadline extended).
Environmental Co-op with Teck Resources Limited in Hinton, AB
I spent the last 8-months working for Teck Resources Limited as an Environmental Co-op Student at their Cardinal River mine near Hinton, Alberta. The mine operated for 51 years as an open-pit metallurgical coal mine, which is high quality coal used for steel-making, before it halted operations and transitioned into closure in June of 2020. My role here was mainly split between the Environment and Reclamation teams taking on water management programs, and being the lead environmental monitor for the Harris Reclamation Project. I was responsible for water sampling and monitoring in accordance with regulatory approvals and compliance parameters. I reviewed lab results and input data for regulatory reporting to the Government of Alberta. As environmental monitor for the 7-month reclamation project, I developed the water monitoring and step-by-step replicable overburden soil sampling procedures for the project. I completed all pre- and post-contouring overburden sampling across the reclamation site and reported upon results from the lab to determine the soil suitability for cover soil spreading. I also dug over 90 soil pits to verify the depth of cover soil spread was compliant. I was responsible for granting approval for reclamation crews to rough mound verified areas. I took on smaller projects, in addition to my daily tasks, working on natural forest regeneration assessments and weed regrowth surveys on herbicide-applied areas. I was fortunate to have numerous opportunities to collaborate with consultants and third-party contractors on specialized projects and programs. A few of my favourites include, bathymetry surveys of settling ponds and end pit lakes, benthic invertebrate surveys, a Harlequin duck banding survey, and acute lethality test sampling. This work experience opened my mind to career opportunities I never thought were possible. I feel well-equipped with the industry experience I gained in this position to take on new, interesting and challenging positions post-graduation. Working at a previously operational coal mine on conservation-, environmental-, and reclamation-focused projects has changed my perspective and given me a better understanding about the role conservation plays in the natural resources sector. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Teck and am grateful for all the experiences I had while working and living in the Canadian Rockies.
Lab and Field Assistant with UBC Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forests and Conservation Sciences in Vancouver, BC
For my first work term, I’ve been working as a research assistant for a fuel mitigation research project in UBC’s Tree Ring Lab. The project I’m involved with has us traveling through the Kootenays and gathering data on post treatment sites so that the efficacy of various treatments can be modeled. I’ve learned how to measure tree heights, surface fuels, stumps, duff, and shrubs, pretty much everything that can burn! In the photo attached I’m triangulating plot center, the first thing we do when we arrive at a plot. This job has been an amazing opportunity to learn a lot of the basic skills that foresters use in research and timber cruising. It has been really interesting to see firsthand how we can actively manage community forests to build resiliency and move closer to a historic stand structure. My plant biology and silviculture courses have given me a fundamental understanding of our forests which has been crucial to success in my position, and it has been exciting to see what I’ve learned in the classroom in person. My journey with COOP has just begun but I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain technical skills, explore career paths, and take their learning outside of the classroom.
Undergraduate Student Researcher with University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC
In my fifth co-op work term, I have been assisting Professor Ignacio Barbeito in the Silviculture lab at UBC. As an Undergraduate Student Researcher in the Department of Forest Resources Management, I have been able to help with several projects. This includes a literature review, data management, and a spruce-weevil project. Being able to work in the field as well as in the office has given me many opportunities to develop both technical and transferable skills. I have learned about different data collection methods, data analysis, and how to approach different research projects. I look forward to continuing to develop my skills in this work-term and highly recommend co-op to explore and learn about all the different jobs in this field!
Sustainability Assistant with Solaires Enterprises Inc. in Victoria, BC
I had the honour of extending my position as a Sustainability Assistant at Solaires Enterprises Inc. for my 4th co-op term. Although a fully remote position, it is located in Victoria, BC. Solaires is focusing on paving the way of new solar technology by using perovskite cells for solar energy in lieu of solar panels. My position mainly focuses on sustainability initiatives of the company. Currently I am wrapping up finishing the impact report which outlines the Corporate Social Responsibilities of the company. I also work on increasing employee engagements with various employee programs like the volunteer program and the well-being program. This position not only improved my skills professionally but the ability to improve my transferable skills. I feel confident in my organizational and communication skills that will help me succeed in my future careers. I’m grateful that the UBC Forestry co-op program has given me this opportunity to work in sustainability in a corporate setting.
