Spotted Owl Internat British Columbia Conservation Foundation in Langley, BC
I have been working for the British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) at the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program (NSOBP). With only three known Northern spotted owls left in the wild, I am directly involved in conserving one of Canada’s most endangered species. Currently, I am learning the process of daily care for the owls such as studying typical or abnormal feeding and breeding behaviours. I assist the staff with artificial egg incubation, monitoring growth and development, and ensure ideal environmental conditions for new chicks that will contribute to the species’ population.
As well, I help maintain rodent colonies as fresh food for the owls by feeding, cleaning enclosures, and refilling water bottles. I have learned a lot about the behaviors of rats and mice through research, teaching, and hands on experience. Other duties I have performed include digitizing rodent and owl data, sewing, planting trees in owl aviaries, and supporting staff at outreach events or presentations. This position so far has been an extremely educating and rewarding experience that has shaped my life and career path. I am very grateful for the chance to be part of such an important program protecting Canada’s biodiversity.
Forest Inventory Data Analystat BC Public Service in Victoria, BC
For my second co-op work term, I joined the Forestry analysis and inventory branch under the Ministry of Forests as a data analyst. My current job is to support the biometrics team in their transition from using SAS to R as their primary data analysis software. Specifically, I have been working on translating permanent sample plot (PSP) ranking codes from SAS into the R language. In this position, I am able to apply the R programming skills I learned at UBC and gain a variety of R related skills. My workplace and supervisor have all been very supportive and this job has allowed me to learn a lot about different careers in the current forestry field. I am grateful to Co-op for providing such an amazing growth and learning opportunity, and I look forward to using the skills I learned in this position in my future career.
Laboratory Research Assistantat Canfor in Burnaby, BC
For my second co-op work term, I got to work as a Laboratory Research Assistant at Canfor Pulp Innovation in Burnaby, BC. I was introduced to various procedures and experiments involved in pulp refining, some of which consist of making circular handsheets from refined pulp of different energy levels, testing handsheet properties in a controlled temperature and humidity environment, and checking for specific properties of refined pulp through additional experiments. As I got to learn more of these procedures and experiments, I was able to have a greater understanding of how Canfor Pulp Innovation conducts mill trials and their involvement in working with customers and mills that use their products. Forestry Co-op has given me the opportunity to use my laboratory and scientific skills from previous courses, and I am glad to see the relevance of my studies in real-life jobs including my current work position.
Research Compliance & Occupational Hygiene Assistantat University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC
This Winter term I’ve had the pleasure to join UBC’s own chemical safety team with the Safety and Risk Services as an research compliance & occupational hygiene assistant. Our team is currently working on a pilot project to increase lab awareness of hazardous substances and provide researchers with useful information regarding their chemical storage and inventories. My role in the team is to manage communications and scheduling, in addition to helping identify the hazards associated with the chemical inventories of various labs.
Developing a professional voice when communicating in a business setting was something I found very intimidating at the beginning of my placement. This Co-op term gave me a chance to polish those skills and build my confidence both within my department during meetings as well as acting as a representative of my workplace in external communications.
I have learned an incredible amount about research safety and lab protocol during this term, and my supervisors have encouraged my growth at every turn. Forestry Co-op and the UBC SRS team have provided me with a much broader perspective on laboratory research and safety which will help guide me in transforming what I’ve learned in my studies into workplace skills.
Environmental Co-op at Teck Coal Limited in Sparwood, BC
For my third co-op work term, I’m working as an Environmental Co-op with Teck Coal Ltd. Based out of Sparwood BC, I’ve been working closely with the Fish Team, focusing on fish habitat, planning, and monitoring. So far this term, I’ve helped out with field projects such as stream temperature monitoring, and trail camera maintenance to qualitatively monitor fish habitat and ice levels. I’ve also been working on a project using ArcMap to monitor and track large wood additions and their movement over time. Before working for Teck, I’d never worked for such a large company before, but I feel just as supported as I have in my previous co-op positions. The co-op program is a great way to try new things and gain valuable hands-on experience in your field of study.
Jr. Resource Technologist at Ministry of Forests in Fort St. John, BC
This term, I am continuing my tenure working for the Ministry of Forests. This term, I’ve been doing more fieldwork with the wildlife and water teams. For the wildlife team, I rode a helicopter and surveyed for Caribou. We collected dropping samples and sent them to a lab for DNA analysis. As for water, I helped them conduct monthly snow surveys. We used a long metal tube to collect snow samples and weighed them using a scale. Aside from that, my work has mostly been doing administrative reviews of Crown Land tenures and presenting my findings to my supervisor and upper management.
Co-op is important for students because it gives you a sense of direction. After doing fieldwork for the Ministry of Forests, I have a clearer picture of what I want to do in the future. It also allows you to meet potential mentors to help guide you with your career choices.
Forestry co-op has given me the chance to make personal relationships with the local First Nations and learn more about their culture. I’ve also gotten a better grasp of the processes behind applications and crown land sales or allocation. These are valuable opportunities I would not have gotten if not for the co-op program.
With the rapid growth of the mass timber construction industry, the challenges of making the building process more efficient through constructability, sustainability, and compliance with performance-based design regulations, are as prevalent as ever.
Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quirós
A new experimental study conducted at UBC by Samuel Shulman and Cristiano Loss examines the behavior and performance of innovative hybrid shear connectors for hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT)-based structural composites and assemblies. Their study proposes a new connection design method for hybrid steel-CLT structures that utilizes shear connectors fabricated by encasing steel rods in CLT panels using an epoxy-based grout.
The researchers performed a series of experiments on the connector to test its performance under different loading conditions. Ultimately, the findings encouraged the adoption of 24 M rods, selecting the grout diameter and steel grade in order to meet ultimate limit state requirements. High performance in strength and stiffness was also attained without altering the ductility of the system.
Through comprehensive reliability analyses of the novel hybrid shear connectors, Loss and Shulman discovered that the grout-reinforced shear connector has the potential to be a reliable and effective solution for improving the performance of hybrid steel-CLT building systems. The mechanical properties of the connector itself also supports reusability and sustainability in the construction industry. These findings pave the way for future advancements in mass timber construction, offering promising possibilities for designing and constructing high-performance timber assemblies.
This new research has received an open access grant from the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, which is awarded to open access publications with high potential impact.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship extends our sincere congratulations to Dr. Rob Guy for receiving the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Excellence in Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award for 2023.
The recognition celebrates Rob’s generosity of expertise, integrity and his ability to inspire and provide encouragement and tailored support for graduate students on their varied and individual journeys.
Rob has gone above and beyond in his commitment to serving the broader graduate student community. Not only has he supported his own research group, but he has also shared his knowledge, creativity and critical thinking skills as a committee member for over 112 students. His dedication is truly remarkable and sets him apart as a model of mentorship.
Many of Rob’s past mentees have attributed their success to the central role he played in helping them realize their full potential and launching their careers. Rob’s impact on the academic community extends far beyond his research, as he has inspired and supported the next generation of academics through his exceptional mentorship.
As one mentee, now a faculty member, attests, “I use Rob as the standard and point of reference for mentoring graduate students in my program.” Rob’s reputation for integrity, collegiality and professionalism in mentorship precedes him, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his contributions.
Congratulations to all of the nominees for their outstanding contributions to graduate supervision and mentorship. We also express our gratitude to the adjudication committee for their diligent work in selecting the recipient of the award.
Community Wildlife Resiliency Coordinator at City of Port Moody in Port Moody, BC
For my final co-op work term, I had the pleasure of working as the Community Wildfire Resiliency Coordinator for Port Moody Fire Rescue. In this role, I was involved in every aspect of wildfire management and emergency response in a municipal context. Over the past 5 months, my main task was developing a presentation and report for Port Moody City Council to adopt the updated 2019 Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is a document that outlines a toolbox of best practices for wildfire threat mitigation and adaptation. This began with reviewing the draft document and prioritizing recommended action items, from neighbourhood FireSmart education to by-law amendments. Subsequently, I organized the diverse scope of action items into summary statistics in the form of charts and diagrams for ongoing project management. I also had the opportunity to participate in a province-wide emergency response exercise simulating what would happen if an Earthquake were to hit coastal BC. When I am not in the office, I am outside assisting Environment staff with Nature Walks and addressed any questions related to wildfire management and ecological restoration.
I am so grateful to have gained insights into how climate adaptation policies are adopted into municipal legislation. I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with other city departments on environmental projects, as environmental management challenges are often interdisciplinary in nature. Thank you to UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Co-op and my wonderful supervisor Deputy Chief Kirk Heaven for this wonderful and memorable opportunity!
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship wishes to congratulate Bianca Eskelson, Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management, for receiving the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Bianca is being recognized as a Humboldt fellow in support of the following research project: Climate-sensitive tree mortality models and economic consequences of altered mortality probabilities under climate change in mixed-species stands of central Europe and interior British Columbia, Canada.
“I have no words to express my excitement about returning to the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology in Göttingen, where I get to build research collaborations with Dr. Carola Paul as a visiting scientist almost 20 years after my graduation,” says Bianca. “I am honored to receive the Humboldt Research Fellowship, which makes my research visits over the next three summers possible. Many thanks to my family and my awesome graduate students, who put up with my crazy ideas and accommodate my time in Göttingen!”
In her future as a Humboldt Fellow, Bianca will be able to host Humboldt postdoctoral fellows funded by the foundation in her lab.
About the Humboldt Research Fellowship
This fellowship is among the most prestigious research awards worldwide, giving researchers across all disciplines and career stages the opportunity to conduct their own research in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of their choice.
