Student Stories
Engineering a Future with Wood Products – Kiana Rowlands
November 19, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry
Kiana Rowlands shares how the Wood Products program reshaped her understanding of wood, engineering, and the future of low-carbon materials.
Posted in: News, Wood Products Featured
Tagged with: Alumni, Engineering, Student Stories, Undergraduate, Wood Products
“Build a world worth building for,” Anwulika Mordi, Master of International Forestry
November 7, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently pursuing a Master of International Forestry at UBC, Anwulika Mordi is building expertise in forestry, community engagement, and sustainable land management to empower Nigerian women and advance impactful, nature-based solutions for her country and beyond.
Posted in: MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: International Forestry, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, professional masters, Student Stories
From Ghana to UBC: Michael Ochem’s Journey
November 7, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry
From leading community conservation projects in Ghana to pursuing a Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, Michael Ochem’s journey is rooted in a lifelong passion for protecting the environment and empowering others to do the same.
Posted in: MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, professional masters, Student Stories, Sustainable Forest Management
Hanlu Zhu (Wood Products Processing)
October 20, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Project Assistant – UBC Department of Wood Science
Over the summer, I worked as a Project Assistant in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Wood Science lab at UBC. My main role has been to support the professors with various projects. Currently, I’m building a bat house for the bats living in Stanley Park – I’ve already finished a prototype and had a meeting with the project team, where they kindly shared some suggestions for improvements.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Yueyue Zhong (Forest Operations)
October 20, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Summer Student – West Fraser
I have been working at West Fraser’s Blue Ridge Lumber mill as a Summer Student, assisting with a variety of tasks including spark watch, clean-up, painting, and providing support to different crews. Through this experience, I have learned valuable technical and safety skills such as lockout procedures, completing safety forms, using basic tools like grinders, and understanding mill operations.
Posted in: Forest Operations, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forest Operations, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories
Zhongqian Zhang (Wood Products Processing)
October 20, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Marketing Co-op – Decorate Maste Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
I have been working as a Marketing Co-op at a custom home renovation company, where my main responsibilities include identifying potential clients, coordinating communication between designers and customers, and promoting the company brand through both online and offline channels.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Xiaoxuan Yu (Wood Products Processing)
October 17, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Research Assistant – Jianghan University
I’m working on an exciting research project transforming wood veneers into transparent films. My work focuses on developing innovative methods to impregnate these bio-based materials with functional additives, creating next-generation composites with specialized properties like fire retardancy.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Toby Ye (Urban Forestry)
October 17, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Junior Counselor – Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association
I’m a junior counselor for the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association. I’ve been working with children ages 5-10 and taking them on a week-long day camps where they get to do crafts, adventures, and foster a love of nature. Some camp activities include pond peering, aquatic ecosystem paintings, and tag games that complement the camp theme of the week.
Posted in: Student Stories, Urban Forestry
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Urban Forestry
Riker Yang (Wood Products Processing)
October 17, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Polymer Materials Testing Co-op – Jiangsu United Testing Services
I am working as a testing assistant at United Testing Service, a materials testing company in China. During my Co-op placement, I worked on both the physical and chemical testing of metal and plastic materials, focusing on their mechanical properties and compliance with international safety standards.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Andres Villuendas-Flores (Forest Resources Management)
October 17, 2025 | Author: Carolyn Wijaya
Forestry Summer Student – Lil’wat Forestry Ventures
I have been working as part of the Silvicultural surveying crew at Lil’wat Forestry Ventures. We have been focusing on the type of surveys that monitor the health and growing condition of forest blocks that have been treated in some way, including through burnings, logging, plantings, brushing, etc. I have learned a lot about this process from start to finish.
Posted in: Forest Management, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forest Resources Management, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories