Student Stories
Xiaowei Xu (Wood Products Processing)
March 20, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Research Assistant – University of British Columbia
I have been working on experimental research related to super-black wood, contributing to the investigation of its material properties and conducting CF plasma treatment experiments on wood surfaces.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Dayton Szczekocki (Forest Sciences)
March 20, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Student Viticulturist – Arterra Wines Canada
For my second continuous term of co-op, I have continued working as a student viticulturist for Arterra Wines Canada. While my first term was focused on field work in the vineyards, my second term has consisted of more logistical support as harvest approached and is continuing. One of my primary tasks before and continuously throughout harvest has been maturity sampling.
Posted in: Forest Sciences, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forest Sciences, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories
Adam Stix (Natural Resources Conservation)
March 20, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Co-op Student – Natural Resources Canada
This work term, I have been working with the Canadian National Forestry Inventory. I am a part of the MAGPlot team, which aims to compile and standardize forestry data from across the country. Their database includes thousands of ground plots and millions of recorded trees.
Posted in: Conservation, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Natural Resources Conservation, Student Stories
Branchlines: High-calibre Master’s Scholar Mercy Peter from Nigeria
February 11, 2026 | Author: UBC FES
This Black History Month we spotlight the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program that welcomes academically talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa to study at UBC.
Posted in: Alumni, Branchlines, Branchlines Articles, MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: Black History Month, Master of International Forestry, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Student Stories
Ghullam Sideqe (Wood Products Processing)
February 10, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Quality Control Lead – West Fraser
I am currently completing my final co-op term at West Fraser’s Cochrane Sawmill, working as the Sawmill Quality Control. In this role, I help monitor and maintain the accuracy of lumber grading and scanning systems to ensure consistent product quality.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Feiran Li (Wood Products Processing)
February 10, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Quality Control Co-op Student – West Fraser
During my eight-month co-op at West Fraser’s Williams Lake Timber Division, I worked as a Quality Control Co-op Student, supporting daily QC tasks while leading several improvement projects. I analyzed production data to identify bottlenecks, optimized lumber flow, conducted LRF regression studies, and helped troubleshoot quality issues in both the sawmill and planer.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Branchlines: High-calibre Master’s Scholar Edwin Aluku from Ghana
February 9, 2026 | Author: UBC FES
This Black History Month we spotlight the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program that welcomes academically talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa to study at UBC.
Posted in: Alumni, Branchlines, Branchlines Articles, MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: Black History Month, Master of International Forestry, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Student Stories
Yixiao Huang (Forest Resources Management)
February 6, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Co-Op Student – City of Campbell River
During my second co-op term this fall, I continued with the Liquid Waste Services Department at the City of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, building seamlessly on my summer experience. I deepened my involvement in digitizing sanitary laterals and ponds using ArcGIS, while expanding into Lift Station operations, which included uploading Electrical Asset Component data for multiple stations, copying and digitizing work reports, and preparing daily summaries.
Posted in: Forest Management, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forest Resources Management, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories
Siqi Guo (Wood Products Processing)
February 6, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Timber Engineering Project Worker – Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia
During my co-op term at the Timber Engineering and Applied Mechanics (TEAM) Lab, I have been working closely with graduate researchers to support experimental testing on mass timber products, assist with sample preparation, and manage data collection for structural performance studies. Through this experience, I have strengthened my technical skills in laboratory procedures, quality control, and data analysis, while also gaining a deeper understanding of how material behavior, testing protocols, and experimental variability influence real-world engineering design.
Posted in: Student Stories, Wood Products
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Student Stories, Wood Products Processing
Lauren Chia (Natural Resources Conservation)
February 6, 2026 | Author: zhuli06
Programmes and Administrative Intern – Waterways Watch Society
This term I worked as a Programmes and Administrative Intern at Waterways Watch Society (WWS), a non-profit and non-governmental organization in Singapore. Founded in 1998, WWS creates opportunities for everyone to engage with ownership of Singapore’s waterways, a vital source of freshwater for the country.
Posted in: Conservation, Student Stories
Tagged with: Co-op, Forestry Co-op, Natural Resources Conservation, Student Stories