Meet our October 2023 Graduands

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
Being one of the few students enrolled at SFU under a collaborative research program between India and Canada was itself an exciting journey for myself. Showcasing my research in clean energy and interacting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries in an event organized at SFU are memorable highlights in my PhD journey. It was also great to explore the beautiful Alps and trekking in and around B.C. during the summer.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
Pursuing a PhD at SFU has been a turning point in my career. Working with the incredible team at SFU’s Fuel Cell Research Laboratory (FCReL) led by Dr. Kjeang has helped me reach the forefront of my research domain. Also, the multidimensional approach towards research and the interaction with the vibrant SFU community has helped me shape my personality in various other ways. 

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
The journey of being a PhD candidate is a roller coaster ride and it needs to be enjoyed the same way. Interacting with fellow researchers, making friends outside the school, and participating in various extracurricular activities helped me a lot. It provided me with a way to ease out from the exhaustive course work and academic activities at many times. I would advise the same to the new grad students.

What are your current plans?
Currently, I am working as a Staff Engineer at one of the leading fuel cell companies across the globe. I enjoy my role working on the next generation products towards sustainable energy solutions. I feel excited utilizing my knowledge gained over my PhD journey at the workplace and look forward to enhancing my experience by contributing towards new technologies.

What was your research focus?
My doctoral research focused on developing high-performing open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cells. I used computational models to design/simulate innovative materials, access their impact on fuel cell performance and uncover their experimental validation. We came up with a strategic design of the electrodes and fuel cells configuration, which can be applied to build lighter, efficient, and economical energy systems.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) term where I worked with Dr. Bonnie Gray to incorporate novel self-sterilizing materials into textiles and 3D printed objects during COVID-19. It was humbling and incredibly exciting to work on a project directly impacting the pandemic as it unfolded in real time. There was a special moment in the Library Media Maker Commons when a touring visitor spotted me using the sewing machine and exclaimed, “Look, they’re making a face mask!” in recognition.  

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
My co-op experience has been key in informing the trajectory of my career path and elevating my technical skills. I’m grateful for being welcomed into the multi-disciplinary microfluidics team at Precision Nanosystems, where I worked with truly talented people who modelled research and development (R&D) leadership every day. Co-op also exposed me to roles in management, health & safety, and scientific equipment sales that broadened my perspective of industry positions. 

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Get involved with activities inside and outside of the engineering department! There is nothing like the friendships built by facing uncertainty and undergoing hardship together, and engineering is full of that. But experiences with activism, humanitarian work, sustainability, fine arts, etc. enrich your perspective, inspire creativity, and prompt you to innovate by extending ideas from one area to a new context. 

What are your current plans?
I’m currently pursuing a MASc at SFU researching biosensors, and how electronics and microfluidics can be effectively integrated for wearable, non-invasive biomedical sensors. I’m also focusing on growing the Indigenous Tutoring and Mentoring Program (ITMP), which won a Student-Community Engagement Award in 2021 and has been a source of motivation to expand my network, give back to community, and get involved with STEM outreach initiatives. 

Read more about Basil here >>

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
My fondest memories at SFU were made in the Capstone Lab at SRYE Campus, with my Capstone project group mates. Countless hours were spent ideating, iterating, constructing, and testing our Rain Garden prototype, but many hours were also spent conversing and enjoying each other’s company. I would like to think we had the perfect balance of work and play, and I’m glad we did because the fun made the hard work more bearable.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
The depth and variety of coursework that I have experienced through the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) has enabled me to consider many different engineering-related career paths. However, I believe the most valuable pieces of knowledge that I have received through the SEE program to be the advice and wisdom passed onto me by my experienced professors, many of whom worked as engineers in the field.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
University is hard, do not be discouraged by a bad grade or seemingly insurmountable workload. Stay organized, take things step by step, and persevere, it will all be worth it. Don’t try to do it all on your own either, instructors and TAs are always willing to help, and classmates can help keep you on track.

What are your current plans?
I am currently in the process of moving across the country, to Montreal. I would like to experience life elsewhere and immerse myself in a different culture. I plan to find industry work there, utilizing my experience gained through co-op placements, and if the opportunity arises, further my education.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
One of my highlights from my time at SFU was being president of SFU Satellite Design Team. Being a part of this team allowed me to discover a passion for radio frequency (RF) electronics that resulted in some great co-op experiences and gave me skills that I ended up using during my capstone project. My team and I designed a ground-penetrating radar and experienced some very memorable 2 AM test sessions, another highlight of my degree.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
SFU’s co-op program was a great way to get accustomed to typical engineering hiring processes and to develop my interviewing skills. I’m much more confident applying to jobs now than I would have been without the co-op experience.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
My advice for students in their first year would be to find a community, whether that’s a design team, study group, or club. Having a support system is so valuable, and the more connections you have, the more opportunities you’ll find coming your way.

What are your current plans?
I’ve just completed a website I’ve spent the last month building to host my portfolio and will soon start job seeking for positions in the aerospace or biomedical industries. I’d also like to travel a bit, so I will be pursuing some international positions.

Read more about Joanna here >>

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
Joining hackathons at SFU, whether as a hacker or mentor, were some of the most fun and fulfilling moments. I loved the vibe – everyone was super stoked to build stuff, my friends and I made cool projects that earned us awards, and I had a great time connecting with many people from the community. I even stayed overnight one time coding at SFU and saw my first raccoon roaming the halls; it was awesome.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
SFU's focus on practical, hands-on learning allowed me to work on many group projects, building complex applications. I was also lucky enough to work on a project for an actual customer from across the globe. These opportunities have equipped me with real-life experience and skills that helped me succeed in the workforce.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Fail as fast as possible. For example: Have a paper to write? Get a rough draft done ASAP so you have lots of time to polish it. Want to start working out? Get your “first-time-at-the-gym" moment over with so that you can learn from it and do better the next time. “Failing” is just a stepping stone to success!

What are your current plans?
After graduation, I will be returning full-time to Purposely, a Vancouver-based startup, as a software developer. I am very excited to be part of a team dedicated to crafting tools and fostering a community that empowers companies to make a positive impact through volunteering!

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
The pinnacle of my time at SFU was undoubtedly collaborating with an inspiring group of professors, mentors, and peers. Through these connections, I made invaluable friendships rooted in our shared enthusiasm for the environment. Among all these experiences, the most cherished moments were the conversations in the Vehicle and Engine Systems for Sustainable Transportation (VESST) lab during breaks and after exhausting days. These interactions deeply enriched my journey at SFU.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
During my tenure at SFU, I focused intently on advanced technologies, particularly hydrogen as an alternative fuel. This in-depth study during my master’s project provided me with the critical expertise required to transition into the clean fuel industry. Additionally, the professional environment and collaboration with dedicated professionals were instrumental in furthering my academic and personal development.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Embrace this new chapter with open arms. Attend those events, mixers, and seminars. You'll be surprised at the connections you'll make. Remember, it's okay to ask questions or seek help; we've all been there. And here's the golden rule: find time to have a blast amidst the rush and the challenges!

What are your current plans?
I am directing my efforts toward the clean fuel sector, specifically emphasizing hydrogen-based solutions. This aligns with my prior research and current industry needs.

What was your research focus?
My research focused on hydrogen and methane blend compression for eco-friendly transportation. I was passionate about adapting to these new fuels and even worked on establishing a testing facility for further research. The project’s aim was to encourage a greener future without the necessity for major engine modifications.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
I’ve gained valuable friendships and memories while at SFU. The people I’ve met during my time here have become some of my closest friends to this day. Despite the fact that we no longer see each other on a day-to-day basis, we have remained close. These friendships are what I will cherish for a lifetime.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
I had the opportunity to complete an 8-month internship and a practicum while at SFU. These roles allowed me to own a large-scale project, lead global intern events and experience what a career in STEM looks like. These events allowed me to gain valuable industry skills and I am confident that these tools will aid in my career pursuits.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and put yourself in uncomfortable situations! Whether that be learning a new technology, reaching out to someone new or taking a course that might be more difficult, these experiences will help build your network and skills which can be used throughout your career. 

What are your current plans?
I have been given the opportunity to return to EA as a Software Engineer! In this role, I will work directly on EA FC (Football Club) to help optimize and automate the build infrastructure on FC. Here, I will work directly with the game team to deliver and ship FC to various platforms.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
I have had many good memories from the day I started at SFU. I am a musician, and I would say the highlight was getting to know three other musicians, Babak, Sina, and Soroush and playing in front of 120 people one week after my master’s defence; that was the best feeling. I also liked the moment when my brother and his wife, my family over Zoom, and my friends attended my defence session. It’s said that this was the most crowded defence in SFU history.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
While working on my thesis and the courses that I took for my master’s requirements, I learned valuable technical skills in robotics programming and machine learning. Moreover, being a teaching assistant for a number of courses provided me with experience in teaching and interacting with undergraduate students.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Learn to enjoy your life while you are a student. Plan for your fun and also your studies. Try to learn some new skills and build strong networks among your friends for your future. 

What are your current plans?
I am currently a software developer at DaoAi Robotics Inc. I want to work in this field for a few years and soon trigger my own startup.

What was your research focus?
My research focused on exploring robot-to-human object handover. If we separate the object handover to three phases, pre-handover, physical exchange, and post-handover, our focus was on the physical exchange phase. We used a combination of vision and haptic sensing along with the use of a deep neural network to implement an autonomous robot-to-human object handover. 

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
Winning 2nd for the Innovative Design category at the Canadian Engineering Competition in 2022 was an absolute highlight from my time at SFU, but my favourite memories stem from being involved with student societies. From being a first-year representative to Vice-Chair Logistics of the Western Engineering Competition 2023 Committee, and to being President of the Mechatronic Systems Engineering Student Society, I’m grateful for all the friends and achievements along the way that added a special sparkle to my university years. 

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
The co-op experiences have been unique and valuable in showcasing the possibilities for a Mechatronics Systems Engineer. More importantly, learning to bridge the gap and translate between other professional audiences within the engineering world has been a special experience that emphasizes the importance of being adaptive in communication. 

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Your university experience will only be as eventful as you make it, so go out there and try something new! There are plenty of extracurriculars on campus, from clubs to student societies, and to design teams. They all unlock unique opportunities of their own, and the connections you can build along the way are lasting.

What are your current plans?
After several long university years, I am finally slowing down to take a break and do some vacationing. I am also exploring the new opportunities available for engineers-in-training to start the path toward becoming a certified engineer.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
There was a time when my friends and I needed 360-degree videos of cars for our research, so, we patrolled the parking lot at SFU regularly. As soon as we spotted any fancy cars, we would put a cellphone on a selfie stick and walk around the car to take videos. We did this on foggy days because it gave us better results. It was fun and I hope we did not look too suspicious.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
My supervisor, friends and colleagues at my lab were instrumental in preparing me for my career. Through our discussions and collaborations, I learned how to find interesting research topics and how to tell a good story in a research paper.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
Make the most of your medical insurance! You can make free dental cleaning appointments and buy discounted glasses!

What are your current plans?
I have joined Adobe as a research scientist and will continue researching my favourite topics.

What was your research focus?
I was interested in combining machine learning with 3D shape modeling. Similar to the currently trending image generative models, my goal was to create 3D generative models that enable everyone to create 3D content.