Tell us about yourself.

I’ve always been a curious person, fascinated by how things work. As a kid, I remember taking apart my first phone just to see what was inside. That curiosity eventually led me to computers and coding, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love solving problems and building things that can make a difference. My journey at SFU, filled with challenging projects and amazing people, has helped me turn this passion into a career, and it’s been an incredible experience.

What was a highlight from your time at SFU?

The highlight of my time at SFU has to be all the fun times I shared with friends. Whether it was late-night soccer games, board game nights, or celebrating with pizza and ice cream just because we could, those moments made university life memorable. We’d stay up way too late, laugh about the most random things, and somehow turn even the most stressful times into something enjoyable. It’s those friendships and little moments that truly made my time at SFU special.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?

Working as a Research Assistant at SFU really pushed me out of my comfort zone. It made me comfortable with uncertainty and taught me how to tackle new challenges head-on. I had to figure things out on the spot, which has been invaluable in my current work, where I’m constantly exploring uncharted territory.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?

Embrace curiosity and explore beyond the syllabus. Build connections, not just with professors but with your peers as well. Those relationships can lead to incredible opportunities and collaborations. Also, don’t take 8:30 AM classes and don’t skip lectures!

What are your current plans?

I’m currently focused on growing Ednius, the startup I co-founded. We’re using advanced AI to assist professors with grading, and providing personalized, in-depth feedback to students, making education more accessible and effective. It’s been an exciting journey so far, and I’m committed to expanding this solution to more institutions to enhance the learning experience for both educators and students.

Read more about Laksh here>>

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Laura Flood and I earned my bachelor’s in engineering science, with a concentration in systems engineering. I have always been a puzzle person and in high school, math and sciences were my strong suit. Together, that led me to apply for an engineering program, even though I didn’t quite know what engineering was at the time. At SFU, I initially and arbitrarily chose systems, but over time came to understand it and how it is like putting together an engineering puzzle.

What was a highlight from your time at SFU?

A major part of my time in Engineering Science (ENSC) was spent volunteering for the Engineering Science Student Society (ESSS). I joined as a first-year representative, then Director of Website, Director of Tutoring, and VP Administration. A highlight of my work was building the peer tutoring and mentorship programs to support our students. Without the ESSS, my time at SFU would have been very different and I was fortunate enough to become friends with one of my best friends today.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?

Truly the most invaluable experiences while at SFU were my co-op terms. I learned so much during co-op that I never would have by just taking classes. Observing and participating in the engineering process in the real world exposes you to more ideation, planning, and long-term execution that isn’t possible in school. Getting to take responsibility for a portion of a technology is an exciting opportunity and seeing your work actualized is very rewarding!

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?

Connect with your fellow students! Talk to the person beside you in lecture, chat with the person at the next lab bench, study with classmates, attend social events hosted by student groups, ask to sit beside someone new in lecture, or join a design team. Having friends in the program helps make the difficult assignments and long days more manageable.

What are your current plans?

After five straight years of school, I am currently taking the next four months off from everything engineering. In this time, I have a numerous trips planned and I am taking the time to find an engineering job that excites me. After a couple of years in the industry, I plan to head back to school and complete a master's in engineering.

Tell us about yourself.

Hi, I’m Pouyan, an engineer with a passion for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges. I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of AI and how it can transform industries through automation and intelligent systems. My journey began with a bachelor's in industrial engineering, and I recently completed my master of science (MSc) in mechatronic systems engineering (MSE) at SFU, where I focused on applying AI and machine learning to optimize engineering processes and create smarter, more efficient systems.

What was a highlight or favorite moment from your time at SFU?

One of the highlights of my time at SFU was the hands-on lab sessions in courses where we tackled real-world engineering problems. These sessions allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, which was incredibly rewarding. Additionally, the brainstorming meetings with my supervisor and lab mates were invaluable. We often collaborated on refining ideas, troubleshooting issues, and developing more efficient solutions. These moments of teamwork and creativity made my time at SFU memorable.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?

The resources at SFU, including access to knowledgeable faculty and industry-focused events, were invaluable. They helped me build both technical and soft skills that I believe will be critical as I move forward in my career, whether in academia or industry.

What advice would you like to share with students in their first year?

Explore everything your university has to offer. Don’t limit yourself to just classes—take advantage of the resources, programs, and events available to you. There’s so much you can learn outside of the classroom setting that will benefit you down the road.

What are your current plans? 

After six years in academia, I’m excited to explore opportunities in the industry. While I’ve enjoyed the academic environment, it’s time for me to apply my skills in a practical setting and contribute to solving real-world challenges.

What was your research focus? 

My research focused on applying AI in the 3D printing process. I developed AI models that integrate physics principles and data to predict the temperature of parts during printing. This helps in anticipating potential defects and preventing them before they occur, improving the overall quality and efficiency of the process.

Tell us about yourself.

When I moved to B.C. in 2021, I was blown away by the natural beauty and the effort people and the government put into preserving it. That inspired me to use my background in chemical engineering to focus on designing more sustainable energy systems. When I discovered the brand-new Sustainable Energy Engineering program at SFU, it felt like the perfect fit, and I was thrilled to be accepted for my master's.

What was a highlight from your time at SFU?

During the winter semester, we had a class at the Burnaby campus, and afterward, my friends and I would hang out around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and relaxing for a while. I really loved those moments because I was facing a challenging part of my thesis at that time, and spending time with my friends always helped me clear my head. It was a great time to not only unwind but also chat about ideas and get some fresh perspectives.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?

During my research, I had the chance to train with the staff at 4D Labs, and one of the highlights was learning to use electron microscopes. It quickly became one of my favorite tools! Seeing the fancy details of various materials under a microscope has been a fun and exciting experience. Becoming proficient with the machine has greatly benefited both my research and my career.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?

No matter what your major is, I'd really recommend learning Python for basic data processing. You never know when you'll need to work with data, and being able to manage it efficiently can save you a ton of time in the future!

What are your current plans?

I recently started working full-time as a scientist at a startup that's focused on developing water electrolyzers for hydrogen production. My role involves studying and testing different materials to evaluate their efficiency in the electrolysis process.

What was your research focus?

My research focused on improving the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells by studying how different driving conditions affect their long-term performance in heavy-duty applications. The insights from this work can help design more reliable fuel cell electric vehicles, bringing us closer to making them a reality on the road.