Md Eliasinul Islam

Sustainable Energy Engineering doctoral student in the Faculty of Applied Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am learning the specialized field of energy systems modeling. My passion for this field stems from my power utility background and the urgent need to combat climate change and transition to renewable energy.

Collaborating with other researchers and contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy associated modelling practices further inspires me to continue in this vital field.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

My current research lab has the amazing team of researchers who are advancing the energy system modelling. I am lucky that my research lab took me in to be a part of their brilliant team.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

We need to improve and expand the capacity of our power systems to support the growing need for energy. To meet this need, we must enable our systems to adapt to weather-dependent renewable energy sources when planning for sustainable energy resources. My research focuses on finding suitable renewable energy options for this purpose. I also work on advancing models that helps in long-term planning with these sustainable resources. Additionally, I am developing tools to explore our power grid's capacity to handle more green energy, like wind and solar power, effectively.

My field, sustainable energy engineering, aims to develop and implement technologies that make our energy use more environmentally friendly and efficient. So, my work helps ensure that we can rely more on clean energy and less on fossil fuels.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

modelling, renewable resources, open-source

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My research training as well as experience helped me a lot to deep dive in to the core questions that we should ask while planning ahead for the upcoming future needs for energy.

My TA-ship helped me to refine my technical speaking and mentoring skills which further helped me to secure an energy planner consulting position in the provincial crown corporation. This have me a decent start in my career trajectory in Canadian working environment.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I have got a scholarship from Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions (PICS). The project was basically awarded to my lab's principal investigator and he picked me as a potential researcher for the project. I am lucky to work with such amazing researchers and supportive supervisor.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

Critical thinking, networking and communicating about your research skills and expertise in plain and comprehensive language - are the three most valuable skills.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I love to talk to people from diverse fields , to learn more about what are key problems they face in their service and products and what approach they are trying to solve the problems.

I guess this communication helped me to look at things with the critical thinking lens.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

I think it is hard to explain this balancing as tips. I believe it is very specific to individuals and it is all about case to case basis prioritizing about dealing the academic, work and personal matters.

Support from my spouse is the best thing I can recall in this case.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

my family.

I can't say it's an individual person, because my spouse and parents supported me emotionally and financially during the transitional period from the industry job to academia in BC. While my spouse has been managing the backend functions of my family while I am resolving my academia goals.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I guess I would like to share that -intellectual satisfaction is often more fulfilling than financial rewards, though it is hard to explain.

Contact Md Eliasinul:elias_islam@sfu.ca

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