As a graduate student at UBC, you have the opportunity to prioritize your academic training while preparing for a future career. This seminar will cover how to leverage career planning resources at UBC to create a strategic career plan. Attendees will learn how to consider their academic pursuits in relation to their career objectives to gain insights into various career pathways.
Rebecca Dirnfeld, Career Educator with UBC Career Centre
Bio:
Rebecca Dirnfeld is a Career Educator with the UBC Career Centre. Rebecca has focused on graduate career education at Toronto Metropolitan University, and was the head writer and project lead of Graduate Career Compass (2018). Rebecca is available for graduate student 1:1 career advising, bookable through UBC Career Centre’s Careers Online.
1. Conservative Consensus QSAR prediction of rat acute oral toxicity of chemicals: implication for decision-making under conditions of uncertainty
2. The Twilight Zoning: Influences of Urban Land Use on Bat Activity in the Metro Vancouver Region
Time: 12:30pm to 1:20pm
Location: Beaty Museum Allan Yap Theatre(Basement, 2212 Main Mall). Please check in at front desk on main floor before going downstairs.
No food or drinks allowed in the Theatre.
No recording available.
Talk summary:
Acute oral toxicity (AOT) is required for regulatory classification and labeling of chemicals according to the United Nations Global Harmonized System (GHS). With the advances in toxicology towards alternatives to animal testing, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models have been developed to support AOT predictions. However, uncertainty associated with the use of these models hinders their utility for AOT predictions. Consequently, when used to assign health-protective (conservative) AOT values to chemicals, it is advised that one should apply a model with low incidences of predicting chemicals to be less toxic than the corresponding animal data imply. In this talk, Jerry will present a study that compares the prediction performance of a consensus approach (combination) of two QSAR models against these individual models for the prediction of conservative AOT of a diverse and large number of chemicals. To this end, the number of conservative predictions and prediction capacity for AOT hazard identification (according to the GHS criteria) will be used for the performance evaluation.
Jerry Achar, IRES PhD student
Bio:
Jerry Achar is a Ph.D. candidate in Gunilla Öberg’s Egesta Lab. His research interests intersect chemical risk assessment, human health, and toxicological risk prediction using new approach methodologies (NAMs). His Ph.D. research focuses on the application of in silico toxicology methods for chemical risk prediction and analysis of uncertainty associated with the methods and their predictions. This research is supported by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program. Before UBC, Jerry completed his BSc. in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University and his MSc. in Environmental Engineering from Korea University.
Talk summary:
Bats are facing conservation concerns ranging from disease, wind turbine collisions, and habitat loss. Urban greenspaces have been identified as hotspots for bat foraging during the reproductive phase of their life cycle. However, it is difficult to identify critical habitat for bat species due to limited information on how urban landscape features influence bat activity. Through a series of acoustic sampling across Metro Vancouver, we aimed to answer what landscape features are associated with high bat activity. Over 80,000 confirmed bat passes through two summer seasons at 21 parks and surrounding landscapes. The presence of a freshwater source and the amount of vegetation near parks were key landscape features in predicting bat activity. While greenspaces may provide habitat islands for some bat species, our results provide an opportunity to target urban bat management that can contribute actively to regional sustainability initiatives while also promoting human-wildlife coexistence in urban spaces.
Aaron Aguirre, IRES MSc student
Bio:
Aaron Aguirre (he/they) is a MS student in the Connected Human and Natural Systems Lab and the Mitchell Multifunctional Landscape Lab advised by Dr. Kai Chan and Dr. Matthew Mitchell. Prior to joining the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES), they received their BS in Fisheries and Wildlife. Their current research focuses on how urban bat populations are impacted by land-use with the goal to inform bat conservation with regards to land development and foster an appreciation for urban wildlife.
Climate action plans are instrumental tools designed to guide regions in mitigating and/or adapting to climate change. In 2008, British Columbia (BC) passed the Local Government Statutes Amendment Act which mandates that all municipalities incorporate actions to reduce GHG emissions within their official community plan. This policy has facilitated the widespread incorporation of climate change considerations within local policy and planning documents. This work investigates the scope of health considerations in these climate action and adaptation plans. This line of inquiry aims to understand what these governance systems perceive as the health dimensions of adaptation planning, and the role of health systems in the work of building adaptive capacity. In this talk, I will present a summary of results of this document analysis.
Glory Apantaku, IRES PhD candidate
Bio:
Glory Apantaku (she/her/hers) is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, she is co-supervised by Dr. Terre Satterfield in IRES and Dr. Mark Harrison in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Glory holds a master’s degree in Population and Public health and her research explores how health considerations shape adaptation planning. She also supports projects aimed at building resilience to climate impacts in collaboration with the ministry of health, health authorities, and municipalities across British Columbia.
Talk summary:
Exposure to air pollutants causes adverse health impacts including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Non-road engines (NREs), used in construction, mining, agriculture, landscaping, etc., are a major source of emissions in Metro Vancouver, contributing to about 8% of GHG emissions in the region. Many NREs operate in dense residential zones and near sensitive receptors such as hospitals and daycares. Despite this, NREs are widely understudied. This study develops a methodology for creating a comprehensive emissions inventory for non-road engines for Metro Vancouver using top-down data from ECCC and bottom-up data from the MOVES model. The study also explores the electrification of NREs through expert interviews. We identify socio-technical, economic, and regulatory barriers to the electrification of engines in the construction and yard and garden sectors and provide strategies for the energy transition towards electric NREs.
Rudri Bhatt, IRES PhD candidate
Bio:
Rudri Bhatt is a PhD candidate at UBC in the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability, supervised by Dr. Milind Kandlikar. Her research focuses on clean energy technologies and electrification of non-road engines in Metro Vancouver from an air quality perspective. She is interested in reducing emissions from non-road and on-road sources. She has a Master of Science in Resources, Environment and Sustainability from UBC where she looked at incentivizing clean alternatives to agricultural waste burning in Northern India through a mixed-methods approach. Rudri has a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
Adjunct Professor, IRES Senior Policy Advisor at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Contact Details
Bio
Dr. Guillaume Peterson St-Laurent is an adjunct professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia and a Senior Policy Advisor at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). At ECCC, Guillaume plays a leading role in designing and implementing the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, a multi-billion dollars federal program aimed at reducing greenhouse gases emissions through the avoided conversion, restoration and rehabilitation of natural areas.
Multidisciplinary by training, Guillaume’s research falls at the intersection between social and natural sciences—it focuses on finding novel and innovative solutions to complex environmental problems, with a particular focus on human dimensions of natural resources management in the context of climate change. His broad research interests bring together environmental governance and policy, the intersection between society and the environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and science-policy interactions. Guillaume has worked in multidisciplinary research projects in multiple countries, including Canada, Japan, Sweden, Mexico, Australia, Honduras and Panama. His work has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed articles in high impact journals (e.g., Nature Communications Biology, Science Advances, Environmental Research Letters, Climatic Change) and presentations in many international conferences.
While greenhouse gases (GHGs) naturally exist in terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere, concentrations have risen as a result of industrial development and human activities. This study investigated soil-derived GHG fluxes and soil water dynamics under climate-smart agricultural interventions from April to October 2023 at the UBC farm. Within the purview of the analyses, soil moisture was found to be the most important factor for explaining soil GHG variations, especially for CH4. Treatment effects on soil GHGs, GHG fluxes were the lowest when no nutrient amendments or cover crops were applied. The temporal interaction of soil GHG fluxes with soil moisture during wetting and drying cycles was nuanced, as some lagged responses of soil GHG changes to changing soil moisture conditions were observed. The study’s results offer insights for local farming adaptation to prioritize resources for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Ming Cao, IRES MSc Graduate
Bio:
Ming is a recent MSc graduate supervised by Dr. Mark Johnson at UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. Before coming to UBC, Ming completed her undergraduate degree in forestry at the University of Alberta. Currently, Ming’s research focuses on the transfer of water and energy in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Ming is using observational data collected at the UBC Farm to investigate the interactions between soil water and soil greenhouse gas emissions, in the context of climate-smart agriculture. In her free time, Ming plays badminton and reads screenplays.
Canada is not on track to meet its 2030 target of reducing GHG emissions by 40-45 percent below 2005 levels, despite implementing several climate policies and initiatives.
At the provincial level, British Columbia has set a climate action target of reducing GHG emissions by 40 percent below 2007 levels by 2030 and, while it has made progress, much more needs to be done to achieve long-term climate goals.
Around the world, we’re moving towards the whole-of-society shared responsibility that has for so long been identified as the scale needed. And with greater levels of adoption comes a greater demand to build the capacity of local governments, businesses and civil society to initiate climate change action within their sphere of influence.
Developed by a team of faculty and experts associated with UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Sustainability Hub and Campus + Community Planning, and made possible by funding from UBC’s Continuous Learning and Advancement Fund and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the UBC Micro-certificate in Climate Action Planning: Foundations, Finance and Implementation is designed to help policymakers, planners and industry players gain the knowledge, skills and tools to put into practice.
In 50 hours of virtual classes and study over 12 weeks, gain a thorough understanding of key elements of a successful climate action plan, including mitigation and adaptation strategies to help us meet the Emissions Reduction Plan and national adaptation plan (Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan) targets, the critical need for climate justice and equity, and financial implications and opportunities. Through action-oriented lectures, readings and practical activities, develop the skills to take on a crucial role in today’s world.
The Fall 2024 cohort will receive instruction from experts with extensive experience in designing a climate plan for policymakers, industry and community organizations including:
Sara Elder, PhD is a senior policy advisor, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC.
Milind Kandlikar, PhD, is Professor (and past Director) at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, with a cross-appointment at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC.
John Madden is Director of Sustainability and Engineering for Campus + Community Planning at UBC.
Eric Mazzi, PhD, is a consultant and educator focusing on technology and policy for industrial and commercial demand-side energy systems. He provides technical analysis, measurement & verification (M&V), policy studies, and educational services.
Ming was a MSc student supervised by Dr. Mark Johnson at UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. Before coming to UBC, Ming completed her undergraduate degree in forestry at the University of Alberta. Ming’s MSc research focused on the transfer of water and energy in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Ming used observational data collected at the UBC Farm to investigate the interactions between soil water and soil greenhouse gas emissions, in the context of climate-smart agriculture. In her free time, Ming plays badminton and reads screenplays.
Yuqing is an MSc student at the Institute of Resources, Environment, and Sustainability supervised by Dr. Stephanie Chang. Her research interests include climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and risk perception. Her research explores people’s risk perceptions of coastal flooding and how they influence people’s attitudes toward incorporating coastal green infrastructure in flood management. More specifically, her research aims to uncover how immigration plays a role in people’s flood risk perceptions and support for different protective measures. She is part of the Living With Water research project, which works on advancing community adaptation to sea level rise and flooding in British Columbia’s South Coast.
Yuqing grew up in Hunan, China, and she graduated with an Honours BSc in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of British Columbia (UBC). During her time at UBC, she worked as a research assistant at the UBC National Parks Research Centre focusing on the impacts of Covid-19 on ecotourism in China. She was also a volunteer for the Education and Outreach team at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, biking, practicing guitar, and reading.
