When I learned about the devastating impacts of climate change, I decided to do my BA in Geography at UBC, focusing on how climate change impacts our ecosystems and communities. During this time, I also did am exchange term in Hong Kong, a field seminar in Indonesia, and some scientific diving in Malaysia to help me gain a global sense in how different parts of the world are impacted. The abundance of garbage, along with the bleached and broken coral I saw during my travels and while diving left the biggest impact on me and helped focus my interests on waste management and ocean conservation. Other than that, I like to sew! 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I liked that MAIS program incorporated both academic and professional development. I thought this would help me post-graduation. I also really liked having the ability to declare a focus on specific region of the world (mine is Asia!). 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

My research will focus on how to divert plastic waste away from the ocean and into a circular economy in Taiwan. I will be focusing on fishing gear waste because it is so abundant and poses threats to marine health in the form of, for example, ghost fishing and microplastic pollution.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

Meeting new people, hearing new perspectives, and doing a deep dive into global issues I hadn't read about before!

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 received the BC Graduate Scholarship and the SSHRC CGS Masters Scholarship. I'm very grateful that I can use this funding to immerse myself in my research topic. Thank you so much! 

Contact Rachel: rachel_jang_2@sfu.ca