What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
The Iron Ring ceremony was a highlight from my time at SFU. This was a special event for me because my dad also received his iron ring at the ceremony and then presented my ring to me. As the first accredited SEE cohort, we were all incredibly proud to share this moment with each other and with our SEE Director, who was able to present the rings to all the SEE students. 

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
The co-op semesters that I have done through my SEE degree have been instrumental in helping me find a career path that I wanted to pursue. I have been fortunate to gain work experience in both the public and private sectors, where my technical skills have evolved. I learned about new areas of work such as modeling, which led me to pursue building modeling.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
The piece of advice I always give students going into or starting their first year is to join clubs and make friends! 

What are your current plans?
My current plans are to continue to work as a Building Performance engineer-in-training (EIT) at RJC Engineers and work towards my P.Eng. In this position, I create building models and perform life cycle assessments (LCA) for buildings. While I work towards my P.Eng, I hope to collect certifications that can help me make decisions for a sustainable future through buildings.

Danielle is among the first cohort of undergraduate students to graduate from the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. Read more here.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
One of the most memorable and impactful moments during my time at SFU was when I had the opportunity to utilize a high-speed camera to visualize gaseous fuel jets in our laboratory. Being able to capture the invisible and observe the intricate dynamics of these jets was truly incredible. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the injection and ignition of fuel jets but also sparked a sense of wonder and curiosity within me. It highlighted the power of scientific visualization and its potential to unravel hidden phenomena. This project not only enriched my academic journey but also contributed to the broader scientific community by expanding our knowledge in this field.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
My experience at SFU, studying sustainable energy engineering, has greatly prepared me for my career path in sustainability. The aspect of my SFU experience that I cherish the most is the numerous discussions I had with fellow students and researchers in our group and other research groups. These conversations broadened my perspective, enhanced my critical thinking skills, and allowed me to delve deeper into the complexities of sustainability. They equipped me with the ability to analyze and tackle real-world challenges in the field, making me ready to contribute meaningfully to sustainable practices in my future career endeavors.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
To students in their first year, my advice would be to embrace the journey and prioritize self-care. It's easy to get overwhelmed with coursework and adjusting to a new environment. Remember to find a balance between academics and personal well-being. Seek support when needed, explore extracurricular activities, and build connections. Don't be afraid to ask for help and take time for self-reflection. Enjoy the experience, as it goes by quickly.

What are your current plans?
Currently, I am working as a Sustainable Engineer at an environmental engineering company, where I am actively involved in projects related to sustainable practices and environmental impact assessment. My plan is to continue working in the field and gain valuable experience that will further enhance my expertise.

What was your research focus?
My research focus revolved around studying the injection and ignition characteristics of gaseous fuel jets, specifically hydrogen and natural gas. Through experimental investigations, I aimed to understand and analyze the properties of fuel injection and ignition under various conditions. The goal of this research was to contribute to the development of efficient and clean combustion systems, ultimately promoting advancements in sustainable energy technologies and reducing environmental impacts.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
My most memorable moments from SFU stem from meeting like-minded individuals in the SEE program, who share a common goal of making a positive impact in the world. Working alongside my peers was truly inspiring and fueled our collective motivation. A defining experience for me was attending the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where our team was honored to receive the Rising Star Award for our outstanding performance in the ASHRAE 2022 Integrated Sustainable Building Design (ISBD) competition.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
Participating in the Co-op program played a pivotal role in shaping my career goals, thanks to the invaluable guidance and support it offered. With SEE being an interdisciplinary program, I had the opportunity to explore career paths in varying fields. This exposure allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles and environments engineers work in.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
In my first year, I underestimated the value of networking. Seemingly small chance interactions have led to unexpected opportunities. Start building your network by connecting with peers, professors, and mentors who inspire you. Consider joining a design team or club you resonate with. These connections not only contribute to your professional growth but also create a valuable support system along the way.

What are your current plans?
I am currently working with QuantoTech, contributing to the development of a hydroponic vertical farming system to enhance food security. Following this experience, I have been accepted to pursue the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) InnoEnergy Master’s in Smart Electrical Networks and Systems with a specialization in Energy Management for Buildings and Power Grids.

Emma is among the first cohort of undergraduate students to graduate from the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. Read more here.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
The highlight of my SFU journey was undoubtedly the day of my PhD thesis defence. The discussion with the examination committee was an engaging and stimulating conversation, which lasted for over three hours. The most significant highlight was when the committee nominated my thesis for the Thesis Awards & Convocation Medals. This recognition made me feel incredibly accomplished, and I believe it was a great opportunity to complete my PhD at SFU.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
My SFU experience taught me that knowing what to do is half the battle, and with the right approach, I could quickly find answers to how to do it. This approach helped me complete my PhD quickly with quality research. It has prepared me for my career path by instilling in me the confidence needed to pursue a research career. 

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
I think it is essential to start developing additional skills outside of the core subject or research to thrive in a competitive world. In addition, maintaining a work-life balance is something worth paying attention to. Taking breaks and travelling to new places helped me refresh my mind and think of solutions, effectively, to complex problems.

What are your current plans?
I currently work for Hydrogen In Motion Inc. as a Material Scientist, developing hydrogen storage materials.

What was your research focus?
My research focused on synthesizing, characterizing and testing physisorption-based hydrogen storage materials. I aimed to develop these materials for sustainable and economical hydrogen storage capacity at room temperature. The outcomes from my research can be applied to practical applications, including onboard hydrogen storage in fuel cell vehicles.

What was a highlight or favourite moment from your time at SFU?
During my third year, I won the 2021 Surrey Fire Fighters’ Linda Hepner Surrey Civic Leadership Bursary award. This award is given to students who embody leadership, volunteerism, and academic dedication with demonstrated ability to make a difference. For this award, I was nominated by my school director, which was rewarding as I was able to demonstrate what I wanted to represent as a SEE student, a first-generation immigrant, and a member of my community. 

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
Engineering is tough, with lots of simultaneous courses and deadlines but working with others helped me immeasurably. The teamwork required for an engineering degree, the common goal of a quality-driven result and the rewarding nature of sustainability as these goals are all part of what I want to portray as an engineering professional.

What advice would you like to share to students in their first year?
The lifelong connections that I have built inside and outside the classroom at SFU have been the greatest gift of my entire degree. Outside of the very interesting courses and fantastic faculty, building relationships with people at SFU whether they are students, TAs, professors, alumni, or staff gave my degree perspective, depth and purpose.

What are your current plans?
In mid-June, I will be starting a position as an energy management engineer-in-training (EIT) with PRISM Engineering, who is a consulting firm based in the lower mainland that focuses on saving energy and a more sustainable world. I am really excited to be part of a consulting firm that is people driven and encompasses a wide variety of engineering practices. 

Felipe is among the first cohort of undergraduate students to graduate from the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. Read more here.