Stay Connected with 34,000 Science Alumni

Drop us a line about recent accolades, professional successes, family developments or interesting world travel. It’s a fun, quick way to share stories, discoveries or innovations with fellow alumni. We’ll publish your submission right here on the website, in the Alumni Magazine Synergy, or in the UBC Science Connect E-Newsletter!

To submit your classnote, please contact Kim Duffell, the UBC Science Alumni Relations Manager at alumni@science.ubc.ca or send us an update via our online form!

You can also download a Word or PDF version of this form and send it in later!

----------

CLASSNOTES ~ Winter 2011

1960s
Retirement from University Life a Fiction
John Chrysochoos (PhD Physical Chemistry, 1964) owns a well-stamped passport reflecting a life in academia that included stints with Harvard, the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State in Ohio, the University of Western Ontario, and the universities of Crete and Patras. But don’t let rumours of his retirement fool you. Chrysochoos has merely switched from writing chemistry equations to writing non-fiction, with four books to his name: Beyond the Blue Ikarian Sea (2008), Elusive Dreams (2009), In Reason We Trust (2009) and Ikaria—Paradise in Peril (2010).

Alumnus Gets Back to His Roots
While a 100-acre family farm may have pulled this alumnus back to his roots, a degree in science and a legal career in the late 1970s laid the foundation for the growth of a distinguished community representative. Robert Dawson’s (BSc General Science, 1967 | LLB 1970) career in agriculture in the Okanagan has flourished: he is a lifetime member of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, and has served on numerous boards, including the Okanagan Similkameen Co-operative Growers Association, BC Tree Fruits Limited and Sun Rype. Dawson now represents the tree fruit and grape sectors with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, an industry-led not-for-profit that invests federal and provincial funds in agriculture and agri-food.

1970s

Sweet on UBC for Several Reasons
Not only has Tom Balabanov (BSc Biology, 1974) maintained a lifelong appreciation for UBC’s famous cinnamon buns, but also for his wife, whom he met on campus. The couple just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, have four children (the youngest also a UBC alumna) and host UBC home-stay students from other countries. A programmer with Central 1 Credit Union, Balabanov relishes lifelong learning (including continuing studies at UBC) and looks for the same trait when hiring colleagues.

Singing Emeritus
William Hsieh (BSc Mathematics and Physics, 1976 | MSc Physics, 1978 | PhD Physics and Oceanography, 1981) became a professor emeritus at UBC soon after turning 55. His relationship with UBC, aside from post-doctoral work in England and Australia, has been uninterrupted since his freshman days in 1972. Hsieh has taught in Earth and Ocean Sciences and in Physics and Astronomy, and has chaired the Atmospheric Science Program. Author of Machine Learning Methods in the Environmental Sciences (2009), an advanced graduate text that brings together his research efforts of the last two decades, Hsieh plans to expand the applications of machine learning methods from the field of artificial intelligence to oceans, the atmosphere and land surface processes. On another note, singing has been a lifelong passion, and Hsieh is working toward producing a CD of tenor songs and arias (including at least one duet with his wife Jean, a graduate of the UBC School of Music). Two years ago, he began practising Tai Chi for its health benefits, and found himself increasingly attracted to Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Hsieh also enjoys spending time with his daughters, ages 14 and 11.

1980s

Modification in Mangroves
Since graduation, Mei Sun (PhD Botany, 1986) has continued her research career at the University of California-Davis and the University of Hong Kong. She recently spent a few months as a visiting professor at Harvard and published findings (together with Eugenia Lo, currently a post-doctoral researcher at Yale) on natural hybridization in mangrove forests. Their research—published in the Public Library of Science—examines the biodiversity of mangrove ecosystems, the dynamic evolutionary consequences of hybridization and the genomic structure of hybrids and parental species.

Animal Lover Recognized
Romany Runnalls (BSc Zoology, 1987) has been recognized by the BC SPCA as the non-profit’s 2011 Philanthropist of the Year. “Romany is an outstanding example of philanthropic leadership,” says BC SPCA chief development officer Rosemary Conder. “Everything she gives, whether time or money, comes from her heart, and she inspires others to help abused and abandoned animals.” Runnalls joined the BC SPCA Kelowna Community Council last year and was recently elected to the society’s board of directors. The BC SPCA awards program honours people and animals who have made outstanding contributions to animal welfare.

1990s

New Role at Yellowhead
Charlene Higgins (MSc Zoology, 1991 | PhD Zoology, 1996) has been named Vice-President Environment, Community and First Nations Relations for Yellowhead Mining.
Ahead in the Clouds
Moe Kermani (BSc Physics, 1991 | MSc Physics, 1994 | PhD Physics, 1998) has been named Person of the Year by the BC Technology Industry Association. Kermani, former CEO of Bycast, received the award for his leadership in establishing the company’s presence in storage virtualization software for the large-scale cloud computing industry. In 2010, Bycast was acquired by NetApp, where Kermani is currently a vice-president. NetApp develops storage systems and software that help customers store and manage corporate data.

Discoveries Inside and Outside the Lab
Anthony Fejes’s (MSc Microbiology and Immunology, 2004) PhD thesis is investigating the use of computer algorithms to interpret how breast cancer operates through a cell’s DNA and RNA. “It’s absolutely incredible to gain an insight into what a cancer cell is trying to do and why it wants to do it. The next piece of the puzzle is how to use that information to help people with breast cancer.” But Fejes doesn’t just limit his discoveries to the lab. He keeps a keen eye on industry as a mentor for the Student Biotechnology Network and as a co-founder of the cross-disciplinary biotechnology company Zymeworks. Fejes blogs about bioinformatics, coding, graduate studies and a host of other topics. When he’s not working, he can be found hanging out with his family.

From Science to Sake
Adam Levine (MSc Resource Management and Environmental Studies, 2005) and his business partner have opened Electric Owl, an “izakaya-themed social club” offering Japanese tapas, live music and spectacle, cold beer and wine, sake and other treats for Vancouver’s young, creative crowd.

Sailing the Modern Seas of Piracy
Named one of the Most Creative People in Business 2011 by Fast Company, Shahrzad Rafadi (BSc Computer Science, 2007) has leveraged state-of-the-art search technologies to launch the media delivery company BroadbandTV. Her technology identifies user-uploaded copyrighted content (including YouTube videos), sells and serves ads with the content, and shares the ad revenue with the copyright owner.

2010s

Joining the Global Debate
Bryan Tsuyuki Tomlinson (BSc Psychology, 2010) is pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at the London School of Economics. Tomlinson will study alongside students from across the world, a perfect fit for a UBC Science graduate keen on investigating international life in an exciting, vibrant city.

Alumnus of Distinction Seeks Spicy Thai Food
Lifelong foodie Alia Dharamsi (BSc Integrated Sciences, 2010) has received a 2011 Young Woman of Distinction Award from the YWCA Metro Vancouver for her work as president and founder of the UBC Meal Exchange. The program raised over $56,000 worth of food and resources for the Strathcona Healthy Eating Program, Sheway, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the UBC Food Bank. “I met other passionate leaders who inspired me with their motivation and energy toward making Vancouver a more livable city,” says Dharamsi. “Looking back at my undergrad, I have to say that Meal Exchange was one of the driving factors that kept me yearning for knowledge and provided me with an opportunity to give back to the community that raised me.” Dharamsi just completed her first year of UBC medical school, and in the next few months she’ll be off to Southeast Asia and Japan to explore the cultures, experiences, history and foods that Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan have to offer.

From Ballet to Bacteria
Four years ago Rebecca Gordon (BSc Microbiology and Immunology, 2011) had set her sights on a career in contemporary ballet. Little did she know that four years later she would have a very different passion—international public health. As part of her degree, Gordon worked with a small, student-run non-profit, Global Initiative for Village Empowerment in Kenya, on their HIV/AIDS education and prevention project. Gordon taught life skills workshops to children in grades six through eight on topics such as condom use, HIV and voluntary counselling and testing, with the goal of increasing awareness, demolishing misconceptions and eliminating stigma. Now back from Kenya, Gordon is working as a research assistant with UBC PRE-EMPT, an international maternal health research project. The work allows her to learn the logistics involved in planning, coordinating and executing an international public health research project. She plans to continue her education with a master’s degree in international public health as well as medical school.

Research on Ice
Sabine Lague (BSc Animal Biology, 2011) is no stranger to grand adventures. Prior to graduation, she was selected as one of 50 participants in a multidisciplinary expedition to Antarctica led by the Canadian non-profit Students on Ice. The team conducted research—glaciology, geology, palaeontology, oceanography and marine ecology—in the unparalleled beauty and purity of the Antarctic ecosystem. As the team’s only Canadian biologist, Lague collaborated with marine mammal ecologists from Scotland to conduct population and behavioural surveys of penguins and seabirds. She now applies her Antarctic experience to graduate studies at UBC exploring the cardiovascular adaptations of bar-headed geese during their biannual migration over the Himalayas. Lague is also helping to establish the UBC Polar Club for researchers and enthusiasts who wish to study and help preserve the polar regions.

CLASSNOTES ~ Spring 2011

Olympic Glory Is All Relative

Nancy Ricker (PhD Botany, 1971) basked in reflected glory when her daughter Maëlle won the 2010 Winter Olympics Gold Medal for snowboard cross at Vancouver’s Cypress Bowl.

More Than Fish in the Ocean

Curtis Suttle (BSc Zoology, 1978 | PhD Botany, 1987) was awarded the 2010 AG Huntsman Award for Biological Oceanography and Fisheries Science in recognition of his extensive contribution to the field of marine sciences. Curtis, one of the world's leading marine virologists, is among a small group of researchers credited with launching the field of marine virology nearly 20 years ago. His contributions cross over many fields including biological oceanography, environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, virology and phycology.

Diamond Sharp Drafting Skills

Since graduation, Royanna Wild (BSc Geology, 1989) hasn’t strayed far from the minerals exploration community, although she left field work early on and became more involved in the office end of the industry. “While working in Vancouver, I met my husband (a georox), started a family, and then eventually we began working for ourselves by starting Wildrock Resources Consulting and Drafting. I still enjoy contracting to industry in GIS and drafting, as well as volunteering and sharing my enthusiasm for rocks and the mining industry with anyone who will listen!”

Balancing Health and Family

After a nine-month sabbatical to re-energize, reflect and plan, Jennifer Scrubb (BSc Biology, 1988 | MSc Human Kinetics, 1994) has worked to develop a career as a consultant in health promotion and education. “I’m thrilled with my decision and thoroughly enjoy the work I do! I live a balanced and full life by raising my beautiful daughter, enjoying local and international travel, volunteering, and remaining active.”

A recent Beyond the BSc volunteer speaker, Scrubb relished the opportunity to motivate science students to explore non-traditional career and educational options after graduation. “I think it’s important to remain involved as my own time at UBC enabled me to solidify my passion for health promotion and shape my own future.”

Good Communications Key to Good Chemistry

After wrapping up research position at the UBC School of Journalism, Eric Jandciu (MSc Chemistry, 2000) is coordinating UBC Science’s brand new Communicating Science course (SCIE 300). “Going to UBC helped gain access into my desired industry. I wouldn't be working in the field or teaching science communication without both my MSc and MJ credentials.”

Botany Graduates Are Patent Pending

Lee Johnson (PhD Botany, 2006) is now a patent lawyer with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, whose offices reside on the 37th floor of Place Ville Marie, the tallest office building in Montreal. Johnson and Mark Pidkowich (PhD Botany, 2001)--who is practicing patent law with Smart and Biggar in Vancouver--are training to become Canadian patent agents. It seems that doctoral research in botany opens unexpected doors!

Academic Pursuits

Ben Gilbert (PhD Botany, 2008) has relocated and is now an assistant professor at the University of Toronto.

Alumni Jon Nakane honoured with UBC Science - President's Award.
Congratulations to Jon Nakane (PhD, Physics 2006) who has been named to receive a 2011 Faculty of Science Achievement Award. Jon is a native of Vancouver and has earned 3 degrees from UBC, most recent being his PhD in Physics (2006). He has been with the Engineering Physics Project Lab since 2005 and Lab Director since 2007. He is heavily involved with the robotic course. (Phys 253).
These awards recognize staff, students and faculty whose contributions in areas such as service, administration, leadership and outreach have had a significant positive impact in achieving the goals of the Faculty of Science. See Faculty of Science Achievement Awards.