Alumni Profiles
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Juggling art, design and science
Cartoonist Armin Mortazavi lives at the intersection of storytelling and education. His bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from UBC (BSc ‘14) and master’s from the Centre for Digital Media enable him to combine his love for science and the arts.Were you always interested in cartooning… read more
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CBC’s Emily Chung is upbeat on the science beat
Emily Chung (PhD’ 04) has been a science and technology journalist with CBC for 12 years. Before that, she wrote a chemistry column for YES Mag, a science magazine for kids, among many other writing gigs. We talked to her about the state of science and tech reporting.We’ve seen a trend in the past… read more
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Biochem alumnus sees big potential for tiny yeast
Biochemist and molecular biologist Matthew Dahabieh (BSc 06’, MSc 08’, PhD 13’) originally planned to head to medical school, but along the way got sidetracked by a tiny but mighty microorganism. Now Dahabieh is on the lookout for problems he can solve with yeast.When did you get interested in… read more
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Designing video games for people who don't like games
Brie Code (BSc 01) built her career as lead programmer on the hugely successful Assassin's Creed game franchise. But a chance conversation with her cousin changed her entire view of what a video game could, and should, be.How did you become interested in video games?I had the game The Colonel's… read more
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Vancouver craft brew pioneer pours botany, biology into the mix
These days breweries are popping up all over Vancouver. But when botanist James Walton (BSc 1985) founded Storm Brewing in 1994 he was basically flying solo. Today, Storm is the longest running craft brewery in the city.When did you first start making beer?When I was a kid my dad bought an… read more
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Physicist turned filmmaker explores hidden histories
Alejandro Yoshizawa explains how oral storytelling drove him to become a filmmaker.Alejandro Yoshizawa (BSc’09) is a Vancouver filmmaker and UBC adjunct professor in Theatre and Film, and Asian Canadian and Asian Migration studies. His latest film, the award winning All Our Father’s Relations (2016… read more
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Chemistry alumna hits the sweet spot
Eagranie Yuh (BSc’ 03) used her degree in organic chemistry to further her culinary skills, specializing in French pastry and artisanal chocolate making. Now she works in corporate communications, regularly pens food articles, and has written a book about the art of chocolate tasting.How much… read more
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Slave to the screen
Benjamin Wong (BSc 98) quickly veered from the lab into counselling after graduating from UBC. For the past decade he’s been treating video game addiction—and he has advice on what parents can do to make the most of screen time.Were you always interested in video games?I was a gamer myself. There… read more
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A 'beary' interesting trip to China
Nicholas Pilfold’s (BSc 2007 Life Sciences) passion is studying bears and traveling to distant places. His career as a wildlife researcher has landed him in some tricky situations—like having to jump start a car near a pride of African lions. Now he’s headed to China to help conserve giant pandas… read more
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Biologist goes from the lab to literature
Biologist Kristi Charish (PhD’ 11) is making strides as an urban fantasy author. Her first novel, Owl and the Japanese Circus, came out in 2015. The sequel, Owl and the City of Angels, is out now as an e-book. Another series of books, Kincaid Strange, was published in 2016 by Random House… read more