Johanne Akpaloo
Johanne earned her undergraduate degree in Materials Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Materials Engineering at UBC, working with the Composite Research Network. Her penchant for sustainability and composites began with her undergraduate research on bamboo polymer-based composites for drone body parts, aimed at supporting sustainable technological and infrastructural development in her home country. Now with sustainable development a driving factor, her current research will focus on the intersection of sustainable polymer matrix systems and their digitalization; an emerging area in recyclable materials for manufacturing. She is most excited about the i2I and industrial internship aspects of the Net0mm program as it gives her space to explore paths in entrepreneurship, academia or industry. Beyond academics, she enjoys baking, reading a good fantasy novel and binge-watching her favorite tv shows.
Supervisor: Anoush Poursartip
Jae Bjornerud-Brown
Jae received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Victoria, where her work in organometallic chemistry sparked a lasting interest in sustainable chemistry. Now a PhD candidate in the chemistry department, she is developing indium-catalyzed methods to create a scope of methacrylate and cyclic ester-containing block copolymers with improved biodegradability and renewable sourcing potential. Through the Net0MM program, Jae is eager not only to connect with researchers and industry leaders but also to broaden her perspective on how chemistry can drive real-world sustainable solutions. Outside of the lab, she can often be found baking or recharging outdoors on long walks or hikes.
Supervisor: Parisa Mehrkhodavandi
Quentin Chan
Quentin earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at McGill University, where his undergraduate research experience in organic photovoltaic materials stimulated his passion for sustainability. After a two-year stint working at Miru Smart Technologies, a startup aiming to commercialize energy-efficient window glazing, Quentin decided to pursue his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Laurel Schafer, aiming to bring his diverse experience to develop sustainable & recyclable plastics. He is excited to be part of the Net0MM program and is eager to apply his training to incubate new, sustainable materials from the lab. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new video games, especially independent titles.
Supervisors: Laurel Schafer
Mandy Chen
Mandy completed her Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC. Her research focuses on the design and development of capacitive sensors with applications in musical instrument training as well as speech and language services. Through her work, she seeks to integrate eco-friendly and recyclable materials into sensor design, contributing to sustainable development and waste reduction. As a participant in the Net0MM program, she aims to gain deeper insight into sustainability and explore opportunities for collaboration with people working in different fields. Outside of the lab, Mandy enjoys cooking and playing video games.
Supervisor: John Madden
Vivian Chen
Vivian received her Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials Engineering from UBC in May 2025 and is now pursuing her MASc in Materials Engineering under the supervision of Profs. Kiana Amini and Qingshi Tu. Her graduate research focuses on the life cycle analysis of organic redox flow batteries, with the aim of assessing their environmental footprint and practical feasibility for large-scale implementation. She brings a diverse background of industry and research experiences spanning fuel cells, electrolyzers, mineral extraction, and corrosion studies, which has cultivated her strong interest in applied electrochemistry and sustainable energy technologies. Through the Net0MM program, Vivian hopes to deepen her understanding of entrepreneurship and techno-economic assessment, equipping her with practical skills for both her project and future career. In her free time, she enjoys baking and drawing.
Supervisors: Kiana Amini and Qingshi Tu
Ryan Davison
Ryan completed his undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University in chemical engineering. Through his studies and co-op experiences, he learned about the importance of sustainability in engineering and in industrial processes. Following his undergraduate degree, Ryan decided to pursue an MASc in chemical engineering at UBC, focusing his research on carbon capture and sequestration. Through his research and studies, he hopes to assist in reaching net zero emissions goals and mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial processes. Ryan is excited to join the Net0MM program to participate in courses, workshops and internships, furthering his knowledge and experience around sustainable engineering and to connect with like minded individuals working towards similar goals. Outside of school and research, Ryan enjoys travelling, golfing, hockey and hiking.
Supervisor: Naoko Ellis
Arush Gaur
Arush Gaur completed his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Resources, Environment, and Sustainability. He is passionate about policy-making and research on climate change mitigation. In his undergrad, he studied the impacts of geo-engineering (artificial means to offset global warming) on extreme rainfall events over India by analysing General Circulation Models (GCMs). Another project worked on understanding the impact of climate change on rainfall patterns, which would further change optimal cropping patterns in India based on factors like water availability, land use distribution and crop type. Besides establishing a clear linkage between temperature rise and rainfall patterns, these projects also motivated him to explore possible options to mitigate GHG-induced warming via technological or policy-led approaches. He aspires to engage in impactful research towards decarbonisation and Net Zero goals by combining quantitative and engineering solutions with social-ecological centred policy making. In his spare time, Arush enjoys travelling in nature, reading, swimming and studying global affairs.
Supervisor: Milind Kandlikar
Jasmine Lee
Passionate about driving climate action through engineering solutions and community leadership, Jasmine is thrilled to bolster net-zero feasibility in Canada’s manufacturing sector through the Net0MM program. Upon completing her BASc in Manufacturing Engineering at UBC, Jasmine has been helping major companies tackle decarbonization, climate risk mitigation and adaptation, and low-carbon transition planning at EcoAct (Schneider Electric). Through her MASc in Materials Engineering in the Rio Tinto Aluminum Group, she is currently pursuing the effective implementation of circular economy methods across the net-zero manufacturing supply chain. Outside of her engineering work, Jasmine is a co-founder of the Aloera Climate Creative Society, where she leads interdisciplinary climate engagement and citizen science projects across the Lower Mainland.
Supervisors: Warren Poole and Chad Sinclair