Cathy Kim
Cathy is a Master’s student in the Advanced Materials for Energy Storage Group at UBC Okanagan, under Dr. Jian Liu’s group. She completed her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Dongguk University. Cathy’s research focuses on innovative anode materials for enhanced aqueous zinc ion batteries, specifically exploring Zn-Al alloys to address current limitations in battery technology. She is passionate about developing next-generation energy solutions that are safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. She joined the Net0MM program, with the hope to engage with diverse researchers who are advancing sustainability and to gain a deeper understanding of her work’s impact in this field. Outside of her academic pursuits, Cathy enjoys unwinding through playing video games.
Supervisor: Jian Liu
Justin Koh
Having an inquisitive curiosity as to how the world works at the molecular level, Justin completed his undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Biology at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. His undergraduate research experience spans polymer, main-group, and organometallic chemistry, leading him to pursue a PhD at UBC. His current work focuses on developing indium-based catalysts for synthesizing high-molecular-weight cyclic polymers, which exhibit promising novel material properties, along with its potential applications in biodegradability and bio-renewable sourcing. For Justin, sustainability is key in today’s world – he is eager to engage with industry professionals from diverse fields to integrate scientific insights into real-world solutions. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing riichi mahjong and can often be found engaging in a game, or staying active at the gym.
Supervisor: Parisa Mehrkhodavandi
Keegan Milliken
Keegan completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Victoria and worked briefly in the oil and gas cementing industry. During his undergraduate studies, he was exposed to the diverse field of organometallics and worked on clathrochelates for radiotherapy. In 2024, Keegan started a PhD in Laurel Schafer’s group. He hopes to use the powerful tools developed by the Schafer group to help tackle the problem of recyclable rubber. Through the Net0MM program, he hopes to gain the skills necessary to bring a sustainable material to world. Outside of research, Keegan enjoys walking and hiking in the local landscape as long as there is a coffee to be had along the way.
Supervisor: Laurel Schafer
Jamie Olson
Jamie completed her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at UBC Okanagan. Her undergraduate research experience solidified her decision to pursue an MASc in Mechanical Engineering. Her current research focuses on land use for solar-driven carbon dioxide capture and conversion systems, aiming to balance efficiency with environmental impact. She looks forward to gaining experience in sustainability-driven innovations and is excited about the Net0MM program’s courses, workshops, and industrial internship segment, as opportunities for further education and professional growth. Outside of research, she enjoys painting, reading, and spending time outdoors during the summer.
Supervisor: Alex Tavasoli
Karan Santuka
Karan completed his undergraduate degree in Materials Engineering at UBC and is now pursuing an MASc in Mechanical Engineering. His undergraduate experiences sparked his passion for sustainable development, shaping his research focus on the techno-economic assessment of a novel silicon wafer manufacturing process for solar cells. By applying process engineering and modelling principles, he aims to produce a feasibility report that informs decision-makers and stakeholders about the potential of leveraging Canadian resources to advance clean energy technology. Through the Net0MM program, Karan hopes to connect with industry experts and like-minded individuals to explore innovative ideas in sustainability. Outside of research, he enjoys long walks around campus on sunny days and welcomes a challenge in chess or board games if it’s raining.
Supervisor: Alex Tavasoli
Omer Shinnawy
Omer completed his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at UBC in May 2024. During his studies, he explored various fields, including oil and gas, water treatment, and energy storage, before developing a strong interest in electrochemical processes for sustainable practices. His current work involves a patent-pending work on electrochemical cell designed to extract lithium from seawater at the working electrode, paired with a secondary reaction of value at the counter electrode. This innovation holds promise in enhancing the market attractiveness of seawater lithium extraction, thereby addressing the growing demand for lithium in today’s society. Through the Net0MM program, Omer aims to learn how to commercialize processes from lab-scale to full-scale production, with a particular interest in addressing the challenges associated with scale-up. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games, reading novels, or scuba diving when the weather permits.
Supervisor: Kiana Amini
Aum Wagh
Aum completed his Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering at UBC, and started his Master’s degree in May 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Yasmine Abdin. With a passion in composite materials and sustainable development, Aum is currently researching methods of modelling the mechanical behavior of natural fiber composites, with the aim to reduce uncertainty and improve reliability and accuracy in engineering design. He hopes to interact with other like-minded individuals through the Net0MM program, as well as to gain exposure to research being conducted in the field of sustainability. He is also excited about the internship opportunity and the i2I program. In his leisure time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, and climbing.
Supervisor: Yasmine Abdin