On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, we proudly celebrated the Class of 2026 as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees. To both our undergraduate and graduate students – we are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with you and to acknowledge the immense time, effort, and dedication you have poured into making this achievement a reality.
As you begin this exciting new chapter – whether you are entering the job market, pursuing another degree, or learning new skills – remember to take a moment to step back, reflect, and cherish how far you have come. Be sure to celebrate this achievement with your peers, faculty, and staff who have championed and supported you along the way.
While we welcome you into your new identity as our newest alumni, this isn’t a final goodbye. We hope you will stay connected, join us at future events, and return to share your unique journeys and stories with the next generation of engineers.
Congratulations once again – you are now an accomplished engineer, and the world awaits your contributions!
Bringing together two other faculty members at UBC – Dr. Kwang Ho Kim (Forestry) and Dr. Andrew Jorgenson (Sociology), this project aims to address the urgent global challenge of climate change by developing an integrated approach to sustainably capture anthropogenic carbon while simultaneously accounting for social, political, and economic dimensions.
The NFRF Exploration program targets research that is high-risk, high-reward, and interdisciplinary. It seeks to inspire highly innovative projects that defy current research paradigms, propose a unique scientific direction, bring disciplines together beyond the traditional disciplinary approaches.
We are proud to announce that two of our faculty members in the Department of Materials Engineering have been named Canada Research Chairs (CRC). They are among the 14 UBC chairs announced on May 13, 2026, by the Government of Canada.
The Canada Research Chair program is one of the nation’s most prestigious honors, designed to attract and retain a diverse cadre of the world’s most accomplished researchers and talents. This recognition speaks to our department’s steadfast commitment to research excellence and our efforts in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Meet our two new Canada Research Chairs:
Assistant Professor Kiana Aminihas been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Electrochemical Systems for Energy Storage and Carbon Capture. Her research leverages electrochemistry to develop devices that facilitate the transition to cleaner energy, with a specific focus on redox flow batteries, carbon dioxide capture, and lithium extraction.
Professor Ben Britton has been named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Multiscale Correlative Electron Microscopy. Dr. Britton’s research focuses on advancing our understanding of microstructure through innovative characterization techniques. He is a specialist in deformation, microstructure, and high-resolution electron microscopy.
Sheida Nikkhah graduated in 2023 with a MASc in Materials Engineering and currently serves as a Method Engineer at Highland Foundry Ltd in Coquitlam, BC. In this role, she leverages Solid Cast software to simulate and predict casting defects, such as shrinkage and hot tears, and utilizes SolidWorks to design efficient feeding systems. Beyond design, Sheida oversees quality assurance and performs critical repairs to ensure defect-free production. She also collaborates closely with the materials, molding, and inspection teams to maintain a seamless and integrated manufacturing process.
Her graduate studies at UBC were instrumental in honing her expertise in metallurgical processes, mechanical testing, and advanced characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, and EBSD – all of which are vital to her daily responsibilities. Reflecting on her transition to industry, Sheida noted, “My master’s research project, which investigated aluminum alloys in collaboration with Ford, provided invaluable experience in practical problem-solving. This background prepared me for the cross-functional teamwork and technical rigor required in my current role.”
Learn more about Sheida’s journey and why she chose to pursue Materials Engineering at UBC here.
Toni Tang earned her PhD in Materials Engineering in 2018 and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia. In her role, she leads a robust research program in biomechanics, where she manages experimental labs, secures research grants, and mentors the next generation of graduate students. Her work focuses on the structure-mechanics relationships of biological tissues, such as bone, cartilage, and tendons, to address complex musculoskeletal challenges.
Her doctoral studies at UBC provided the vital foundation for her academic career, honing her expertise in the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and advanced characterization techniques like electron microscopy. A defining moment of her graduate journey was receiving the Friedman Scholarship, which allowed her to conduct transformative research at the Max Planck Institute. Reflecting on her experience, Toni noted, “UBC provided access to cutting-edge research facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, which were essential for my growth. These core skills form the foundation of my current work, allowing me to lead research initiatives and advance biomechanics research effectively.”
Learn more about Toni’s journey and her advice for prospective students here.
