Congratulations to Chloe Stanford and Raymond Zhang for being awarded the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM) Book Prize!
Chloe and Raymond, both UBC Materials Engineering undergraduate students, were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements at the recent CIM event. The evening featured networking opportunities, engaging speakers, a sit-down dinner, and games. It concluded with the presentation of awards, followed by a group photo with all recipients.
“I really enjoyed the CIM Student and Industry night and having the opportunity to network and hear directly from some of the top companies!“– Chloe Stanford
“I am very grateful to the department and CIM for the award and look forward to exploring my options in industry of materials, mining and metallurgy!” – Chloe Stanford
“This prize inspires me to contribute meaningfully to the hydrometallurgy field by addressing real-world challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Events like CIM have also equipped me with the insights and connections to pursue impactful work that blends problem-solving with creating value for communities and industries alike.” – Raymond Zhang
“The CIM event provided an excellent platform for students to see how their knowledge can be applied to make a positive impact in the world. I particularly valued the chance to connect with fellow students and industry professionals, gaining valuable insights into what it’s like to work in the field.” – Raymond Zhang
The CIM Book Prize honors students for their exceptional accomplishments and commitment to advancing their education in mining, materials, and metallurgy. We are proud to celebrate their hard work and excellence in Materials Engineering. Congratulations again, Chloe and Raymond!
Currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute for Physical Metallurgy and Materials Physics at RWTH Aachen, Lukas Berners spent six months at UBC as a visiting PhD student in Dr. Ben Britton’s research group, studying atomic changes in Nb-Ni and Nb-Co alloys using advanced Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)-based methods.
1. Please describe your academic background.
I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Materials Science from RWTH Aachen, with a focus on metallic materials such as Al- and Mg-alloys and steels. My current research project at Aachen involves exploring the co-deformation of Mg-Al-Ca alloys and using EBSD in Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) to identify small or crystallographically complex phases.
2. What attracted you to UBC and the Department of Materials Engineering?
Dr. Ben Britton’s research group at UBC has strong expertise and support in advanced materials characterization techniques using SEM, and I am eager to further expand my knowledge and skills in this area. The strong collaboration and close ties between my home institution and UBC in the past also played a key role in my decision to visit.
3. Can you tell us about how a typical week is like to you at UBC and in Vancouver?
In our group, we have a rather flexible schedule for conducting experiments under a microscope or analyzing the collected data. Every Wednesday, we hold a group meeting, where group members present their research or dive into in-depth discussions of journal publications. We also follow a hybrid work schedule, and when I need to be on campus, I usually bike up the hill to UBC.
4. How has the RWTH-MITACS-NRC collaboration at UBC enrich your overall graduate experience? Can you share some of your fondest memories here?
“I had many insightful discussions with my colleagues about their research topics. It was fascinating to observe the wide range of materials being studied here, and the many methods used by the group.”I believe I’ve gained new perspectives on how to approach questions, and I hope to assist my colleagues at UBC as well.
“I particularly enjoyed the moments when either I or one of my colleagues here discovered interesting microstructures in our samples.”
Beyond the microscope
5. What advice would you offer to students coming from Europe planning to visit UBC? How can they be better prepared?
Personally, I had a great experience navigating my daily life at UBC or in Vancouver. The campus is very beautiful, with lots of trees and nearby parks, as well as a number of museums, and even a botanical garden!
“Some of the nuances I have noticed throughout my stay here are differing conventions for time, days, and the naming of building floors. It is also important to give time to your body to adapt to the new sleeping cycle due to time zone difference. You will also need to be aware of time difference while catching up with friends and family in Europe during your time in Canada.“
6. What tips would you give to other visiting students for making connections in Vancouver?
I would recommend checking out the student’s clubs at UBC and sports club available in the city. I joined the board games club at UBC regularly and was fortunate to meet some nice people. I was also living in a house with roommates, so it was convenient to get suggestions on where to visit and what to avoid around the city.
7. What’s one surprising thing you’ve discovered about Vancouver/ Canada since arriving?
“Everything is bigger than what I was used to back home – from packing units in the grocery stores to cars and serving sizes in restaurants.”
8. How would you describe your Vancouver experience in three words? And if you could take one aspect of Vancouver back home with you, what would it be?
“Lively, Nature, Versatile.”
The proximity to both the mountains and the sea! A one-hour bus ride can take you to the North Shore mountains, but you can also enjoy completely flat bike rides around Richmond and other areas of the Lower Mainland if you’d like.
From Snowboarding Competitions to Corrosion Research
Currently a Corrosion Researcher at FPInnovations, Matthew Tunnicliffe graduated from UBC Materials Engineering in 2009. He earned a Master of Applied Science in Materials, Corrosion, and Electrochemistry at UBC MTRL in 2011. His undergraduate years were marked by camaraderie and friendships formed while studying materials and metallurgy, and he was involved with the UBC Ski and Board club and UBC Surf club. Matthew was known for studying remotely as he competed in snowboard cross on the BC Provincial team and Canada’s High Performance program, participating in over 20 World Cups during his studies.
1. Can you tell me about your current job? How did you end up with it?
The final course I took during my undergrad was on corrosion, which piqued my interest in completing a master’s degree (and allowed me more time to pursue my dream of making the 2010 Olympics). This course laid the foundation for my continued education and my current position at FPInnovations. After missing out on the Olympics and completing my M.A.Sc, I was searching for corrosion jobs and found a corrosion group on campus in the forestry industry. It hadn’t been updated in some time but I submitted my resume anyway serendipitously just as a researcher was leaving the company. I took over their role as a materials and corrosion expert and have been at it ever since.
2. What does a typical day look like for you? Does a typical day exist?
Corrosion experiments tend to be lengthy and require simulating a specific process environment often running for 24 hours and up to 500 or 1,000 hours. These environments range from room temperature to 1,000°C and pH from 0 to 13. There are usually three main phases to my days:
#1: Beginning every day, I ensure that the experiments are are stable and that no spills or hazards were generated overnight.
#2: After the morning walkthrough, I check in with the technologists who run experiments to determine what’s next to study and what setups require assembly or address specific equipment that isn’t working as anticipated.
#3: The rest of the day involves communicating with industry contacts to better understand the challenges they face daily, reviewing literature for current project work and ensuring our experiments are aligned, and supporting fellow researchers who may encounter corrosion problems in their field of study.
3. How did your Masters degree in materials engineering help shape your career progression?
“My master’s degree helped me to focus on an area of materials research that I find interesting and allowed me to explore a niche subject, narrowing my job search to a specific field. I feel fortunate to have continued working in this same field I specialized in, and especially to have found this position after completing my masters. “
I really enjoy my work at FPInnovations because I have the opportunity to see material challenges in industry, demonstrate it in the laboratory and then present my findings internally and eventually publish a paper on the topic.
4. What opportunities do you see for materials graduates in your field?
From a materials of construction and corrosion perspective, the pulp and paper industry probably has the widest range of corrosion challenges in a single plant.
“I would also say that completing my education at UBC positioned me very well to get my foot in the door at a research institute.”
5. What advice would you give to someone entering this field?
After my undergrad and master’s, I would say I wish I had known how much I didn’t know! Learning theory and completing assignments is one thing at school, but seeing issues firsthand, climbing in and out of equipment, and applying what you’ve learned is where the real fun and satisfaction begins. I would recommend that while digital resources are becoming more prevalent, the answer to many problems I face daily can still be derived from a book in a library.
6. How do you think your MTRL degree sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
“My degrees helped me understand the existence of many industry processes and fields. My exposure to these fields early on helped me be a better researcher in my current line of work.”
Currently a Senior Consultant for water management/ treatment at SRK Consulting, Shannon completed her BASc in Materials Engineering in 2014. Her favorite memory was the industrial field trips to Ontario and Washington with her peers and professors. She was highly involved in extracurriculars, serving as President of the MTRL UG Club (2013/14) and Engineers Without Borders (2012/13). Shannon also completed four co-op terms during her studies at UBC, including a memorable 8-month placement at a Potash mine in Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan.
1. Could you share about your current role in the consulting industry and the journey that led you to it?
I currently work as a Senior Consultant with a specific focus in water management/ treatment at SRK Consulting. I help mining clients in addressing their water-related challenges. After completing my MTRL degree, I joined Hatch as a hydrometallurgical EIT, where I was exposed to a variety of mining projects and this sparked my interest in the environmental aspects of the industry. This led me to pursue a Masters of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, specializing in water technologies and process design, at the University of Toronto. Since then, I have been working with my current company. Both my degrees work hand-in-hand, providing me with the knowledge and understanding to tackle the projects I work on today.
2. How does a typical day look like for you as a consulting engineer?
It is common to spend the entire day working in front of my desk doing a mix of technical work, project management, meetings, and clients’ interactions. However, the “engineering” nature of my work keeps things challenging but exciting and enjoyable at the same time, as the problems required to be solved are rarely the same. I also appreciate the opportunities to do field work periodically, which allows me to visit mine sites and facilities, meet clients in-person, and gain new perspectives, which can be difficult to acquire sitting in front of a desk.
3. How does your career now compare to how you originally envisioned your career in undergrad?
All my co-op work terms did not involve consulting work; hence, I knew very little about how it was going to be. I definitely wasn’t prepared to sit on my desk for eight hours a day. At the same time, I believe it is also hard to know what engineers actually do when you are in your undergrad because it’s so different compared to working in academia.
4. How does your work intersect with other disciplines/fields and how do you navigate working among a diverse group of colleagues?
I often work with people from different academic backgrounds in science and engineering (environmental, civil, chemical, mining, geotechnical, forestry, biology, etc.) because the environmental aspects of mining intersect with each process/ team in the mining industry.
“I navigate working with a diverse group of people by being upfront with what I do and do not understand. Nobody knows everything and often you aren’t the only one who may not understand what someone else is saying. I strongly believe that communication is key in engineering. Developing the ability to justify your thoughts, reason your answers, and communicate your plan and actions are essential at a workplace.”
5. You did a master’s degree before moving to your current role. How did your graduate degree help you to transition to your current role?
My MEng degree provided the formal education background that I needed on my resume and helped me secure my current role. “Interestingly, water management and treatment apply the same chemistry principles as metallurgy—rather than refining ore to concentrate a specific metal, the focus is on removing or reducing constituent concentrations in water that has come into contact with ore or waste rock before it’s discharged into the environment.”
6. What advice do you give someone when looking at possibly doing graduate school after their undergraduate degree and after having already started work?
Take time to figure out what you want to do in your job, ask yourself what your priorities and goals are when it comes to your career. Once you can answer that, it will be much easier to decide whether graduate school (and/ or the type of degree) is right for you.
7. What do you wish you had known about your career path when you were a student?
I wish I had known that I would be working with people who are doing the same job as me but from a different engineering/science background.
“There is no “right” way to get to where you want to and sometimes a job opportunity may take you somewhere that ends up exposing you to work that you didn’t even know you would have liked. Stay open-minded!”
8. How did materials engineering help you get to the career you have today? How do you think your education at UBC MTRL sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
Honestly, it feels somewhat random—I could have pursued a similar career with a different engineering degree, as many of my colleagues in the same role come from various academic backgrounds. It’s hard to compare since I haven’t experienced other engineering programs directly. Though speaking from my own experience, smaller class sizes at UBC MTRL allowed me to build stronger connections with peers and professors.
“I also found materials engineering to be very diverse, offering exposure to many different applications. I believe people who study materials engineering end up in many different industries and types of engineering jobs.”
Currently a Research Technologist with the electrochemistry and corrosion team at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Ryan Grutze graduated from UBC Materials Engineering in 2018. His fondest memory of undergrad is the strong community of students, staff, and professors in the department. Ryan was very involved with the MTRL Undergraduate Club and the Engineering Undergraduate Society, where he made lasting friendships. He gained diverse co-op experiences in the R&D field across three major material categories – metals (steel), ceramics (geopolymer), and composites (aerospace).
1. Can you tell me about your current job? How did you end up with it?
I am a research technologist with the electrochemistry and corrosion team at Los Alamos National Laboratory. After working in the metro Vancouver area post-grad, I decided that I wanted a change in my life, so I went on a bikepacking trip in Europe for 3 months. This prompted me, upon return, to move back to the US, where I later applied for and accepted my position at Los Alamos.
“I never would have imagined I could work at Los Alamos National Laboratory without a PhD.” When I was younger, I envisioned working in the cycling industry making bikes, but I found that I enjoyed working in the chemistry side of materials engineering more.
2. What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day does not exist in the R&D engineering field! I would say work is about 75% hands on and 25% computer modeling. I juggle 3-6 projects such as electroplating samples, designing new equipment/processes, lab improvements/upgrades, and modeling electrochemical processes.
3. What opportunities do you see for materials engineering graduates in the field you are working in?
I believe there will always be research and development opportunities in the US and Canadian governments. I also believe that electrochemistry is quickly becoming a dominant field with the rise of cheaper renewable energy and advances in materials science to displace entrenched industrial processes.
Opportunities in metal production like Boston Metal (iron and steel), Magrathea (magnesium), Lilac Solutions (lithium), Cyclic Materials (rare earth metals), LiCycle (battery material recycling), and Redwood Materials (battery material recycling). Opportunities in battery production like eZinc (zinc batteries), Peak Energy (sodium batteries), Form Energy (iron-air batteries). Opportunities in carbon capture like Verdox (electrochemical CO2 capture). Opportunities in hydrogen production like Electric Hydrogen.
4. How did your materials engineering degree lead you to get the job you have?
“It provided the building blocks and resources (fundamental knowledge, physical notes, awareness to solve problems, and social connections) to gain work experience which ultimately led to my current position.”
5. How do you think your MTRL degree sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
I believe that materials science is the foundation for all other major disciplines (mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical), therefore, you can’t go into those fields without a solid understanding of materials science and engineering!
“I think the close-knit community of the MTRL department is a big advantage over other programs.”
Currently a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law, with a focus on patent and trademark law at Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP , Roni Jones graduated from UBC Materials Engineering in 2009. Roni’s fondest memories from his undergraduate years are the time spent with his close-knit group of classmates, studying together, playing foosball in the student lounge, and taking class trips. Despite not being involved in extracurricular materials engineering activities, the bonds he formed with his peers have endured, and they still meet regularly 15 years later.
1. Your career might be considered ‘non-traditional’ for many materials engineers. Can you speak about how you ended up in your current role?
Even before choosing engineering, I was already considering a career in law, but knew I still had to complete at least three years of an undergraduate degree. I specifically chose materials engineering because I was really interested in the subject matter. “I enjoyed my time in the program so much that after graduation I still wasn’t entirely convinced that I was ready to leave it behind for law.” However, when I learned about roles where lawyers could use (and greatly benefit from) an engineering background, this finally swayed my decision, and specifically pushed me towards patent law.
2. What does a typical day look like for you? Does a typical day exist?
One of the things that I like most about my role is that my work varies greatly from day to day. In large part, this is because I work with clients in a wide range of industries and technology types (e.g., everything from semiconductor manufacturing to sporting goods). That means that even if I sometimes do spend a lot of time on the same type of task, each instance of that task is made entirely different by the underlying technology.
3. What opportunities do you see for materials engineering graduates in law? Is there growth in demand for engineers in this area?
“In my experience, it is highly desirable for patent lawyers to have a background in engineering or science in order to better understand clients’ technologies.”
As such, there is a demand for engineering graduates, including materials engineering graduates, in the field of patent law. This demand is heightened since very few engineering graduates attend law school.
4. What do you wish you had known about your career when you were a student?
“I wish that I had known how international this career can be.”
I work with lawyers around the world. These other lawyers help me to help my clients obtain global protection and in turn, I help these lawyers to help their clients obtain protection in Canada. “Getting to work with and know people from all around the world was unexpected for me but is one of the best parts of my job.”
5. What barriers need to be overcome to enter the field?
Entering and completing law school is the first barrier to becoming a patent lawyer, but even after law school, there are further exams that must be passed in order to become a patent agent. That being said, it is possible to become a patent agent without being a lawyer. Non-lawyer patent agents are more limited in what they can do for clients, but this can still be a great career.
6. How do you think your MTRL degree sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
“While obtaining my degree in materials engineering, I learned about a wide variety of subjects applicable in a wide variety of industries. This helped me to understand that I did not want to limit my career to a single industry.”
My career in patent law allows me to work with clients in a large number of industries and to learn about a wide range of technologies.
7. How do you think your MTRL degree sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
When we hire new lawyers, we typically try to look for people with a background relevant to the industries and technologies where we have a lot of work. Materials engineering has broad applications and can be relevant to many industries and technologies. This breadth of knowledge was an asset in obtaining my job and continues to be an asset to this day as I work with clients in so many different industries.
Currently a Senior Superintendent of Processing at Sepon LXML in Laos, Devy Dyson graduated from UBC Materials Engineering with a BASc (2015) and MASc (2017). His fondest undergraduate memories were field trips to industrial plants in Toronto and Seattle, the daily grind in Frank Forward, and Foosball matches in the clubroom. During his studies, Devy worked with Dr. Edouard Asselin’s group on extractive metallurgy, a research area he further pursued in his Master’s degree, focusing on autoclave chemistry and kinetics modeling of the zinc pressure leaching process.
1. Could you share about your current role and the journey that led you to it?
I currently work as a Senior Superintendent of Processing at Sepon LXML, a major gold-copper mine in Laos in Southeast Asia, managing around 150 employees and have six direct reports. I started out working with Barrick Gold – one of my Master’s sponsors, focusing on autoclave chemistry. Over time, my career grew from being an autoclave metallurgist to expanding my knowledge on many extractive processes.
2. How does a typical day look like for you?
My day to day is very engaging – starting with routine meetings to ensure we’re doing everything we can to hit gold and copper production targets. Sometimes, equipment can break down unexpectedly and it is up to us to troubleshoot the process to maintain process throughput. This requires great knowledge on both the mechanical and chemical processes to mitigate losses and identify production opportunities. Beyond the regular meetings, I am involved in long-term technical planning. For instance, exploring options for future ore source treatment and developing capital projects.
3. What aspects of your current role do you find the most rewarding?
“It is exciting to work with multidisciplinary groups and achieve a common objective of producing more metals while promoting sustainability.”
There are many opportunities to contribute to the country’s economics and sustainability goals. It’s incredibly rewarding when small process improvements lead to substantial gains in revenue and profit. In 2022, we had a successful recovery enhancement project that took six months, but we were able to boost the recovery by 10% from technical testing programs, resulting in an equivalent revenue gain of over $30M.
4. How does your career now compare to how you originally envisioned your career in undergrad?
I never envisioned myself going beyond chief engineer, but my passion for this sector grew rapidly. I realized that I never had “bad” days at work and didn’t mind putting in extra hours as the satisfaction of helping others and achieving career goals drove my motivation. Over time, I realized that management was the path I wanted to pursue.
“Leading teams and developing people’s talent, while maintaining a strong technical foundation, is a great way to tackle major challenges in the sector.”
5. What are the 3 biggest challenges facing the extractive sector today?
Some challenges I have observed in this sector include:
#1: Ore grades are declining, and easily extractable ores are depleting. Extracting the remaining complex ores will require extensive processing to ensure economic recovery.
#2: Establishing a fixed flowsheet is challenging as orebodies evolve over life-of-mine. Additionally, equipment design and installation take time to implement.
#3: Demand is outgrowing supply due to the shift of energy transitions across various sectors.
6. What advice would you give to someone entering this field? What barriers need to be overcome to enter the field?
Field experience is invaluable. “Take opportunities to visit engineers working in the extractive metallurgy sector and get a first-hand feel into the career.” Though it took some convincing for me to leave the beautiful city, it has been a phenomenal experience stepping out of my comfort zone in Vancouver for work. “Stay curious and challenge industry assumptions – fresh perspectives often lead to innovative solutions. Go the extra mile by building relationships with colleagues, mentors, and professors, and by getting involved in industry organizations. These experiences will help you discover your passion and shape your career roadmap.”
7. How does a materials engineering degree, compared to a mining degree, lead to a career in the extractive sector?
A materials engineering degree offers a unique path into the extractive sector, where metal processing plays a crucial role. “Unlike mining, which focuses on ore movement, processing metals is often the most complex and impactful aspect of production. It dictates the operations of other departments and has the greatest potential to drive profitability. “
“Therefore, the industry is often in need of metallurgists, which, in my opinion, makes this field even more valuable and exciting.”
8. How do you think your education at UBC MTRL sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
We were fortunate to have a more intimate department where the bonds felt strong between peers compared to other Engineering disciplines. “UBC MTRL has some of the best professors in the field and is internationally recognized for its strong extractive metallurgy program.” There is a larger focus on hydrometallurgy rather than mineral processing, which many other metallurgists lack the expertise for.
“This is a major advantage to study extractive metallurgy at UBC MTRL and learn from the best!“
