The applied sciences – architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, nursing, and planning – change society's conception of what is possible as a matter of course. Applied scientists make dreams real, turn ideas into practice. We embody the interface between present and future.

The Faculty of Applied Science comprises a unique constellation of professional disciplines including; Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Nursing and Community & Regional Planning. The core purpose shared across all of our four disciplines is to discover, create and apply knowledge, provide unwavering top-tier education and champion a community of responsible professionals devoted to serving a thriving, sustainable and healthy society. Our work and the professions which our graduates represent span the entire human-centred built environment. 

The disciplines within the Faculty of Applied Science are celebrated for the scope, strength and impact of their research activities. Our Faculty claims the spotlight in the global arena for our research in clean energy, communication and digital technologies, health and health technology among many others. We offer disciplinary-specific research based graduate programs as well as a range of professional graduate programs and pride ourselves on our ability to open doors of opportunity to students beyond their time within our Faculty.

Mission
We shape the people and the professions that shape the world.
 

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

or browse the list of faculty members in various academic units. You may click each unit to view faculty members appointed in that unit. View the full faculty member directory for more search and filter options.
Name Academic Unit(s) Research Interests
Browne, Annette School of Nursing Health inequalities, indigenous peoples, women's health, cultural safety, primary health care interventions to improve health outcomes, marginalized populations, health policy
Bungay, Vicky School of Nursing sexuality, sex work, harm reduction, drug use, intersectionality, ethnography, communication technologies, community based research, Health inequities affecting men and women working in the commercial sex industry and people who are street-involved, leadership, public health nursing, mental health, sexual health, HIV, and harm reduction programming
Bushe, William Kendal Department of Mechanical Engineering Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation; Automotive combustion and fuel engineering (including alternative and renewable fuels); Hypersonic propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics; Aerospace engineering, n.e.c.; Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Combustion; Reacting Flows; Energy Conversion Systems; clean energy
Byrne, Fionn School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture Landscape architecture; Design innovation; Landscape studies (except architecture); Landscape design; Landscape ethics
Caggiano, Holly School of Community and Regional Planning
Campbell, Heather School of Community and Regional Planning Urban and regional planning; how academics can work more effectively with non-academics to enhance impact of research; how academics can work more effectively with non-academics to enhance the relevance of research; how ethical values can be incorporated into public policy relating to city and regional planning
Campbell, Suzanne School of Nursing Clinical nursing, primary (preventive care); lactation support; interprofessional health professional education; health communication; Interpersonal Communication; leadership in nursing; Community Health / Public Health; Health Promotion; Educational Technologies; Health Care Technologies; simulation nursing education; social determinants of health; Adult Education and Continuing Education; global maternal-infant-child health
Cao, Yankai Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering Chemical engineering; optimization; Artificial Intelligence; Renewable energy systems; Process Control
Chang, Stephanie School of Community and Regional Planning, Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability All other social sciences, n.e.c.
Chen, Yu Christine Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Engineering and technology; energy systems; Electric power system modelling, control, and operation; Renewable energy sources; electricity markets
Chiao, Mu Department of Mechanical Engineering MEMS, Micro Sensors, Micro Actuators, BioMEMS, Nanotechnology, Bioengineering, Electronic Packaging, Nanoscience, Energy sources for micro-electro-mechanical systems
Chrostowski, Lukas Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and information engineering; Optics and Photonics; Micro and Nanoelectronics; Nanotechnologies; Manufacturing Processes; biophotonics; biosensors; optics; optoelectronics; photonics; quantum computing; semiconductor lasers; silicon photonics
Clare, Adam Department of Mechanical Engineering Manufacturing technologies and approaches for a sustainable future; Additive manufacturing (materials, processes, design and application); Electrical discharge machining, electrolyte jet machining, electron beam and laser processes; Stochastics in engineering design and manufacture; Machine design and build; Manufacturing for high value and high integrity applications (aerospace, biomedical, tool & nuclear)
Clark, Drew School of Nursing Health sciences; healthcare ethics; Health Equity; healthcare decision making; transgender health
Clifton, Kelly School of Community and Regional Planning transport and land use interactions, travel behaviour, pedestrian modeling, equity in transportation policy
Cockcroft, Steven Department of Materials Engineering Clean Energy Research, Physical phenomena in non-ferrous casting, hot tearing, Optimization of industrial casting processes, Mathematical modeling
Condon, Patrick Michael School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture Sustainable urban design, landscape architecture, sustainable communities
Connolly, James John Timothy School of Community and Regional Planning
Cretu, Edmond Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Nano-technology; Electronics; Medical and biomedical engineering; microsystems and nanotechnology; sensor clusters and networks; Signal processing and control; Ultrasound Imaging; Microinstrumentation; Inertial measurement units; wearable systems
Currie, Leanne School of Nursing Nursing; Health Care Technologies; Health information systems; Biomedical and Health Informatics
Dahinten, Susan School of Nursing Social determinants and processes of child development, identification, intervention and the prevention of developmental problems
Dahmen, Joseph School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture technical methods and cultural effects of resource use at the scales of architecture and territory.
de Silva, Clarence Wilfred Department of Mechanical Engineering Robotics
Desjardins, Adrien Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dev, Rubee School of Nursing Pediatrics and reproductive medicine, n.e.c.; Nursing; women's health; maternal & child health; sexual & reproductive health; chronic disease prevention & management; health system & services

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Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Applied Science.

 

Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2024 Dr. Cetin studied the ore sorting potential of a block cave mine. He developed an evaluation method applicable to other cave mining operations, exploring sensor-based pre-concentration. His findings contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the mining industry and facilitating its digital transformation. Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Sallinen developed a computational model for analyzing data about evolving activities on networks, like social media interactions or financial transactions. His work advances the capabilities of real-time investigation and analysis into large scale data. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Askari has developed a minimally invasive near-infrared spectroscopy sensor for spinal cord hemodynamic assessment in spinal cord injury patients. This innovative sensor aids in managing hemodynamics and has been successfully implemented and implanted. The sensor was able to provide the regional hemodynamic metrics of the spinal cord. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Iworima optimized differentiation protocols to produce stem cell-derived islets, offering a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes. She addressed manufacturing bottlenecks and identified key parameters associated with the generation of pancreatic cell types. Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Gupta investigated the rheology and flow dynamics of wormlike micellar gels. His experiments revealed previously unknown complex features in the flow of such fluids and will aid the synthesis, design and manipulation of similar soft matter. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Hasan studied the electrodeposition, corrosion, and catalytic behavior of molybdenum coatings. Despite the challenges associated with molybdenum and water, the work has produced nanostructured molybdenum coatings which demonstrates good corrosion resistance and catalytic performance. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Tai developed a hybrid physics and data-driven method for spindle health monitoring. He combined digital spindle twins with a machine-learning method to make machine tools more intelligent in health diagnosis. These comparative studies assist machine tool manufacturers or spindle repair companies in increasing their maintenance efficiency. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Shrestha studied the insertion of needles into soft solids, the injection of fluid through microneedles and the detection of diseases like sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The findings can help optimize drug or vaccine delivery through microneedles, and can provide a low-cost automated tool to detect diseases in low-resource settings. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Baidya's research explored the potential of flue gas injection in mine wastes for large-scale carbon capture. His innovative approach optimized energy usage and proposed a cost-effective solution, advancing sustainable practices in the mining industry. Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD)
2024 Dr. Kalia devised computer vision techniques for augmented reality in robotic surgery, aligning patients' MRI or Ultrasound images with the surgical camera view. This enables clinicians to do a real-time assessment of cancer margins and anatomy, to optimize clinical decisions and thus, reducing the incidents of incomplete cancer removal. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)

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