Daniel Barker-Rothschild
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
As I neared the end of my Bachelor's degree, I grew increasing interest in the fundamental aspects of various chemical engineering topics in my program. Further, I value knowledge and learning, and was inspired by various professors at my institution with passion for their disciplines, so I decided to continue my education in graduate school. In grad school, I found a research area I was passionate about and grew to love research because of the opportunity for continuous learning. There, I found that the best way to learn something is to be able to teach it to someone else. Naturally, after completing my Masters, I decided to continue on to a PhD to pursue a career in academia.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
After completing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta, I wanted to continue with my research and pursue a PhD. However, I decided it would be best to diversify my experiences and move to a new city and a new institution in order to broaden my perspectives. I chose UBC because of Professor Orlando Rojas whose group I would end up joining and because of the BioProducts Institute.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
Apart from the strong reputation of UBC and its Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, for me it was the BioProducts Institute that was a major attraction. It offers a great atmosphere for collaboration and inter- and multi-disciplinary work in the diverse area of BioProducts research.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The UBC campus is really beautiful, Vancouver is a great place to live, and there's lots of great food here! Also, it was not a surprise, but the weather here is much better than in Edmonton where I'm from.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I like the freedom that I have to work on my research topic, continue learning, and solve practical problems with fundamental insights.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
With advances in technology including analytical equipment, computer software and AI, there will be many opportunities and new problems. I hope to take advantage of this progress and apply it to my field of research. I believe that keeping up with these advances and applying continuous learning will be the most challenging aspects of my future career, yet, may also be the most rewarding.
How do you feel your program is preparing you for those challenges?
Chemical engineering is a very interdisciplinary field which offers great opportunity to combine different academic disciplines. In my program, we have plenty of opportunity to expose ourselves to new concepts, expand our knowledge and generate innovative new ideas.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
During my Bachelor's degree at the University of Alberta (UofA), I spent 5 years as a varsity student athlete with Golden Bears Soccer. Playing high level sports while balancing a heavy academic workload has prepared me for balancing my time in graduate school. Further, playing competitive sports has shaped my personal experiences, preparing me for many of the challenges of grad school and academia. Most importantly, I learned about the value of teamwork, commitment, camaraderie and leadership. My Master's degree, which I completed at the UofA before I came to UBC for my PhD, has also played a major role in preparing me for my UBC graduate program. In my Masters I had the opportunity to establish a strong understanding of my research area, learn many analytical techniques and data analysis tools. Further, I had the privilege to work with supportive supervisors from the UofA and the Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), who were excellent mentors as I stepped into new territory, starting my academic journey in grad school.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Spending time with friends and family, outdoor sports like beach volleyball and travelling.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Get started and then let curiosity drive your research! Be open to collaborate - you can't do everything yourself and time goes by quicker than you think. Grad school may be one of the few periods of your life that you have the time and flexibility to be creative, to work on topics that truly interest you, that push the boundaries of our knowledge of the world. Not everyone gets that opportunity, so take advantage of it and cherish it.
Research image
This scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of lignin nanoparticles was the first SEM image I ever took. Those who have used an SEM will understand that inspiring feeling when you first see your sample on SEM, which otherwise could not be seen with the visible eye. Here, the power of perspective is exhibited at 10,000 X magnification, where a blanket of spherical particles rests neatly against a backdrop of empty space. These uniform spherical and nano-scale particles can be formed from kraft lignin using simple approaches and offer countless new opportunities for valorization of a major co-product of the pulp and paper industry.
