Brandon Weigand
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Graduate school was always in the back of my mind, but I wasn't sure when or if it would be the right path. I had built a fulfilling career that, for a time, felt sufficient. A few years ago, however, a chance encounter with a pair of barn swallows nesting in my porch sparked a surprising curiosity. I became suddenly aware of the lives of urban wildlife — animals often overlooked or ignored, yet often living within our physical reach. I realized I had never seriously considered their well-being in cities, and the idea of studying how they thrive in urban environments immediately energized me.
While pristine natural environments and the animals within them absolutely deserve protection, so too do the animals that survive and adapt within our urban landscapes. Their futures are just as uncertain as those in more wild habitats, and I wanted to be part of the effort to understand and advocate for them. A research-based graduate degree offered a way to explore this curiosity more deeply; to ask thoughtful questions; investigate potential risks and contribute, in whatever small ways I can, to more informed and future-conscious conservation practices. In pursuing my graduate degree, I feel I am honouring the small, unexpected moment that reshaped my perspective and giving back, in some way, to the barn swallows that started it all.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I've wanted to study at UBC for many years, but the path here unfolded in a way that felt almost serendipitous. While living in Austin, Texas, I became fascinated by the city's massive bat colonies. Bats are incredible urban wildlife models, offering insight into how species respond to urban heat, habitat fragmentation and rising urbanization. I wanted to study the bats that shared the city with me, but practical barriers, from expensive vaccinations to logistical constraints, made that difficult at the time.
Meanwhile, I had long admired Melissa McHale, a world-class researcher in urban forestry, urban heat and ecosystem services, whose work addresses factors that directly affect the survival and well-being of many forms of urban wildlife. Her move to UBC opened a new possibility. When I reached out, she was not only receptive to my interests but also suggested collaborating with Matthew Mitchell, who studies bats in Vancouver. Suddenly, the pieces aligned: the university I had dreamed of attending, the mentor whose work I deeply respected and the opportunity to study bats, one of my original urban wildlife fascinations, in a new city.
UBC itself, with its interdisciplinary strength and status as a large, research-intensive university in a vibrant, nature-rich city, made it the perfect place to pursue graduate study. The convergence of these factors, including years of aspiration, the right mentors and a unique research opportunity, made my decision feel like more than a choice; it felt like a fortunate alignment of timing, place and purpose.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
UBC's Forestry program drew me in with its Urban Forestry Research Hub, which examines urban and human ecology from multiple angles — precisely the interdisciplinary environment I was seeking. The Hub supports research that is both scientifically rigorous and connected to real-world challenges, allowing me to explore work that feels meaningful and relevant. I've been fortunate to work with supervisors who guided me in integrating my interests while giving me the freedom to explore and problem-solve independently. The program also provides strong resources, including GIS and remote sensing expertise, urban heat measurement methods and connections to city planning initiatives. Beyond the lab, I've had the opportunity to conduct in-field research, applying ecological concepts I am passionate about, such as urban hydrology, urban forestry, ecosystem function and biodiversity resilience.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Accessibility of knowledge. UBC is by far the largest institution I've attended, and I initially wondered if its size would feel overwhelming. Yet its scale brings a remarkable advantage: there is almost always someone on campus with expertise relevant to the questions you're trying to answer. This doesn't apply only to faculty and staff. The range of specialties, interests and experiences among graduate students is nothing short of impressive. I've had so many constructive discussions with peers that significantly advanced my own research, and I remain grateful to be at a university where knowledge feels so open and accessible.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Before coming to UBC, I spent years working in roles that combined science, policy and community engagement, often in unexpected ways. I had the chance to work in two entomology labs, dive into urban heat initiatives in Denver and help pass federal laws protecting wildlife in the U.S. I also supported an animal shelter in achieving No-Kill status for the first time. Across all of these experiences, I learned the importance of working with different people toward a shared goal, to stay curious and flexible when problems get complicated and to consider both practical and scientific perspectives in decision-making. Coming into graduate school, I feel these experiences have given me a strong foundation, but also a curiosity and openness that I hope will shape the work I do here.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Advocate for yourself. Graduate school is full of challenges, and there will be times when you feel uncertain or stretched thin. Even with mentors and peers who support you, there will be moments when only you can speak up about your obstacles and the resources you need to succeed. One lesson I've learned so far is that being honest about challenges and advocating for yourself makes it easier to manage the demands of graduate study and opens opportunities for growth, insight and work that truly resonates with you.
Learn more about Brandon's research
My research investigates how urban pond drought is impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health in Vancouver, where many ponds are drying earlier due to climate change, urban heat effects and rising development pressures. In partnership with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and UBC Botanical Gardens, my research investigates the dry out propensity of ponds throughout the city, in order to understand how quickly they dry out, the environmental factors driving those changes and how biodiversity responds over time. This work links drying ponds to declines in aquatic insects that have historically supported bats and birds in the region and will help guide future policies for urban water use and biodiversity protection.