PhD to Career Symposium - Industry and Public Career Panels

Dr. Brooke Hockin (she/her) is the Scientific Marketing Specialist at StemCell Technologies. Dr. Hockin completed her PhD in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University in 2022, where she studied cardiovascular control in recurrent fainting disorders, with a focus on improving diagnosis, management, and patient quality of life. Drawing on her skills in scientific communication, cross-functional collaboration, and project management, she transitioned into a career in biotech shortly after completing her PhD. In her role as a Scientific Marketing Specialist at STEMCELL Technologies, she plans and executes strategic marketing campaigns and translates complex science into engaging content that supports business priorities in pluripotent stem cell culture, hematology, and cell and gene therapy.

Dr. Surya Dhulipala is the Environmental Initiatives Advisor for BC Liquor Distribution Branch, where he leads enterprise-wide greenhouse gas reporting and sustainability initiatives across over 200 sites. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and has previously worked in industry and academia on air quality, transportation emissions, and corporate ESG strategy, including roles at TELUS and the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on translating data-driven research into practical climate action and policy-aligned sustainability programs.

Dr. Parham Pashaei is the former Director of Quantum Solutions, Strategy and Partnerships at QAI. He has experience in quantum computing education at organizations such as Google spinoff SandboxAQ, University of British Columbia and Xanadu. He has developed and built quantum courses for government and industry leaders, including Fortune 500 banks, telecom and tech executives. He has conducted research in experimental quantum electronics at several organizations, such as UBC, KULeuven, Imec, and Chalmers with scholarships from Erasmus, NSERC, UBC, Quantum BC and Quantum Matter Institute. In addition to his teaching and research roles, he has served as an advisor to the Senate of Canada on emerging technologies. Dr. Pashaei has received several awards and recognitions for his work on quantum computing, education and leadership from organizations such as UBC, Killam, Harvard ComSciCon, and IEEE.

Dr. Taylor Wright (he/him) is the Senior Manager, Circularity Innovations & Partnerships, Lululemon. Wright completed his PhD in Chemistry from UBC in 2022 and joined lululemon to lead a new team focusing on textile recycling and low impact bio materials development. His work focuses on building partnerships with external parties across academia, start-ups, and industrial chemical partners to develop, scale, and adopt more sustainable versions of polyester, nylon, and polyurethane (spandex).

Dr. Henry Ngo (he/him/his) is the Director of Data Strategy at the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks. He joined the BC Public Service in 2020 as a data scientist in the Ministry of Health after completing a PhD and working in academic research. He now leads work at the intersection of data, policy, and service transformation.

Dr. James Montgomery is the Director - Energy, Environment and Climate Change within Facilities Management & Operations at Island Health. He oversees initiatives to address climate change and adaption with a focus on reducing energy consumption and waste generation and improving the resilience of healthcare infrastructure on Vancouver Island. His career has spanned energy conservation program management, decarbonization planning, advanced building controls, district energy system analysis, and large-scale measurement and verification initiatives. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UBC, specializing in sustainability, energy efficiency, and the built environment.

Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye (she/her) is the Knowledge Mobilization Lead and Senior Scientist at the Bridge Research Consortium, part of Canada’s Immuno‑Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub, where she leads initiatives to strengthen public trust and equitable access to vaccines and immune‑based innovations. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and has supported global neuropsychiatric research as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Oxford, alongside knowledge mobilization roles spanning pandemic research translation in BC and autism care partnerships in Quebec. For over a decade, she has championed inclusive, accessible science as a lecturer, CBC radio science columnist, co‑founder of ComSciCon Canada and BlackInNeuro, and advisor to organizations including Canada’s Chief Scientist’s Youth Council, Falling Walls, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and The Kavli Foundation.

Dr. Daniel Powell (he/him) is a public servant working at the intersection of people, policy, and technology. He earned a PhD in Digital Humanities from the University of Victoria (2016) and was previously an Early Stage Researcher in the European Union-funded Digital Scholarly Editions Initial Training (Dixit) Network at King’s College London (UK, 2014 – 2017). Since leaving academia he has primarily worked in the public sector, largely at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.