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.
 

Research Centres

Schools / Departments

School

Department

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
Bungay, Victoria 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
Campbell, Suzanne School of Nursing Nursing; Community Health / Public Health; Health Promotion; Interpersonal Communication; Educational Technologies; Health Care Technologies; Modelization and Simulation; social determinants of health; Global Health and Emerging Diseases; Adult Education and Continuing Education; global maternal-infant-child health; health communication; interprofessional health professional education; lactation support; leadership in nursing; simulation nursing education
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
Cao, Yankai Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering Chemical engineering; Optimization, Control and Operations Research; Solar and Wind Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Large Scale Optimization
Carey, Trevor Department of Civil Engineering Geotechnical earthquake engineering, Static and dynamic liquefaction and its effects on geosystems, Laboratory testing of soils, Development of numerical tools
Carmichael, Jeffrey
Chang, Stephanie School of Community and Regional Planning, Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability All other social sciences, n.e.c.; natural disasters; risk; resilience; climate change adaptation; infrastructure systems; earthquakes; coastal hazards
Chen, Yu Christine Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering modeling, analysis, and control of electric power systems.
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 mental health; Substance Use; palliative, pediatric and gender-affirming care
Clifford, Amanda Department of Materials Engineering
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 Clean Energy,Microsystems, adaptive MEMS, micro-instrumentation, nonlinear signal processing, BioMEMS ultrasound imaging
Currie, Leanne School of Nursing Nursing; Health Care Technologies; Health information systems; Artificial Intelligence; Biomedical Technologies; decision making; Computer Architecture; Software Development; Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare; Biomedical and Health Informatics; data science; Human Computer Interaction and Design
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
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

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Wenwen Zhang

Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MASc)

Pathological gait pattern analysis

Cynthia Lam

Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (MEng)

Mohammad Zandsalimy

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Stability analysis and improvement of finite volume methods

Catherine Liao

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Burn injury in underserved communities in BC. A Mixed-Methods study

Ismalia De Sousa

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Towards equitable stroke care: learning from young women's experiences

Louisa-May Khoo

Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)

Ageing in a Neuropolis: The Social Epidemiology of Stress in Late Life among Older Adults in Global-City Singapore

Justin Wyss

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)

Soft Sensing Technology Designed for Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Elizabeth Castle

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)

Controlling endothelial cell dynamics to direct blood cell emergence
All Student Stories

Alumni on Success

Jasna Jankovic

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) [2011]

Job Title
Assistant Professor

Employer
University of Connecticut

Arash Takshi

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) [2007]

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
University of South Florida

Freddy Pina

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) [2011]

Job Title
President

Employer
PBRV Consulting Ltd.

Hooman Rezaei

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) [2013]

Job Title
Senior Research Scientist

Employer
FPInnovations

Heather McDonald

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) [2011]

Job Title
Health Director

Employer
Seabird Island Band

Sandra Lauck

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) [2013]

Job Title
Clinician Scientist

Employer
St. Paul's Hospital

Lauren Irving

Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MN) [2013]

Job Title
Family Nurse Practitioner

Employer
Northern Health, Central Interior Native Health Society, UNBC (part-time Faculty)

Andrew Ibey

Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (MEng) [2009]

Job Title
Acting Manager, Biomedical Engineering

Employer
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
All Alumni Stories

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.

 

Composite membranes of polyacrylonitrile cross-linked with cellulose nanocrystals for emulsion separation and regeneration
Publication: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
UBC Author(s): Orlando Rojas Gaona (Chemical & Biological Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 1359835X
Volume: 164
Publication Date: January 2023

View Publication
Conditioning of simulated cesium radionuclides in NaOH-activated fly ash-based geopolymers
Publication: Journal of Cleaner Production
UBC Author(s): Nemkumar Banthia (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 09596526
Volume: 380
Publication Date: 20 December 2022

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Segmented regeneration of ion exchange resins used for natural organic matter removal
Publication: Separation and Purification Technology
UBC Author(s): Madjid Mohseni (Chemical & Biological Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 13835866
Volume: 303
Publication Date: 15 December 2022

View Publication
A floc structure perspective on sediment consolidation in thickened tailings
Publication: Chemical Engineering Science
UBC Author(s): Marek Pawlik (Mining Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 00092509
Volume: 263
Publication Date: 14 December 2022

View Publication
Validation of models used to predict the effects of lateral spreading by comparison of experimental and numerical response surfaces
Publication: Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
UBC Author(s): Trevor Carey (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 02677261
Volume: 163
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Trends and Disparities in Suicidality Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority/Two-Spirit Indigenous Adolescents in Canada
Publication: Journal of Adolescent Health
UBC Author(s): Elizabeth Saewyc (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 1054139X
Volume: 71
Page Range: 713-720
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Theory utilization in applied qualitative nursing research
Publication: Journal of Advanced Nursing
UBC Author(s): Sally Thorne (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 03092402
Volume: 78
Page Range: 4034-4041
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Recently developed electrospinning methods: a review
Publication: Textile Research Journal
UBC Author(s): Frank Ko (Materials Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 00405175
Volume: 92
Page Range: 5130-5145
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Sludge-based activated carbon from two municipal sewage sludge precursors for improved secondary wastewater-treatment discharge-effluent
Publication: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
UBC Author(s): Loretta Li (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
Volume: 10
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Notched tensile strength of long discontinuous glass fiber reinforced nylon composite
Publication: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
UBC Author(s): Sergii Kravchenko (Materials Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 1359835X
Volume: 163
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Correction to: Fundamentals of froth flotation (ChemTexts, (2022), 8, 4, (19), 10.1007/s40828-022-00170-5)
Publication: ChemTexts
UBC Author(s): Marek Pawlik (Mining Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
Volume: 8
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Study of an Industrial Scale Counter Pressure Casting Process Using an Advanced Thermal-Stress Model
Publication: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B: Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science
UBC Author(s): Steven Cockcroft (Materials Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science), Daan Maijer (Materials Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 10735615
Volume: 53
Page Range: 3396-3412
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Uncertainty estimation for margin detection in cancer surgery using mass spectrometry
Publication: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery
UBC Author(s): Purang Abolmaesumi (Electrical & Computer Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 18616410
Volume: 17
Page Range: 2305-2313
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
A controlled experiment of different code representations for learning-based program repair
Publication: Empirical Software Engineering
UBC Author(s): Ali Mesbah (Electrical & Computer Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 13823256
Volume: 27
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Design, production, and properties of high-strength high-ductility cementitious composite (HSHDCC): A review
Publication: Composites Part B: Engineering
UBC Author(s): Nemkumar Banthia (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 13598368
Volume: 247
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
A multivariate method for evaluating safety from conflict extremes in real time
Publication: Analytic Methods in Accident Research
UBC Author(s): Tarek Sayed (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 22136657
Volume: 36
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Planning evacuation orders under evacuee compliance uncertainty
Publication: Safety Science
UBC Author(s): Amy Kim (Civil Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 09257535
Volume: 156
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in caregivers to assisted living residents during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Publication: BMC Geriatrics
UBC Author(s): Jennifer Baumbusch (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
Volume: 22
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Authentic learning in heathcare education: A systematic review
Publication: Nurse Education Today
UBC Author(s): Suzanne Campbell (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 02606917
Volume: 119
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Developing an optical module for large-scale UV-LED water disinfection reactors by numerical modeling
Publication: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
UBC Author(s): Fariborz Taghipour (Chemical & Biological Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 10106030
Volume: 433
Publication Date: 1 December 2022

View Publication
SWAVE 2.0 Imaging of Placental Elasticity and Viscosity: Potential Biomarkers for Placenta-Mediated Disease Detection
Publication: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
UBC Author(s): Robert Rohling (Electrical & Computer Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 03015629
Volume: 48
Page Range: 2486-2501
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Complex skills are required for new primary health care researchers: a training program responds
Publication: BMC Medical Education
UBC Author(s): Sabrina Wong (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
Volume: 22
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Using stochastic programming to train neural network approximation of nonlinear MPC laws
Publication: Automatica
UBC Author(s): Yankai Cao (Chemical & Biological Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 00051098
Volume: 146
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the Men in Mind training for mental health practitioners to enhance their clinical competencies for working with male clients
Publication: BMC Psychology
UBC Author(s): John Oliffe (School of Nursing / Faculty of Applied Science)
Volume: 10
Publication Date: December 2022

View Publication
Admittance Decomposition for Assessment of APF and STATCOM Impact on the Low-Frequency Stability of Railway Vehicle-Grid Systems
Publication: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
UBC Author(s): Juri Jatskevich (Electrical & Computer Engineering / Faculty of Applied Science)
ISSN: 08858993
Volume: 37
Page Range: 15425-15441
Publication Date: 1 December 2022

View Publication

Pages

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
2022 Dr. Fong studied tools for educational video and how to improve them. He examined the types of analytics that instructors wanted in order to better engage and assess students, and ways to best support students and their study habits, In particular, he studied viewing patterns, video search techniques, and video annotation. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Holanda accelerated the process of designing machine learning hardware systems by better understanding how those systems learn and how they behave when they fail. The design process enabled by Dr. Holanda's work illuminates the path towards making the development of those systems significantly faster, economical, and environmentally friendly. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Ploumis studied the properties of human visual system in perceiving light and color. He subsequently applied his findings to develop methods that improve the visual uniformity of High Dynamic Range video content across various viewing environments, ultimately increasing the viewers' quality of experience. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Kelly built an ultrasound imaging system for the detection of breast cancer, targeting biomarkers clinically shown to complement mammography, especially in women with dense tissue, for whom such cancers are more common. This technology can help detect cancers sooner, while reducing false positives and callbacks, including unnecessary biopsies. Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Mayers examined the structural and societal systems that preclude equity-seeking groups from accessing safe environments and services that promote sustainable, healthy living. The purpose of her doctoral research was to examine the process in which decisions are made to propose more equitable city bicycling networks. Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)
2022 Dr. Mansouri studied the mechanical behaviour of candid aluminum alloys to replace steel in the automotive industry. He studied the effect of fabrication parameters on material performance. These findings contribute to making better models to further increase the safety of passengers in a crash scenario while saving on vehicle weight. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Stone demonstrates the nature of gentrification as a disaster for low-income communities, and how Hurricane Katrina cascaded into a subsequent disaster of gentrification for the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. The dissertation includes a co-produced advocacy film to support voting for anti-gentrification candidates in New Orleans. Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)
2022 Dr. Obada-Obieh studied how technological solutions in personal, professional, and involuntary relationships led to security and privacy concerns. She proposes a framework of how technological solutions can be (re)designed to address these concerns. Her research could make users feel safer while using these technologies in their relationships. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Khalili identified limiting factors to achieve desired autonomy among wheeled mobility assistive device users. Subsequently, she developed novel control strategies to improve the performance and usability of these devices. Her research provides an autonomy-based evaluation and design paradigm for future assistive technology developments. Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Renteria used various experimental and computational methods to gain insights on the fluid mechanics involved in primary cementing of horizontal and irregular wellbores. Her research aims to prevent hydrocarbons from leaking, either to surface or into the water table. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Pages

Interesting Links

https://apsc.ubc.ca/about/faculty-directory
https://research.apsc.ubc.ca/
 

The stories men tell themselves after getting dumped

The stories men tell themselves after getting dumped This article originally appeared on UBC News. When a partner breaks up with them, men often try to make sense of it by telling themselves stories about how it happened. Some of these stories are more helpful than others in helping...

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2022 UBC Applied Science Dean’s Faculty Awards for Service

2022 UBC Applied Science Dean’s Faculty Awards for Service Three faculty members are being honoured with Dean's Awards for their exceptional contributions to the UBC Applied Science community. Exemplifying the Faculty’s commitments to lead by example, embrace ambiguity and act with...

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New research improves the coolness factor for athletes

New research improves the coolness factor for athletes This article was originally published in UBC Okanagan News. Weekend joggers, competitive athletes and people keeping fit in the gym can say goodbye to sweaty armpits and clingy damp garments after a tough workout. Thanks to a new...

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Unlocking material solutions from nature

Unlocking material solutions from nature This article was originally published in The Globe and Mail and was produced by Randall Anthony Communications. Are the solutions we need to address critical issues such as climate change and sustainability already out there in nature, with...

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Canada Research Chair awarded to UBC Nursing assistant professor

Canada Research Chair awarded to UBC Nursing assistant professor Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, has been awarded a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Socioecological Approaches to Mental Health and Substance Use. Tier 2 Chairs, which are tenable...

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UBC Okanagan Engineering leads on research to explore new net zero home

UBC Okanagan Engineering leads on research to explore new net zero home This article originally appeared on UBC Okanagan News. A unique, made-in-Kelowna collaboration to create an energy-efficient, high-performance home is taking the goal to the next level. And that goal is zero. UBC...

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