Mechanical Engineering Graduates, 2010

June 28, 2010

2010 Graduation Reception

On Tuesday, June 1 st , 2010, over 100 Mechanical Engineering students walked across the Chan Centre stage and received their degrees.  After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Atrium for the new graduates, their families, and their professors.  Cake, dessert and punch were served, and some of our outstanding students were formally recognized.
Letson Prizes: The Letson Prizes are given to the top graduating students in the General, Mechatronics,Thermofluids and Biomedical Engineering Options.

The Faculty of Applied Science Prize in Academic Excellence and the Letson Prize for Mechatronics goes to Craig Tomsett.
The Letson Prize for Mechanical Engineering goes to Samuel Mason.

The Letson Prize for Thermofluids goes to Devin Tod.

The Letson Prize for Biomedical Engineering goes to Sean Jager.
Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Gold Medal: The CSME Gold Medal is given for outstanding academic achievement.  This year’s winner is Jason Chu.
APEG Achievement Award: The APEG Achievement Award is given to one graduating student in each Department who shows great promise.  This year’s winner is Dan Boland.
Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Leader Award: the Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has made outstanding contributions to student life.  This year’s winner is Jason Le. Jason has served as the Team Captain for Supermileage since 2007, he has also been instrumental in branching the team to compete at the Shell Eco-Marathon in the challenging Urban Concept division.

Degrees with Distinction: Our next group of students to recognize are those who achieved a Degree with Distinction.  These students achieved a overall first-class average in all of the second through fourth year courses.  In alphabetical order:

  • Jacob Allen
  • Ian Bell
  • Dan Boland
  • Jason Chu
  • Darcy Corbin
  • Duncan Currie
  • Graeham Douglas
  • Sandra Fleming
  • Ibrahim Gadala
  • Wenjun Gu
  • Daniel Ingram
  • Sean Jager
  • Herman Li
  • Henry Lin
  • Geoffrey Lo
  • Samuel Mason
  • Kevin Mcconville
  • Arash Olyaei
  • Lam Pang
  • Bronson Patychuk
  • Eric Pospisil
  • Matt Seguin
  • Scott Seifert
  • Jeffrey Siow
  • Kelvin Sit
  • Raymond So
  • Devin Todd
  • Craig Tomsett
  • Victor Wang
  • Michael Whitehouse

Mechanical Engineering Student Leadership Award: The next group of students being recognized are those who have made strong leadership and service contributions to the Mechanical Engineering community.

In alphabetical order:

  • Arta Alagheband – Arta has served as President of Club Mech and in various roles related to curriculum in both the EUS and Club Mech.
  • Dan Boland – Dan has been highly involved with Engineers without Borders, and in working with the Department towards curriculum improvements.
  • Matt Budau – Matt is involved with Club Mech, and is one of the two guys who helps keep the candy machine stocked, a very important role.
  • Branislav Cvijetinovic – Baki has served as a leader within Formula UBC, and has been a key member of the aerodynamics group.
  • Graeham Douglas – Graeham was heavily involved in UBC Solar, filling the role of the mechanical systems manager and demonstrating his ability to lead and inspire younger students.
  • Wen Li – Wen is a key, longtime member of the Supermileage Team, and has co-lead the Aerodynamics division for the past few years. She has represented UBC at the competition for the past four years.
  • Stephen Leung – Stephen has been also been a key member of Supermileage, and has co-lead the Electronics and Engine Division for the past few years. His quick thinking in high stress situations and level head have been crucial to the team’s progress.
  • George Mak – George is a member of Formula UBC, and serves on the suspension team.
  • Aidan Moore – Aidan has twice served on the Club Mech executive – as Grad Rep this year, and Treasurer last year.
  • Bronson Patychuk – Bronson is a member of the Formula UBC team.
  • Erik Roy – Erik is a Team Leader on the Formula UBC Team. His expertise in engine design serves the team well. He also passes on his expertise as a TA in our third year engines lab.
  • Matt Seguin – Matt is a Club Mech 4 th year Rep, and the other Candy Guy. He’s also a general “go to” guy for the Club.
  • Devin Todd – Devin is a senior member of the Formula UBC Team, and a key part of the drivetrain subgroup.

The Capstone Design Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in Engineering Design.
The Capstone Design Award in Mechanical Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the CARIS sponsored “Elumens Integrator” Project.

  • Matt Seguin
  • Jeffrey Siow
  • Michael Whitehouse
  • Dominic Yeo

The Capstone Design Award in Mechatronics Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the “RobotSoccer” Project.

  • Sandra Fleming
  • Curtis Gutjahr
  • Kate Mears
  • Victor Wang
  • Arya Yazdani

E-Week’s E-Team Event features Mech Alumna Kat Louman-Gardiner

UBC’s E-Team has invited Mech Alumna Kat Louman-Gardiner to speak during E-Week to share her experiences on the Canadian Bobsleigh Team. Their event description:

Work Hard, Play Hard: The Ultimate Engineering & Bobsledding Experience

Kat Louman-Gardiner is going to make your ice melt when she tells you her incredible stories and teaches us all a thing or two about raising the bar a few inches higher. As a woman with a Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from UBC, Master’s Degree of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Calgary, and a former member of the Canadian Bobsleigh Team, Kat’s story is an inspiration to all of us engineers.

Join us for a FREE Greek lunch and listen to Kat’s words of wisdom. Afterwards, compete in the Engineering Bobsled Competition in which your team will build a bobsled and race for glory! Prizes will be awarded to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze teams.

Date: Wednesday, February 3
Time: 1-3 PM
Place: Kaiser 2020/2030

Celebration of Achievements

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, the Department of Mechanical Engineering celebrated the achievements of outstanding students, faculty and staff. It was a great way for students, their families, alumni, friends of the Department, faculty, and staff to start the new year! Pictures from the event can be viewed on our photo album.

2009 Graduation Reception

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, over 100 Mechanical Engineering students walked across the Chan Centre stage and received their degrees.  After the ceremony, a reception was held in Kaiser 2030 for the new graduates, their families, and their professors.  Cake, dessert and punch were served, and some of our outstanding students were formally recognized.

To view pictures from the event, please visit: Grad Reception Pictures on Picasa

Letson Prizes: The Letson Prizes are given to the top graduating students in the General, Mechatronics and Thermofluids Options.
The Letson Prize for Mechanical Engineering goes to Christopher Bibby.  A graduate of the Camosun Bridge program, Chris will be continuing his studies in September with a M.A.Sc. with Dr. Murray Hodgson.
The Letson Prize for Mechatronics goes to Troy Adebar.  Recently recognized as Co-op Student of the Year, Troy will also be continuing with a M.A.Sc. in September, moving to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to study with Dr. Tim Salcudean.
The Letson Prize for Thermofluids goes to Tu Minh Nguyen.  Minh has been instrumental this year in starting a chapter of ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, at UBC.

Mechanical Engineering Prize in Biomedical Engineering:  The Mechanical Engineering Prize in Biomedical Engineering Award for the top graduating student in the Biomedical Option goes to Jeff Kennelly.  Outside of his studies, Jeff can often be found at UBC Rec Intramurals or in Club Mech.

Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Gold Medal: The CSME Gold Medal is given for outstanding academic achievement.  This year’s winner is Thomas Huryn.  Tom is often seen participating in events in the department, and has begun a M.A.Sc. with Dr. Elizabeth Croft.

APEG Achievement Award: The APEG Achievement Award is given to one graduating student in each Department who shows great promise.  This year’s winner is Pierre Couturier.  Pierre is a graduate of the Camosun Bridge and, in addition to strong academic skills, excels in design and teamwork.

Outstanding Future Alumnus, Wesbrook Scholar, and a soon-to-be-announced Major Award: One of this year’s graduates won all of these prestigious awards in this past year.  We would like to offer our congratulations to Parisa Bastani for these exceptional accomplishments.  In addition to outstanding academics, Parisa has been Captain of the Formula UBC Student Team and Chair of the Engineering Student Teams Council.

Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Leader Award: New this year, the Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has made outstanding contributions to student life.  This year’s winner is Lana Rupp.  Lana has been involved in the Department from the time she first joined it, and is relied upon for her leadership and organizational skills.  Her resume includes strong involvement in Club Mech, including holding joint-Presidency for the last two years, representation on the EUS and in student advocacy, the SUBC design team, and GEERing Up!
Degrees with Distinction: Our next group of students to recognize are those who achieved a Degree with Distinction.  These students achieved a overall first-class average in all of the second through fourth year courses.  In alphabetical order:

  • Troy Adebar
  • Dion Anggabrata
  • Parisa Bastani
  • Alan Beran
  • Christopher Bibby
  • Jeanie Chan
  • Arminta Chicka
  • Nicholas Comyn
  • Pierre Couturier
  • Paul Dirksen
  • Sean Fabris
  • Sandy Godwin
  • Thomas Huryn
  • Keigo Karakama
  • Jeff Kennelly
  • Bradley Neels
  • Tu Minh Nguyen
  • Chukwuemeka Nzekwu
  • Hedyeh Rafii-Tari
  • David Richard
  • Adnan Siddiqui
  • Daniel Tsang
  • Andrew Walsh
  • Christopher Wong

Mechanical Engineering Student Leadership Award: The next group of students being recognized today are those who have made strong leadership and service contributions to the Mechanical Engineering community.

In alphabetical order:

  • Parisa Bastani – Chair of the Engineering Student Team Council and Captain of Formula UBC
  • Arminta Chicka – Organizer of the popular Keener Day, and general organizer of everything that needs to get done.  Academically, attends feedback sessions, organizes study sessions, and tutors peers.
  • Nicholas Comyn – SUBC Captain and SNAME student rep
  • Eric Kaarsemaker – Formula UBC Engine Team
  • Chu Lin – Heavy Lift Team Manager
  • Katy Lue – Club Mech Treasurer, and a regular volunteer, always willing to lend a hand
  • Lachlan MacLean – Club Mech Grad Rep, Clubroom Manager, and the entire Ball Model committee.
  • Morgan Meents – Club Mech Year rep, Curriculum Rep & Co-op Rep; Co-op Advisory Council; VP of the ASHRAE Student Chapter and an all-around volunteer.
  • Tu Minh Nguyen – ASHRAE Student Chapter President
  • Jad Saab – Strong involvement with EWB, including a placement in Ghana
  • Michelle Salvail – Runs Club Mech sales, and has branded the new Club Mech logo throughout the department.  A big contributor to E-Week
  • Daryl Schubert – Club Mech Co-President, past year rep, represents students to the EUS; Mechanical Engineering Ambassador program
  • Richard Situ – Club Mech Sports Representative, and general volunteer
  • Ian Tranter – Club Mech Vice President, and de-facto charity and social coordinator. Played a large role in organizing the two major charity projects this year – collecting household goods for the Gather and Give drive, and fundraising for the Garreth Thomas Memorial Scholarship.
  • Kristy Wiens – General involvement throughout the Department, and previous Club Mech positions of Social Coordinator and Pop and Candy rep.
  • Wojciech Ziemnicki – a constant presence at curriculum and department feedback meetings, and always available to help.  Formerly held positions of Vice President and Pop and Candy rep.

The Capstone Design Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in Engineering Design.
The Capstone Design Award in Mechanical Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the project “Design of a Resonant Drum Compactor.”  They are:

  • Ameer Balouch
  • Michael Parras
  • Dane Reelie
  • Salim Semsarilar

The Capstone Design Award in Mechatronics Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the project “Three-Dimensional Haptic Emulation of Hard Surfaces with Applications to Orthopaedic Surgery.”  They are:

  • Sean Fabris
  • Arya Oskui
  • Anthony Pak
  • Bradley Roger
  • Sina Sajadian-Mousavi
  • Adnan Siddiqui

2009 Engineering Physics Grad Studies Information Night

Download: ENPH Info Night Scholarship Opportunities Presentation (.pdf)
Download: UBC Mechanical Engineering Graduate Studies (.pdf)