Opportunities

Are you planning on taking any new graduate students this year?

Yes, I am actively recruiting graduate students (MSc and PhD in Geography). I highly encourage you to write to me before the application deadline, as noted above. For competitive applicants, I will then reach out and schedule a short Zoom meeting. The MSc program is 2 years, and the PhD program is 4 years (+additional time if needed). To be competitive, PhD applicants typically need a MSc degree. Stay tuned for information about the next application cycle in Fall 2026 (to start in Fall 2027).

Why UBC Geography?

UBC and its Geography department are highly ranked globally. The Geography department has faculty and students studying a diverse range of topics in human and physical geography and has deep ties to other departments such as IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability), EOAS (Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences), and Forestry. Given the severity of recent wildfire seasons in British Columbia and across North America, the research focus of the EMBRS lab on fires and smoke is highly relevant.

What are the most important factors for admission? What do you look for in applicants?

The most important factor is research experience and vision. Research experience can be from undergraduate or graduate research assistantships, writing theses, presenting at conferences, and being a co-author or first author on peer-reviewed papers. It is equally important to articulate your research interests within the context of the research in my lab and what you hope to do with a MSc or PhD degree and how it fits within your future career goals. PhD students in Geography typically have a MSc since coursework is light in our PhD program, but it is possible for MSc students to fast-track into PhD program after 1 year or continue in the PhD program after completing the MSc degree. Other factors I take into strong consideration are academic records (i.e., grades), particularly in math, science, and writing, your statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Experience in GIS, coding, and statistics is certainly helpful but these skills can be developed. I do however expect a willingness to learn and you to put in consistent effort. When reviewing applications, I prioritize applicants who have had a Zoom call with me beforehand. However, final decisions for admission at UBC Geography are made at the departmental level by the graduate admissions committee. Admissions are highly selective and competitive. Overall, you must have a strong statement of intent, recommendation letters, a competitive GPA, and meet the English proficiency requirements.

What are your expectations for graduate students?

I expect graduate students to lead at least 1 project (MSc) or 2-3 projects (PhD), each culminating in a first-author peer-reviewed paper.  I will support students to present their work at at least 1 national or international conference. I expect students to attend weekly group meetings, individual meetings, and department seminars and to be collegial, inquisitive, prompt, and open to feedback. Graduate students are expected to TA as part of their funding.

When is the deadline for applications? When will I hear back about my application?

The deadlines for the MSc and PhD programs at UBC Geography are typically in mid-December and January, respectively. You will likely hear back about a decision sometime between the end of February and the beginning of March. 

What financial support can I expect?

MSc and PhD students in UBC Geography are guaranteed funding through a variety of sources. Geography guarantees a minimum of $26,000 per year for graduate students, but I top up this minimum amount from my grants, which increases this stipend to $37,000-$44,000 per year.  The stipend amount is on the higher end if you are an incoming PhD student awarded a 4YF or NSERC fellowship. The guaranteed funding through IRES is $24,000 per year for PhD students. 

Funding packages often include teaching and research assistantships and Graduate Support Initiative (GSI) Awards. Other specific sources include the 4-Year Fellowships (4YF) for PhD students, International Tuition Awards (ITA), and BPOC Graduate Excellence Awards. While graduate students must pay fees and tuition (MSc, PhD), awards such as 4YF and ITA offset the tuition cost. Generally, RA-ships, GSI, and fellowships are not taxable (unlike in the US), while TA-ships are. TA-ships are not guaranteed in IRES.

I encourage applicants to apply for the NSERC graduate fellowships (MSc, PhD) and would be happy to assist with these applications The PhD fellowship is open to international students. Graduate students with projects relevant to British Columbia can also apply for the UBC Wall Awards during the course of their degree.

Travel awards are available to graduate students through UBC Geography, the Faculty of Arts, and G+PS.

What is it like to live in Vancouver?

Vancouver is a beautiful, metropolitan, and multi-cultural city with unique access to the trifecta of forests, mountains, and the ocean. UBC's Vancouver Campus is located in Point Grey, which has beaches within walking distance and has the feel of a quiet, suburban area. There's something for everyone to do, whether it's outdoor activities like skiing, biking, and hiking or indoor activities like going to museums, hockey games, and concerts. Public transportation is accessible with frequent buses and the SkyTrain (equivalent to other urban subway/light rail systems). With the SkyTrain, you can go to downtown, Burnaby, or Richmond. Vancouver is very rainy but has one of the mildest climates in Canada; spring and summer are especially gorgeous here! However, note that the cost of living in Vancouver is quite high, similar to major cities like Toronto, LA, and NYC.

Can undergraduate students work in the lab?

Yes! Interested undergraduates at UBC should contact me via email and attach a resume or CV. Students can work with me through UBC undergraduate research programs (e.g., AURA, EnSURE), Work Learn and Work Learn International, NSERC USRA, and direct studies/capstone courses (e.g., GEOS 448). Note that Work Learn International is only available to international students, and NSERC USRA is only available to domestic students. Prior experience in coding and prior coursework and research experience in GIS/remote sensing, environmental science, atmospheric science, and/or data science/statistics will be beneficial but not strictly required. Undergraduate students will typically start with data curation and analysis, with opportunities down the line for presenting research and writing scientific papers as co-author or first-author.

Are you taking any postdocs?

I currently do not have funding for postdocs. However, I would be happy to assist with fellowship applications such as for UBC Killam and NSERC Banting.