Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Computing Science graduate with a concentration in Visual and Interactive Computing. I love helping to create spaces for people to connect and build community - I’ve volunteered with groups like Women in Computing Science and the Power to Change club during my time at SFU.

Why did you choose computing science?
I chose to study computing science in university because I was so curious about programming and wanted to understand how it worked. I started my first CS class with almost no previous coding experience, and by the end, I loved it and knew that it was what I wanted to keep doing.

What is your favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemory?
The friendships I’ve made in clubs and in my classes have made my university experience so much richer, from bonding over hard assignments to playing card games until 3 a.m.  While volunteering at the Women in Computing Science’s Try/Catch event, I met two other volunteers who became good friends, and since then, we’ve participated in a hackathon and a game jam together. It has been so fun trying new things and learning alongside them!

What is something important you learned at SFU?
The most important thing I’ve learned is not to be afraid to step out of my comfort zone! Whether it’s learning a new technology, joining a club by yourself, or anything else that scares you, you won’t grow if you stay inside your comfort zone. You never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet when you do something new.

What advice would you give to a new Â鶹ÊÓƵstudent? 
Make friends and find community on campus! Joining clubs and volunteering are great ways to meet like-minded people, as well as talking to people in your classes and student society. University isn’t just about taking classes, and the journey is easier (and more fun) with friends by your side.

What’s next for you?
I’m currently working as an XR developer at Coal Car Studio, where I completed 8 months of co-op. I’ll be working on social video games and innovative virtual/augmented reality experiences. I’m excited to grow in this role and see where it takes me in the future!

Tell us a little about yourself. 
I am originally from Quesnel, B.C. and of Metis descent. I have always been passionate about getting involved and taking on new challenges. During her time at SFU, I re-founded and was president of the Engineers Without Borders Â鶹ÊÓƵchapter, was an athlete on the Â鶹ÊÓƵRowing Team and took part in international co-op abroad in Japan.

Why did you choose engineering?
I have always been passionate about finding ways to help communities flourish. Having enjoyed scientific and mathematical problem-solving while growing up, this naturally led me to consider how to mesh my two interests together. I pursued a SEE degree because I wanted to focus on developing clean infrastructure systems for communities around the world.

What is your favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemory?
My final year at Â鶹ÊÓƵwas filled with significant opportunities within the field of energy development. I competed in a national hydropower engineering competition, securing first prize with a project dedicated to exploring the feasibility of run-of-river hydropower for an off-grid Indigenous community. I completed a capstone project which focused on building capacity through solar energy, battery storage and backup generation for a semi-remote community in central B.C. Moreover, I led a 12-person cohort in collaboration with an NGO in Peru, where we manufactured, tested and installed small-scale wind turbines in remote communities.

What is something important you learned at SFU?
Balancing your life and your needs is key to success. After a difficult first semester spent solely studying, I realized that I needed to incorporate more time for other things I am passionate about, like physical health and social connection. I believe in the importance of taking a holistic approach to learning, and how much you can also learn about yourself.

What advice would you give to a new Â鶹ÊÓƵstudent?
Do not be afraid to be vulnerable. It is natural to want to present the best version of yourself, but recognizing areas for growth can help you develop more quickly. Reach out to mentors, professors, peers and you will be surprised how many people can relate to your experience.

What’s next for you?
Beyond graduation, I hope to find a job that brings me towards my goal of providing clean water and energy systems for developing communities. I will also continue to volunteer as the B.C. community representative for Engineers Without Borders Canada, assisting chapters across the province in creating impact across their communities.

Tell us a little about yourself.
Coming from a middle-class family with no engineering background, I’m the second son of a government employee and a homemaker. My love of nature draws me to camping, fishing and wood-fire cooking, inspiring me to preserve nature and tackle challenges passed down through generations.   

Why did you choose engineering? 
I’ve always been curious about engineering. When I was eight, my brother and I wondered what made a light bulb glow and what would happen if we reconnected its broken tungsten filament. Later, I became fascinated by electrochemistry and how it can explain rust and help power emissions-free cars.

What is your favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemory? 
My favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemory is seeing how much the university changed between my arrival in 2019 as an immigrant and my thesis defence. Before COVID, I worked on campus, and during the pandemic, I saw how the community came together to keep everyone safe. At my defence, I reflected on SFU’s growth: from a Surrey campus in a mall to its own engineering building, and now with a medical building planned.

What is something important you learned at SFU?
The most important lesson I learned at Â鶹ÊÓƵwas trust. Never break anyone's trust and be honest in your work. You don’t need many friends; you need a few who trust and believe in you.

What advice would you give to a new Â鶹ÊÓƵstudent? 
Arriving in an unfamiliar place as an immigrant can feel daunting. Take time to talk with people and be kind—many will be happy to lend a helping hand. Stay curious and open to suggestions, while trusting your own judgment.

What’s next for you?
I have joined SFU, but this time as a postdoctoral fellow, and am working on a start-up that will be a university spin-off.

What was your research about?
My research focused on hydrogen fuel cells intended to replace combustion engines in trucks and cars. Like batteries, hydrogen fuel cells produce zero harmful emissions, but they can fail due to contamination. I worked to solve this contamination challenge so that they last longer without losing performance. Through research with industrial partners, we found a solution that doesn't require major changes to the system.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a recent electronics engineering science graduate who enjoys building things and understanding how they work. I’m especially interested in electronics and developing new skills through hands-on experience. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing badminton and watching hockey (Go Canucks Go, 2033).

Why did you choose engineering? 
I chose engineering because I’ve always enjoyed understanding how things work and finding ways to solve problems. Engineering gave me the opportunity to turn ideas into something real. I especially enjoy the hands-on side of electronics, where designing, testing, troubleshooting and improving a project all come together.

What is your favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemory?
One of my favourite Â鶹ÊÓƵmemories is working with my capstone team to turn our smart pickleball paddle from an idea into a working product. From designing PCBs and wiring sensors to troubleshooting problems together, there were many challenges, but working through them as a team made the experience rewarding. I’ll also always remember the late-night study sessions with friends and starting a TikTok (@.peterphuc) to capture some of my Â鶹ÊÓƵexperiences. These are just a few experiences that made my time at Â鶹ÊÓƵtruly memorable!

What is something important you learned at SFU? 
Throughout my degree, one of the biggest things I learned at Â鶹ÊÓƵis that things don’t always work on the first try. Whether it was a project that needed redesigning or a circuit that didn’t work (I blew up a chip once), I learned not to get frustrated when things went wrong. Sometimes, you just have to be patient, figure things out and trust that things will work out.

What advice would you give to a new Â鶹ÊÓƵstudent? 
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out to people. University can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Make friends, talk to the person sitting next to you in class and try things outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself and remember to have fun along the way!

What’s next for you?
After graduation, I plan to travel, explore new places and begin my engineering career. I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on industry experience, continuing to develop my technical skills and exploring different areas of engineering. I’m excited to learn from the people I work with and bring what I learned at Â鶹ÊÓƵinto the next stage of my career.