MISSION
We challenge extractive research and infrastructure practices by co-producing environmental knowledge, technologies, and interventions with communities.
VISION
Research becomes a tool for community power rather than an extractive process of knowledge production.
Dr. Bavisha Kalyan
Principal Investigator | Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering
CEME 2016 | bavisha.kalyan@ubc.ca
Saad Ibrahim (He/Him) – PhD Student
Saad is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia, with prior degrees from the University of Waterloo, Canada and the University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan. He has extensive professional experience in the design, construction, and management of linear infrastructure, i.e., water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. His research focuses on urban water infrastructure, the water–energy–human behavior nexus, and applied research aimed at improving water system efficiency and sustainability.
Lewis Fausak (He/Him) – Researcher
Lewis is the Applied Biology Education and Research Technician in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and a sessional lecturer at the University of British Columbia, currently teaching SOIL/LWS 515 Watershed Science. He holds an M.Sc. In Soil Science from UBC and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Alberta. His research interests are mainly centered on examining soil physical and chemical properties to better understand soil functions across managed and disturbed landscapes. He is also passionate about science outreach and has created images for textbooks, research articles, handbooks, and magazines.
LinkedIn | Google Scholar | Instagram
Kira Mok (she/her) – PhD Student
Kira is a MASc student at the University of British Columbia in Civil Engineering — Environmental Systems Engineering. Kira is from San Diego, California, but most recently lived in Boston, Massachusetts. She completed her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Sociology from Northeastern University in 2023 and then worked as an environmental protection specialist. She’s interested in mixed methods research that incorporates community perspectives to understand environmental contamination. Most of her past research was around PFAS chemicals, but she’s looking forward to focusing on microplastics in her MASc!
Ethan Lui (he/him) – Researcher
Ethan is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UBC, completed in 2025. During his degree and beyond, Ethan is interested in global public health, health systems, the work of NGOs and IOs, as well as the legal and policy structures which create our healthcare ecosystem. Ethan prioritizes community-based approaches to scholarship, most recently completing work as a student research assistant with the Office of Regional and International Community Engagement at UBC. In his current work, Ethan is passionate about engaging with community stakeholders and understanding community perspectives and priorities. Ethan looks forward to contributing towards interdisciplinary efforts to bridge ideas towards equitable practices which promote community wellbeing.
LinkedIn
liana Cutten (she/her) – UG Researcher
Iliana is a third year Biology student at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in applying interdisciplinary approaches to real world issues, and communal research design. Her current research focuses on drinking water quality and the detection of microbiological and chemical contaminants within Vancouver. Her research interests include environmental contamination and premise plumbing, and their intersection with human health and disease.
Sonja Deng (she/her) – UG Researcher
Sonja is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Music. Her academic background bridges technical systems thinking with creative practice, and she is particularly interested in applying AI, data science, and geospatial analysis to real-world social challenges. Her research interests include urban planning, housing equity, human-centered AI systems, and educational technology. She has worked on projects involving spatial decision-making models, interactive web applications, and community-informed data tools, and is passionate about building technology that expands access, opportunity, and well-being.
LinkedIn