“Selecting the ‘right’ problem to solve is often more challenging than solving the problem itself”
Eric Lees
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Grad year: 2022
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
I was raised in Kelowna, BC and received my BSc in Chemical Engineering Co-op at the University of Alberta. I joined the Berlinguette group at UBC in 2018 to pursue my PhD in Chemical & Biological Engineering. There, we worked as a team to invent a new reactor that uses acid-base chemistry to convert captured CO2 into fuels and chemicals. My next step will be to join Berkeley Lab as an NSERC postdoctoral fellow, where I will be researching bioelectrochemical processes for synthesizing sustainable aviation fuel.
How are you applying the skills you learned through your studies at UBC?
One of the most valuable skills I gained during my time at UBC was learning how to communicate scientific information.
During my time at UBC, I was given the opportunity to help teach chemical engineering classes, speak at international conferences, collaborate with industry partners, and lead interdisciplinary research projects. These scientific communication skills helped me build collaborations to investigate research questions outside of my areas of expertise.
What are your future plans to make a difference in our world?
My future goal as a professor is to use materials science and electrochemical engineering analysis to design, test, and scale new reactions and separations that store renewable electricity, capture and utilize CO2 and produce clean water.
I aspire for my research and academic service to help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and the industrial adoption of renewable energy technologies.
