Akhil R. Email & Phone Number

Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Overseeing the organization and coordination of the network's events, including conferences, professional development activities and gatherings in accordance with our network's 3 pillars: learning, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Spearheading monthly Vancouver-based sustainability networking events through event management, team building and partnerships

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Conducted cathodic protection tests of epoxy coated steels and interfacial coating disbondment tests under ASTM G95 standardized cathodic disbondment Authored investigative research review on hydrogen barrier coating technologies, informing experiment design set-up and testing protocolExecuted 6 hydrogen permeation trials through epoxy coated pipeline steel samplesPerformed CO2 diffusivity tests through epoxy free films in enclosed pressure chamber under variable conditions (i.e. relative humidity, temperature, pressure) for coating performanceDesigned and executed sorption-desorption tests to evaluate coating hydration capacity and performed coating thickness measurements of epoxy free films Ongoing publication (Materials Journal) of technical review for a metallurgical failure analysis of a high pressure boiler, developing RCAs attributed to creep-failure, and assessment of NDT, MT and microstructure

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Reconnecting with my ancestry made me realize the importance of preserving cultural heritage, traditions and know-how as well as the learnings from Indigenous Peoples in our local and global community. After several conversations with UBC Indigenous organizations and Faculty, I came across Elder Albert Marshall's intercultural concept - "Two Eyed Seeing." Thereafter, I approached UBC Sustaingineering Design Team with an idea to bridge Indigenous values with Engineering practice. In the summer of 2020, I developed UBC Sustaingineering Indigenous Engagement Team, UBC's first Indigenous focused engineering design team. My team and I are working in partnership with Builders Without Borders Foundation on a water collection and recycling system for an Indigenous community in Central BC. • Recruited multidisciplinary engineering team of 12, providing skill development and training through intercultural communication workshops and engineering case studies • Earned endorsement from Builders Without Borders, Engineers Without Borders, Habitat For Humanity, and UBC affiliated Indigenous organizations• Assessed precipitation and energy data, performing cost-benefit analysis of residential heat pump systems• Authored 21-page recommendation, resulting in installation of recommended mini-split ductless heat pumps for 8 Tiny Homes in Bella Bella, BC• Oversaw a 2-month preliminary study on Indigenous governance, existing infrastructure and innovation on several BC Indigenous communities.• Developed water management project proposal, securing partnership and 2-year timeline with Builders Without Borders Foundation• Analyzed rainfall, water flows, engineering housing designs to develop rainwater conveyance designs for catchment prototype

My team and I were researching and designing an Evaporative Cooling System, addressing the global need for sustainable cooling alternatives. • Assessed weather data, topography, mean temperature and humidity levels, screening solid desiccant and evaporative cooling pad materials • Conducted material comparison and ranking analysis based on researched and calculated parameters (heat and energy efficiency, moisture removal, porosity limit, life renewal), establishing project design specifications• Performed material, mechanical and cost analysis using CES Materials Selection Software, resulting in recommendation of natural zeolite desiccant

Project aim: Design and deliver a 3G GSM network monitoring system for solar water pumps in Nicaragua. • Configured communication channels of five nodes (under 5km apart) which transfer and receive noncellular data, driven by independent research accounting for Nicaraguan topography and geography• Evaluated IOT (Internet of Things) module against cost, distance, frequency level, non-cellularnetworks, 2G vs 3G, recommending the present use of Low-Power-Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN)communication method• Supported successful prototype of 3G GSM monitoring system and electrical water pump integrated with a UBC Farm solar panel, assisting with set-up, troubleshooting, and structural support

Vancouver, Canada Area

Having faced the grueling demands of my first year engineering while balancing personal life, I realized the importance of peer support for students undergoing personal and academic turmoil. Over the summer of 2018, I co-developed Engi-YOU Wellness, UBC Engineering’s first student peer-support program designed to assist students in addressing personal and professional stressors through action planning, stress management, and stress breather activities. Initially, we started with a team of 6 each divided into marketing, finance, content creation and facilitation. Partnering with the Faculty of Applied Science, Jumpstart, Professional Development Services and Engineering Undergraduate Services, we created and facilitated six summer workshops, reaching 150 first-year students.Progressing into the school year, we had an 80% drop in student retention caused by competing interests between UBC wellness organizations and prematurity. I began exploring popular engagement trends, platforms, and marketing approaches. I also noticed many UBC wellness organizations held similar wellness campaigns and events. The following year, we hired a skilled social media outreach team to revamp our platforms and design a professional website. We also began a large Engi-YOU movement to streamline wellness resources and campaigns through large scale event collaborations. Almost immediately, we had increased our student retention by more than 50% and gained larger presence within the faculty and university at large. During Covid-19, my team and I hosted Ignite YOU, a faculty-wide wellness conference, hosting over 15 workshops presented by UBC and international organizations. Over my time in Engi-YOU, I learnt that failed attempts are simply opportunities to learn, try new approaches, fail again, and grow.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Engi-YOU Wellness is a student-run venture in Engineers Without Borders UBC that supports engineering-student emotional health and well-being through its three pillars: Wellness, Unity and Accessibility. The initiative addresses nuances in the engineering student community associated to emotional health and well-being through its peer support program, workshops, socials and fitness/nutrition projects. Partnering with UBC Engineering Undergraduate Society, APSC, Professional Development, and Engineering Student Services, we hope to bridge the gap between students and UBC resources while creating an inclusive and tight-knit community.

Vancouver, Canada Area

As a Cultural Ambassador for UBC School of Nursing's first launch for the Vancouver Summer Program, I supported 8 international students visiting from Hong Kong and China. My partner and I created a full program timeline, pamphlets and welcome packages, created a budget plan with $2500 given, assisted program professors and coordinator with administrative tasks, and executed 18 cultural/tourist events over 2.5 weeks. The success of the program convinced the Program Board to suspend cancellation of the program and instead increase funding to expand student intake.

Vancouver, Canada Area

Since the time I was young, social impact and entrepreneurial spirit was a way of life. On my first family trip abroad in 2009, I visited my father's dilapidated elementary school in Kanchanapally, Hyderabad. While overwhelmed, I was struck with a dedication to empower similar communities raise themselves out of poverty through education and development.The following year my brother and I founded a registered non-profit, Light a Lamp Rural Development Society, dedicated to providing infrastructure improvements to schools in underdeveloped regions of India. Initially, we began with a 5-member team and raised $2500 within a year, providing our sponsored elementary school with desks and benches. Growing my team from 5 to 100 volunteers across my school district, I recruited and mentored my team in marketing campaigns, sponsorship proposals, finance and fundraising operations. Our efforts culminated in a community-wide talent show, attended by 350, raising over $5000 in one night. Despite the success, I flew to India to delve deeper into the traditions, hardships, and needs of the local community. Armed with a new perspective, I held a 50-member community gathering with students, parents, teachers, and village elders and collectively allocated funds to improve sanitation, basic utilities, and physical structure of the school. I hired local freelancers and oversaw the construction of a new electricity grid, renovated kitchen as well as access to clean drinking water within the span of my 2-week visit. My passion for rural community development pushed me to adapt to new environments and strengthen my stakeholder relations amidst complex cultural sensitivities.

Bachelor Of Applied Science, Materials Engineering

British Columbia Certificate Of Graduation