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In this ongoing research I am studying the mechanism of catalyst deactivation in heavy oil hydroconversion using model compound reactions. My work in this research project has included:● Developing research goals to respond to knowledge gaps in catalyst activity and deactivation mechanisms,● Using these goals to design a comprehensive research program, both initially and based on experimental results,● Performing experimental and analytical work to gather the data required for this research, which included:   ○ Working with a heterogeneous catalyst in a high temperature, high pressure slurry-phase reaction,   ○ Operating a commercial stirred batch reactor,   ○ Designing, constructing, commissioning and operating a novel micro-reactor tailored to overcome the unique challenges of this reaction,   ○ Performing analytical work on gas, liquid and solid samples and interpreting these results (including AAS, DRIFTS, GC, GC-MS, SEM, UV-Vis, TGA and XRD)● Presenting my work for technical and general audiences at conferences and events including:   ○ Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference in Vancouver, 2012 (oral)   ○ Dept. Chemical and Biological Engineering seminar series, Vancouver, 2012      (oral, GLS-6 award)   ○ Dept. Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Day, Vancouver, 2013      (oral, Best Student Presentation award)   ○ Canadian Symposium on Catalysis in Edmonton, 2014 (oral, Best Student Contribution award)In addition to these, during my PhD I was also involved in:● Commissioning multiple analytical instruments (including DRIFTS and AAS units)● Assisting colleagues on projects relating to methane oxidation, methanol production and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis● Training students and coworkers in the safe, accurate use of various analytical and experimental apparatus● Managing laboratory supplies and servicing (ordering and replacing consumables and gases and liaising with suppliers for instrument servicing and calibration)

Interested in becoming involved with the organisation and implementation of safety and security in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC, I joined the safety committee as the graduate student representative. My responsibilities as part of this committee included:● Evaluating existing safety precautions and procedures to pre-empt problems,● Inspecting new apparatus to ensure adherence to safety protocols and making recommendations as necessary,● Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and● Assisting in the implementation of the Laboratory Plastic Recycling program.As a member of the safety committee I was able to attend the three day Safety Committee Training course (2011) offered by UBC's Risk Management Services. From this course I became familiar with numerous aspects of safety committee operation which helped to become a more effective contributor in the department. These lessons included the:● Importance of a reliable safety committee,● Structure and hierarchy of such a organisation,● Legal, economic and emotional aspects of job safety and security,● Numerous duties and responsibilities which help to ensure safe working conditions in a given environment.

In this research I studied the shape-selective hydrocracking of long n-alkanes over heterogeneous (bifunctional metal - acid zeolite) catalysts.Being part of my M.Sc. degree, I was afforded a great deal of responsibility and freedom in this project. The overall research goals of the project were determined by the industrial partners and concurrent work in the group, but the method of approach was almost entirely at my discretion. I was able to work closely with a team of experienced individuals, drawing on their substantial knowledge (both theoretical and practical), to design my research plan and the apparatus required to execute it.During this project I gained a significant amount of experience in the:● Design and construction of a high temperature and pressure continuous operation tubular fixed bed reactor.● Planning, installation and troubleshooting of high pressure lines and fittings (using Swagelok components).● Installation, troubleshooting and operation of an inline GC with a multi-port sampling valve and computer control.● Preparation of commercial catalyst samples for evaluation. This focused specifically on the processing of the supplied samples into an appropriate particle size for use in the reactor.I presented my research results at the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference in South Africa in 2008. This was my first major oral presentation and it was met with great interest by both academic and industrial parties.I also attended the Swagelok Tube Fitting and Installation Course held at UCT by Johannesburg Valve and Fitting in 2008. This course covered a wide range of topics relating to the safe, reliable installation of both high and low pressure components. Both theoretical and practical tests were required to be completed to successfully pass the course.I assisted colleagues with both experimental and theoretical aspects related to other hydrocracking and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis projects.

Completed as my co-op training during my B.Sc. in chemical engineering, working at the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre was an invaluable experience with the knowledge gained and skills developed helping improve my performance in all subsequent laboratory and team roles.As part of a focused, fast-paced commercial research and development team working on selective catalytic reduction, my responsibilities at Johnson Matthey included:● Setting and achieving research goals to support the projects assigned by team leaders.● Preparing and characterising bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts,● Operating catalyst testing systems,● Cleaning and maintaining experimental equipment,● Analysing results and reporting my findings.