Clean Energy Engineering

Instruction and Leadership Team

Instruction Team

The instructors for the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering are renowned experts who have built strong connections and research partnerships with leading industry players.

Dr. Alizera Bagherzadeh

Alireza Bagherzadeh

Alireza Bagherzadeh has been teaching at UBC’s Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) department since 2015. He received his bachelor degree in chemical and petroleum engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2008, his MASc and PhD from UBC’s CHBE department in 2010 and 2015, respectively. His areas of expertise include unconventional sources of natural gas, in particular gas hydrates, and green practices of flow assurance where he simulates anti-freeze proteins at the molecular level.

Dr. Amanda Giang

UBC MEL in CEEN Amanda Giang Instructor

Dr. Amanda Giang is an Assistant Professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC. Her research addresses challenges at the interface of environmental modelling and policy through an interdisciplinary lens, with a focus on pollution, climate and energy. She is interested in understanding how modelling and data analytics can better empower communities and inform policy decision-making. Her research group is developing digital tools to better understand and respond to environmental injustice in Canada, evaluating the impacts of technology and policy on air quality, and exploring how different kinds of knowledge are used in environmental assessment processes.

Dr. Xiaotao Bi

Xiaotao Bi

Dr. Xiaotao (Tony) Bi is a professor in the UBC Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Director of the Clean Energy Research Centre. He is a fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering. His current research focuses on electrostatics of powders in fluidized beds, fluidized bed reactors for biomass gasification, torrefaction and catalytic pyrolysis, and life-cycle analysis and integrated impact assessment of clean energy systems. He has published more than 350 peer-reviewed papers and has been cited 14,500 times with an H-Index of 60. He received a UBC Killam Senior Research Fellowship (2011), AIChE Particle Technology Forum Lectureship Award (2012) and a Teaching Excellence Award from the UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering Department (2014).

The UBC Sauder Robert H. Lee Graduate School business instructors for the MEL in Clean Energy Engineering are renowned experts who lead the way in Canada and internationally in business and management research and knowledge dissemination.

Ryan Rad

Dr. Ryan Rad is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Applied Science and currently teaches Analytics and Interpretation for Applied Sciences for the Master of Engineering Leadership. Ryan has a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Guilan, a Master’s in Computer Science from the University of Malaya, and a PhD in Applied Sciences from Simon Fraser University. Having roots in entrepreneurship and business, Ryan worked as a researcher, engineer, team lead, and product manager for several startups and companies, including Microsoft. Dr. Rad is currently research active in machine learning, computer vision, and AI for suitability.

Justin Bull

UBC APPP Instructor - Justin Bull

Justin is the academic director for the MEL and MHLP programs and a lecturer at the UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School and Chair of the Sustainability and Ethics Group. He teaches extensively on sustainability, innovation and strategy, with a focus on graduate and executive learners. He has worked with big companies – like IKEA, Lyft, and Rolling Stone – to implement climate innovations. Justin serves as an advisor and board member to several technology starts-ups and First Nations in Canada. He graduated with a BA in International Relations and a PhD in Wood Science from the University of British Columbia. 

Dr. Wayne Rawcliffe

Dr. Wayne Rawcliffe is an instructor in the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division at UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School, where he teaches HR courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, and specifically teaches Organizational Leadership course for the MEL and MHLP. He is a faculty mentor for several HR case competitions and Master’s in Management community projects supervisor. His community involvement has included being a Director on the Calgary Family Service Bureau Board and Director of the Kensington String Orchestra Board, and he is currently the Director of the Coast Social Enterprise Council, Director of the BC Organizational Development Network, and an active mentor for the BCO.

Amy Stanley

Amy Stanley received her BA in Sociology, MSc in International Human Resource Management, and Post Doctorate Diploma in Human Resource Management. With a 20-year career and 8 years of experience working in HR roles, Amy currently serves as the Adjunct Professor in the UBC Sauder School of Business Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Division. A Certified Executive Coach through Royal Roads University, Amy was also awarded the Associate Certified Coach status from the International Coach Foundation. Adding to her previous experiences, she continues to conduct helpful training workshops for large organizations to create an optimized working environment.

Dr. Erika Wong

Dr. Erika Wong received her MA in Creative Practice for Narrative Environment from Central St. Martins in London, England, and PhD in Business from the University of Brighton. She is a sessional lecturer in the UBC Sauder School of Business Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division and teaches Program Management and Leadership course for the MEL and MHLP. Dr. Wong is also a start-up founder, practicing artist, and podcast co-host. Her research looks at the valuation and legitimization system of the Art World and its relationship to the Creative Class, focusing on creative entrepreneurship and current technologies.

Leadership Team

Get to know the Clean Energy Engineering Director who is leading the program.

Dr. Vladan Prodanovic

Vladan Prodanovic

Dr. Vladan Prodanovic has professional interests and expertise in the area of thermodynamics, heat transfer and multiphase flows, particularly in boiling heat transfer. Dr. Prodanovic is also passionate about advancing engineering education, particularly in the area of sustainable engineering design, project-based learning and outreach programs. He is actively publishing in this area, and he also participates in projects related to the implementation of sustainable practices early in the engineering curriculum and improving the Clean Energy Engineering program portfolio. Read the full profile of Vladan Prodanovic.

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