The NAME Team
Braidwood, Iain
Director, Teekay Engineering and Consulting
Teaches: NAME 501
Iain T. Braidwood, PhD, CEng, is the Director of Teekay Engineering and Consulting based in Vancouver, Canada. He is responsible for developing third party work at Teekay, outside the owned fleet. He received his first degree in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding, as well as his PhD, from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Iain has also worked for a Classification Society and an oil major as well as in the steel industry.
Hannan, Mohammed A.
Lecturer
Teaches: MECH 488, NAME 502, NAME 566
Mohammed A. Hannan is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor in Marine Technology at Newcastle University (NU), UK (Singapore campus), from 2016 to 2021. Dr. Hannan also served at NU as a Degree Program Director for Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, and Offshore Technology between 2019 and 2021. He received his doctorate in Engineering from the National University of Singapore in November 2014. Originally from Bangladesh, Dr. Hannan obtained his undergraduate degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2009.
Dr. Hannan conducts research on sustainable marine technology development with particular emphasis on optimization and application of AI and ML, mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of fluid-structure interaction problems, and renewable energy harvesting. He has authored or co-authored more than thirty journal and conference papers. As an active member of several professional organizations, Dr. Hannan participates in regular knowledge exchange and professional development activities. He is a reviewer for various multi-disciplinary journals and volunteered as an executive committee member for quite a few professional institutions. He also served as an organizing committee member and session chair or co-chair for several conferences, including OMAE and OTC Asia.
Jelovica, Jasmin
Assistant Professor, Seaspan Shipyards Chair in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Teaches: CIVL 435/MECH 487
Jasmin Jelovica is an Assistant Professor in both the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. His degrees in naval architecture were awarded at the University of Rijeka, Croatia and Aalto University, Finland. He went on to become a lecturer of ship design at Aalto, before joining UBC in 2017. His long term goal is to help in enabling sustainable use of resources in the marine industry. At the moment, this is directed to advanced structures and production methods for ship construction. Jasmin’s research involves understanding and modelling failures of structural members and ship’s hull girders in a marine environment. He wants to see larger use of advanced structures and materials in ships, such as sandwich panels. One of the requirements for this is the creation of effective tools to assess their mechanical properties. Other research areas are using computer simulations and novel optimization tools in the design of ships. Jasmin’s teaching experience is on structural assessment of ships. He believes that the key to good education is a respectful and relaxed, yet engaging and supportive classroom atmosphere. Jasmin is a member of International Ships and Offshore Structures Congress.
Koenig, Philip
Director, Industrial and Economic Analysis Division, Naval Sea Systems Command
Lecturer-in-Charge, Shipbuilding Course, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Adjunct Faculty Member, Teaches: NAME 522
Philip Koenig is a Visiting Scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Koenig is a graduate of Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, the University of California, Berkeley (M.S., naval architecture), and George Washington University (D.Sc., engineering economics); and was a postgraduate Japanese Government (Monbusho) Scholar at the University of Tokyo. He is registered as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of California and as a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) in the United Kingdom, and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
Dr. Koenig was appointed Director, Industrial and Economic Analysis Division, Naval Sea Systems Command (Washington, D.C.) in 2010. Prior government service was in ship design and industrial analysis positions in the Office of Naval Research, International Field Office Asia (Tokyo, Japan) and at NSWC Carderock Division (Bethesda, Maryland). Earlier, he worked in the Design and Construction Division of Chevron Shipping Company (San Francisco, California) and at the Vickers Shipbuilding Group Ltd., Ship Model Experiment Tank (St. Albans, England). Since 2004 he has taught the Professional Summer course Shipbuilding Operations and Technology in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
McGreer, Dan
Principal Engineer, Vard
Adjunct Faculty Member, Teaches: NAME 581, NAME 591
Dan McGreer is a Principal Naval Architect at Vard Marine Inc. (VARD) and has worked there for over 24 years. Dan has been involved in all aspects of ship design including; preliminary concept development, contract design, ship performance assessment, computational fluid dynamics, marine system design and ship model testing and trials. Dan graduated in 1983 from the University of British Columbia in Mechanical Engineering with a Naval Architecture Option. Dan has worked on numerous ship design projects while at VARD including managing the design of the Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker, Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship, the NZ Offshore Patrol Vessels and the USCG Great Lakes Icebreaker.
Dan is a Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and an adjunct professor at UBC.
Mikkelsen, Jon
Program Director and Professor of Teaching
Teaches: NAME 502, NAME 578, NAME 592
Jon Mikkelsen is a Professor of Teaching of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. His teaching responsibilities include Engineering Design, Naval Architecture, Engineering Laboratory Techniques, Statistical Analysis and Engineering Mechanics. His scholarly and professional activities are primarily focused on the areas of Naval Architecture/Ocean Engineering, Sustainable Fishing Gear Design, and Mechanical Design. He has co-authored several papers on a variety of subjects including an experimental and numerical study of vertical axis tidal turbines for use in British Columbia, improving ship hullform performance through waterline parabolization, and the design of live capture technologies such as “fishwheels” and “fish traps” for use on rivers and estuaries throughout the west coast. Having a strong interest in nature, he has studied the hydrodynamics of waterfowl, turtles, and tuna fish. Jon is a strong supporter of extra-curricular design activities and serves as faculty advisor for several student teams including UBC Sailbot, UBC Supermileage, and UBC Human Powered Submarine Team. He has been awarded the Wighton Fellowship for innovation in undergraduate experiments and is a Killam Teaching Prize recipient. Jon is active in several professional organizations and currently serves as technical chairperson of the Ocean, Offshore, and Arctic Engineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Whenever possible, he spends time with his family at his cottage on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC (Keats Island) participating in a variety of water activities.
Sharifpour, Farza
Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow
Teaches: NAME 522
Stana, Vitorio
Adjunct Professor
Teaches: NAME 524
Vitorio is a Senior Professional Engineer, Consultant, Executive with 30+ years combined experience in business integrated management systems, research, design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, teaching, training and auditing, of which 19 years in Aviation and Defence.
Currently Vitorio is the Senior Management and Engineering Consultant – Owner of Westland Quality Connections Inc., a B.C. business management systems and special processes consulting and training firm.
In his Leadership and Technical roles, Vitorio successfully developed, implemented, managed, audited, and taught quality, environmental, risk and project management integrated systems, also special processes, and being able to effectively and efficiently manage systems and processes at all levels. Vitorio has built productive relationships with USA, Canadian, and other global partners, customers, regulators and other industry stakeholders.
For over 15 years, Vitorio has been actively engaged in the global aviation, space and defence strategic leadership teams. As a recognized professional Vitorio has been successfully supporting organizations and professionals from several industries.
In his Professor (Adj.) role Vitorio is a key member of the Mechanical Engineering – Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Program Team.
Vitorio is recognized for his leadership, proactive approach, performance orientation, dedication to total customer satisfaction, commitment for excellence, a partner for success. This was a key contributor to being recognized in 2010 with the Transport Canada National Aviation Safety Award, and other professional recognitions during his career.
Holland, Ron
Ron Holland Design
Taught: NAME 591
Ron Holland is the world’s leading yacht designer and creator of a new generation of 100ft plus performance superyachts. His studio is based in Vancouver, but his client base is international, and he regularly travels the globe for a variety of projects. Ron Holland has created some of the fastest, most luxurious, and stunning yachts on the water–boats with ultra-modern technologies and just the right touch of tradition.
Allan, Robert
Executive Chairman of the Board, Robert Allan Ltd.
Adjunct Faculty Member, Taught: NAME 591
Rob Allan is the Executive Chairman of Robert Allan Ltd., the most experienced Naval Architecture consultancy in Canada. Begun by his grandfather in 1930, the company is currently in its 85th year of continuous operation.
Rob received an honours degree in Naval Architecture from the University of Glasgow (Scotland) in 1971, and joined his father in the family business in 1973. Assuming ownership of Robert Allan Ltd. in 1981, he led the business into a position of wide-spread international recognition in the design of specialized commercial vessels of all types, especially tanker escort tugs and major fireboats.
He is a Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (UK) and a Registered Professional Engineer in British Columbia.
In 2005 Robert Allan was awarded the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Small Craft Group Medal in London “for his contribution to the field of workboat design, and in particular for his innovative work in the development of tugboats for all types of operation,” and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers David W. Taylor Medal “for notable achievement in naval architecture and/or marine engineering”—the only Canadian ever to be so recognized. In 2012 he was awarded the Maritime Museum of BC SS BEAVER Medal for Maritime Excellence, for “major contributions to British Columbia’s marine sector.”
In 2008 he secured the long term future of Robert Allan Ltd. with the sale of the business to a team of committed senior employees. He continues to work full time at Robert Allan Ltd. (albeit at a somewhat more relaxed pace) guiding the next generation of naval architects.
Greenwood, Richard
Taught: NAME 566
Richard W. Greenwood is a retired Naval Engineering Officer of the Royal Canadian Navy, having served 37 years in uniform. His engineering education and training included a BEng(Mech) from the Royal Military College of Canada, a MSc (Naval Architecture) from University College London, and fleet training as a marine systems engineer. Over his career he pursued further post-graduate studies at George Washington University, Carleton University, and TUNS/Dalhousie University, completing PhD coursework and Comprehensives at both the latter two. His naval engineering career postings included service at increasing levels of responsibility and leadership in both Naval Dockyards, at Naval Headquarters, in acquisition projects, in foreign exchange positions (including 3 years at the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center), in training (3 years as Commandant of the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School), and finally 5 years as Chief Engineer of the RCN. He retired from the RCN in 2012 at the rank of Rear-Admiral. He is currently a PhD Candidate in the Civil Engineering Department at The University of British Columbia, with a special interest in ship motions & seakeeping theory. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in the Province of British Columbia and a Chartered Engineer in the UK, and is a Fellow of both The Royal Institution of Naval Architects and The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
Haukaas, Terje
Professor
Taught: NAME 501
Terje Haukaas is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where he has been a member of the Structural Engineering group since 2003. He received his MS and PhD degrees from the University of California at Berkeley in 1999 and 2003, respectively. Originally from Norway, he obtained his undergraduate degree from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 1996, after obtained an engineering degree from the Stavanger University College in 1994 and a technician degree from the Stavanger Technical College in 1992. He worked as an engineer in Norway from 1997 to 1998. Prior to entering the field of engineering, Dr. Haukaas had become a Journeyman and Master Builder of Carpentry. Dr. Haukaas conducts research on probabilistic modelling of a wide range of hazards, structures, and impacts, with particular emphasis on numerical simulation models. He has authored or co-authored more than thirty journal papers on reliability, sensitivity, and optimization analysis applied to civil engineering problems. Software development is an integral part of Dr. Haukaas’ research. He developed the first version of the Matlab toolbox FERUM and he implemented the first reliability and sensitivity options in OpenSees. He later spearheaded the development of Rt, a program for multi-hazard, multi-model reliability and optimization analysis. Dr. Haukaas has received several teaching awards, and he is the recipient of a best-paper award from the ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering in 2007. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the province of British Columbia and he is a member of numerous scholarly committees. He is the Chair of the ICASP12 conference, which will be held in Vancouver in July 2015.
Isaacson, Michael
Professor
Taught: NAME 502
Michael Isaacson is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. He received his degrees in engineering from the University of Cambridge, and was subsequently employed in engineering design and research in Great Britain and the United States. He joined UBC in 1976, and has since remained active in research, teaching, university service and professional service.
Dr. Isaacson served as UBC’s Dean of Applied Science for an eleven-year term (1997–2008). Prior to being appointed Dean, Dr. Isaacson was Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at UBC for a five-year term (1992–1997). He has also served in many roles outside his Faculty, including service as a member of UBC’s Vancouver Senate for 17 years, and as Special Advisor to the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UBC Okanagan for two years.
For over 30 years, Dr. Isaacson has acted as a specialist consultant on a wide variety of coastal and ocean engineering projects for government agencies, major oil companies, consulting engineering companies and law firms. Dr. Isaacson was Editor / Co-Editor of the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering for 8 years (1995-2003), and he has served on many national and international professional committees and boards. He has participated in a number of national and international workshops; delivered short courses for industry; presented lectures and seminars at many universities and research institutions worldwide; presented keynote addresses at a number of national and international conferences, and served as Chair / Co-Chair of international conferences.
Jaiman, Rajeev
Associate Professor, Seaspan Shipyards Chair in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Taught: MECH 550
Rajeev K. Jaiman is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Joining UBC from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Dr. Jaiman is an aeronautical engineer by training, and his research concentrates on high-fidelity physical modeling and data-driven computing, with emphasis on large-scale computations of fluid-solid and fluid-fluid interfaces. Before joining NUS, Dr. Jaiman was the Director of CFD Development at Altair Engineering, Inc., Mountain View, California, and was previously Lead CFD Developer at ACUSIM Software, Inc. The FSI technologies that Dr. Jaiman developed are being used in the wind turbine, offshore oil/gas, nuclear reactor, automotive and aerospace industries. He received his B. Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings and has served as an expert reviewer for numerous journals. He was recently awarded Prestigious Engineering Recognition by the Institute of Engineers Singapore, for the development of a next-generation revolutionary semi-submersible.
Lamb, Thomas
Emeritus Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan
Founder and Managing/Technical Associate, Innovative Marine Product Development, LLC
Developed and taught: NAME 524
Thomas Lamb retired from the University of Michigan in 2006, after 11 years as a Research Scientist and Adjunct Associate Professor. He has over 50 years’ experience in the international shipbuilding industry in the areas of ship design, engineering management, estimating, planning, shipbuilding process analysis, ship production and productivity, research and education. His areas of specialization are ship design, design for production, CAD/CAM, design/production integration, shipyard layout and shipbuilding productivity. Professor Lamb has performed a number of NSRP research projects dealing with Shell Plate Development, Build Strategy, Shipbuilding Technology Assessment, Concurrent Engineering and Implementing Technology. He has also acted as a specialist for National Science Council study on shipbuilding improvement and as a consultant to Westinghouse Machinery Technology Division on the Fast Sealift Mid-term program. Professor Lamb is a recipient of the SNAME William M. Kennedy award and the Editor of the SNAME book SHIP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. He was elected as Chairman of the SNAME T&R Ship Design Committee in 1999 and Chairman of the Education committee in 2002.
In 1999, Professor Lamb founded Innovative Marine Product Development, LLC, which provides design and consulting services to U.S. and foreign clients. He is a Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, 1991; Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, 1970; Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technicians, 2000. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Washington and Wisconsin, and a British Chartered Engineer and Registered European Engineer, 2004.
McKesson, Chris
Former Co-Director of UBC NAME
Taught: MECH 488, NAME 566, NAME 578, NAME 591
Dr. McKesson has thirty years’ experience, focusing primarily on unconventional projects and programs. He has held many positions of responsibility during his career as a Naval Architect, ranging from managing a small design bureau to representing the United States as technical expert to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He holds a 1979 BS from the University of Michigan, a 2010 MS and a 2013 Ph.D from the University of New Orleans.
Whereas in early days “unconventional projects” tended to mean an emphasis on speed (and McKesson has a global reputation with high speed ships), in recent years it has included unconventional propulsion systems, or an ‘unconventional’ emphasis on environmental stewardship. McKesson has completed several projects dealing with marine environmental issues, including a multi-year study of alternative fuels and alternative propulsion systems for the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (2000-2001), the design of a fuel-cell powered ferry also for the WTA (2001-2002), and the assessment of environmental impacts of a new ferry class for the Washington State Ferries (2004).
McKesson and his wife Debra are avid cruising sailors, spending many weeks aboard their Columbia 36 sailboat. But even here McKesson’s creativity shows through: The yacht has electric propulsion.
The combination of a love of the sea, an appreciation for and understanding of the needs of the seaman, and technical training as a naval architect gives him a unique balance of skills.
Ostafichuk, Peter
Professor of Teaching
Taught: NAME 566
Peter Ostafichuk (a.k.a. “Dr. Pete”) is a Professor of Teaching of Mechanical Engineering and the Chair of First Year Engineering at the University of British Columbia. He completed his doctorate (UBC 2004) in the area of control and hydrodynamics of near-surface autonomous underwater vehicles. His primary teaching area is in engineering design and product development, and he has authored a textbook and numerous papers on the subject. He has also taught such diverse subjects as aircraft aerodynamics, machine design, statistics, engineering case studies, and fundamental physics and mathematics. Dr. Pete has a consulting business in aerodynamics, specializing in the aerodynamics of sport. In this role, he works with organizations such as Nike, Bell and Giro Helmets, Rocky Mountain, and the Canadian Olympic Team, to study and advance performance of athletes and athletic equipment. As a professor of teaching, Dr. Pete’s primary focus is on teaching and academic leadership. He is an advocate of Team-Based Learning and other innovative teaching approaches. In addition to co-authoring a book on Team-Based Learning, he has received UBC, national, and international awards for his teaching and curriculum development work.
Pena, Blanca
Sessional Lecturer
Blanca Pena is a Naval Architect and a last year PhD Candidate at UCL (University College London). She is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
After achieving her M.Eng in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Blanca joined a UK based marine design consultancy. As a Naval Architect, she took part in the design and analysis of ships and offshore structures, travelling to shipyards and offshore installations worldwide.
In 2016, Blanca joined UCL as Doctoral Researcher, where she has developed a novel energy saving technology. This novel technology would allow ships to save a 6 to 11% of fuel and significantly reduce propeller vibrations, cavitation and noise. Blanca’s research has been recognized during the Sulphur Cap 2020 Conference in Amsterdam, where she won the Marine Propulsion Graduate Research Award. As part of her role at UCL, Blanca has also given lectures and organised summer modules.
Besides, Blanca has been an active Committee member of the SNAME Western Europe Section, acting as an ambassador for students and young professionals.
Her current interest is ship efficiency improvement, ship noise reduction, data-driven computing and feedback flow control. In her spare time Blanca enjoys playing piano and the outdoors, including hiking, water and winter sports.
Parsons, Michael G.
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan
Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Emeritus, University of Michigan
Developed and taught: NAME 578
Dr. Parsons earned his BSE in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan in 1963. Following six years of active duty in the U.S. Navy, he earned his Ph.D. in applied mechanics from Stanford University in 1972. He joined the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering of the University of Michigan at that time. He served as department Chair, College Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, and Director of Michigan Sea Grant College Program. Teaching was primarily in marine engineering, vibrations, automatic control, and ship design. Research interests included design decision making, marine engineering, vibrations and ballast water technology. He retired from Michigan in 2008 and now resides in Newport, OR. Recent professional work has focused on the use of integrated electric plants and LNG fuel in Great Lakes vessels. He is a Fellow, Honorary Member and Webb Medalist of SNAME.
Poole, Warren
Professor
Taught: NAME 522
Warren Poole is a professor at the Department of Materials Engineering at The University of British Columbia. He received his Ph.D. from McMaster University which was followed by a NSERC Post Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, UK. Dr. Poole has published over 125 journal and conference papers related to the deformation, fracture and microstructure evolution in light alloys and steels. He works closely with leading industrial companies in the world to transfer the knowledge gained from his research to industrial receptors. In addition, he serves on the international scientific committee for the two most important conferences on light metals and is on the advisory board of LATEST 2 research program at University of Manchester. He has won numerous best paper and poster awards, a Killam Research Fellowship, given over 20 invited conference papers and was a recipient of the Alan Blizzard Award for excellence in teaching. Currently, Dr. Poole is the Scientific Director of the NSERC Strategic Research Network (MagNET, $6 million of funding from NSERC and industry over 5 years). The network involves a team of 20 professors from McGill, Ecole Polytechnique, Waterloo, McMaster and UBC and currently supports 30 projects for graduate students and post doctoral fellows.
Name | Contact Info | Office | |
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Austin, Josy Program & Advising Coordinator, Student Services |
josy.austin@mech.ubc.ca (604) 822-6584 |
CEME 2205 |
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Clayton, Sarah (on leave) Assistant Manager, Student Services |
students@mech.ubc.ca (604) 822-4350 |
CEME 2205 |
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Gerrits, Heather Manager, Student Services |
heather@mech.ubc.ca (604) 822-3357 |
CEME 2205 |
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Roy, Allison Graduate Admissions and MEng Coordinator, Student Services |
admissions@mech.ubc.ca (604) 822-9861 |
CEME 2205 |