January 16, 2026
CERC members were awarded nearly $1.3 million in funding from the Government of BC, the Province announced on December 15. Seven projects received funds for research infrastructure through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). The cutting-edge labs and equipment supported by the BCKDF help UBC attract top researchers and innovators, and build impactful partnerships with industry.
A total of $15.4 million was invested into 71 UBC-led projects through the BCKDF. This funding is part of the Province’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent economy that can stand on its own. This includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.
CERC member-led projects
Kiana Amini (Materials Engineering, UBCV)
Advancing Redox Flow Battery Technology and Electrochemical Carbon Capture: A Parallel Development Approach
Paradis, Gregory (Forest Resources Management, UBCV)
Cumulative effects of Climate Change, Anthropogenic and Natural Disturbances on forest Ecosystem Services (CCCANDiES)
Haibo Feng (Wood Science, UBCV)
Infrastructure for innovative building materials and systems toward zero carbon buildings
Eric Lees (Chemical and Biological Engineering, UBCV)
Electrification of chemical manufacturing and separations
Xiaoxiao Li (Electrical and Computer Engineering, UBCV)
Building a Decentralized Future with Foundation Models: Continual Learning and Monitoring at the Edge
Dominic Liao-McPherson (Mechanical Engineering, UBCV)
Safe cooperation and co-existence for multi-agent robotic systems
Alexandra Tavasoli (Mechanical Engineering, UBCV)
Engineering Solar-Driven Industrial Chemical Processes for the Net Zero Economy