Associate Professor of Teaching
Office: CHBE 439
Email: gabriel.potvin@ubc.ca
Research Summary
Laboratory Education, Problem-Based Learning, Interdisciplinary Education, Bioprocessing, Industrial Microbiology, Microalgal Biotechnology, Sustainable Engineering
Education
University of Ottawa, 2015, Ph.D.
University of Ottawa, 2009, B.A.Sc.
University of Ottawa, 2009, B.Sc., Honours
Research interests + projects
My current focus is in engineering pedagogy and curriculum development, with a particular interest in problem-based learning, laboratory instruction, sustainability education, and interdisciplinary education. The challenges we face as a society, and as a species, are complex and multi-faceted. Engineers must be able to tackle them in creative ways, and be comfortable working on collaborative open interdisciplinary projects. The training of engineers must include these skills.
To this end, I aim to create developmental opportunities for students, and actively support a number of undergraduate design teams, student projects, student competitions, and special research projects. I am a steadfast advocate of science and engineering literacy, and am also involved in a number of STEM outreach initiatives.
My technical background is in bioprocessing and industrial microbiology, with a focus on the development of novel expression platforms for the production of industrially-relevant recombinant products.
Awards and honours
Fellow of the Canadian Engineering Education Association, 2023
Chemical and Biological Engineering Lifetime Teaching Award for Teaching , 2022
UBC Killam Teaching Award , 2021
2019 Ron Britton Engineering Education Vanguard Award , 2019
Chemical and Biological Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 , 2021
Scholarly and professional activities + affiliations
Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers (CSChE)
Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Selected publications + presentations
Hosseini, M, Vaez Ghaemi, R, and Potvin, G. Preliminary results of a high-resolution analysis of accreditation data to assess indicators, identify predictors and assess the equitability of teaching practices. Paper 45. Proceedings of the 2022 Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA). https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.vi.15872
Ghaemi, RV. and Potvin, G. Experimenting with Labs: Practical and Pedagogical Considerations for the Integration of Problem-Based Lab Instruction in Chemical Engineering. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. 99; 10, (2021) https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.24136
Verrett, J. Curriculum Renewal for Better Design-Related Student Outcomes in Second-Year Chemical and Biological Engineering. Paper 154. Proceedings of the 2021 Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.vi0.14126
Vaez Ghaemi, R, and Potvin, G. Hands-on Education Without the Hands-on? An Approach to Online Delivery of a Senior Lab Course in Chemical Engineering While Maintaining Key Learning Outcomes. Paper 14. Proceedings of the 2021 Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA). https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.vi0.14834
Ghaemi, RV, and Potvin, G. Students’ Perspective: Does Problem-Based Learning Increase Ownership of One’s Education?. Paper 26. Proceedings of the 2020 Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.vi0.14128
Pringle, J, and Potvin, G. International Engineering Student Motivation to Develop Communication Skills: a Case for an Integrated Training Approach. Paper 21632. Proceedings of the 2018 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2–30704