Earlier this year, a team of five Environmental Engineering students from UBC won first place at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Illinois. Team StormWise Innovations was made up of Jaden Gauw, Jaden Mah, Kajal Mishra, Cindy Chow and Megan Slot, who designed a stormwater management solution involving green infrastructure to improve runoff water quality in the Nelson Creek Watershed. This project was in partnership with the City of Coquitlam utilities team and the British Columbia Water and Wastewater Association (BCWWA).
As recognition of the student team’s achievement, the City of Coquitlam invited students to present their design and experience to the Coquitlam City Council, which they did on December 5, 2025.
The team was led by Dr. Zeina Baalbaki, a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering. Dr. Baalbaki served as their faculty advisor for both competitions and mentored the students through the technical design process, and helping them integrate prior coursework into a cohesive, real-world engineering solution. The project exemplifies experiential learning, where students apply and synthesize previously-acquired skills in a professional, client-driven setting.
The WEF Student Design Competition is a signature program of student and young professionals promoting creativity, dedication, and technical excellence of the next generation of water professionals. This year, a team of UBC students were up against 29 student teams representing 4 countries, who competed across three categories: Wastewater, Water Environment, and Circular Water Economy.
In October, win was previously recognized by Minister Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship at a BCWWA event.
Congratulations Dr. Baalbaki and the student team!
