Lab Members
Steven Bristow
PhD student
I am a PhD student studying plant-water relations in woody species to support agroecosystem management under drought conditions. My interests relate to plant characteristics and how they alter performance under different environmental conditions. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, and volunteering with local farms.”
Gopal Sharma
MSc Student
I am currently a masters student working with Dr. Knipfer and Dr. Brar. I completed my B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of British Columbia. I specialized in the Land, Air and Water concentration and participated in the coop program during my undergrad. As a coop student, I worked on a project studying the impact of stripe rust on wheat. During this time, I also assisted with summer field trials. I am currently studying root physiological and anatomical traits that are linked to improved drought performance of wheat. My interests during my free time include exploring new places in the city and reading.
Cheyenne Chu
Undergraduate Work/ Learn student
I am a 4th-year undergraduate student in the B.Sc. APBI program at UBC, working in Dr. Knipfer’s lab as a research assistant. Through my research experiences in Dr. Knipfer’s lab, I was exposed to advanced technologies and traditional research tools that can provide deeper insights into the physiological mechanisms and anatomical features of intact plants. To further my interest in applying machine learning tools in plant science research, I am currently conducting an undergraduate thesis focused on the drought stress on stem functions and physiological responses of poplar trees using X-ray microtomography (microCT) and 3D visualization programs. Apart from research, I enjoy spending time reading, listening to podcasts, and cooking.
Gregory Kuperman
Undergraduate Work Learn student
I am a third year Environmental Engineering undergraduate student. Growing up in Southern California, drought is an important concern of Gregory’s. Currently, I work on a “smart pot” Lysimeter project to be used for data collection and interpretation. Previously I worked as an Assistant Operator at the UBC Botany Greenhouse. When not working with plants I can be found cooking and training in Jiu Jitsu.