On Wednesday May 1, Dr. Lesley Cormack, Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBC’s Okanagan Campus, leads a fulsome discussion on future-proofing our Okanagan. Dr. Cormack will be joined by three outstanding researchers who will examine, explore and explain UBCO’s current leading-edge work to prepare our communities to be resilient in the face of an ever-changing environment.

Future-proofing anticipates and prepares for potential future changes and challenges. These four exceptional individuals will analyze and explain as a panel, and engage with the audience in a moderated Q&A following their presentations.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our members and our community to engage with locally-based researchers from this global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world,” says Maryse Harvey, Chair of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.

“UBC Okanagan, one of our Presidents Circle members, is well-placed to provide this overview and deeper look into what is a timely learning opportunity for us here in the Okanagan, given the apparently escalating rate of climate change and the resultant changes in our valley environment.”

Joining Dr. Cormack on stage are:

  • Dr Sumi Siddiqua, a geo-environmental engineer, implementing her research in our community.
  • Dr Mathieu Bourbonnais, former wildland firefighter now professor/researcher specializing in wildfires.
  • Andreas Rutkauskas, focusing research on the aftermath and regeneration of post-wildfire landscapes.

Wednesday May 1, 4:30p.m.
Okanagan Innovation Centre, 460 Doyle Avenue