Solar Energy Ambassador Program

Program Details

Ambassador_1

Solar Energy Ambassador Alexis Guidi, a Ph.D student in electrical engineering, captivates grade-12 students at Kelowna Secondary School with a hands-on demonstration of photovoltaics.

Our Solar Energy Ambassadors are highly motivated and talented graduate, undergraduate students, and postdocs who deliver courses and workshops on solar energy technology to schools and the general public. Join us in shaping a cleaner, brighter future with solar energy!

Why become a Solar Energy Ambassador?

As a student Ambassador, inspire the next generation and promote solar energy adoption through workshops, demonstrations, and presentations.

  • Motivate the next generation of researchers
  • Learn to communicate and share research with a non-scientific audience
  • Enrich your CV with teaching experience
  • Contribute to raising awareness of solar energy
Material Preparation
  • Booths: Design visual displays and interactive demonstrations to illustrate key solar energy concepts.
  • Workshops: Develop hands-on activities, educational games, and materials to provide a dynamic and participatory learning experience.
  • Lectures: Prepare engaging presentations for a younger audience.
How to participate

If you are eager to become a solar ambassador, please send a brief note outlining your preferred involvement to tanja.voegel@ubc.ca.

Meet a Solar Energy Ambassador Researcher

Katherine Latosinsky

M.A.Sc Student in Electrical Engineering

I’m developing next-generation perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cells using printable chemical inks—an approach that could lead to low-cost, lightweight, and flexible solar panels. My work aims to make clean energy more accessible and accelerate the transition to a stustainable future. As part of the Ammbassador Program, I’m passionate about inspiring students to explore science and engineering, and to recognize the vital role of solar power in addressing global energy challenges. Connect with me on Linkedin.

 

Ahmed Mahmoud

Ahmed Galal Mahmoud

PhD Student in Electrical Engineering

I am a PhD student in Electrical Engineering at UBC whose research focuses on advancing solar energy systems through innovative and data-driven approaches. My work involves integrating energy storage with solar cells, developing electric load forecasting models, and applying machine learning techniques to enhance the stability and performance of perovskite solar cells. As a Solar Energy Ambassador, I am excited to promote renewable energy awareness and share knowledge about solar technologies with students and the broader community. Connect with me on LinkedIn.

 

Hasan Mohammad

Hasan Mohammad

Student in Electrical Engineering and Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am an Electrical Engineering student and Undergraduate Research Assistant at UBC. I’m passionate about emerging STEM technologies, from robotics to renewable technologies to bio-computing. Through the Solar Ambassador program, I am excited to help promote sustainable technologies while introducing community members to the field of electrical engineering and research as a whole!

 

Shahrukh Hossain Rian

MSc Student in Electrical Engineering

My research explores the social dimensions of solar photovoltaics (PV) adoption in urvan environments. I investigate how building codes, energy step codes, and policy frameworks shape both the opportunities and barriers to implementing solar PV systems. This work bridges technical knowledge with a broader societal lens—an essential combination in our climate-conscious era. I joined the Solar Ambassador Program to share my passion with young minds and inspire more people to contribute to the search for sustainable solutions today, for a better tomorrow.

 

Alexander Sol

Graduate Student in Mechanical Engineering

I am a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at UBC researching advanced thin-film solar cells, with a focus on multifunctional CIGS and ACIGS photovoltaic materials. My work explores scalable fabrication methods and material optimization strategies aimed at improving the efficiency and practicality of next-generation solar technologies. Through the Solar Energy Ambassador Program, I hope to help students see how engineering and renewable energy research can contribute to solving real-world sustainability challenges and shaping a cleaner energy future. Connect with me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sol-a09550199/)

 

Brian Tam

Dr. Brian Tam

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Chemistry

I research how solar fuels may be synthesized more efficiently from water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide from the air. These fuels, such as green hydrogen and renewable carbon-fuels, are needed now for making fertilizers and refined chemicals. In the future, solar fuels could also play a key role in storing the summer’s solar energy to be used during winter months. Being a Solar Energy Ambassador will allow me to inspire others with tangible actions that work towards a sustainable solar energy-driven society.

 

Abdul-Mubarak Yussif Yidana

PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering

I am a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at UBC, where my research focuses on advancing rooftop solar energy through real-world data and modeling. I joined the Solar Energy Ambassador program to share my enthusiasm for solar technology and to support others in discovering its potential. If you are curious about solar energy, interested in sustainability, or looking to connect with someone working in this field, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Past Ambassador Researchers

Alexis Guidi, PhD, Electrical Engineering
Sutripto Khasnabis, PhD, Chemistry

 

Events & Activities

Here is a list of some of the events and initiatives our ambassadors have been part of:

2026 Highlights
  • Raymer Elementary – June 18
    • Delivered Solar Printing Activity at the Spring Fair to families.
  • Rutland Secondary – June 2
    • Delivered Introduction to Photovoltaics workshops to three Grade 9 and 11 classes.
  • George Elliot Secondary School – May 25
    • Delivered Introduction to Photovoltaics workshop to one Grade 11 class.
  • Let’s Talk Science Collaboration – April 17
    • Welcomed two high-school classes from Salmon Arm, BC to UBCO for hands-on solar activities.
  • KSS Engineering 11 Collaboration – February 27
    • Delivered Introduction to Photovoltaics workshop to one Grade 11 class.
2025 Highlights
  • UBCO Campus Visit – March 12
    • Hosted students from George Elliot Secondary School for a lab tour to Dr. Uhl’s Laboratory for Solar Energy and Fuels and Dr. Godin’s SolarSpec laboratory.
  • Let’s Talk Science Collaboration – April 17
    • Welcomed two high-school classes from Salmon Arm, BC to UBCO for hands-on solar activities.
  • George Elliot Secondary School – April 24 & 25
    • Delivered Introduction to Photovoltaics workshop to four Grade 11 classes.
  • KSS Engineering 11 Collaboration – May 7
    • Guided high-school students through hands-on exploration of solar-powered technologies.
  • Rutland Senior Secondary School – May 21 & 26
    • Presented solar energy concepts to Grade 10 science classes
  • Seed2STEM – July 21
  • Okanagan Mission Secondary Scool – November 24
2024 Highlights
  • KSS Engineering 11 Collaboration – May 8
    • Engaged students in solar energy applications and design

Captured Highlights