The UBC Department of Geography extends its enthusiastic congratulations to three exceptional Teaching Assistants receiving the 2024 TA Award: David Puhl, Erika Siao and Rachel Stern. The remarkable contributions these educators make to our department and student body are invaluable. Their dedication to academic integrity and building a welcoming community of open-minded learners is notable. Drawing from wide ranging personal and academic backgrounds, each of our TAs adds valuable insights to our curriculum and student experience.
Our first awardee, David Puhl (he/him), is a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Marwan Hassan. David’s research is focused on how flood events shape river channel dimensions, specifically related to the 2021 Nicola River extreme flood in interior British Columbia. By examining landscape-controlled factors like stored sediment and channel width David’s work gathers insights on how these factors affect the river’s response to varying flood scenarios. His research combines digital geomorphic models, detailed landform mapping, and historic aerial photograph analysis.
“I am honored to receive this TA award. Teaching has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to engage with undergraduate geography students and foster their curiosity. I strive to be approachable and to create an open, supportive learning environment in both lab sessions and lectures. I was fortunate to have worked with excellent instructors who inspired my approach of teaching,” reflects David.
Rachel Stern (she/her) is a second year PhD student in human geography working with Dr. Rafi Arefin and Dr. Leila Harris. Examining the intersection of housing, aging and extreme heat, her community-engaged research looks specifically at how elderly adults experience and understand the risks of heat in cities. This project builds on her previous work during her MA in Geography she completed here at UBC in 2023. Rachel previously researched the impact of climate change-induced extreme weather on vulnerable tenants in South Vancouver. Rachel has TA’d several courses since 2021 and is greatly appreciated by faculty and students alike.
“My goal as a TA is to create an environment where students feel like they can connect their lived experience and knowledge with the course material, especially when it comes to understanding urban geographies. Building a space where everyone feels welcome and can access the material in the way that works for them is important to me. I’m very honored to receive this award,” shares Rachel.
Erika Siao (she/they) is an MA student studying human geography . Having grown up between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Beijing, Erika describes themselves as “a walking body of diverse cultural influences that don’t seem to make sense together”. Drawing on a background in community organizing, their current research centers on queer climate justice activism in the San Francisco Bay Area. Erika’s interests beyond academia include long conversations, large bodies of water, writing creative non-fiction, and enjoying the sun. Their varied background and passionate advocacy create a welcoming space for our diverse student body.
“I’m excited to receive the department’s TA award this year. Connecting with and mentoring undergraduate students has been one of the biggest highlights of my MA program thus far. I still remember the TAs in my undergrad who made a difference to my education, and I aim to bring the warmth, understanding, and kindness that I saw in them to my classroom,” explains Erika.
The patience, dedication and kindness these standout TAs bring to our students is paramount to positive learning experiences. Please join us in congratulating this year’s three recipients on their achievements as educators. We are grateful for the impressive teaching impacts they continue to have in our department.
