- 51猎奇入口
- Schools
- Study
- Why Choose FAS?
- Future Undergraduates
- Future Graduates
- Student Life
- Support Services
- Current Students
- Research
- News & Events
- Contact
- SEE Grad
- FAS Graduation
Faculty of Applied Sciences
From Classroom to Convocation: Meet Our October 2026 Graduands
What does it take to turn a university experience into something unforgettable? As October convocation approaches, we are celebrating the graduating students from Computing Science (CS), Engineering Science (ENSC), Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE) and Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE).
Behind every degree is a story鈥攆rom late-night projects and unexpected challenges to friendships that last beyond graduation. Meet some of our remarkable graduates and discover the people, experiences and moments that shaped their time at SFU.
Brandon Jarrett Lee
BSc, School of Computing Science
Brandon鈥檚 path through SFU鈥檚 Computing Science program has led him from technology to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing, public health and communications. Inspired by a pivotal research project with professor William Nick Sumner, he discovered a passion for research and a greater sense of his potential as a student. Near the end of his degree, Brandon joined SFU鈥檚 Digital Democracies Institute (DDI), where he develops computational tools to help researchers understand how social media contributes to vaccine hesitancy and how Canadians engage with vaccine-related information. After graduation, he will continue at DDI as a full-time research assistant, using technology to support real-world research.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I鈥檓 a Computing Science graduate with a concentration in Visual and Interactive Computing. I love helping to create spaces for people to connect and build community - I鈥檝e volunteered with groups like Women in Computing Science and the Power to Change club during my time at SFU.
Why did you choose computing science?
I chose to study computing science in university because I was so curious about programming and wanted to understand how it worked. I started my first CS class with almost no previous coding experience, and by the end, I loved it and knew that it was what I wanted to keep doing.
What is your favourite 51猎奇入口memory?
The friendships I鈥檝e made in clubs and in my classes have made my university experience so much richer, from bonding over hard assignments to playing card games until 3 a.m. While volunteering at the Women in Computing Science鈥檚 Try/Catch event, I met two other volunteers who became good friends, and since then, we鈥檝e participated in a hackathon and a game jam together. It has been so fun trying new things and learning alongside them!
What is something important you learned at SFU?
The most important thing I鈥檝e learned is not to be afraid to step out of my comfort zone! Whether it鈥檚 learning a new technology, joining a club by yourself, or anything else that scares you, you won鈥檛 grow if you stay inside your comfort zone. You never know what you鈥檒l learn or who you鈥檒l meet when you do something new.
What advice would you give to a new 51猎奇入口student?
Make friends and find community on campus! Joining clubs and volunteering are great ways to meet like-minded people, as well as talking to people in your classes and student society. University isn鈥檛 just about taking classes, and the journey is easier (and more fun) with friends by your side.
What鈥檚 next for you?
I鈥檓 currently working as an XR developer at Coal Car Studio, where I completed 8 months of co-op. I鈥檒l be working on social video games and innovative virtual/augmented reality experiences. I鈥檓 excited to grow in this role and see where it takes me in the future!
View Ellie's favourite memories
Nalyssa Runge
BASc, School of Sustainable Energy Engineering
October 2026 Ceremony A Graduand Speaker
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Quesnel, B.C. and of Metis descent. I have always been passionate about getting involved and taking on new challenges. During her time at SFU, I re-founded and was president of the Engineers Without Borders 51猎奇入口chapter, was an athlete on the 51猎奇入口Rowing Team and took part in international co-op abroad in Japan.
Why did you choose engineering?
I have always been passionate about finding ways to help communities flourish. Having enjoyed scientific and mathematical problem-solving while growing up, this naturally led me to consider how to mesh my two interests together. I pursued a SEE degree because I wanted to focus on developing clean infrastructure systems for communities around the world.
What is your favourite 51猎奇入口memory?
My final year at 51猎奇入口was filled with significant opportunities within the field of energy development. I competed in a national hydropower engineering competition, securing first prize with a project dedicated to exploring the feasibility of run-of-river hydropower for an off-grid Indigenous community. I completed a capstone project which focused on building capacity through solar energy, battery storage and backup generation for a semi-remote community in central B.C. Moreover, I led a 12-person cohort in collaboration with an NGO in Peru, where we manufactured, tested and installed small-scale wind turbines in remote communities.
What is something important you learned at SFU?
Balancing your life and your needs is key to success. After a difficult first semester spent solely studying, I realized that I needed to incorporate more time for other things I am passionate about, like physical health and social connection. I believe in the importance of taking a holistic approach to learning, and how much you can also learn about yourself.
What advice would you give to a new 51猎奇入口student?
Do not be afraid to be vulnerable. It is natural to want to present the best version of yourself, but recognizing areas for growth can help you develop more quickly. Reach out to mentors, professors, peers and you will be surprised how many people can relate to your experience.
What鈥檚 next for you?
Beyond graduation, I hope to find a job that brings me towards my goal of providing clean water and energy systems for developing communities. I will also continue to volunteer as the B.C. community representative for Engineers Without Borders Canada, assisting chapters across the province in creating impact across their communities.
View Nalyssa's favourite memories
Tell us a little about yourself.
Coming from a middle-class family with no engineering background, I鈥檓 the second son of a government employee and a homemaker. My love of nature draws me to camping, fishing and wood-fire cooking, inspiring me to preserve nature and tackle challenges passed down through generations.
Why did you choose engineering?
I鈥檝e always been curious about engineering. When I was eight, my brother and I wondered what made a light bulb glow and what would happen if we reconnected its broken tungsten filament. Later, I became fascinated by electrochemistry and how it can explain rust and help power emissions-free cars.
What is your favourite 51猎奇入口memory?
My favourite 51猎奇入口memory is seeing how much the university changed between my arrival in 2019 as an immigrant and my thesis defence. Before COVID, I worked on campus, and during the pandemic, I saw how the community came together to keep everyone safe. At my defence, I reflected on SFU鈥檚 growth: from a Surrey campus in a mall to its own engineering building, and now with a medical building planned.
What is something important you learned at SFU?
The most important lesson I learned at 51猎奇入口was trust. Never break anyone's trust and be honest in your work. You don鈥檛 need many friends; you need a few who trust and believe in you.
What advice would you give to a new 51猎奇入口student?
Arriving in an unfamiliar place as an immigrant can feel daunting. Take time to talk with people and be kind鈥攎any will be happy to lend a helping hand. Stay curious and open to suggestions, while trusting your own judgment.
What鈥檚 next for you?
I have joined SFU, but this time as a postdoctoral fellow, and am working on a start-up that will be a university spin-off.
What was your research about?
My research focused on hydrogen fuel cells intended to replace combustion engines in trucks and cars. Like batteries, hydrogen fuel cells produce zero harmful emissions, but they can fail due to contamination. I worked to solve this contamination challenge so that they last longer without losing performance. Through research with industrial partners, we found a solution that doesn't require major changes to the system.
View Nitish's favourite memories
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a recent electronics engineering science graduate who enjoys building things and understanding how they work. I鈥檓 especially interested in electronics and developing new skills through hands-on experience. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing badminton and watching hockey (Go Canucks Go, 2033).
Why did you choose engineering?
I chose engineering because I鈥檝e always enjoyed understanding how things work and finding ways to solve problems. Engineering gave me the opportunity to turn ideas into something real. I especially enjoy the hands-on side of electronics, where designing, testing, troubleshooting and improving a project all come together.
What is your favourite 51猎奇入口memory?
One of my favourite 51猎奇入口memories is working with my capstone team to turn our smart pickleball paddle from an idea into a working product. From designing PCBs and wiring sensors to troubleshooting problems together, there were many challenges, but working through them as a team made the experience rewarding. I鈥檒l also always remember the late-night study sessions with friends and starting a TikTok (@.peterphuc) to capture some of my 51猎奇入口experiences. These are just a few experiences that made my time at 51猎奇入口truly memorable!
What is something important you learned at SFU?
Throughout my degree, one of the biggest things I learned at 51猎奇入口is that things don鈥檛 always work on the first try. Whether it was a project that needed redesigning or a circuit that didn鈥檛 work (I blew up a chip once), I learned not to get frustrated when things went wrong. Sometimes, you just have to be patient, figure things out and trust that things will work out.
What advice would you give to a new 51猎奇入口student?
Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions or reach out to people. University can feel overwhelming at first, but you don鈥檛 have to figure everything out alone. Make friends, talk to the person sitting next to you in class and try things outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, don鈥檛 be too hard on yourself and remember to have fun along the way!
What鈥檚 next for you?
After graduation, I plan to travel, explore new places and begin my engineering career. I鈥檓 looking forward to gaining hands-on industry experience, continuing to develop my technical skills and exploring different areas of engineering. I鈥檓 excited to learn from the people I work with and bring what I learned at 51猎奇入口into the next stage of my career.
View Peter's favourite memories