Our instructors

Sabrina Rai

Maryam Raiyat Aliabadi

Maryam R. Aliabadi, BSc, MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD in Computer Science, is a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia.

Guided by a passion for innovation, Maryam’s academic focus shifted towards applied machine learning for Cyber-Physical Systems during her PhD studies. She has over 10 years of international industrial experience as an R&D engineer in international companies and four years of teaching experience in international universities such as UBC and New York Tech.

Her commitment to the digital world's security extends beyond academia as the trailblazer behind cyber security education for children through gamification.

Vicente Regis

Gabriel Reygondeau

DR. GABRIEL REYGONDEAU, BSc, MSc, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Miami at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, where he coordinates the Aquamap/AquaX Project. He has a strong background in biological oceanography with a focus on biogeography, macroecology and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems ().

Dr. Reygondeau has held various research positions, including a current role as a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia, where he's involved in the Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager portal project, collaborating with Prof. William L. Cheung. His previous work at Yale University and other institutions has involved projects related to marine biodiversity, conservation and climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems.

Dr. Reygondeau has published widely in the area of the impact of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on global marine biodiversity. For a selected listing, please view here.

He holds a PhD in Oceanography, an MSc in Oceanography and the Marine Environment, and a BSc in Ecology and Biology, all of which have contributed to his expertise in modeling, statistics and macroecology in the context of the world's oceans.

Shadi Rezaei

Alexandra Richmond

Alexandra Richmond has an MSc in International Marketing Communication Strategy, an MEd, and 13 years of experience in organizational administration and education. She is very involved with public and private sector organizations and teaches extensively both in the classroom and in the boardroom.

Heather Robertson

Mirta Roncagalli

Mirta Roncagalli, MA, is a doctoral candidate of Hispanic studies at UBC. She studied at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy) where she earned a bachelor’s degree in languages and linguistics with a minor in international relations, and a master’s degree in comparative literatures. She also earned a master’s degree from University of Huelva (Spain).

Mirta has studied and conducted research at University of Bristol (UK), University of Zaragoza (Spain) and Georgia State University (US). Her current research is at the crossroads of ethics and politics, specifically within the 20th and 21st-century Spanish essay.

Chantale Roy

Chantale Roy is passionate about words and language. With over 30 years of experience in teaching French and translation, she combines precision and creativity to bring language to life. She holds degrees in health sciences and education from the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue and is currently completing her studies in translation at the Université de Saint-Boniface to further refine her linguistic expertise.

A specialist in interactive and engaging online learning, she designs courses that captivate students and foster meaningful learning experiences. She has developed and led multiple online reading and writing courses, as well as in-person and online language training for the University of British Columbia’s Extended Learning program, the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec. A published author and proofreader for a publishing house, she dedicates her expertise to the art of words with ever-renewed passion.

Rita Santillan

Rita Santillan holds a Master's degree in Educational Technology, and a BEd with a specialization in teaching foreign languages. She has also earned a Spanish Teaching Certificate from the Instituto Cervantes in Spain, and a Certificate in Translation and Interpretation from the University of California. Originally from Peru, Rita came to UBC in 2008.