Our instructors

Dianne Cook

Travis Czech

Travis Czech is an EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker and Network Defender. He has worked as a solutions and security architect and business and technology consultant, a Chief Technology Officer and teaches cybersecurity, software development, ethical hacking and data engineering.

Travis started his first business mentoring the elderly in the use of technology and helping small companies establish a presence on the Internet. While in the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserves, he learned discipline, leadership skills and instructional methods, all while maintaining his technology businesses. Since leaving the military he has expanded his career and business into teaching and mentoring.

Travis remains committed to his passion for technology and has written several books including: Cyber Security: Rust for Ethical Hacking, Cyber Security: Python for Penetration Testing and Cyber Security: Incident Response Plans. Hear Travis speak about ethical hacking at the Cybersecurity information session.

Maura Da Cruz

Maura Da Cruz brings extensive experience to her work in organizational development, leadership development and program design as a Learning Consultant and former lead of UBC Coaching Services. As a master certified coach, and external coach with UBC Coaching Services, Maura’s multidimensional and holistic approach facilitates leaders, managers, and individuals in transition to create audacious goals while creating authentic, vibrant and fulfilling lives. Maura is passionate and dedicated to supporting individuals and work teams tap into their strengths and natural abilities to achieve exponential and sustainable results. A trained practitioner in Appreciative Inquiry, Maura has effectively facilitated leadership, team development, strategic planning, and strengths-based programs for a wide spectrum of work groups and professionals ranging from executives, senior managers, academic heads, emerging leaders and front-line staff.

Taslim Damji

Kelly Davidson

Hugh William Davies

Valentin Deransart

Socorro Esther Dominguez Vidana

Socorro Esther Dominguez Vidaña (She/her) holds a Master of Data Science degree from UBC and is a data scientist I at University of Wisconsin. She facilitates Programming in Python for Data Science and Introduction to Machine Learning at UBC-ExL. She has an extensive experience in data analysis and computational methods, particularly in the geosciences. She has made significant contributions to the Neotoma Paleoecological Database, focusing on improving data accessibility, integration, and analytical workflows for global ecological and paleoenvironmental research. Her work involves developing innovative approaches to managing and analyzing large datasets, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. With a strong foundation in research and teaching, Socorro applies data science techniques to enhance scientific understanding and decision-making. She is passionate about creating efficient, impactful solutions to complex data challenges in scientific and technical domains.

Dinorah Dugas

Dinorah Dugas has been teaching Spanish with UBC Extended Learning for 28 years with excellent evaluations from her students. Dinorah is currently the head instructor for the Spanish program and assistant for curriculum development. She is an enthusiastic language teacher who loves her work just as much as the first day and keeps exploring and creating new ideas in the field. Dinorah believes that each student in her class is important and deserves her respect, encouragement, and the very best she has to offer.

View all current Spanish courses.

Sara Elder

Sara Elder, BA, MA, PhD, is Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC, and Senior Policy Advisor at the International Institute for Sustainable Development. She holds a BA in International Relations, and an MA and PhD in Resources, Environment and Sustainability from UBC.

Sara has over a decade of experience leading applied research and advisory work on sustainability, inclusive development and global value chains in Canada, Africa, Latin America and Asia. She specializes in translating complex systems research into actionable strategies for policy and practice, and has advised governments, organizations and companies on strengthening equity and advancing climate and sustainable development goals. She designs and conducts learning programs to build leadership capacity in sustainability and climate action and has published on sustainability education. She previously held roles with the United Nations and the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Climate Action Team.