Our instructors

Jose Ricardo García Martinez

Florian Gassner

Dr. Florian Gassner, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the UBC Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies. He’s a former Fellow of the New Europe College in Bucharest, and has represented the German Academic Exchange Service at the Donetsk National University in Ukraine. His research focuses in the cultural history of Central and Eastern Europe.

Mike Gelbart

Mike Gelbart, PhD, is an assistant professor of teaching in the UBC Department of Computer Science, and Option Co-Director of the UBC Master of Data Science (MDS) Program. He joined UBC in 2015 and was part of the team that designed the MDS curriculum. He holds an undergraduate degree in physics from Princeton University, and a PhD from the machine learning group at Harvard University. Outside of UBC, Mike is an advisor at Vanedge Capital, a Vancouver-based early-stage venture capital fund for technology startups. Learn more about Michael on his personal website.

Don Genova

Don Genova is a BC-based award-winning freelance food and travel journalist. Over the years he has contributed to such publications as the Globe and Mail, National Post, enRoute, and Western Living. He is a regular contributor to Flavours magazine and Gulf Islands Aqua. Don is a veteran radio and television contributor, including many regular spots with CBC Radio and independently produced documentaries for the Food Network. His latest radio column with CBC Victoria is called Food Matters, and delves into the world of sustainable eating in British Columbia. His first book, Food Artisans of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, was published in April 2014.

Don earned a Masters of Food Culture from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy in 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo and is an Honours Graduate of the Humber College Radio Broadcasting Program.

Don's Blog: http://blog.dongenova.com

Twitter: @dongenova

Nahid Ghani

Melanie Gorman Ng

Mitchell Gray

Mitchell Gray, MA (Political Science), MA (Journalism) is the senior instructor in the university preparation program at UBC Extended Learning. He designs and teaches practical courses and workshops for high school students on topics like academic skills, habit-building, and writing standout university applications. Mitchell brings an engaged, student-focused approach to everything he teaches – helping learners build confidence, skills, and a clear path to university success.

Rochelle Grayson

Rochelle Grayson, co-founder of ArtSites.ca, is a consumer and digital media executive with 20 years of business, technology, and education experience. She has led and launched several innovative digital media initiatives, working with a combination of both small and large companies, as well as highly analytical and creative individuals. Rochelle is equally comfortable discussing digital media business models, social media trends, online community building, and internet and mobile technologies.

For the past five years, Rochelle has been teaching courses in the Social Media at the University of British Columbia. She is also the industry chair and program advisor for the UBC Certificate in Digital Strategy and Award of Achievement in Social Media.

Since 2008, Rochelle has been nominated as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, been named “The New Executive Cool Hunter” by Canadian Business Magazine, been included as one of Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40 by Business in Vancouver, and listed as one of Vancouver's Top 10 Technology Women.

Rochelle holds an MBA in Finance and Business Policy from the University of Chicago, and Master Certifications in Product Development Management and Business Facilitation.

Rochelle Grayson is the 2015 recipient of the UBC John K. Friesen Excellence in Teaching Award.

Anthony Green

Anthony Green, BTech, is the Manager of Security Operations and Compliance at Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC), where he leads the team responsible for CPABC’s security program. Anthony is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with nearly a decade of experience safeguarding Canada's largest companies and public organizations. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker on the global stage, regularly traveling worldwide to share insights on critical cybersecurity issues.

Anthony has been an advocate for lifelong learning and mentoring new generations of cybersecurity professionals. He is the lead cybersecurity instructor at UBC Extended Learning. His passion for teaching extends internationally—collaborating with top universities in Kenya and helping government officials in Malaysia enhance their cybersecurity capabilities. Anthony has been volunteering with ISACA Vancouver Chapter since 2019 and served as the Chapter’s President from 2022-2023. His leadership significantly expanded the chapter's reach and impact within the cybersecurity community.

Anthony is now furthering his impact into the cybersecurity startup space as the Western Canada Ambassador for the Canadian Cybersecurity Cluster - In Sec M.

Whether he's securing data, educating future leaders, or guiding industry organizations, Anthony is dedicated to making the digital world safer for everyone.

Zipporah Greenslade