Catalysis Research Group

Clean Fuels
We study the catalysts and processes that produce fuels, chemicals, and power. Current projects include producing hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and intermediates like syngas and olefins.
Using our background in chemical engineering, chemistry, reaction engineering, and materials science, we design materials and processes. Experimental and theoretical techniques are used in combination with characterization and synthesis.

We use our understanding to develop new catalysts to enable new processes.

Meet the Team

CHESTER UPHAM
Assistant Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, UBC
2020-current
Postdoc, Stanford University
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
B.Eng., McGill University
C-Zero, Carbon Sciences, Kimberly-Clark, and various consulting roles
Postdoctoral researchers

Sonit Balyan
Postdoctoral researcher (2023-current)
Methane pyrolysis & inductive heating
Prior education
PhD, IIT Delhi
Masters, IIT Guwahati
Graduate Students

Mark Tabbara
PhD Student (2020-current)
Molten metal catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation
Prior education:
BASc, University of Waterloo
MASc, University of Waterloo

Genpei Cai
PhD Student (2020-current)
CO2 reforming catalyst development
Prior education
BASc, UBC

Natascha Miederhoff
PhD Student (2023-current)
Carbon fiber synthesis
Prior education:
BASc, Technical University of Munich
MASc, Technical University of Munich

Michael Byun
MASc Student (2022-current)
High temperature hydrogen membranes
Prior education:
BASc, UBC

Sawyer d’Entremont
MASc Student (2023-current)
Carbon fiber synthesis
Prior education:
BASc, University of Waterloo

Rami Jubeili
MASc Student
(2024-current)
Ammonia decomposition
Prior education:
BASc, UBC

Wyatt Schnare
MASc Student (2024-current)
Methane Pyrolysis
Prior education:
BASc, UBC
Visiting and Undergraduate Students

Maryam Buraimoh
UBC Undergraduate Researcher (2024-current)
Carbon fiber production

Shafin Khan
UBC Undergraduate Researcher (2023-current)
Chemisorption on molten surfaces

Justyna Podmokly
Visiting Master’s student, Sorbonne University
(2024-current)
Carbon fiber production

Harsh Singh
UBC Undergraduate Researcher
(2024-current)
Hydrogen permeation

Alumni Members

Hugo Dignoes
M.Eng Student (2022-2024)
Techno-economic analysis of propane oxidative dehydrogenation
Current:
PhD, UBC

Markus Pfeiffer
Visiting Master’s student, Technical University of Munich (2023)
Prior education:
BASc, Technical University of Munich
Current: MASc TU Munich

Nicole Chen
UBC Undergraduate Researcher
(2022-2023)

Harshita Jain
Visiting student, IIT Delhi
(2023)

Nicole Koers
Visiting Student, University of Groningen (2022)
Current: MASc, University of Grongen

Karl Koerber
Visiting Student, Hochschule Kempten
(2023)

Karsten Feigl
Visiting Master’s student, Technical University of Munich (2021-2022)
Current: BMW

Ella Zhou
UBC Undergraduate Researcher (2022)

Chris Zong
Research Associate (2021-2022)
M.Eng. Student (2020-2021)
Current: PhD at University of Oxford
Pia Kneidel, Visiting student, Technical University of Munich, 2023
Natascha Miederhoff, Visiting student, Technical University of Munich, 2022
Korbinian Lechner, Visiting student, Technical University of Munich, 2022
Sarah Chfira, Visiting student, Universite de Techologie Compiegne, 2022
Stephan Popp, Visiting student, RWTH Aachen University, 2022-2023
Michael Mirkes, Visiting student, Technical University of Munich, 2022-2023
Publications
For a complete list of publications, please see Google Scholar.
Opportunities
We are actively seeking future postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, visiting students, and undergraduate students. Please:
- Send your CV to chester.upham@ubc.ca. Please provide the following information: degree program and university, graduation year, GPA, class rank, desired start date, research summary, and future research plans (for postdocs).
- Please also apply through UBC Graduate School.
All graduate students are financially supported by either PI’s research funds or scholarships. Students holding major scholarships (e.g. NSERC) or other confirmed funding sources, are more likely to be accepted and should indicate this in their communication. Scholarship holders are also provided with an additional top-up from PI’s research funds.
Funding Opportunities for Postdocs
- Postdoctoral Fellows Office
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
- Banting Fellowship
- Killam Research Fellowship
- China Scholarship Council Postdoctoral Scholarship
- Mitacs Elevate
Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students
- Graduate Student Office
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Canadian Graduate Scholarships – Masters
- Canadian Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral
- NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships – Doctoral
- Vanier Scholarship
- UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Masters
- UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral
- China Scholarship Council Doctoral Scholarships
- India SERB-UBC Scholarships
Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate Students
- NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards
- Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards
- Mitacs Globalink Program



Contact
chester.upham@ubc.ca
(604) 827-5563
CHBE 429