Gayatri Kulkarni
Gayatri was born in Mumbai, spent the last eight years in the U.S., and is now based in Vancouver, BC. She is a research technician at UBC with a background in computer engineering, information management, and data consulting. Her MGEM capstone focused on identifying individual trees and segmenting crowns using remote sensing tools like LiDAR, and she is currently doing short research to support further work in this area. She is especially interested in using data and geospatial methods to help address biodiversity loss and climate change.
Outside of work, she’s a big Formula 1 fan and loves spending race weekends watching Grand Prix races. She also enjoys birdwatching, traveling, and exploring vegetarian cuisine.
Felix Dorn
Felix grew up in a small village in the Ore Mountains in eastern Germany. After finishing high school, he moved to France to work in a retirement home, participating in a youth volunteer program. He went on to study at the University of Stuttgart, earning his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2023. He then started a consecutive master’s program, joining UBC as an exchange student in the 2023–24 academic year. Having since taken courses on the application of satellites and other platforms for Earth observation, his interest in remote sensing grew. In May 2026, Felix joined the IRSS as a visiting international research student to work on his master’s thesis. His research focuses on mapping coarse woody debris as he investigates the capabilities of DAP systems and compares ground-based and drone-based systems with LiDAR systems.
When he is not in the lab, Felix enjoys the outdoors, most likely hiking, climbing, or cycling. You might also find him playing beach volleyball before watching the sunset.
Joe Meyer
Joe grew up in Evanston Illinois in the States, and moved to Vancouver to study Computer Engineering at UBC, and has one year left in his undergrad. He is interested in how to apply his background in software to remote sensing, and is hoping to learn more about GIS.
If he’s being honest, the main reason he moved to Vancouver is the mountains (even though UBC is pretty cool), and in his free time he can be found backcountry skiing, scrambling, backpacking, or even taking a dip in a freezing alpine lake. He also enjoys a good book and a nice cup of coffee on the occasional rainy day in Vancouver.
Nicholas Schindelhauer
Nick grew up in Vancouver, BC, spending lots of time outdoors camping with family and friends throughout his childhood. Spending so much time outdoors in BC inspired an interest in conservation and the environment, leading him to enroll in Natural Resources Conservation at UBC. He is now in his fourth year of the program, and joined the IRSS as a work learn student to explore his interest in GIS and its applications in ecology and conservation.
In his free time, Nick loves backpacking throughout BC’s backcountry with his friends, good music, reading, and a cup of coffee in the morning.
Celine Li
Celine grew up in Vancouver, BC and is attending UBC to obtain a degree in Environmental Sciences, specializing in conservation and ecology, with a minor in Data Science. Growing up in Vancouver, she has developed a deep appreciation for the natural world, being surrounded by rich natural diversity. She recently was introduced to GIS and has a new interest in using geospatial analysis to improve forest conservation efforts and hopes to learn more.
In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family trying out different food places around Vancouver. She also enjoys staying at home to spend time with her cat!
Luca Iribarren
Luca grew up in Albany, California, and moved to Vancouver to study Urban Forestry at UBC, with a Minor in Landscape and Recreation Planning. He joined the IRSS as a work learn student during the summer after his fourth year, with an interest in using LiDAR to visualize natural landscapes at high resolutions.
During Luca’s free time, he can be found making music with his friends, learning how to sew, or suffering on a ski traverse.