About

Hi, my name is Shayan Fahimi. I am a Ph.D. student in Composite Research Network at the University of British Columbia working on analytical and numerical approaches to simulate advanced composites processes. I am originally from Iran and have bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran.

I chose Mechanical engineering because I was interested in the product design process. Consequently, I worked almost for a year as a product designer after graduation, designing sheet-metal parts for pedestrian gates. For me, the design process, from the early stages when you talk with people to find their needs and requirements to the point when you can touch the final product, is fulfilling. Thus, when I started my graduate studies, I worked as a TA in design courses to help students understand the process and feel the satisfaction at the end of the road.

Machine learning and optimization was another fascinating subject for me and I decided to work on “Topology optimization of multistage gearbox” as my undergraduate capstone project. During this project, I grasped the fact that meaningful and applicable output is a direct consequence of an accurate and well-defined problem statement.

Optimization algorithms showed me the great potential of programming and I became obsessed with numerical methods and virtual prototyping during my masters. For my thesis, I chose to work on the development of constitutive models for nonlinear and time-dependent materials and then use optimization algorithms to fit the material parameters. My work is published here.

As a 2nd-year graduate student, I got a scholarship to be part of a novel team working on the integration of numerical models with condition assessment data of structures. I developed a framework to predict the structural response, based on the detected damage patterns extracted from 3D scanning data and presented my work in a journal paper. Aside from learning about structural assessment and numerical models for crack propagation, this project gave me an invaluable experience to work in a multicultural environment and become more familiar with industrial projects in early stages.

Following my journey to develop numerical models for complex materials, I became part of Composite Research Network at UBC to continue decades-long research on the development of more accurate and representative numerical models for composite manufacturing processes.

Currently, I am trying to improve the understanding behind the state-of-the-art model for composite manufacturing using prepregs. The integrated flow-stress model aims to combine two consecutive steps in composite manufacturing and provide better insight on the interaction of three phases, fluid, gas, and fibers, during the manufacturing process, from the debulk to the demolding.

After more than 3 years of research in the advanced manufacturing sector, I found that the closed innovation culture is a significant block to innovation. Thus, I grasped the opportunity to attend Invention to Innovation program at SFU and build my skills for commercialization of science-based ventures.

I find great joy in teaching which motivated me to be a teaching assistant in several courses, both at UBC and the University of Tehran, and act as seminar facilitator for the IGSPP program at UBC Extended Learning. Moreover, I attended professional training program, such as CIRTL Summer Teaching Institute, to learn more about teaching theories and active learning methodologies. To find out more, please read my Teaching Philosophy.I believe that access to knowledge is a basic human right and to be part of the open knowledge movement, I have provided learning materials in different forms on Github and Youtube.

On weekends, I enjoy most of my time being outdoors. During the warmer months here in Vancouver, I enjoy biking, hiking, and volleyball. When the weather forces me to stay longer indoors, I dance salsa, read novels, and listen to podcasts.