Isabella Howley is a fifth-year Chemical & Biological Engineering student at UBC and a rising star in bio-based materials research. Since joining BPI in January 2023 as a work-learn student, and later transitioning to a co-op, she has focused her research on bio-based materials derived from bacterial cellulose vinegar waste.
Her research achievements have continued to garner significant attention. Following her first-place award for her oral presentation at the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE) Pacific Northwest Conference in May 2024, Isabella was subsequently invited to present her work at the prestigious AIChE National Conference held in San Diego in October 2024. There, she earned third place in the highly competitive technical presentation category, marking her as the first UBC student in over a decade to receive such recognition at the national level.
Outside the lab, Isabella is co-captain of the UBC Rowing Team. She represented Canada at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships this past summer and will race with the UBC Thunderbirds at the Canadian University Rowing Championships on November 3rd.
We’re incredibly proud to have Isabella on the BPI team and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes next!
