b"PEOPLE POWER: Q&A PEOPLE POWER :Q&A withFitsum TarikuD r. Fitsum Tariku strives toeducation and research to support theBE: Which project has had thefoster learning withing thelocal building industrys evolving needs.greatest impact on you, educationallybuilding science industry.Given my background and expertise inor otherwise?From his numerous submis- building science, I saw an opportunityFT:Creating a comprehensive research sions to BCBEC Elementsto contribute meaningfully to BCIT'slaboratory at BCIT stands out as the over the years, Fitsummission. As such, I accepted the role ofproject with the greatest impact on me, honours us by sharing his years ofdirector of the Building Science Centreboth educationally and professionally. knowledge not only with readers, butof Excellence, contributing to advancingThis endeavour enabled the develop-students and colleagues alike.building science research, drivingment of research facilities capable of educational initiatives and facilitatingconducting studies at multiple levels, BCBEC Elements: What first sparkedthe training of the next generation ofincluding material, building envelope your interest in building science? building scientists and engineers. and whole-building analyses. This Fitsum Tariku:My interest in buildingBE: What is the most interesting orunique capability empowered my grad-science was sparked during my tenureuate students and research staff to delve at the National Research Councilexciting project youve worked on? into diverse research areas, disseminating of Canada, Institute for Research inFT:One of the most interesting projectstheir findings through peer-reviewed Construction in Ottawa. It was thereI've had the privilege to be involved injournal articles, conference presentations that I was first introduced to thewas spearheading the development andand publications in industry-leading captivating field of building science. Atimplementation of the Building Sciencemagazines like BCBEC Elements.the time, the focus of research revolvedGraduate Program, the first mastersThe realization of these advanced around the development and applica- degree program for BCIT, and the first- research capabilities was made possible tion of hygrothermal models, whichof-its-kind program in Western Canada.through the support and funding from intrigued me immensely. Motivated byOver the span of 13 years, the programorganizations such as Western Economic this fascination, I made the decisionhas successfully graduated a consider- Diversification, the Canada Founda-to channel my expertise in mechanicalable number of building science studentstion for Innovation (CFI), the Natural engineering with a focus on thermofluidwith a Master of Engineering in BuildingSciences and Engineering Research dynamics towards advancing the realmScience and a Master of Applied ScienceCouncil (NSERC), Canada Research of building science research and designin Building Science/Engineering.Chair (CRC) and BC Housing.tools including developing 2D/3DWitnessing the growth and impact of our building envelope and whole-buildinggraduates assuming pivotal roles withinBE: What would you consider to be the hygrothermal models. the British Columbia building industryproudest moment of your career?BE: What led you to BCIT? has been immensely rewarding. I like toFT:The proudest moment of my career acknowledge the support and collabora- occurred during the February 2013 FT:I was drawn to BCIT and the Schooltion of key stakeholders, including theconvocation when I witnessed the first of Construction and the Environ- BCBEC, as well as numerous practicinggraduates of our program proudly walk ment by their strong commitment andengineers and architects to the onto the stage. Since then, these gradu-interest in advancing building scienceprogram's success. ates have embarked on diverse career 8 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION"