Andrew Wade – a 2003 graduate from Denver, Colorado – made an impact in aviation flight safety even before he was able to begin working full-time in the field by using Visual Analytics techniques. Ironically, his life was tragically cut short in an air crash in Nepal at the age of 26.

Andrew’s UBC degree in Cognitive Systems introduced him to the new field of Visual Analytics. After graduation, he continued working in this environment at UBC, SFU and companies interested in the new technology. He then decided to further his education at SFU where he became their first Master’s graduate in Visual Analytics.

During an internship with Boeing Co., while working with their safety engineers, he used Visual Analytics to find ways to minimize damage to aircraft from bird strikes. This ‘paired analysis’ method precipitated changes in five Boeing aircraft and their pilot safety manual. He was to begin working in a full time position with Boeing in November 2011.

Andrew had traveled to India in early September 2011 where he was working on a joint Visual Analytics project involving SFU, Boeing Co. and Optimus Info Systems. He died on September 25th along with 18 others while on a tourist flight around Mt. Everest.

Friends, family and colleagues have created an award in Andrew’s memory. The award is for undergraduate students who demonstrate an interest and acumen in Visual Analytics techniques and tools using real world data provided by industry or academic partners.

Your gift will support students who share Andrew’s passion and talent for the growing field of finding solutions to real world problems using Visual Analytics.