The Green Chemistry Initiative is hosting Dr. Pavani Cherukupally from Imperial College London as part of its online Seminar Series on Thursday, April 22 from 10-11 am. Dr. Cherukupally’s talk is titled: Sponges for wastewater reclamation, resource recovery, and infectious disease prevention.
Abstract: According to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, there is a need for affordable, sustainable technologies to combat global water, environmental, and public health challenges. For example, the international oil industry produces over 100 billion liters of oil contaminated wastewater annually. The residual crude oil in these effluents is hazardous to the environment and valuable crude oil loss. On the other hand, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are estimated to cause 10 million deaths and $100 trillion in medical costs per year by 2050. In this talk, I will discuss a new sponge-based adsorption technology used to reclaim oily wastewater, reuse sponges, and recover residual crude oil from wastewater to improve circular economy metrics in the oil industry. Also, I will discuss sponges’ design for removing and killing bacteria in the water to provide safe water in medium- and low-income countries like Rwanda. Due to the excellent performance and cost-efficacy, the sponges could contribute to reforming water policies and accessible to people across the world.
The Ontario Professional Engineers Awards (OPEA) Gala is the province’s most prestigious and anticipated engineering event of the year. Proudly co-presented by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), this annual gala brings industry innovators, business leaders and policy makers together to celebrate and be inspired by engineering excellence and achievement.
Alumnus Howard Goodfellow (ChemE BASc 6T4, MASc 6T5, PhD 6T8) will receive the 2020 Management Medal.
CEGSA is excited to present it’s 4th Annual Alumni Panel!
This event will be perfect for those looking to network, learn about how to transition from academia to industry, or learn about specific career paths some of our Alumni have taken.
The will be taking place Thursday, May 6th, 2021 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. The panel will be held virtually on Gather.Town (please reach out if you aren’t familiar with it) and will consist of a moderated discussion followed by a chance for informal virtual networking. Please register for the event here (Registration Form) by Monday May 3rd at 5 pm.
The panel will consist of individuals who have completed MASc, MEng, and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering. We are also excited to be hosting Paul Vassiliou from Hire Results Ltd. to talk about key actions you can take for a smooth transition from academia to industry! So regardless of interests, this event has a lot to offer and we hope you will join us!
If you aren’t convinced yet, all participants will be receiving a $5 Tim Hortons gift card and we will be raffling off three larger prizes throughout the event! We look forward to seeing everyone there! Keep an eye out on the CEGSA instagram for the panelists to be released!
The EdTech Workshop is a free event for faculty, staff and other members of the University of Toronto community. We invite you to join us for an informal but jam packed day of sharing ideas, learning from each other, and yes, doing a little commiseration after a pretty challenging year. While we wouldn’t say this is an “unconference,” we do focus on conversation, connections, and interaction and are working hard to take our in person event online in the same spirit!
What’s the story behind this year’s theme?
This year’s EdTech Workshop has three sub-themes, looking forward to the “after times” when we are back on campus and in classrooms, but thinking about what online aspects (if any) that you’ll still use, into the future.
Stream 1: Reduce
These sessions will feature instructors that have removed some elements of their course that were done in person. This stream is for you if you’re wondering about what activities will you do less of in person and what new activities you can implement in their place.
Stream 2: Reuse
These sessions feature instructors who have developed reusable course materials – content, activities, and assessments, harnessing the work they’ve done this year and paying it forward to their future selves. This stream is for you if you’re wondering what to do with all the work you’ve done to produce learning artifacts (like videos and other things!) and how you can (re)use them effectively in future terms.
Stream 3: Recycle
These sessions will feature instructors who have come up with something brand new for their online courses, taking something perhaps that they did in person and reinventing it or incoporating something totally new. This stream is for you if you’re wondering about new teaching innovations and are looking for ideas to apply in your own teaching.
Each stream has a combination of practical and theory-based sessions and you are welcome to switch between the streams based on your interests.
Register now!
Science Rendezvous is a free, annual, all-day festival that brings science out of the lab and onto the street with the ultimate goal of improving student enrolment as well as public involvement in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) – and this year, we’re going virtual! Over 30 University of Toronto departments and local organizations in the community are involved in exhibiting engaging and hands-on experiments that inspire youth and adults alike.
This year, visitors of all ages and backgrounds will be able to explore multiple online sessions to learn about all things S.T.E.A.M. with awe-inspiring demonstrations, experiments you can follow along with at home, a science fair to see the work of young scientists, and a chance to check out awesome science-inspired artwork!
Don’t miss out on Saturday, May 8th, 2021 – we’ll be running events all day! RSVP here to register for more details and the links to attend.
Follow us on social media for updates and free giveaways happening all month!
Website: sciencerendezvousuoft.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UofTSR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uoftsr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UofTSR
Dr. Joshua Apte, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
Air pollution exposure is the leading environmental risk for premature death globally and a key cause of urban health disparities. Future choices about energy and transportation will profoundly change the levels and spatial patterns of urban air pollution around us. Yet pervasive gaps in current environmental measurement systems limit our understanding and predictive ability about the air we breathe. New techniques for measurement and data analysis can illuminate the relationships between urban infrastructure, atmospheric emissions, and population exposures to air pollution.
Dr. Apte presents two interlinked analyses that help frame the urban air pollution problem at the global and local scales. First, Dr. Apte shows how particle air pollution levels have evolved over the past two decades in every city in the world, with a sharp global divergence between cities in lower and higher-income countries. Second, using Google Street View cars and other specially equipped mobile air pollution laboratories, show how air pollution varies at fine spatial scales within individual neighborhoods in the Bay Area and Bangalore, revealing unexpected patterns of sources and pollution. Results from each study emphasize profound considerations of equity and environmental justice, which Dr. Apte will discuss as a cross-cutting theme in this work.
Join Dean Christopher Yip and us on Friday May 14th 5pm – 7pm ET to hear from the successes and experiences of InVEST program students and the InVEST program.
The InVEST (International Virtual Engineering Student Teams) program is an initiative at the University of Toronto (U of T) in the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice (ISTEP) in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. InVEST creates connections between faculty and students at U of T and numerous partner institutions around the globe based on mutual interest in research projects that are industry- or development-oriented. Through these connections, InVEST provides opportunities to build collaborative research among internationally dispersed engineering institutions in addition to training students in intercultural communication and virtual team strategies.
Please join the InVEST symposium where you can engage with students, alumni, and industry partners and learn more about the InVEST Initiative and experiences of the student teams.
Speakers
Fletcher Han (Year 4 ChemE + PEY Co-op), University of Toronto
Fletcher is a recent chemical engineering graduate from the University of Toronto (UofT). Although originally from New Zealand and currently based in Canada, Fletcher has spent most of his life living in Europe. He has become a prominent leader in UofT’s Chemical Engineering community through his involvement with the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) student chapter. In his most recent position as Vice Chair, he founded the “CSChE Entrepreneurship Initiative” and the “PEY Mentorship Program”. Through these initiatives, he has motivated students to find solutions for the gaps that exist within our society and helped hundreds of them secure co-op placements. Fletcher is most passionate about global development, having completed a capstone in water insecurity and an undergraduate thesis in malnutrition. This fall, he will head to Beijing as UofT’s first engineering student to be selected as a Schwarzman Scholar. Beyond academics, Fletcher enjoys playing basketball, cooking, and traveling.
Celia Du, Science Communication Specialist
Celia Du is a science communication specialist with extensive experience engaging various audiences with science. She has worked with the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, Science Rendezvous, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Science Everywhere, and Indus Space Inc. With a background in Chemistry from McGill University and a Master’s in Science Communication and Public Engagement from the University of Edinburgh, she is dedicated to improving science communication practices to better bridge science and the public. She has led workshops and trained budding science communicators through the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the SciCommTO Conference, Laurentian University’s Science Communication program, the Canadian Science Policy Conference and Lotus STEMM.
Harshan Radhakrishnan, Manager @Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives
Harshan Radhakrishnan is the Manager at Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives, where he oversees programs and initiatives that address climate change adaptations and sustainability and plans outreach to government and technical stakeholders in relation to climate change and sustainability strategies. Harshan is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists BC and APEGA with over ten years of experience in environmental regulation and oversight of regulatory programs. In addition to his years of experience, he also has an in-depth understanding of the municipal, provincial, and federal regulatory requirements. He is passionate about deepening his understanding of climate science and relating it back to professional practice and sustainable approaches in achieving low-carbon resilience.
Ladan Shahcheraghi, McMaster University
Ladan was born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She is passionate about research, innovation, and discovery especially in the areas of nanotechnology, material science, renewable energy, environment, and advancements in technology. She received her Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) degree in Chemical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology which is Iran’s leading institution for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. She worked as a Research Assistant at Monash University (Australia’s leading research university) during her undergraduate degree and completed her internship at DarouPakhsh Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company that is considered as the largest pharmaceutical company in Iran. She then worked at Nestlé Waters Company upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, before migrating to Canada for higher education. She has recently graduated with a Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) degree in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University. Outside of work, Ladan enjoys playing the piano, listening to classical music, socializing with friends, and going on a hike.
Register to attend the online event
Sponsored by: PromoChrom Technologies Ltd. – Sample preparation solutions for trace analysis
Using innovative technology to deliver efficient, compact and versatile Solid Phase Extraction systems for environmental, food, pharmaceutical, forensic and fuel applications. Fully automated for PFAS, 1,4-Dioxane, PCBs, Pesticides, PAHs, mycotoxins, food additives, drugs, metabolites, antibodies and more
Hosted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering & Medicine
A diverse workforce and inclusive workspaces are critical for the advancement of science and the future of the chemical and chemical engineering fields. This virtual workshop will serve as a forum for academic, government, and industrial professionals to discuss the barriers to and best practices for creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments in chemistry and chemical engineering classrooms and workplaces.
To learn more about this workshop, the planning committee, and invited speakers, or to download the agenda, please visit the event page.
This year, we’re celebrating graduating class years ending in 0, 1, 5, or 6. We look forward to seeing you online!
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Skule™ Kick Off
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
Let’s get loud! We are, we are, we are, we are, we are the engineers! Join fellow Skulemates and get in the spirit as we kick off Alumni Reunion activities. This fun- filled program will include special guest appearances from the LGMB, Cannon and many more!
Department Socials
6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
Join us following the SkuleTM Kick Off for Department Socials on Gather.Town and find out what’s happening in your home department. This virtual platform mimics networking like the good ol’ days!
Friday, May 28, 2021
Alumni SUDS
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Sip, Sip, Horray! It may not be the Brunswick House or Einstein’s, but it’s the next best thing!! Join us for a virtual beer tasting with alumni-founded Rorschach Brewery! Join Skulemates Matt Reiner(ChemE 1T0) and Mohan Pandit (ChemE 1T0, MD 1T4) as they guide us through four beers they developed right down the street from St. George Campus! Enhance your tasting experience by purchasing a beer tasting kit (includes four beers and limited-edition tasting glasses) directly through the Rorschach Brewery website.
Register by May 11th to secure your spot at a virtual table with your friends and classmates.
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Breakfast with the Dean
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
From the comfort of your kitchen, bake alongside the Dean Chris Yip as he whips up breakfast to help you get the weekend off to a healthy start. It’s fun for the whole family! This is a great opportunity to ask questions and hear Dean Yip’s insights for the year ahead.
Dean Yip will share insights on Fall planning and the direction and bright future of our Faculty.
Register and learn more about the 2021 Alumni Reunion events!