Rana Sodhi and researchers at the Faculty of Dentistry win Journal of Endodontics Award for technology research February 25, 2020- Rana Sodhi (OCCAM, ChemE) and researchers in the Faculty of Dentistry, Professor Anil Kishen and Anam Hashmi, received the 2019 Journal of Endodontics (JOE) Award in the category of Basic Research: Technology for their study Interfacial Characterization of Dentin Conditioned with Chitosan Hydroxyapatite Precursor Nanocomplexes Using Time-of-flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. The purpose of the... Read more »
Prof. Graeme Norval presents on teaching safety in engineering education at CRAIM AGM in Montreal February 14, 2020- On January 30, 2020, Professor Graeme Norval (ChemE) gave an invited talk at the CRAIM (Conseil Pour la Reduction des Accidents Industriel Majeur) Annual General Meeting in Montreal. He presented on teaching safety in engineering education and discussed the link between safety, professionalism and engineering ethics. He demonstrated where these practices could be added as... Read more »
Prof. Cathy Chin joins CBC Metro Morning to discuss turning plastics into green diesel February 7, 2020- Professor Cathy Chin (ChemE), Canada Research Chair in Advanced Catalysis for Sustainable Chemistry, spoke with CBC Radio’s Jill Dempsey on Metro Morning about her work converting waste plastics into green diesel fuel. Listen to Prof. Chin’s interview Metro Morning HERE.
Prof. Arun Ramchandran receives Humboldt Research Fellowship January 23, 2020- Prof. Arun Ramchandran (ChemE) has been awarded the Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers. This fellowship will allow him to conduct research while living in Germany for 12 months beginning in Spring 2020. The Humboldt Research Fellowship is awarded to a researcher from outside of Germany with above average qualifications with a record of several... Read more »
Now Hiring! Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) – Design, Safety, and Fundamentals in Chemical Engineering December 18, 2019- The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto invites applications for a teaching stream appointment in the area of Design, Safety and Fundamentals in Chemical Engineering at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream. The expected start date is July 1, 2020. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: Shariq Naveed (ChemE 2T1+PEY) December 18, 2019- The youngest member of a tightknit family, Shariq Naveed (ChemE 2T1+PEY) was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. Needless to say, it was a big decision to leave his family behind to pursue his studies at U of T, but one he is definitely happy to have made. “Moving to a new country for university... Read more »
By raising lab coats to the rafters, U of T biomedical engineering lab celebrates its student MVPs December 13, 2019- Baker, McLean and Wang aren’t exactly household names but they have a special place in the memories of researchers in University Professor Molly Shoichet’s (ChemE, IBBME) lab. They’re among the former University of Toronto PhD student all-stars whose names appear on the back of lab coats hanging from pillars in Shoichet’s laboratory on the fifth floor of the Donnelly Centre... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: Sargol Okhovatian (ChemE 1T9+PEY) December 11, 2019- After immigrating to Canada from Iran to pursue a degree in engineering at Ryerson University, Sargol Okhovatian (ChemE 1T9+PEY) transferred to U of T to pursue the most extensive engineering education on offer. Now in her fourth year at ChemE, Sargol has learned immensely from her invaluable experiences working in labs and during her PEY... Read more »
ChemE alums featured in annual U of T Engineering Holiday Gift Guide December 11, 2019- Gift ideas designed by U of T Engineering alumni and students From glasses that help you sleep better, to customizable ambient lighting, ‘tis the season for engineering-inspired gifts. We’ve rounded up items designed by U of T Engineering alumni and students that will please everyone on your list. This year’s list features holiday... Read more »
Now Hiring! Assistant Professor – Sustainable Water Processing for the Resource Industry December 10, 2019- The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry invites applications for a tenure stream appointment in advanced approaches and technologies for water treatment (recovery-purification-recycle) and management for the natural resource sector. We have a specific interest in applications relating to the mining, metals, environmental, or oil and gas industries. The appointment will be at the... Read more »
Claire Kennedy (ChemE 8T9) and Sandra Odendahl (ChemE 9T0) featured in Engineers Canada 30 Years Later project December 6, 2019- On Dec. 6, 1989, a gunman walked into École Polytechnique de Montréal and killed 14 women. During the rampage, the man, who had failed to gain admission to the university, shouted, “You’re all a bunch of feminists and I hate feminists!” Most of those women were studying to be engineers. The brutal, targeted mass shooting... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: Ahris Mo (ChemE 2T0+PEY) December 3, 2019- Studying at U of T has been a longtime dream for Ahris Mo (ChemE 2T0+PEY). She may have taken a longer route to get here than she originally anticipated, but now that she’s with ChemE she isn’t looking back. Ahris was initially accepted as a student to U of T back in 2015, but was... Read more »
2019 CSChE Sector Information Night December 2, 2019- On Wednesday, November 27, The U of T Student Chapter of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) held its annual Sector Information Night. The following alumni returned to share their experiences and transitions from school to industry to a packed room of ChemE undergraduate students: Darren Rodenhizer (ChemE 1T3, PhD 1T8) – Business Development... Read more »
Tanya Lindsay (ChemE 9T7) profiled by Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE) November 27, 2019- Tanya Lindsay (ChemE 9T7), Co-Founder of Surge ERP Consulting Corp. was recently profiled by the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE). Click HERE to learn more about what has driven Lindsay’s success. The Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE) was formed in February 2005 as part of the vision of the NSERC Chair... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: John Zhang (ChemE 1T9+PEY) November 26, 2019- The boundless opportunities at Canada’s biggest research university are what drew John Zhang to the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto. After a year spent at another university, John was looking for a broader range of courses than what he was being offered and decided to explore other options.... Read more »
Catching up with Madhushan Perera (ChemE 1T6+PEY) November 25, 2019- Madhushan Perera (ChemE 1T6+PEY) has only been out of Skule for a few years, but in that short time has already experienced so much. He has held sought-after consulting positions at both Deloitte (his former PEY Co-op employer) and Isaac Operations; and most recently, on October 26, graduated from the MPhil in Energy Technologies program... Read more »
Christian Marcello (ChemE 1T7+PEY) saves animals through social enterprise Team Plover November 18, 2019- “To date we’ve been able to help rescue 214 pets,” explains Christian Marcello (ChemE 1T7+PEY), founder of Team Plover, a social enterprise that is striving to help every pet find a loving home. Team Plover makes and sells dog collars and leashes and uses the proceeds to relocate unwanted animals that might otherwise be put... Read more »
Catching up with Tamara Champ (ChemE 0T2+PEY) November 11, 2019- Influenced by her parents who were academically oriented, Tamara Champ (ChemE 0T2+PEY) was motivated at an early age to get into U of T’s Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry (ChemE). Enjoying science and biochemistry, and excited by the freedom to move to Toronto after growing up in a smaller town, Tamara applied and... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: Fletcher Han (ChemE 2T0+PEY) November 7, 2019- Fletcher Han (ChemE 2T0+PEY) is a “third-culture kid”, which is somebody who grew up in a culture other than their parents’ and the country on their passport. “Although I am originally from a small town in New Zealand, I’ve traveled and lived on opposite ends of the world. Of all places, I consider the Netherlands... Read more »
Prof. Greg Evans discusses major study on air pollution with CBC November 7, 2019- A national study led by Prof. Greg Evans (ChemE) revealing that emissions from nearby traffic can greatly increase concentrations of key air pollutants, with highly polluting trucks making a major contribution continues to receive national attention. Evans recently appeared on CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks to discuss his findings. Listen to Prof. Evans’ full interview... Read more »
Locke Davenport Huyer (ChemE, IBBME PhD 1T9) shares his one-minute thesis November 7, 2019- This morning, our U of T Engineering students are celebrating the end of one journey and the beginning of another. At Fall Convocation, a majority of the graduating class are Master’s and PhD students who have dedicated many years of their grad studies developing solutions to some of the world’s biggest and most complex challenges.... Read more »
National air pollution study led by Prof. Greg Evans calls out rush-hour traffic, diesel truck emissions as major areas of concern October 30, 2019- Almost one third of Canadians live near a major road — and this means they go about their everyday lives exposed to a complex mixture of vehicle air pollutants. A new national study led by U of T Engineering researchers reveals that emissions from nearby traffic can greatly increase concentrations of key air pollutants, with highly... Read more »
Catching up with Mario Bento (ChemE 8T8) October 25, 2019- Mario Bento (ChemE 8T8), born in the small Caribbean island of Antigua, moved to Canada in 1981 to study chemistry at St. Mary’s University in Halifax. By the end of his first semester, he realized he wanted to become a chemical engineer specializing in water treatment. All his decisions following this ‘ah-ha’ moment would be... Read more »
Catching up with Madona Khalil (ChemE 1T5+PEY) October 22, 2019- A self-described extrovert, Madona Khalil (ChemE 1T5+PEY) gains energy from social interactions and building community. As a teenager, she was extensively involved with her church – teaching Sunday school and running camp activities. But oddly enough, she never took part in her high school events. During university, she was ready to step out of her... Read more »
ChemE Future Leaders: Alicia Hill-Turner (ChemE 2T0+PEY) October 17, 2019- “There were several key things that inspired me to pursue a degree in chemical engineering” explains Alicia Hill-Turner (ChemE 2T0+PEY). “Beyond my love for science and math in high school, I was also extremely excited about all of the possibilities open to chemical engineers. Everything we see, feel, touch, and breathe has either been created,... Read more »
Catching up with Scott Allan Orr (ChemE 1T4) October 7, 2019- Heritage Scientists, such as Dr. Scott Allan Orr (ChemE 1T4), strive to support conservation, access, interpretation, management, and engagement with heritage. They improve the understanding, care, and sustainable use of heritage to enhance people’s lives both today and in the future. Some heritage scientists focus on understanding how objects such as paper and paintings change... Read more »
Molly Shoichet named to MaRS Discovery District board of directors September 26, 2019- MaRS Discovery District (MaRS) recently announced the appointment of Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE/IBBME) to its board of directors, along with Prashant Pathak. Professor Shoichet holds the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in tissue engineering at the University of Toronto. She has published more than 650 papers, patents and abstracts, and serves on all three of... Read more »
Wei Cheng Hooi (ChemE 2T0) brings Dorothy Meldrum Szymaszek Student Exchange Award to the University of Edinburgh September 20, 2019- by Wei Cheng Hooi (ChemE 2T0) In the past summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a research project with Dr Francisco R Garcia Garcia at the University of Edinburgh as a visiting student. My project was titled “ New Approaches for Automotive Emissions Control”. The current three-way catalytic converter is expensive and occupying... Read more »
Food for thought: Climate change could impact omega-3 levels worldwide September 20, 2019- Climate change won’t just bring rising sea levels and more extreme weather — it could also impact your dinner plate. A new study from U of T suggests that a warmer world will decrease the availability of a nutrient that is key to development and brain health. Tim Rodgers, a PhD Candidate in the University... Read more »
Marisa Sterling (ChemE 9T1) appointed first Assistant Dean and Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism at U of T Engineering September 12, 2019- This newly created role aims to support and guide the Faculty’s efforts in ensuring that every member of the Engineering community is afforded the right to study and work in an environment free of biases based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship or creed, sexual diversity, age, gender and ability. Sterling... Read more »
Laura Burget (ChemE 1T6) spotted a blemish in the skincare industry — and started her own company to tackle it September 6, 2019- As early as her second year as a U of T Engineering undergraduate, alumna Laura Burget (ChemE 1T6) knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. “I actually ran two businesses while I was in school — I managed the Engineering Bookstore and a College Pro franchise,” says Burget. “The business knowledge I gained from these two experiences... Read more »
From Malaysia to Toronto: Meet your incoming class of 2T3 September 5, 2019- Eight students share what’s got them excited about their first year at U of T Engineering Residence move-ins, Frosh Week, fuelling up on textbooks at the U of T bookstore and their first-ever plenary lecture from Dean Christopher Yip — a long list of activities await more than 1,200 U of T Engineering students. For... Read more »
Prof. Gisele Azimi explains the value of recycling rare-earth elements in the National Post August 29, 2019- Gisele Azimi’s lab has developed a way to extract rare earths from devices. It uses carbon dioxide to dissolve them, while other processes use acids that generate a lot of nasty waste products. However, the process has yet not been scaled up, though she hopes that see that within a decade. In the meantime, it’s... Read more »
Infrastructure for innovation: Prof. Frank Gu one of seven U of T Engineering researchers receive CFI funding for upgrades and equipment August 13, 2019- Digital technology has globalized engineering design and collaboration: a new product can be prototyped in Toronto, assessed in Amsterdam and manufactured in Shenzhen. But Professor Alison Olechowski (MIE, ILead) says that many of the best practices used in industry have not kept pace with this reality. Her new digital design studio, set to be installed in... Read more »
Contamination-eating microbes developed by Prof. Elizabeth Edwards to be tested in the field August 13, 2019- For years, the University of Toronto’s Elizabeth Edwards and her team have been developing a potent mix of microbes that can chow down on toxic chemicals. Now, they are preparing to let them loose in the wild for the first time. The bacterial cultures are designed to treat a set of contaminants known as BTEX... Read more »
U of T Engineering researchers could lower the cost of producing lab-grown meat August 8, 2019- On grocery store shelves among packages of farmed beef, poultry and pork, Peter Stogios expects to one day see meat created in labs. The senior researcher in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and his team received a $330,000 (US$250,000) grant over two years to help find a less expensive way of growing cell-based meat, bringing... Read more »
Prof. Emma Master receives NSERC-CREATE grant to accelerate translation from lab to market July 11, 2019- In nature, one organism’s waste often becomes energy for another. Professor Emma Master (ChemE) wants to apply these same principles to industrial manufacturing. “We can leverage biological processes to recycle carbon and clean water, as well as to upgrade natural materials into diverse and useful products,” she says. “At the end of their life, we... Read more »
Assistant Professor Jeff Brook delivers prestigious review at Air & Waste Management Association Annual Conference and Exhibition July 4, 2019- Each year the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA), the oldest environmental science and technology organization in North America (if not the world), identifies a known and respected expert with knowledge in an area of interest and invites them to present a critical review on their area of expertise at the AWMA Annual Conference and... Read more »
Assistant Professor Erin Bobicki to partner with mining company Vale Canada on storing CO2 July 2, 2019- Seven University of Toronto researchers working with industrial and institutional partners have been awarded funding from the federal government for projects ranging from new medical diagnostic tools to environmentally friendly advancements in mining, forestry and manufacturing. The joint research initiatives are receiving a total of nearly $3.8 million over three years in strategic partnership grants from Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). The grants... Read more »
U of T Engineering celebrates the leadership and legacy of Dean Cristina Amon June 28, 2019- On Wednesday, June 26, more than 400 members of the U of T Engineering community came together to celebrate the transformative leadership of Dean Cristina Amon and reflect on the past decade of excellence in the Faculty. Under her visionary leadership, the Faculty has become a global leader in multidisciplinary research, education and innovation. “The... Read more »
Grads to Watch 2019 June 6, 2019- At Spring Convocation on June 19, 2019, U of T Engineering students mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another. This year’s 13 “Grads to Watch” embody the spirit of U of T Engineering, as well as the creativity, innovation and global impact that define our community. Included in the list of... Read more »
ChemE students to participate in finals for CSA Academic Challenge May 24, 2019- Xin Huang and James Yin, two fourth-year ChemE students, are members of a U of T student team who have been invited to participate as finalists in the 2019 CSA Academic Challenge. The competition engages students in the world of standards, as well as highlights the benefits, challenges and opportunities of their application in the... Read more »
SOCAAR teams up with the City of Oshawa on air quality and traffic monitoring project May 16, 2019- The Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research (SOCAAR) is teaming up with the City of Oshawa to launch a one-year TeachingCity research study that will monitor air quality and traffic movements in Oshawa’s downtown core. A.U.G. Signals Ltd., and North Line Canada are also part of the project team. Eight compact sensors have been... Read more »
ChemE project earns support from Medicine by Design May 16, 2019- Six U of T Engineering researchers, including Professor Krishna Mahadevan (ChemE), are among nine teams awarded $1.2 million in funding from Medicine by Design to support critical new ideas in regenerative medicine. Medicine by Design’s New Ideas and Seed Fund awards supports translational research aimed at advancing innovative concepts that are expected to be of critical importance to... Read more »
Erin Bobicki searches for a cleaner solution to crushing rocks May 13, 2019- Whether it’s copper for electric cars, or lithium for cellphones, many everyday technologies and devices are made of or rely on metals. But mining and extracting these valuable commercial minerals can come at a catastrophic cost to the environment. The process of comminution — crushing and grinding billions of tonnes of rocks a year —... Read more »
Prof. Erin Bobicki among five U of T Engineering researchers awarded NSERC Strategic Partnerships Grant May 6, 2019- New funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) will advance U of T Engineering research in a wide range of areas, from digital infrastructure to advanced manufacturing. NSERC recently announced five Strategic Partnership Grants to help U of T engineers address complex global challenges, including improved methods for sharing data from consumer... Read more »
How Sandra Odendahl (ChemE MASc 9T0) is leading change in sustainability April 30, 2019- How do you convince bankers to care about sustainability? That was the challenge Sandra Odendahl (ChemE MASc 9T0) faced nearly 20 years ago. As the senior leader in charge of environmental risk management at RBC, she believed that the institution needed to think more broadly about corporate sustainability in all aspects of its business dealings... Read more »
Ajay Kochhar (ChemE 1T3) aims to clean up the lithium-ion battery supply chain April 30, 2019- Less than three years ago, Li-Cycle was little more than a drawing on the back of a napkin in a Yorkville coffee shop. Today, it is on the verge of an international expansion that could fundamentally alter the way that lithium-ion batteries are recycled. “Tim Johnston, my co-founder, and I initially sketched out the Li-Cycle... Read more »
Prof. Jane Howe’s research on cosmic dust reveals new insights on the formation of solar systems April 30, 2019- The study of a tiny grain of stardust — older than our solar system — is shining new light on how planetary systems are formed. The microbe-sized extraterrestrial particle, which originated from a nova explosion more than 4.5 billion years ago, was discovered inside a meteorite collected in Antarctica by the National Aeronautics and Space... Read more »
ChemE international student on why he chose U of T Engineering April 5, 2019- Each year, hundreds of top students from around the world choose to study at U of T Engineering. International applications have increase by more than 40 per cent over the last three years, and international students now make up more than a quarter of the undergraduate population. This growing interest reflects both the Faculty’s global... Read more »
