The Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry is pleased to announce that Mohammad Mahaninia has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Chair’s Discovery Award. This award is presented annually to PhD students who have demonstrated exceptional research productivity—publishing, on average, one peer-reviewed paper for each year of their graduate studies—and who have made impactful contributions to their fields.
Mahaninia recently completed his PhD (April 2025) and is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Toronto. His groundbreaking research focuses on advancing polymeric materials, particularly in sustainable applications such as flame retardants and water purification systems. Beyond his scientific achievements, Mohammad is also recognized for his mentorship among fellow graduate students and researchers.
Reflecting on Mahaninia’s achievement, Professor Ning Yan notes, “Mohammad’s dedication and innovative spirit truly capture the essence of this award. His contributions to sustainable chemistry are both visionary and impactful. I extend my sincere congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition!”
Mahaninia shared his thoughts on receiving the award, saying, “Learning that I was selected for the Chair’s Discovery Award was truly an honour and a deeply meaningful moment for me. This recognition is not only a testament to my research efforts but also motivates me to further explore interdisciplinary collaborations, especially in fields like energy storage and environmental remediation.”
He adds, “The successful scale-up of bio-based polymeric materials from laboratory experiments to pilot projects played a significant role in this achievement. This award reinforces my commitment to translational research, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical applications.”
Mahaninia expressed gratitude to Yan for her mentorship and trust, and acknowledged the support of his lab colleagues and collaborators, emphasizing their critical role in his journey.
“This recognition also reaffirms the importance of curiosity-driven research in addressing global challenges sustainably. I hope my work inspires fellow students to pursue innovative ideas that make a meaningful impact in our society.”
As part of his doctoral work, Mahaninia contributed to several significant publications. See below to learn more:
- Chitosan-based partial Vitrimer for making eco-friendly multifunctional ramie fabric reinforced composite
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 309 (3), 142979 - Catalyst-free biodegradable chitosan-based dual dynamic covalent networks with self-healing and flame-retardant properties
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering - Self-healing, flame-retardant, and antimicrobial chitosan-based dynamic covalent hydrogels
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - Catalyst-free pH-responsive chitosan-based dynamic covalent framework materials
Carbohydrate Polymers 301, 120332