Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Fourteen researchers at the UUֱ�� are receiving 2023-24 Connaught Innovation Awards to help accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies with high potential to have a positive impact on society.

“I would like to congratulate this year’s recipients of Connaught Innovation Awards, whose research is fostering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Leah Cowen, UUֱ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “From harnessing machine learning to improve interpretation of lung function tests to developing low-cost and scalable methods to monitor methane at landfills, these scholars are advancing novel ways to utilize technology to have a transformative impact in areas of critical importance in Canada and around the world.”

This year’s recipients are:

Edgar Acosta, department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Lecithin-based, self- micro/emulsifying delivery systems (SM/EDS) for drug and nutraceutical delivery
Ana Andreazza, department of pharmacology and toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine: Mitochondrial Isolation Device (MitoDx)
Gisele Azimi, department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Supercritical fluid extraction for recycling of critical materials from E-waste
Opher Baron, Rotman School of Management: SiMLQ: Transforming process data into actionable insights
Chung-Wai Chow, University Health Network and Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine: Machine Learning to facilitate accurate interpretation of pulmonary function tests
Maryam Faiz, department of surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine: Astrocyte to oligodendrocyte reprogramming (A2O) for repair in chronic multiple sclerosis (MS)
Andrew Fraser, department of molecular genetics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine: Establishing methods for single-cell metabolomics using hydrogel-embedded barcode aptamers
Roman Genov, Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Fast Pixel-Programmable Image Sensors for Cost-Effective Imaging without Motion Artifacts
Cynthia Goh, department of chemistry, Faculty of Arts & Science: Harnessing bacterial-surface interactions for rapid pathogen identification
Frank Gu, department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Magnesium ion crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels for biomedical applications
Jörg Liebeherr, Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Low-cost large-scale methane monitoring at landfills
Xilin Liu, Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Energy-Efficient Edge Machine Learning Accelerator for Neuromodulation
Andreas Mandelis, department of mechanical and industrial engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Intravascular Differential Photoacoustic Catheter Imager for Quasi-Invasive Detection of Vulnerable Plaques and Calcification in Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis
Hani Naguib, department of mechanical and industrial engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Aerogel Film Materials for Thermal Management Systems

The Connaught Innovation Award, which provides one-time seed funding to support the development and commercialization of the researchers’ innovative technologies, is backed by the Connaught Fund – the largest internal university research funding program in Canada. Established 52 years ago through the sale of Connaught Medical Research Laboratories, which is known for the discovery and production of insulin, the fund supports UUֱ�� scholars through programs such as the New Researcher Award, Community Partnership Research Program, Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers, McLean Award and international doctoral scholarships.

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Jennifer Farmer receives 2024 Wighton Fellowship

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:25:54 +0000

Jennifer Farmer receives 2024 Wighton Fellowship

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 06/07/2024 - 10:25

Faculty

St. George

Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

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Jennifer Farmer (photo by Michael Martino)

Jennifer Farmer, an assistant professor in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, has received the 2024 Wighton Fellowship.

Awarded by the Sandford Fleming Foundation at the University of Waterloo, the annual fellowship recognizes excellence in the development and teaching of laboratory-based courses in undergraduate engineering programs.

Farmer teaches two second-year lab courses, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry Laboratory I and II. She redesigned these courses to include new chemistry content and engineering concepts, and to create better linkages between the two. She also improved the alignment between lectures and labs to provide students with more opportunities to transfer and apply what they’ve learned.

Through her research program, Farmer creates projects that allow students to be active partners in the design of lab curriculum. She has supervised 17 undergraduates and six graduate students in various projects related to curriculum development.

“Professor Farmer’s work in modernizing [the department of chemical engineering]'s laboratory curriculum and facilities, as well as her efforts to ensure that her students are active participants in this work, have provided students with inspiring new learning opportunities,” said Professor Christopher Yip, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

“On behalf of the faculty, congratulations to Professor Farmer on this well-deserved honour.”

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Jonathan Rose recognized with Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:19:15 +0000

Jonathan Rose recognized with Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 06/07/2024 - 10:19

Faculty

St. George

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Engineers Canada Awards

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

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Jonathan Rose (photo by Matthew Tierney)

Jonathan Rose, a professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, has received the 2024 Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award.

The award is Engineers Canada’s most prestigious honour, recognizing outstanding engineering achievements and leadership in the Canadian engineering community.

Rose is a leading innovator in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) – prefabricated digital chips that can be programmed to become any digital circuit. His research has recently pivoted to the application of software and large language models in the service of mental health. Currently, he is working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), using large language models to develop a chatbot that can help people stop smoking.

“Professor Jonathan Rose has been a visionary leader in engineering research, education and entrepreneurship for decades,” said Professor Christopher Yip, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

“On behalf of the faculty, my warmest congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition and my heartfelt thanks for his many contributions to our community.”

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Stavroula Andreopoulos, Franco Taverna, Timothy Chan and David Tang-Wai receive 2024 President's Teaching Awards

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 24 May 2024 16:07:04 +0000

Stavroula Andreopoulos, Franco Taverna, Timothy Chan and David Tang-Wai receive 2024 President's Teaching Awards

Teaching

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 05/24/2024 - 12:07

Faculty

St. George

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

President's Teaching Award

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

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Clockwise from top left: Stavroula Andreopoulos, Franco Taverna, David Tang-Wai and Timothy Chan (supplied images)

Four faculty members at the UUֱ�� are receiving President’s Teaching Awards, the university’s highest honour for teaching excellence, educational innovation and educational leadership.

President’s Teaching Award recipients are given an annual professional development allowance of $10,000 per year for five years, and are designated as members of the university’s Teaching Academy for a minimum of five years. Academy members may be invited to participate in a range of university events including addressing convocation ceremonies, delivering public lectures, participating in conferences and new faculty orientations, or facilitating teaching and learning workshops.

The winners of the 2024 President’s Teaching Awards are:

Stavroula Andreopoulos – professor, teaching stream, department of biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Franco Taverna – associate professor, teaching stream, human biology program, Faculty of Arts & Science
Timothy Chan – professor, department of mechanical and industrial engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and associate vice-president and vice-provost, strategic initiatives
David Tang-Wai – professor, departments of medicine, neurology and geriatric medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and co-director UHN Memory Clinic

UUֱ�� Engineering dean, professor and alumni elected to Canadian Academy of Engineering

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 17 May 2024 13:56:13 +0000

UUֱ�� Engineering dean, professor and alumni elected to Canadian Academy of Engineering

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 05/17/2024 - 09:56

Faculty

Alumni

St. George

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

landscape

Top row, left to right: Alfred Yu and Natalie Enright Jerger; bottom row, left to right: Benoit Boulet, Susan Doniz and Christopher Yip (supplied images)

Five members of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering community have been elected fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Christopher Yip, dean of the faculty, Natalie Enright Jerger, a professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, and three alumni – Benoit Boulet, Susan Doniz and Alfred Yu – are among 54 new fellows elected to the academy in 2024.

The Canadian Academy of Engineering is a national institution through which individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering in Canada provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canadians.

“I am honoured to be joining this extraordinary group of engineers, which includes more than 50 UUֱ�� faculty members providing national leadership in engineering and engineering education,” said Yip.

“On behalf of the faculty, congratulations to all the newly elected fellows from the UUֱ�� Engineering community.”

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Nicolas Papernot receives AI2050 Early Career Fellowship from Schmidt Sciences

rahul.kalvapalle — Mon, 13 May 2024 14:24:47 +0000

Nicolas Papernot receives AI2050 Early Career Fellowship from Schmidt Sciences

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Mon, 05/13/2024 - 10:24

Faculty

St. George

Artificial Intelligence

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Law

landscape

Nicholas Papernot (photo by Matthew Tierney)

Nicolas Papernot, an assistant professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, has been named an AI2050 Early Career Fellow.

Awarded by Schmidt Sciences, the fellowship encourages young researchers to pursue bold and multidisciplinary research in AI for societal benefit.

Papernot was recognized for his project on a technical framework for future AI regulation, which builds on multidisciplinary collaboration with Professor Lisa Austin from UUֱ��’s Faculty of Law and Professor Xiao Wang of Northwestern University’s department of computer science.

The team is exploring how a protocol borrowed from cryptography, called zero-knowledge proof (ZKP), can verify whether an AI model was developed in compliance with certain rules. Their research comes as governments around the world prepare legislation to address the growing power of AI.

“The scope of what we’re trying to achieve is very ambitious,” says Papernot, who is cross-appointed to the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science and is a faculty member at the Vector Institute and a faculty affiliate at the Schwartz Reisman Institute. “We’re asking how AI will impact society, essentially. It’s hard to do that from just one discipline’s perspective. Thankfully, the Schmidt Sciences organization has stepped up to provide the space needed for such highly exploratory and complex research.”

“As AI technology continues to evolve, it is imperative to simultaneously advance the regulatory and technological frameworks that ensure its safe and ethical use,” says Professor Deepa Kundur, chair of the department of electrical and computer engineering. “Professor Papernot’s work is pivotal because it not only mitigates risks, but also maximizes the technology’s application potential, making it a cornerstone for future innovations.”

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UUֱ�� Engineering professor, alumni receive 2024 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:16:16 +0000

UUֱ�� Engineering professor, alumni receive 2024 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:16

Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

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(Clockwise from top left) Inga Hipsz, Michael Kropp, Serena Mandla, Giovanni Grasselli, Paul Acchione and David Poirier (supplied images)

Six members of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering community – one professor and five alumni – have been recognized by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers and Professional Engineers Ontario with 2024 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards.

These awards recognize engineers who have made exceptional contributions to the profession and to society.

Giovanni Grasselli, professor, department of civil and mineral engineering – Entrepreneurship Medal
Paul Acchione – Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Kropp – Engineering Excellence in Industry Medal
Inga Hipsz and David Poirier – Management Medal
Serena Mandla – Young Engineer Award

“These outstanding engineers demonstrate the range of contributions that our faculty and alumni are making across multiple fields, from founding new companies and managing significant Canadian organizations, to serving in leadership roles in the profession and in the community,” said Christopher Yip, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

“On behalf of the faculty, my heartfelt congratulations on these well-deserved recognitions.”

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Five faculty members recognized with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:15:51 +0000

Five faculty members recognized with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards

Teaching

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 04/26/2024 - 11:15

Faculty

Mississauga

St. George

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Early Career Teaching Awards

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

UUֱ�� Mississauga

Women & Gender Studies Institute

landscape

(L-R) Spyridon Kotsovilis, Roberta K. Timothy, S. Trimble, Alison Olechowski and Jasty Singh (supplied images)

Five faculty members at the UUֱ�� have been recognized with 2023-24 Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards.

The annual awards are given to faculty members who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to student learning, pedagogical engagement and teaching innovation.

They are named for Cheryl Regehr, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a champion of teaching excellence and innovation who served as UUֱ��’s vice-president and provost for a decade.

The award recipients are:

S. Trimble – assistant professor, teaching stream in the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the Faculty of Arts & Science
Alison Olechowski – assistant professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering, the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice and the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Spyridon Kotsovilis – assistant professor, teaching stream in the department of political science at UUֱ�� Mississauga
Jasty Singh – assistant professor, teaching stream in the department of immunology at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Roberta K. Timothy – assistant professor, teaching stream in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health

The recipients will be honoured at the annual Excellence in Teaching Reception in the fall.

Pailin Chiaranunt and Peter Serles named 2024 Schmidt Science Fellows

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:11:13 +0000

Pailin Chiaranunt and Peter Serles named 2024 Schmidt Science Fellows

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 04/24/2024 - 11:11

Alumni

St. George

Alumni

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Immunology

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

landscape

Pailin Chiaranunt and Peter Serles (supplied images)

Pailin Chiaranunt and Peter Serles, both of whom carried out doctoral research at the UUֱ��, have been named 2024 Schmidt Science Fellows in recognition of their efforts to wield interdisciplinary research to drive sector-wide change.

Schmidt Science Fellows is an initiative of Schmidt Sciences, a philanthropic organization founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to advance scientific exploration and discovery and develop solutions to global issues. The program is delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust.

"It's at the edges of things – ecosystems, borders, disciplines – where the most interesting ideas are developed, solutions that don't arise from any single approach," said Wendy Schmidt in a press release. "We're excited to welcome the 2024 cohort of Schmidt Science Fellows to approach these edges, look at problems anew, share insights with each other and the world and, we hope, go on to develop solutions to some of humanity's most pressing challenges."

Chiaranunt and Serles join a cohort of 32 fellows who will undertake a year-long science leadership program to prepare them to join the next generation of interdisciplinary science leaders, alongside a one to two-year research placement at a new institution.

“To address the world's greatest challenges today, I believe that we need an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to science,” said Chiaranunt, who completed her PhD in immunology at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and is conducting post-doctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco. “I am delighted that the Schmidt Science Fellows program appreciates these values, and I'm excited to use this unique opportunity to study how inflammation and infection can impact brain health – a growing crisis in today's post-pandemic world.”

“Being given the freedom and support to work on high-risk, high-reward research will allow me to ask the biggest questions I can and develop entirely new areas of expertise that I can eventually bring back to Canada,” said Serles, who is set to graduate from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering with a PhD in June, and will take on a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. “Nano-3D-printed scaffolds for neural organoids combines cutting edge-technologies in mechanical engineering and neuroscience to, hopefully, solve some of our most pressing issues."

Read the Schmidt Sciences announcement

Aimy Bazylak receives 2024 Dorothy Killam Fellowship

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 19:29:04 +0000

Aimy Bazylak receives 2024 Dorothy Killam Fellowship

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 04/11/2024 - 15:29

Faculty

St. George

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Dorothy Killam Fellowship

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

landscape

Professor Aimy Bazylak (photo by Jeremy Sale)

Aimy Bazylak, a professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, is among the recipients of a 2024 Dorothy Killam Fellowship.

Awarded by the National Research Council, Dorothy Killam Fellowships support scholars whose groundbreaking research stands to have a significant impact in their respective fields on a national or global scale. They are valued at $80,000 per year for a total of two years.

Bazylak and her research group are advancing clean energy technologies by developing new catalyst-coated membranes to overcome cost and durability challenges of fuel cells, water electrolyzers and CO2 electrolyzers.

“I am tremendously honoured to receive this fellowship,” says Bazylak, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Clean Energy. “The two years of dedicated time to focus on my research is an invaluable opportunity to move our work forward at a pace that would not otherwise be possible.” 

Christopher Yip, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, said Bazylak’s research “opens doors to new collaborations, both nationally and globally, and will bring us closer to creating sustainable and thriving global communities.”

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Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

14 UUֱ�� researchers recognized with Connaught Innovation Awards

Jennifer Farmer receives 2024 Wighton Fellowship

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story

Jonathan Rose recognized with Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story

Stavroula Andreopoulos, Franco Taverna, Timothy Chan and David Tang-Wai receive 2024 President's Teaching Awards

Read more about the 2024 President’s Teaching Award winners

UUֱ�� Engineering dean, professor and alumni elected to Canadian Academy of Engineering

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story

Nicolas Papernot receives AI2050 Early Career Fellowship from Schmidt Sciences

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story

UUֱ�� Engineering professor, alumni receive 2024 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story

Five faculty members recognized with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards

Read more about the Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards

Pailin Chiaranunt and Peter Serles named 2024 Schmidt Science Fellows

Read the Schmidt Sciences announcement

Read more about Pailin Chiaranunt’s research

Read more about Peter Serles’s research

Aimy Bazylak receives 2024 Dorothy Killam Fellowship

Read the UUֱ�� Engineering story