Greg J. Evans

Greg J. Evans is a full Professor in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto, where he also serves as Director of the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research (SOCAAR) and the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice (ISTEP). In addition, he is Principal Investigator of the Evans Research Group.

Education:

• B.A.Sc. – Bachelor of Applied Science
• M.A.Sc. – Master of Applied Science
• Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy
• P.Eng. – Professional Engineer
• FCAE – Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering
• FAAAS – Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Research Interests:

Professor Evans leads interdisciplinary research that bridges atmospheric aerosol science, environmental health, and engineering education. His work in urban air pollution focuses on understanding traffic-related emissions, developing low-cost sensor networks, and elucidating the oxidative toxicity of particulate matter under climate change scenarios. Within engineering education, he investigates transdisciplinary competencies, metacognitive development, and evidence-based pedagogies that prepare students for lifelong learning and societal impact.

Research Trends in Recent Publications:

Across his 2021-2023 publications, a dominant theme is the health impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its oxidative potential. Studies integrate large-scale epidemiological datasets with detailed chemical analyses to reveal how specific PM constituents—such as transition metals and sulfur—mediate cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes. Methodological innovations include mobile “lab-on-wheels” platforms and harmonized acellular assays for oxidative potential, enabling high-resolution spatiotemporal exposure assessment and cross-study comparability.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• CIC Environment Division Research and Development Dima Award (2022)
• NSERC Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research (2021)
• Fellow of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (2020)
• 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2017)
• Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Research Leadership Award (2017)
• President’s Teaching Academy, University of Toronto (2015)
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2015)
• Ontario Colleges and Universities Faculty Association Teaching Award (2015)
• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2015)
• Allan Blizzard Award (STLHE) (2014)
• Northrop Frye Award (2013)
• ASEE St. Lawrence Section Outstanding Teaching Award (2010)
• Engineers Canada Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education (2010)
• Ontario Professional Engineers Award – R&D Medal (2009)
• Joan E. Foley Student Quality of Student Experience Award (2008)

Graduate Advising & Funding:

Professor Evans is currently potentially accepting both PhD and MASc students. His research grants support interdisciplinary projects ranging from mobile air-quality monitoring campaigns to large-scale educational data-mining initiatives.

Labs & Teams:

He directs the Evans Research Group, housed within SOCAAR, which operates the MAPLE “lab-on-wheels” for real-time aerosol characterization. Through ISTEP, he oversees a cohort of 11 faculty members advancing engineering education scholarship.