Hugo de Lasa is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Ontario. He holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (1968) from Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina, and a Doctoral degree (1971) from Université de Nancy, France. Research Focus: Catalysis, Photocatalysis, Chemical Reactor Engineering, Fluidization, Biomass Gasification Awards: Research Excellence Prize (1998), Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (2000), Medal of Research and Development (2000), Doctor Honoris Causa (2004, 2018) His work spans chemical reactor design , photocatalytic hydrogen production , and fluidized bed technologies . Recent publications highlight machine learning applications in chemical equilibrium modeling and CO2 capture using microalgae. He founded the Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre (CREC) and Recat Technologies Inc. , a university spin-off commercializing reactor innovations. Awards include the Vanguard Award (2019) and Commemorative Issue in Catalysts Journal (2020). His research has generated 389 peer-reviewed publications , 14 patents , and over 10,000 citations .
Roger Beckie is a Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC), part of the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on physical, geochemical, and biological processes in environmental systems, particularly in hydrogeology, mine drainage, and groundwater contamination. He holds a B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and a Ph.D. from Princeton University, and is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Key research areas include fugitive gas migration from energy wells, mine waste rock geochemistry, and groundwater hydrology. His work addresses challenges such as acid rock drainage prediction, metal attenuation mechanisms, and the impacts of subsurface gas migration in petroleum development regions. He collaborates with industry and government to advance environmental management strategies and has contributed to large-scale field experiments, including controlled gas release studies in northeastern British Columbia. Beckie supervises graduate students in interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing field investigations and numerical modeling. He is affiliated with UBC's Institute of Applied Mathematics and teaches advanced courses in groundwater hydrology and contamination. His research integrates hydrological, geochemical, and isotopic tools to address complex environmental systems, with applications in mining, oil and gas, and groundwater sustainability.
Dr. Jianbing Li is a Professor and Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in the Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), holding prestigious fellowships from CSCE, CSSE, EIC, and Engineers Canada. His research program addresses critical environmental challenges with significant real-world impact, particularly in northern and remote communities of British Columbia. Education: PhD in Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina Research Focus: Dr. Li's work centers on environmental pollution control , petroleum waste management , soil and groundwater remediation , environmental modeling , risk assessment , and oil spill response . His innovative approaches integrate machine learning, advanced materials, and sustainable engineering principles to develop practical solutions for complex environmental problems, with particular emphasis on resource recovery from waste streams. Publication Trends: Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strategic focus on oil spill response technologies, wastewater treatment innovations, and waste valorization. Key advancements include nano/micro bubble flotation systems, chitosan-based adsorbents, and machine learning models for pyrolysis optimization, demonstrating his leadership in translating laboratory research to field applications. Scientific Recognition: 2024 Fellow of Engineers Canada and Engineering Institute of Canada 2023 CSCE Dr. Albert E. Berry Medal (Canada's top environmental engineering award) Multiple UNBC Research Excellence Awards (2010, 2014, 2019, 2023) 2013 Northern BC Business and Technology Award with Husky Energy Best paper awards from International Academy of Science and Environmental Geotechnology Society Research Leadership: Dr. Li has secured over $800,000 in 2023 and $1.9 million in 2020 for oil spill response research through NSERC, DFO, and NRCan. His current portfolio includes groundwater protection for Indigenous communities, next-generation decanting technologies, and water security for remote regions. He actively mentors PhD, MSc, and MASc students while serving on NSERC evaluation committees and co-directing the UNBC/UBC environmental engineering program (2013-2017). Collaborative Networks: Dr. Li leads multi-institutional partnerships with UBC, government agencies, industry (including Husky Energy), and Indigenous communities like Lheidli T'enneh First Nation. His work through the Multi-Partner Research Initiative addresses practical challenges in rural British Columbia while advancing fundamental knowledge in environmental systems engineering.
Dr. Satinder Kaur Brar is a Professor and James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering at York University's Department of Civil Engineering. She leads the Inzymes Group and directs the One WATER Institute, focusing on interdisciplinary water sustainability research. Her work emphasizes value-added waste processing, emerging contaminant remediation, and innovative treatment technologies. She has attracted over $15 million in funding and trained 80 highly qualified personnel. Notable contributions include enzyme-based bioremediation, valorization of agricultural residues, and green oxidation methods for contaminants like microplastics and pharmaceuticals. Her research impacts global policies and industry collaborations. Dr. Brar's research interests span bioproduct development from wastewater, fate of emerging contaminants, and interdisciplinary water solutions. She pioneered the Enzyme Booster Technology for oil remediation and enzyme production from cold-active microbes. Collaborations with Quebec municipalities, TechnoRem Inc., and H2O Innovation highlight her applied research focus. Her awards include induction into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2021), the WEF Eddy Medal (2019), and multiple ASCE accolades. Over 400 peer-reviewed articles, 8 patents, and 15 edited books reflect her prolific output. The One WATER Institute, under her leadership, addresses global water challenges through collaborative initiatives like the UN Global Water Academy. Key grants and partnerships include funding from NSERC, industry collaborators like Lassonde Inc., and government bodies. Her lab’s work on crude glycerol-to-biofuel conversion and antibiotic-metal complex toxicity further underscores her innovation in sustainable biotechnology.
David Levin is Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. His research integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and bioprocess engineering to develop sustainable applications in biofuel production, biodegradable polymers (PHAs), and microbial degradation of synthetic plastics. Education Ph.D. Virology, McGill University, 1987 M.Sc. Entomology, University of Guelph, 1979 B.Es. Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, 1977 Research Interests Dr. Levin's work spans bioengineering and biotechnology with focus areas including: Microbial synthesis of biodegradable polymers Enzymatic degradation of petroleum-derived plastics Genomic and proteomic analysis of microbial systems Development of sustainable bioprocesses for industrial applications His research group isolates novel bacteria and enzymes for polymer degradation and engineers microbial systems for renewable material production. Publications Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) characterization, microbial plastic degradation, and algal biotechnology. Work includes optimization of fermentation processes, enzyme characterization, and development of biodegradable composites for packaging applications. Laboratory Leads the Biosystems Engineering research group investigating microbial metabolism and biopolymer synthesis under controlled bioreactor conditions.
Rafael Santos is an Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Guelph's School of Engineering since 2017. He holds a PhD from KU Leuven (Belgium) and is a registered Professional Engineer of Ontario. Research focuses on CO 2 capture/utilization, solid waste valorization, environmental remediation, and process intensification Professional affiliations include PEO, ACS, AWMA, CSChE, RSC, and AIChE Particle Technology Forum Research Themes: Transforming industrial/agricultural wastes into carbon sinks and valuable products Developing energy-efficient reactor technologies (ultrasound, tubular reactors, hot-stage processing) Commercialization through GeoRewind™ with Twitter/Instagram presence Applying enhanced rock weathering to Southern Ontario agriculture and mining Scientific Recognition : NSERC Discovery Grant & Launch Supplement (2019-2024) Scialog Fellow (2020-present) Editorial roles in 4 journals He supervises 23 graduate students/visitors via projects spanning carbon capture, waste valorization, reactor design, and environmental monitoring. Teaching includes core courses like Fluid Mechanics and specialized graduate programs in Geochemical Modeling.
Mahmoud Alfadel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on software ecosystems, build systems, security vulnerabilities, and mining software repositories. He holds a PhD in Software Engineering from Concordia University (2021), an M.S. from KFUPM (2017), and a B.S. from Damascus University (2013). Education: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Damascus University (2013) Master of Science in Software Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM, 2017) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Software Engineering, Concordia University (2021) His research emphasizes empirical studies in DevOps practices, continuous integration, and software security. Recent work explores vulnerability lifecycle analysis in Golang, fuzz testing adoption in open-source projects, and dependency-induced waste in CI pipelines. His publications reflect a focus on improving software quality and security through automated tools and empirical analysis. Awards and Grants: No specific awards or grants are listed in the profile. His work is supported through empirical studies and academic collaborations. Advising and Labs: No student advisees or specific lab affiliations are noted in the provided materials. His research is likely conducted through collaborative projects with students and industry partners.
Dr. Robert Marriott is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Calgary and holds the NSERC/ASRL Industrial Research Chair in Applied Sulfur Chemistry. He serves as the Director of Research at Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd. (ASRL), collaborating closely with their Core Research Program. His research focuses on high-pressure sour gas properties, applied sulfur chemistry, and industrial fluid systems. Key areas include optimizing gas conditioning in H2S-rich environments, ionic liquid applications, water-hydrocarbon solution chemistry (including hydrates), and elemental sulfur properties under industrial conditions. His experimental thermodynamic work addresses challenges in natural gas production and processing. Research is conducted at the University Research Centre (URC) and supported by partnerships with industry leaders like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Husky Oil, alongside funding from NSERC. His group investigates acid gas adsorption on materials such as zeolites and silica gels, as well as the development of sustainable sulfur recovery methods. He leads the Marriott Research Group, emphasizing experimental physical chemistry and industrial relevance. Dr. Marriott’s work spans collaborations with ASRL and academic grants, addressing issues like shale gas souring, hydrate dissociation conditions, and catalyst modification for sulfur conversion. His contributions include advancements in desiccant stability, ionic liquid applications for gas separation, and safety protocols for high-pressure hydrogen sulfide experiments.
Yahui Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Process Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He holds dual PhDs in mineral processing (Central South University, China) and materials engineering (University of Alberta, Canada). Prior to his current role, he held academic positions at Northeastern University, China, and worked as a senior metallurgist at BGRIMM for nine years. His expertise spans mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, and materials chemistry, with a focus on rare earth elements, precious metals, and nanomaterial synthesis. Education: PhD in Mineral Processing, Central South University, China PhD in Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada Research Interests: Mineral flotation and sulfuride mineral surface analysis Hydrometallurgical recovery of rare earth elements and nonferrous metals Novel reagents and resins for metal extraction Wastewater treatment innovations Nanoparticle/nanopowder preparation for industrial applications Publications & Research: Dr. Zhang has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and 13 patents, focusing on topics like fluidized bed reactor optimization, ion exchange separation, and corrosion-resistant coatings. His work bridges theoretical mineralogy with industrial applications, emphasizing sustainable metallurgical processes. Grants & Advising: He has led over 20 research projects and advised numerous students. Notable collaborations include studies on tailings management, electrocatalysts for hydrogen production, and enhanced oil recovery via nanomaterials.
Ali Elkamel is an Adjunct Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo's Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on Process Systems Engineering, Energy Systems, Environmental Engineering, and Carbon Management. He specializes in applying machine learning to optimize complex systems such as energy production, waste management, and material science. His work spans sustainability initiatives, including hydrogen production methodologies, municipal waste valorization, and eco-friendly grid modernization. He has also contributed to advancements in CO2 capture technologies and renewable energy integration. Elkamel's research often intersects with industrial applications, addressing challenges in petrochemical operations, membrane technology, and process modeling. Elkamel has published extensively on topics ranging from AI-driven education tools to novel materials for gas adsorption. His recent articles highlight trends in machine learning applications for process optimization, energy-water nexus solutions, and sustainable infrastructure design. Despite his prolific output, no formal awards or student advisement records are noted. His academic profile reflects a commitment to bridging theoretical research with practical industrial solutions, particularly in the energy and environmental sectors. Collaborations likely extend to interdisciplinary teams given his diverse research portfolio.
Simon Hesp is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Science. His research focuses on asphalt materials science, including low-temperature fracture behavior, polymer-modified binders, and pavement performance evaluation. He has led over 30 pavement trials across Ontario and collaborated with industry on sustainable materials innovations. Education: Ph.D. (1991) – Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry – University of Toronto M.Sc. (1987) – Chemistry – University of Toronto Ing. (1985) – Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry – Hogere Technische School, Amsterdam Research Interests: Materials engineering and resources engineering Functional materials in materials science Recycled plastics and bio-rejuvenation in asphalt Thermoreversible aging mechanisms Quality assurance testing protocols for asphalt binders Awards & Recognition: No explicit prizes/fellowships are listed, though his extensive industry collaborations and >$10M in research funding highlight his impact. Grants & Students: Secured ~$10M in research funding from government/industry Mentored ~100 undergraduate/graduate students Lab equipped with advanced asphalt characterization tools Labs & Facilities: Specialized asphalt testing laboratory at Queen’s University with state-of-the-art equipment for rheological analysis, thermal characterization, and failure testing.
William McGill is Professor Emeritus of Ecosystem Science and Management at UNBC, specializing in biogeochemical cycles, soil carbon dynamics, and land reclamation. Former Dean of Science and Management (2001-2010), he contributes to climate change research as Deputy Editor of Climatic Change. Education includes PhD from University of Saskatchewan and BSA (Honours) from University of Manitoba. Research investigates: Soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems Greenhouse gas modeling (EPIC model) Petroleum hydrocarbon remediation Wood ash amendments for forest soils Awards include AAAS Fellowship and SSSA Fellowship. Grants address sustainable manure management and contaminated site restoration.
Dr. Jianbing Li is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), specializing in environmental pollution control and petroleum waste management. He holds a PhD from the University of Regina and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PEng). His research focuses on contaminated soil and groundwater remediation, environmental modeling, oil spill response, and sustainable waste management technologies. Dr. Li has authored over 280 publications, including 190 peer-reviewed journal articles, with an h-index of 42. His work is supported by grants from NSERC, DFO, and BC government agencies. Key roles include serving on NSERC’s Research Tools and Instruments Committee (2016–2021), Chair of the CSCE Northern BC Section, and Board Member of Engineers and Geoscientists BC since 2017. He has received the 2013 Northern BC Business & Technology Award, multiple UNBC Research Excellence Awards (2010, 2014, 2019), and was named a CSCE Fellow in 2022. Dr. Li co-directed UNBC/UBC’s environmental engineering program (2013–2017) and currently serves as an editorial board member for six journals. His research emphasizes innovative solutions for industrial waste, including pyrolysis of contaminated materials, eco-friendly adsorbents, and stochastic modeling of ecological systems. Recent work includes optimizing marine oil spill response strategies and developing low-cost water treatment methods for rural communities. Dr. Li’s interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering, environmental science, and policy to address regional and global sustainability challenges.
Luis Fernando Escobar is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs at the University of Lethbridge's Dhillon School of Business . He has dual administrative roles as Assistant Dean for both Graduate Programs and Global Business, while maintaining his academic focus on sustainability and corporate strategy. Education Licentiate in Chemistry, Universidad Simon Bolivar (Venezuela) MSc in Energy and Environment, University of Calgary/OLADE PhD in Strategy & Sustainable Development, University of Calgary Research Focus His research explores: Subsidiary-parent company relationships in multinational enterprises, specifically location-bound and non-location bound environmental capabilities Unpacking corporate social responsibility models to distinguish strategic environmental investments from philanthropy as sources of competitive advantage Industry Experience With technical management and consulting experience in Venezuela, he has conducted environmental feasibility studies for oil pits, developed waste management centers, and coordinated industrial waste characterization across petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, metallurgic, and textile sectors. Contact Information Phone: (403) 329-2632 Email: luis.escobar@uleth.ca
Denis Millette, Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (University of Waterloo, 1995), is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering at École Polytechnique de Montréal since 1996. He specializes in contaminant hydrogeology , groundwater remediation , and geothermal energy with over 30 years of experience. Since 2018, he serves as a part-time Senior Consultant and Hydrogeologist at Golder Associates, focusing on contaminated land management and expert litigation. Education : Ph.D., Earth Sciences (University of Waterloo, 1995); Master's Thesis on Reclamation of Canal Seepage-Affected Land (McGill University, 1989). Research Interests center on physical hydrogeology , multiphase flow , numerical modeling , and geothermal energy integration . He holds a NSERC Industrial Chair in Geothermal Energy related to permanent column wells in institutional buildings. His work bridges environmental engineering with agricultural water management , particularly in salinity control and soil-water conservation. Publication Trends over 15 years highlight groundwater contamination (e.g., nitrate and petroleum plumes), bioremediation technologies (bioventing, bioaugmentation), and numerical modeling of contaminant transport. His studies span hydrology , environmental geochemistry , and mathematical modeling , with a focus on contaminated site rehabilitation in diverse geologies, including fractured aquifers and low-permeability soils . Scientific Awards : NSERC Industrial Chair in Geothermal Energy for Permanent Column Wells in Institutional Buildings (current). Advising and Grants include supervising Ph.D. theses on landfill gas emissions and creosote-contaminated soil modeling . He has conducted emergency response training for oil spills and international regulatory consultancy in Brazil (CONAMA, ABNT standards). Labs and Teams involve collaboration with École Polytechnique de Montréal , National Research Council Canada , and Golder Associates , integrating field studies and laboratory experimentation in bioremediation and hydrogeological modeling.
