Find Academic Supervisors

Viviane Yargeau is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McGill University. She holds degrees in Chemical Engineering (ing, BChE, MScA, PhD) from Université de Sherbrooke. Her research focuses on protecting water resources through advanced treatment technologies, including photocatalysis, ozonation, and toxicity assessment of contaminants. She leads the Controlling Contaminants of Concern (3Cs) research group. Her work addresses emerging contaminants such as tire wear compounds (6PPDQ), pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. She explores innovative materials like TiO₂ nanotubes for water purification and evaluates ecological impacts of agricultural chemicals via mesocosm experiments. She pioneered wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor drug use across global cities. Key contributions include developing high-throughput toxicity assays (e.g., LuminoTox) and optimizing catalytic ozonation processes. Her lab investigates the environmental fate of nanomaterials and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Recent studies highlight contaminants in remote ecosystems and urban air pollution from tire wear. She collaborates internationally on multi-year wastewater surveillance projects and advises on policy for contaminant management. Her research bridges engineering, chemistry, and ecology to address 21st-century water challenges.

• Water Resources Management
• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• +3 more

Trevor VandenBoer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at York University's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on environmental chemistry of reactive nitrogen molecules and indoor environmental chemistry, utilizing custom field instruments and mass spectrometry techniques. He leads the VandenBoer Lab, developing analytical tools to study pollutant behavior across scales. Research interests include atmospheric reactive nitrogen cycling, indoor air quality dynamics, and analytical instrumentation innovation. Key sub-disciplines are Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry, aligning with UN goals like Climate Action and Good Health. Recent work emphasizes pollutant tracking in agricultural and indoor environments, including studies on commercial kitchens, athletic facilities, and cleaning byproducts. He has secured grants including the Sloan Foundation's program for indoor chemistry research. Notable achievements include student awards such as Irina's 2024 CSC Environment Division Presentation Award and Emma McLay's NSERC CGS-M. The lab collaborates widely, with projects like the ATHLETIC initiative and the ROCC chamber experiments. Instrumentation innovations include novel precipitation samplers and HONO passive samplers. Current efforts explore reactive nitrogen budgets, chlorine activation mechanisms, and urban aerosol acidity dynamics.

• Atmospheric Reactive Nitrogen
• Environmental Chemistry
• Indoor Environment Chemistry
• +3 more

Naomi Zimmerman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and holds the Canada Research Chair in Real-World Air Quality Sensing. She leads the iREACH (Integrated Research in Energy, Air, Climate & Health) laboratory, focusing on technology and policy interventions for air quality and climate outcomes. Her work bridges atmospheric science, environmental engineering, and public health. B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from University of Waterloo Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry from University of Toronto Postdoctoral Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies Her research addresses real-world air pollutant behavior through low-cost sensor networks, machine learning models, and interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like UBC’s Liu Institute and IRES. Key areas include transportation emissions (e.g., LNG vehicles, autonomous vehicles), wildfire smoke impacts, and environmental justice. The 15 most recent publications highlight her expertise in PM2.5 calibration, spatial modeling, and emissions from gasoline direct injection engines. Keywords span environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and machine learning, with sub-fields covering wildfire smoke, urban monitoring, and climate policy. Canada Research Chair (2024–present) Zimmerman collaborates with regulatory agencies and non-profits, emphasizing stakeholder engagement. Her lab develops tools for rapid environmental policy evaluation. No active student recruitment is currently ongoing, though she welcomes exceptional fellowship applicants.

• Atmospheric Science
• Air Quality Monitoring
• Climate Change Mitigation
• +7 more

Marc Amyot is a Full Professor (Professeur titulaire) at the Université de Montréal, affiliated with the Département de sciences biologiques within the Faculté des arts et des sciences. His research focuses on contaminant cycling in ecosystems, particularly mercury and critical metals, with emphasis on Arctic and boreal environments. He leads the Canada Research Chair in Ecotoxicology and Global Change and is a key member of strategic research networks like GRIL (Limnology) and EcotoQ. Amyot holds extensive grants from organizations like CRSNG and FRQNT, addressing environmental challenges linked to hydroelectric projects, mining, and climate change. He has mentored over 30 graduate students and postdoctorates, contributing to over 100 scientific publications. Notable awards include the 2017 ACFAS Michel-Jurdant Prize for environmental science. His work integrates ecological, biogeochemical, and community-based approaches, collaborating with Indigenous communities in Nunavik and beyond. Education: BSc (1990), MSc (1992) from Université de Montréal; PhD (1996) from York University; postdoctoral training at Princeton University and Texas A&M. Former roles include professorships at Université d’Ottawa and INRS. Research Themes: Mercury and metal bioavailability, ecotoxicology of critical elements, Arctic pollution dynamics, hydroelectric impacts, and community-based environmental monitoring. Current Projects: Studying contaminants in Inuit diets, rare earth element behavior, and mercury cycling in dammed rivers. Collaborates with Hydro-Québec and Indigenous groups. Awards: 2017 ACFAS Prize (Environmental Sciences), 2015 Université de Montréal Teaching Excellence Award. Lab Team: 15+ active researchers, including PhD/MA students and postdocs focusing on biogeochemistry, ecotoxicology, and environmental policy.

• Ecotoxicology
• Environmental Science
• Biogeochemistry
• +7 more

Rebecca K. Saari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo , where she has worked since 2015. Her research focuses on sustainable engineering, atmospheric emissions, and the health impacts of climate policy. Educational Background: PhD in Engineering Systems, MIT (2015) MASc in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of Toronto (2007) BASc in Engineering Science – Physics Option, University of Toronto (2005) Her work integrates air quality modeling , climate change policy analysis , and environmental equity , with a focus on tools like integrated assessment models to evaluate health and economic impacts of pollution. Her 11 refereed articles span climate policy co-benefits, air quality modeling, and combustion diagnostics. Scientific Awards & Funding: NSERC Discovery Grant (2016-2021) MTO Highway Infrastructure Innovation Funding Program (2016-2020) Roos Dissertation Award, MIT (2015) Martin Family Society of Sustainability Fellows (2012-2013) C3E Women in Clean Energy Poster Competition Finalist (2013) She supervises PhD candidate Ming Liu , MASc students Filzah Nasir and Wilson Yang , and has collaborated with institutions like MIT, Environment Canada, and AECOM.

• Sustainable Engineering
• Atmospheric Emissions
• Air Quality
• +4 more

Dr. Dima Jawad is an Associate Teaching Professor at Ontario Tech University’s Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research focuses on project management innovations, infrastructure sustainability, transportation systems, and risk management. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University, USA (2003), a Master’s in City and Regional Studies (Rutgers, 2000), and a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut (1987). Her research interests include recent trends in project management tools, economic evaluation under uncertainty, and infrastructure resilience. She has contributed to studies on transportation network resilience using GIS, sustainable infrastructure design, and probabilistic modeling for urban transit systems. Awards: Nakheel Chair for Sustainable Infrastructure (2009) Hubert Humphrey Fellowship (1998) Dr. Jawad is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) T&DI Diversity Committee and Planning, Economics, and Finance Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors of MENARES (2008–2010) and peer-reviewed academic journals/conferences. Her teaching spans courses like Transportation Engineering, Project Management, and Sustainable Development Planning. While no specific grants are listed, her publications reflect a strong focus on infrastructure resilience, cost optimization, and sustainable practices.

• Project Management
• Infrastructure Sustainability
• Risk Management
• +3 more

Étienne Robert is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. He holds a B.Eng from Polytechnique Montréal, an M.Sc., and a Ph.D. from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). His research primarily focuses on experimental approaches to fluid mechanics, with particular expertise in combustion, multiphase flows, and aerosol dynamics. His educational background includes: B.Eng (Polytechnique Montréal) M.Sc. (EPFL) Ph.D. (EPFL) Robert's primary research interests span several interconnected areas in fluid mechanics and combustion science. He is particularly known for his work on unstretched diffusion flames, thermal-diffusive instabilities, soot formation, carbon nanotube synthesis, and acoustic manipulation of particles. His research often combines fundamental experimental work with practical applications in energy systems, environmental protection, and aerospace engineering. Robert advocates for simple experimental setups that allow for fundamental understanding of underlying physics, with results well-suited for validating theoretical or numerical models. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on combustion science, fluid mechanics, and energy systems. Key trends include research on hypergolic rocket fuels, cooling tower optimization, aerosol dynamics, diffusive-thermal instabilities in alternative fuel combustion, and cavitation phenomena. His work bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with practical applications in energy, environmental engineering, and aerospace systems. Robert has supervised numerous graduate students, including doctoral candidates and master's students working on diverse projects related to combustion, fluid mechanics, and materials science. His research has been supported by various funding sources including NSERC (mentioned in a 2022 news item about receiving over $2 million in grants). His laboratory work appears to focus on experimental fluid mechanics, with specialized equipment for studying diffusion flames, acoustic particle manipulation, and aerosol dynamics. His research projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations across mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and environmental science.

• Combustion
• Fluid mechanics
• Multiphase systems
• +5 more

Ian Irvine is a Professor of Economics at Concordia University, specializing in public economics, health policy, and microeconomics. He holds a PhD from the University of Western Ontario and has been faculty at Concordia since 1978. His research examines tobacco regulation, cannabis legalization, and electric vehicle policies through economic frameworks. Irvine has collaborated internationally with institutions like the London School of Economics and consulted for Canadian governmental agencies. His research focuses on behavioral responses to taxation, inequality measurement, and regulatory impacts on public health. Current projects investigate vaping trends, cannabis market development, and sustainable transportation incentives. Publications analyze policy efficiency across tobacco control, welfare systems, and environmental subsidies. Irvine co-authors open-access economics textbooks and develops online learning resources for microeconomics education. He has taught courses in public policy analysis, economic inequality, and foundational microeconomic theory.

• Public Economics
• Public Policy
• Health Economics
• +5 more

Peter Douglas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill University. His research employs isotope geochemistry to study Earth's carbon cycle and its relationship to climate change across spatial scales from individual ecosystems to global systems. Key research interests include tracing greenhouse gas emissions, understanding aquatic carbon cycling responses to environmental change, and paleoclimate reconstruction. Research focuses on biogeochemical cycles in diverse environments including permafrost regions, urban settings, and coastal systems. Recent work investigates methane dynamics in Arctic lakes, carbon sequestration in estuarine systems, and urban greenhouse gas monitoring. Methodologies combine field measurements, isotopic analyses, and computational modeling to address pressing climate challenges. Research outputs demonstrate consistent focus on carbon cycle feedbacks in warming environments, development of novel monitoring techniques for greenhouse gases, and applications of isotopic systems in environmental science.

• Isotope Geochemistry
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• Paleoclimate
• +2 more

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.

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioremediation
• Hydrogeology
• +7 more

Alice Grgicak-Mannion is a researcher at the University of Windsor’s School of the Environment, affiliated with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research. She specializes in environmental science, geospatial analysis, and pollution monitoring. Her roles include Special Advisor to the Provost on Sustainability (2024–2026) and leadership in initiatives like the Windsor-Essex Sewing Force during the pandemic. She contributed to high-profile projects, including air quality studies in Windsor-Detroit and Arctic seal movement ecology. Her research focuses on tracking contaminants (metals, PCBs, PBDEs) in aquatic systems, developing GIS tools for public health applications, and assessing environmental impacts on communities and ecosystems. She has collaborated on studies ranging from blowfly biodiversity to mercury levels in Arctic fish, emphasizing spatial and temporal trends. Awards: No specific prizes mentioned, though her work has been featured in interdisciplinary collaborations and policy advising. She mentors students like Rebecca Shearon (ESRI Scholarship recipient, 2018). Active in community outreach, she organized high school GIS workshops and panels for Women in Science. Labs/Teams: Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, Centre for Geospatial Analysis. Grants and funding details not explicitly provided in texts.

• Environmental Science
• Air Pollution Monitoring
• Geospatial Analysis
• +3 more

Cora Young is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at York University, holding the Guy Warwick Rogers Chair. Her research focuses on developing analytical methods to study air quality, climate forcers, and pollutant transport. She leads the Young Lab, which employs both laboratory and field studies to elucidate chemical mechanisms in environmental systems. Key research areas include atmospheric brown carbon, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and reactive chlorine chemistry. Her work addresses indoor and outdoor environmental challenges, with applications to climate action and health protection. Dr. Young’s academic affiliation includes membership in the Faculty of Science at York University. Her research group collaborates on projects such as THE CIX (The Collaborative Indoor eXperiment) and has presented findings at major conferences like AGU Fall Meeting. The group has published extensively on topics ranging from wildfire aerosol characterization to off-grid atmospheric deposition sampling techniques. Her research interests align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Climate Action and Good Health and Well-being. While no awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to environmental chemistry reflect significant scholarly impact. Advising and grant activities are integral to her role, though specific details are not detailed in the provided texts. The Young Lab actively engages in training students and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Young’s work emphasizes innovative methodologies, including chemical imaging of biomass burning particles and novel sampling technologies for remote environments. Her publications span over two decades, demonstrating sustained engagement with pressing environmental issues such as PFAS pollution and indoor air chemistry.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Chemistry
• Air Quality
• +3 more

Zunaira Asif is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. She holds a Ph.D. (2018), M.Sc. (2012), and B.Sc. (2009). Her research focuses on air quality modeling, climate change impacts, life cycle analysis, and pollution control strategies. She teaches courses on air pollution, environmental contaminants, and sustainable engineering practices. Her work addresses critical environmental challenges such as anthropogenic VOC emissions, oil spill management, and pandemic dynamics influenced by environmental factors. She has contributed to interdisciplinary studies including Bayesian modeling for pollution source identification and sustainable water management strategies in North America. Zunaira’s publications span journals like Environmental Management , Water Resources Management , and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering . She actively engages in applied research with practical implications for policy and industry, emphasizing climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

• Air Quality
• Climate Change
• Environmental Engineering
• +4 more

Makhsud Saidaminov is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Advanced Functional Materials at the Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria. He holds a PhD from Lomonosov Moscow State University and completed a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on functional materials and perovskites for applications in solar cells, optoelectronics, and X-ray detectors. Key areas include self-assembly, clean energy, and material stability. Education: PhD (Lomonosov Moscow State University), Banting Postdoctoral Fellow (U of T) Research interests include the chemistry and physics of inorganic and hybrid materials, with emphasis on perovskite solar cells, optoelectronic devices, and X-ray detection technologies. His group explores scalable fabrication methods, solvent engineering, and machine learning-driven material discovery. Recent work highlights advancements in blade-coated perovskite solar cells, carbon-electrode systems, and ambient-air fabrication techniques. Notable achievements include the Canada Research Chair Tier 2 and Banting Fellowship. His lab’s publications span high-impact areas like perovskite crystallization, detector optimization, and green solvent applications. Ongoing efforts aim to enhance material stability and scalability for real-world energy and sensing applications. Awards: Canada Research Chair Tier 2, Banting Postdoctoral Fellow Teaching focuses on materials science, optoelectronics, and sustainable energy technologies. Current projects involve all-perovskite tandem cells, X-ray detector materials, and AI-driven material design.

• Functional Materials
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Self-Assembly
• +6 more

Dr. Shirley Thompson is an Associate Professor at the Natural Resources Institute within the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources at the University of Manitoba. Her work focuses on community-driven solutions to environmental and social challenges faced by Indigenous communities, particularly in housing, food security, and environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and has extensive interdisciplinary training in chemical engineering, education, and community development. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Environmental Justice), University of Toronto (2002) Master of Chemical Engineering (Industrial Hygiene & Environmental Engineering), University of Toronto (1993) Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto (1995) Bachelor of Science (Biology & Chemistry), University of Waterloo (1987) Research Interests: Thompson’s research integrates Indigenous knowledge with Western science to address systemic inequities. Key areas include: Indigenous food sovereignty through permaculture and cooperative models Climate-resilient housing design using local materials Environmental justice in resource extraction and flood-impacted communities Participatory video and mapping to document land use and displacement Outreach & Programs: She co-founded Camp Kitigay, Canada’s first ecosystem restoration camp, and chairs the Indigenous Food Systems internship program (Kitigay). Her work extends to media advocacy via the Mino Bimaadiziwin Partnership’s website, YouTube channel, and webinar series. Grants & Governance: Thompson has adjudicated major funding programs (SSHRC, MITACS) and peer-reviewed journals including Community Development and BMC Public Health . She advocates for policy reforms addressing housing inequities and pandemic responses in Indigenous communities. Labs & Collaborations: Her initiatives include the Mino Bimaadiziwin Partnership, Boreal Builders program, and partnerships with First Nations like Garden Hill and Wasagamack to map harvesting sites and reclaim food systems.

• Environmental Justice
• Indigenous Food Systems
• Sustainable Housing
• +7 more