Richard Simon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. He holds leadership roles as Publications Director of his department and Administrative Director of the Institute for Research in Mining and Environment (IRME) UQAT-Polytechnique. His educational background includes a B.Eng. and M.Sc.A. from Polytechnique Montréal and a Ph.D. from McGill University. Dr. Simon teaches courses including Introduction to Mine Operations, Underground Mining, and Rock Mechanics I. His research focuses on rock mechanics, numerical modeling, mining engineering, and geotechnical applications in mining environments. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on numerical modeling of rock behavior, mine stability analysis, and backfill mechanics. Recent work emphasizes computational geomechanics applications in mining operations, including stress analysis in backfilled stopes, slope stability in open pits, and optimization of mining layouts. Environmental aspects of mining, particularly contaminant transport in fractured rock, also feature prominently. Dr. Simon has supervised 6 doctoral and 8 master's students working on topics ranging from numerical seismic assessment in mines to rock fracture mechanics. He secured significant research funding including $900,000 (2017) for a metals circular economy project and led three new IRME research initiatives (2015). He directs research activities at IRME UQAT-Polytechnique and collaborates extensively within the mining geomechanics research community. His expertise is regularly featured in media outlets including La Presse+ and Les Affaires.
Diana Allen is a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, where she leads the Groundwater Resources Research Group (GRRG). Her research focuses on hydrogeology with particular emphasis on groundwater resource evaluation and hydrogeological modeling, with current research on climate change impacts on groundwater systems, groundwater resources in mountainous and coastal regions, and low temperature geothermal systems. Education: B.Sc. Honours, Carleton University, 1986 M.Sc., Carleton University, 1988 Ph.D., Carleton University, 1996 Dr. Allen's research spans several key areas of hydrogeology and water resources. Her work on climate change impacts examines how extreme climate events affect groundwater systems, particularly in mountainous regions. She has developed methodologies for reconstructing historical groundwater levels using tree ring widths to understand long-term drought patterns. Her research on coastal aquifers assesses vulnerability to salinization, while her work in Northeast British Columbia evaluates water security risks associated with shale gas development. She also investigates aquifer-stream connectivity and the impacts of pumping on streamflow. Dr. Allen's publication record shows a strong focus on applied hydrogeology with significant contributions to understanding groundwater responses to climate extremes, drought assessment methodologies, and coastal aquifer vulnerability. Her research combines field studies with numerical modeling across diverse environments from mountainous regions to coastal deltas. Dr. Allen has successfully secured funding from major agencies including NSERC, the Canadian Mountain Network, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, and various BC government ministries. Her research has practical applications for water resource management under climate change. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Allen supervises numerous graduate students working on cutting-edge hydrogeological research projects across British Columbia and beyond. Her students pursue careers in hydrogeology and environmental geoscience, applying GIS methods and computational hydrogeology to analyze field data.
Scott McDougall is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He specializes in geohazards, particularly landslides and related risks, with a focus on improving risk assessment and mitigation strategies. His work integrates field data, statistical analysis, numerical modeling, and laboratory experiments to understand landslide dynamics. Education: PhD in Geological Engineering, UBC (2006) BASc in Civil Engineering, University of Toronto (1998) Research Interests: Landslide mobility and runout modeling Tailings dam breaches and their impacts Risk evaluation frameworks for geohazards Shoreline erosion and landslide-generated waves Applications of machine learning in hazard prediction Key Contributions: Development of the UBC Geohazards Research Team to advance landslide risk reduction Leadership in the CanBreach project to improve tailings dam breach analysis Pioneering probabilistic runout prediction models for rock avalanches and debris flows Awards: Engineering Geology Best Paper Award 2024 CDA Published Paper Award Advising & Grants: Supervised over 15 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows Active industry collaborations with mining and engineering firms Funded by NSERC, Mitacs, and industry partnerships Labs & Teams: UBC Geohazards Research Team CanBreach Collaborative Research and Development Project
Catherine Mulligan is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University, where she also serves as Director of the Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems. She was previously the Concordia Research Chair in Geoenvironmental Sustainability (Tier I) until 2021, having held this prestigious research chair since 2002 (initially as Tier II). Dr. Mulligan earned her B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in chemical engineering from McGill University, followed by a Ph.D. specializing in geoenvironmental engineering, also from McGill University. After 16 years working at McGill University and in industry (including positions at the Biotechnology Research Institute of the National Research Council and SNC Research Corp.), she joined Concordia University in 1999 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2002, and to full Professor in 2008. Her research spans multiple critical areas of environmental engineering with a focus on contamination remediation. She specializes in surfactant-enhanced washing and flushing of contaminated soils and sediments, treatment of metal-contaminated media, bioremediation techniques, and various wastewater treatment methods. Her work includes biosurfactant applications, in-situ sediment remediation, anaerobic treatment processes, membrane technologies for water treatment, and energy generation through pressure-reduced osmosis. She has developed sustainability indicators and focuses on practical applications of environmental engineering solutions. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a continued leadership in environmental engineering with particular emphasis on nanotechnology applications for oil spill cleanup in sensitive coastal regions, advanced membrane technologies for water treatment and energy generation, microbially induced calcite precipitation for mining waste remediation, sustainable resource recovery approaches from waste batteries, and innovative techniques for eutrophic lake restoration. Her research demonstrates a consistent focus on practical, sustainable solutions to environmental contamination problems across diverse settings. Dr. Mulligan's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada, and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. She has received the RSC Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, the Geoenvironmental Award, the A.G. Stermac Award of the CGS, and the John B. Sterling Medal of the EIC. Her Concordia-specific honors include the Provost Circle of Distinction, Concordia Sustainability Champion, and the Petro Canada Young Innovator Award (awarded twice). With over 40 years of research experience across government, industrial, and academic environments, Dr. Mulligan has supervised to completion more than 75 graduate students in Civil Engineering (MASc and PhD programs). Her research has attracted significant funding, including a $1,643,700 NSERC CREATE grant for the Institute in Water, Energy and Sustainability, which represents the first Concordia project to receive funding through this program. She has authored more than 140 refereed papers, holds three patents, and has made substantial editorial contributions as Section Editor for the Journal of Environmental Engineering, Chief Editor for Waste (MDPI), and serves on multiple other editorial boards. As Director of the Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems, Dr. Mulligan leads an interdisciplinary team focused on training students in sustainable development practices and advancing research into innovative solutions for water, energy, and resource conservation challenges. The institute represents a significant hub for environmental research and education at Concordia University.
Travis Wiens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on fluid power systems, acoustic sensing, dynamic modeling, mining mechatronics, and artificial intelligence applications in engineering. He holds a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution, completed in 2002, 2004, and 2008 respectively. His research interests emphasize innovative solutions for hydraulic control systems, pipeline resonance reduction, and mining safety through acoustic technologies. He has developed low-cost electrohydrostatic actuators and explored additive manufacturing in valve design. Notable contributions include vibrational data communication tools for extractive industries and machine learning models for mine roof stability assessment. Dr. Wiens teaches ENGC 01A - Introduction to Fluid Power Components . His work bridges theoretical fluid dynamics with practical applications in energy efficiency, structural health monitoring, and biomimetic systems. Ongoing research trends include integrating AI with hydraulic systems and advancing non-destructive testing methods for infrastructure integrity. His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining mechanical engineering principles with computational modeling, neural networks, and mechatronics. Collaborative efforts focus on mining safety, oil and gas infrastructure, and sustainable hydraulic technologies.
Alireza Yaseri serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering within Smith Engineering at Queen's University. He maintains a dual affiliation with the GeoEngineering Centre, a leading research institute at Queen's specializing in geotechnical and geoenvironmental challenges, where he contributes to advanced computational modeling initiatives. Education: PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Université Laval (2021) MSc in Geotechnical Engineering, Shiraz University (2012) Dr. Yaseri's research program centers on computational geomechanics with emphases on seismic soil-structure interaction, railway-induced vibrations, and constitutive modeling of granular materials. His work bridges theoretical mechanics and practical infrastructure challenges through advanced numerical techniques, particularly hybrid FEM-SBFEM implementations for dynamic analysis of earth dams, canyon systems, and transportation corridors. He investigates nonlinear soil behavior under monotonic/cyclic loading and develops predictive models for vibration propagation in complex geological settings. Analysis of his publication trajectory (2014-2024) reveals consistent innovation in computational geotechnics, with recent work focusing on 2.5D/3D modeling of train-induced vibrations and sophisticated sand constitutive frameworks. His 2024 publications demonstrate dual expertise in railway vibration prediction methodologies and critical-state soil mechanics, while his earth dam-canyon system analyses from 2020-2022 established foundational approaches for seismic amplification in flexible geological formations. As an active member of Queen's GeoEngineering Centre, Dr. Yaseri collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing infrastructure resilience, with particular relevance to dam safety and transportation geotechnics in seismic zones. His technical leadership in scaled boundary methods contributes to the center's reputation for computational innovation in geomechanics.
Ronald D. Haynes is a Full Professor and Chair of Scientific Computing Graduate Programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He leads research in numerical methods for PDEs and industrial-scale optimization problems. His work develops advanced domain decomposition techniques, adaptive mesh methods, and parallel computing approaches for solving complex physical systems. Applications include modeling pitting corrosion of materials, predicting rock strength for drilling optimization, and simulating multiphase fluid flows in porous media. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in mesh adaptation, parallel algorithms, and machine learning applications for industrial problems. Collaborative projects have addressed reservoir simulation, drill bit analysis, and corrosion prediction through integrated computational approaches. Professor Haynes has received the President's Award for Outstanding Research (2018) and Dean of Science Distinguished Teaching Award (2017). He serves as Co-editor-in-chief of the CAIMS Mathematics in Science and Industry Journal and was President-Elect of the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society (2023-2025). He maintains active doctoral supervision with current research groups focusing on domain decomposition methods, closest point algorithms, and optimization techniques. Industry partnerships include projects with ExxonMobil and Global Maritime addressing drilling optimization and mooring design challenges.
Dr. Min Sun is an Associate Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Program in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria (UVic). He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on structural engineering and steel structures, particularly in the areas of steel connections, seismic resilience, and numerical modeling. Dr. Sun has extensive academic and professional experience, including roles as Assistant Professor at UVic (2016–2022), Lecturer at the University of Toronto, and structural design roles in industry. His research interests emphasize the performance of steel structures under extreme loads, including earthquake engineering and material behavior. Recent work includes studies on stress concentration factors in steel connections, thermal integrity of piles, and wood-frame building reliability under lateral loads. He actively contributes to professional organizations, such as serving as Vice President (Western Region) for the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (2018–2020). Dr. Sun teaches courses including Advanced Structural Analysis (CIVE 421) and Solid Mechanics (CIVE 220) at UVic. He currently supervises graduate students in structural steel design and construction. His publications span experimental and numerical analyses, with a focus on improving design standards for steel and wood structures. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with UVic's Engineering and Computer Science faculty and the IESVIC (Institute for Energy Systems and Sustainability at UVic), though specific lab names are not explicitly stated in the text.
Bern Klein is a Professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Applied Science, specifically within the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering. His career spans over three decades, beginning with extensive industry experience from 1990 to 1998, followed by his academic role at UBC since 1997. He has held leadership positions including Graduate Advisor (1999-2008) and Department Head (2008-2014), and has been instrumental in establishing research centers like the Centre for Industrial Minerals Innovations and the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute. Education: PhD in Mineral Process Engineering, University of British Columbia (1992) BASc in Mining and Mineral Process Engineering, University of British Columbia (1985) Research Interests: Professor Klein's research is centered on mineral processing technologies , with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in mining operations. His work encompasses: Comminution processes and energy optimization Rheology of mineral suspensions Sensor-based ore sorting technologies Water and energy conservation in mining Development of innovative mineral processing flowsheets His research has led to the creation of Mine Sense Technologies Ltd , a startup company that has developed novel sensor-based sorting systems for the mining industry. Scientific Awards: Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Transactions Best Paper Award (2008) Canadian Institute of Mining Distinguished Lecturer Award (2011) CEEC Medal for Best Paper (2013, 2016) CEEC Honorable Mention for Best Paper (2022) Mitacs Award for Exceptional Leadership for a Professor (2023) Teaching and Supervision: Professor Klein teaches courses including MINE 201 Mineral Resources Engineering II , MINE 434/524 Processing of Precious Metal Ores , MINE 508 Integrated Mining and Processing Systems , and MINE 579 Rheology of Mineral Suspensions . He has supervised numerous graduate students, with Uuganbadrakh Oyunkhishig being one of his Master's students. Research Teams and Labs: His research involves interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly through the Quantum Matter Institute and the Centre for Industrial Minerals Innovations. He is open to collaborations with undergraduate students and other researchers, fostering a collaborative research environment.
Mike Hulley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen's University, cross-appointed to the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). He holds roles as Department Chair at RMC's Civil Engineering Department and is a Research Director at Queen's GeoEngineering Centre. His expertise spans water resources, environmental engineering, and geotechnical systems. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering), Queen's University (1991) M.Sc (Eng) in Civil Engineering (Water Resources), Queen's University (1986) B.Sc, University of Waterloo (1983) C.E.T in Water Resources, St. Lawrence College (1978) Research Focus: Climate change impacts on hydrology, extreme rainfall modeling, groundwater management, saltwater intrusion, and stormwater management via low-impact development. He develops custom computer models for water quantity/quality investigations and advises on contaminant migration and river hydrodynamics. Affiliations: Partner at Profound Engineering (since 2013) Partner at MODRET (since 2009) Cross-appointed to RMC's Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department Labs/Teams: Leads research at Queen's GeoEngineering Centre and Beaty Water Research Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary environmental systems analysis.
Gregory Lawrence is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Applied Science. Since 1987, he has held a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Environmental Fluid Mechanics and focuses on the fluid dynamics of inland and coastal waters, particularly their impact on water quality, chemistry, and biology. His work addresses waste discharge minimization, lake restoration, and water system rehabilitation. He also instructs in UBC’s Master of Engineering Leadership in Integrated Water Management program. Research Interests : Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrodynamic Stability and Mixing, Physical Limnology, and Water Quality Management. His studies bridge fluid dynamics with environmental stewardship, emphasizing hydrodynamic processes in lakes, reservoirs, and mine pit lakes. Selected Publications highlight his expertise in stratified flows, Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, baroclinic responses, and artificial circulation techniques. These works span journals like Limnology and Oceanography , Physical Review Fluids , and Environmental Fluid Mechanics . Scientific Awards : 2018-2020: 2nd Year Student Appreciation Award (UBC Civil Engineering Club) 2016: Visiting Research Fellow (University of Western Australia) 2013: Elected Fellow (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering) 2012: Elected Fellow (Canadian Academy of Engineering) 2011: Camille Dagenais Award (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering) 2010: Premier’s Award – Partnership Category (British Columbia) 2001: Tier I Canada Research Chair in Environmental Fluid Mechanics 2001: Journal of Environmental Engineering Editor’s Award (ASCE) Teaching : Courses include CIVL 215 Fluid Mechanics I , CIVL 541 Environmental Fluid Mechanics , and CIVL 598L Contemporary Topics in Physical Limnology . He has been recognized for teaching excellence multiple times, including the 2018-2020 Student Appreciation Award.
Professor Mahdi Tew-Fik is affiliated with Polytechnique Montréal as a Full Professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering . His research focuses on hydraulic engineering , sediment transport , dam safety , and flood modeling , with expertise in numerical simulations and VOF methods . His educational background includes a B. Ing. from Polytechnique d'Alger , M.Sc. from the University of Liège , DESS from UQÀM , and Ph.D. from Polytechnique Montréal . He has supervised numerous Ph.D. and Master's students in projects related to river hydraulics and dam failure analysis . Professor Mahdi has received the Discovery Grant (2021) for his research. His recent publications emphasize free-surface flow modeling , multi-fluid simulations , and flood risk assessment . He is a member of the Experimental and Digital Water Flow Engineering Group (GENIE EAU) .
Rebecca Dziedzic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. Her research focuses on asset management, water system sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto. Dr. Dziedzic's work integrates machine learning, data science, and policy analysis to address challenges in urban infrastructure systems. Her research explores topics such as water distribution network optimization, climate change adaptation in infrastructure, and circular economy strategies for construction. Recent projects include predicting water main breaks using multivariate models, developing frameworks for energy-efficient pump operation, and assessing carbon footprints in industrial facilities. Dr. Dziedzic supervises graduate students in Civil Engineering (MASc/PhD) and maintains an active research group through the UrbanLinks initiative. Her work has been published in over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong focus on smart city technologies, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable infrastructure design.
Dr. Barbara Ann Hofmann is a Professor in the School of Education at Trinity Western University (TWU), specializing in science and mathematics education with a focus on inquiry and project-based learning. She holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Alberta (1997) and has 15 years of teaching experience across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Her expertise includes proactive problem-solving in education and geotechnical design solutions. Education: Bachelor of Education (BEd), Middle Years - University of British Columbia (2004) PhD, Geotechnical Engineering - University of Alberta (1997) MSc (Distinction), Civil Engineering - University of Alberta (1989) BSc (Distinction), Civil Engineering - University of Alberta (1985) Research Interests: Dr. Hofmann’s research bridges geotechnical engineering and education. Her doctoral work focused on in-situ ground freezing techniques to obtain undisturbed soil samples for liquefaction assessment during earthquakes. She advocates for innovative teaching methods like project-based learning to engage students in STEM fields. Awards: Andrew Stewart Graduate Prize for PhD Students Province of Alberta Graduate Fellowship and Scholarship Alexander Rutherford Scholarship Teaching and Affiliations: Dr. Hofmann teaches courses such as EDUC 456B (Curriculum and Pedagogy: K-07 Mathematics) , EDUC 458B (Curriculum and Pedagogy: K-8 Science) , and EDUC 472 (Curriculum and Pedagogy: An Introduction to Teaching the Natural and Mathematical Sciences Grades 8-12) . She is a member of the British Columbia Teachers Federation.
Dr. Lydell Wiebe is a Professor and Acting Chair of Civil Engineering at McMaster University. He specializes in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and seismic resilience, focusing on controlled rocking systems and steel structures. His research group combines large-scale experiments and advanced modeling to enhance building resilience in seismic regions. Dr. Wiebe holds a BASc (2005) and PhD (2013) from the University of Toronto, and an MSc in Earthquake Engineering from the ROSE School in Italy (2008). He serves as Chair of CSA S16 Working Group 9 (Seismic Design) and is Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering. His teaching awards include the McMaster University Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award (2017) and the McMaster Students Union Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014, 2017). He teaches courses on structural analysis, seismic design, and civil engineering fundamentals. Research Focus: Seismic resilience, self-centering systems, and masonry innovation Professional Roles: Editorial Boards of the Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering His research emphasizes transforming seismic resilience into a routine design outcome, with applications in steel braced frames and masonry systems. Recent work addresses foundation design, energy dissipation mechanisms, and probabilistic risk assessment for critical infrastructure. Awards: GJ Jackson Fellowship, HA Krentz Research Award Key Projects: Controlled rocking braced frames for low-seismicity regions, resilient masonry systems
