Carolyn Farrell

Entrepreneur and U of T alumna Huda Idrees named a YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction for 2019

noreen.rasbach — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 21:32:21 +0000

Entrepreneur and U of T alumna Huda Idrees named a YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction for 2019

noreen.rasbach Fri, 03/08/2019 - 16:32

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Huda Idrees is an accomplished entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for diversity in the tech industry (photo by Pam Lau)

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

City & Culture

Alumni

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Huda Idrees, an entrepreneur and alumna of the ��߲ݴ�ý's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, has been named a YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction for 2019. This recognition honours the outstanding achievements of young women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in their community.

In the six years since graduating, Idrees has a list of accomplishments. Immediately after graduating, she was the first design hire at Wattpad, founded by fellow U of T Engineering alumnus Allen Lau, where she was instrumental in developing the design team. She then joined Wave Financial as product designer for accounting products, bringing valuable design perspective in the early stages of building its award-winnng financial services and software product and laying the groundwork for many future versions. Idrees was also chief product officer at Wealthsimple, where she helped grow the fintech firm to 50 employees.

In 2016, she took on her biggest challenge yet as founder and CEO of Dot Health. Dot Health uses bank-level security to encrypt, store and transfer a patient’s medical information. Users can then search their health history and share their health information with care providers.

Idrees is also a passionate advocate for diversity in the tech industry. She has spoken extensively in the media and at conferences and symposiums about the challenges she faces as a Muslim female entrepreneur, and has called on the tech industry to take responsibility for its lack of diversity and gender equity.

She also leads by example. At Dot Health, 50 per cent of the board of directors and 100 per cent of the leadership team are women. Idrees recently served on the Canadian Federal Economic Strategy Table for Health and Biosciences. She is a mentor to young entrepreneurs and gives freely of her time to organizations such as Kids Learning Code.

“Huda Idrees embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, leadership ability, and commitment to diversity and inclusion that we strive to foster in all our graduates,” said Cristina Amon, the dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering who was named the YWCA’s Toronto Woman of Distinction in 2011.

“She is an exceptional role model for young women in engineering, business and technology, and is most deserving of this prestigious recognition.”

U of T's Milica Radisic awarded 2017 Steacie Prize

noreen.rasbach — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 21:39:51 +0000

U of T's Milica Radisic awarded 2017 Steacie Prize

noreen.rasbach Mon, 12/18/2017 - 16:39

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Professor Milica Radisic holds the Canada Research Chair in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (photo by Caz Zyvatkauskas)

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

Our Community

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Milica Radisic

The ��߲ݴ�ý's Milica Radisic has been named the 2017 recipient of the Steacie Prize, awarded each year to an engineer or scientist 40 years of age or younger who has made notable contributions to research in Canada.

The prize is administered by the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fund, a private foundation dedicated to the advancement of Canadian science and engineering.

As the Canada Research Chair in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Radisic of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has made transformational advances in tissue engineering resulting in new methods for growing human tissue in the lab. Radisic was the first in the world to use electrical impulses and specially designed bioreactors to guide isolated heart cells to assemble into a beating structure. These beating heart tissues are already being used to test potential drugs for side-effects.

Radisic and her team recently developed an injectable tissue patch that could help repair hearts, livers or other organs damaged by disease or injury, potentially eliminating the need for invasive transplant surgeries. They have also created the AngioChip, a 3D, fully vascularized piece of heart tissue that beats in real time. Radisic’s technologies are the foundation for the startup TARA Biosystems, which is now working with several major pharmaceutical companies on drug discovery and validation using the matured human heart tissues developed in her lab.

U of T professor elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

rasbachn — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 18:02:56 +0000

U of T professor elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

rasbachn Mon, 11/20/2017 - 13:02

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The impact of Professor David Sinton’s research is reflected in his many awards and accolades (photo by Sara Collaton)

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

David Sinton, a professor in the ��߲ݴ�ý's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society.

The honour recognizes his “distinguished contributions to the field of mechanical engineering, particularly in developing microfluidic methods for applications in energy and the environment.”

Fluids play a major role in global energy and its associated environmental implications. Sinton and his team have shown that microfluidics – a set of tools and techniques aimed at controlling and manipulating fluids on the sub-millimetre scale – has much to contribute in this important field.

His contributions address three main areas. The first is using microfluidics to screen optimal growing conditions for algae, photosynthetic organisms that can accumulate oil or other valuable bioproducts within their cells. The second is analyzing the properties and interactions of chemical additives, surfactants, solvents, industrial CO₂ streams and crude oil to improve the economic and environmental performance of current oil and gas operations. Finally, Sinton and his team are researching the capture and storage of CO₂, including its use in resource extraction, as well as the environmental impact of elevated CO₂ levels combined with local environmental stressors.

The impact of Sinton’s research is reflected in his many awards and accolades. In 2013 he received the ��߲ݴ�ý’s McLean Award. In 2015 he was awarded an E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Research Council of Canada – given to only six researchers in Canada each year. In 2015 he was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Sinton has also been elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, and the Engineering Institute of Canada. In 2016 he co-founded the startup company Interface Fluidics Ltd. to commercialize microfluidic screening technology that improves the economic and environmental performance of current energy operations.

“Professor David Sinton’s groundbreaking research in microfluidics for energy is providing us with innovative new tools for solving some of our most pressing energy-related challenges,” said Cristina Amon, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering . “On behalf of our Faculty, heartfelt congratulations on this richly deserved recognition.”

Sinton joins 395 other AAAS members from around the world being inducted as fellows in the latest round in recognition of their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. The honour will be officially bestowed Feb. 17 at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Austin, Tex.

Nine engineering professors and alumni inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering

ullahnor — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:39:21 +0000

Nine engineering professors and alumni inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering

ullahnor Tue, 06/27/2017 - 15:39

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Professor Tom Chau (left), a leader in rehabilitation research, is one of nine U of T faculty and alumni inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering (photo by Neil Ta)

Carolyn Farrell

Author legacy

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

Our Community

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Alumni

Through his research at Holland Bloorview and U of T, Professor Tom Chau has developed assistive technologies that give children and youth with severe physical limitations the ability to communicate independently.

Chau, of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering's Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, created the award-winning Virtual Music Instrument, which allows people with disabilities to express themselves through music, and he has pioneered optical brain-computer interfaces which allow nonverbal individuals to communicate through thought alone.

Chau is one of nine members of ��߲ݴ�ý's engineering community inducted as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) today.

Five U of T professors elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

ullahnor — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 22:40:45 +0000

Five U of T professors elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

ullahnor Mon, 11/21/2016 - 17:40

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Professor Zheng-Hong Lu of the department of materials science & engineering works with his students (photo by Mark Balson)

Carolyn Farrell

Author legacy

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

Breaking Research

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Materials Science

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Subheadline

AAAS is the largest international organization dedicated to advancing science or its applications on a global basis

Four Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering professors, Kamran Behdinan, Zheng-Hong Lu, Jeffrey Packer and Yu Sun, have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest international organization dedicated to advancing science or its applications on a global basis.

“The recognition of four Engineering professors by this prestigious international organization is a testament to our global reputation as leaders in both research and education,” said Dean Cristina Amon. “On behalf of the Faculty, I congratulate our new AAAS fellows on this richly deserved honour.”

In addition to the four engineering professors, Monica Justice, professor of molecular genetics who is also affiliated with the Hospital for Sick Children, was also elected fellow of AAAS.

Fellows are recognized for meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications. The new fellows will be announced in the Nov. 25 issue of Science and honoured at the AAAS Fellows Forum in Boston on Feb. 18, 2017.

Kamran Behdinan, a professor of mechanical engineering, has been elected as a fellow into the AAAS (photo by Ray Cheah)

A groundbreaking researcher in engineering design and design education, Kamran Behdinan, has led the development of several innovative engineering education programs both at U of T and at Ryerson University.

Behdinan joined U of T in 2011 as the NSERC Chair in Multidisciplinary Engineering Design. He immediately established two unique initiatives: the Institute for Multidisciplinary Design and Innovation and the multidisciplinary capstone design course.

Before joining U of T, he established the department of aerospace engineering at Ryerson and served as its inaugural chair. Behdinan was elected for “distinguished contributions to engineering education, particularly the development of Canada's first stand-alone aerospace engineering department and the creation of multidisciplinary design institutes and courses.”

Lu has conducted seminal research on Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs).

OLEDs are the greenest possible lighting technology but are complicated, and therefore expensive, to manufacture. Lu has been pursuing innovative ways of reducing the complexity of OLEDs while at the same time pushing the efficiency limits of the technology. His work has achieved not only the most efficient OLED devices to date but also the simplest devices, which opens the door to dramatically reducing manufacturing cost. This research has been commercialized through the spin-off company OTI Lumionics Inc.

Lu’s election is based on his “distinguished contributions to the development of next-generation OLEDs, which are far more energy-efficient and cost-effective to manufacture than their predecessors.”

Jeffrey Packer (right), Bahen/Tanenbaum professor of civil engineering, is being recognized for his contributions to the field of tubular steel structures (photo by Neil Ta)

Jeffrey Packer has established himself as the world leader in tubular steel structures. Today, the structural design of such connections is based almost solely on the theories and methodologies for interpreting the behaviour of steel hollow section connections that he developed over his career. Most recently, Packer’s primary focus has been the development of unique special-purpose cast steel connectors that improve a building’s ability to withstand seismic stress. In 2007 he co-founded Cast Connex Corporation, a successful spin-off company that designs, manufactures and markets these connectors.

Packer was elected for “distinguished contributions to the field of tubular steel structures, particularly his design of unique cast steel connectors and his influence on international design specifications.”

Yu Sun, professor of mechanical engineering, is being recognized for his work with nanotechnology (photo by Liz Do)

Yu Sun is internationally recognized as a leader in automation science and engineering at micro-nanometer scales.

He is a pioneer in dedeveloping robotics and automation technologies for manipulating and characterizing cells, molecules, and nanomaterials. Sun was among the first to invent robotic approaches for automated cell manipulation, and his work has resulted in breakthroughs in clinical cell surgery, cellular and intracellular measurement, and nanomanufacturing. His micro-nanotechnology research has also significantly advanced the field of cellular mechanobiology and nanomechanics.

Sun was elected for his “distinguished contributions in developing innovative micro- and nano-technologies for biomedical research and clinical applications, particularly the automated manipulation and characterization of cells and nanomaterials.”

Monica Justice is a professor of molecular genetics and Canada Research Chair in mammalian molecular genetics. The Justice lab has produced hundreds of new mouse models of human disease, which have enabled discoveries on the function of genes in cancer, reproduction, neurobiology, obesity and blood, heart and bone development.

Recently, her lab has focused on identifying suppressors that control genetic mutations in a mouse model for Rett Syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with no cure that affects children, mostly girls.

“The AAAS promotes a wide range of scientific endeavours and plays a big role in science policy and education, so I am honoured to be recognized for my contributions to human disease modelling through mouse genetics,” Justice said.

She was recognized for “distinguished contributions to the genetics field, particularly for development of mouse as a model for identifying disease genes and elucidating therapies for human diseases.”

Jonathan Rose receives OCUFA Teaching Award

lavende4 — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:19:44 +0000

Jonathan Rose receives OCUFA Teaching Award

lavende4 Tue, 09/27/2016 - 10:19

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Jonathan Rose (right) with students (Photo by Engineering Strategic Communications)

Carolyn Farrell

Author legacy

Carolyn Farrell

Topic

Our Community

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Teaching

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Awards

��߲ݴ�ý engineering professor Jonathan Rose has been recognized by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) with an OCUFA Teaching Award. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to teaching and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Rose is one of two U of T professors receiving the honour. Associate Professor Diane Horton in the department of computer science was also recognized with an OCUFA Teaching Award this year.

MIT's Technology Review names Joyce Poon to “Top 35 Under 35”

sgupta — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:17:01 +0000

MIT's Technology Review names Joyce Poon to “Top 35 Under 35” sgupta Wed, 08/22/2012 - 11:17

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Assistant Professor Joyce Poon, Electrical and Computer Engineering (photo by Jason KB)

Carolyn Farrell

Author legacy

Carolyn Farrell

Fixing broken hearts and building stronger communities

sgupta — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:53:54 +0000

Fixing broken hearts and building stronger communities sgupta Mon, 06/11/2012 - 05:53

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Professor Milica Radisic is renowned for her work in cardiac tissue engineering (photo by Liz Do)

Carolyn Farrell

Author legacy

Carolyn Farrell

Features

Engineering

Awards

Subheadline

U of T's engineering community recognized

One is an international leader in cardiac tissue engineering. Another is a budding entrepreneur and dynamic volunteer, while a third has worked for decades to bring clean water and better sanitation to remote communities around the world.

All three are members of the U of T Engineering community and each was among those recognized with Engineers Canada awards for their contributions and achievements in engineering.

Professor Milica Radisic, undergraduate student Saksham Uppal and alumnus Anna Dunets-Wills (CivE 7T6) received their awards on June 2 at a ceremony in Niagara Falls.

Radisic, appointed to the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, received the Young Engineer Achievement Award. A leader in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, Radisic has achieved international recognition for developing patches of engineered tissue that mimic a beating heart. She was the first to use electrical stimulation during cellular growth, with the result that the developing tissue behaves in the same manner as normal heart tissue.

"As a result of Professor Radisic’s research, one day soon patients who suffer from a heart attack can achieve a full recovery by replacing coarse scar tissue with natural beating heart tissue,” said Professor D. Grant Allen, Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry. “She is literally repairing broken hearts.”

Radisic was also co-inventor of a completely novel cell-protective peptide known as QHREDGS. This peptide may be capable of enhancing cardiac regeneration, bone regeneration or wound healing, by directing cell response. Radisic was named one of the world’s Top 35 Innovators Under 35 by MIT's Technology Review in 2008 and received the 2011 Ontario Professional Engineers Young Engineer Award.

Engineering Science student Saksham Uppal (EngSci 1T2), who garnered the Student Gold Medal Award, was celebrated for his leadership and volunteerism.

“Saksham has demonstrated leadership in several capacities, in particular through the development of organizations that encourage his peers to develop their business savvy, social awareness and sense of volunteerism,” said Lisa Romkey, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Engineering Science.

Uppal has created several avenues for his peers to engage in leadership and volunteerism, both within the university community and beyond. His interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, plus his passion for creating positive change, led him to develop the Nspire Innovation Network and its flagship event, the National Business and Technology Conference. He also created the Take Action! Organization which works to contribute to the community while developing socially aware youth leaders. This organization now hosts two university chapters (at Queens and U of T) and has more than 400 members.

A soon-to-be graduate, Uppal is currently working as an intern with the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome. In 2011, Uppal was selected to participate in The Next 36 – a national entrepreneurship program – where he tied for the highest marks in the program.

Anna Dunets-Wills (CivE 7T6) received the Meritorious Service Award for Community Service, which recognizes service and dedication through voluntary participation in community organizations or humanitarian work.

For more than 30 years, Dunets-Wills has been using her expertise in water and sanitation systems to help remote communities. Dunets-Wills has worked with urban planning and design firm planningAlliance and its sister practice, rePlan, to create best practices for international organizations operating in developing nations. She is credited with pioneering strategies for the effective long-term local management of both public and private infrastructure systems.

Over the past five years, Dunets-Wills has been involved with a local NGO called RAMBIA, in western Uganda, concentrating on water, sanitation and other infrastructure projects in the region. In 2011, she received the Ontario Professional Engineers Citizenship Award.

“I am extremely proud that Engineers Canada has chosen to honour three such deserving members of our community,” said Yu-Ling Cheng, Acting Dean, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “These prestigious awards are representative of the many ways in which our faculty, students and alumni contribute to the profession and to society.”

Engineers Canada is the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulate the profession of engineering in Canada and license the country's more than 250,000 members of the engineering profession. Established in 1972, their national awards honour the contributions of Canadian engineers to their profession, their community, and to the safety and well-being of Canadians.

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Carolyn Farrell

Entrepreneur and U of T alumna Huda Idrees named a YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction for 2019

U of T's Milica Radisic awarded 2017 Steacie Prize

Read more about Milica Radisic's research

U of T professor elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Nine engineering professors and alumni inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering

Read more about the engineering faculty and alumni that have been recognized

Five U of T professors elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Jonathan Rose receives OCUFA Teaching Award

Read more about how Horton keeps students engaged

Read more about Jonathan Rose and his unique approach to teaching

MIT's Technology Review names Joyce Poon to “Top 35 Under 35”

Fixing broken hearts and building stronger communities