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Professor Milica Radisic (IBBME, ChemE) is among the recipients of this year’s Killam Research Fellowships.

“It is a great honour to receive this fellowship, and to be in the company of so many wonderful researchers from across Canada,” says Radisic. “My team will use this support to continue our innovative approaches to drug development and tissue repair, and to address medical challenges that currently have no solution.”

Awarded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Killam Research Fellowships support outstanding scholars as they carry out their groundbreaking projects in a wide range of fields. Radisic is joined by her fellow U of T professor, Joseph Heath (Philosophy) in receiving this award.

The Killam Research Fellowships are awarded at the same as the Killam Prizes which celebrate working scientists, writers, doctors and researchers who have dedicated their careers to solving challenges in our daily lives. University Professor Ted Sargent (ECE) and University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar (Earth Sciences) are among this year’s recipients.

Professor Radisic holds the Canada Research Chair in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. She has made transformational advances in tissue engineering which have resulted in new methods for growing human tissue in the lab.

Radisic’s team was among the first in the world to use electrical impulses and specially designed bioreactors to guide heart cells to assemble into structure that actually beat independently of a body. These devices include the Biowire, the AngioChip and the BioWire II. The team also designed an injectable tissue patch that could be used to repair hearts, livers or other organs damaged by disease or injury.

These technologies are the basis of two spinoff companies, including TARA Biosystems and Quthero. Radisic is also developing the next generation of entrepreneurs in biomedical engineering through the training program in organ-on-a-chip engineering and entrepreneurship, funded by an NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) grant.

Radisic holds the position of Associate Chair, Research for the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, where she works to strengthen U of T Engineering’s global network of research collaborations with industry, academia and government.

Among the previous research awards earned by Radisic are the Steacie Prize and the Steacie Fellowship. She received the 2019 Research and Development Medal from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and the 2018 YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction award. She serves on the board of OSPE, and has leveraged leadership roles in the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society to advance and support women in her field. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

“Congratulations to Professor Radisic on this important fellowship,” said Chris Yip, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “Her research and training programs are driving solutions for critical health challenges around the world, as well as creating the talent to bring them from the lab to the marketplace.”

University Professor Ted Sargent (ECE) has received this year’s Killam Prize for Engineering.

“This honour means a lot to me, especially when I consider all of the inspiring researchers who have held it in years past,” says Sargent. “What this award celebrates is a truly global collaboration with talented researchers dedicated to building a cleaner, more sustainable world. I see it as a celebration of the remarkably talented students and fellows whom I’ve had the privilege of working with in the past two decades as a faculty member in Engineering at U of T.”

Awarded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Killam Prizes celebrate working scientists, writers, doctors and researchers who have dedicated their careers to solving challenges in our daily lives. Also among this year’s recipients is Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar (Earth Sciences).

The Killam Prizes are awarded at the same time as the Killam Research Fellowships, which support outstanding scholars as they carry out their groundbreaking projects in a wide range of fields. Professor Milica Radisic (IBBME, ChemE) and Professor Joseph Heath (Philosophy) are among this year’s recipients.

Sargent holds the Canada Research Chair in Nanotechnology, and leads a large research lab dedicated to advanced materials such as quantum dots, perovskite crystals and multi-metal catalysts. Applications include light sensing, solar energy harvesting, and carbon capture and storage.

The Sargent group has set a number of world records in the use of colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) to harvest solar energy. They also designed highly efficient CQD light sensors, a technology that was spun off into the startup InVisage Technologies.

Another line of materials research relates to perovskites, which like CQDs can convert sunlight into electricity. Both CQDs and perovskites can be mixed with liquid to create a “solar ink” that could be used with established technology such as inkjet printers. This manufacturing approach, known as solution processing, could significantly lower the cost of solar cells.

Last month, Sargent and his collaborators reported a new type of tandem solar cell, in which they combined perovskites with traditional silicon solar cells, enabling them to overcome key limitations of the existing technology.

The Sargent lab has also extensively researched the use of electrolyzers — devices in which electricity powers a chemical reaction — to convert CO2 into common industrial chemicals. This strategy improves the economics of carbon capture and storage by raising the value of captured CO2, while at the same time reducing the need for fossil fuels in the petrochemical industry. As an added bonus, it also provides an outlet for excess electricity from renewable but intermittent sources such as solar or wind power.

Several researchers from the Sargent group have formed a spinoff company, CERT Technologies Inc., to commercialize this research. Last month, CERT was among the winners of the Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada competition. It is also one of five finalists in the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, a $20 million competition to design technologies to upgrade CO2 into valuable products.

Sargent serves as Vice-President, International for the University of Toronto. In this role, he is responsible for strengthening and expanding U of T’s global networks. This includes forming research partnerships with peer institutions and leading companies worldwide as well as expanding opportunities for students to participate in study abroad programs, work-integrated learning placements and other global experiences.

Sargent’s research has received more than 37,000 citations, with more than 100 of his papers cited more than 100 times. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. In addition to InVisage and CERT, he has co-founded two more startup companies: QD Solar and Xagenic. His book The Dance of Molecules: How Nanotechnology is Changing Our Lives (Penguin) was published in Canada and the United States in 2005.

“Congratulations to Professor Sargent on this well-deserved honour,” said Chris Yip, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “His research impact is truly inspiring, as are his dedication to strengthening our institution’s global connections and enriching our entrepreneurship ecosystem. He embodies the spirit of excellence that characterizes our Faculty.”

In their pursuit of machine learning and deep learning research at U of T Engineering, 11 incoming master’s students have received Vector Institute Scholarships in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI).

This is the third round of scholarships announced by the Vector Institute, which was launched in 2017 to attract, develop and retain top artificial intelligence (AI) talent in Canada. Five U of T Engineering students were awarded in the second round, and nine in the first round. In addition to receiving a scholarship worth $17,500, recipients gain access to networking opportunities and professional development workshops at the Institute throughout the year.

This year’s VSAI scholarship winners are:

Hengrui Jia (ECE)
Shichen Lu (UTIAS)
Philippe Nadeau (UTIAS)
Raj Patel (MIE)
Jingxing Qian (UTIAS)
Daniel Severo (ECE)
Sophie (Sijie) Tian (MIE)
Rachel Wong (MIE)
Yuchen Wu (UTIAS)
Meng (Katie) Xu (MIE)
Zhaocong Yuan (UTIAS)

Vector scholar Daniel Severo will focus on understanding the potential and limitations of AI in order to apply more real-world AI models, safely, in critical domains.

“Deep learning has proven its effectiveness in multiple applications, but we still don’t exactly know why it performs so well,” he explains. “The lack of theoretical guarantees hinders its deployment and potential impact in areas like health care, where there are deep concerns around data privacy.”

Severo, an international student from Brazil, will work under the supervision of Professor Ashish Khisti (ECE) this Fall. He says choosing to pursue his AI research at U of T Engineering was easy — as an undergraduate, he received an exchange scholarship that enabled him to study at ECE for one year.

“The experience has made me feel at home at the department ever since. I’m looking forward to collaborating and learning from some of the top researchers in my field,” he says.

U of T Engineering now has 25 VSAI scholarship recipients conducting research, adding to a rapidly growing list of AI-related activity at the Faculty.

In December, professors Angela Schoellig (UTIAS) and Gennady Pekhimenko (Computer Science, ECE) were named Canada CIFAR AI Chairs, appointments that will bolster their respective research into autonomous robotics and memory hierarchy designs. And last Spring, the Faculty launched the Centre for Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering (CARTE), which will drive research collaboration between faculty, graduate students and industry partners.

Professor Emeritus Paul Young (CivMin) has been appointed to the post of International Secretary of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). Akin to the position of Foreign Secretary in government, the prominent appointment places Young in a focal role at the RSC, with a mandate to support collaboration with other national academies to help address major global challenges.

“I am humbled to have been asked to take on this role,” said Young of the  appointment. “It is an honour to serve the Royal Society of Canada in this capacity and continue promoting Canadian research nationally and internationally.”

Founded in 1882, the RSC elects leading scientists, researchers, scholars and artists into one of its three Academies: the Academy of the Arts and Humanities; the Academy of Social Sciences; and the Academy of Science. The organization, composed of 2,334 Fellows and 286 Members, advises governments and NGOs, and celebrates Canadian academic and artistic accomplishment.

Young launches into his three-year term amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on increased collaboration with cohort academies around the world. He will coordinate the RSC’s involvement in presentations and scientific statements at the upcoming G7, G20 and Commonwealth summits this year, as well as a G7 Research Summit on “The Future of Digital Health” with a consortium of international partners.

At the University of Toronto, Young has served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, and Director of the Lassonde Institute for Mining. An engineering geophysicist, he has published over 250 scientific papers and pioneered techniques for monitoring and interpreting induced seismicity in the mining, petroleum and nuclear waste disposal industries.

“Professor Young’s contributions to building partnerships, advancing research and fostering innovation have elevated the Faculty and the University’s reputation on the national and international stage, placing us at the forefront of engineering education and research,” says U of T Engineering Dean Chris Yip. “On behalf of the Faculty, I am delighted to extend congratulations on this appointment to a critical role within the Royal Society of Canada.”

In addition to the RSC, Young is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and Senior Fellow Massey College.

U of T Engineering is launching a new program designed to give incoming students all the material they need to shine in their first-year courses.

The University of Toronto Engineering Academy is an optional and not-for-credit program that is free to all incoming students for Fall 2020. Students gain access to a suite of established learning modules in math, physics and chemistry that they can move through at their own pace.

They will have regular opportunities to check in with mentors, upper-year U of T Engineering students who can help them navigate the material and coach them on how it will be applied in first-year courses. If a student wants extra instruction on a particular topic, they can also request to participate in a session with a celebrated high-school teacher.

Designed with close consultation between high-school teachers and curriculum leads in the U of T Engineering First-Year Office, as well as the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (Troost ILead), the program was launched to support students who may have had their final year of high school disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“U of T Engineering Academy gives students what they need to fill in any gaps in their Grade 12 year, as well as a friendly introduction to our Faculty with the support of our incredible students and professors,” says Micah Stickel, Vice-Dean, First Year for U of T Engineering. “And because it’s optional and not-for-credit, it’s a great way to gain some experience with online learning and explore what kinds of approaches work for you.”

When a student accepts their offer of admission, they’ll also have a chance to register for U of T Engineering Academy through the same Engineering Applicant Portal. They will then receive an email with access details and any tech requirements. Access to the learning materials will be available in early June, and students can move through at their own pace through July.

For students who feel they might benefit from a little extra support after completing U of T Engineering Academy, the First Year Foundations program provides that boost. First Year Foundations is a suite of optional sessions, workshops and courses to help incoming students prepare for several aspects of university life — from developing effective study and learning skills, to getting ahead with introductions to concepts like computer programming, the engineering design process and communications.

“The year so far hasn’t gone the way any of us expected,” says Chris Yip, Dean of U of T Engineering. “We’re here to make sure that no matter what happened in the final year of high school, we’re giving our students the tools and supports they need to be comfortable, prepared and ready to have a terrific experience when they start this Fall at Skule™.”

Brandon Rufino’s (IBBME MHSc candidate) preparation for his big presentation is a bit different today: he’s testing out his laptop mic and finding a spot in his apartment with the most light and least clutter.

Rufino is among nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate students taking part in the inaugural U of T Engineering Research Conference (UTERC) happening June 9 and 10. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be broadcast digitally, with students presenting their research as poster presentations via Twitter, or through non-technical lightning lectures on Zoom.

The conference will feature the latest in undergraduate and graduate research in six key areas: advanced manufacturing; data analytics and artificial intelligence; human health; robotics; sustainability; and water. Industry partners and alumni are also invited to connect with students and discuss the work.

Rufino will be presenting in the human health category as a lightning lecture speaker. Under the supervision of Professor Elaine Biddiss (IBBME), he and his fellow grad students develop and evaluate technologies to allow young people with disabilities to participate more meaningfully in arts, music, physical activities and therapies.

“I’ve yet to attend a fully digital conference — I’m excited about this format, which really lends itself to being easily accessible and shareable,” says Rufino.

The idea to host a virtual conference was hatched after the university shutdown in March. With no access to labs, many students’ experimental work has been put on pause. U of T Engineering’s Graduate Engineering Council of Students (GECoS) began brainstorming.

“I thought a virtual conference would be useful for those looking for ways to progress their academic and professional development during this time when many conferences have been cancelled and some of us have less work to do,” says Samantha Cheung (ChemE PhD candidate), UTERC organizer and president of GECoS mental wellness commission.

“When Sam approached us with this idea, we fully supported the initiative,” says Chaim Katz (IBBME PhD candidate), Chair of GECoS. “We’ve been supporting the conference team’s efforts since and are looking forward to what will be an excellent opportunity to showcase research going on at U of T Engineering.”

After receiving positive feedback from students, faculty and staff, Cheung immediately created a committee made up of faculty and graduate students to plan a conference to be held within two months.

“I’m most excited to see people from various backgrounds connecting and engaging with each other through these online platforms,” says Cheung. “I think the best part about hosting this virtual conference is the ability for people from all over the world to participate.”

The organizers have even considered another important aspect of most academic conferences: the networking. In addition to participants asking questions during posters and talks, UTERC will also facilitate networking with breakout sessions and through Slack.

Cheung hopes the success of the Faculty’s first-ever virtual conference serves as a framework for future events at U of T Engineering and for other institutions that want to engage their research community.

“Right now, we are all adjusting to new living circumstances and ways to socialize,” says Cheung. “UTERC is a reminder that the U of T Engineering community is here to support our students even if we aren’t physically together.”

Learn more and register for UTERC: uoft.me/uterc2020