The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) was featured in the latest issue of University Affairs Magazine for its contributions to the field of space exploration.

Forty-one years ago, four professors from (UTIAS) were contacted to help do the impossible: an explosion had crippled an Apollo 13 spacecraft and their expertise was needed to help bring the three astronauts stuck on board back to Earth.

Former professors, Phil Sullivan, Rod Tennyson, Irvine Glass, Barry French and Ben Etkin pooled their knowledge together and came up with a solution that allowed the Apollo 13 astronauts to safely return home. It’s moments like this that helped cement the Department’s reputation as one of the leaders in the space industry.

Since then, UTIAS has continued to play a pivotal role in the ever-changing space industry. One of the Canadarm pioneers was U of T Professor Peter Hughes, while Gabriele D’Eleuterio (UTIAS), worked with professor Hughes to develop some of the robotics for the International Space Station, work that professor D’Eleuterio and others continue to this day.

Today, UTIAS still remains a leader in space technology. The Autonomous Space Robotics Lab that tests space robotics technology which is used for NASA voyages to Mars and the moon, and a flight simulator which recreates situations in a helicopter or fixed-wing aircrafts are just a few of the technologies offered on campus.

Read more about the UTIAS and the exceptional work being done there in University Affairs’ latest issue.

Dr. Graeme Norval, Associate Chair and Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, has received the Minerva Canada Education Award of Honour.

The award recognizes Dr. Norval’s contributions to advancing safety and health education in Canadian universities. He is the first engineering educator to receive the award. Minerva Canada is a not for profit corporation that seeks to advance safety management education in universities and colleges.

Dr. Norval has made numerous contributions to health and safety education in the Faculty, with the goal of instilling an appreciation for the importance of safety in young engineers. These include organizing and leading Minerva Summer Institutes, developing new health and safety teaching modules, involving other professors in safety education and highlighting health and safety in classes and student projects.

“I am delighted that Dr. Norval has been recognized by Minerva Canada for his contributions to health and safety education,” said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “This award demonstrates another of the many ways our faculty members contribute to the profession and the community.”

Dr. Norval was presented with his award at Minerva’s 2011 Summer Institute dinner, held May 30th at the U of T Faculty Club. He will be inducted into the Minerva Canada Education Hall of Fame, which is being established this year.

In a recent article in The Globe and Mail, Professor Kim Pressnail (CivE) discusses his team’s latest study that shows affordable ways Canadians can reduce energy consumption and save money on their energy bills.

Some of his tips, which include insulating attics, sealing air leaks around baseboards and raising the thermostat on air conditioners to 24 degrees, could save households hundreds of dollars.

 

The Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario (ESSCO) has elected its new President – U of T Engineering student Mauricio Curbelo (CivE 1T3).

The announcement was made at the organization’s Annual General Meeting, which took place at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, from May 26-29.

“As President, I’ll be responsible for facilitating constructive dialogue between engineering-student governments in Ontario and working with member schools to establish the strategic direction of the organization.

I’ll also be representing 20,000 engineering students in Ontario to several student and professional organizations,” said Curbelo.

In addition to leading ESSCO, Curbelo has been an active member of the U of T Engineering community, as he is also the VP, External, of the Engineering Society.

“On behalf of the Faculty, I congratulate Mauricio on his new leadership role,” said Dean Cristina Amon, “We are very proud that one of our exceptional U of T Engineering students will be leading such a large and essential organization.”

ESSCO brings together 17 engineering student societies across Ontario, including U of T’s Engineering Society, to share best practices. It represents the province’s engineering students to the Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, just to name a few.

Professor John Hadjigeorgiou (CivE), Director of the Lassonde Institute for Mining and Claudette MacKay Lassonde Chair in Mineral Engineering, was recently elected to the Council of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM).

Professor Hadjigeorgiou was also elected as Chair of the Rock Engineering Society (RES) at its Annual General Meeting in Montreal on May 22, 2011.

Founded in 1898, CIM is the leading technical society of professionals in the Canadian minerals, metals, materials and energy industries. Its Rock Engineering Society, a constituent society of CIM since 1984, promotes the development and application of mining industry geomechanics to support safe and economically viable extraction.

Alumnus David Poirier (IndE 8T1) was named the recipient of the 2011 Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Medallion Award.

He was honoured for his exceptional leadership as an advisor in developing and promoting young engineers, creating a body of knowledge for the practice of industrial engineering, as well as organizing educational materials that advance the development of industrial engineers. This award was conferred at the IIE annual conference in late May in Reno, NV.

“The Faculty is extremely proud that the Institute of Industrial Engineers has recognized David Poirier for his many contributions to the engineering profession,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “This award is a reflection of the extraordinary reputation of our U of T Engineering graduates.”

Poirier is the Chief Executive Officer of his company, The Poirier Group, a member of the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering’s (MIE) Industry Board of Advisors and the Industrial Engineering 50th Anniversary Committee. He was also a 2010 University of Toronto Arbor Award recipient.

Founded in 1948, IIE is an international, nonprofit association that provides leadership for the application, education, training, research and development of industrial engineering.