Posts Categorized: News

Meet Kevin Golovin: Q&A with MIE’s newest professor

Kevin Golovin is joining U of T’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Golovin holds degrees in Material Science & Engineering from Cornell University (B.S.) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D.). He leads the Durable Repellent Engineered Advanced Materials (DREAM) Laboratory and his research focuses on various types of repellent coatings. Golovin has collaborated extensively with industry, with partners including Boeing, Arc’teryx, lululemon, FPInnovations, Loop Recycled Products, and PRE Labs.

What drew you to MIE at U of T?

I’m a coatings guy interested in how interfaces, meaning the intersection of two materials, can be designed. MIE is home to many coatings experts. We’ve got the Centre for Advanced Coating Technologies (CACT) for one, a one-of-a-kind coating fabrication facility. Plus, some super smart people working tangentially to what my group focuses on. When a position opened up in “Surface Engineering” I was thought, “Hey, I engineer surfaces, and I even teach a course called Surface Engineering (back at UBC at the time)”, so it felt like a natural fit.

Can you share a little about your research and what you like about it?

My group is the Durable Repellent Engineered Advanced Materials (DREAM) Laboratory, partly for the alliteration but also because that’s what we do. We (the DREAM Team) engineer coatings that repel things – think of nonstick pans but apply the technology to many other sectors: airplane wings where ice and snow cannot adhere, boat hulls where barnacles and mussels don’t want to attach, oil pipelines where wax cannot deposit, etc. So that’s the ‘Repellent’ part. But how those properties are added to a surface is no easy task, and that’s where the ‘Engineered Advanced Materials’ bit comes in. You may be familiar with things like Teflon being nonstick, but you may also be aware of the toxicity concerns around this entire class of materials, perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). Some of these were banned a few years ago and the remainder are being phased out soon, but PFAS were responsible for most ‘repellent’ technologies in the past. This means we not only need to innovate improved performance to repel all these various liquid and solid substances, but we also need to do so in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. So a good part of what my group does is investigate new materials that can replace PFAS in a number of different sectors where they’re currently in use. One of the biggest challenges in that space, or with coatings in general, is longevity. That’s where the ‘Durable’ comes into play. Surface treatments need to last for them to find practical usage. Sometimes you can simply ask consumers to treat things lightly, such as not scrubbing a nonstick frying pan with an abrasive sponge, but you can see how the same advice would be impractical for a coating on an aircraft or a wind turbine blade, we need to keep in mind how to make coatings last and maintain their repellent properties for years and years.

Being able to potentially positively affect so many different industries with our coatings is a DREAM come true.

What are your goals, as both an educator and a researcher, over the next few years?

I’d like to see PFAS be completely replaced by our (or a related) technology in the next few years. Industry has targeted the end of 2023, so that’s my goal as well. PFAS are one of those things like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that we’ll look back on and wonder why we were so lethargic about eliminating them. They can lead to birth defects, kill aquatic life, and cause certain cancers but they can still be found on dozens of items in your home right now and potentially on your body. That’s unbelievable to me and I want to change that as soon as possible.

Along with that, I want to train the next generation of engineers to think about innovation in the context of sustainability and human health. Humans had a good run innovating without regard to the planet and its inhabitants, but the next century has to be different if we want a diverse, equitable, and sustainable world for all. And that starts with education and getting the mindset of young budding engineers right. For young people my job is pretty easy in that regard – they know they’re in this world for the long haul and that our current trajectory isn’t going to cut it. So training them to be the solution-seekers of tomorrow is something I’m deeply passionate about.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not “professoring” you can find me on the soccer pitch, on my bicycle, or hanging out with my partner, Alice. I love to kick, pedal, cook, and read — mostly anthropology, history, and philosophy books.

Any advice for students starting with us in the fall?

To paraphrase a famous shoe brand, DO IT. Join that club, email that prof, reach out to that group, make that connection. University goes by fast (cliché, I know) and what gets you through it are your peers and those you connect with along the way. Don’t sit on the sidelines and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not enough. Be your best self today and you’ll be happier for it tomorrow.

-Published on July 7, 2021 by Lynsey Mellon, lynsey@mie.utoronto.ca

Patrick Lee among five U of T Engineering faculty to receive Ontario Research Funding to advance transformative research

Anyone who lives under a flight path is familiar with the “whishing” and “whooshing” sounds of an aircraft flying above. Professor Philippe Lavoie (UTIAS) is developing technologies to contain this noise to just the immediate area around an airport.

Lavoie’s project is among five from U of T Engineering to receive funding from the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence (ORF-RE) program, which aims to promote innovative research of strategic value to Ontario.

He will use the funding to tackle the first key challenge: understanding how an aircraft’s high-lift wing configuration — which gives an aircraft extra lift during takeoff and landing — creates and emits noise. His team will also explore strategies for mitigating this noise while maintaining aerodynamic performance.

“We are investigating a complex phenomenon that involves fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and interactions between the three,” explains Lavoie, whose work will involve detailed wind tunnel experiments and high-fidelity computational aeroacoustics (CAA) simulations.

“Ultimately, this work will help develop novel and quiet high-lift system configurations that can be implemented in the next generation of aircraft.”

The project is being carried out in partnership with aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, and the team hopes to have preliminary results within a year.

“It is through support from ORF and NSERC that this leading-edge aeroacoustics research project is made possible at U of T,” says Lavoie.

Lavoie adds that investments from both industry and government have made this work possible. Previous funding enabled the construction of a unique hybrid anechoic wind tunnel, a project that is currently underway at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).

“The aviation industry has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 and the travel restrictions,” adds Lavoie. “But the fundamental importance of air travel and air freight remains. It is very important that Ontario continues to support this industry and facilitates innovation in this very competitive sector.”

The five U of T Engineering researchers to receive ORF-RE funding are:

Philippe Lavoie (UTIAS) — Characterization, Prediction and Control of Flap Noise Sources from Aircraft
Patrick Chang Dong Lee (MIE) — Innovative and Cost-Effective Micro/Nanocellular Foaming Technology for Sustainable Lightweight Application
Eric Miller (CivMin) — iCity 2.0: Urban Data Science for Future Mobility
Konstantinos N. Plataniotis (ECE) — Transforming pathology using artificial intelligence to improve patient outcome and hospital efficiency
Steven Waslander (UTIAS) — All-Weather Autonomy: Securing Ontario’s Leadership in the Self-Driving Revolution

– This story was originally published on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering News Site on July 6, 2021 by Liz Do

Community Spotlight: Seif Elashry (IndE 1T9+PEY)

Seif Elashry at the Our Winning Shot vaccine clinic at Scotiabank Arena on June 27th, 2021.

On Sunday, June 27th, 2021 the city of Toronto administered 26,771 vaccines, breaking the North American record for the most COVID-19 vaccines administrated in one day at a single clinic. IndE alumn, Seif Elashry (IndE 1T9+PEY), an Improvement Analyst at Michael Garron Hospital, was part of the team that made this record-breaking clinic possible.

Seif joined the team at Michael Garron Hospital in September 2020. In his role he aims to help the hospital run as efficiently as possible from both a patient safety and care perspective. This involves identifying where improvements can be made and developing quality improvement plans to be put into action.

“I originally hoped to pursue a master’s degree in healthcare engineering after graduating, but knowing that in-person learning may not have been possible due to the pandemic I opted to gain some work experience instead,” Elashry explained. “Professor Michael Carter (MIE) really inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare after I spent the summer working on a project with him. I saw this position at Michael Garron Hospital where I would be able to put to use everything I learned in my undergrad and it all fell into place.”

As vaccines began to be distributed in Canada in December 2020, Seif reached out to his director to express his interest in assisting with the roll-out. He has been a part of the huge endeavor of getting vaccines into arms since mid-December.

Michael Garron Hospital first hit a vaccination milestone on May 16 when 10,471 vaccines were administered in a single day at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub clinic which broke the Canadian record. As vaccine supply continues to increase, the plan to host another record-breaking clinic began to form.

In less than two weeks the City of Toronto, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), University Health Network and Michael Garron Hospital planned a mass vaccination clinic to take place at ScotiaBank Arena with the goal of vaccinating 25,000 people.

“We had 10 days to organize the clinic. While in many ways it was a natural progression from what we were already running at Thorncliffe Park, there were still a number of logistics to account for,” said Elashry, “My role mainly involved looking at the plans from a flow perspective and looking out for any red flags. I also worked with other analysts and another hospital to build a booking system that would automatically send out confirmations to those who registered.”

On the day of the clinic it was all-hands-on-deck as volunteers, vaccinators and support staff found their rhythm. Despite a slow start and some initial challenges in the process, the team were able to administer an average of 1,000 shots every 30 minutes and shatter the North American record. Elashry himself was pulling numbers from the COVAX system and watching the vaccination count go higher and higher throughout the day.

“It was truly an amazing day to be a part of. I really feel as though I have found my niche in healthcare engineering and at Michael Garron Hospital. I feel so inspired to continue on this path and help identify gaps in our system and bring greater equity, inclusivity and process improvements to the Canadian healthcare system.”

We want to get to know you! Do you have a story to share with the MIE community? Reach out to newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca to be featured in the Community Spotlight.

-Published June 29, 2021 by Lynsey Mellon, lynsey@mie.utoronto.ca

Community Spotlight: Max Glidden (MechE 2T0+PEY)

Max Glidden’s (MechE 2T0+PEY) pathway to convocation this June wasn’t as straightforward as he imagined it would be when he first arrived at U of T in the Fall of 2015. As he moves on from MIE and looks forward to beginning a career in the aerospace industry he can safely say that while things don’t always go according to plan it doesn’t mean your goals can’t be achieved.

Max started his first year at U of T as an EngSci student and while there were lots of opportunities to get involved while living on campus, he found his first year to be really difficult academically. After taking a short break, he opted to transfer to mechanical engineering and completed his first year as a part-time student. It was starting over in a new program with new peers that inspired Max to get involved as a student leader.

“It was a bit of a change when I first started with MIE, the friends I made previously were mostly in EngSci and a year ahead of me. I remembered how important the student leaders had been in building connections in my first year and opted to run for Second Year Class Rep to help get to know my new classmates,” Max recalled, “I’ve been involved in student government ever since.”

During his time at MIE, Max has remained focused on building connections and trying to enhance the experience his peers have both within the department and the wider Skule community.

“One of the most memorable things I’ve done over the last 6 years was help to run the student pub. I really focused on making the space more inclusive so it could appeal to a wider range of students,” Max said, “Outside of that, I also developed as a leader and learned valuable project management skills that helped me succeed during my PEY placement.”

Engaging with and advocating for his peers has been a big part of Max’s experience at MIE. He has served as a Class Rep and Vice-Chair of the Mech Club, acted as a Frosh leader and has capped off his final year as the Mech Club Chair.

“It was challenging to move all of our activities online, but I’m really proud of the events that we organized and the support we could provide Mech students throughout the pandemic,” he said.

Now that Max has wrapped up his degree he’s been busy with interviews to launch his career in the aerospace industry. Looking back on his journey to graduation Max has two key pieces of advice for current and future engineering students:

“Find something you love and make time for it every week. It doesn’t have to be related to academics, for me it was climbing, but it gives you an opportunity to clear your mind and de-stress. Most importantly, remember your education is not a race and your path can look different from someone else’s. When things don’t go how you planned, that’s okay. Be kind to yourself and find a new way forward,” he says, “At the end of they day you’re doing this for you, so take your time and make the most of the experience.”

We want to get to know you! Do you have a story to share with the MIE community? Reach out to newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca to be featured in the Community Spotlight.

-Published June 29, 2021 by Lynsey Mellon, lynsey@mie.utoronto.ca

MIE students featured in U of T Engineering’s Grads to Watch 2021

With the University’s virtual Convocation ceremony on June 23, 2021 U of T Engineering students mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

Having enriched the U of T Engineering community as undergraduate and graduate students, they will join our vibrant, global network of Skule™ alumni, where they will continue to address pressing challenges around the world and inspire the next generation.

This year’s 14 “Grads to Watch” — selected by their home departments and institutes — embody the spirit of U of T Engineering. Their stories illustrate the creativity, innovation and global impact that define our community. Watch their next steps!

See below the students featured from MIE.

Kyle Booth (MIE PhD 2T1)

Booth has always had a passion for optimization. “There is something particularly satisfying about finding provably optimal solutions to problems,” he says.

Inspired by the rapid electrification of the transportation industry, Booth’s dissertation proposes optimization-based strategies for coordinating fleets of electric vehicles and battery-powered autonomous robots. “My work can be used to help owners of electric vehicle fleets manage these assets in more intelligent, cost-effective ways,” he says.

From 2016 to 2017, Booth served as co-president of the University of Toronto Operations Research Group, a student-run organization that brings together students with an interest in the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. He also served as the President for a competition known as the Toronto Operations Research Challenge in both 2018 and 2019.

In 2017, he spent the summer at the NASA Ames Research Center in California, where he conducted an internship with the quantum computing group. His research focused on developing techniques for optimally compiling quantum circuits to real-world quantum computing architectures.

“Completing a graduate degree at U of T Engineering has opened many doors for me as a researcher,” he says. “I gained a toolkit of algorithms, models, and paradigms that allow me to effectively tackle interesting and hard problems. I have also learned the value of building a network of colleagues, which will make future collaborations and brainstorming much easier.”

Booth has recently returned to the NASA Ames in the role of Associate Scientist. His ongoing research investigates ways that classical optimization techniques can bolster near-term quantum computing efforts, and how quantum computing can accelerate existing optimization paradigms.

“I’d like to thank Professor J. Christopher Beck (MIE) and the rest of my “family” at the Toronto Intelligent Decision Engineering Laboratory. You’re all amazing and I wish you the best.”

Ben Sprenger (MechE 2T0 + PEY)

Sprenger has made the world his classroom. In his second year he and his sister, fellow U of T student Jillian Sprenger, travelled to Sri Lanka to film a documentary about climate change. The film, The Road to Colombo, was selected for inclusion in the Vancouver International Film Festival.

“The arts, particularly filmmaking, have always been a huge part of my life – just as important to me as my engineering interests,” says Sprenger.

A year later, Sprenger travelled to Mongolia, where he conducted interviews with nomadic people about a government program that provided them with portable solar generators. The goal was to learn what factors made the program a success, and to see if they could be replicated elsewhere.

That fall, Sprenger travelled to Oxfordshire, U.K. to take up a PEY Co-op internship with Williams Advanced Engineering. The company was contracted to design and vehicles for Panasonic Jaguar Racing to enter in the Formula E championship, the world’s only all-electric racing series.

Sprenger was already familiar with the sport, having led the University of Toronto Formula Racing Team at competitions in Brooklyn, Mich. and Most, Czech Republic. At Williams, he contributed to both the 2020 and 2021 vehicles. His proudest moment was when the team placed first at the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, held in Mexico City in February 2020.

The pace of the last four years has been exciting for Sprenger, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon — after graduation, he’ll be moving to California for a stint as a battery engineering intern at Tesla.

“I feel like I have been catapulted at lightning speed from one incredible project to the next,” he says. “What that taught me is that I learn best by drawing from experiences in as many disparate fields as possible. For me, the ‘lightbulb’ moments come when I make a conscious effort to blur the traditional lines between disciplines.”

“I cannot thank the entire U of T Formula Racing team enough, including all the team members and faculty advisors. This team was the defining experience of my undergraduate degree, and I can directly attribute my positive experiences to the skills and connections I built through this team. I have never met a group of people so eager to learn and to help each other become better engineers.”

View the full story with all 14 Grads to Watch on the Engineering News site.

– This story was originally published on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering News Site on June 21, 2021 by Liz Do & Tyler Irving

Building Indigenous cultural competency: U of T Engineering launches toolkit

A dancer spins at a pow wow held at the University of Toronto on March 11, 2017. (Credit: Hannah James)

A new program aims to equip U of T Engineering staff and faculty with the tools to build their understanding of the history, truths and culture of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Development of the Indigenous Cultural Competency Toolkit began in February 2021 and was led by Sienna Gagner (ChemE 2T0+PEY), Equity and Inclusion Programs Coordinator in U of T Engineering’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Professionalism. Gagner consulted with Professor Jason Bazylak (MIE & ISTEP), the Dean’s Advisor on Indigenous Initiatives, and leadership at U of T’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

“Everyone is at a different point along the journey toward truth, reconciliation and relationship building,” says Bazylak. “This toolkit is designed to build foundational knowledge first — to provide concrete opportunities for students, staff and faculty to begin this learning, or expand their understanding of the rich history and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Establishing this groundwork is where we have to start.”

Gagner received the Hatch Engineering Aboriginal Scholarship when she began her undergraduate studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry in 2016. She chose to pursue the toolkit project to explore her Indigenous identity, connected with the Muskrat French Métis culture in Wallaceburg, Pain Court, and Grande Pointe, Ont., and to create pathways for members of the U of T Engineering community to raise their knowledge of Indigenous culture.

The toolkit comprises three modules. The first includes a two-part virtual session called ‘Speaking Our Truths: The Journey Toward Reconciliation,’ facilitated by John Croutch, a cultural competency training officer in U of T’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Participants will also join the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, to be offered virtually this summer. Modules 2 and 3 encourage participants to experience Indigenous culture and expand their own learning through recommended books, papers, films and additional resources. This includes encouraging virtual attendance at the U of T Indigenous Studies Student Union’s Honouring Our Students Pow Wow on June 19, 2021.

The toolkit will also be accessible to students working, researching and teaching in U of T Engineering over Summer 2021. Students who complete all three modules will have their participation reflected on their co-curricular record. All participants will receive a certificate of completion.

The program acts on two recommendations from the 2018 Blueprint for Action report created by the Eagles’ Longhouse Engineering Indigenous Initiatives Steering Committee: to implement ongoing cultural competency training for all staff and faculty, and to run regular Blanket Exercise events for students, staff and faculty. The Eagles’ Longhouse was tasked with identifying how U of T Engineering could respond to the 34 calls to action identified by U of T’s Truth & Reconciliation Steering Committee.

The education-focused framework is one step in improving Indigenous inclusivity in the Faculty, says Marisa Sterling, P.Eng., Assistant Dean and Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism.

“This summer, we’re starting with truths, acknowledgement and understanding,” says Sterling. “Future work will build on this foundation. This Fall, my office will support the administration of talking circles within departments, divisions, institutes and staff groups to reflect on their personal learning journeys and experiences. Everyone is called upon to set actions to (re)build a positive relationship between U of T Engineering and Indigenous People. I look forward to supporting programming, collaborations and explorations of Indigenous ways of knowing in a way that is meaningful to Indigenous voices in an engineering context.”

Register to participate in Indigenous Cultural Competency Toolkit programming

– This story was originally published on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering News Site on June 18, 2021

Engineering Research Days: Inaugural event aims to accelerate impact by enhancing research partnerships

U of T Engineering researchers use an atomic force microscope to measure the ability of graphene to resist mechanical fatigue. This image was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Daria Perevezentsev)

A first-of-its-kind virtual conference will showcase the breadth and depth of scientific research across U of T Engineering.

Engineering Research Days: Empowering Innovation 2021 will take place on June 24 and 25, offering attendees an interactive online venue to engage with researchers from departments, institutes and centres across the Faculty and University.

The event features learning and networking opportunities, including panels on emerging research trends and themes, and poster sessions highlighting game-changing projects and initiatives undertaken in labs at U of T and partner facilities. Participants will join discussions on themes such as robotics, manufacturing, mobility, sustainability, artificial intelligence and bioengineering.

“U of T Engineering researchers collaborate across disciplines and partner with over 400 companies worldwide, from local startups to major multi-nationals,” says Chris Yip, Dean of U of T Engineering. “I’m tremendously excited to showcase the dynamic and world-leading work underway across our Faculty, and to spark new ideas and launch bold projects.”

The lineup also includes fireside chats with four U of T Engineering alumni who are disrupting traditional business models and bringing research-focused innovation to their sectors:

Ajay Kochhar (ChemE 1T3), President and CEO of Li-Cycle, co-founded the company in 2016 to pilot a more sustainable recycling process for battery materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. Kochhar and his team developed and scaled an efficient method that increases the number of critical substances that can be recycled. As demand grows exponentially, the company continues its expansion into global markets.

Irene Sterian (IndE 8T5) is Director, Technology and Innovation at Celestica, where she has pioneered environmentally safe, sustainable manufacturing technologies. In 2014, Sterian founded a not-for-profit technology accelerator called the Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process Network (ReMAP), which has attracted more than $55 million in foreign investment and revenues, built 195 prototypes and scaled 30 products to market.

Kristina Menton (MechE 1T4 + PEY) is Director of Operations at Opener, where she plays an integral role on the team behind the BlackFly, an all-electric, one-passenger aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing. The company came looking for her while she was still an undergraduate. Opener plans to release their first batch of vehicles for sale by the end of this year.

Matthew Zeiler (EngSci 0T9) is founder and CEO of Clarifai, a company that leverages artificial intelligence techniques to build image, text and video recognition solutions. During his PhD, while interning at Google Brain, Zeiler realized that the algorithms he was developing on his own were achieving better results than the models at Google. He launched Clarifai in 2013 to help data scientists, researchers and businesses with accessible and intelligent applications.

All event sessions will encourage opportunities to foster new ideas and collaborations with industry partners and stakeholders across the research ecosystem.

“Our strong relationships with industry and government advance vital research that is necessary to transform our society, in critical fields from sustainability, to advanced manufacturing, to bioengineering,” says Adriano Vissa, Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships. “Engineering Research Days provides a platform to explore multidisciplinary collaboration in support of research that addresses social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges.”

– This story was originally published on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering News Site on June 17, 2021 by Parveen Singh

Elias Khalil named as one of three new Scale AI Research Chairs

With the aim of attracting and retaining some of the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and fostering talent development at our universities, Scale AI is moving forward with the creation of three new AI research chairs:

The Research Chair in Data-Driven Algorithms for Modern Supply Chains, at the University of Toronto, held by Professor Elias Khalil;
The Scale AI Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence for Urban Mobility and Logistics, at HEC Montréal, held by Professor Carolina Osorio;
The Scale AI Research Chair in Data-Driven Supply Chains, at Polytechnique Montréal, held by Professor Thibaut Vidal.

With $2 million in funding, provided equally by Scale AI and the three academic institutions, each of these chairs will focus their research on applying AI to different aspects of supply chains. By 2023, Scale AI will have contributed to the establishment of 10 AI research chairs across Canada, for a total investment of $20 million.

“Our government knows the important role research plays in accelerating the adoption of AI technologies and fuelling the industry’s growth. By introducing these new research chairs, Scale AI is helping Canada attract the best talent and to create more sustainable and competitive supply chains here at home,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Julien Billot, CEO of Scale AI, notes: “The creation of several university chairs is an unmatched incentive for attracting the best AI talent and stimulating the emergence of new applications. The three universities that will benefit from the chairs program stand out for their eagerness and ability to competitively integrate the AI ecosystem. I am certain of the considerable scientific and economic impact of their contributions and of their ripple effect on the entire community.”

For her part, Hélène Desmarais, Co-Chair of the Scale AI Board of Directors, adds: “Artificial intelligence requires cutting-edge expertise, and the AI research chairs will support the recruitment of top experts and the training of the next generation of specialists. Universities are an essential link in Canada’s AI ecosystem, and Scale AI acts as a catalyst to build a strong and sustainable foundation.”

The University of Toronto is creating the Research Chair in Data-Driven Algorithms for Modern Supply Chains, held by Professor Elias Khalil. Markus Bussmann, Chair & Professor, Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto, says: “We are seeing a unique opportunity to increase the adoption of AI in supply chains by creating algorithms that leverage data collected along the value chain. Under Professor Khalil’s leadership, the team is focusing on research that will have real-world applications, with the ambition of enabling more companies to implement and benefit from AI in their processes.”

View full press release.

Community Spotlight: Kimberly Lai (MASc Candidate, EngSci 1T9+PEY)

Kimberly Lai (MASc Candidate, EngSci 1T9+PEY) didn’t originally plan on pursuing a Master’s degree after graduating last year but with COVID-19 limiting job prospects in the aerospace industry and some encouragement from Professor Alison Olechowski, she is now working towards her graduate degree and completing research she is truly passionate about.

Kimberly’s research is in the relatively new field of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). She first discovered her interest in this area during her PEY placement with Safran Landing Systems. Kimberly is now advancing her MBSE research with Safran as her industry partner.

“When I first started my PEY placement I wasn’t familiar with MBSE. I spent a lot of time getting up to speed to succeed at my job. I essentially completed a crash course on MBSE in the first couple of months, I spent a lot of time doing readings, watching videos and building up my knowledge,” said Kimberly.

Her work at Safran provided inspiration for her undergraduate thesis which recently won the Best Student Paper Award from the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). The paper explored how safety analysis could be integrated into model-based systems engineering for aircraft systems and was very well-received by Safran which prompted discussions for further work.

“It was during my undergraduate thesis that I first connected with Professor Olechowski and the Ready Lab. I ended up helping out on a summer project and learned about the opportunity to complete a research project with an industry partner,” Kimberly explained, “It was the perfect opportunity to continue working on something I’m really passionate about while addressing industry needs.”

Kimberly has plenty of good advice for fellow engineering students to make the most of their time at U of T and explore their interest in research. As an undergrad she was very involved with the Engineering Athletics Association, was a member of the Varsity tennis team, part of the Varsity board, an executive director of the Blues Engineering Organization and the director of the last in-person grad ball. She was also a recipient of the U of T Student Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions.

“I definitely recommend students get involved, not only will you get more out of your university experience, you will also learn a lot of transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and time management. These are all skills that help me stay on top of my research and present my work to stakeholders.”

If you’re interested in exploring research during your undergrad Kimberly recommends exploring the different lab group websites or faculty bios to find the research areas you are interested in and then reaching out to both the professor and graduate students in the lab.

“As graduate students we can try reply to your email a little quicker and may be able to give some advice about what type of research opportunities might be coming up,” Kimberly explained, “Most importantly, pursue something you are excited about. Research projects take a lot of time and effort – you need to enjoy doing it!”

We want to get to know you! Do you have a story to share with the MIE community? Reach out to newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca to be featured in the Community Spotlight.

-Published June 8, 2021 by Lynsey Mellon, lynsey@mie.utoronto.ca

Community Spotlight: Christine Yaromich (MechE 2T1+PEY)

Christine held an internship with Siemens Healthineers in Fall 2020.

If you asked Christine Yaromich (MechE 2T1 + PEY) a year ago where she would be in May 2021 she would not have imagined the answer would be working at Tesla in Berlin. Christine began her Professional Experience Year with a work placement with E.S. Fox Limited as a nuclear engineer intern during the summer of 2020 and then with Siemens Healthineers as a biomedical engineer intern in the fall. During this time, she ran into some COVID-19 roadblocks including a cancelled internship so she began searching for her next opportunity and saw a Manufacturing Engineering internship position open at Tesla in Berlin.

“The position is in the paint shop, I wasn’t entirely sure what that would entail when I applied, but I quickly learned how many mechanical components pass through the shop. My work has nothing to do with the paint itself.” Christine said.

Christine in her Tesla jacket at the Brandenburg Gate.

Christine’s role at Tesla is focused on the manufacturing of the vehicle and managing the process of the various parts moving through the paint shop. She supports the engineering of the mechanical pieces that move through the shop to undergo sealing or through corrosion resistance lines and ensures it receives the appropriate treatment.

“I was drawn to the position at Tesla as I’m very interested in electric vehicles and accelerating the drive to sustainability. I felt the reputation and values of Tesla aligned well with my own outlook,” Christine said. “It’s a great working environment. Everyone is really helpful and collaborative and there is a huge focus on teamwork and what we can achieve together. It’s also cool to see lots of women on the team and they have a great mentorship system for new employees. I always have someone to go to if I have a question.”

Living and working in Berlin has been an amazing experience for Christine. She has family in Germany and was able to visit them over Christmas break and continues to work on improving her German. She will remain at Tesla until August when she hopes to have some time to travel before returning to MIE in September to begin her fourth year of studies.

“It wasn’t an easy pathway to get here, and I want other students to know it’s possible! I really struggled in first year after coming to U of T from a small town where learning opportunities were very limited. My grades in first here weren’t very high, below average, and I was constantly comparing myself to others in my program,” Christine said. “It’s important to remember it’s not all about grades, and to focus on yourself – do your best, make sure you put in the effort to learn the basic concepts and don’t forget to get involved. Most importantly, you need to fail to know where to improve.”

During her time at MIE Christine has been involved with student council, the Supermileage Team, helped out with a number of recruitment events, and is a Varsity squash player.

“There are lots of ways to gain useful skills that will take you far. Getting involved and using those opportunities to network and learn is so important. If you work hard and are always willing to learn you’ll go far. Remember, you belong here and believe in yourself!”

Christine is happy to connect on LinkedIn and is always willing to offer feedback on cover letters or chat about her experience securing internships. She also has a YouTube channel with a video where she talks about how she made it to her dream internship at Tesla.

We want to get to know you! Do you have a story to share with the MIE community? Reach out to newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca to be featured in the Community Spotlight.

-Published May 19, 2021 by Lynsey Mellon, lynsey@mie.utoronto.ca

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