Our Lab | Alpha Research Lab | University of Waterloo

About Alpha Research Lab

The Alpha Research Lab’s vision is to lead the way in sustainable and responsible business research and practices, fostering a world where sustainability is at the heart of every organization’s ethos, driving positive environmental, economic, and social impacts for a thriving and resilient future.

Through our work, Alpha Research Lab seeks to achieve:

Advance Knowledge: Continuously research and develop methodologies, tools, and standards that drive the evolution of sustainability and ESG reporting, making them more robust and relevant.

Educate Stakeholders: Offer educational programs, resources, and outreach to build awareness, understanding, and capacity among stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions and advocate for positive change.

Knowledge Co-Creation: Create a platform for partnerships and collaboration, bringing together academia, industry, government, and civil society to collectively address global sustainability challenges.

Members

Amr ElAlfy

Amr ElAlfy is currently an assistant professor of sustainability management at the University of Waterloo and was previously an assistant professor at the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University. His research focuses on sustainability management and corporate reporting frameworks. Amr has a long managerial history of working in multinational conglomerates, namely Nestlé and 3M, where he led the marketing and sustainability agendas for the Middle East and Africa Region. Know more about Amr

Tia Rebecca Driver

Tia Driver is a doctoral candidate in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development at the University of Waterloo. Her current research interests include sustainability reporting and strategic management. Know more about Tia.

Tamer Khattab

Tamer Khattab is a professor of Electrical Engineering, Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), and Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Qatar Mobility Innovation Center (QMIC). Know more about Tamer

Nesma Hassan

Nesma is a PMP-certified project manager with extensive experience leading multi-stakeholder projects in the field of sustainable development. She is skilled in building research-driven policy recommendations for sustainability and ESG reporting. Her research focuses on advancing ESG reporting in the airline industry. Know more about Nesma.

Adwoa Appiah

Adwoa Appiah, BSc (KNUST), MSc (Oxon), EMBA (Univ of Ghana) is a PhD candidate in Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo’s School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED). She has previously worked with leading financial institutions in Africa, including the African Development Bank and Ecobank where she gained experience in environmental management and sustainability, as well as corporate and transaction banking. Her research interests are in sustainability management with emphasis on sustainable banking, sustainable finance and ESG. Her current research explores the sustainable banking landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa by examining current practices, drivers and SDG and financial outcomes. Her research has been published in leading sustainability journals. Know more about Adwoa.

Mohamed Nassar

Mohamed Nassar is a PhD student in Sustainability Management at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. He holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Policy from Carleton University, a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Salford, and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. His research focuses on corporate sustainability, socio-technical transitions, and net-zero pathways, with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency and climate adaptation. Mohamed brings extensive professional experience from his work with the United Nations (UNDP and UN-Habitat), where he manages large-scale climate resilience projects addressing land degradation, nature-based solutions, and renewable energy. Know more about Mohamed.

Yao (Jenny) Zhou

Yao Zhou is a second-year Master’s student in the Sustainability Management program at the University of Waterloo. Her research explores the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the sustainability reporting of Canadian mineral mining companies, focusing on TSX-listed companies. She has also gained professional experience through co-op and internship roles in the mining industry, working both on-site and at the corporate level to improve sustainable mining practices. Know more about Jenny.

Lateefah Oyefeso, CPA, CGA

Lateefah is a finance professional with over 10 years' industry experience. She holds a First-Class degree in Accounting & Finance from the American University of Sharjah, UAE, and an MSc in Islamic Finance from Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK. Her expertise spans financial analysis, risk management, and corporate finance, with published research on risk management disclosure practices in Islamic banks across the MENA region. She combines practical insight with a global academic perspective. She is currently pursuing a PHD in Sustainability Management, focusing her research on the linkages between ESG reporting and capital mobilization for sustainable development in Africa. Know more about Lateefah.

Omar Masri, CSIP-A

Omar Masri is completing his thesis-based Master of Environmental Studies where he is majoring in Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo. He completed his Bachelor's of Commerce in International Business at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University). He is passionate about understanding the potential and possibility of responsible and sustainable technology in the business world. Know more about Omar.