The Department of Chemical Engineering has approximately 220 students participating in both course-based and research-based graduate studies. Applicants should explore the different areas of research in the department and directly contact a potential faculty supervisor whose research interests them.
Find out what some of our current students say about graduate studies in our department!
MEng Co-op student profile
Prosper Obioma
Journey in the MEng Co-op Program: Gaining real-world experience and building community in chemical engineering
Prosper Obioma came from Nigeria to do a MEng Co-operative degree in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He is currently enjoying an eight-month co-op work term gaining real-world experience working at Riverside Natural Foods as a research and development intern. Riverside Natural Foods encompasses brands such as MadeGood and Cookie Pal and has TRUE Zero Waste certification.
Obioma is working on prolonging the shelf life of the company’s snack foods. He also is engaged with the marketing side of the business, researching and designing new snack packaging to promote sales of their products.
Obioma, who is set to graduate in 2025, has grown on his journey through the MEng Program. He was initially nervous as he felt the courses he took in Nigeria were not as in-depth as the courses he was taking in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He worried that he did not have a strong foundation in his knowledge of chemical engineering.
“My professors are so kind and supportive. They explained the concepts in detail and ensured I had a solid understanding. I was having difficulty understanding some of the concepts in CHE 602-Chemical Reactor Analysis Engineering. Professor Eric Croiset used different strategies to ensure I gained a firm grasp of the concepts,” said Obioma.
Obioma also enjoys the social life he found within the chemical engineering graduate student community. Obioma felt embraced by his fellow students within the department. His peers gave him a lot of valuable advice and encouragement when he arrived in Canada. He has developed some close friendships on his journey in the MEng Program.
“It was really refreshing to see people from all over the world with different ideas and different ideologies,” said Obioma. “It makes me happy knowing that we can all come and build a community with different people and that everything here is peaceful. My fellow graduate students inspired me and gave me the courage to overcome the challenges I was facing”
Obioma’s advice for prospective graduate students is to get involved with the student community. He encourages new students to actively ask questions in class and not hesitate to seek help from professors whenever they need clarification. Faculty members are often more approachable and willing to assist than students initially realize.
Obioma has always had an affinity for biology and aspires to work in the biomedical and biotechnology side of chemical engineering. Once he graduates, he wants to contribute the knowledge and strengths he gained in his MEng Program to the chemical engineering community in Canada.
MASc student experience
Evangelin Sridhar
Evangelin Sridhar wins the Bhattacharyya Family Graduate Award
Evangelin Sridhar won the Bhattacharyya Family Graduate Award for her research with Professor Leonardo Simon. The award acknowledges high academic achievement. Sridhar, originally from India, came to do her Master’s degree in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo because of its strong international reputation.
Sridhar began in the Master of Engineering (MEng) but switched to the Master of Applied Science (MASc) program after taking the Chemical Engineering course ‘CHE 541-Introduction to Polymer Science and Properties’. In that course, she connected with Simon, who agreed to be her supervisor.
Sridhar’s research is a collaborative project involving academic partners from the University of Waterloo, Laval University, and the University of New Brunswick. Her thesis focuses on the chemical modification of wood to enhance its dimensional stability, particularly for applications in the construction industry. She is investigating the kinetics of the reactions between biobased acids and alcohols, aiming to develop sustainable and durable wood materials.
“I’m thrilled to receive the Bhattacharyya Family Graduate Award! It’s especially meaningful as it comes from an Indian family. I plan to use the funds to travel to the University of Laval to observe how wood is treated there, as their processes closely mimic industrial practices. This visit will also provide an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the labs and experiments while fostering valuable connections,” says Sridhar.
Sridhar’s research focuses on developing bio-polyesters from biobased acids and alcohols (dairy by-products), to modify the under-utilized wood species in Canada. This innovative approach reduces moisture absorption, enhances dimensional stability, and improves durability, offering a sustainable solution for various applications.
While the construction industry is one example, this modification process has broad potential for other industries as well. For instance, treated wood can be used in outdoor decking to withstand Canada’s extreme weather conditions. By treating the wood during production, the process ensures it is ready for diverse applications, promoting the efficient use of resources and environmental sustainability.
Sridhar has grown from her experience as a graduate student. During her undergraduate experience at Textile Technology at Anna University in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, she often felt nervous about approaching her professors for help. She has gained confidence in graduate school and feels that her professors are approachable and eager to help.
Under Simon's guidance, the research group fosters a collaborative and supportive environment through regular team meetings. During these sessions, students present seminars on their research and engage in thought-provoking discussions by answering questions from their peers and mentors. Simon provides constructive feedback, helping students refine their presentation skills and articulate their responses, preparing them to excel during their thesis defense and future academic endeavours.
“I am truly grateful to the department, especially Judy Caron, Graduate Studies Manager, as well as all my professors, for their guidance and support throughout this journey. This experience has transformed my life and reshaped my perspective on research and personal challenges. It has instilled in me a newfound confidence and encouraged me to think in ways I never did before. I deeply value the unwavering support of my husband, who has stood by me every step of the way, making this achievement even more meaningful,” says Sridhar, who aspires to be a university professor.
Meghana Chepuru shares her experience as a PhD student
Natalie Pinchin shares her experience as a MASc Student
MASc candidate Nikolai Burton shares his experience as a grad student
PhD and MASc student profiles
Youssra Rahham-Interfacial Phenomena, Colloids and Porous Media
Program
Youssra is in the PhD program.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering?
I discovered my passion for scientific research and teaching throughout the course of my studies. It all started by striving to understand the physical phenomena that surrounded me from a young age. I was also excellent in mathematics and science subjects at school, which nourished my motivation and confidence in solving problems until I found myself pursuing engineering. Meanwhile, I realized that I have always enjoyed explaining engineering problems or parts of lectures to my classmates in clear and simplified ways. Since my bachelor’s junior and senior years, I was already oriented towards research by getting involved in several research projects either at the university or through internships back home in Morocco. My graduate school journey started in the United States where I completed my master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. After acquiring a diverse background in renewable energy technologies, desalination, enhanced oil recovery, and characterization of nanomaterials, I wanted to pursue an academic research and teaching career in a fundamental discipline that can be applied to all these fields. My ambition to work at the forefront of developing new technologies and contributing to the advancement of scientific research to benefit humanity led me to the pursuit of a doctorate degree in chemical engineering.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?
Being admitted to Professor Marios Ioannidis research group was the main factor that influenced my decision to join the University of Waterloo since the research done at his lab aligns with my background and research interests. Additionally, the University of Waterloo is a well-reputed higher education institution known worldwide for its excellence in education and innovative research. Waterloo Engineering, in particular, is one of the best engineering faculties in the world. Its strategic location and the fact that Waterloo has been growing and developing to become a Canadian tech hub broaden the career prospects presented to students after getting a graduate degree from the University of Waterloo. Seeing the examples of successful alumni from the university and from the Chemical Engineering Department specifically encouraged me further to pursue my PhD here.
What did you enjoy most about the Chemical Engineering Grad Program?
I feel very fortunate to be affiliated with the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo for its excellent Canadian and global reputation and recognition among its kind. Coming from different academic and research backgrounds, I did not know I would integrate quickly and learn so much about the chemical engineering discipline. I knew I wanted to pursue a broader field than petroleum engineering and expand my knowledge and perspectives, and Prof. Ioannidis’s Lab has been the perfect environment for me to learn from his expertise and utilize my previous knowledge in flow through porous media and interfacial science in fundamental research for environmental applications. I enjoy the freedom that is given to graduate students to research the topics of their interest. I also like the collaborative environment in our department and how professors are willing to help other students, for example by allowing them to use their research facilities. I have been learning a lot from my supervisor, professors, and fellow researchers. Plus, the administrative staff at the department are very supportive, helpful, and friendly.
What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?
The best surprise to me about the University of Waterloo is the number of opportunities and resources provided for graduate students to succeed in their lives and careers, and the countless guidance that shapes their profiles by the time they graduate. Additionally, the University of Waterloo nurtures an environment for creativity and innovation and encourages students and alumni to take the leap of entrepreneurship.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Graduate school is different, especially if you pursue a research degree because instead of receiving knowledge, you are creating knowledge through research. You might be confused in the beginning and not know where to start, and that is totally normal, just take it one step at a time and you will be surprised how quickly you will get the hang of it. Also, planning is key; my advice for you is to divide your research work into small tasks to complete within a reasonable amount of time during your day/week. Do not get discouraged by the imposter syndrome when things do not work out. That is exactly where your journey toward a research breakthrough begins, just be patient and trust the learning process.
Outside of research, get out there and take advantage of all the great things this amazing place has to offer. Find a hobby or practice a sport, make friends, and engage with the Waterloo community, and most importantly take care of your physical and mental health.
Nicholas Rasmussen-Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Program
Nicholas is in the MASc program.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering?
While completing the technical electives during the fourth year of my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering here at the University of Waterloo, I was fascinated by the cutting-edge applications within chemical engineering and the role chemical engineers can play in solving some of the most prolific societal and environmental challenges of today. I thought pursuing a graduate degree would allow me to enhance my technical background to better prepare for a career as a chemical engineer and allow me to contribute to solving a challenging real-world problem through the research component of the degree.
Why did you decide to stay and do your graduate degree here at the University of Waterloo?
The Engineering Excellence Master's Fellowship that I received from the Faculty of Engineering gave me the academic and financial freedom to pursue a research project I was passionate about with distinguished professors to supervise and learn from. This funding allowed me to pursue an unconventional project that tied in many of the interests I wanted to explore at the graduate level. This rare opportunity that the University of Waterloo offered combined with the strong technical prowess of the faculty made it an ideal place for me to pursue graduate studies. The university also offered an inclusive environment with resources available to ensure you can be successful.
What are you enjoying most about the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program?
The thing I enjoyed most about graduate studies at the University of Waterloo was the collaborative environment in the Chemical Engineering Department. Even between research groups, I found that students and faculty members were exceedingly willing to help with experimental protocols and discussing ideas or research challenges. For example, a professor in the department lent me tube fittings after helping me design the experimental setup even though they were not my supervisor. Other examples include graduate students showing me how to use instruments like flow cytometer or showing ways to better debug my code. The collaborative environment at the University of Waterloo I know contrasts with the experience of some graduate students at other institutions, which is a huge advantage of this institution.
What are you researching with your supervisor?
I’m being supervised by Professors Valerie Ward and Nasser Mohieddin Abukhdeir. Following from a Canadian Space Agency design competition on food production I worked on with my supervisors, my research project aims to prototype and model a new type of algae photobioreactor suitable for extraterrestrial use. Moreover, the hydrogel-based photobioreactor (hPBR) is designed to use fewer resources than traditional systems allowing for potential terrestrial applications. To better inform future design iterations a continuum model was also proposed to understand the transport of water and nutrients in the system to overcome some of the limitations seen in the prototype.
What advice do you have for future graduate students?
Chemical engineering is a broad and diverse field. My advice to prospective graduate students is to thoroughly research what area of chemical engineering they would like to conduct research in. I would investigate what careers the research area would prepare you for and what you find most interesting. Two years can be a long time if you're not passionate about your research topic. During graduate studies, I would encourage students to take advantage of the programs offered at the university. The Centre for Career Action has several programs to help graduate students prepare for careers in academia and industry. Additionally, each term a variety of employee information sessions are hosted that give valuable opportunities to network with people from industry and can help you prepare for the early stages of your career following school. The graduate student association also hosts a lot of fun events like trivia nights at the grad house on Wednesdays.
Lukas Bauman-Nanotechnology for Advanced Materials
Program
Lukas is in the PhD program.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in chemical engineering?
Throughout my undergraduate degree, I had significant lab experience working under Dr. Elizabeth Gillies at the Western during summer breaks as a research assistant and during my final year as a thesis project. I found the research I was performing more engaging than the Capstone Design Project I performed. There is something about investigating novel phenomena and attempting to further our understanding of materials that has an appeal to certain types of people. Overall, I am extremely happy with where I have ended up and the experiences I have had during my PhD degree.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?
My father studied medicine at Western and my mother studied optometry at Waterloo. Growing up in a family of academics I was encouraged to follow a similar path. After completing my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Western, I started looking for schools to perform my graduate studies. An obvious choice for this was Waterloo as my family had excellent experiences here, but mainly the University of Waterloo is world-renowned for its engineering programs. Because of this, I felt it would be a great institution to complete my graduate degree.
What did you enjoy most about the Chemical Engineering graduate program?
What I enjoyed most at the University of Waterloo is the freedom I have had in my research. Throughout my PhD, three of the four different projects I researched were proposed by myself and my supervisor Professor Boxin Zhao has been extremely supportive of this research and provided invaluable guidance. The ability to follow my own path and explore applications of 3D printing for biomedical applications in the Zhao Lab has been extremely rewarding and I hope this research can be utilized to better people’s lives.
What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?
The best surprise about doing my graduate degree is the support of staff and faculty during my degree. Throughout my position as the President of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association, I have had enormous help from the administrative staff in planning events for graduate students. On the research side of things, I have found the faculty within the Chemical Engineering Department to be very open to collaborations and enabling the use of their equipment for my research. I feel like the department as a whole has been very supportive whenever I have needed assistance, almost like a family.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Don’t give up. Multiple times in my degree I have reached the point where results are not as expected, and you lose sight of where you are going. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes and sometimes the failure is the research. You should always question why something is not working as expected and that the reason for that deviation could be worth investigating.
Madhuja Chakraborty-Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Program
Madhuja is in the Ph.D. Program
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Biotechnology which had components of Chemical Engineering as well, I was intrigued to study the subject in more depth. Moreover, my interest in research in the field of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering combined gave me the motivation to pursue this graduate degree.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?
As it is already known, the University of Waterloo is one of the best universities across the globe. The infrastructure, professors, and University's environment ensure your professional and personal growth. The research that is carried out here is groundbreaking and many successful researchers/scientists, as well as entrepreneurs, have graduated from UWaterloo, thus demonstrating the horizon of possibilities and development. Furthermore, while searching for research opportunities that aligned with my interests I came across my supervisor, Professor Marc Aucoin, and the quality and nature of work done in his lab led to my decision to study here.
What did you enjoy most about the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program?
After completing my MASc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo I am pursuing a Ph.D. here, and I think that says a lot about the Chemical Engineering grad program! I enjoy the freedom, opportunities, and facilities to carry out my research in the field I am interested in. We have a collaborative environment that aids you to grow as a researcher and expand your network. Moreover, we have a very friendly and encouraging atmosphere in the AUCOIN Lab that shapes you into a better person and researcher. Also, you cannot forget the awesome administrative and technical staff who are ever ready to help you in every possible way.
What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?
The best surprise I would say is the plethora of opportunities that are made available to you and the wonderful people on campus who are more than happy to help and guide you.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
The Department of Chemical Engineering and the University offers various training, seminars, and programs that can prepare you for a career in academics and industry. Make the most of your time here and grab every opportunity you get to grow. Most importantly make friends and connections, enjoy your time at UWaterloo, and strive towards making a difference in society!
Saeed Habibpour-Soft Matter and Polymer Engineering
Program
Saeed is in the Ph.D. Program
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in chemical engineering?
I completed my Master of Science (M.Sc.) in the field of polymeric materials and went to industry afterward. However, as the days went forward, I felt more eager to deepen my knowledge in this area. As per my limited research experience during my master’s degree, I realized that pursuing a Ph.D. allows me to delve much deeper into the field I am interested. In a graduate program, I feel more freedom to explore phenomena, find knowledge-based solutions to scientific or engineering challenges, and make life easier for humans.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?
My reasons behind choosing UWaterloo to pursue the Ph.D. program are divided into personal and professional reasons. The Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo has an impressive worldwide reputation. The University of Waterloo is ranked #1 for employer-student connections and the most innovative in Canada. I believe this is because of the various research centres with state-of-the-art facilities which allow grad students to do research and innovate in many interdisciplinary fields. From a personal perspective, I have a few friends in Waterloo (former UW students) who introduced me to the city of Waterloo as a small city that is home to many high-tech start-up companies. I would love to live in such a start-up city.
What did you enjoy most about the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program?
I love the chemical engineering grad program because it provides me with the advanced equipment and facilities to conduct my research. I also enjoy being in Aiping Yu's research group and being surrounded by brilliant and collaborative students who are always willing to lend a helping hand to their fellow teammates.
What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?
For me, the big surprise about the University of Waterloo was the intellectual property policies. All grad students own any ideas they develop in their research. This allows grad students to always think about being an entrepreneur in the back of their minds. I believe this is why the University of Waterloo is ranked #1 as the most innovative university.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
My advice to new grad students is to give yourself plenty of time to learn and adapt to new challenges. Always keep an open mind about constructive feedback and engage yourself with groups of people with different skills and interests. Also, continuously take care of your mental health and enjoy what Waterloo offers to you while you live here.
Negin Bouzari-Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Negin is in the MASc Program
The opportunity to make the world a better place
Negin Bouzari has always had an eagerness to learn, and so when deciding whether to pursue graduate studies, her family and friends in Iran pushed her to take the opportunity to pursue her interests in conducting, what she calls, “profound research in a burgeoning field.”
Negin began her MASc in Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Professor Shahsavan in the Smart Materials For Advanced Robotic Technologies, SMART-Lab, which focuses on the development of programmable materials.
She chose to study at the University of Waterloo after reading about its outstanding reputation as one of the top-ranking universities in Canada for engineering. Negin eventually fell in love with the city of Waterloo.
“I believe Waterloo has a beautiful nature! I love hiking around Columbia Lake or the local walking trails!”
Developing ground-breaking technologies for the future
Currently, Negin is researching methods to introduce novel and smart systems for soft robotic applications, which focus on the design and fabrication of robots. She comments, that the world is developing technologies that will minimize human error, and so choosing to work on fabricating smart hydrogel-based systems will play a crucial role in the use of remote robotics in different fields. However, the benefits of her system go beyond just reducing errors.
“Smart materials could also be ground-breaking for biomedical applications. Innovative, smart and functional materials that aim to open a new era in therapeutics & theragnostic will expand the opportunities for health improvement,” said Negin.
Specifically, Negin is developing a prototype of a self-healing hybrid hydrogel system that responds to temperature, pH, magnetic fields, and light. This can be used in biomedical robotic systems designed to perform specific functions, such as drug delivery and removing blood clots in hard-to-reach systems of the body. As such, her research could be impactful in several sectors.
Negin believes that grad studies have allowed her to expand her experiential skills, for example learning to operate different types of equipment. She has been able to create professional connections in both academia and industry and was given the opportunity to publish her work in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals. For Negin the best part of the grad program is the opportunity to develop ideas that could help to make the world a better place to live and expand on them through research.
Advice for aspiring grad students
“If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies, the only advice I have for you is to go for it! You will experience some difficult moments in your student life, as you might experience in any other profession, however, the surge of pride and happiness that you will experience after accomplishing your research goals (even small), in my opinion, is something unique that is worth the difficulties!”
Negin’s perseverance and hard work were rewarded when she was selected as the Waterloo Institution for Nanotechnology Nanofellowship Laureate. Congratulations Negin!