Laura Deakin

Laura Deakin is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo. She brings extensive experience in nanomaterials, materials science, and occupational and environmental health risks into the classroom. Laura teaches a range of undergraduate courses in general and inorganic chemistry, as well as chemical risk assessment within both chemistry and nanotechnology engineering programs.

She has been recognized multiple times with the University of Waterloo’s Outstanding Performance Award, has received the Excellence in Science Teaching Award, and teaching awards from both Science and Engineering student organizations. In addition to her teaching role, Laura serves as the Associate Dean of Science for Teaching and Learning, where she supports undergraduate student recruitment, advising, curriculum development, and overall student success.

• Nanotechnology

• Workplace chemical exposure

• Occupational exposure limits

• First responder training collaboration

• 2009, Master of Public Health Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Alberta, Canada

• 1997, PhD, Chemistry, McGill University, Canada

• 1991, BSc, Chemistry, McGill University, Canada

• 2020, Faculty of Science

• 2014, University of Waterloo

• 2012, University of Waterloo Chemistry Club

• 2009, Faculty of Public Health, University of Alberta

• 2008, University of Alberta

• 2007, University of Alberta

• 2005, University of Alberta

• Associate Program Director (Internal), Nanotechnology Engineering

• Director of Safety, Faculty of Science

• Member of Canadian Standards Association Occupational Health and Safety Technical Committee

• Canadian Standards Association, Member of ISO TC229 mirror committee for Working Group 3: Occupational Health and Safety of Nanotechnology

• Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) advisory panel and task-force on emerging technologies: Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering for PEO

• American Conference on Governmental Industrial Hygiene (ACGIH) Chemical Substances Threshold Limit Values (TLV) Committee

• Joint Health and Safety Committee, University of Waterloo

• Laboratory Safety Committee, University of Waterloo

• Department of Chemistry Safety Committee, University of Waterloo

• CHEM 212 - Structure and Bonding
  • Taught in 2020
• CHEM 310 - Transition Element Compounds and Inorganic Materials
  • Taught in 2021
• NE 102 - Introduction to Nanomaterials Health Risk; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022
• NE 110 - Introduction to Nanomaterials Health Risks
  • Taught in 2023, 2024
• NE 121 - Chemical Principles
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025
• NE 201 - Nanotoxicology; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice
  • Taught in 2020, 2021
• NE 202 - Nanomaterials and Environmental Impact; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice
  • Taught in 2020, 2023
• NE 225 - Structure and Properties of Nanomaterials
  • Taught in 2020, 2022
• SCI 300 - Special Topics in Science
  • Taught in 2025

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.