Faculty members and graduate inducted into the CAE

Two Waterloo Engineering faculty members and an alumnus are new members of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE).

Pearl Sullivan, a mechanical and mechatronics engineering professor and dean of the Faulty, Peter Huck, a civil and environmental engineering professor and NSERC Industrial Research Chair, and Tom Lee, who graduated with three Waterloo Engineering degrees, were inducted into the academy

today as part of its annual general meeting held in Quebec City.

Donna Strickland, a professor in the University's physics and astronomy department and the co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, will be awarded a CAE Honorary Fellowship at a later date.

Sullivan’s CAE citation says she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her roles as academic leader and research investigator.

Pearl Sullivan is a mechanical and mechatronics engineering professor and dean of Waterloo Engineering.  

“Her work in collaboration with industry has developed important knowledge and practice with advanced material systems,” Sullivan’s citation reads. “She has championed education and research in disruptive technologies such as: advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.”

Sullivan’s citation also says she has been a strong voice for women in engineering as a discipline of choice for their education and careers.

“Her leadership has enabled the University of Waterloo to achieve national and international prominence for engineering education and research.”

Huck is commended for being a recognized leader in the quality and safety of drinking water that comes from his biofiltration and membrane technologies in protecting water from pathogens and trace contaminants.

“His prestigious honours and awards attest to his contribution to the confidence we have in the water we drink,” his citation reads.

Peter Huck is a civil and environmental engineering professor and the NSERC Industrial Research Chair.

Huck is noted for making profound advances in knowledge and practice, assembling a world-class research team, training a generation of skilled future leaders, and establishing a network of collaborating organizations.

Lee, the chief education officer for Quanser Consulting and a Waterloo Engineering adjunct professor, is called a

visionary who has integrated technologies, methods, and perspectives into three highly successful Canadian startups: Maplesoft, Certicom, and Quanser.

“He pioneered the application of symbolic mathematical computing in engineering modelling,” his citation reads. “Dr. Lee’s recent work integrated advanced mechatronic and robotic technologies with innovative pedagogy for teaching the design of complex, intelligent engineering systems. “

Tom Lee (BASc '88, MASc '90, Systems Design and PhD '95, Mechanical), is the chief education officer for Quanser Consulting.  

Strickland has been awarded the title of Honorary Fellow for contributions well above what is expected for a Fellow of the Academy. 

Last fall, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for co-inventing chirped pulse amplification, the method of generating high-intensity, ultrashort optical pulses. She has made pioneering contributions to photonics, laser physics and laser matter interactions over a sustained period of time.

Donna Strickland, a professor in Waterloo's physics and astronomy department, was co-recipient of the Noble Prize in Physics for 2018. 

Strickland will be officially presented with her honorary fellowship later this year.

The CAE is the national institution through which Canada's most distinguished and experienced engineers provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada.

The CAE works in close cooperation with other senior academies in Canada and internationally. It is a founding member of the Council of Canadian Academies, along with the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The CAE is also a member of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences.

New Canadian Academy of Engineering fellows inducted in June 2019, including Peter Huck, Pearl Sullivan and Tom Lee