Waterloo Engineering is home to dozens of award-winning researchers and chair holders. The awards and chairs held by our outstanding researchers are outlined below. Check out other faculty awards and award recipients.
(Updated December 15, 2021)
Canada 150 Research Chairs
Dautenhahn, Kerstin - Electrical and Computer Engineering (since 2019) Canada 150 Research Chair in Intelligent Robotics [C150RC Profile]
Canada Excellence Research Chairs
Mombaur, Katja - cross-appointed in Systems Design Engineering and Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (since 2020) Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Human-Centred Robotics and Machine Intelligence [CERC Profile]
Canada Research Chairs (Tier 1)
Basu, Nandita - Civil and Environmental Engineering (since 2022) Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology
Burns, Catherine - Systems Design Engineering (since 2021) Canada Research Chair in Human Factors and Healthcare Systems.
Cronin, Duane - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (since 2018) Canada Research Chair in Trauma Biomechanics and Injury Prevention [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Eliasmith, Chris - Systems Design Engineering (since 2016) Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Neuroscience [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Emelko, Monica - Civil and Environmental Engineering (since 2020) Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology and Policy
Fowler, Michael - Chemical Engineering (since 2019) Canada Research Chair in Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hydrogen Energy Systems [Canada Research Profile]
McPhee, John - Systems Design Engineering (since 2014) Canada Research Chair in Biomechatronic System Dynamics [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Ren,Carolyn - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (since 2022) Canada Research Chair in Microfluidic Technologies
Toyserkani, Ehsan - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (since 2017) Canada Research Chair in Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Wang, Zhou - Electrical and Computer Engineering (since 2019) Canada Research Chair in Multimedia Quality-of-Experience [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Zhou, Norman - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (since 2017) Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials Joining and Processing [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Canada Research Chairs (Tier 2)
Craig, James - Civil and Environmental Engineering (since 2016) Canada Research Chair in Environmental Modeling and Analysis [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Golab, Lukasz - Management Sciences (since 2015) Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics for Sustainability [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Mekonnen, Tizazu - Chemical Engineeering (since 2019) Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Multiphase Polymers [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis - Chemical Engineering (since 2017) Canada Research Chair in Multiscale Modelling and Process Systems [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Smith, Stephen L. - Electrical and Computer Engineering (since 2017) Canada Research Chair in Autonomous Systems [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Ward, Valeri - Chemical Engineering (since 2019) Canada Research Chair in Microalgae Biomanufacturing [Canada Research Chair Profile]
Early Researcher Award Recipients
The Ontario government's Early Researcher Award goes to the province's most promising researchers in the first five years of their academic careers. The Early Researcher Award program is a successor to the Premier's Research Excellence Award program.
Early Researcher Award (2021)
Pope, Michael - Chemical Engineering
Simakov, David - Chemical Engineering
Tung, James - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2019)
Dietl, Werner - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Musselman, Kevin - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Wei, Lan - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2018)
Golab, Wojciech - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Jiang, Ning - Systems Design Engineering
Yoon, Youngki - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2017)
Kim, Na Young - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Miao, Guo-Xing - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Reimer, Michael - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Yu, Alfred - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abukhdeir, Nasser M. - Chemical Engineering
Bajcsy, Michal - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mehrizi, Hossein A. - Management Sciences
Early Researcher Award (2016)
Ganesh, Vijay - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hancock, Mark - Management Sciences
Lee, Hyung-Sool - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Smith, Stephen L. - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2015)
Gracie, Robert - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kwon, Hyock Ju - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Lashgarian Azad, Nasser - Systems Design Engineering
Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis - Chemical Engineering
Wen, John - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2014)
Basu, Nandita - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fischmeister, Sebastian - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Kulic, Dana - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Peterson, Sean - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Wilson, Christopher - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Yu, Aiping - Chemical Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2012)
Chen, Zhongwei - Chemical Engineering
Wong, Alexander - Systems Design Engineering
Zhao, Boxin - Chemical Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2011)
Craig, James - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Mitran, Patrick - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2010)
Boumaiza, Slim - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Saini, Simarjeet - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2009)
Anis, Monab - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Esmaeili, Shahrzad - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Wang, Zhou - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2008)
Epling, William - Chemical Engineering
Erkorkmaz, Kaan - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Karim, Karim - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Xie, Liang-Liang - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2007)
Ban, Dayan - Electrical and Computer Engineering
El-Saadany, Ehab - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Thorsten Hesjedal - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ren, Carolyn - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Toyserkani, Ehsan - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2006)
Emelko, Monica - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Damen, Mohammed Oussama - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tahvildari, Ladan - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Yeow, John - Systems Design Engineering
Early Researcher Award (2005)
Collins, Michael - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Feng, Xianshe - Chemical Engineering
Ho, Pin-Han - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Simon, Leonardo - Chemical Engineering
Soudki, Khaled - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Zhou, Norman - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Early Research Award (2004)
Parker, Wayne - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2003
Aagaard, Mark - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Basir, Otman - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Cronin, Duane - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Wong, Kainam - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2002
Chen, Pu - Chemical Engineering
Czarnecki, Krzysztof - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Gong, Guang - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hamel, John - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Karray, Fakhri - Electrical and Computer Engineering
McPhee, John - Systems Design Engineering
Pandey, Mahesh - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sazonov, Andrei - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Shen, Xuemin (Sherman) - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sivoththaman, Siva - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Soares, Joao - Chemical Engineering
Tighe, Susan - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Yang, En-Hui - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Zhuang, Weihua - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Endowed Chairs
Baaj, Hassan - Civil and Environmental Engineering (since 2020) Norman W. McLeod Chair Professor in Sustainable Pavement Engineering
Boxin Zhao - Chemical Engineering Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology
Chaudhuri, Sujeet - Electrical and Computer Engineering, Val O'Donovan Chair in RF/Microwaves and Photonics
Gostick, Jeff - Chemical Engineering, (2021) Azzam-Dullien Endowed Professorship
Ibrahim, Nadine - Civil and Environmental Engineering Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering
Ma, Jessie - System Design Engineering Ontario Research Chair in Sustainable Energy
Musselman, Kevin - Mechanical and Mechatronics - Engineering Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology
Quilty, John - Civil and Environmental Engineering - Sinnathamby Professor in AI for Sustainable Solutions
Tavassoti, Pejoohan - Civil and Environmental Engineering - Jr. Norman W. McLeod Chair in Sustainable Pavement Engineering
Industry-sponsored Chairs
Canizares, Claudio - Electrical and Computer Engineering - Hydro One Research Chair
Haji-Reza, Parsin - Systems Design Engineering - illumiSonics - Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging
Hasan, Anwar - Electrical and Computer Engineering - Ripple - University Blockchain Research Initiative Chair (since 2018)
Pandey, Mahesh - Civil and Environmental Engineering - UNENE - Chair in Risk-Based Life Cycle Management of Engineering Systems
Rosenberg, Catherine - Electrical and Computer Engineering - Cisco Canada Chair in 5G Systems (since 2018)
Wen, John - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Columbiad - Space Research Chair for In-Situ Resource Utilization & Stewardship
NSERC Industrial Research Chairs and Chairs in Design Engineering
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Industrial Research Chairs (IRC) are funded jointly by NSERC and industry, to build on existing strengths to achieve the critical mass required for a major engineering research endeavour. Industrial Research Chairs at Waterloo Engineering include:
Huck, Peter - Civil and Environmental Engineering (Since 1993) - NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Water Treatment [NSERC Profile]
Inal, Kaan - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (Since 2016) - NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Modelling, Simulation and Finite Elements Methods [NSERC Profile]
Khandani, Amir - Electrical and Computer Engineering (Since 2010) - NSERC Ciena Industrial Research Chair in Information Theory of Optical Networks [NSERC Profile]
Khajepour, Amir - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (Since 2016) NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Mechanical Systems adn Instrumentation [NSERC Profile]
Pandey, Mahesh - Civil and Environmental Engineering (Since 2004) - NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Management of Engineering Systems [NSERC Profile]
Safavi-Naeini, Safieddin - Electrical and Computer Engineering - NSERC C-COM Industrial Research Chair in Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems for Next Generation Millimeter-Wave Mobile Communications [NSERC Profile]
NSERC Chairs in Design Engineering (CDEs) were established to improve the level and quality of design engineering activity within Canadian universities. At Waterloo Engineering, Prof. Sanjeev Bedi holds one of these Chairs:
Bedi, Sanjeev - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (Since 2015) - NSERC Chair in Immersive Design Engineering Activities (IDEAs) [NSERC Profile]
University Research Chairs
The University of Waterloo (UW) owes much of its reputation and stature to the quality of its professors and their scholarly accomplishments. UW recognizes exceptional achievement and pre-eminence in a particular field of knowledge through the designation 'University Research Chair'.
Aziz, Hany - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Bhattacharya, Kankar - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Clausi, David - System Design Engineering
Czarnecki, Krzysztof - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Gong, Guang - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2017)
Haas, Carl - Civil and Environmental Engineering (2019)
Jahed, Hamid - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mazumdar, Ravi - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2013)
Melek, William - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Polak, Marianna - Civil and Environmental Engineering (2019)
Tam, Michael - Chemical Engineering (2018)
Tesfamariam, Solomon - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Worswick, Michael - Mechanical and Mechatronics (2018)
Yeow, John - Systems Design Engineering (2019)
Yu, Aiping - Chemical Engineering (2023)
Past Chairs
Basu, Nandita - Civil and Environmental Engineering (2019)
Chen, Pu - Chemical Engineering (2015)
Cronin, Duane - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (2016)
Culham, Richard - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (2010)
Feng, Xianshe - Chemical Engineering (2016)
Huck, Peter - Civil and Environmental Engineering (2003)
Jayaram, Shesha - Electrial and Computer Engineering (2012)
Kamel, Mohamed - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2008)
Karray, Fakhreddine - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2018)
Li, Xianguo - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (2014)
Long, John - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2015)
Matsen, Mark - Chemical Engineering (2014)
Mazumdar, Ravi - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2005)
Ng, Flora - Chemical Engineering (2006)
Rosenberg, Catherine - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2004)
Sachdev, Manoj - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2008)
Salama, Magdy - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2004)
Shen, Sherman - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2007)
Toyserkani, Eshan - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (2015)
Wang, Zhou - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2017)
Zhou, Norman - Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering (2013)
University Professors
Claudio Canizares - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2020)
Hipel, Keith - Systems Design Engineering (2007)
Ng, Flora - Chemical Engineering (2008)
Shen, Sherman - Electrical and Computer Engineering (2017)
Jan van Pelt, Robert - School of Architecture (2005)
En-Hui Yang Engineering Research Innovation Award
The En-Hui Yang Engineering Research Innovation Award is awarded to one outstanding full-time faculty member in the Faculty of Engineering per year. This award is made possible by Professor En-Hui Yang who has donated proceeds of the 2007 Ontario Premier's Catalyst Award For Innovator of the Year through SlipStream Data Inc., to encourage and support research and innovation by Waterloo Engineering faculty.
2023 - John Zelek - Systems Design Engineering
2022- Costas Tzoganakis - Chemical Engineering
2022- William Wong- Electrical and Computer Engineering
2014 - Safavi-Naeini, Safieddin - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2013 - Khajepour, Amir - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2012 - Huck, Peter - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2011 - Penlidis, Alexander - Chemical Engineering
2010 - Tighe, Susan - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2009 - Ng, Flora - Chemical Engineering
2008 - Kofman, Jonathan - Systems Design Engineering
Engineering Research Excellence Awards (EREA)
The Engineering Research Excellence Awards are presented each year to tenure or tenured track faculty members in the Faculty of Engineering in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments. Three awards (one per rank) are presented annually at the Dean's Awards Dinner for Faculty and Staff. Recent recipients of the awards are listed below.
Professor Category
2023 - Sean Peterson - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2022 - Omar Ramahi - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2021 - Liping Fu - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2020 - Robert Jan van Pelt - School of Architecture
2019 - Yu, Alfred - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2018 - Yavuz, Mustafa - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2017 - Wang, Zhou - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2016 - Elkamel, Ali - Chemical Engineering
2015 - Gong, Guang - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2014 - Salama, Magdy - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2013 - Jahed, Hamid - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2012 - Clausi, David A. - Systems Design Engineering
2011 - Brodland, Wayne - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2010 - Stashuk, Dan - Systems Design Engineering
2009 - Li, Xianguo - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Associate Professor Category
2023 - Sibel Alumur Alev - Management Science and Engineering
2022 - Vijay Ganesh - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2021 - Evelyn Yim - Chemial Engineering
2020 - Jeff Gostick - Chemical Engineering
2019 - Daun, Kyle - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2018 - Mitran, Patrick - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2017 - Zhao, Boxin - Chemical Engineering
2016 - Saini, Simarjeet - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2015 - Li, Yuning - Chemical Engineering
2014 - Abdel-Rahman, Eihab - Systems Design Engineering
2013 - Boumaiza, Slim - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2012 - Ban, Dayan - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2011 - Aziz, Hany - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2010 - Uysal, Murat - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2009 - Burns, Catherine - Systems Design Engineering
Assistant Professor Category
2023 - Mahla Poudineh - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2022 - Elliot Biro - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2021 - Parsin Reza - Systems Design Engineering
2020 - Michael Pope - Chemical Engineering
2019 - Musselman, Kevin - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2018 - Jiang, Ning - Systems Design Engineering
2017 - Basu, Nandita - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2016 - Lee, Hyung-Sool - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2015 - Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis - Chemical Engineering
2014 - Cui, Bo - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2013 - Kulic, Dana - Electrical and Computer Engineering
2012 - Wong, Alexander - Systems Design Engineering
2011 - Chen, Zhongwei - Chemical Engineering
2010 - Ren, Carolyn - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
2009 - Karim, Karim - Electrical and Computer Engineering