Women in Nanotechnology Engineering

Mary Wells is Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Professor Wells is on the Nanotechnology Engineering Executive Board. She was also named as one of Canada’s most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Dean Wells' advice for aspiring and current women in engineering taken from an International Women's Day interview:

"Go for it! Believe in yourself and push yourself beyond your boundaries. Although I was shy and introverted, I had to push myself to seek opportunities, ask questions, and work hard to acquire success. We need more diverse voices in engineering. You can do it."

Mary Robinson is the inaugural Associate Dean of Outreach, Equity and Diversity.
In this key leadership role, Robinson supports Waterloo Engineering’s commitment to equity and diversity as well as our award-winning outreach programs.

Sarah Meunier is the Director of First-year Engineering. She is also a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering.Professor Meunier teaches courses in chemistry, chemical engineering concepts, numerical methods, bio-process engineering, and process and equipment design. Her research interest is in designing and building reactors for environmental and biological processes. 

Laura Deakin is an Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning and an Associate Professor. Professor Deakin teaches a variety of undergraduate courses in nanotechnology and inorganic chemistry. She has received the University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award in 2014, and the University of Waterloo Chemistry Club Teaching Excellence Award in 2012. She has a Masters of Public Health degree and has been teaching Health Risk Assessment and Nanotoxicology courses.

Shirley Tang  is an Associate Dean of Science ( Research) and a professor.

Professor Tang's research interests encompass nanomaterials and nanodevices for biology and medicine, bio-molecule assisted nanomaterial self-assembly, and the health and environmental effects of engineered nanomaterials.

Professor Eline Boghaert  is an Associate Chair Undergraduate and an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream. Professor Boghaert’s current research interests focus on engineering education and studying how students learn, to improve teaching and learning at the University of Waterloo.

Evelyn Yim  is a University Research Chair and professor.

Experienced with nanofabrication technologies and stem cell culture, Professor Yim and her Regenerative Nanomedicine Lab group are interested to apply the knowledge biomaterial-stem cell interaction to direct stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration for neural, vascular and corneal tissue engineering. Yim is one of the pioneers in studying stem cell-topography interactions and related applications in tissue engineering. She is one of the leading researchers studying the use of synthetic materials for altering stem cell behavior and differentiation.

Aiping Yu  is a University Research Chair and professor.

Professor Aiping Yu is primarily interested in materials development for energy storage and conversion, photocatylsts, and nano composites. She is an expert in carbon nanotubes and graphene, allowing her to design the proper porosity and polarity of nanomaterials for high energy storage supercapacitors and ultra-strong nanocomposites. Her previous work in the plastics and carbon solutions industries has led her to dedicate her research toward developing nanomaterials for practical applications. She was also named as one of Canada’s most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Anna Klinkova is a University Research Chair and professor. 

Professor Anna Klinkova's current research focuses on understanding the formation mechanisms and the structural behavior of inorganic nanoparticles with geometric complexity in various applications ranging from catalysis to quantum optics.

Pendar Mahmoudi

Professor Pendar Mahmoudi is a lecturer who teaches Introduction to Programming for Engineers, Introduction to Computational Methods, Micro and Nanosystem Computer-aided Design and more.

Yael Zilberman-Simakov

Professor Yael Zilberman-Simakov is a senior laboratory instructor. She has taught Engineering Biology, Bioprocess Engineering, Chemistry for Engineers and Materials Chemistry for Engineers. Dr. Zilberman-Simakov's research interests lie at the interface of sensors and microfluidics applied for non-invasive medical applications.

Zahra Shahrashoob

Professor Zahra Shahrashoob was an instructional assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University in the U.S. before relocating to the University of Waterloo in 2023. She currently teaches the Macromolecular Science lab in the Nanotechnology department, as well as third and fourth-year Chemical Engineering labs in the Chemical Engineering department at the University of Waterloo.

Bahareh Sadeghimakki

Professor Bahareh Sadeghimakki is the Nanotechnology Engineering Cleanroom & Metrology Suite Lab Manager. She teaches Microfabrication & Thin Film Technology, Nanoinstrumentation, Electronic Devices. She is also a sessional lecturer.

Leanne Racicot

Professor Leanne Racicot is a lab instructor. Dr. Racicot teaches organic chemistry and biochemistry for engineering, biology and biomedical sciences students. Dr. Racicot is also interested in developing online resources to augment their courses.

Dr. Kristina Cvrkalj is a materials and nanoscience chemistry lab instructor. She teaches Organic Chemistry for Nanotechnology Engineering Program.