Faculty Teaching Award
Dr. Michael Wood is the associate dean of work-integrated learning in the Faculty of Environment and a continuing lecturer in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. Holding a Ph.D. in strategy and sustainability from the Ivey Business School at Western University, his research explores organizational responses to sustainability issues across various sectors, including insurance, mining, carbon management, and global security.
Wood is recognized for his exemplary teaching, known for his innovative course design and multidisciplinary approach. His leadership extends beyond the classroom to university-wide initiatives, where he advocates for enhancing student educational experiences. As the leader of environment’s student petitions committee, Wood demonstrates humanity, integrity, and diplomacy, ensuring fair accommodations while maintaining academic integrity.
Faculty Research Award
Dr. Komal Habib is a distinguished associate professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED). As one of the few industrial ecologists in Canada focusing on resource criticality assessment, she has significantly advanced this nascent field. Her prolific research output includes 28 journal articles in top-tier international journals, with an h-index of 21 and over 1850 citations, reflecting her high research productivity early in her career. Globally recognized for her expertise in mapping and tracking critical metals, she is a sought-after speaker at international conferences across Denmark, Greece, Japan, and the USA. She collaborates extensively as co-PI and collaborator on numerous projects in Canada and Europe, and her research is highly cited globally, with 421 citations in 2023 alone.
Currently, her research aids e-waste companies in Ontario in optimizing resource efficiency. She conducted the first detailed material flow analysis of NdFeB magnets in Denmark, contributing to the Danish strategy for securing critical raw materials. Her methodological framework for raw materials criticality assessment, applied to wind turbine technology, has been integrated into the operational strategy of a leading EU wind turbine manufacturer.
For more information on the other Faculty of Environment Award winners please visit the faculty website.