Breaking boundaries in water research

Have you ever been on a “skunked” fishing trip—one where you don’t catch a single fish? Sometimes, it’s the weather. Other times, it’s faulty gear. But if you’ve been fishing in rivers for a while, you may have noticed more and more skunked trips. The problem might not be your technique—it could be the river itself.

Dr. Michael Tam, a chemical engineering professor and University Research Chair, has been named the 2025 recipient of the R.S. Jane Memorial Award — the highest honour conferred by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE). He will deliver a plenary lecture at the CSChE Conference on October 8.

This spring, Water Institute member Dr. Leah Jones-Crank, Assistant Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, co-led a new international field course on urban sustainability in Singapore. Open to students in the Faculty of Environment, the course highlighted water management through immersive, real-world learning experiences.