Twelve professors from Waterloo Engineering received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) to support pioneering research infrastructure that advances discovery and innovation across Canada.
The JELF program provides institutions with funding to help recruit and retain outstanding researchers and to acquire the specialized tools they need to conduct leading-edge research. Each recipient may receive up to $600,000 to support work that strengthens Canada’s research capacity, fuels innovation and delivers real-world impact.
The funding was part of a $4.3-million investment awarded to 26 Waterloo researchers across five faculties, announced by the CFI at Polytechnique Montréal today.
The twelve Waterloo Engineering recipients are the following
Dr. Maricor Arlos, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Invisible threats, visible solutions: Advancing water quality management through micropollutant analysis
Arlos is addressing water pollution by developing chemical fingerprinting tools to trace micropollutants and exploring industrial by-products for cost-effective treatment. Her research improves contaminant detection and removal, supporting efforts to protect freshwater ecosystems, enhance environmental resilience and safeguard public health through innovative water quality management solutions.
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Dr. Sahar Pirooz Azad, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Reconfigurable converter platform for design, protection and control of modern power grids
Azad is developing reconfigurable converter platforms to improve safety, reliability and control in modern power grids. Her research on modular multilevel converters supports real-time reconfiguration and renewable energy integration. The project accelerates Canada’s transition to a net-zero grid while training engineers to design next-generation clean energy systems.
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Dr. Michal Bajcsy, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Atomic layer etcher for enhanced quantum technology devices
Bajcsy’s team, which includes additional teams led by Dr. Michael Reimer and Dr. Nathan Fitzpatrick, is developing ultra-precise fabrication tools using an Atomic Layer Etcher to create quantum devices with fewer defects and higher efficiency. This new nanofabrication infrastructure will enable advances in quantum photonic technologies such as sources of entangled light, single-photon detectors and quantum memories, which support Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and strengthen leadership in quantum innovation and training.
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Dr. Andrew Boutros, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Architecture exploration and design tools for next-generation reconfigurable acceleration devices
Boutros is designing adaptable computer hardware that enhances the energy efficiency of computation in datacenter and edge deployments for artificial intelligence (AI) and other applications. His team will develop reconfigurable architectures using advanced three-dimensional chip stacking technologies and AI-driven design tools that optimize the performance of applications implemented on such reconfigurable hardware. This research supports Canada’s leadership in AI hardware innovation, equips students with expertise in computer hardware design and advances the technology sector’s global competitiveness.
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Dr. Elise Laende, Department of Systems Design Engineering
Digital infrastructure for motion capture
Laende is developing digital tools to standardize markerless motion capture and analysis across multiple sites. Her research enables large-scale collaboration in biomechanics, advancing models of human movement for improved health and performance technologies. The project enhances accessibility and innovation in digital health and human-centred research.
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Dr. Vinny Gupta, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Fast spectral imaging of fire emissions
Gupta’s research employs advanced high-speed laser and imaging systems to study the formation smoke and pollutants inside fires from lithium-ion batteries and wildland fuels. Capturing the local evolution of emissions in real time, his team generates data to improve fire behaviour models, improve safety designs, guide emergency response, and support environmental policy for safer battery energy storage systems and healthier communities.
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Dr. Bradley Hauer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Superconducting millimeter-wave circuits for quantum applications
Hauer’s research explores superconducting circuits for quantum sensing and communication technologies. His team is building a cryogenic system to study electrical and mechanical motion at the quantum level, advancing device performance and fundamental understanding. The project contributes to Canada’s growing quantum industry and trains specialists in advanced measurement.
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Dr. John Magliaro, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Elevated- to high-rate characterization facility for advanced lightweight materials and structures
Magliaro is advancing the understanding of impact mechanics in lightweight materials and structures using a new, first-of-its-kind in Canada dynamic testing facility. His research informs safer designs for next-generation vehicles and personal protective equipment. Working with a global network of academic and industrial partners, the project explores innovative, sustainable solutions to structural lightweighting and joining methods that reduce waste while enhancing safety performance.
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Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, Department of Chemical Engineering
Rational design of sustainable and nano-enabled multiphase polymers
Mekonnen’s team is designing recyclable, sustainable polymers and composites to reduce waste and enable clean technology. Using molecular and imaging tools, the research creates advanced materials for antimicrobial surfaces, radiation barriers, protective coatings, drug delivery and tissue engineering. The infrastructure trains students across disciplines, advancing circular materials innovation and Waterloo’s leadership in sustainable polymer science.
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Dr. Robert Nishida, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Framework for advancing aerosol metrics to improve air quality and health
Nishida’s team is redefining air quality monitoring through improved aerosol measurement and modelling. By developing tools to explore the physics underlying next-generation particle sensors, the research advances sensor calibration methods, new metrics and enhances data accuracy for pollution and health assessments. The work positions Waterloo as a leader in aerosol science and trains experts in climate and health innovation.
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Dr. Shiyu Su, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
High-speed and efficient integrated circuits for next generation computing systems
Su is developing advanced integrated circuits to power quantum computers and quantum-inspired accelerators. His team designs energy-efficient, error-tolerant chips that control and read quantum data at both room and cryogenic temperatures. The research supports scalable quantum hardware, driving innovation across AI, cryptography and healthcare while strengthening Canada’s semiconductor leadership.
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Dr. Mihaela Vlasea, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Technologies enabling nature-inspired architected materials and structures
Vlasea is advancing sustainable, nature-inspired materials through additive manufacturing. Her interdisciplinary and collaborative research enhances binder jet processes that integrate intelligent design, data-driven fabrication and novel materials. The project unites materials science (Dr. Michael Benoit) and biomedical expertise (Dr. Stewart McLachlin) to produce high-performance metamaterials for energy and medical applications, supporting sustainable manufacturing, skilled workforce development and industrial competitiveness.