Momentum - Fall 2025
Welcome to the Fall 2025 issue of the Momentum newsletter
This semester, we warmly welcome new faculty colleagues whose expertise strengthens our leadership in emerging research and educational areas. Their profiles are featured in this issue. Our undergraduate and graduate programs continue to show strong domestic enrolment for 2025–2026, though international recruitment remains affected by visa challenges.
TMU recently hosted the Global AI Summit, where FEAS had a strong presence. Our faculty and staff contributed to discussions on AI’s role in research, teaching, and governance. As a member of the University’s AI Leadership Taskforce, I remain committed to advancing the responsible and ethical use of generative AI across learning, research, and operations.
The Government of Canada is running a 30-day public consultation to shape the next phase of the Canada-wide AI Strategy. The survey closes tomorrow, October 31, 2025. I encourage all faculty, researchers, and students to share their perspectives via the Consulting Canadians (external link) portal.
At our Fall 2025 FEAS Townhall, we discussed the 2025–2030 Elevate FEAS Strategic Plan and the proposed Faculty Council Terms of Reference. Elevate FEAS outlines a data-driven vision where theory meets practice, research drives innovation, and collaboration delivers meaningful societal impact.
Our strategic priorities are to:
- Transform teaching and learning for future-ready graduates
- Lead in research innovation with global and urban impact
- Deepen community and industry engagement
- Foster an inclusive and equitable academic culture
This plan will guide our initiatives with annual updates to measure progress and celebrate achievements.
Wishing everyone a productive and fulfilling semester.
Warm regards,
Sri Krishnan
Missed the Town Hall? Catch the highlights and add your voice to the discussion.
Watch, review, and join the conversation: We’ve compiled the video recording (external link) and (google doc) Q&A summary (external link) (open for comments), and meeting transcript in a single folder.
A first look at the SCITHub structure
The mass timber structure of the groundbreaking Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITHub) is nearly complete, marking a major milestone in its construction. Crews are now focused on sealing the building envelope before winter as this state-of-the-art, net-zero facility takes shape. Built from cross-laminated timber and equipped with advanced sensors, SCITHub will serve as a living laboratory for sustainable design and smart building research. Its innovative façade and geo-exchange system further position it as a model for the future of green construction.
FEAS Professor Awarded Fulbright Canada Chair to Advance Safer Vehicle Communication Systems
FEAS professor Xavier Fernando has been named a Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Computers, Science, and Engineering, advancing cross-border collaboration in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication research. Partnering with Dr. Rawa Adla at Florida Polytechnic University, Fernando is working to enhance highway safety and autonomous driving by combining Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), and Visible Light Communication (VLC). Their testing at Florida Poly’s Suntrax Facility will produce real-world insights to improve connected vehicle systems, benefitting both Canadian and U.S. transportation innovation.
Making a global impact
This work, along with other research and initiatives across FEAS is helping to address the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). By demonstrating how our faculty contributes to these goals, we also bolster TMU’s global rankings. View the latest rankings (opens in new window) .
FEAS researchers present at the Times Higher Education Global AI Summit
From October 27th to 29th, TMU hosted the Global AI Summit in partnership with Times Higher Education. The summit brought together international education leaders, researchers, staff, and faculty members to discuss and explore the role of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. FEAS faculty members played a key role in the interdisciplinary event, including:
- President and Vice-Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, and Professor, Mohamed Lachemi
- Vice-President of Administration and Operations at Toronto Metropolitan University, and Professor, Saeed Zolfaghari
- Associate Professor, Naimul Khan
- Associate Professor, Reza Samavi
- Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in AI, April Khademi
Each issue, we’ll spotlight an update from an office in FEAS, offering a closer look at the work happening across our faculty’s leadership portfolio. If you have an update to share in an upcoming issue, reach out to the Creative Communications Group (CCG) to be featured.
Engineering Admissions team kicks off another record-breaking year
The FEAS Engineering Student Admissions and Recruitment team is working towards another record year, welcoming over 1,450 new students while growing applications by six percent. Through expanded school visits, stronger guidance counsellor partnerships, and new engagement initiatives, the team continues to attract top talent and strengthen TMU’s reputation across Ontario. Learn how their strategy, and their passion for connecting with future engineers, is shaping the next generation of change-maker engineers.
Read the full update from the Director of Recruitment to learn more
TMU Launches New AI Website Showcasing Research, Innovation, and Impact
TMU has launched a new Artificial Intelligence website showcasing the university’s growing expertise and leadership in AI research, education, and innovation. The site serves as a central hub to explore TMU’s interdisciplinary work advancing responsible and human-centered AI applications. FEAS is proud to showcase its leading role in this field, with researchers driving breakthroughs in data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, and automation. This work is advancing innovation across industries from health to transportation. The new platform reflects TMU’s commitment to shaping an ethical and impactful AI future.
Welcoming new faculty: Expanding the frontiers of engineering innovation
FEAS is proud to welcome nine new faculty members whose expertise and passion will further strengthen our teaching, research, and innovation capacity across departments.
Joining Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering are:
- Dr. Sudip Nag, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Jonathan Mar, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Mohammed Saif, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Morteza Zihayat, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (Tier II)
In Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering, we welcome:
- Dr. Haider Al Fedhly, Limited Term Faculty
- Dr. Hossein Hassani, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Vaseem Akram Shaik, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Mohammad Shushtari, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Shaghayegh Shajari, Assistant Professor
Please give a warm welcome to our new colleagues and connect with each to explore future collaborations.
Professor Daolun Chen elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Congratulations to Professor Daolun Chen, Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering, on his election as a 2025 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Science. Receiving one of the nation’s highest academic honours, Chen was recognized for his groundbreaking research on lightweight materials used in transportation and his work has advanced the development of safer, more durable, and sustainable vehicles and aircraft.
Dean Krishnan commended the achievement as “a source of pride for the entire FEAS community.”
Read the full story and view a full list of fellows and members
PhD student Amanda Dy awarded prestigious Vanier Scholarship
Congratulations to Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD student Amanda Dy, who has been named a 2025 Vanier Scholar by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The prestigious award recognizes her exceptional research and leadership in advancing artificial intelligence for cancer detection. Working under the supervision of Professor April Khademi, Dy is developing AI tools to improve breast cancer diagnosis and patient outcomes, continuing FEAS’s tradition of innovation with global impact.
FEAS Architectural Science Chair to lead national council
Professor Lisa Landrum, Chair of the Department of Architectural Science, has been appointed Chair of the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA), representing the 12 accredited architecture programs across Canada. In this leadership role, Lisa will help advance architectural education nationally and internationally, mobilize knowledge across institutions, and represent the schools to collateral associations, including the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB (external link) ) and the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC (external link) ).
Drawing on her experience as former CACB President and creator of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ (external link) ), she will continue to centre issues of social equity and environmental justice, while elevating FEAS’ voice in dialogues on the future of the built environment.
“CCUSA is both a supportive forum of exchange among directors and a critical advocate for the impact of architectural education,” says Landrum. “I’m grateful to outgoing CCUSA Chair, Dr. Izabel Amaral, Director of the School of Architecture at the University of Montreal, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across Canada to strategize opportunities, mitigate challenges, and empower the next generation of design professionals.”
Ongoing initiatives having CCUSA support include: End Housing Alienation Now: a cross-Canada architecture superstudio (external link) , involving students at multiple schools (including TMU), in designing housing for all; an annual academic summit, in partnership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC (external link) ) as part of their national conference; and continuing CAFE events in collaboration with the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA (external link) ).
Congratulations, Lisa, on this significant appointment recognizing your leadership in architectural education.
CGEC 2025: National tour draws 2,175 registrants — TMU up 237% YoY, #2 stop overall
The Canadian Graduate Engineering Consortium (CGEC) tour brought seven in-person graduate fairs across Ontario and B.C. TMU’s stop drew 381 attendees, up from 113 in our first year participating—evidence of focused outreach and surging interest in FEAS graduate programs.
“We saw strong attendance at this year’s TMU CGEC event, a sign that our efforts to engage prospective graduate students are resonating. By refining our outreach—bringing in faculty members, academic assistants, and internal communication channels—we boosted TMU attendance by 237% from the first year we participated. Events like this are essential for building visibility, fostering connections, and strengthening the pipeline into our graduate programs. The FEAS Graduate office would like to thank everyone who helped to promote this event!”
— Roel Reyes, Chair, CGEC; Co-chair, Marketing Sub-Committee
Thanks to everyone who promoted and staffed the event. To support next year’s stop or join other CGEC dates please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
Congratulations to the FEAS Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies team for their growing impact! To those interested in joining next year’s efforts, reach out to the Graduate Studies office to learn how to get involved.
FEAS Shines at Ontario Universities’ Fair, Connecting with the Next Generation of FEAS Innovators
The Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) is one of Canada’s largest and most anticipated postsecondary events, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where thousands of students, families, and educators came together to explore what’s next. For FEAS, it’s not just a recruitment event, it’s an opportunity to connect, inspire, and showcase the innovation and community that define TMU.
This year, FEAS students, faculty, and staff came together to share their stories, experiences, and enthusiasm with future engineers and architects. From engaging conversations to meaningful mentorship moments, the energy and pride were palpable throughout the weekend.
Three FEAS PhD graduates recognized with top honours at Fall Convocation 2025
FEAS is proud to celebrate three outstanding PhD graduates who were recognized at convocation for their academic excellence, research contributions and commitment to helping others.
- FEAS Gold Medal award recipient: Dr. Sammy Abdou (Biomedical Engineering, PhD)
- Governor General’s Gold Medal award recipient: Dr. Dorothy Johns (Building Science, PhD)
- Dr. C. Ravi and Shanti Ravindran Award: Dr. Ahmed Diab (Civil Engineering, PhD)
FEAS hosts research workshop to advance sustainable urban transportation.
Earlier this month, the FEAS Office for Research and Innovation, under the leadership of Workshop Chair Dr. Said Easa, hosted a highly successful research workshop on sustainable urban transportation. The event attracted approximately 100 participants, including Canadian researchers, government leaders, and industry partners. It featured stakeholder presentations, faculty presentations, a graduate student poster session, and structured roundtable discussions designed to generate actionable insights. The collaborative format was praised by attendees, with one noting the discussions were 'inspiring and insightful.' A summary report of the key findings is currently being developed to guide future collaboration. The workshop is a prime example of FEAS convening leaders to tackle pressing urban challenges.
Professor Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi receives Engineering Medal for Research and Development
This past September, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) awarded professor Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi with the Engineering Medal for Research and Development. The award recognizes his numerous contributions to the field of robotics and mechatronics, which includes more than 290 publications, four patents, and over 9,000 citations. Congratulations professor Janabi-Sharifi!
FEAS researchers receive foundational research infrastructure grants
Four FEAS faculty members have received Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund infrastructure grants to advance their research. Congratulations to:
- Anton De Ruiter, aerospace engineering professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair
- Elsayed Elbeshbishy, civil engineering professor
- Rania Hamza, civil engineering professor
- Krishnan Venkatakrishnan, Mechanical, industrial, and mechatronics engineering professor
Call for proposals: Artificial Intelligence for Canadian Energy Innovation
Natural Resources Canada, through the Office of Energy R&D (OERD), has announced the Artificial Intelligence for Canadian Energy Innovation call for proposals (external link) . The call will fund applied research, development and demonstration (RD&D) of AI solutions that accelerate the pace of, and lower the costs associated with, energy technology innovation. Deadline: December 4, 2025, 1pm ET
Interested in applying? Please email elvira.tabaku@torontomu.ca. The FEAS Research & Innovation Office will work with researchers who will submit a proposal.
New graduate studies video showcasing FEAS excellence
FEAS has proudly launched a brand-new video spotlighting our world-class research, supportive community, and the exceptional graduate experience that sets our faculty apart. Featuring our students, researchers, and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, the video is live on YouTube (external link) and the Graduate Studies main page. Watch and share it to help attract future innovators!
AI innovation in action: Dr. April Khademi featured on CityNews
Dr. April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in Health Informatics and FEAS Associate Professor, was recently featured on CityNews discussing her work with and the implication of AI Scribe. This new technology helps doctors spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. Watch the feature and see yet another example of TMU expertise shaping real-world healthcare innovation.
Council on Vertical Urbanism launches new Canadian office at TMU
The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) has officially launched its new Canadian office in TMU’s Architecture Building, strengthening collaboration between academia and industry on tall building and urban development research. The launch event capped off CVU’s international conference, From the Ground Up: Tall Buildings and City-Making.
FEAS International × DAAD: study, research & internships in Germany — recordings & slides
FEAS International partnered with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to host two info sessions this month on funded pathways to study, research, and intern in Germany.
“It’s inspiring to see our students go global. Partnerships like DAAD open doors for study and research abroad, strengthen FEAS’s international footprint, and bring fresh perspectives back to TMU.” — Dr. Ahmed Shaker, Associate Dean, International, FEAS
Special thanks to John Paul Kleiner, Senior Manager, University Relations, DAAD Information Centre Toronto, for leading both sessions.
Dr. Ali Tavallaei renewed as Tier II Canada Research Chair
Congratulations to Professor Ali Tavallaei, who has been renewed as the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Systems and Devices for Cardiovascular Interventions. The renewal supports his ongoing research, focused on generating new image-guided therapeutic and diagnostic solutions to better understand and overcome the limitations of conventional devices employed during minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures.
National Cybersecurity Consortium to support quantum-resilient cybersecurity research
The Government of Canada announced new funding through its National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) that supports a cybersecurity project being led by Dr. Atty Mashatan from the Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management. Mashatan will collaborate with FEAS professor, Reza Arani, as well as ABB Canada and Hydro-Québec Research Institute (IREQ).
Updated FEAS virtual tour showcases innovation and state-of-the-art spaces
The updated FEAS Virtual Tour offers an immersive, 360° look inside TMU’s cutting-edge labs, studios, and research facilities. Created in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, the tour invites future students and supporters to explore where engineering and architectural innovation come to life.
View and share the FEAS Virtual Tour, and explore the full TMU experience here
FEAS undergraduates’ innovative research on display at OVPRI showcase
Last month, FEAS students put their work on display in the Sears Atrium as part of the 2025 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Showcase, hosted by OVPRI. From cutting-edge 3D-printing techniques and information retrieval systems to AI-driven health applications, FEAS students, championed by their supervisors, did the Faculty proud!
Discover TMU: Open house
November 8, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Discover collaborative classrooms and immersive learning in the heart of the city. It’s your chance to explore TMU’s vibrant community, where students learn, grow and succeed together. This is where prospective students get the chance to experience life as a TMU student. Faculty & staff are encouraged to come and engage with students and their families.
Architecture & Law: Student design exhibition & reception
November 28, 2025 | 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Register for Reimagining TMU’s School of Law, an exhibition and reception showcasing innovative student designs for the future home of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. View architectural drawings, models, and vision statements, and engage with students as they share their ideas. Remarks by Dean Donna E. Young at 1:00 p.m. Refreshments provided.
Teaching with AI: eCampus Ontario microcredential
Thursdays, January 19 – February 20, 2026 | 10–11 a.m.
Enhance your teaching practice with Teaching with AI, a free online microcredential from eCampus Ontario for faculty at publicly assisted Ontario universities. Explore practical, ethical, and innovative ways to integrate AI into your classroom.
Tools and Resources
New social media and brand policies
After a university-wide consultation, University Relations has launched two new policies this October to strengthen TMU’s brand and social media presence.
- Building on the current Social Media Guidelines, the Social Media policy defines what qualifies as a branded account and offers key questions to consider before creating a new account, choosing a platform, or developing content.
- The Brand Stewardship Policy complements TMU’s existing Brand Guidelines, providing direction on how to use university logos, visual toolkits, colour palettes, and other brand elements; including guidance on licensing, endorsements, and modifications.
CCG is happy to support you as you explore new channels and designs to share your stories and reach broader audiences.
Contact CCG for new communications requests or explore the re-cap deck of the new policies (external link)
Student research poster templates
A new TMU-branded research poster template is now available for students preparing to showcase their work. The template includes both horizontal and vertical layouts and can be customized with program logos, names, and project details. Using the official design helps ensure consistent, professional presentation across research events and conferences.
Optimizing your communications for generative AI (EEAT principles)
Search and AI platforms increasingly surface content they trust. That’s why we’re embedding EEAT—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—across FEAS web content. You’ll see this in action through named authors and faculty bios, real outcomes and impact, links to peer-reviewed sources, and structure that helps both people and machines understand our value.
We’ve created a practical, easy-to-follow EEAT Guidance to support anyone contributing stories, research highlights, student spotlights, or program pages. Use it to help your work get seen, cited, and trusted.
Read the EEAT Guidance ( (google doc) document (external link) )
Let’s make sure the great work happening across FEAS gets the visibility and recognition it deserves.
For more events, news and stories, visit the FEAS Stories & Events webpage.