Momentum: FEAS Newsletter, Fall 2026
Fall momentum is building
Welcome back, everyone. With the Fall semester now well underway, I want to acknowledge the tremendous effort that continues to go into supporting our students and the FEAS community. From the preparations leading into September to the work happening every day across our departments, your dedication does not go unnoticed. Thank you.
This issue of Momentum arrives at a particularly exciting moment for FEAS, and I want to highlight two developments I am especially proud of.
The first is the announcement of TMU's inaugural Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Indoor Environmental Quality for Healthy Living, held by professor Philomena Bluyssen of Delft University of Technology, who will join us in June 2027. I am deeply proud to share that FEAS is the only faculty at TMU to receive one of these highly competitive federal chairs. Supported by $8 million over eight years, professor Bluyssen's research on how indoor environments affect the health of children and youth will strengthen our position at the intersection of sustainable design, engineering, and public health. This is exactly the kind of bold, relevant research that Elevate FEAS was built to attract and support.
The second is the release of TMU's Leadership Task Force on Generative AI report, published this month. I had the privilege of serving on this task force, contributing primarily to the scholarly, research and creative activity section. The report reflects months of careful, cross-institutional work, and offers a thoughtful framework for how we as a university adapt to AI responsibly, with human judgment and academic integrity at the centre. I encourage everyone in our community to read it. As an engineering and architectural science faculty, we are uniquely positioned to both shape and respond to the technologies this report addresses, and I look forward to the conversations it will spark across our departments.
Beyond these highlights, this issue is filled with stories of achievement from across our community; faculty, students, alumni, and partners, that reflect the depth of talent and dedication that defines FEAS.
We are well underway, and the year ahead is full of promise.
Sri Krishnan
TMU and Actua bring global educators together to tackle AI in the classroom
In September, FEAS Dean Sri Krishnan joined Actua, MIT RAISE, and partners from Canada, the U.S. and Hong Kong for the AI Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow Conference, hosted at TMU. Over two days, educators built practical AI literacy skills through hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions, exploring how to responsibly integrate AI into their classrooms. The conference reflects FEAS's growing role as a hub for responsible AI education and cross-sector collaboration. A big thank you to the FEAS Teaching & Outreach team for spearheading this collaboration.
FEAS students’ innovation on display at OVPRI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Showcase
The 2026 Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO) Showcase, held on September 17 in the TMU Student Learning Centre, featured more than 55 student research projects from six faculties. FEAS was well represented, with 11 undergraduate and graduate students and their supervisors sharing their latest research. The showcase helped students build key presentation and knowledge-translation skills as they presented their scholarly, research and creative (SRC) URO summer projects to students and faculty from across the university.
Architectural Science professors and alumni launch Women Changing Architecture
Leading Canadian architects, professors and students gathered at Toronto’s Swipe Design to celebrate the launch of Women Changing Architecture. The new book documents the work and contributions of 32 leading women architects from Ontario and Québec – including TMU alumni Tania Bortolotto (’88), Valerie Gow (’90) and Farida Abu-Bakare (’12). Written by Louise Pelletier with co-authors professor Lisa Landrum, professor Jennifer Esposito, and Jonathan Tourangeau, with graphic design by Stéphane Huot, the book highlights the diversity of approaches, scales, and issues addressed by these prominent architects over the past 40 years.
TMU welcomes world-leading researcher in indoor environmental quality
FEAS has successfully nominated professor Philomena Bluyssen of Delft University of Technology as its first recipient of an Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada. Supported by $8 million over eight years, her research will investigate how the indoor environments where children and youth spend 80 to 90 per cent of their lives affect their health. Beginning in June 2027, she will establish a TMU version of SenseLab, her globally recognized living laboratory for human-environment interaction research, strengthening TMU's expertise in sustainable and resilient built environments.
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.
Congratulations to professor Victor Yang, elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Congratulations to FEAS professor Victor Yang of the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering on being elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, one of the highest honours in Canada's health research community. Professor Yang is recognized for his pioneering work in surgical robotics and advanced imaging technology, including the development of machine vision for spine surgery that formed the basis for 7D Surgical, a successful TMU spin-off company.
Sharareh Taghipour receives Distinguished Researcher Award
Congratulations to professor Sharareh Taghipour who received the IEOM Society International Distinguished Researcher Award. Taghipour, the Canada Research Chair in Physical Asset Management, is a leading industrial engineer who has made a lasting impact in the operations management field. She was recognized for her outstanding research contributions at the 7th South American / Latin American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management in Panama City.
Congratulations to professor Liping Fang on two milestone achievements
Professor Liping Fang of the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering received the INFORMS Group Decision and Negotiation Appreciation for Outstanding Service Award at the 26th International Conference on Group Decision and Negotiation in Poland, recognizing his eight years on the GDN Section Board and his presidency from 2023 to 2025. Two of his books on the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution methodology have also been translated and published for the Chinese market, further expanding the global reach of his research. Congratulations, professor Fang, on these well-deserved achievements.
Professor April Khademi receives $100K from Breast Cancer Canada to advance AI-powered diagnostics
Congratulations to professor April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in AI for Medical Imaging, who has been awarded $100,000 from Breast Cancer Canada in partnership with AstraZeneca Canada. The funding will support the development of AI-driven tools at her TMU Image Analysis in Medicine Lab to assess patient risk and guide treatment decisions for those with HER2-/HR+ breast cancer, bringing FEAS research closer to real-world clinical impact.
Professor Mohammadreza Arani selected for France-Canada research collaboration program
Professor Mohammadreza Arani, Canada Research Chair in Smart Grids Cyber-Physical Security, was selected as one of 18 researchers to participate in the Mourou-Strickland Mobility Program, a French Embassy initiative supporting France-Canada research partnerships. Arani will work alongside Université Gustave Eiffel professor Mostafa Ameli to advance joint research on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and AI-based cybersecurity for connected transportation networks, with plans to establish a student exchange pipeline between the two institutions.
Ahmed Shaker elected Secretary General for ISPRS
Congratulations to professor and interim Associate Dean of Research and External Partnerships, Ahmed Shaker, on being elected Secretary General of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS). In this role, Shaker will serve as a member of the ISPRS Council, the Society's executive governing body, from 2026–2030. This appointment also marks a personal milestone for Shaker, as he’s the first Canadian of African and Arab origin to serve in the role.
Congratulations to IBET Momentum Fellow Odudu Umoessien
Odudu Umoessien is the 2026 faculty recipient of the Indigenous, Black, Engineering, Technology (IBET) PhD Project Momentum Fellowship. Umoessien is an architectural designer, artist, and researcher currently pursuing a PhD in Architecture under the supervision of professor Lisa Landrum. His PhD research explores what West African ritual and spatial traditions can teach us about designing for social connection, belonging, and collective wellbeing.
New award for PhD students honours Dr. Sandeep Kaler
To commemorate the life and legacy of FEAS alumnus, Dr. Sandeep Kaler, the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering (ECB) is proud to announce the Dr. Sandeep Kaler Teaching Award. Kaler was an undergraduate and graduate alumnus, who was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department at the time of his untimely death in 2025. A special thanks to MIT professors John J. Kassakian, George C. Verghese, and David J. Perreault for their donation to make this important award possible.
Congratulations to Joella Russell, FEAS Gold Medal recipient
Congratulations to civil engineering graduate Joella Russell, who received the TMU Gold Medal for the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science in recognition of being the faculty's top performing student. During her time at TMU, Joella founded TMU Seismic, mentored high school students, led frosh week, and championed inclusivity through the Women in Engineering Conference. She is now continuing her journey at FEAS, pursuing a Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Medhat Shehata.
FEAS welcomes new faculty members
Over the past few months, several new faculty members have joined our community, including:
- Erik Skouris, Assistant Professor, Limited Term Faculty / Department of Architectural Science
- Gelareh Hajian, Assistant Professor / Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering
- Ehsan Hallaji, Assistant Professor / Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering
- Xiaoting Wang, Assistant Professor / Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering
TMU architecture students take their designs off campus and into the community
Professor George Kapelos led fourth-year Architectural Science students to Amherst Island, Ontario, where they met with residents to design solutions for a proposed community centre. Their drawings, models, and renderings are now on exhibition until mid-October; a compelling example of FEAS education making a tangible local impact, supported by the FEAS Dean and DAS Chair.
DAS hosts national symposium on women in architecture
Led by assistant professor Jennifer Esposito, the Taking Stock: Voices of Women in Architecture Across Canada symposium brought together more than 200 scholars, practitioners, and students at TMU in March 2026. The two-day, cross-institutional event explored the systemic barriers shaping women's access, retention and advancement in architecture, moving the conversation beyond representation toward structural change. Esposito also recently received a 2026 SSHRC Connection Grant for "Taking Stock: Voices of Women in Architecture Across Canada," to help advance equity in the architecture field.
TMU climbs global rankings, placing among the world's top research universities
TMU has moved up more than 200 spots in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), placing in the top 25 in Canada among more than 2,500 evaluated institutions. For FEAS, mechanical engineering and transportation science and technology both ranked in the top 150 globally, reflecting the faculty's growing research impact and reputation.
Three FEAS professors receive Canada Foundation for Innovation funding
Professors Robin Chhabra, Naimul Khan and Helen Stopps have each received Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund grants to support state-of-the-art research infrastructure. Their projects span intelligent autonomous space robotics, real-time AI for compassionate care, and community-centered building science in underserved communities across Canada.
PhD student Yaxin Jiang represents FEAS on the global design research stage
Second-year PhD in Architecture student, Yaxin Jiang, presented her research at the Design Research Society's biennial international conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, joining 71 doctoral students from around the world. Supervised by professor Terri Peters, Jiang's work explores inclusive urban design along Toronto's waterfront, showcasing FEAS's unique place as Canada's only architecture program offering a PhD through design research.
TMU researchers secure $4M in SSHRC funding across 31 projects
TMU researchers have been awarded $4 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to support 31 projects spanning five faculties. Among the recipients, FEAS professor Mucahit Cevik received an Insight Development Grant for research on workforce scheduling optimization, connecting engineering research to broader questions of workplace transformation and societal impact.
FEAS researchers among 43 TMU teams awarded $9.5M in NSERC Discovery Grants
TMU researchers have secured $9.5 million in NSERC Discovery Grant funding across 43 projects, with FEAS claiming a significant share. Twenty FEAS researchers received funding for projects spanning AI, autonomous driving, wearable robotics, biomedical engineering, smart highways, and more, with seven also receiving a Discovery Launch Supplement to support their early-career research.
Industrial engineering student Gianluca Provenzano presents at national nuclear conference
Inspired by a co-op placement at Ontario Power Generation, fourth-year industrial engineering student Gianluca Provenzano published a peer-reviewed paper proposing a water-neutral energy system for AI data centres. His research earned him an invitation to present at the 2026 Canadian Nuclear Society Annual Conference in Calgary, a remarkable milestone for an undergraduate researcher.
FEAS professor Rania Hamza secures New Frontiers in Research Fund grant for water pollution research
FEAS professor Rania Hamza has received a New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration grant to develop new technology to capture and destroy persistent industrial chemical pollutants, known as "forever chemicals," in wastewater before they contaminate soil and groundwater. The research combines advanced nanomaterials, light-activated treatment and biological processes to create a modular system for wastewater treatment plants.
DAS researchers take on eldercare, inclusive design and women in architecture at national conference
Six students and three faculty members from the Department of Architectural Science traveled to Saint John, New Brunswick to present research and chair sessions at the 51st annual Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (SSAC) conference. Their five presentations covered topics ranging from inclusive design and eldercare architecture to transcultural urbanism and women in architecture, showcasing the depth and reach of DAS research on the national stage.
Hydro One renews $1.2M university partnership with TMU to build Ontario's energy workforce
Hydro One has renewed its long-standing university engineering partnership with TMU, the University of Waterloo, Ontario Tech University and Western University, committing $1.2 million over three years from 2026 to 2028. The investment supports programs that attract and advance diverse engineering talent, and is expected to benefit more than 60,000 students across Ontario as the province builds toward a skilled, future-ready energy workforce. FEAS hosted a launch event for the announcement, bringing together partners, outreach teams, students and Hydro One leadership.
Architectural science students light up Trinity Square with World Cup-themed installation
A team of TMU architectural science students, supported by the engineering department, created KICKOFF, a large-scale soccer ball installation in Trinity Square Park that uses dynamic LED lighting to illuminate in team colours whenever a goal is scored during a live World Cup match. Featured in Now Toronto, the project is a hands-on example of FEAS students bringing their classroom skills into the city.
The cross-Canada graduate engineering tour wraps up!
As part of the Canadian Graduate Engineering Consortium, the FEAS Graduate and Postdoctoral Office team traveled to seven schools across two provinces to promote graduate pathways. This also included hosting our own event at TMU, which saw hundreds of prospective students come out to learn more about FEAS programs. A big thank you to Roel Reyes, Senior Manager, Graduate Engagement and Operations and all the program representatives, staff and student volunteers who made this tour another great success.
FEAS Co-op partners with Schneider Electric on Accelerator program
In its second year, the co-curricular Sustainability Accelerator Extracurricular Training program provided FEAS students the opportunity to showcase innovative sustainability ideas.
Teaching with Treaties and Reconciliation: A Faculty Roundtable
November 02, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET | 350 Victoria Street, POD-250
The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is working with the Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week Organizing Committee to host a Teaching Treaties Roundtable.
Navigating Student Disclosure
November 10, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET | 288 Church Street, DCC 707/709
This interactive workshop, facilitated by members of the Live Actor Simulation team in partnership with AAS and Positive Space, offers faculty, contract lectures and academic assistants practical strategies and critical insight about students' disclosure around intersectional disability experience.
Lecture Series: Alfred Waugh
November 12, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET | 325 Church St, ARC 202 (the Pit)
Formline Architecture + Urbanism explores projects that bring together Indigenous Ways of Knowing and western knowledge to create built and landscape environments that heighten the importance of nature.
Micro-Scale Surgery: Using Magnetic Fields to Control Tiny Robots in the Gut and Brain | Seminar by Eric Diller
November 20, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET | 245 Church Street, ENG101
The TMU Robotics Council invites you to this upcoming seminar as part of its speaker series, in collaboration with the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Distinguished Lecturer (DL) Program.
For more events, news and stories, visit the FEAS Stories & Events webpage.