Dr. Ahmad Ghasempoor

Growing up, Ahmad Ghasempoor called himself a “shade mechanic” – a guy who parks a car under a tree to fix an engine problem for a friend. Today, he calls himself a traditionalist engineer – a professional engaged in designing and making mechanical parts.

Ghasempoor focuses on the practical side of engineering with his students, with the goal of keeping as much manufacturing as possible in Canada. “Traditional mechanical and manufacturing skills are part of the food chain of our economy,” he says. “They can have highly creative and socially relevant applications and inspire new enterprises.”

One such example is the bike rack that Ghasempoor’s students designed for older cyclists who may struggle to lift a bike on top of a car. “I love to light a fire under my students when it comes to traditional engineering and its impact on our daily lives.”