Skulematters WOMEN in ENGINEERING
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FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE & ENGINEERING ALUMNI MAGAZINE University of Toronto 2015 THE NEXT WAVE OF WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH Skulematters Meet eight engineering professors who are creating a cleaner, safer and better world BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS How four alumnae transferred their engineering competencies into careers in law, academia and corporate leadership THE RISE OF ELSIE MACGILL Remembering the U of T alumna who was the world’s first female aircraft designer WOMEN IN ENGINEERING A tradition of excellence Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering / University of Toronto Alumni Magazine / 2015 GET INVOLVED. A Message from ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2015 Dean Cristina Amon advisor STAY CONNECTED. Cristina Amon, Dean editorial director MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Catherine Riddell It is my privilege to present the 2015 issue editor of Skulematters, the alumni magazine of the Jamie Hunter Alumni are integral to helping us foster the next Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. managing editor generation of global engineering leaders, while Shilpa Gantotti maintaining our status as the best engineering In this unique issue, we turn the spotlight onto the art direction & design school in Canada. Whether you are looking for achievements of women in our U of T Engineering Luke Pauw opportunities to volunteer your time, contribute community, past and present. Their stories are inspirational photography to a fundraising campaign or lend your expertise, and show the tremendous progress we have made toward Roberta Baker there are a variety of ways you can leave your increasing diversity within our profession. However, contributors mark at Skule™: women still account for fewer than 12 per cent of all Colin Anderson professional engineers in Canada1. Dick Bourgeois-Doyle Joan DaCosta – Donate to Boundless: The Campaign Diversity is not only proven to positively impact Sonia De Buglio for the University of Toronto business outcomes2, it deepens the engineering creative Liz Do process, enhances the student experience and enriches the MacGill continued to blaze trails throughout her life as the Carolyn Farrell – Make a gift to the Centre for Engineering Jennifer Hsu profession with new perspectives and ideas. There has never world’s first female aircraft designer, a leader in Canadian Tyler Irving Innovation & Entrepreneurship been a more important time to acknowledge the critical role aircraft production during the Second World War and an Emily Meyertholen diversity plays in driving innovation, which is at the heart advocate for women’s rights. Marit Mitchell – Join the Skule™ Society (Leadership Giving) Megan Murphy of our profession. MacGill exemplified the qualities of a good engineer: Luke Ng The theme of this issue is timely given the extraordinary creativity, logical thinking, adaptability and perseverance. – Hire or mentor a student Ann Perry milestones our Faculty has celebrated over the past year. At U of T Engineering, these qualities drive our commitment Ramnik Sandhu Gillan Sneddon – Volunteer at a variety of alumni events In 2014, we attracted a record number of applications to nurture the creator, maker and innovator in each of our Sarah Steed for our undergraduate programs and admitted the most students and prepare them to be global engineering leaders. RJ Taylor For all fundraising and major gift inquiries, please academically accomplished and diverse first-year class in Thanks to the unwavering support of our entire Lanie Treen contact Gillian Sneddon, Executive Director of our history. Women comprised nearly one-third of those U of T Engineering community, including alumni published by Advancement, at 416-946-3449 or by email at entering students — the highest proportion of any first-year like you, we took a giant leap forward in June 2015 by University of Toronto [email protected]. Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering engineering class in Canada — and now make up more breaking ground on the Centre for Engineering Innovation than one-quarter of both our undergraduate and graduate & Entrepreneurship (CEIE). When it opens in 2017, the For all volunteer and mentorship opportunities, populations. We are committed to further increasing the CEIE will offer one of the finest learning and research PRIVACY POLICY please contact Megan Murphy, Volunteer The University of Toronto respects your privacy. diversity of our student body through strategic outreach, environments available at any engineering school in We do not rent, trade or sell our mailing lists. Leadership & Recognition Officer, at and will work diligently to ensure these positive trends the world. If you do not wish to receive this publication, 416-946-3449 or by email at will continue. I encourage you to share the stories of women you read or would like to update your address, please [email protected]. contact [email protected] or Our faculty complement is also becoming more diverse. about in this issue. Let them inspire all of us to make 1-800-463-6048; local to Toronto, 416-978-2139. The number of women professors has doubled since 2006, diversity a priority in our daily lives and leadership Visit alumni.engineering.utoronto.ca for one-quarter of our associate professors and nearly one-third decisions. Share them with children who love math and We invite your letters, submissions, news, complete information. comments and address changes. Please email of our assistant professors are also women. In this issue, we science and help them reimagine their role models. [email protected] feature eight of those professors, each of whom is making If each of us commits to one small but ongoing change, an impact with her groundbreaking research (page 20). just imagine the positive transformation that we can RETURN MAILING ADDRESS We also highlight the accomplishments of four alumnae achieve together. Office of Advancement Follow us on Twitter who are innovators and leaders in engineering, business Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering @SkuleAlumni and beyond (page 28). Their work speaks to the vibrancy University of Toronto Galbraith Building of our U of T Engineering community and the influence 35 St. George St., Room 116 Join us on LinkedIn our graduates have across many disciplines in addressing Toronto, ON University of Toronto Engineering Alumni global challenges and enriching lives. Canada M5S 1A4 Tel: +1 416-978-0380 As women enter U of T Engineering in record numbers, Cristina Amon Fax: +1 416-946-3450 we must reflect on those who carved a path toward greater Dean www.alumni.engineering.utoronto.ca ON THE COVER: diversity in applied sciences and engineering. Our cover Publication mail agreement #: 40062475 Alumna Elsie MacGill during her time as chief story (page 14) provides a glimpse into the remarkable 2015 All rights reserved aeronautical engineer at the Canadian Car and life of Elsie MacGill (ElecE 2T7), who was the first woman 1 Engineers Canada (2013) Canadian Engineers for Tomorrow: Trends in Foundry Company (Can-Car). to graduate from U of T with an engineering degree and Engineering Enrollment and Degrees Awarded, 2009–2013 the first Canadian woman to earn a degree in electrical 2 Catalyst (2013) Why Diversity Matters. http://www.catalyst.org/system/ PHOTO/CANADA AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES 16035 engineering. Nicknamed “Queen of the Hurricanes,” files/why_diversity_matters_catalyst_0.pdf PHOTO/ J. CHRISTOPHER LAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY 1 Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering / University of Toronto Alumni Magazine / 2015 This issue/ Features ™ THE RISE OF ELSIE MACGILL 14 THE NEXT WAVE OF WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH 20 Skule in The first woman to graduate from U of T with an engineering Eight engineering professors are creating innovative solutions degree would go on to change the country’s social, economic in bioengineering, sustainability, communications and Photos and legal fabric. enabling technologies. CEIE Groundbreaking Ceremony June 24, 2015 U of T Engineering alumni, faculty, students and staff gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CEIE). PICTURED/ (L-R): ERNESTO DÍAZ LOZANO PATIÑO (YEAR 4 CivE), ENGINEERING SOCIETY PRESIDENT (2015–2016); RON VENTER (MIE), ™ PROFESSOR EMERITUS AND CHAIR OF PROJECT BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS BACK TO SKULE 28 44 PLANNING COMMITTEE; JUDY GOLDRING, CHAIR OF GOVERNING COUNCIL; MERIC GERTLER, Meet four alumnae who have transferred their engineering Triple engineering graduate Angela Tran Kingyens has Ron Venter (MIE) speaks to attendees at the PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO; THE competencies into positions in finance, law, academia and helped to establish a community of alumni in the San CEIE groundbreaking reception in the Bahen HONOURABLE MICHAEL WILSON, CHANCELLOR; corporate leadership. Francisco Bay Area. Centre for Information Technology. CRISTINA AMON, DEAN; GEORGE MYHAL (IndE 7T8), CHAIR OF THE CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND MAURICIO CURBELO (CivE 1T4), ENGINEERING SOCIETY PRESIDENT (2013–2014). Sections 1 A Message from Dean Cristina Amon 10 Awards 3 Skule™ in Photos 32 News from Your Field 6 CEIE Update 40 Honour Roll The Blue Sky Solar 8 Entrepreneurship News Racing solar car on display at the See page 6 for ways that the CEIE will outdoor ceremony. directly support alumni. 2 3 Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering / University of Toronto Alumni Magazine / 2015 2A 2B 1 Annual Dean’s Dinner 1 Spring Reunion 4 October 24, 2014 May 30, 2015 Innovation and entrepreneurship were the themes of the Spring Reunion 2015 celebrated graduating classes with years 2014 Annual Dean’s Dinner at the Faculty Club. The evening ending in 0 or 5. From exhibits and lectures to departmental celebrated the Faculty’s top donors while shining the spotlight lunches and dinners, Skule™ grads of all ages found eclectic on students from U of T Engineering’s Entrepreneurship ways to spend their weekend at the St. George campus. Hatchery. PICTURED/ (L-R): BARBARA AND FRANK MILLIGAN (MechE 4T8); PICTURED A/ (L-R): LAURI (ElecE 6T5) AND JEAN HIIVALA, CELEBRATING HIS DEAN CRISTINA AMON; FLORENCE AND SYDNEY COOPER (CivE 4T5); GERALD BIRTHDAY AT HIS 50TH REUNION. PHOTO/ MICHAEL TENAGLIA (MMS 4T3) AND GERALDINE HEFFERNAN.