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Displaying 16 - 27 of 27
Christine MacKinnon Snippet A
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Abstract: Agricultural engineer and public servant Christine MacKinnon describes her first engineering job, designing farm buildings in Nova Scotia. She and her boss travelled to a lot of farms, where she was frequently told "you don't look like the last engineer that we had out here!" She quickly recognized techniques necessary to earn the trust of farmers. She also recalls, as a woman starting in the… more
Chan Warisinghe Snippet A
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Abstract: Civil transportation engineer Dr. Chan Wirasinghe describes the basis of his analytical models to optimize the geometric design of airports. In particular, selecting the number of "pier fingers" and the number of departure/arrival gates at each finger, defines the average time it will take a passenger to walk to the gates. Other airports have "satellites", so the analysis can determine the… more
Suzelle Barrington Snippet A
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Abstract: Environmental engineer Dr. Suzelle Barrington offers suggestions on changing the engineering workplace to encourage diversity. Government policies and programs to encourage the employment of workers with diverse backgrounds are a start. Bosses should be able to use human resources personnel to improve workplace environments. But there are subconscious biases still out there, some consulting firms… more
Monique Frize Snippet A
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Abstract: Biomedical engineer Dr. Monique Frize describes her "best project", a system for intensive care of infants – a software program that provides physicians and parents with decision assistance. It provides the physician with relevant data, predicts mortality, potential complications, duration of ventilation, and duration of stay. It provides parents with definitions of common medical terms and… more
Fred Dermarkar Snippet A
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Abstract: Nuclear engineer Fred Dermarkar describes the importance of humility in complimenting teamwork. "If you want to get things done, you really need to view everyone as your equal and everyone as someone you can learn from." He reflects on the successful application of this philosophy to a team of thousands that complete a very challenging response to a major nuclear accident.
Ken Putt Snippet A
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Abstract: Metallurgical engineer Ken Putt describes his role overseeing the building of the Strathcona Refinery at Edmonton, then the biggest project that his employer, Imperial Oil, had ever done. The new refinery replaced existing refineries in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg, and its product was pipelined to Vancouver, Winnipeg, and points between. He was the owner's representative on the design… more
Madiha Kotb Snippet A
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Abstract: Mechanical engineer Madiha Kotb describes her calling as "engineers do fix things". Life-saving equipment found in hospitals is designed and maintained by engineers. Society takes engineering achievements for granted, even though they are essential and everywhere in every-day life: from plumbing fixtures to electricity to the buildings that we live in. "Unfortunately", she says, "engineers did… more
Willy Kotiuga Snippet A
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Abstract: Power systems engineer Willy Kotiuga describes his latest endeavour – enrolling in a Master of Fine Arts program at Kings College Halifax – primarily to prevent his untold stories from getting lost. The intention is to educate the next generation, allowing them to learn primarily from his mistakes. He was surprised, after authoring many reports and documents, by how his Creative Nonfiction… more
Tracy Primeau Snippet A
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Abstract: Tracy Primeau recalls a "huge" transport leak that occurred while she was working as a field operator at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station in 1994. They had to go into the reactor and manually close a valve after the unit came offline. The event, and response, became well known in the nuclear industry and formed the basis of changes to design and operating practices. Then she experienced a… more
Robin Black Snippet A
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Abstract: Biomedical Engineer Robin Black thinks he more-or-less stumbled into his career in Engineering. In high school, he didn't know anyone who was an engineer. He was interested in medicine because his father and grandfather had been medical doctors. He started a biology program at McMaster, but when he found out that no one from that program at McMaster ever got into medicine, he switched to… more
Paul Thompson Snippet A
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Abstract: Nuclear engineer Paul Thompson talks about what's next on his agenda. "I am particularly interested in the potential merging and applications between nuclear and hydrogen." He stresses, given climate change concerns, the importance of getting nuclear established in areas of Canada that don't have hydro-electric power. "I think there's tremendous synergies in the advanced reactors, which are high… more
John Plant Snippet A
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Abstract: Electrical engineer and former President of Royal Military College, Dr. John Plant, reflects on the responsibilities of a professional engineer – "protect the public." He describes the Iron Ring "Society", where newly graduated engineering students receive an iron ring by attending a ceremony written by Rudyard Kipling. He recalls Kipling's poem, "The Sons of Martha" – "who strive to help the… more