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Meet Christina Mei, First Year MASc student

Christina Mei holds up her lab-on-a-chip device.

The department awarded First Year MASc student Christina Mei first place for her oral presentation at this year’s Graduate Research Symposium held on June 27. We visited her lab to learn more about her experience that day, as well as her thoughts on being a grad student at MIE.

Tell us a bit about your research.
My research focuses on developing a microfluidic platform for studying the impact of exercise on breast cancer bone metastasis, which is the migration of breast cancer to the bone. I am working under the supervision of Dr. Lidan You.

What inspired you to study this topic?
I developed interest in microfluidics during summer research in Second Year undergrad here at MIE. Coming from an engineering background and having a strong interest in biomed, I am especially interested in using microfluidic devices to design tools that can help scientists to study biological diseases in vitro.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the symposium?
Translating biological language into terms that engineers can understand was the biggest challenge. I had to rehearse in front of people with different backgrounds to see if they could understand.

What was the biggest surprise about being a grad student?
The importance of the research environment. I think having a supportive supervisor and supportive colleagues help you to thrive in a research environment.

What’s the best aspect of the MIE department in your view?
MIE creates a very diverse research environment, where I’m exposed to a huge variety of research topics. It is especially beneficial for my own research, because my project is a combination of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering.

If you could give one piece of advice to current or future grad students, what would it be?
Research is difficult. You want to work on something you are passionate about, so that you have the drive to conquer these difficulties.

 

My Experience as an Exchange Student in Lund University, Sweden

by Mitchell Beacom, MechE 1T7

Trolltunga Hike: Odda, Norway

Ready to explore a new culture and part of the world, I applied to the Centre for International Experience exchange program in my second year. I have always been fascinated with Sweden – the reputed progressive, socialist paradise with beautiful nature, advanced technological innovation, and welcoming people. After being accepted to study for a semester in my third year of mechanical engineering at Lund University, I prepared to leave Toronto full of hope that this place could match my imagination.

When I landed I was immediately greeted by a huge team of volunteers welcoming exchange students from around the world. With everyone starting new, it was easy to make friends with people from places as far as Germany and Brazil.

Lund University has a vibrant student life system called Nations. These completely student-run groups hold social events, daily meals, and parties in historic houses. Nations are entirely open to all students enrolled the University.  I was quickly thrust into a full schedule of events. A typical Swedish night out involves a regimented schedule of a big communal meal, pre-parties, a succession of main parties, and after-parties. After enjoying a night out or a big meal, each of us took turns volunteering for the next event.

Looking to make new friends, I tried the Canadian tactic of talking to everyone everywhere about anything. This was met with wide-eyed looks. In Sweden, only the truly insane would talk to a stranger on a bus about the weather. Many of my Canadian customs wouldn’t do either. My holding a door open for others was perceived as a sign of misogyny, a practice reminiscent of an archaic era in a society leading the world in gender equality. It was time to adapt.

I studied Mechanical Engineering with a diverse and small group of both Swedish and international students, making group projects a lesson in different cultures and customs. I took advantage of the opportunity to study the highly specialized subjects of turbine design, advanced fracture mechanics, and heat transfer. These courses provided incredible exposure to Swedish innovation including: trips to industry leading producers of heat exchangers, guest lectures from turbine research specialists in alternative fuel combustion, and applied project work with startups at the innovation center. Benefiting from greater awareness of where my degree could lead, I am now committed to pursuing a Master’s degree.

Outside of class, I had a group of friends eager to explore Scandinavia and even to host me across Europe. I took every opportunity to travel and explore, from hiking in the fjords in Norway and dog sledding in the Arctic circle in Sweden to crashing with friends across Europe.

Road Trip Stop: Stavanger, Norway

The exchange semester flew by and it was time to say goodbye to my international community and Swedish friends. After starting from scratch in a foreign country and studying in such an international environment, I was ready to do it again. I secured an industry placement year at Airbus, a global aeronautical company in England. I completed an additional year abroad having worked on commercial aircraft wing structures design optimization for manufacturing and assembly.

I would highly recommend anyone to apply for the CIE exchange program. It has been the defining experience in my undergraduate program, which has had an incredibly positive impact on both my personal and academic life. I flew back to Toronto ready for my final year and excited for the new opportunities exchange has made possible.

A look at the close-knit industrial engineering class of ‘64

Names from left to right: Roger Jacobs, Stan Gasner, Bryan Elwood, John Acheson, Bill Mossie Ron Evans, Marcel Lamoureux,, Tom Crawford, Dave Talbot

Written by Stan  Gasner (IndE 6T4)

On July 14, the industrial engineering class of 6T4 had one of their impromptu reunions at the Keating Channel Pub in Toronto.

Our reunions generally are every two to three years or as the occasion requires, such as our 50th anniversary in 2014.

The occasion for the latest reunion was due to our farthest away classmate and oldest member, Bill Mossie (pictured centre), who resides in Los Angeles, deciding to come to Toronto. Bill fought in the Korean War and saw his share of action, is 85 years old and proud of it. Bill’s philosophy is that his metabolism is such that he will live to 105, which means he will have to organize his own reunion-of-one and he can have it in LA.

The attendance was 12 guys and not our normal total of about 18 due to Bill’s short notice. We have a great group and our reunions include spouses who all know each other.

IndE 6T4 started at U of T in 1960 when industrial engineering program still had some basic engineering subjects. We saw our course gradually change to a more systems engineering orientation with all kinds of higher mathematics subjects like control theory, operations research, programming etc. The overall result of our four years gave us a varied education in many fields as well as a good basis of actual engineering.

During our stint at U of T, our class did not just sit around – we took part in the Toike Oike, Athletic Society, Debating, Skule Nite, Ice Palace design, Engineering Stores, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Water Polo, Charities, Grad Ball, IE Club plus a few more.

The main thing that we learned, however, was how to think (and maybe drink). As a result, on graduation, our class entered many varied and impressive fields, such as consulting engineering, manufacturing, computers, medicine, charities, accounting and teaching.

Our class graduated 21 students, and we are still 21. We, unfortunately, lost Marv Mandlebaum in 2009 but also added an honouree 6T4 member, Dave Talbot, a graduate of 6T5. It has been 53 years since we received our degrees from U of T Engineering, and our friendship and bond only grows stronger. I am already looking forward to our next 6T4 reunion in 2019 to celebrate IE’s 55th anniversary.

Government of Canada: Canada Research Chair – Novel Optimization and Analytics in Health
Timothy C. Y. Chan

Place holder

What to add here – should we link directly to UG Exchange for now? The only opportunity we have so far is NUSIP that is a regular thing.

Volume 7, Number 45

 

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MIE Newsletter MIE Newsletter MIE Newsletter MIE Newsletter

MIE recently invited this year’s symposium volunteers and organizing committee to an appreciation lunch to thank them for making this year’s event another big success. Thank you, Grad Symposium volunteers, organizing committee and Professor Edmond Young! See photos.

Chair’s Office

June 28, 2016

Volume 7, Issue 45
In this issue:

Research Activities
Honours & Awards
Graduate Studies
Undergraduate Studies
Job Opportunities
Archives
Connect

mackayMatthew Mackay promoted to Associate Professor in Teaching Stream

Congratulations to Professor Matthew Mackay who has been promoted to Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, as of July 1, 2016.

 

 

canada flagUniversity Closure: Canada Day

The University will be closed for the Canada Day holiday on Friday, July 1. The machine shop will close at 2 p.m. and department offices will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 30.

Summer Hours begin July 4

Summer hours begin on July 2 and end September 2. Department administrative/technical offices will close 30 minutes earlier.

MIE Newsletter goes bi-weekly in July and August

The MIE Newsletter will be published bi-weekly for July and August. Look out for the next issue on Tuesday, July 12.

Research Activities

Research Grants and Opportunities

Honours & Awards

award11 U of T Engineering professors and alumni inducted into Canadian Academy of Engineering
Professor Murray Thomson and alumna Elizabeth Croft (PhD MechE 9T5) among 11 members of the U of T Engineering community inducted as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). Read more.

Graduate Studies

2016-17 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applicants to submit complete applications as a single pdf file to the Vice Dean Graduate Office gradstudies@ecf.utoronto.ca by Friday, August 19.

INFORMS introduces new competition for tomorrow’s leaders in OR and Analytics
INFORMS is introducing a new undergrad and Master’s student competition in OR and Analytics. Teams of students will use the same data set and software systems to solve a challenging business problem using an OR/Analytics approach. A panel of industry experts will judge their submissions.

Connect Artificial Intelligence 2016

Do you have a cool idea? Is there a product or service you would love to use if it existed? Connect Artificial Intelligence 2016 is all about turning innovative ideas into reality. Send us your contact information with a brief description of your idea/project. If you have question or comments, please contact: mrfazeli@mie.utoronto.ca.

PhD Final Oral Exam
Nickolas Eaves, “The Effect of Reversibility and High Pressure on Soot Formation”
Date: Monday, June 27
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Room 331, Mechanical Building, 5 King’s College Road
Exam Committee: Professors Murray Thomson (supervisor), Seth Dworkin (co-supervisor), Omer Gulder, Markus Bussmann
External Examiner: Professor Heinz Pitsch, RWTH Aachen University

PhD Final Oral Exam
Jim Kuo, “Enhanced Layout Optimization and Wind Aerodynamic Models for Wind Farm Design”
Date: Thursday, June 30
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Room BA2001, 44 St. George Street
Exam Committee: Professors Cristina Amon (supervisor), Timothy Chan, David Sinton, Amy Bilton
External Examiner: Professor J.M. Floryan, Western University

MASc Oral Exam
Jeanne Xie: “Gaming to Safety: The Design and Evaluation of Feedback Gamification for Mitigating Driver Distraction”
Date: Friday, August 12
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: MB101
Exam committee: Birsen Donmez, Birsen Donmez, Mark Chignell, Greg Jamieson

Undergraduate Studies

The GREEN Program: Make 2017 the year for sustainable travel

Join The GREEN Program in Peru & Iceland. Are you interested in: sustainable development, gaining first-hand industry exposure and professional skills, and receiving academic credit? Take part in changing the world in just 8 days.

2016 James Dyson Award deadline: July 19
The James Dyson Award is a global search for bright ideas. With a month to go until it closes for entries, this year’s competition has already attracted some ground-breaking solutions, and we are hoping to see even more from Canada. The James Dyson Award challenges young engineers and designers to meet a simple brief: design something that solves a problem. The prize: $60,000 for the international winner, to support them in developing their invention.

DHL Innovation Challenges

Robotics Challenge
This innovation challenge requires to design the prototype of a self-driving delivery cart that can autonomously accompany a postman and woman during last-mile delivery. The prototype must be able to traverse typical urban and rural landscapes at walking speed while carrying parcels, saving the couriers the tiresome task of manually pushing a trolley.

  • Submission Deadline: September 14, 2016
  • The three finalist will be flown to DHL Innovation Center in Germany to showcase their prototype in front of 180+ senior supply chain professionals at the DHL Innovation Day (17th November 2016).
  • Prizes: €10,000 First Place; €3,000 Second Place; €2,000 Third Place

Fair and Responsible Challenge
This challenge invites to come up with original ideas and practical solutions that address and solve environmental and social challenges with new and innovative logistics-based business models. The idea could be about using logistics to facilitate the circular economy, or using global transportation networks to provide fair access in developing and remote regions.

  • Submission Deadline: September 28, 2016
  • The three finalist will be flown to DHL Innovation Center in Germany to showcase their concept in front of 180+ senior supply chain professionals at the DHL Innovation Day (17th November 2016).
  • Prize: €5,000

INFORMS introduces new competition for tomorrow’s leaders in OR and Analytics
INFORMS is introducing a new undergrad and Master’s student competition in OR and Analytics. Teams of students will use the same data set and software systems to solve a challenging business problem using an OR/Analytics approach. A panel of industry experts will judge their submissions.

The Horizons Summer Immersive program

The Horizons Summer Immersive supports 35 outstanding university students in their pursuit to become tomorrow’s leaders in technology. The program is an immersive 3-month summer experience that teaches software engineering and provides students with the network and perspective needed to launch their careers in tech. The program requires no prior computer science or programming knowledge and is open to current university students of all ages. Students develop the arsenal of highly employable software engineers as well as the perspective of entrepreneurs.

ILead’s new Faculty-wide weekly summer program: Engineer Your Future
This summer, the Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (ILead) is launching an 8-week, Faculty-wide program for undergraduates engaged in research or studies. The program is comprised of skill-building workshops, conversations with esteemed guests and three engineering-related field trips. Students will learn about their strengths, engage in reflection on their future direction/career path, and be part of a cohort of students from every engineering discipline.

Call for participants in campus entrepreneurship research study
Are you: Seeking to commercialize or translate your research? An active member of a campus accelerator? Enrolled in an entrepreneurship course or program? Launching or preparing to launch a startup? If so, you are invited to participate in a research study examining the research habits and needs of entrepreneurs affiliated with the University of Toronto. Lean more and complete the survey before September 1, 2016.

Meditation and Yoga at U of T
Looking to relax and de-stress? Join a weekly meditation, yoga or Tai Chi session on campus. Sessions are available on Mondays through Thursdays at a variety of locations on campus.

Upcoming events and announcements:

Job Opportunities

Research Intern » Autodesk

ICAD Developer » Pratt and Whitney Canada

Engineering Intern » Betterfrost Technologies

Business Analyst » ManagingLife

Front-end Developer » ManagingLife

Healthcare positions » General Electric

Computer Vision Engineer » Engineering Services Inc.

Summer internship » Everflex Technologies

Newsletter Archives

Did you miss a past issue of The MIE Newsletter? Find it on the MIE Weekly Newsletter page.

The MIE Newsletter is a weekly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for faculty and staff in the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering department within the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact: newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca.

Connect

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Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto
All contents copyright © Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto.
The University of Toronto respects your privacy. We do not rent, trade or sell our mailing lists. If you have any questions or would like to unsubscribe contact newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca.

Volume 7, Number 44






Mechanical & Industrial Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering | University of Toronto | MIE Newsletter



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MIE Newsletter   MIE Newsletter MIE Newsletter MIE Newsletter
 

Summer aerial view of the St. George campus.

Chair’s Office

  

June 21, 2016

Volume 7, Issue 44
In this issue:

Research Activities
Graduate Studies
Undergraduate Studies
Job Opportunities
Archives
Connect

 
     
 

prideU of T Engineering at Toronto Pride: July 3
This year, join the Blue and Gold, the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad and LGBTQase in celebrating the 35th anniversary of Toronto Pride. Each year, U of T engineers, have a prominent place in the march. In addition, they have rallied LGBTQ groups from other Engineering Schools to join them and they would like as many members of the staff and faculty as possible to join them as well!

Student Machine Shop closed for renovation

The Student Machine Shop will be closed from Monday, June 20 to Friday, July 22, while it undergoes a renovation to expand the facilities. Access to the Professional Machine Shop will also be limited during this time. All students submitting job requests are asked to email ryan@mie.utoronto.ca prior to coming down to the shop.

   
     
 

Research Activities

  
   
 

Research Funding Awarded

landing gearMIE Professor Kamran Behdinan looks to design the next generation of aircraft landing gears
Every time a plane touches the ground – whether it is moving, about to take off or land – what ensures the aircraft’s success, and the safety of its passengers, is the landing gear. Professor Kamran Behdinan (MIE) hopes to improve it. He was recently awarded a $900,000, three-year NSERC Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) grant to make it happen. Learn more.

 

 

 

 

Research Grants and Opportunities
 
     
 

Graduate Studies

  
   
 

2016-17 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applicants to submit complete applications as a single pdf file to the Vice Dean Graduate Office gradstudies@ecf.utoronto.ca by Friday, August 19.

INFORMS introduces new competition for tomorrow’s leaders in OR and Analytics
INFORMS is introducing a new undergrad and Master’s student competition in OR and Analytics. Teams of students will use the same data set and software systems to solve a challenging business problem using an OR/Analytics approach. A panel of industry experts will judge their submissions.

Connect Artificial Intelligence 2016

Do you have a cool idea? Is there a product or service you would love to use if it existed? Connect Artificial Intelligence 2016 is all about turning innovative ideas into reality. Send us your contact information with a brief description of your idea/project. If you have question or comments, please contact: mrfazeli@mie.utoronto.ca.

MASc Oral Exam
Mark Cachia: "Correlation of Membrane Capacitance with Cholesterol Content"
Date: Thursday, June 23
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: BA 8227
Exam committee: Dr. Yu Sun, Dr. Yu Sun, Dr. Axel Guenther, Dr. Jason Maynes

 
     
 

Undergraduate Studies

  
   
 

Summer course: NMC277H1S, The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives

This course will provide a historical and thematic survey of the Crusades from an Islamic perspective. It will examine the Muslim response to the Crusades from the beginning of the movement in 1096 to the end of the Crusader presence in the region in 1291.

Instructor: F. Ragheb
fadi.ragheb@mail.utoronto.ca
Date: June 27 – August 31
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: University College, Room 163

2016 James Dyson Award deadline: July 19
The James Dyson Award is a global search for bright ideas. With a month to go until it closes for entries, this year’s competition has already attracted some ground-breaking solutions, and we are hoping to see even more from Canada. The James Dyson Award challenges young engineers and designers to meet a simple brief: design something that solves a problem. The prize: $60,000 for the international winner, to support them in developing their invention.

INFORMS introduces new competition for tomorrow’s leaders in OR and Analytics
INFORMS is introducing a new undergrad and Master’s student competition in OR and Analytics. Teams of students will use the same data set and software systems to solve a challenging business problem using an OR/Analytics approach. A panel of industry experts will judge their submissions.

The Horizons Summer Immersive program

The Horizons Summer Immersive supports 35 outstanding university students in their pursuit to become tomorrow’s leaders in technology. The program is an immersive 3-month summer experience that teaches software engineering and provides students with the network and perspective needed to launch their careers in tech. The program requires no prior computer science or programming knowledge and is open to current university students of all ages. Students develop the arsenal of highly employable software engineers as well as the perspective of entrepreneurs.

ILead’s new Faculty-wide weekly summer program: Engineer Your Future
This summer, the Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (ILead) is launching an 8-week, Faculty-wide program for undergraduates engaged in research or studies. The program is comprised of skill-building workshops, conversations with esteemed guests and three engineering-related field trips. Students will learn about their strengths, engage in reflection on their future direction/career path, and be part of a cohort of students from every engineering discipline.

Call for participants in campus entrepreneurship research study
Are you: Seeking to commercialize or translate your research? An active member of a campus accelerator? Enrolled in an entrepreneurship course or program? Launching or preparing to launch a startup? If so, you are invited to participate in a research study examining the research habits and needs of entrepreneurs affiliated with the University of Toronto. Lean more and complete the survey before September 1, 2016.

Meditation and Yoga at U of T
Looking to relax and de-stress? Join a weekly meditation, yoga or Tai Chi session on campus. Sessions are available on Mondays through Thursdays at a variety of locations on campus.

Upcoming events and announcements:

 
     
 

Job Opportunities

  
   
 

Engineering Intern » Betterfrost Technologies

Business Analyst » ManagingLife

 

Front-end Developer » ManagingLife

Healthcare positions » General Electric

Computer Vision Engineer » Engineering Services Inc.

Summer internship » Everflex Technologies

Chair, Biomedical Engineering » McGill University

Freelance Mechanical Engineer » Big In Design

 

Globalink Research Internship » Mitacs

Postdoctoral Fellow in Microfluidics for Fertility » SintonLab

  
     
 

 
   
 

 

  
     
 

Newsletter Archives

  
   
 

Did you miss a past issue of The MIE Newsletter? Find it on the MIE Weekly Newsletter page.

The MIE Newsletter is a weekly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for faculty and staff in the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering department within the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact: newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca.

  
     
 

Connect

  
   
 

FacebookFlickrLinkedInTwitterVimeo

 
  Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto  
  All contents copyright © Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto.
The University of Toronto respects your privacy. We do not rent, trade or sell our mailing lists. If you have any questions or would like to unsubscribe contact newsletter@mie.utoronto.ca.		  
     


The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Fellow
Yu Sun

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