Awardees
Read more about each of this year's esteemed Ontario Professional Engineers Awards (OPEA) recipients and their contributions to the engineering profession.
The Gold Medal
Brian J. Bonnick, BESc, P.Eng.
Executive Vice President, Technology & Chief Technology Officer, Imax Corp.
Executive Vice President, Technology & Chief Technology Officer, Imax Corp.
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Over four decades, Brian Bonnick has combined his engineering skills and business acumen with a superior work ethic to deliver success, innovation and profits to six Canadian corporations.
With 20 years of engineering and senior management success at Nortel, Mitel, Amdhal and Electrohome—increasing market share, profitability and employee satisfaction at his various firms—Bonnick was well prepared for his new role when he joined IMAX Corp. in 1999 as vice president, research & technology. He was instrumental in turning the firm around by championing the development of the IMAX digital remastering technology— a proprietary system designed to digitally re-master Hollywood blockbuster movies in IMAX format and enabling the company to enter the commercial Hollywood film market. The change in corporate focus resulted in an increase in the number of IMAX-based theatres worldwide from 40 to more than 1500. Bonnick then headed the development of the IMAX MPX theatre system, which allows theatres to dramatically improve their audio sound systems and resulted in six patents in the fields of acoustics and theatre design. An expert in the field of projection technology, theatre design and acoustics, his most recent achievement is the firm’s largest-ever R&D project—a new generation of laser projection and sound systems that provides audiences a more immersive and visceral viewing experience. As an engineer, Bonnick holds several patents related to the movie business, including:
Beyond his professional and engineering achievements, Bonnick is an active volunteer, mentoring high school students considering engineering studies and supporting engineering teams participating at the FIRST North American robotics competitions. He freely gives his time, financial resources and passion to a broad group of charitable organizations including: Western Engineering Student Endowment Laboratory Fund, United Way, Movember, KidsFest, Sick Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, West Parry Sound Health Center, and the Corporation of the Township of Seguin. Bonnick also volunteers as a board member on the Lake Rosseau North Association, which has raised funds to refurbish the local lighthouse, and contributes funds to the community fire boat and nursing station. |
Engineering Medal – Engineering Excellence
John McPhee, PhD, P.Eng., FEIC, FCAE, FASME, FCSME
Professor, University of Waterloo; Canada Research Chair in System Dynamics
Professor, University of Waterloo; Canada Research Chair in System Dynamics
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A professor of systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo and Canada Research Chair in System Dynamics, Dr. John McPhee has devoted his career to studying things that move—researching the modelling, control, simulation and design of dynamic physical systems.
The impact of Dr. McPhee’s research has been influential. He pioneered the use of linear graph theory and symbolic computing to model dynamic systems, providing a powerful systems-level design methodology that allows engineers to model and simulate the impact of individual components on overall performance of multi-domain systems (such as hybrid electric vehicles) within a single design package. His research algorithms have been commercialized by Canadian engineering software firm Maplesoft and are a core component of its MapleSim modelling software, which is used by companies across the globe, including major automotive companies such as Toyota and Ford, as well as NASA JPL, MOOG and Canon, to name a few. Dr. McPhee is also the director of the University of Waterloo’s Motion Research Group, which brings together students and professionals who develop computer models of the real world. These models are used to improve the design and model-based control of mechanical, mechatronic and biomechatronic systems, with applications in everything from autonomous vehicles, to rehabilitation robots and sports equipment. The group uses advanced mathematics, physics and chemistry to develop equations that govern the dynamic response of a system. The equations are used to create computer simulations that can predict the efficiency, time response and effectiveness of a product, controller, or system. The technology lets engineers know how a new product will perform before it’s even built. Dr. McPhee is a member of the Golf Digest technical panel and has served as the associate editor of seven international journals—two of which he helped found. He was also a co-founder of the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR), which has become the largest academic cluster for automotive engineering research in Canada. His intellectual achievements are published in 133 journal papers and 153 conference papers, and have been recognized by eight Best Paper awards, the CSME I.W. Smith Award, an NSERC Discovery Accelerator Grant, and the NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation. |
Engineering Medal – Management
Irene Sterian, P.Eng.
Director, Technology & Innovation, Celestica Inc.
Director, Technology & Innovation, Celestica Inc.
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With over 30 years as an engineering executive, Irene Sterian is a technology and innovation leader, and a driving force in the future of manufacturing in Canada.
As director, technology and innovation at Celestica, Sterian manages a global team of senior engineers to provide electronics technology solutions for healthcare, industry, aerospace, defense, enterprise, telecommunication and the solar market. She holds a patent in high-density, high-performance memory circuit package design and has published over 30 technical papers. She began her engineering career at IBM, where her engineering management skills led to several achievements, including leading development of the first five surface-mount technology assembly lines at IBM Canada; and introducing the first flip chip assembly technology in Canada to enable electronics miniaturization of PCMCIA cards. Since joining Celestica in 1994, Sterian has managed teams of over 50 engineers from around the world, providing advanced technologies for healthcare, industry, renewable energy, aerospace, defense, enterprise and telecommunications electronics. Her achievements include leading a team of engineers, customers and industry groups to bring lead-free solders into the manufacturing mainstream; and leveraging the Ontario Green Energy Act to develop a solar manufacturing plant at Celestica Canada. Partnering with academia, equipment suppliers and industry associations, the team formed a solar hub in Toronto and created a technology roadmap for green energy manufacturing in Ontario. In 2014, Sterian founded the Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process Network (ReMAP), a $25 million innovation accelerator jointly funded by the Business-Led Network of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program and its partners. As president & CEO of ReMAP, Sterian has formed an integrated shared ecosystem dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of innovations developed in Canada for the global market. Through shared resources, 46 labs and manufacturing lines across Canada, ReMAP creates a supply chain of start-ups, small-medium enterprises, large organizations and research institutions to focus on hardware optimization, advanced manufacturing and electronics innovations. To date, this group has attracted $55 million in foreign investment and revenues, built 195 prototypes and scaled 30 products to market. |
Engineering Medal – Research and Development
Milica Radisic, PhD, P.Eng., FCAE, FRSC, FTERM, FAIMBE
Professor, University of Toronto; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering
Professor, University of Toronto; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering
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A University of Toronto professor in the Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Dr. Milica Radisic is an international leader in cardiac tissue engineering—building living heart tissue in the laboratory using stem cells and biomaterials. A 2011 recipient of an Ontario Professional Engineers Award in the Young Engineer category, she was the first to use chronic electrical field stimulation to enable assembly of individual heart cells into functional and differentiated cardiac tissue. She also tackled the field's hardest problem—immaturity of stem-cell-derived heart cells—maturing these cells to unprecedented levels with electro-stimulation. In addition, she demonstrated how to use stem cells to make specific atrial versus ventricular tissue and model the effects of high blood pressure on human heart muscle using stem cells derived from patients with hypertension.
A Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Dr. Radisic pioneered a heart-on-a-chip technology—a cardiac contractility assay called Biowire. Working with cardiologists, she is using stem cells derived from adult and pediatric patients with arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy to build personalized heart tissues. Through sophisticated molecular analysis, the team is delineating the physiology of disease and tailoring drug therapies in a personalized way. Although the Biowire technology demonstrated impressive tissue maturation levels, it did not include perfusable vasculature like real human tissue. In response to this challenge, she developed AngioChip, a new technology for vascularization of tissues for organ-on-a-chip engineering, tissue engineering, and implantation. AngioChip enables the creation of functional heart and liver tissue with built-in blood vessel networks. Both technologies are commercially developed through her company, TARA Biosystems. As a result of these breakthroughs, Dr. Radisic has made transformational advances in tissue engineering, impacting the drug discovery process by pharmaceutical companies and revolutionizing patient therapy. An inspiration and mentor to researchers across the world, her research findings were presented in over 160 research papers, reviews and book chapters with h-index of 54 and in over 10,000 citations. To recognize her stellar scholarship and contributions, she has received a number of prestigious awards, including MIT Technology Review Top 35 Innovators under 35, Engineers Canada Young Engineer Achievement Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, NSERC E.W.R Steacie Fellowship, and YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award. |
Zheng Hong (George) Zhu, PhD, P.Eng., FEIC, FCSME, FASME, AFAIAA, SMIEEE
Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University
Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University
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A Tier 1 York University Research Chair in Space Technology, Dr. George Zhu has made significant impacts in the aerospace industry. His most important achievement is the autonomous capture and removal of space debris using a novel fuel-less propulsion technology based on electrodynamic tethers.
In 2015, Dr. Zhu was awarded a grant by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to demonstrate the technology in space using the CubeSat platform. The successful demonstration would change the design and operation of future spacecraft and rockets, which are required to re-enter Earth's atmosphere within 25 years after a mission. In 2018, he was awarded another CSA grant to design, build, launch and operate a CubeSat for observing permafrost thawing in northern Canada. The thawing permafrost will release locked greenhouse gases into earth’s atmosphere and exacerbate the effects of global climate change. Dr. Zhu is the only professor who is leading two Canadian CubeSat missions as a principal investigator in Canada. In addition, Dr. Zhu supported the development of a revolutionary technology by Pratt Whitney Canada, which changes the composition of the gas turbine component from metal to nano-coating composite material. This technology is much lighter in weight and can be applied to various engine components and applications. In 2018, the patented technology won the Luke Hobbs Technology & Innovation Award. Dr. Zhu is a world-renowned mentor and leader in mechanical engineering education and research. A mechanical engineering professor, a member of the University Senate, and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at York University, he developed new professional development programs for engineers-in-training, leads research teams for large-scale interdisciplinary research projects, mentors junior faculty members and engages youth in the community to learn about the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Dr. Zhu has a remarkable track record in research publications, including four book chapters and 262 publications. He has attracted over $7 million in support from the CSA, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Ontario Research Fund, nationally; and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Qatar National Research Funds, internationally. Dr. Zhu is recognized as the Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and the member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, Royal Society of Canada. |
Engineering Medal – Entrepreneurship
Milos Popovic, PhD, FAimbe, fcae, P.Eng.
Professor, University of Toronto; dIRECTOR, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network
Professor, University of Toronto; dIRECTOR, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network
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A world-renowned neural engineer and University of Toronto professor, Dr. Milos R. Popovic saw the urgency in preventing and solving problems for patients with spinal cord injuries. He invented the MyndMove therapy, a non-invasive electrical stimulation therapy for restoring upper limb function in people with severe upper limb paralysis due to conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. His discoveries in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) therapy are revolutionizing the field and making a major impact on modern rehabilitation, helping over 300 individuals with upper limb paralysis to restore their arm and hand function.
A 2008 recipient of an Ontario Professional Engineers Award in the Research and Development category, Dr. Popovic co-founded MyndTec to launch MyndMove commercially, leasing the technology to rehabilitation clinics. He serves as director and chief technology officer and is involved in all aspects of product design, as well as building its intellectual property portfolio and securing regulatory approval. With six patents to his name, the system is now available in approximately 20 clinics across Canada and the US, with another 70 in the works. MyndTec's technology is currently being validated in a large clinical trial across North America, funded by a multi-million dollar grant by the US Department of Defense. Continuing to innovate and providing patients an opportunity to regain their lives, Dr. Popovic also co-founded the CentRe for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto. Under his leadership as director, this interdisciplinary research initiative received an unprecedented $16.3 million in funding to create advanced neuromodulation therapies. The team will develop methods of treating neurological diseases using electrical stimulation of the brain. CRANIA will train the next generation of engineers to advance neuromodulation and develop programs to accelerate the commercialization of new electrical treatments of the brain and nervous system. Since 1997, Dr. Popovic has won numerous honours for his work, including: the Swiss National Science Foundation Technology Transfer Award; Best Intellectual Property Award at the annual TiEQuest Business Venture Competition; the Morris (Mickey) Milner Award for outstanding contributions in the area of assistive technologies from the Health Technology Exchange; and the University Health Network’s Inventor of the Year Award. |
Engineering Medal – Young Engineer
Shoshanna Saxe, PhD, P.Eng.
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
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An assistant professor with the University of Toronto’s Civil and Mineral Engineering faculty, Dr. Shoshanna Saxe's research examines the societal impact of infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable urban infrastructure, mega infrastructure, transit infrastructure and urban materials flows.
Her main expertise is in life cycle greenhouse gas evaluation of horizontal infrastructure (roads, rail, pipes), including the impacts of construction, operation, travel behaviour and interactions with land use. A civil engineer by training, she was employed at Arup Toronto, where she worked on the design and construction of four Toronto subway stations and the Billy Bishop Airport tunnel. During this time, she co-created iBorehole, an Apple app for geotechnical borehole logging. After returning to academia to work on her PhD, Dr. Saxe conducted a detailed analysis of the London Underground's Jubilee line extension and Toronto's Sheppard subway. She gathered data on the greenhouse gases produced during construction and operation of the line, and saved from travel and land use change, to calculate the GHG payback period for rail construction. The work highlights the environmental implications of infrastructure construction and the need for significant changes in planning, construction and management of infrastructure to meet sustainability commitments. Dr. Saxe developed the new University of Toronto graduate class "Large Scale Infrastructure and Sustainability," which explores what sustainability means in the context of infrastructure development, examines infrastructure needs and sustainability at the global and project scale, and provides students with the necessary tools to have an impact on infrastructure sustainability. Her published work includes: "Measuring the completeness of complete streets," Transport Reviews; “The greenhouse gas impact of the Sheppard Subway Line" Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment; “The Relationship between Airport Infrastructure and Flight Arrivals in Remote Northern Canadian Communities.” Artic; and “Accessing the Toronto Subway: Access by Mode and Catchment Area.” Transportation Research Record. Dr. Saxe is an alumna of Action Canada, a member of the Transportation Research Board’s standing committee on Transportation and Sustainability, and sits on Waterfront Toronto’s Capital Peer Review Panel. |
Citizenship Award
Jaime A. Libaque-Esaine, MBA, P.Eng.
Retired
Retired
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Following his immigration to Canada in 1981, licensure as professional engineer in 1982 and the start of a long career at Ontario Hydro, Jaime A. Libaque-Esaine immersed himself as a volunteer and community leader—dedicating himself to improving the lives of at least 35,000 people. Starting out with work within his own Peruvian-Canadian community, he soon joined the Canadian Hispanic Congress, an umbrella national organization aiming to improve the lives of Hispanic-Canadians, where he was elected its president for Ontario. While advocating on a wide range of issues (social service, maintaining culture, access to trades and professions, etc.), he worked tirelessly with more than 70 ethnic-based organizations. As a founding member of the Hispanic-Canadian Professionals, he organized a project to assist international engineering graduates attain licensure with PEO.
As a member of the St. Lawrence Martyr Parish for the last 20 years, he has been actively involved in many church-related projects, including chairing a "Family of Faith'' fund-raising campaign for the parish and Archdiocese of Toronto, which raised $510,000. A founding member of the Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence Council in Scarborough, he helped grow the organization and led the development of 20 programs benefiting the local Scarborough community; the Toronto East region and the Knights of Columbus. He is the recipient of several awards including the Ontario Citizenship Award; the University of Toronto Jane Tyreman Award, the Inergi/Capgemini Star Performer Award and the Knights of Columbus Star Council Award. |
Ronald Sidon, MBA, P.Eng.
Retired
Retired
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An accomplished engineer and entrepreneur with several inventions and patents to his name, Ronald Sidon has a career-long history of volunteering and philanthropy, giving back to the engineering profession and the community. After a stint as a systems analyst with IBM, Sidon started five businesses that developed several innovative technologies, including the first electronic cream-dispensing machine seen at Tim Horton’s, a heated tunnel for wrapping new cars in a protective coating for transport and a residential condensate removal pump.
Sidon has given back to the engineering profession by mentoring engineering students, young engineers and engineering start-ups. He contributes extensively to his alma mater, the University of Toronto, working with students in design courses, fundraising to provide undergraduate and graduate scholarships and contributing to the new Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He also volunteers his time to help several small engineering-based companies in Ontario including iMerciv Inc., which developed a sonar-based obstacle detection device for the visually impaired; Good Robot, which creates technology that allows seniors to live independently; and Blade Filters, which is developing a recyclable carbon filter for the cannabis growing industry. In addition, Sidon offered assistance and funding to the restoration of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) pedestrian bridge in his local community. Working with municipal officials and a team of engineers and architects, the community bridge was designed to be fully accessible. This community landmark reopened and now bears his name. A dedicated and committed engineer and volunteer, Sidon has also made extensive contributions internationally. In Tanzania, he was the primary donor and spearheaded a project that supplies water to 3,500 rural residents, worked with a charity that distributes soccer equipment to children’s soccer teams, and funded the construction of a building for teachers and a kitchen for volunteer parents to cook meals for students. Since retiring, Sidon continues to innovate and volunteer his time. At Tetra Society, he helps create customized assistive devices for people with physical disabilities. He designed and built a wheelchair attachment to carry a baby, various baby crib modifications, an iPad holder that mounts to wheelchairs, and unique handrail applications. |
Award for Engineering Project or Achievement
Bombardier Global 7500 Business Jet
Scott Goobie, P.Eng.
Engineering Technical Fellow – Aircraft Integration, Bombardier Business Aircraft
Scott Goobie, P.Eng.
Engineering Technical Fellow – Aircraft Integration, Bombardier Business Aircraft
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Developed over the past decade and involving the work of over 2000 engineers from Bombardier, its suppliers, academic partners and technical consultants, Bombardier’s new Global 7500 aircraft is the world’s largest and longest-range business jet. Developed and built at Bombardier's Toronto location, this achievement has had a significant impact on the Ontario aerospace sector and was led by the innovative expertise of Ontario engineers. The project’s engineering involved millions of person hours of engineering work, using technologies developed through years of advanced research with Bombardier research partners including the University of Toronto (U of T) Institute for Aerospace studies and Ryerson University.
The Global 7500 program launch in 2010 and achieved certification and Entry into Service in 2018, a monumental achievement in today's aerospace industry. The Global 7500 is a game-changer for business jet design and boasts several industry-leading innovations, including:
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