Engineers Canada Awards
Presented annually since 1972 to recognize outstanding Canadian engineers, teams of engineers, engineering projects and engineering students, the Engineers Canada Awards highlight engineering excellence, as well as the contributions of Canadian engineers to their profession, their community and to the safety and well-being of Canadians.
AWARD OF JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING
MARK LOWEY
Mark Lowey is the publisher and managing editor of EnviroLine, a business publication for western Canada's environmental industry. As a journalist, he has garnered numerous awards, including two national science-writing awards from the Canadian Science Writers' Association and a Governor General's Michener Citation. Mr. Lowey's award-winning article 'Pipe Dream' focused on assessing the risks and potential hazards of two proposed oil sands export pipelines. His balanced and comprehensively researched article offered clear, up-to-date information on the potential risks associated with diluted bitumen when spilled into a marine environment.
AWARD FOR THE SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
LIANNA MAH, M.Eng., FEC, P.Eng.
A civil engineering graduate from UBC, Lianna Mah has more than 29 years of experience in engineering consultation, with a specialization in wastewater, water and civil engineering projects. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to support the advancement of women in the profession. Her role as vice-president, Business Development, her appointment to the board at Associated Engineering, and her passionate service to many organizations, including the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT), make her an exceptional role model for women and future engineers.
Meritorious Service Award for Community Service
MARISA E. STERLING, P.Eng.
Marisa Sterling is currently the assistant dean, Inclusivity and Diversity, at the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University. She has always shown a deep dedication to her profession and to the larger community she serves. Elected as president of the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education, Ms. Sterling has directly helped 532 undergraduate engineering students address the affordability imbalance of their education costs. She has supported many charitable endeavours, including the North York General Hospital's Emergency and Child & Teen Programs, the Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Program, along with AURA, a local refugee sponsorship facilitator, to name but a few.
MEDAL FOR DISTINCTION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
NANCY NELSON, M.Sc.(T), P.Eng.
Nancy Nelson, professor of Electronic Systems Engineering at Conestoga College, has demonstrated commitment to excellence and innovation in engineering education throughout her career. At every opportunity, Ms. Nelson incorporates new and relevant teaching methodologies into her classroom to engage and motivate her students. After extensive research in the field, she pioneered Project Based Learning (PBL) with the creation of a highly effective, four-year, Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) degree program. Collaborating with local primary and secondary schools, and outreach activities such as Go ENG Girl, Day with a Difference and Cyber Olympiad, Ms. Nelson continues to be an unflagging advocate for engineering education and careers.
GOLD MEDAL STUDENT AWARD
DR. DONALD MAVINIC, PhD, FCAE, P.Eng.
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Donald Mavinic is considered to be one of the finest researchers in Canada on wastewater and water treatment processes. Dr. Mavinic was instrumental in the development of the Pearl Nutrient Recovery Process, which recovers nutrients from wastewater, transforming a costly problem into a valuable product, a transformative change in wastewater treatment that is a positive example of what can be achieved through engineering and science. His contribution to the profession, at all levels, nationally and internationally, and at the most senior levels, is exceptional. Through it all, Dr. Mavinic remains well grounded and active in the community, contributing his time and energy to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Lower Mainland Bureau Toy Drive and the B.C. Children's Hospital.
GOLD MEDAL AWARD
ANDRÉ MARCHILDON
A remarkable, energetic and focused student, André Marchildon is completing his fourth year at the University of Manitoba in the Mechanical Engineering Program. As the senior stick president, he represents over 1,700 undergraduates working with a council of 90 dedicated student leaders, managing a budget of $250,000. Mr. Marchildon has held leadership positions in several organizations including the University of Manitoba Engineering Society and the Congress of the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students, and was a cabinet minister in the Manitoba French Youth Parliament. He also gives his time to St. Amant, working with those who have developmental disabilities. As busy as he is, Mr. Marchildon has maintained an outstanding academic record – he is a young man well prepared for an exciting career in the field of engineering.
Young Engineering Achievement Award
SELENA WILSON, P.Eng.
Talented, ambitious and passionate, transportation engineer Selena Wilson has over 11 years of engineering design and project management experience. Ms. Wilson has led design teams for numerous projects, securing increasingly significant roles and key responsibilities. Since her recent promotion to branch manager of the Prince Rupert office of McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., Ms. Wilson has grown her staff from a team of two to 12. Extremely dedicated to her profession, Ms. Wilson is also involved in Young Professional Groups provincially, nationally and internationally.
Meritorious Service Award for Professional Service
ANDREW MILL, FEC, P.Eng., Struct.Eng.
A structural engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in the field, Andrew Mill is a partner at the vibrant multi-discipline engineering and architecture firm, David Nairne and Associates in Vancouver. His area of expertise is in seismic risk assessment and the upgrading of buildings. Mr. Mill chairs APEGBC's Seismic Peer Review Committee, which develops world-class seismic assessment and upgrade guidelines for schools and other high-risk buildings. Mr. Mill's technical expertise combined with his selfless dedication is an invaluable contribution to his profession and the public.
National Award for an Engineering Project or Achievement
SUNMINE
Initiated by Michel de Spot, P.Eng. of EcoSmart Foundation Inc., SunMine is British Columbia's first grid-connected solar facility as well as the first such facility to be built on a reclaimed mine site. With 4,000 solar cell modules mounted on 96 solar trackers that follow the sun, the site provides about 40 per cent more energy than a traditional fixed system. Owned and operated by the City of Kimberley, B.C., SunMine's success was the result of the exceptional collaboration of its key partners, Teck Resources Ltd., the City of Kimberley, BC Hydro, and EcoSmart. SunMine has also become a centre of excellence, showcasing leading-edge solar technologies.
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