TISED STAFF
Subhasis Ghoshal
Director
subhasis.ghoshal [at] mcgill.ca
Subhasis Ghoshal, is a Professor of Civil Engineering and is the Director of TISED. Professor Ghoshal joined McGill after completing his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He served as McGill's Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in the Faculty of Engineering from 2006 to 2012. Prof. Ghoshal has lead several inter-university research projects on the use of biotechnology and nanotechnology for the environmental remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with industrial wastes, as well as on the environmental implications of nanomaterials released from consumer and industrial products. In particular, his laboratory is developing new methods for detecting nanomaterials in environmental samples. In recognition of his research, he was appointed by McGill University as a William Dawson Scholar from 2005-2015, and is the recipient of the Discovery Accelerator Award (2016-2019) from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council. In 2010 he was appointed by the federal Minister for the Environment to the advisory panel to evaluate the environmental impacts of oil sands operations in Alberta. Prof. Ghoshal began his role as Director of TISED in 2013.
Laxmi Sushama
Trottier Chair in Sustainable Engineering & Design
laxmi.sushama [at] mcgill.ca
Laxmi Sushama is a Professor of Civil Engineering and the Trottier Chair in Sustainable Engineering and Design. Following her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Melbourne and postdoctoral research at the University of California, Los Angeles, Prof. Sushama joined UQAM’s Centre pour l'étude et la simulation du climat à l'échelle régionale, where she held a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Regional Climate Modelling, leveraging her research excellence in engineering hydrology, water resources engineering, climate science and earth systems dynamics. By integrating high-latitude climate processes into climate models, her research strongly influenced the most recent Canadian Regional Climate Model used by the Consortium Ouranos to provide regional climate change projections to private industry and the provincial and federal government. Since joining TISED in 2017, her research has been centred on the climate-sustainability nexus with a special emphasis on urban environments, climate resilience of infrastructure, and sustainability in engineering and design. Prof. Sushama is also the principal investigator for the NSERC-funded Canadian Network for Regional Climate and Weather Processes and works closely with federal labs such as Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao
Ram Panda Scholar
jeff.bergthorson [at] mcgill.ca
Professor Zhao, currently serving as the Panda Scholar, directs her research focus to the broader design and manufacturing domain. Her comprehensive approach involves exploring innovative design methodologies, applying manufacturing informatics for Industry 4.0 support, sustainable product development, and integrating artificial intelligence tools for cognitive Manufacturing.In her role as the Panda Scholar, Dr. Zhao specializes in design and Manufacturing, making significant contributions to innovative design approaches, effective numerical simulation methods for additive manufacturing processes, exploration of manufacturing informatics, promotion of sustainable product development, and advancement of intelligent Manufacturing.
Sarah M. Jordaan
Graduate Program Director
sarah.jordaan [at] mcgill.ca
Dr. Sarah Marie Jordaan is an esteemed scholar renowned for her profound knowledge in the realms of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Industrial Ecology. She currently holds the role of Program Director for the Master of Engineering: Sustainability in Engineering and Design program at the prestigious Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED), situated within McGill University.
Monika Skonieczny
Manager
monika.skonieczny [at] mcgill.ca
Monika received her Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and her Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from McGill. Before joining TISED, Monika worked at Concordia University, where she managed the internship program for the Master of Environmental Assessment degree and was responsible for facilitating internships on environmental impact assessment and sustainability with government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and private corporations. Prior to her work in university administration, Monika worked as an Engineer-in-Training for environmental consultants in Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in industrial wastewater treatment, waste management and environmental permitting for coal and power generation industries. Monika has shared responsibilities at TISED and the Brace Water Centre.
Irene Toffolo
Administrative Coordinator
tised [at] mcgill.ca
Irene is an administrative professional with more than 15 years of experience in general administration, including coordination, logistics, customer services, public relations and finance. Her work has included supporting a range of colleagues including high-level management staff and local and international members of boards of directors. She has worked in multiple academic centres and spent the last 10 years with a non-profit organization hosted at McGill University where she played a key role ensuring activities ran smoothly. Irene holds a BA in Sociology from Concordia University, Certificate in Public Relations Management from McGill University and is presently studying to receive her Certified Associate in Project Management designation (CAPM).
Gladys Chan
Student Affairs Administrator
gladys.chan [at] mcgill.ca
Gladys has been a Student Affairs Coordinator at McGill University for over 20 years. She was nominated as an Unsung Hero in McGill’s Bicentennial celebration in 2022, and was the recipient of the Award of Excellence in the Faculty of Engineering in 2013.
Parisa Hassani
Digital Communications & Outreach Associate
parisa.hassani [at] mcgill.ca
Parisa graduated with a bachelor’s of economics with a minor in management from McGill University. She went on to receive a digital marketing specialist from the Canadian marketing association. With over 6 years of experience in the field, Parisa began her career in import/export and logistics of reusable textiles, before moving on to digital sales and marketing of home healthcare products. Prior to receiving her specialty, she worked as a sales and marketing coordinator in the commercial rental industry. Parisa has also volunteered her expertise with a number of charities including being a board member for Ovarian Cancer Canada.